Welcome to the RV Tips page brought to you by
the Pro's at
Cedar
Ridge RV Center
On
this page you will find useful tips and hints on use, maintenance, or
anything relating to RVs
This page will be updated on a regular basis, so please check back often.
If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or anything else you
would like to share with us please e-mail the webmaster@crrv.com
| |
|
| July
2007 |
Mid-summer
heat and humidity means lots of work for your RV air conditioner.
The air conditioner should be checked several times a year, how
often will depend on amount of use and operating conditions. Filters
should be checked monthly, possibly more often with heavy use or
a dusty environment. On the roof, make sure there is an unobstructed
path for the condensation to run off, and the condenser fins are
clean and unobstructed. Because of high voltages anything requiring
removal of the air conditioner cover should be performed by a qualified
technician
If you have a question
on this or any other tip please e-mail
us or call 800-988-4884
|
| June
2007 |
RV
refrigerators rely on convection (the circulation caused by cold
air sinking and warm air rising) to cool. Under most circumstances
this will provide sufficient cooling. But on days when there is
a lot of opening and closing of the refrigerator door, or when the
refrigerator is so tightly packed with food and provisions that
the convective air flow through the cooling box is obstructed, it
may not cool sufficiently. Of course, when this happens it would
be best to remedy the cause (ie: open the door less, or pack less
into the fridge to allow better circulation), but when that isn’t
possible there is help available. The addition
of a battery operated fan, blowing up in the front of the cooling
box or blowing down in the rear will aid in cooling the box and
help keep a more consistent temperature through out the refrigerator.
|
| May.
2007 |
When
setting up your awning leave the end farthest from the main entry
door a few settings lower than the other to help facilitate rain
water run-off. When it becomes windy, and or it starts to rain very
hard, it’s best to roll the awning(s) up to protect them from
damage. If you can’t roll up the awning because of a screen
enclosure or some other reason, lower the awning as much as possible
and secure with an approved awning
tie down device. Use of anti-flap
devices will also help prevent wind damage to your awning fabric.
|
| Apr.
2007 |
There are a few
basic checks you should do to your LP Gas (propane) system as you
get your RV ready for use for the season. Before you turn on the
LP service valve(s) you should check the condition of any and all
rubber hoses in the system. Check for dry rot, cracking, cuts, chaffing,
and any other signs of damage or wear. All hoses that show sign
of damage or wear should be replaced before you open the LP gas
service valve.
Once the system
is pressurized you should apply an LP
leak detector solution to all fittings. If a leak is present
the solution will bubble at the leak. Dish detergent or soapy water
is not recommended for this use because some ingredients used can
damage brass and copper fittings. Any leaks should be corrected
before you use the system.
Only after the above
inspections should you proceed to light your LP appliances. If you
smell gas or the LP leak detector goes off or any appliance does
not operate properly it should be checked by a qualified technician.
|
| Mar.
2007 |
You
should always check your tires before moving your RV after the
rig has been unmoved for any period of time. First do a visual
inspection, checking tread for wear or foreign objects that may
damage or puncture the tire. Next check the condition of the tire,
look for dry rot, bubbles, or any damage to the tire.
Next check tire pressure. Tires
should be aired to the RV manufacturer’s specification.
This can usually be found in the owner’s manual or on a
data tag located on or in the vehicle. If you can not find the
manufacture’s specification you should use the tire manufacturer’s
specified pressure located on the sidewall of the tire, noting
any pressure differences for single and dual mounted tires.
We offer a selection of tire
gauges and tire
valve accessories to help simplify tire pressure maintenance.
For additional tire care information check our Tips & Hints
archives.
|
| Feb.
2007 |
During
winter storage or long periods of time with no use, most refrigerators
will develop mold and/or offensive odors inside if the door(s) are
left closed. To prevent this most refrigerator manufactures have
built-in catches to hold the refrigerator and freezer door partially
open. Check your refrigerator’s owner’s manual for information
on how to use this handy feature.
If you refrigerator does not
have this feature there are several accessories available to hold
the doors open. DPI makes a Refrigerator
Door Stop that uses suction cups to hold the door open. Adjust-A-Brush
makes a device called No-Mold
that is designed to work with most double door refrigerators.
Under no circumstances should a rag or towel be draped over the
doors or anything else that may put pressure on the door gasket
be used. This could deform the gasket and cause the refrigerator
or freezer to not properly seal when closed.
|
| Jan.
2007 |
The typical RV roof contains many plastic components. These include
roof vents, plumbing vents, refrigerator vents, and air conditioner
shrouds among others. Over time these plastic components may start
to deteriorate and become brittle and prone to cracking or breakage.
If damaged they will allow rainwater to leak into your rig that
could cause damage that may be very expensive to repair.
To prevent this from occurring,
you should have your RV’s roof checked on a regular basis.
You should also have it checked after extreme weather such as
hail or high winds, or after impact with objects such as tree
branches or wires. Any damage found should be repaired as soon
as possible.
To help prolong the life of
plastic components, they should be treated with a protective treatment
such as 303
Protectant, or ProtectAll
among many others. For electronic related items such as satellite
dish domes or GPS antennas you should check manufacturer’s
information for recommended products.
There are also a variety of
products available to cover and protect roof top components. MaxxAir
and Camco
manufacture roof vent covers that will help protect vent lids
from sun and weather while still allowing for air flow through
the vents. There are covers
available for roof top air conditioners, (never operate a
air conditioner with a cover in place). For off season protection
and for when your RV will not be used for long periods of time,
you could use a RV
cover to help protect the entire vehicle from the elements.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
