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Explore every episode of the podcast The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair

Dive into the complete episode list for The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
↓ Episode 161 – How top Prepare your RV for Winter Storage11 Oct 202400:35:57
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the Smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: Dealing with Difficult RVers — Cash Saving Tips Part 1 Alexis thoughtfully discusses the importance of handling disruptive fellow RVers while camping. While certain individuals may test our patience and threaten to spoil the experience for us and our families, Alexis offers guidance on how to navigate these situations calmly. Her advice helps us find ways to manage these challenges without escalating tensions, allowing us to still enjoy our stay at the campground. Cash Saving Tips #1 1. Have You Ever Considered Boondocking or Spending the Night in A Parking Lot? One common challenge for RVers is finding a place to park for the night. While there are countless RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds across the country, they often come with a price tag. Some fees might be reasonable, but in areas with limited camping options, you could be looking at over $100 per night! If you're looking to save on overnight costs, consider dry camping. This is where you park for free on public lands, like those managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or national forests. While you won't have hookups, you can rely on your RV's battery and water storage systems. It’s a great way to enjoy the freedom of the road while keeping more money in your wallet! Another budget-friendly option is to stay overnight in a parking lot. You won’t be able to set up a full campsite, but several business chains welcome RVers for a night or two. Popular spots include Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela's. To make things easier, use a trip planner like RV LIFE Trip Wizard to locate these convenient stops along your journey. Staying On The Road: Why and How to Prepare Your Rv For Winter Storage! Eric delves into the importance of preparing your RV for winter storage, sharing insights from his years of experience as an RV expert. He explains that winterizing an RV goes beyond just preparing the fresh water system—it requires a comprehensive approach. Tune in to the episode now, and visit The Smart RVer website for more helpful tips to make your winter preparations as thorough as possible. Episode 134 - How to Winterize Your RV The Next Stop: We're hitting the road in our RVs, racing toward the excitement of NASCAR—one of the nation's favorite pastimes. Eric and Alexis share the thrill of attending a NASCAR event, highlighting how it offers fun for the whole family, with plenty of activities for all ages. Whether it's a NASCAR race, a rodeo, a county fair, or another fan-based event, there's no shortage of family-friendly experiences to enjoy. Make sure to add one of these events to your plans this year! Nascar 2024 Schedule Nascar 2025 Schedule RV Envy: Goal Zero offers powerful self-contained power centers for a variety of uses, from camping and hiking to fully off-grid RV setups. The Yeti 4000 Pro is a standout solution for RVers looking to disconnect from the grid entirely. Listen to Eric’s review of this exceptional product and discover how a Yeti Power Center can enhance your off-grid adventures Goal Zero Website Takeaways:
  • To prepare your RV for winter storage, ensure you drain the fresh water system thoroughly to prevent freezing.
  • Inspect the roof, vents, and windows of your RV for potential leaks before covering it for winter.
  • Maintaining proper tire pressure and occasionally moving your RV can prevent flat spots on tires.
  • Using battery maintainers during storage helps ensure your RV's batteries remain functional and charged.
  • When dealing with difficult fellow RVers, maintain a calm demeanor and know the park rules.
  • Boondocking can be a cost-effective way to save money while traveling in your RV.

Our Online Resources: The Smart Rver YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines, etc Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website  
↓ Episode 160 – Why Do RV Power Cords, Adapters & Outlets Melt or Burn Up?27 Sep 202400:32:51
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the Smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: Alexis and Eric discuss recovering after an RV accident. Usually, everyone who owns an RV and has taken it out for any time has run into an issue on the road or even a full-blown accident. We talk about it because this should never scare you from continuing the RV life you love.  Staying On The Road: Eric talks about electrical cords and why they can burn up or melt causing safety issues. This is important because it involves your camper's safety and your life. There’s nothing more important than ensuring you have a safe electrical system in your RV with quality chords and plug-ins. The Next Stop: Eric talks about Whitehall and a sweet older man who told Eric all about the history of his unique town and all the colorful people who lived there and made the town into the landmark it is today.  RV Envy: Eric gives a little information about changing RV Lifestyle and how it will be more about saving money as an RVer. Winterizing Episodes: Time To Winterize Your RV Our Online Resources: The Smart Rver YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines, etc.Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website
↓ Episode 151- Why Road Safety Flares Can Save Lives – Every RVer Should Carry Them!24 May 202400:31:52
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the Smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: Eric talks about how Design Engineering Inc. Sound and Heat Insulation is the best company for making your insulation needs come to life. They can provide professional assistance with the best sound and heat insulation. This may be a subject you haven’t thought much about, but you may want to see if it would improve your RV life.  Staying On The Road: Eric gives you the rundown on safety flares. This is a very important item for all RVers to have on them because it does more than alert other vehicles of your location and situation it also saves lives. You can never choose where a problem on the road occurs, so it's smart to be prepared and ready for any and all issues to keep you and your family safe.  See The YouTube Video The Next Stop: Buellton, California, is a wonderful destination for any RVer. Eric and Alexis talk about the many unique things you can do while you're in the area. Buellton has a lot to offer the Smart RVer. RV Envy: Eric talks about awning Slide-Out lubricant. This vital product makes life easier for Smart RVers. Get yourself some today!!  Our Online Resources: The Smart Rver YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines, etc. Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website RV Roof Magic RV Destinations Magazine- RVdestinationsmagazine.com DesignEngineeringInc.com 
↓Episode 65 What You Need to Know About RV Awnings16 May 202000:29:45

In episode 65 Eric gives a comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about RV awnings. He takes a look at each of the current best companies in the RV awning business, Dometic, Solera, and Carefree of Colorado with an evaluation on how they've been running while considering the covid-19 crisis. Eric will give advice for replacing your current RV awning and help you answer the question "How do I choose a brand or model?" Be sure to listen if you've ever had any questions regarding RV awnings!

Stay safe everyone and thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

Reach us at our websites: https://radioarizonarv.com/

RV Parts & Accessories: https://arizonarvpartscenter.com/

Our Sunshade Products: https://sunpromfg.com/

↓Episode 64 Why You Need a Micro-Air Easy Start for Your RV A/C24 Apr 202000:26:00

In episode 64 Eric discusses the Micro Air EasyStart, a product that makes an air conditioner start easier and allows it to run on a smaller generator. It's a newer product that works well at what it does and can potentially save you the hassle of getting a larger generator. It helps eliminate the issues of the AC coming on while using other electrical appliances and tripping the breaker. It can also allow you to run 2 ACs on a 30 amp cord with just a 2,000 watt generator! Eric also gives advice on installation and the importance of taking pictures before beginning any replacement or installation. Definitely a product to look into to save you a ton of time, hassle, and ultimately comfortability.

