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Advice Q&A Fifth WheelsRV
Advice Q&A Fifth Wheels
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Below
are E-mail questions and answers that are related to service on 5th wheel
trailers. You can send your question(s) using the form at the bottom of
all our Q&A pages.
This page last updated May 5, 2009 containing letters emailed to Pete from November 11, 2008 - March 13, 2009.
I have a 5th wheel I placed in storage and disconnected the two batteries. I just reconnected them and I do not have any power in the RV.
Dear Tom,
Make sure the batteries are charged and everything is connected properly; and check to see if it has a battery disconnect switch inside that needs to be turned on.
I have purchased a 1973 Terry bumper pull. The previous owner said the refrigerator worked the last time he used it on a trip. But he went to run it on electricity at his home and it would not. First of it was not level at all, parked on a incline. I was told by an older heating/air tech, during that time of manufacturing they possible used mercury in the refrigerator units and they have to be very level to operate properly.
Due to weather and work I have not had opportunity to test the unit myself and wanted to get as much information about it before starting.
Dear Sam,
Pick up a basic RV repair and maintenance guide book on our RV Books page.
I have a 2005 Thor Komfort. Ever since we bought it, the batteries haven't kept their charge. We replaced the batteries three times and after one or two nights of use, they no longer work. What are we doing that is draining the batteries?
Dear Phyllis,
Are you dry camping or plugged into shore power?
If you're plugged in, have your power converter tested.
If you're dry camping, cut back on lights, radio, water pump usage to extend the battery charge time.
I mistakenly left the light on in my 2007 Flagstaff fifth wheel. I was wondering if I plug the trailer into the house will that charge the batteries back up?
Dear Coire,
It should yes. Check the electrolyte level in the batteries, turn off the lights and leave it plugged into AC for a couple of days and then test the battery.
I have a 1994 King of the Road with 40" by about 14 feet slide out. How do I remove it and slide out side about 3 or 4 inches so I can replace the rugs and linoleum? Or do I need to?
Dear Bob,
Remove the interior fascia and disconnect the rams from the outside wall and you can push the room out for access.
Be sure to block it up before pushing it out, so it doesn't fall. It makes a nicer job than trying to lift it up and lay the material under it.
My big slide out on a 2001 Sunny Brook will not slide out but the motor will run. It will crank out. The other slide on it works fine.
Do I have a relay on it and if it does where is it located or do you have any other ideas what may be wrong?
Dear John,
You need to get under it and find out why the motor is running and the room isn't moving. Maybe a pin or bolt sheared.
2008 Keystone Cougar 293 SAB. No heat to front bedroom or bathroom. CFMs - front bedroom 20, front bath 0, back bathroom 159. Temps after 10 hrs of use - front bedroom 55, front bath 54 back bedroom 89, back bathroom 91.
Heater will not cycle off using thermostat, because the thermostat is by the front bedroom, heater has to constantly cycle using the limit switch. Basically it overheats, resets itself and starts all over, never turning off.
Words directly from Brandon Toms at Keystone, "This is normal operation and design" claim settled. Dampering registers does nothing. Ducts have been adjusted. All CFM and temperature measurements done by HVAC company and INSCO distributor duct layout specialist. Warranty up May 9th. The Cougar has been in service, this time, since November 13, 2008, today it its February 3rd. 2009.
Dear Michel,
Sorry, I don't know what to tell you except stories like these is what inspires me to tell people to keep looking when they want information on purchasing one.
If Keystone says it's to the specs, I don't know what else you can do except reworking duct work and thermostat yourself.
We are living in a 2004 Montana 5th wheel with a 4 seasons insulation package. We are noticing that at certain temperatures ie 25 degrees F and lower that the water to the toilet, shower, and bathroom sink quit. When the temperature gets to 0 degrees F then the kitchen water quits. We are using our fresh water tank for water. We have not experienced any frozen or busted pipes so far. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?
PS. We did try some underpinning for a time and still had the same problem.
Dear Greg,
Leave the water running at the faucets (trickle), or get some heat into the compartments where the lines are freezing. Sometimes just leaving the cabinet doors open will work.
Have decided to leave 5th wheeler in Texas when we return to Canada. Storage is outdoor. Have looked for articles on " very hot weather" storage in the Texas summer and can find none. Have been told about leaving buckets of water in RV and using tire covers but can you either point me to a good article or give me tips on hot weather storing?
Dear Leslie,
The wheel covers are a good idea.
I would say #1 prevention is the Maxx air covers on the vents and then you can leave the vents open.
Make sure you leave your refrigerator doors ajar and use Damp Rid in the closets and under the cabinets and close all the blinds.
I would also suggest a good fire ant killer on the ground around the perimeter of the trailer.
Husband has RV parked in driveway at his mother's home (88 yrs), no computer. He spends the nights in the RV, in case she falls. He was turning the florescent lite around so both switches are on the same side, and the wires touched each other, blowing the fuse. The RV is a 1986 Prowler 5th wheel, and he is unable to find the fuse box. Any suggestions?
He will have no battery lights until fixed. It would be nice if I came up with the answer for a change.
Dear Judy,
The fuse panel, breaker box and power converter are all combined in one panel. It might be under the sofa or bed, or in a closet or cabinet or even mounted in the wall under the stove or refrigerator.
In the fifth wheel it might even be under an interior step, try to see if any of the interior steps going to the bedroom lift up on a hinge.
If the trailer is plugged in to A/C your husband might get lucky and listen for the fan running in the power converter and trace it down that way.
I sent you a question yesterday and you answered back very quick. Thanks a lot. I found the fuse box I was looking for but now I have a new problem.
I thought the cord I was using was to small so I ran a 220 cord out from my garage. I thought the trailer was 220 or 110 is what the guy who sold it to me said. Well when I flipped the breaker in the trailer it fried everything that was plugged in. It smoked my 30 amp power supply, I think it is to charge the battery.
So my question is my fridge, microwave and radio, etc., will not work. Do I have to have the power supply for them to work. Or will they work again, because everything that was plugged in the outlets do not work?
Dear Jeff,
First, plug it into a 110 volt power supply. Reset the breakers and GFI then test your wall outlets for A/C. Test for A/C voltage in and out of your breakers also.
If you get lucky, maybe you only fried your power converter or transfer switch.
I have a 1995 Wilderness 5th wheel. Where can I find the fuse box?
Dear Jeff,
It will be with the power converter and A/C breakers; could be under the sofa, bed, dinette, in a cabinet or closet.
You will just have to keep looking; each model and floor plan is different.
I recently bought a Coachman Chaparral 277DS 2006 5th wheel which was on blocks for two years. Both shackles are locked open and don't hang on the front axle. This puts most of the weight on this axle. What can be done to free the shackles on the spring so they hang properly?
Dear Norman,
You might have to pull the bolts and clean the rust if penetrating oil won't free up the rust so the pivots can swivel.
You might jack it up and use a pry bar to flip the shackles.
My 1997 Alpenlite trailer is parked at a seasonal campground. We don't travel with it. Do we need to have batteries installed in order to hook the trailer up to 110v campground power?
Dear Mike,
I say, yes, to protect the power converter; and it's nice during power outages.
Do you have a question for RV Advice?
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