Just click on the button next to a topic to view a detailed explanation.

QUICK "HOW TO FIX IT" TIPS

• Water Leaks

  • There is a product known as Super Mend.  You can buy it at most RV Centers.  This product will stop! a water leak.  If dries to any surface and really lasts.  My plastic water holding tank was leaking.  A repair had been attempted using fiberglass.  Due to the plastic shape changing somewhat as the tank was filled with water, the fiberglass patch didn't adhere very long.  Two years after the Super Mend treatment, it still holds tight.  The product costs under $10.

• Steering Gear Box

  • Some of us has had problems with the gear box.  In my case, I had too much play in the wheel.  This can unnerve you going 70 mph down the highway.  There is a nut on the side of the gearbox.  Inside the nut is a slot for a hex wrench.  Hold the hex head with an Allen wrench..  Using a wrench, loosen the nut.  Now, gently tighten the screw clockwise.  Once you feel it seat, back off half a turn.  You do not want it seated firm!  It will lock up your steering.  Now hold the screw head and tighten the nut.  You'll notice the play has gone out of your steering.  Of course, a good set of radial tires helps.  Bias tires will exaggerate any play in the wheel.

• Control Board

  • Does it work?  Mine did nothing.  A little close up viewing and a good light revealed a broken connection on the wire tape on the back of the control board module.  I soldered a piece of telephone wire to bridge the connection at two contact points.  Simple fix and it all works now.  The wire tape is your negative, so once broken, nothing worked.  

• Ceiling Panels

  • If you are like most of us, you have suffered water damage at some point.  This causes the ceiling panels to warp.  It is a time consuming and hefty job to replace them.  I have another idea that just happened to work.  I had some significant warps in my panels near the ACs and down the center.  I removed the center rail securing the panels.  I had to remove some of the lateral braces also.  Get enough undone to lower part of the panel (the part that is warped).  Get a wet towel.  It needs to be fairly wet but not dripping.  Place it on top of the entire warped area.  Let it sit for 24-48 hours.  The panel will absorb the water.  You are essentially going to re-warp the panel back into shape.  Now you need a couple of pieces of plywood that are big enough to cover the effected area but small enough to work with.  You'll also need a number of clamps.  You guessed the rest.  Removed the towels.  Wood on top, wood on bottom, clamp securely and walk away.  I had to use some string to hold the panel near the ceiling struts.  The weight of the plywood and clamps wanted to bow it downward.  Wait about a week.  You want it really dry.  Remove the clamps and plywood.  Your panel is flat once again!  You have to do one area at a time, unless you have lots of plywood and clamps.  Patience! It's a Travco necessity.  Reattach the braces.

• Suspension

  • My wife informs me that most men don't like things that sag.  Well, she sagged in the rear.  I'm talking about my Travco of course!  I replaced the standard shocks with the spring loaded kind.  They were a challenge to install.  It's not the shocks that's hard.  It's squeezing those suckers long enough to install them.  Using my floor jack,  I located a ledge to work with.  My ledge happened to be the deck on the back of my Travco.  Place the shock on top of the jack and under the ledge.  Jack it up to compress the shock.  Using some strong rope, tie it off.  Release the jack.  You'll no quickly whether the rope worked.  With it compressed, you should have no problem installing it.  I used my floor jack again to move the body or axle up to make the bolt holes align.  Once on and tightened, cut the rope.  The springs added a lot of support to my rear.  She doesn't sag much now.  These also work like the stabilizer bars that are missing from our Travcos.

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

• CB Radio

  • If you're like me, you don't want to end up in the middle of nowhere without the ability to call for help, should the need arise.  Although we live in the age of cell phones and nationwide coverage, I defy anyone to prove nationwide means "everywhere" in the nation.  An inexpensive CB radio may be your best source of nearby help.  Just like a first aid kit, stow one away just in case.

• Cell Phone

  • Who leaves home without one today?  The cell phone will get just about anyone, anywhere.  With the exception of "dead spots" and problems connecting through roaming services, the cell phone is our modern method of communication.  Remember that even if you aren't a cell phone user, you can get an inexpensive phone (<$20) and prepay a few hundred minutes.  Once used up, you keep your phone and wait for your next trip.