Stay safe everyone and thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

Purchase a Micro-Air Easy Start

Reach us at our websites: https://radioarizonarv.com/

RV Parts & Accessories: https://arizonarvpartscenter.com/

Our Sunshade Products: https://sunpromfg.com/

↓Episode 63 Do You Need an Auto Former for Low Voltage14 Apr 202000:21:44

In episode 63 Eric helps you figure out if buying a Hughes autoformer is the right choice for you and your RV. If you've already been considering purchasing power surge protector and have worried about possible low voltage issues, it's definitely something to consider. Eric also implores you to consider if you will be dry camping, where you will be camping, what appliances you have on board, and even if you are just the type of person who enjoys their peace of mind. If you are the type to want to prevent things ever becoming a problem a Hughes autoformer is probably a worthwhile purchase!

Stay safe everyone and thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

Reach us at our website: https://radioarizonarv.com/

↓Episode 62 – RV Lithium Ion Batteries03 Apr 202000:28:18

In episode 62 Eric discusses deep cycle batteries and the comparisons with the newer lithium-ion batteries for your RV. Batteries are an often overlooked but important part of keeping your RV running the best it can for as long as it can. Eric explains his experiences with different brands of batteries he's used and the specific batteries he sells and supports. He also goes over the pros and cons of each type of battery and what type of battery would benefit you and your RV the most!

Stay safe everyone and thank you for listening!

Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

Listen Now! #yourbestrvpodcast

Reach us at our website: https://radioarizonarv.com/

↓Episode 61 – Haloview Back Up Camera Systems13 Mar 202000:30:13

In episode 61 Eric emphasizes the importance of backup camera systems and how valuable they are not just for safety while backing up but moving forward as well. Eric discusses and reviews the Haloview brand of camera systems in-depth, from functionality to installation and everything in between. Increased visibility, ease of use/installation, and above all else safety are the key components to these systems and why you should consider them for your next trip!

Listen Now!

For More Information and Pricing.

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

Reach us at our website: https://radioarizonarv.com/

↓Episode 60 – It’s Time To Upgrade the RV Furniture06 Mar 202000:23:02

In episode 60 Eric gives advice on upgrading your RV's furniture to make it feel more comfy. As a follow up to the previous episode's question (Do you enjoy your RV?) Eric takes a closer look at how and where to find RV specific furniture that will drastically improve your experience and comfort with your RV. From advising on specific brands to even cheaper solutions such as using smart tiles to spruce up your kitchen, this episode has something for everyone!

LippertFurniture Brochure

Listen Now!

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

↓Do You Enjoy Your RV?21 Feb 202000:15:44

Do You Enjoy Your RV?

In Episode 59 Eric asks an important and often taken for granted question: Do you enjoy your RV? Listen as he takes a deep dive into ways you can improve your RV experience and make it feel more comfy and like you are at home. Whether it be minor things like a key ring holder to replacing a shower curtain or even the bedspread. You'll learn how to take it from an RV to your RV.

Listen Now!

Thank you for listening & please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

#YourBestRVPodcast

Reach us at our website: https://radioarizonarv.com/

↓Episode 58 Electrical Problems – DIY or Take to a Service Center13 Feb 202000:27:02

Full Show Transcript:

This is Eric Stark with Radio Arizona RV. It's about six o'clock in the morning on a Thursday. It's snowing this morning. What a better day to talk about electrical systems in RVs. And the real question is whether to take it to a dealership, to a repair facility, or just tackle the problem on your own. So that's what we're going to be discussing today and this is episode number 58 about electrical systems. Basically, taking it someplace or doing it yourself. Now just as reminder, check out our website, RadioArizonaR.com that'll take you to all our other websites where we sell RV parts. If you're new to the show. We own sun pro manufacturing, which we make sunshade products for RVs slide out awning, fabrics. We sell a bazillion of them. They're flying out the door every day. Awesome product, great warranty, great prices, the problem free slide out awning fabric.

00:59 Now before we get into the show, I want to talk a little bit about scams. My mother is 82 years old and she's been a target for the last few years, but it seems like it's just getting worse. I am trying to convince her to not buy into these scams. And trying to get her to believe that they are scams has become somewhat of a challenge. My brothers and I are dealing with phone calls and problems and trying to keep the money in her bank, not in some foreign country for some guy who's, you know, bilking it from her. I'm sure everybody is getting robo calls. You're getting emails, you're getting all these different ways that people are coming at you in different ways to try to take your money. My mom's no different, I'm no different. I see the stuff all the time. We get the phone calls, get the emails, but she seems to want to fall for it.

01:53 And this is just kind of a word of warning. Be careful, be cautious. Most companies are not going to call you and ask you for banking information. Most companies aren't going to call you with some sort of story. That sounds kind of wild. One of the recent scams is a company calls her up and tells her that they do the antivirus software on her computer and they need to log in and change some settings because the company was just bought by a new company and they're updating everybody and rather than have the persons do it on their own, they're just making it part of their customer service package and just calling everybody and giving them access to their computer and going in and changing the settings that need to be set. Well my mom went for this and it almost cost her a thousand dollars and she gave out her bank account information.

02:45 The guy logged into her computer, changed some settings. He changed the password so she could not log back into her computer and he became the administrator locked her out. The only time if that computer is on the only person who could access it would be him. Now my mom had enough sense after the fact because he wanted her to go to Best Buy and get two gift cards for $500 each and call him back and give him the number on the gift cards. Well, on the way to Best Buy, she decided she'd go to the bank and run it by them, and they told her it's a scam. But she'd already given them her bank account information so they could see that he was already trying to get money. So, they closed the account, shut down her credit cards, everything. She had to start from scratch, which was a real chore.

03:32 And she didn't lose that thousand dollars or more. She just lost the money it took to take her computer to a shop so they could reinstall windows so she could access it again. And now I would have done that for her. But she's in California, I'm in Montana and my brothers aren't computer savvy, so it wasn't going to happen that way. She had to pay 120 bucks, which isn't bad, cheaper than a new computer. But two weeks later she did the same thing, gave someone access to her computer, they went in and deleted the antivirus program, tried to get some money from her, gain control of her computer, had to do the whole thing all over again. So frustrating. Right! In talking to my mom, I told her there are three people she can trust.

04:21 My dad died years ago so she can trust myself and my two brothers. That's it. No one else do not talk to people on the phone about your computer or about finances. If they want information, banking information, credit card information, hang up. It's a scam. She's finally connecting those dots. But it's taken a toll on her. I'm bringing this up because we have parents, some that are listening to the show are aging, getting older and sometimes you don't even have to be older. You know they target older persons because they seem to be a little more naive, but they in many cases have much more wisdom than we do. But we sometimes just fall for it. Everything sounds just right. Case in point, I got some emails from Netflix while they looked like they're from Netflix and I don't have a Netflix account, but my wife does.

