The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair

Episode 39 covers RV UV-LED Water Filtration as the newest technology to provide Clean Pure Drinking Water in any RV at a an affordable price. We sell the Acuva brand RV LED Water Filter System. This system completely remove all of the nasty things in water that other systems can’t remove. Call us for prices.

Surge Protection is the other topic I covered in this Episode and how important they can be to protect the RV’s electronics and appliances that use 110 volt. Surge Guard and Progressive Dynamics are the 2 brands I recommend because it is the brand I have grown to trust and sell problem free.

I also explain some of the awesome changes coming to our new location in Victor Montana. The changes are going to be awesome and provide a completely different customer experience not found in the RV Industry.

Listen Now!

The post ↓Episode 39 – RV Surge Protection and UV-LED Water Filtration appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

In Episode 38 I do a brief update on our move to Victor, MT and spend most of the show talking about prepping for summer and some of the important basics that go along with vacation prep. Everybody has their own routines that match their RV and that usually works so, I just give some reminders and spend some time on sealing the roof because in most parts of the country it rains almost regularly in the summer. I also touch on trailer tires and suspension and the importance of quality brake controllers. And as always I push the DIY aspect of owning an RV and the importance of maintaining your RV and especially having the confidence to do it yourself!

Listen Now!

The post ↓Episode 38 – Move Update and RV Prep for Summer appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

We are moving to Victor Montana! Yes, that is correct, we are relocating to Victor Montana in the middle of May 2018. Due to family illness Karen and I have decided the best thing to do is move to Montana so she can be closer to her mom in the the last months of her life. We also decided that we would relocate Arizona RV Parts, our brick and mortar store as well. We still need to work and are able so why not move it all and be there for her mom and and enjoy some beautiful surroundings. This is a planned a move and now that we are sure of it, we will be very public and let all of our customers know to the best of our ability. Let me emphasize, we are relocating, not going out of business nor are we leaving Wellton, AZ because of shady business practices. I suggest listening to the Podcast and hear all of the details for yourself. Below are links to the website branding our new name, Highway 93 RV. The podcast will carry on under the same name, Radio Arizona RV – The RV Maintenance and Education Show for the DIY’er. Listen Now!

Highway 93 RV Parts & Accessories

1345 Hwy 93 North Suite2

Victor, MT 59875

800-789-5588

www.Highway93RV.com

The post ↓Episode 37 – Big Announcement, We’re Relocating appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

In this episode I cover the essentials of what type of sealants to use on your RV. I briefly cover what is needed for a Rubber Roof because I have done a previous on sealing a rubber roof and the Sealants I recommend are made by Dicor, they specialize in rubber roofs. I also am a fan of Dicor products for maintaining and repairing rubber roofs. In this episode I use a window as an example of how to seal just about anything on the side of your RV although, the principle holds true for the roof as well. A window typically uses the same process and sealants that compartment door would use as well as an entrance door. The main thing to do in any application is clean the surfaces thoroughly and use Butyl tape to as the main seal and a sealant such as Proflex to seal the top of the window or whatever it is that you are resealing. I also explain the differences in Butyl Tape and Putty Tape and why you should use Butyl Tape in almost all reseal jobs. There are four main brands of sealants that are widely used across the RV Industry by consumers and manufacturers alike. It brand has it’s different products for the variety of applications that might be found on an RV. You can also check with the RV manufacturer for their recommendations. The 4 brands that I recommend are listed below and there is also a link to Arizona RV Parts Center for more information and part numbers.

• Hengs formerly know as Elixer

• GeoCell

• Dyco – Not Dicor

• Sika also known as Sika Flex

The post ↓Episode 36 – Exterior Sealant for an RV appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

 Not sure of what tools you should carry in your RV Tool Box? As an RV’er you never know when your RV is going to need a repair whether it is on the road or camping at your favorite get away. The one thing you do know is that you will experience problems that will require repairs. The other unknown is if it will happen when it is convenient with your local repair shop open for business or will it be on a weekend or at night when everybody is closed up tight? It will happen if it already hasn’t, breakdowns are part of the RV Experience. In reality though, don’t cars and boats need repairs? What about ATV’s and personal water crafts? My point is everything fails and for some reason when an RV has a problem it is classified as an absolute inconvenience, when it is just part of the experience. Episode 35 covers this topic and I share with you my thoughts on what tools would be worth carrying and why. I also cover some items that are very handy to have on hand to get your problem solved when the stores are closed or late at night. Being prepared is worth its weight in gold. I know this from experience and a lifetime of Not having to call someone to do something I could do and did do myself. I will provide a list of tools and items I believe that should be part of the RV Tool Box and it can be found below and I will add & subtract as needed. Not all items or tools will work in every RV Tool Box! Open the box and listen now to the Entire Episode!

