rv trailer batteries
Don’t Get Cheated: Rv Service Repairs
Lack of RV maintenance is the backbone of the RV business. Dealers count on the fact that RV owners do not or cannot look after their coach. After many years in the RV business and as a trailer owner myself I speak from experience. When not actually using the trailer it’s out of sight and out of mind.
There are a few key maintenance issue’s that will keep any serious repair bills from denting your pocket book.
- Your RV (of any style) is full of holes! Yes, that’s right. Every window, every vent etc was cut into the RV. Through these cut-outs water can enter. So, how can you save your trailer from the water damage we see almost every older camper suffering from? Check your seams and seals and re-caulk regularly. Gently scrape of the old and replace with new. This simple job can not only save you money because a dealer will pay a junior tech to do the job and charge you full shop rate but it can save your trailer from de-lamination.
- Winterize your RV before it begins to freeze outside. Many times I’ve been asked, “I still want to use my trailer this fall, will it be ok if it freeze’s outside?” Well simply, water freeze’s at 0c or 32F. A jug of antifreeze is $2. A water heater is $300 or more. It’s not a difficult job.
- Battery care and maintenance. This one is simple too. Don’t leave your battery on the RV in the freezing cold of winter. It will freeze and expand. There is much more to battery care but this article is just for simple reminders we all forget. Batteries are expensive.
- Don’t leave food in your trailer when not in use. Critters will get in. The damage they can do is huge. Dealers love charging for mattresses, drape’s or canvas because a mouse made its home in their trailer for the winter.
I know this list is short but these are 4 items that can save you thousands! Greg
About the Author
Greg and his wife Leasa have spent many years in the rv service business Greg has recently left his position at a large facility dealership to own and operate Compass RV Centre a service oriented rv business in the small town of Atwood, Ontario
|
|
Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator $44.88 Powerful and portable, the Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator is the portable solution to household and on-the-go inflation needs. An illuminated pressure gauge gives you precise control, with an automatic shut off feature to make inflation easy. The ASI300 draws power from any home outlet or your vehicle’s lighter socket, so you can set it up where you need it.ul.indent {list-style: insid… |
|
|
Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower $149.00 Enjoy instant hot water wherever you go with the Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater. Generating more than 1 gallon of hot water per minute, this compact, energy-efficient heater creates a more comfortable and convenient outdoor experience for you and your family. The water heater comes with everything you need, including the adapters required to attach any standard garden hose nozzle and p… |
|
|
Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger $49.95 Solar Power Chargers for your 12V batteries and accessories. Power-up anywhere, affordably! These Solar Power devices grab free “juice” from the sun! They extend the life of your 12V batteries, maintain the charge and allow you to run various electronics (deer feeders, landscaping pumps, etc.) from your batteries. Clean, silent operation… with both cigarette lighter adapter and battery clamps. T… |
|
|
Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug $0.20 Quick disconnect Permanent mount for easy access to battery 18″ cord length Fused with 7.5amp automotive-type fuse Great for hard to access batteries 12v Quick Disconnect Ring Terminal Harness allows for a permanent mount to the battery with 2-pin quick disconnect plug for use with all 12v Battery Tender chargers. Very convenient for hard to access batteries…. |
|
|
Roadpro 12V Battery Clip-On and Cigarette Lighter Adapter $4.94 Roadpro RPPSAPS 12V Battery Clip On and Cigarette Lighter Adapter…. |
|
|
Rand McNally TripMaker RVND 5510 5-Inch RV GPS $349.99 5″ WIDESCREEN & 480 X 272 RESOLUTION DISPLAYINCLUDES MORE THAN 14 MILLION POIS SUCH AS FESTIVALS NATIONAL/STATE/REGIONAL PARKS AND OTHER RESEARCHED LOCATIONSRAND MCNALLY(R) PROPRIETARY TRIP CONTENT PLAN A WEEKEND CITY SIDE TRIP REGIONAL TRIP AND MORE WITH SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON PLACES TO STOP WITH PHOTOS AND VIDEOSRV CAMPGROUNDS RV DEALERS AND SERVICES PARKING REST AREAS AND TRAVEL CENTERSRV TOOL… |
|
|
Camp Chef HWDS Triton Hot Water Heater $119.63 The Triton Hot Water Heater provides the hot shower you need and want when you’re on the road or camping, as well as hot water for camp side cooking and cleaning, in seconds from a standard garden hose. Simple to use, the Triton attaches to a standard hose and ignites instantly when you turn on the water to deliver hours of hot water. Producing 1.5 gallons of hot water a minute, the Triton feature… |
|
|
Camco 41313 RV 12V-15W Fluorescent Light Bulb $10.26 Camco 12V, 15W Fluorescent Light Bulb. Perfect for use with solar power panels, each 15W Bulb delivers the lighting power of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, saving energy and dollars. Fits standard screw-in socket. Order Now! Camco 12V, 15W Fluorescent Light Bulb… |
|
|
25 Watt Replacement RV LED Light Energy Efficent RV Lighting 12 Volt 3.5 Watt 200 Lumens Replaces 1003, 1141, 1156 or equivalent $29.99 The Next Wave in energy efficient RV lighting is here with these LED replacement lights. These LED bulbs last 30 times longer than a standard bulb and use 8x less energy than a standard bulb. These replacement bulbs will last up to 50,000 hours. These LED bulbs have very low heat put out so no more melted lenses or burnt hands. With these bulbs there is no need to worry about coming back to a dead… |
|
|