05:12 So that's the first thing that kind of set off a red flag. I don't have a Netflix account. And the other thing is they went to three separate email addresses that I have all the exact same time asking me for credit card information, which Netflix doesn't do. If they do need to update your credit card information, they tell you the expiration date has expired on this card and they show the last four digits. And, the grammar was poor. This was better grammar than I've seen in a lot of scam emails, but it was still poor. The spelling is wrong. When you start looking at it, okay, this isn't Netflix and I've gotten these from ones that look like they're from PayPal, from Wells Fargo, they look good but they're not. And then if there is a hyperlink and you hover over it, yeah, you're going to get a little window that pops up and tells you what the website address is or the URL.

06:04 And if it doesn't say PayPal, like truly PayPal and they usually don't is some other email or a website, it's not legit. And I would just rather error on the side of caution, delete it, wait for another one to come or even have my Netflix account turned off if that's what it takes to make sure or log into your account after you close out those emails or delete those emails, log into your account and just see what's going on. If your credit cards up to date, then you know it was a scam. It's being cautious. I know this has nothing to do with electrical systems, but it's been on my mind and I just thought I'd share it. Be cautious. There are a lot of scams out there. Lots of them. People are trying very hard to take your cash. Some of these guys are in other countries.

06:46 If they're getting 15 to 20 a day from scamming two or three people, they're doing good. You know, that might not be a lot to people here in the United States, but it's a lot to people in other countries. You know, $20 a day, you're the big man on campus. All right, so that's enough of that. That's just my long-winded rant there about scams because it does irritate me not only when it's other people, but when it's my family ticks me off even more. But anyway, let's talk about Electrical Systems. Let's get into this. When you are out using your RV or you're getting ready to go someplace and a problem occurs generally it's something that's not working. But from time to time it might be a short in the system. You're going into, your RV has been plugged in and the battery's just stone dead.

07:31 Nothing works inside. You put on a charger; nothing works. And maybe the battery is bad, but you still must check for a short to make sure the battery wasn't drained by something else, that there's not a short in the system, but it goes beyond that. It's also understanding your system, your electrical system. You know there's two different systems. In an RV, you have a 12-volt system and you have 110-volt system and you must know which one it has. The problem you have is to be able to isolate that and in most cases is not too difficult, but that's what we're going to talk about. How to isolate it and then make that decision whether you're going to have it repaired or not. Now the thing about taking an RV to a dealership or a service center is that you know you must take it to them.

08:20 You're going to have to hook up your trailer and tow it to the dealership. If it is a motorhome you must drive to the dealership. Either way, you must get your RV to the dealership. More than likely you're going to have to leave it. Someone's going to have to pick you up. And you know when you leave your RV there, it could be as simple as leaving it for a day, but a day could turn into weeks, weeks could turn into months. I've heard of RV owners; they take the RV someplace to get an electrical problem fixed and it's there for weeks or months. And sometimes when they pick it up, the problems not even fixed. They say it is, they paid for it, but it's not fixed. So, there's some

↓ Episode 57 – Pex RV Water Lines and Fittings – What to Keep in Your Tool Box24 Jan 202000:26:50
RV Water Lines and Pex Fittings! Eric talks about what RV Water Lines and Pex Type Fittings you should keep as spares in your RV. Pex is a broad term covering the RV Fresh Water System. A water leak can happen at anytime and being prepared to fix it whether the RV is in your driveway or you are on a vacation is critical to being a Hero. Any water leak is bad and should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid any potential water damage and or ruin a vacation. We have compiled a list of the most common water fittings and water lines that are found in an RV or that fail regularly. Here is the Fitting Check List that I recommend: This list has been updated since the podcast was published and can be viewed by using the link below it. The link also has a graphic showing all of the fittings in numbered order. 2) #1 Coupler ½ x ½ pex 2) #2 Straight Swivel ½ pex x ½ fpt 2) #3 90 degree Swivel ½ pex x ½ fpt 1) #4 Elbow ½ pex x ½ mpt 1) #5 Tee ½ x ½ x ½ pex 2) #6 Elbow ½” x ½ pex 2) #7 Pex Cap ½” 1) #8 Straight  ½ pex x ½ mpt 1) #9 Coupler ½ pex x ⅜ pex 1) #10 Straight Swivel  ⅜ pex x ½ fpt 1) #11 90 Degree Swivel ⅜ pex x ½ fpt 4) #12 Pex Clamp 1) #13 Female Swivel ½ fpt x ½ barb This kit and one other are available for purchase on Sunpro Mfg View the Fitting Video
Winegard RV TV Antenna Trouble Shooting – King Satellite Bonus10 Dec 201900:24:15

Winegard Transcript:

Hey everybody. This is Eric Stark with Radio Arizona RV. Today's episode is episode number 56 we're going to be talking about Winegard TV Antennas and a little bit about King Satellite Dishes, a particular model of King satellite dish, Winegard Antennas are pretty popular. It's been the RV Antenna staple for decades now, so that's what we're going to discuss. What might be wrong with it when it's not working correctly? When you can't watch that TV show and you're not getting any channels, but first I want to remind everybody to go to RadioArizonaRV.com from there you can find links to our other websites such as sun pro manufacturing and hot boat ropes and Arizona RV parts center. Those websites are where we sell the products that we either make or that we just sell online, so check those out!

Timing: (01:08) I'm would suggest just going to RadioArizonaRV.com and also while you're there at RadioArizonaRV.com sometimes you only hear the show because you're listening to it through iTunes or Google podcast or Stitcher, Spotify, one of those channels, but sometimes on the website there's things there that you don't normally get by just listening to it. You can go look at the website, you can peruse it and learn a little bit more about me. See what's going on. Links to the other websites. As I said, you can sign up for our newsletter. Sometimes in the show notes per for each episode there's things in the show notes that I did not put in the show when I was recording it. Winegard Antenna RVs have them. They've had them for years, decades now.

Timing: (01:51) It's a pretty popular antenna and they've stayed the same over the years. They've changed very little. A handle that works on one today can work on one that's 20 years old. Couple of different style of shafts, but that's about it. And all the RV stores or most of the RV stores carry parts for them. So it's a pretty straightforward antenna, it's stood the test of time, you know, they don't fall apart on the roof. They're not like a super high end looking thing. They're pretty basic, but they actually work pretty darn well. So it's a nice impressive antenna. And what I appreciate too is that Winegard hasn't tried to fix it, you know, or quote unquote fix it. They've left it the same because it's a good design. So they haven't come out with a worse version of it. In other words, I know, let's do this and make it better, which actually makes it worse.

