Problem #2: Battery Failure in RV
Whether your motor home won't start, the cabin lights go out, or none of your gadgets work, battery failure can be a pain.
How to avoid: Check the fluid levels in your battery regularly and add distilled water as needed. Be sure to wear eye and hand protection and keep open flames at least 10 feet away as batteries give off hydrogen gas. Invest in a sealed maintenance-free battery so you won't have to worry about them.
If you go months without camping, check the battery's charge levels with a voltmeter and put on a trickle charger to maintain them.
Use cut-off switches on your rig, which will stop appliances and RV systems from siphoning away small amounts of electricity even though their power switches say "off." If your unit doesn't feature cut-off switches, a simple fix is to disconnect the battery cables. Just make sure you connect them in the right order.
How to fix: In many cases, charging your dead battery is a quick RV repair. Still, always check the fluid levels first, which can be the problem. If you're in a campground with hook-ups, plug your rig into AC power to charge the battery overnight. Most motor homes and trailers will charge cabin batteries while on the road as well.
If a battery continually fails, despite regular fluid checks and charging, there's little you can do but replace it.
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Problem #3: Refrigerator, Stove/Oven, Water Heater Won't Work
Keeping fresh foods cold and being able to cook them properly is critical to your health. Staying warm in cold regions and having hot water for bathing and washing dishes are also important. For safety and comfort, this is a critical RV repair.
How to avoid: Most RV refrigerators run on propane when AC power isn't available, so the problem could be as simple as an empty propane tank.
How to fix: A simple way to check the propane tank is to pull it out of your rig. If it feels light, it probably needs to be filled.
If the tank is full, check the hose connection, regulator and fittings for leaks using a soapy spray. Examine the refrigerator, water heater, and furnace air inlet vents and burners for ant or wasp nests, spider webs or other debris as well because rust can build up. If you find any of these problems, clean them out.
If you still can't get your appliances to work check your coach battery, as many appliances often require electrical power to work. If everything checks out, then it's time to call a professional.
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