The RV Tool Box Contents!

Hand Tools:

• Socket Set Metric & American

• Wrench sets Metric & American

• Screw Drivers – Phillips and Flat Head

• 6 In 1 Type of Screw Driver with Torx Bits and a #1 & #2 Square Tip Bits

• Bit Driver for a Cordless Drill – with assortment of Bits: Square tip, Phillips, Sockets etc…

• Magnet Drive Guide – Usually Included in multi piece drive bit sets

• Channel Lock Style Pliers, Regular Pliers

• Wire Cutter, Wire Stripper and Wire Crimper

• Allen Wrench set

• Ball Peen hammers – Medium and Small

• Tools to Change Tire – Don’t assume your RV came with everything needed, sometimes they don’t.

• Volt Meter (110v & 12v)

• 12 Volt Test Light

• Cordless Drill & Drill Bits

• Pex Tubing Cutter

• P&T Relief Valve Tool

• Hack Saw – Spare Blades

• Tire Gauge that works with your tire pressure

Systems:

• Pex Tubing 2 -3 feet of 3/8 & ½ inch

• Flair It Fittings for Pex Tubing – Couplers for 1/2” & 3/8” female pipe thread, Couplers for female pipe thread to Pex tubing, Shut Off Valve, Pex • • Fitting with cap to close off line.

• Fuses – Check your RV styles. Mini, Maxi, ATO/ATC, Micro etc…

• Wire Ties

• Electrical Tape

• 14 & 16 Gauge Wire

• Wire Connectors

• Battery Terminal Cleaner or a Wire Brush

• Duct Tape

• Teflon Tape for water systems

• Gas/Propane Tape for LP fittings

• Spray 100% Silicone

• Spray Lubricant

• Assortment of screws, nuts and bolts for your RV

• Hose Clamps

• Rags & Paper Towels

Road Side Emergencies:

• Flairs and or LED type flairs

• Cones or Reflective Triangles

• Fire Extinguisher

• LED Flash Light

• Rechargeable LED Flashlight

• Spare Batteries

• High Quality Jumper Cables

• Ground Cloth

• Spare Tire

Some retailers recommend small portable air compressors to inflate your tires if they are low. Most of these inexpensive compressors won’t be able to bring RV tires up to the proper pressure. Most inexpensive tire compressors are junk! And quite often not worth the money. The best solution is to check out Power Tanks! Power tanks offers C02 Systems that are awesome! I have 2 of them for my vehicles.

Other Stuff:

• Rope

• Bungee Cords

• Work Gloves

• Scissors

• Shovel

• Pocket Knife

• 7’ Aluminum Ladder

Awning Emergencies – While Driving

• Box Cutter to Remove Fabric if needed

• Velcro Straps to Secure Awning Arms

• Wire Ties to Secure Awnings

• Tools to Remove awning if needed

In an emergency it might become necessary to remove the fabric or the complete awning on the roadside, be prepared to do so!

The post ↓Episode 35 – The RV Tool Box Essentials appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Episode 34 is about Solera RV Awnings by Lippert Components and the quality that has made Solera my new favorite RV Awning. In the past I expressed a low opinion of Lippert Components and now I changed my view point as time has passed. Not only have they become a better company, they are providing a great line of RV Awnings. The Solera brand has proven to be a Rock Star for my customers and our new go to awning. I go into the 3 Solera products that we have sold the most of this winter season in Arizona. The 18 Volt Universal Awning Arm Sets and the Universal Fabrics are two awesome products but, I have to say the Sliders or more commonly known as Slide Out Awnings are the best Slide Out Awnings we have ever installed. They are very similar to the Old Style A&E Slide Toppers except, they have been improved upon not only in style and appearance but also the performance is like none other. Listen Now to the Entire Episode!

For More Information Click Here!

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The post ↓Episode 34 – Solera RV Awnings by Lippert Components appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Ford V10 Engine Rebuild Due to Spark Plugs Blowing Out!

In this episode I explain the Spark Plug problem that Ford V10 Engines experience and how a spark plug problem turned into an engine rebuild on a Ford E350 Super Duty Van. I explain the overall process I went through and why I did it. I could have possibly just spent 800 bucks and maybe got by with a Time Sert/Helicloi type of fix but, I chose to go deeper because of the mileage (235,000) and at the bare minimum have the heads rebuilt and all of the spark plug holes repaired. The engine was going to have to come out no matter which way I decided to proceed and it was not nearly as difficult as the internet will make you believe. Some shops automatically remove the entire body to get to the engine. This makes no sense!