Timing: (02:36) We've all seen that, it doesn't even have to be the RV industry. It could be any industry they do that try to improve and it makes it worse. So now with Winegard Antenna, you know the whole point of the antenna, the TV Antenna and your RV’ing or you're camping. Wherever you're at and you want to watch broadcast television, you want to dial in or tune into the local channels and see what's in the local area or just to get some entertainment, kill some time, whatever it might be. You turn on your TV, you turn on the amplifier to the antenna and you expect to see some sort of TV shows, right? You might have to move the Antenna a little bit, adjust it. Maybe you look outside, see your neighbors antenna and where it's pointing, you kind of adjust yours the same way, you know, so you don't have to spend as much time adjusting it and it doesn't work!

Timing: (03:25) What happened? It worked the last time we were camping, worked yesterday at this other RV park. Why does it work today? Well, the simple thing could be just that it's not tuned in. You don't have it pointing in the right direction, you know, you didn't get it high enough, low enough, whatever it might be. So you might have to mess with the adjustment. And you know, we've had, or I've had people over the years coming into the store and quite often it's the same thing. It's just that my neighbors works, mine doesn't work. I'm not getting any TV channels and I've, you know, set it right where theirs is. We've stood outside, they've even helped me and I just don't seem to get any channels. So I ask them, what have you done to diagnose it, anything. And generally it’s no while we just turned it, moved it, this and that.

Timing: (04:09) So it's got to be the antenna. I just want to get a new antenna. I don't want to screw around with it anymore. You know, so you give him the price of the new antenna, which you know, a complete antenna, you're getting a couple of bucks, you know, you're under 200 but it's still gets right up there and that scares them off. Then they have to replace everything and that really scares them off. And then I always say, well it's probably just a part, you don't need to buy an entire antenna. So we need to narrow down which part it is. And quite often I get resistance there because they don't want to have to do anything and I get it. Sometimes it can be a hassle, but isn't it a hassle to replace parts? You know, you still have to dig into it to replace a part.

Timing: (04:48) And I find myself sometimes looking at something like, do I really want to mess with this? Is this what I want to do today or this afternoon? I don't have time for this. You know, I'll figure out something else. It's only because I don't want to dig into it. But the reality is we have to dig into it. If you're doing it yourself, just get past it! Just say, I'm past that. I'm just going to dig into stuff from now on. If it needs to be, don't just do it on everything. An antenna when it's not working properly, you're going to have to do some tests and they're not really that hard. It might mean getting up on the roof. It's going to mean taking the plate where the amplifier is inside the RV off the wall. Those are some things you're going have to do.

Timing: (05:30) But the diagnosing part is pretty straightforward. It's not that complex and it makes it even easier if you have an RV store in the area where you can just go buy the defective part. So that simplifies it. So now hopefully you're motivated. Next time you have a problem, you're going to dig into it, right? No more sitting there on the fence. So I don't want to mess with that anymore. Got an RV parts store nearby, then that makes life even better. So what you're going to need is a test light or a voltmeter. And as I've said in the past, voltmeters are a better way to go. But a test light will work in this. Sometimes in an RV application it's hard to find a ground for a test light to work, it's not impossible. It just sometimes a little more difficult whereas a volt meter, it's much easier to do.

Timing: (06:16) So use whichever you're more comfortable with. But then give my last episode, I said just buy a voltmeter. And you know, I found one a couple of months ago, I got it a hardware store. I just wanted it as a backup because I always seem to have my voltmeter at the wrong place. So I figured if I get two, I got it covered and it was $59 and it's a pretty good one. It's not super high end, but it's not just a low end piece of junk. It's a decent voltmeter. It does 12 volts, 110 volts actually goes up to 300 volts. So you can use it at any volt range, you just have to put it on the right setting and it has amps and ohms, all that good stuff. So get yourself a voltmeter. You don't have to spend $59 you can spend 25 bucks if you want, but get a voltmeter.

Timing: (06:58) Okay, I’m going to quit harping on that too and it just needs to stop doesn't it? Okay. So you're going to need to need to check a couple things for voltage and that's how simple it is on a Winegard Antenna. Yeah. You have the head assembly, which is up on the roof and that has a circuit board inside of it. Then you have the amplifier inside the RV. That's where you generally turn on the switch where your TV's hooked up to it. That switch then turns on a light and the light shows you that it's on. So that means the amplifier is on. It doesn't mean it’s working it just means it's on. So if you're not getting any stations, not any TV stations, the first thing to do is just pull the amplifier out of the wall, take the two screws off the plate, you're going to pull it out, you're going to see some wires and co-ax cable, and there's a 12 volt wire going to, it should be obvious.

Timing: (07:49) It's going to be red, more than likely, possibly white, and you're going to check it for voltage. If you have 12 volts at the amplifier, then your amplifier is more than likely good. Now there's a little circuit board there and that's basically the amplifier. So now what you're going to want to do, turn the amplifier off. Always make sure it's on for testing. Before working on it turn it off and you're going to disconnect the co-ax cable that goes to the antenna and it'll be marked. It'll say A or Antenna or something. This can indicate that it's going up to the antenna on the roof, so you're going to disconnect that co-ax cable and then you're going to turn your amplifier on and make sure that you have 12 volts coming out of the co-ax port where the coax cable goes in the center contact. If you have 12 volts there, turn it off and connect the cable backup.

Timing: (08:39) Then you...

↓ Episode 150 – RV Warranties Have Become the Hot Topic – From New RVs to New Appliances – Are they any good?↓10 May 202400:34:10
The Smart RVer Podcast delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: In this Episode Alexis explains the value in having a designated hand washing station aka, a place to wash up without bringing all of the dirt into the RV. Depending on where you are camping what activities you are involved in the hand washing station will lower the wear and tear on the RV and keep the bathroom and kitchen cleaner. Eric points out that some RVs have outside showers and or sinks so these can be those designated clean up areas.  Staying On The Road: Everybody asks about the warranty and what's in but, no one ever takes the time to read one, no matter what the purchase is. We trust the salesman 100% that he is honest and sharing the good and bad. The points that matter are typically ignored leaving you with little or no recourse in some cases. A warranty for an RV purchase nails down the future of how things will be done regardless if you think it is right. Always read the warranty from an RV Dealership, Always! The Next Stop: Mount Washington, NH is a very interesting place to visit and explore in an RV. With a ton of history involved, there's so much to learn and see when you visit New Hampshire. The Smart RVer adds new places to visit in your RV every week and there are a lot of places to visit in the United States in an RV. The choices are endless. Safe Travels RV Envy: In this segment Eric explains the importance of using Slide Out Lubricants and keeping up on the maintenance. Keeping the slide out seals conditioned is so important to extend the life of them. Slide Seals can be hard to find and expensive to replace, the upfront maintenance is well worth the time and expense. The same is true with slide out motors and mechanisms. Keeping the gears and tracks, and channels clean and lubricated with the proper maintenance products is very important. We recommend using any of the following products made by Best, Thetford, Camco, 3X. There are other but we know and trust the products mentioned. Our Online Resources: The Smart Rver YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines, etc. Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website
RV Power Awning 12 Volt Motor Problems09 Dec 201900:22:27

RV Maintenance Tips for the DIY!