• TV Antenna

  • OK, my RV has cable connections, but not every site has cable.  If you have a TV in your Travco, an external antenna is a must.  If you buy one, be sure to get an antenna with a powered signal booster.  

• AC/DC Television/VCR

  • A household TV requires AC power.  That means you'll have to run the generator if your riders are watching TV on the road.  A power hookup will be required for overnight stays.  The price of AC/DC televisions has come way down.  Shop around and you can find one, complete with built-in VCR, and a 13" (not 9") screen for under $250.

• Map Software

  • Map software, such as MAPQUEST (available on the LINKS page) will do more than show you roads to get there.  Once you enter your origin and destination, you can choose the fastest router, the scenic router, and combination of the two, the road types you prefer, view tourist sites along the way, and on and on.  Before you take your next trip, use the computer to draw your map.  Another really good software product is Rand McNally's Trip Planner.  

HOT ROAD TRIPS THIS SUMMER

• Beaches

  • Get on the internet and find the web site for State Parks in the state you want to visit.  It will be there somewhere.  You can then find a number of beach sites with all the amenities for bargain prices.  Beach hotel prices skyrocket during the summer months.  Your Travco may be the best, and least expensive, condo around.

• Mountains

  • Before setting out to the majestic mountains, call ahead and make sure camping sites have hook-ups.  You'd be surprised at the number of "primitive" sites in the mountains.  Choosing a site in the mountains near a vacation area allows the daytime fun and excitement of the tourist attractions, and the nighttime relaxation of an RV camping park.

• State Parks

  • Two words... make reservations!  State parks, especially the more popular ones will fill up.  You won't be aware of the bass fishing tournament going on that weekend, only to find the park full.

• National Parks

  • Two words... make reservations!  National parks, especially the heavily visited tourist stops, such as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyons, have very limited camping sites, and even more limited sites with hook-ups.  I easily made my reservations in advance, and upon arrival, watch RV after RV being turned away.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR GAS MILEAGE

• Yeah right!  If I knew that answer I'd be a gazillionaire.

PARTS BARGAIN BUYS

• Tires

  • I've heard people telling of a wide range of prices paid for new tires.  I use 19.5 x 8 radials.  They can cost up to $180 or more.  But shop around.  If you want the Michelins, you'll pay.  But there are other good tires.  I suggest looking for General of Kelly-Springfield tires.  They provide a great ride and handle like any other radial.  But... they only cost $110 each.  If you're buying a set, the dollars add up quickly.

• Batteries

  • Use a regular engine battery for starting.  Your local parts dealer or Walmart can give a good one.  Be sure to get plenty of cranking amps!  If yours is like mine, that gas tank is a long way from the engine.  After plenty of pedal pumping, it could still take several tries to get that engine fired up.  A low amp battery could run load turning for so long.

  • For you house batteries, nothing beats a deep cycle.  This is the Marine battery you see at the store.  What differentiates these from normal batteries is that you can drain them completely and still recharge.  A regular battery will not capture a full recharge.  Link a few deep cycle batteries together and you'll have long lasting power without plugging in.

  • Once plugged in, leave your battery switch on (1 - 2 - both).  The transformer in you coach will convert the AC power to DC to enable all your DC circuitry to work, plus, it will recharge your 12 volt batteries.

  • I'm sure you all know, but for the newbies... never switch your batteries while the engine is running.  This can cause a short in your battery or your alternator.

• Shocks

  • Use the spring ride kind on the back.  This is a regular shock absorber with a spring around it.  It gives extra support and the springs give more lift and less sway.

  • When buying batteries, specify your truck chassis.  This is a D300, M400, etc.  Some parts dealers won't list it.  Have them corss reference the number with a "D" in front.  That will bring up the truck part.  The "R" indicates recreational vehicle.  The "M" indicates motor home.  But... don't take the "D" model part.  The Dodge truck frame was modified to move the steering assembly forward.    In other words, you aren't driving a standard Dodge truck.  My parts man had to go from the computer terminal to a parts book.  Took a few minutes but he found my R300.