Fuse
I had a fuse that blew due to a short caused by a faulty cigarette adapter and went to a 'large RV dealer'. After a lot of procrastination they agreed that it did not need to be put in the workshop to solve the simple problem, this bothered me as they said that I was not allowed in the workshop because of insurance! After looking for the blown fuse for 15 minutes I got somewhat exasperated and tore up their worksheet. I then went to another workshop that I had used in the past for a quotation - not a dealer. They found and replaced the blown fuse within 5 minutes in the same place the others had tested, also I was able to see the location of the fuse in case the problem reoccurred. Big lesson learned.
Batteries
I found that I had to replace the main starter battery, even though it was only two years old. I took the opportunity to replace it with a heavy duty 1000 crank power unit.
I also discovered that the two 12v Marine Batteries were not keeping their charge very well and went to Intersate Batteries, the manufacturers, and had them tested. They confirmed my suspicions and offered to replace them both and upgrade them to twice the amp hour capacity for $140. I snapped up the offer and now we have ample reserve capacity on hand. Shows that getting top grade units does pay off.
Shower Mixer Taps
I discovered one weekend on the road that we had run out of fresh water and that the gray water was full. After an examination I found that the problem was the shower taps, they were leaking heavily. I called in at Home Depot in Santa Rosa, California and sought the advise of their plumbing expert. As ever they came up trumps and given his reassurance of probable cause I had the confidence to dismantled the shower assembly and whilst they were unable to supply the replacement part gave me the necessary parts to stem the flow completely as well as the name and directions to a local supplier. The Home Depot and staff are a great store.
Windscreen Wiper Motor
Whilst descending from the southern entrance of the Sequoia National Forest the windscreen wipers started to malfunction with a horrible noise coming from the engine area. A quick investigation seemed to indicate the motor gears were slipping. NAPA were unable to assist as it was not a stock part. Off to the RV dealer in Fresno and the part ordered to be delivered in 3 days. Rainex I was recommended to purchased for the screen provided a valuable substitute for the heavy rain. Total cost of part with freight $120, labour $108 plus taxes $250.
Reversing Light
I found that my, self installed, reversing light was not working so I did a check and found that the connection inside the unit had shorted due to poor design. Called in a NAPA again and purchased a heavy duty unit for $40.
Broken Left Sway Bar Bracket
Whilst leaving Death Valley I heard a bang from the front after hitting a deep pot hole. A visual inspection revealed a large piece of metal hanging down. I soon realised that a major nut had been missing holding the bracket to the chassis for some considerable time and that this had caused a stress failure of the bracket. I found an excellent repair shop and within 1 hour the bracket was welded and a new bolt and nut securing the bracket to the chassis again.
After a short period of driving I realised that bracket had been loose for some time as I found driving much easier and was not fighting every camber and wind gust.
Freezing of Pipes
I found that in freezing weather that even the internal pipes froze so I removed the bed top and insulated the pipes to and from the hot water heater and all accessible pipe work. I also want to purchase a low height miners kerosene lamp that can be safely placed in the sewage outlet/disposal area during cold weather as this will keep a low level heat source in this vulnerable position.
Bad Driving
I caught the offside storage door whilst not paying full attention when leaving a garage on the last trip and this was repaired and together with a full service came to $2,000.
Oil Pipe Warn/Broken
Whilst climbing a steep hill the oil cooler return pipe fractured squirting oil over the bottom of the RV. As a member of the Good Sam Club assistance was at hand within the hour and the RV was towed to by a garage who were also able to do some temporary repairs the following morning for $150.00 which lasted till our return when we had the pipe replaced and engine and transmission oils changed to a synthetic oil, which needs replacing annually. Cost $1,200.00.
Idler Bar
As the fro tyres had shown excessive wear I decided to replace them at a cost of $600 and then get the alignment checked. The mechanic noticed that the idler bar was loose and could not do the alignment. Washington Autocarriage found a replacement unit and also noticed that the aftermarket suspension addition fitted by the previous owner was still catching on the oil pipes that had previously been replaced. After some discussion I had him remove the offending suspension parts removed and then had the realignment done. What a difference the RV now track beautifully. Cost $1,200.