In Episode 56 I explain the importance of understanding how your Power Awning can be retracted in an emergency. The emergency is usually when you want to leave in your RV and the Power Awning won’t come in. That poses a real problem. I break it down by the awning manufacturer. This applies Only to 12 volt RV Power Awnings.

Dometic/A&E 9100 and Weatherpro Awnings are the same when it comes to retracting them if the motor has failed. The process to override the motor and bring the awning in is the most effective if the awning is fully extended. There is a reason for this being necessary. The awning roller tube has three grooves in it and one of them is for a Pull Strap to be inserted to enable you to be able to control how the awning retracts. You should have the Pull Strap, if not you will need to purchase one from any RV Parts Store and you can use any Pull Strap for a Dometic/A&E Manual Awning. A Carefree pull strap will work as well.

The 9100 or Weatherpro awning will need to be extended for you to insert the pull strap into the available groove on the Roller Tube. The rear of left end of the roller tube has a Torsion Assembly with a spring on it used for tensioning. You need to be aware of that so you understand how the awning operates. Before you do the next step you should have a person holding the awning pull strap to keep the awning from retracting out of control. After the strap is attached you will loosen the Hex Head Screw on the 12 volt motor that is located on the front of the awning, also called the right side. With the screw loose you can walk the awning towards the RV. To lock the awning in the closed position tighten the screw on the motor, the same screw you loosened to retract the awning.

Dometic/A&E Power Awning Instructions

Carefree of Colorado have their own unique spin on retracting an awning with 12 volt drive motor problems. It doesn’t appear that there is a simple solution to retracting a Carefree power awning with a bad motor. If there isn’t 12 volts going to the motor it is a little easier to work with. In this podcast I explain the process to manually override and a couple models of their awnings but not all of them. Carefree has about 8 different power awnings on RV’s. Carefree just can’t help themselves when it comes to reinventing their own awnings. Not all of their awnings are available at the retail level, some only come on new units and they are referred to as OEM models. Currently they have 4 Vertical Arm Awnings, 3 Lateral Arm Awnings and 1 Box Awning. Although, they are similar in how to override them, they are all a little bit different. Usually with a little know how you can overcome an obstacle just by a little examination of the motor and how it is attached. That is why I am including a link to Carefree’s website for you to download your manual and get a much better understanding.

Carefree of Colorado Awning Instructions:

Altitude Power Awnings

Eclipse Power Awnings

Travel'r Power Awnings

All Other Carefree Power Awnings

Solera has got this figured out! On the Front arm where the motor lives there is a rubber plug in the motor cover. You pop the plug out and run the awning in or out by using a 7/16” socket on a cordless drill and pull the trigger. It goes kind of slow but, it is a life saver compared to Dometic and Carefree of Colorado. There is no reason to see a manual on how to perform this procedure, it is really that simple!

I highly recommend that you perform the manual override on your awning to become familiar with it so you can save your own hide when the fails or to assist a fellow RV’er. The Dometic/A&E and Carefree certainly are good awnings they just aren’t as friendly when the motor fails the day you want to pack up and leave.

Listen Now!

The Best Water Filtration for RV’s12 Nov 201900:34:42

In Episode 54 I have Keith Bernard on the show and we discuss water filters for RV's. Keith is an expert in this field and is the owner of Clear 2O water filtration systems. I have always been a firm believer in filtered water and I have often brought bottled water with me on trips in my RV, not any more. I will do it the easy way and filter my water with Clear 2O water filters. I have not come across such a useful product that does what I really want it to do, filter my water so I can drink it.

The following are the questions that we covered in the interview. 1.     Why is clean water so important in your RV?

2.     What are the different types of filtration available for the RV (in-line filters, countertop, water pitchers, etc.)? What are the pros and cons of each?

3.     How does the RVer ultimately decide what solution is best for them? Is it based on how often they use their RV, what they’re using the water for, or some other parameters?

4.     Your filtration systems use solid-block carbon. Why is that a more effective medium than granulated carbon?

5.     It’s just as important to have a filtration system that leaves in the good minerals as it is one that takes out the bad ones, correct?

6.     Would you recommend the same filtration solutions to the occasional RVer as you would the serious, full-time RVer? By the same token, would you recommend different solutions based on the size of the RV?

7.     You’ve just come out with a new Dual Canister System for RVs. Tell us about it and what benefits it brings to the serious RVer. 

8.     You’re competing in the marketplace with some pretty big players. How have you been successful against this kind of competition?

9.     A little off the topic of RVs, but with the crisis a few years back in Flint, Mi and the recent one in Newark, NJ, it seems that many of our water supplies are not as safe as we thought. In fact, studies have shown that some supplies can make you sick, even if they meet legal health standards. How bad is our nation’s water?

Go Power Solar Panels & Inverters Part 204 Oct 201900:27:34

Episode 53 (part 2) is all About Go Power Solar and as an added bonus Mark Spillsbury from Go Power Solar is my guest. Go Power Solar has been in the RV Solar Panel game for about 23 years making Go Power one of the first Solar companies to become a main stream solar supplier for the RV Industry. Go Power Solar is certainly the industry leader making them the King of the Solar Category!

Mark has been with Go Power for about 21 years and is one of their resident experts and he knows their products inside and out. Not only does he understand Go Power products he has an unbelievable knowledge of solar in general. Mark also likes to RV and that certainly gives him and Go Power much deeper insight into the needs of the RV'er be it full time or a weekend warrior. As most of you know I push the products I believe in and I have been sold on Go Power for about 21 years.

Rather than trying to pack everything into one episode I am splitting this into 2 episodes and of course you can go to Go Powers website to do your own research beyond what we discussed. The following are the main points discussed in Episode 53 (part 2). These 2 episodes (52 & 53) take the confusion out of Solar and how you can benefit by using it.

  • What do I do if I have a technical problem?
  • How do I trouble shoot a problem?
  • How do I calculate how many panels I need?
  • What kind of batteries would work for solar?
  • Is lithium better than AGM/Lead Acid? If so, why/why not?
  • What kind of maintenance is needed for my solar system and batteries
  • Where can I buy Go Power! products? @ Arizona RV Parts Center
  • Is there somewhere I can learn more about solar on my own?

Click Here for Go Power Solar's Website  or Call Them @ 1-866-247-6527 - They are a very friendly company that can help answer your questions.

To Purchase Go Power Solar with Free Shipping Check Out Arizona RV Parts Center!

The post Go Power Solar Panels & Inverters Part 2 appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Go Power Solar Panels & Inverters Part 101 Oct 201900:27:12
GO Power Solar Interview Part 1

Episode 52 (part 1) is all About Go Power Solar and as an added bonus Mark Spillsbury from Go Power Solar is my guest. Go Power Solar has been in the RV Solar Panel game for about 23 years making Go Power one of the first Solar companies to become a main stream solar supplier for the RV Industry. Go Power Solar is certainly the industry leader making them the King of the Solar Category!

