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Q&A Newbies & Wannabies
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Below
are E-mail questions and answers to RV Advice of the World Wide Web relating
to people new to the RV lifestyle or just casual RV users. You can send
your question(s) using the form at the bottom of all our Q&A pages.
This page last updated July 9, 2009 containing letters emailed to Pete from December 31, 2008 - May 17, 2009.
New to travel trailer world. Lights work when connected to AC, but can't get them to work on DC. I have 12 volt batteries that are low. Charging now, should lights work while charging or what is minimum volts needed to make lights work?
Dear Ken,
I am not sure the question here. The lights will usually work down to about 10 volts, but they'll be real dim.
I've acquired a 2004 Fleetwood Fiesta motor home (32 ft) with slide out. Where do I find the control to let the slide out? I would ask the person I purchased it from but he is now in prison in Texas.
Dear Johnny,
Look around in the cabinets or by the monitor panel for a switch marked, "slide-out".
We are renting a Winnebago class C. How long will my propane tank last to run the refrigerator if we decide to stay at friends homes for a few days and not hook up the RV?
Dear John,
I guess that depends on the size of the propane tank on the unit and if you're using the propane for hot water and cooking as well.
Just operating the refrigerator I would say it should last for months if you keep the batteries charged to operate the electronics on the fridge.
My question is that we are nearing retirement and are considering the RV life. So as we travel we are looking at the different types of motor homes. We have noticed that there are an unusual amount of the bigger motor homes that pull jeep vehicles.
Is there a reason why so many of them pull the Jeep? There are too many of them not to be a reason and I can not think of what it would be. Can you shed some light? We just finished a 1200 mile road trip with better than 50 percent of the big RV's pulling jeeps.
Dear Jeff,
It's just a popular four door vehicle with a little style and comfort that's not too large and four wheels towable without major drive train modifications.
I live in Italy and would like to tour the US in my Italian RV (shipping it over by sea). However, it is diesel fueled, has the electrical system based on 220V AC and a gpl gas tank for cooking. Can you tell me if diesel fuel is generally available in normal gas stations in the US? What kind of gas tanks are used in US RVs? Help! I don't want to get to the US and find that nothing works!
Dear Jeanie,
Yes, diesel fuel is quite plentiful here. LP gas tanks for appliances on RVs. The electric is 120 60 Hertz here, so if you're running on 220 v 50 Hertz, you will need a converter before plugging in here; or just run your gen set.
My brother and I are planning on full time RV'ing in the near future (retirement.)
Please let us know which brand of RV's have:
Anything else you can think of would be appreciated.
Dear Cynthia,
You will find cost to dictate at different levels which brands by which manufacturers have what you're looking for.
We are new to the RV world and are wondering if a motor home or trailer is the best way to go. My V8 Nissan Pathfinder can pull 7000 lbs and I like the idea of having a vehicle we can detach. Our only real requirement is having a bed or beds that are in the queen size range. There is only the two of us plus our two whippets.
Dear Andrew,
The travel trailer might give you more bang for your buck; but keep it small, don't try pushing your weight limit with the Pathfinder.
I have a problem with my brake lighting in my camper when I hook up in 4 way socket it didn't light on even when I tap the brake doesn't work. What do you think is the problem?
Dear Jesus,
If the tail lights and turn signals worked, the problem is in the tow vehicle.
You need to wire it up properly to the six or seven wire plug so you aren't towing without brakes.
We have a 1992 Cobra Sandpiper travel trailer and we don't know much about travel trailers.
How does the heat and air work? It is plugged in but when I turn on the thermostat it just blows cold air and I think I am using the thermostat for the heat. There are two thermostats, a white one with only the degrees settings and then there is another one that is larger with more options such as cool, fan, etc.
Does it just need to run for a while before heat will blow through?
Dear Becky,
It should kick on and run for about 30 seconds, then you should hear the furnace ignite. Check and make sure you have your LP and LP detector turned on.
I own a 2000 34T Bounder and I am running out of battery power very quickly. I parked my RV for two weeks and now it will not start. I thought I turned every thing off and hit the battery disconnect switches correctly. The engine has a new battery.
Also, I am not sure my house batteries are hooked up right as when I try to run a few lights in the RV when parked and not hooked up to power, after only two hours and turning off everything for bed, when I woke up in the morning I could not start the generator. I could easily start the RV engine but there seems to be no way to regenerate the house batteries with the main motor running.
Is there a diagram that shows how the batteries should be hooked up? When the RV engine is running is there a way to charge the house batteries enough to start the generator?
If the engine will not start is there a reverse way that the house batteries can help jump start the RV engine? Just seems like it should all work this way.
Dear Jim,
Sounds like you need to find an RV technician to check your batteries and charging system and show you how to operate the emergency start switch.
The lights shouldn't kill the batteries in just a couple of hours.
The chassis battery should last for more than a couple of weeks with the disconnect turned off.
And the coach batteries should charge off of the engine alternator.
I have a 1996 Bounder 37' motor home. I had everything checked in May 2008 including brakes, etc. I drove it today and noticed a "burn-type" odor after I parked it. It drove well and I didn't notice any problem braking; could that be a potential brake problem?
Dear Lynda,
Depends on the odor, it could have been a brake odor or some type of oil leak. Look around the wheels and under the coach to see if you see any residue or sign of leakage before driving again.
I have a 1990 Southwind 450 Ford fuel injected RV. The EUL light came on and I lost power. Does anyone know what the EUL light stands for?
Dear Clara,
EUL means, "extended useful life". It's for the emission system, triggered to come on after about 60,000 miles and can be reset after inspection.
Going to purchase RV within the next 6 months. Question: How does one use water and electricity without hookups? Obviously I am VERY green at this.
Dear Cindy,
You have on board holding tanks and water pump (12 volts), for the water and waste. Most RVs have an on-board generator for electricity and use 12 volt lighting and LP appliances. (Battery/batteries).
I own a 2004 National Seabreeze LX. Can I leave water in it for the winter as I use the motor home and the furnace is operating and set at 50 degrees while sitting.
I am preparing to take a trip to Alabama and I wanted to put water in before I go rather than fill it in Alabama somewhere.
The problem is that it is 10 degrees in Ohio presently.
Dear Steve,
Yes, if you have the water heater turned on or drained and by-passed. Water turned off to the ice maker and line drained or ice maker operating continuously, and heat in the compartments with the water tank.
What is the proper procedure for changing tires?
After blocking the wheels and cranking down the stabilizer jacks, should I put the lifting jack under the frame or under the axle?
Any other tire changing tips would be appreciated.
Dear Richard,
First, what are you changing tires on?
Under the axle (depending on where you locate your jack), will work if it will allow you enough clearance to get the tire out of the wheel well.
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