After removing the engine I decided to scrap getting the heads rebuilt after calling around Yuma and not really getting the answers I wanted to be comfortable with any of the shops rebuilding the heads. I then decided I would buy and engine online and soon realized that might not be the best plan if I wanted to keep the van and get another 200,000 miles out of it. The online reviews were not very good for any of the engine builders and the process was somewhat of a chore and they did not replace all of the parts that should be replaced. My engine was not blown nor neglected and I decided I would prefer to get my own engine back and not some beat up engine that blew up due to neglect.

That is when I starting calling around Phoenix and eventually chose to go with RnR Engines and was very glad I did. The podcast describes all of the above in more detail and how much I appreciated the work RnR Engines did and they will always be my go to guys for any major engine work I need done. Keep in mind that I live 2 hours away form them, that should say something about them.

Listen to the entire Episode Now!

The following are pictures of the project in the order as the project progressed.

The post ↓Episode 33 – The Ford V10 Spark Plug Project appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Episode 32 explores the possibilities of using new technology to make computing in an RV easier while expanding potential possibilities. See the simple way to add a second monitor to any PC or Mac. The living space in an RV can become a little tight at times and being able to use a Compact Wireless Keyboard with iPads and Android Devices can be extremely helpful. Many RV’ers find that just recharging all of the devices can be a chore, the Plugable Power Adapter/Charger cleans up the charging cables and simplifies the charging process. Plugable provides computing adapters of all types and styles to make life easier and using technology more enjoyable and absolutely hassle free. In this Episode I review many of the Plugable items I use at work and at home on a regular basis. There many ways to make an RV more PC and Tablet Friendly and with the help of Plugable you can certainly find out how. The entire Plugable Product Line is DIY Friendly! Listen Now to Learn How!

More more information about Plugable and a summary of this Episode on Arizona RV Parts Center  Click Here!

The post ↓Episode 32 – Plugable Technologies for the RV appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Epsisode 31 breaks down the basic Annual or as needed maintenance for RV Water Heaters. Atwood and Suburban need to have the Tanks Flushed, Anode Rods replaced and the Pressure Relief Valves replaced as needed. I delve into each area for Atwood and Suburban Water Heaters on what to check, how often and the tools needed along with parts. I also have created 3 Landing Pages on our E Commerce Site www.ArizonaRVPartsCenter.com. These pages bring out in detail the needed maintenance for both brands of water heaters. I explain just the simple maintenance side of the water heaters, not in depth repairs for a malfunction. I will get into the deeper repairs in a future episode. Another point about the landing pages on Arizona RV Parts Center is that I will continue to build these for all podcasts where it will bring some DIY value to enable to do repairs. The pages will create a go to website for RV Maintenance all in one place. The maintenance is not to difficult to do with some education and the right tools. The Water Heater Maintenance should be a DIY project for all RV’ers at any skill level, it is easier to do this than it is to take the RV to a Service Center. Listen Now!

Use this these Links for Your Water Heater:

Atwood RV Water Heaters – Atwood Repair Parts

Suburban RV Water Heaters – Suburban Repair Parts

RV Water Heater Tools

The post ↓Episode 31 – Maintenance for Atwood & Suburban Water Heaters appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

You have this Saturday marked on you calendar to do some long needed repairs on your RV. Do you shop at the Local RV Parts Store or go online and try to snag a super deal and have the parts in time for the Saturday set aside to get the RV ready for the next trip? In most cases, you won’t snag a super deal online for RV Parts, at best it will be a good deal.

A good deal is alright if you save a buck or two. Or is it?

The point of this episode is to bring to the front some easy steps to make sure you have the needed parts by Saturday and making sure there is a Plan B. Lets say your RV Water Heater needs a new circuit board, your almost 100% sure! If you go to the local RV Parts Store they will be able to test your old one and confirm your theory and sell you a new board. The Internet Can’t Do That! You have your new board and you go back to your RV and install it and your water heater still doesn’t work! If you bought this circuit board Online you would now start to wonder how the return process works? What if I can’t return? Is this going to be a big hassle? The anxieties mount up but, you did save a few bucks! Or did you?

Now, if you shopped locally you could just go back to the RV Parts Store and they will most likely hand you a new circuit board. This time you make sure they test it before you leave. It is the same thing with a lock or any other part, if you bought it locally you can return it and get the repair done right away. It is just like shopping at Home Depot, if you buy a faucet and it leaks after installing it, you can return it and get a replacement the same day and finish the project. It might be a hassle to do it twice but, you got the job done. In this episode I share some other thoughts based on the years of experience I have from selling online. There are many misconceptions and getting the Best Price on Amazon is just one of them. We must also consider how customer service ties into our online purchases. Listen to Episode 30 and hear the whole story!

The post ↓Episode 30 – Why Shop Local for a Weekend Project appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.