Mark has been with Go Power for about 21 years and is one of their resident experts and he knows their products inside and out. Not only does he understand Go Power products he has an unbelievable knowledge of solar in general. Mark also likes to RV and that certainly gives him and Go Power much deeper insight into the needs of the RV'er be it full time or a weekend warrior. As most of you know I push the products I believe in and I have been sold on Go Power for about 21 years.

Rather than trying to pack everything into one episode I am splitting this into 2 episodes and of course you can go to Go Powers website to do your own research beyond what we discussed. The following are the main points discussed in Episode 52 (part 1). These 2 episodes (52 & 53) take the confusion out of Solar and how you can benefit by using it.

  • Can Solar run my RV?
  • Will Solar power my inverter?
  • Will Solar replace my generator?
  • Is installing Solar something I could do myself versus taking my RV to a shop?
  • Will I have to put holes in my roof?
  • What makes Go Power better than the other brands?
  • What is Go Power’s warranty?

Click Here for Go Power Solar's Website  or Call Them @ 1-866-247-6527 - They are a very friendly company that can help answer your questions.

To Purchase Go Power Solar with Free Shipping Check Out Arizona RV Parts Center!

The post Go Power Solar Panels & Inverters Part 1 appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

How to Get Your RV Ready for Winter Storage27 Sep 201900:24:20
Follow These Steps to Get Your RV Reay For Winter Storage

In Episode 51 I go over the essential maintenance steps that every RV'er needs to do to get ready for Winter if they live where it snows and or freezes. Even if you don't need to do an official winterizing project for the winter season this is still a good time check for leaks and potential problems.

Fresh Water: The starting point could be with the fresh water system and making sure it is drained of water. You will want to make sure to include the Water Heater and Fresh Water Tank(s). Some RV'ers prefer to blow the water out of the lines with a simple tool that screws into the city water hookup that uses compressed air to clear the line of water. This works very good and is inexpensive to do. Compressed air, a little bit of your time and a 5 dollar blow out plug! The other way to winterize the fresh water system uses RV Antifreeze that you run through the Fresh water system. RV Antifreeze won't freeze (read label for freeze points) and it is a food grade product so it is 100% safe to use in the RV Fresh Water System. Either way works very good. Some RV'ers take no chances at all and do both. They blow out the water lines and then add RV Antifreeze just to make sure. Keep in mind that toilets and ice makers have water valves that can freeze and making sure they are prepped is a must.

Holding Tanks: Make sure to drain the holding tanks as well. This should be done after every use but sometimes we forget or put it off for various reasons. Make sure the sewer hose is drained and clear of water as well. A sewer hose would almost always be dry but, you never know?

RV Covers: Many RV'ers prefer to cover their RV for Winter Storage and this is a good idea because it adds a layer of protection against the problems that come from exposure to moisture. I have even heard of some putting a tarp on the roof before the cover goes on and this can really add another layer of protection. As we know water finds it way into the RV through the tiniest cracks and crevices. In some areas and conditions you can't do too much!

On the Roof: Climb up on the roof and look over the entire roof. Keep in mind the roof is what protects everything underneath it. Check all of the seams, stanchions, vent bases, antenna bases, plumbing vents, solar panel mounts and anything else that is mounted to the roof. In most cases if there needs to be any resealing you can use Dicor Lap Sealant for these repairs.

Check the vent lids to make sure they are not brittle and ready to fall apart or have already fallen apart. To replace your vent lids you will need to know which hinge the lid has on it to get a replacement. For the record, the common vent that is called a 14 x 14 all have lids that are almost identical in size, the hinge is what determines which lid you need. Do the same with the Escape Hatch if the lid needs to be replaced except with escape hatches the lid dimensions help in determining which lid will fit.

I highly recommend adding Vent Covers made by Maxxair or Camco to help keep the 14" vents covered and protected from the elements. Not only do they extend the life of the lids they will also allow you to leave the vent lid open without the fear of rain or other things such as dirt/dust from easily entering into the RV. I have Maxxair covers on my RV and I have never worried about the lids being open anytime of the year. I also recommend that you use vent stuffers as well. The add some thermal protection for the RV in hot or cold conditions. The are probably more valuable in the summer time.

Thoroughly check the entire roof and everything on it for potential leaks and repair as needed. Only use products for the roof that are made for RV roofs. Sometimes RV'ers use products that are not made for RV's and the potential to ruin the roof is great. Check everything on the roof and the roof edges and make sure to take your time and seal/repair every potential leak.

For more details on Maintaining Rubber Roofs Check Out the 3 Part Podcast about Roofs.

On the Ground: Now that we are off the roof you will need to check everything else for potential leaks. That would include clearance lights, compartment doors, water entries, range vents, cable hatches, windows, specialty trim and anything else that has the potential to cause water damage. Be suspect of any possible leak. It could be years before the damage rears it's ugly head and now it is a repair job and not just a simple maintenance step.

Batteries: There is much debate on how to maintain batteries while in storage and in order to cut through the minutia I went to Interstate Batteries to get the straight scoop. I also found a really good resource online as well. This link will take you to the podcast I did just on batteries.  Listen Now to Episode 44 about Battery Storage.

Tires: Keep the tires aired up to the maximum tire pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer of the tire.

For tips about tire maintenance Click Here!

Wrapping it Up For Winter: The last thing to do is determine if there are any repairs that need to be done now or can wait. If any need to be done make a list and do them now or wait and keep the list in the RV for springtime. A repair that could wait could be an Awning Fabric that is going bad and you your not going to be using it and it can wait until spring time. The main thing is to have your list made out and either knock the jobs out now or wait. If you wait and are having a service center do the work keep in mind that they can be really busy in the spring with long waiting periods to get your RV in to repair it. Plan for this in advance.

 

 

 

 

The post How to Get Your RV Ready for Winter Storage appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓ Making Good Purchases and Not Throwing Away Cash!04 Aug 201900:24:38

Episode 50 was produced out of frustration that companies make products that in my opinion are a dis-service to the RV Community and a frustration to the end user or the RV'er. As I said this is my opinion! The subject matter for today's episode is a RV Awning Fabric that I will call Brand X, I choose not to call the company out in this episode. The pictures say a mouthful about the fabric.

I will only recommend 3 brands that I feel meet the standards that make a good fabric. Solera by Lippert, A&E by Dometic, Carefree of Colorado. These 3 stand far above Brand X when it comes to quality and ease of installation with accurate instructions. I have never seen instructions such as Brand X, they sabotage an A&E installation for sure. I have installed 1000's of RV Awning Fabrics and have never seen a fabric like this!