Schumacher SE-1-12S Fully Automatic Onboard Battery Charger – 1.5 Amps $22.47 This Schumacher onboard battery maintainer is fully automatic and is an excellent choice for charging and maintaining 12V batteries. The battery maintainer charges battery in 2-12 hours and automatically switches to float-mode battery monitoring when charging is complete. It provides reverse polarity and overcharge protection and works using standard 120V AC power. Since the maintainer uses short … |
|
|
Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit $279.95 Dead batteries got you down? Soak up some sunshine with this 60 – watt Solar Kit! Solar power: efficient, abundant and FREE. Looking for a little juice? Solar may be the answer! These super-efficient crystalline Solar Panels were designed for use with cabins, outbuildings, RVs, boats… anywhere running electrical line is not practical. A 7-amp charge controller and 200W inverter help use the sun’… |
|
|
Pretend and Play Camp Set $19.61 Ages 3-5 Set up your campsite anywhere with this 9-piece set. Includes unique battery-powered lantern and stove (require 2 AA batteries each, not included), water bottle, working compass watch, cup, pan, shovel, first aid kit and utensil set…. |
|
|
Barbie Sisters Family Camper $69.90 Barbie and her sisters are ready to go on the ultimate camping trip in the Barbie Sisters Family Camper. It features a pop-up second floor with 2 hammocks for lounging around in, a full kitchen complete with seating for all of the sisters, a bathroom with toilet and shower and even a Jacuzzi to splash around in. This toy includes 1 family camper, 1 Jacuzzi, 2 soft hammocks and kitchen accessories…. |
|
|
Barbie Pink Glamour Camper $84.99 Hit the open road and get ready for an adventure-filled camping trip in Barbie’s Pink Glamour Camper. Outfitted with a pop-out tent, appliances that make sounds, and over 30 accessories, the camper will have your child and Barbie feeling comfortable in their new home away from home. Designed for ages three and up, the Glamour Camper provides interactive and role-playing opportunities for the Barbi… |
|
|
RV Electrical Systems: A Basic Guide to Troubleshooting, Repairing and Improvement $13.34 This problem-solving reference answers questions such as, “Why do interior lights dim or burn out rapidly” and “Why won’t the batteries recharge after a night without electricity?”… |
|
|
RV Boondocking Basics: A Guide to Living Without Hookups $14.95 Every year more people learn the secrets of successful boondocking–RV living without utility hookups. While fellow RVers are shelling out cash to stay at RV parks, boondockers stay at low cost (or free) natural campsites. Do they give up the “good things” of park living? Not at all. They watch TV, take showers, run computers, stereos & microwave ovens. With renewable solar or wind power they don’… |
|
|
Electrical Handbook for Rv’S, Campers, Vans, Boats, and Trailers … |
|
|
Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator $44.88 Powerful and portable, the Black & Decker ASI300 Air Station Inflator is the portable solution to household and on-the-go inflation needs. An illuminated pressure gauge gives you precise control, with an automatic shut off feature to make inflation easy. The ASI300 draws power from any home outlet or your vehicle’s lighter socket, so you can set it up where you need it.ul.indent {list-style: insid… |
|
|
Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater and Outdoor Shower $149.00 Enjoy instant hot water wherever you go with the Eccotemp L5 Portable Tankless Water Heater. Generating more than 1 gallon of hot water per minute, this compact, energy-efficient heater creates a more comfortable and convenient outdoor experience for you and your family. The water heater comes with everything you need, including the adapters required to attach any standard garden hose nozzle and p… |
|
|
Sunforce 50022 5-Watt Solar Battery Trickle Charger $49.95 Solar Power Chargers for your 12V batteries and accessories. Power-up anywhere, affordably! These Solar Power devices grab free “juice” from the sun! They extend the life of your 12V batteries, maintain the charge and allow you to run various electronics (deer feeders, landscaping pumps, etc.) from your batteries. Clean, silent operation… with both cigarette lighter adapter and battery clamps. T… |
|
|
Camp Chef HWDS Triton Hot Water Heater $119.63 The Triton Hot Water Heater provides the hot shower you need and want when you’re on the road or camping, as well as hot water for camp side cooking and cleaning, in seconds from a standard garden hose. Simple to use, the Triton attaches to a standard hose and ignites instantly when you turn on the water to deliver hours of hot water. Producing 1.5 gallons of hot water a minute, the Triton feature… |
|
|
Camco 41313 RV 12V-15W Fluorescent Light Bulb $10.26 Camco 12V, 15W Fluorescent Light Bulb. Perfect for use with solar power panels, each 15W Bulb delivers the lighting power of a 60-watt incandescent bulb, saving energy and dollars. Fits standard screw-in socket. Order Now! Camco 12V, 15W Fluorescent Light Bulb… |
|
|
25 Watt Replacement RV LED Light Energy Efficent RV Lighting 12 Volt 3.5 Watt 200 Lumens Replaces 1003, 1141, 1156 or equivalent $29.99 The Next Wave in energy efficient RV lighting is here with these LED replacement lights. These LED bulbs last 30 times longer than a standard bulb and use 8x less energy than a standard bulb. These replacement bulbs will last up to 50,000 hours. These LED bulbs have very low heat put out so no more melted lenses or burnt hands. With these bulbs there is no need to worry about coming back to a dead… |
|
|
Rand McNally TripMaker RVND 5510 5-Inch RV GPS $349.99 5″ WIDESCREEN & 480 X 272 RESOLUTION DISPLAYINCLUDES MORE THAN 14 MILLION POIS SUCH AS FESTIVALS NATIONAL/STATE/REGIONAL PARKS AND OTHER RESEARCHED LOCATIONSRAND MCNALLY(R) PROPRIETARY TRIP CONTENT PLAN A WEEKEND CITY SIDE TRIP REGIONAL TRIP AND MORE WITH SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON PLACES TO STOP WITH PHOTOS AND VIDEOSRV CAMPGROUNDS RV DEALERS AND SERVICES PARKING REST AREAS AND TRAVEL CENTERSRV TOOL… |
