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Q&A Newbies & WannabiesRVAdvice
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 December 16, 2008 containing letters emailed to Pete from August 16th - November 9th.
Will it hurt to leave antifreeze in my holding tank and pump all year long? I never use the tank or pump.
Dear Larry,
No, but you need to make sure the antifreeze is out of the lines before you shower or drink it.
I have a 1983 Allegro. I don't have house batteries installed. I need to know if I can plug into 30 amp without these batteries installed?
Dear Alice,
Yes, but it's hard on the converter.
My son was given a 1985 Ford Cobra motor home has a 350 or 450 engine. Question: how many batteries does it need? He will pick up at Thanksgiving and needs to get it started.
Dear Mary,
It should have one starting battery.
He should probably wait to see what's in the coach now so he can get the right group number battery to fit the battery box.
It just purchased my first motor home (used, of course). It's a 28 ft. class A. I am new to this type of vehicle, so pardon my ignorance.
Problem is, when I turn on the hot water I just get a trickle. I hear the water heater turn on and can feel the heat from exterior vent. Cold water flows just fine.
Does it use the same pump for hot water? All valves I can find are open. What else can I check? Does the hot water work only when tank is full?
Dear Kevin,
You have a bypass at the back of the hot water heater. Make sure it's turned on or in the "normal" position. It only has one pump and yes, the water heater needs to be full. But you should get cold water flowing on the hot side of the faucet in the by pass mode. It could be in the faucet.
What can be done to prevent rat/mice infestation to exposed undercarriage wiring and other tasty RV components if I park/store my soon-to-be-purchased 1988 Fleetwood Southwind 28 footer in an RV storage facility that is in a rural non-paved yard?
How many weeks of non-use necessitates preventative measures such as gasoline additive, disconnect batteries, etc., and what additional measure should be taken?
Dear Evan,
Rat poison, moth balls, even charcoal can be used to keep pest away.
I say battery disconnect when you walk away from the coach.
Fuel additive when you fill up the last time before storage, and at least once a month crank and run the engine and generator.
For long periods of storage, when no one will be around, then it will take a lot more prep work like running the generator out of gas, draining the holding tanks, etc.
As new class A RV owners we would like to know the best towing system to buy to tow our Honda Accord. We have a 34' Dolphin RV. There's so much to choose from out there.
Dear Janet,
I like the Roadmaster towing equipment and the M&G braking system.
My wife and I expect to retire June of 2009. We are looking at higher end class A motor homes. Originally we thought we wanted gasoline engine. After attending several RV shows (the largest in the country is in Hershey, PA), we decided a diesel might be better for us.
We intend to be full time RV'ers and we intend to criss cross the country over our retirement years.
My question is what is the advantage of a rear diesel vs. a front diesel?
Dear Robert,
The rear diesel allows a flat floor plan in front, less noise, fewer drive line vibrations, more torque to rear wheels. Front engine diesel has more storage space and floor plan options like toy boxes, etc.
First time RV owner. I purchased a used 1985 Chevy Georgie Boy Cruise Air that needed a lot of work. I have searched everywhere for the owner's manual and/or the manual that describes how all the appliances work (fridge, furnace, generator, sink, etc.), but have not been able to locate a copy.
Dear Ray,
Order a set of videos or DVD's from our RV Store page or pick up a basic RV repair and maintenance manual on our RV Books page.
I have a motor home. I travel to Florida where there are common lightning storms.
Is there a way to protect my family in the motor home during a lightning storm? (I saw your answer on how to protect a motor home but my question is family safety).
I am frustrated because most people or places I ask this question, their response is that not many folks die in motor homes from lightning.
Dear Steve,
I don't know why there would be an issue inside the motor home. The tires are grounding it. Outside around the coach could be a really rare occasion.
I have never heard of any one being hit by lightening while inside a coach.
I recently purchased a 1988 Coachman 34 ft. Class A Elite. It has a full tank of LP gas but cannot ignite any appliances. What do I look for to fix this problem?
Dear Gary,
Look for an LP leak detector along the floor line being turned off.
I just purchased a 1994 Bounder motor home. Can you tell me how weight I can tow? The unit runs great with its 454.
Dear Carl,
Find the ID tag inside with the GCVWR and the GVWR and subtract the GVWR from the GCVWR and you will come up with a safe tow rating.
My speedometer parks at about 20 mph (tachometer also about same position), when I turn the ignition off. It reads about 20 mph high we driving. 1992 Southwind with Chevy 454.
Also, how to you get the headlight bulb out?
Dear John,
You would probably have to ship your instrument cluster out to be rebuilt to correct the speedometer.
The head light bulb socket has a round ring that turns counter clockwise to unlock it; then you pull the socket out of the fixture.
I recently stopped at a dump station and there was a sign that stated, "No Flash Dumping". What the heck is "flash dumping"?
Dear John,
Good question, that I really don't know what "flash dumping" is. Maybe they are referring to chemicals of some sort; or perhaps someone meant to put a "T" instead of an "F", for "No Trash Dumping".
We just bought a 2003 Coachmen Leprechaun and are trying to find out where to purchase new dinette cushions or covers for the cushions.
Also, this is our first RV, can you put a standard queen size mattress in the back or is there a "special RV-type" mattress that needs to be used?
Dear Amy,
Find an upholstery shop. Measure the bed to make sure on the mattress. Sometimes they are odd sizes.
I just bought a used 2003 Keystone Outback 28'BHS travel trailer and was wondering if you could tell me where my holding tanks are and what I should run my appliances on if it will be parked on some land for a while? It came with no books and I am new to the RV world.
Dear Lori,
Order a video or DVD from our RV Store page, or pick up a basic RV maintenance and repair guide book.
You might need a generator if there is no AC available.
I have a 1995 Allegro Class A motor home. When I plugged it into electricity it cooked my batteries. I have to assume that there is a switch somewhere to shut off the batteries, but I am unable to find it, Can you help?
Dear Mike,
If you keep it plugged in leave the batteries on to charge and just check the electrolyte level once a month.
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