The point of the episode is not just about RV Awning Fabrics and making good purchases, it is a principle that can be applied to anything you purchase for your RV or anything in general. Do your research and don't purchase by price, make your purchases based on quality and price. Sometimes a better product is not always the highest price! But sometimes the cheapest price is the lowest quality!

Listen to Episode 50 to learn more about a poor quality fabric and how to make great purchase decisions.

To Learn More About the RV Awning Fabrics we Recommend Click Here!

The post ↓ Making Good Purchases and Not Throwing Away Cash! appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Buying a Used RV – Avoid the Pitfalls06 Jul 201900:31:40

Purchasing a used RV, Travel Trailer or 5th Wheel etc…In episode 49 I explain why it is so important to thoroughly check out an RV before purchasing regardless of how good the deal might seam to be.

There are many things to check out – there are companies that provide this service -They might be pricey.

I am bringing this up because I hear of so many RV’ers buying used RV's and they miss so many problems that cost extra money and sometimes even sour the entire purchase. Dry rot, torn awning fabrics, broken steps, bad wiring etc…

You may need to segment the RV purchase inspection into 4 main categories. You also need to be a detective and find the problems before you shell out your hard-earned cash. When you’re done with your inspection every square inch of the RV should have been inspected and be in your head.

The 4 Segments or Sections:

1) The Roof - Inspect every item on the roof including seams, vents, the roof it self etc...

2) The underside - This would include all of the chassis components, holding tanks, plumbing, electrical, the underside of the floor, frame etc... With a Motorhome you might want to have the chassis inspected by a professional only after you have you have inspected everything else and it meets your expectations. Why, because the inspection will cost money

3) The 4 exterior side walls, 2 sides and the front and rear - Check all of the lights for operation, paint, decals, exterior finish, screw cover, check trim and windows for leaks, awnings, compartment doors, hatches, locks & Keys etc...

4) The interior - It might be easier to segment the interior by rooms. Check that the stove, microwave, AC, furnace & water heater are operational. Check lights, converter, all plumbing and related items etc...

If you categorize it the inspection it might not seem so daunting. Many people just eyeball everything and take the word of the seller that everything is okay. Some sellers might really not know about a problem where as, some might be trying to hide it.

Bring a note pad, have someone take notes if possible. Take pictures of visible problems to review later on and possibly get quotes to repair. Don’t be in hurry to by any RV no matter how good the deal is, there is always another deal.

Older RV’s lets say 1995 and older might be pristine but, sometimes they will fall apart when you start to use everything. I am not saying to ignore them, just consider there might still be an extra expense. If the RV is super clean that could indicate someone took very good care of it. A few extra minor expenses might be worth it.

The lesson here is to take your time and thoroughly check every thing that you possibly can before making the purchase. You might be surprised what you find and how much it costs.

 

If your hands are clean, you’re not having fun……..

The post Buying a Used RV – Avoid the Pitfalls appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Leveling Trailers and Fifth Wheels02 May 201900:29:50

Hopkins Levelers

Hopkins Level System

Valterra Stackers

Valterra Stabilizer Pads

Super Dolly RV Pads

In Episode 48 I dig into stabilizing pads for Trailers and Fifth Wheels and the difference between Plastic and Wood Pads for placing underneath the stabilizer legs. I don't get into Motorhome leveling systems or the type pads they would use. I believe in using plastic leveling pads instead of wood. Plastic is clean and splinter free. Plastic is easier to clean and usually is lighter in weight and sometimes just easier to maintain and handle. It might seem that plastic will be more expensive and it could be but, wood is not very cheap these days and you will probably be cutting and carrying more than you actually need. I think you should Buy Plastic pads and be done with it!

When leveling a trailer you always want to use pads or blocks that are wider than the tires, otherwise the tire could be damaged. Trailer tires are fragile in some ways and an excess of tire hanging over the edge of a pad or block is not what the tire was designed to do.

The brands I recommend are Hopkins, Valterra, Super Dolly and Camco. Each brand does it a little bit different. You might to do a little shopping at your local RV Store and decide which pads or system will work best for you.

Listen Now to get all of the details.

The post Leveling Trailers and Fifth Wheels appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

Stabilizing for 5th Wheels and Travel Trailers21 Apr 201900:29:02

Today in Episode 47 I get into the basic leveling for 5th Wheel Trailers and Travel Trailers. Most trailers come with 4 stabilizers, one in each corner of the trailer. Fifth Wheels will usually have a stabilizer in each rear corner and the landing gear in the front of the trailer. The stabilizers are for stabilizing the trailer prior to leveling it. They are not designed for lifting the trailer, they capable of holding the weight of the trailer.

I get into the finer details of stabilizers, such as, the different types and how they can and should be used. In episode 48 I go into the details of Leveling a trailer without automatic leveling systems. There is nothing real tricky in doing this, it just more common sense and understanding how stabilizers work and what they are meant for.

It is also a good practice to use stabilizer pads under the foot of the stabilizer so the foot doesn't sink into the ground. The pads also help keep the trailer level because the feet of the stabilizers are not shifting in the soil.

Listen Now to the Entire Episode!

The post Stabilizing for 5th Wheels and Travel Trailers appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 46- Untangling the Sewer Hose Confusion14 Feb 201900:25:24

Untangling the Confusion about RV Sewer Hoses

In Episode 46 I try to untangle some of the confusion when replacing your RV Sewer Hose. The reason why the title of the podcast uses the word Untangle is due to the confusion that can happen when you go into an RV Parts Store. As you gaze in amazement down aisle with 2-5 different brands of sewer hoses. It can look a little overwhelming trying to determine what does what and how do you get there from here. While trying not to throw your money away.

What Matters:

At the end of the day, most RV Sewer Hoses connect the same way on all RV's (Trailers etc...) and the same is true for most campgrounds. On most RV's the fittings twist on at the sewer valve. In the majority of campground the fittings screw in or the fitting is designed to slip into the fitting in the ground. This is true the majority of the time although, there a few exceptions. One exception would be an older park with obscure ground fittings. The other would be the RV sewer hose connection has been modified to something out of the norm. Where is the confusion then?

Confusion

The confusion lies at the RV Parts Store. This is no fault of the store nor of the sewer hose manufacturers. It is because the store is stocking more than one brand and style of sewer hose. The key is to focus on one brand and determine the different types of sewer hoses that are offered. For example, Valterra is a brand that makes sewer hoses and they have several models of sewer hoses to choose from. They have Viper, Silverback, Dominator and Ez Coupler. All of these are sewer hose kits that essentially do the same thing.

What's the Difference

The main difference is the thickness of the hose and if the hose has protective rings to help keep the hose from becoming damaged if it is drug on rough surfaces. Typically, you aren't going to mix and match sewer hoses, that would defeat the point of buying a quality hose. If you choose Valterra as the brand, then you would want to choose one of their models. Valterra is my brand of choice!

