Hi Folks
Wow, some really great questions this month! Click the Read More link to take a look, and if you have RVing questions, please send them to me at [email protected]. Happy RVing!
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Mark:
We own a Newmar Dutch Star. Yr. 2000. The leveling jacks are HWH and they do not come up on their own. Can you give some idea what may be the problem. They do not leak down. Harvey
Hi, Harvey,
Most of those HWH systems utilize springs on the jack assembly to provide the force needed to retract the jack. It is not a hydraulic powered retract. Are both springs intact on all the jack units? Given the age of your coach, some of the springs may be broken, missing, or simply fatigued and in need replacement. Spring replacement is a difficult task, and should be left to a service facility. It is also possible that something in the control mechanism or valve system has failed. In most cases, those jacks have an emergency retract procedure that will allow you to get them retracted to allow you to drive the coach. Unfortunately, the procedure generally is to release the hydraulic pressure by loosening a hose or fitting on the jack. This relieves the pressure and allows the springs to retract the jack, but it’s a one-shot deal as you will lose the hydraulic fluid. This should be done only as a temporary fix to allow you to travel to a service facility. HWH has a really outstanding technical resource page on their site with operation and service manuals available, you may want to look for your particular model and review the service manuals and troubleshooting information before you take any action to manually retract your jacks. There may be something easy to fix that will get you back in operation. http://www.hwhcorp.com/newhome.html
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Hi Mark
Bought a 1997 24’ Dutchman last year and I could never get the refrigeration system working. I was thinking of pulling it out and put in a small apartment size ref. Does it have to be a perfect fit or can I fill in with anything? Also, thinking about trading up, but the RV dealer says he won’t take a trade in that old…Is this normal? Thanks, Bob
Hi Bob
Most RV absorption fridges seem to only last 12-15 years (at best!) so an age-related failure like yours is not unusual. In most cases, a new replacement fridge will be a fairly easy installation, but very hard on your pocketbook, as these fridges are not cheap. The cost has led many RVers to replace a dead fridge with a residential 120 volt fridge, and if you shop around, you can usually find something that will come pretty close to fitting in the original hole, but there are no “exact replacements” out there. You’ll need to do some carpentry to get a proper base for the fridge to sit on, find a way to secure it in place, and install some new trim to correct any gaps around the sides and top. It can be done, but it is a bit of a project. Yes, it will be a lot cheaper than a replacement RV fridge, but it will also tie you to electrical hookups, or require the installation of an inverter and a number of batteries if you wish to camp away from electrical hookups. If you always stay somewhere with electric hookups, no problem… if you like to boondock or dry camp a lot, it may not be a good solution. Have you considered a replacement cooling unit for your existing fridge? There are several companies out there who build new cooling units for most RV fridges. If your fridge is in good shape, but just doesn’t cool, that may be a good answer for you. A new cooling unit, with installation costs, will usually cost about half what a new fridge does.
As to your second question, most RVs, like cars, have very little trade in value if they are more than 10 years old. It is usually better to sell older RVs to a private party; you’ll get more money for them than a dealer will offer you.
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Howdy! I have some friends that winter in Quartzite and have musical jam sessions in the area, so your post in my Good Sam’s e-mail caught my eye. We just bought a 2010 Ford Expedition and have plans on looking for a mid-sized, maybe 18 foot or so trailer to pull for camping. Full shower indoors is a must. A larger fridge would be nice. I know those multi-powered fridges have been known to go out often? Any advice on where to start looking on brands, features, quality, etc.? Thanks! Steve
Hi Steve
The best way to find your perfect RV is to spend a LOT of time looking at them! That means going to RV shows, and to RV dealers, where you can look at a lot of RVs. As you do this, you’ll start to notice the things that are important to you, and the things that don’t matter. You’ll also begin to get an eye for build quality, and the range of floor plans and equipment available. I do a whole seminar on choosing an RV, and although I can’t post the whole thing here, I can give you a few of the main points:
Do your research.
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- Learn what your tow vehicle can safely tow. Don’t overload it!
- Decide what kind of camping you want to do. This helps define what amenities you need/want in your RV.
- Talk to other RVers: online forums can be great, but going to places where RVers are (campgrounds, RV parks, RV rallies, etc.) lets you talk to RVers directly. Most are very friendly, and love to talk about their RVs.
- Establish a budget and stick to it.
- “Try it on for size”.
- When you look at an RV, lay on the bed, sit on the toilet, stand in the shower, etc… make sure it “fits” you.
- Make sure the RV has adequate carrying capacity for what you plan to bring: people, gear, supplies.
- Look at as many different rigs as you can.
- Take LOTS of time to look.
Consider a used RV for your first one: used trailers generally keep their value very well, so if you buy a used trailer, use it a year, and decide to get something different, you won’t take a big financial bath when you resell it (hopefully). Good luck in your search!
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Good Morning Mark:
I will be retiring in three years and my wife and I would like the travel experience using a travel trailer/motor home. Our vacation travel has primarily been flights to a destination, rental car and motels. How do we get started researching what would best suit needs? There are so many components which require expense and commitment. Where do we start? Thank you and kind regards, Gene
Hi Gene
When you are truly starting from the very beginning in learning about RVing, the RV industry sponsored site www.gorving.com is a good place to start. Once you have digested some of that info, you should be closer to knowing what kind of RV fits your hopes and plans. At that point, I suggest that you visit some RVing forums and get some additional feel for what the lifestyle is all about. Going to a nearby RV rally as a walk-in attendee can be a great way to meet and greet other RVers. They are a friendly bunch, and are generally very glad to help newbies. Check out your local area for any kind of RV clubs or groups you could join or join one or more of the larger nationwide RV clubs (Escapees, FMCA, Good Sam) for access to their magazines and publications, and their support services. When you are ready for a taste, consider renting or borrowing an RV for a weekend outing someplace close to home, or a trip to a neat destination. Give yourself the time to learn about RVing, and you’ll have a great first experience, and be hooked for life!
Founded in 1978, the Escapees RV Club provides a total support network for RVers that includes a wide variety of opportunities for fun, adventure, and education. MAIL SERVICE The best mail–forwarding service in the country. Members can personalize their mail delivery receiving only the mail they want when they want. MAGAZINE Award-winning magazine written for RVers by RVers. CHAPTERS There are 51 chapters across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico that offer local luncheons and rallies within 150 miles of home. HOPs Theme–related outings and adventures held across the country. ESCAPADES Five–day educational events that offer over 60 seminars and workshops to educate, entertain, and enhance the RV lifestyle. PARKS Our discount park system offers a variety parking options. PLUS MUCH MORE!