RV Stores:

Each store will probably stock more of the brand they prefer and that might make your decision easier. Buy what they recommend if it makes sense. The major Brands are Valterra, Camco, Thetford, Prest O Fit and Duraflex. Prest O Fit was probably the first to provide sewer hose kits that made sense. All of them make good products and in some cases are very similar in quality. It can be a lot easier to make the purchase in an RV Store because you can touch and feel the hoses and get some expert advice. Also, if you need a special fitting to get your connections completed it might be easier to find it in an RV Store.

Episode 46 goes into greater detail on each brand and how to make a better decision when purchasing a sewer hose kit. Listen to the Entire Episode Now!

Valterra Sewer Hoses

Prest O Fit Sewer Hoses

Camco Sewer Hoses

Thetford Sewer Hoses

The post ↓Episode 46- Untangling the Sewer Hose Confusion appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓ Episode 149 – Awesome Ways to Communicate While RVing Beyond a Cell Phone!26 Apr 202400:31:55
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: Today, Eric and Alexis discuss how you can always drive safely while in your RV. You can take RV driving lessons. This will help you feel more confident and safer on the road. We want all our fans to be safe on the road. Check out this section and find some tips to help you become a better RVer. Staying On The Road: Eric talks about communicating without cell service. There are several ways to contact someone when you need help, either from a friend or an emergency hotline. This could be the difference between life and death in many cases, especially when you’re out in the middle of nowhere. That is why buying something is essential to feel less stressed when you’re out of a service area in your RV. Eric recommends several devices. TidRadio - GMRS, Baofeng - GMRS, Garmin GPS/Text Messenger, Bivy Stick - Satellite Add On for Cell Phones, Cell Phone Satellite Sleeves, Satellite Phone. The Next Stop: Fayetteville, WV is the dream destination for RVers. This place has everything to make your RV vacation the best one yet! Fayetteville has an exciting and memorable mix of history and culture. You can plan your trip around festivals in the area to make your trip even better! Eric and Alexis encourage you to check out our Next Stop articles on TheSmartRVer.com.  RV Envy: Eric explains converters simply so that everyone can gain some understanding. Not everything is easy to understand or explain, but Eric helps his fans figure out even the most difficult concepts in the RV world. He is a huge help when it comes to the problematic subjects on your RV. Our Online Resources: The Smart Rver YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines, etc. Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website
↓Episode 45 – The What and How to Maintain Your Black Water Tank02 Jan 201900:30:17
RV Black Water Holding Tank Maintenance

↓ When it comes to maintaining your RV Black Water Holding Tank, there are many opinions out there. In Episode 45, I give a little history lesson on Holding Tank Chemicals and how they have evolved and made their way onto the shelves of an RV Store near you. More importantly, though, is which Holding Tank Chemical (Product) should you choose and what you should expect.

One point I need to clarify before I start to ramble on. I go back and forth between the terms Chemical and Product because, in today's world, not everything we put in our Holding Tanks can be called a chemical. Many products are not chemical-based products! They can be considered safe for the environment. Some products are safer than others, and that is part of the debate when it comes time to empty the Black Water Tank.

When choosing a Holding Tank Product, there are 4 objectives that you should try to accomplish. All 4 objectives should be considered equally important when that wonderful time comes to empty it!

1) The Toilet Paper Should be broken down.

2) The Solids should be broken down.

3) The Sensors should be clean and working.

4) The tank itself should be clean with little or no residual buildup.

Toilet Paper:

Not all toilet paper breaks down or liquefies when soaked in a bath of human waste or in plain water. In the past, we sold a Toilet Paper that was so cheap we could sell 6 rolls for a buck! It was also biodegradable and worked well in RV Holding Tanks. My Dad's sales pitch was really simple when someone asked if you could use it in an RV? He would reply "It works so good it melts in your hands". He just said, "What do you expect for a buck?" During the winter season, we would sell 500 rolls a day; it was quite a lead to get people in the store. Back to reality now!

Even though RV Toilet is a little spendy, it is the paper you really want to use in your tank; it breaks down more easily than residential Toilet Paper. When you couple RV Toilet Paper with a holding tank product designed to break down waste, you can't go wrong.

Solids:

The solids can either be preserved or broken down, depending on the Chemical/Product that you use. Thetford AquaKem Blue is a formaldehyde-based product that works well to mask odors. It is not effective at breaking down solids or toilet paper within the required time in an RV Holding Tank. A Bacterial Enzyme product, such as Pure Power Blue, is ideal for breaking down solids and toilet paper quickly.

I need to confess that I was formerly the President of OP Products, the manufacturer of Pure Power Green and Blue. With that said I very familiar with and tested most of the products on the market and I am pro Pure Power because it really works. My brothers and I launched Pure Power at a time when it was almost impossible to get a new Holding Tank Product into a store, let alone into the distribution channels. We broke through not because of our spectacular sales pitches, but because of the quality of Pure Power, and it worked as we said, and at that time, there was no other product like it. If you find a similar product and it works, by all means, continue to use it. I am just using Pure Power as an example of a product that I know firsthand that works.

Sensors:

The Sensors for the Holding Tank Gauges can be a real pain when they aren't working properly. Quite often, they are inaccurate due to Waste and/or Toilet Paper hung on them. When you use a product designed to break down the waste and liquefy toilet paper, it will naturally clean the sensors. If you use such a product, you should have well-functioning sensors most of the time.

I want to emphasize "most of the time", these are not sensors that are used on the space shuttle. These are made by the RV Industry, and bless their hearts for trying to get it right. Pure Power is the product that I recommend for ongoing Sensor Maintenance. If you experience serious issues, you can try Sensor Power as a proven solution. It uses specialized cleaning agents to give the sensors a Deep Cleaning.

The Tank:

The tank should be free of side-wall buildup after it is emptied and flushed. This will help prevent future odors caused by a dirty tank. It is obviously hard to peek inside your holding tank to see what is going on, and that is where a reliable Holding Tank Product comes in. If you continue to have odors and sensor problems,s you might need to change flavors.

If you accomplish these four steps in maintaining your RV Holding Tank, you will be, as they say, "A Happy Camper"! For more details and holding tank tips, listen to the full episode.

↓Listen Now!

The post ↓Episode 45 – The What and How to Maintain Your Black Water Tank appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 44 – RV Deep Cycle Battery Storage15 Dec 201800:19:39

↓There can be a fair amount of confusion about the best way to store an RV Battery during the off season. In this episode I break it down to simplify the process and make some nice product recommendations along the way. In most scenarios the RV’er is storing his battery during the cold winter months and typically not during the hot summer months. The methods can adapted to either situation, hot or cold. The summer heat can damage a battery as much as poorly stored battery during the cold months.

↓The bottom line is to keep the battery case and posts clean and keeping the battery properly charged during the storage process . If your battery is going to be stored in the RV during the winter months you will want to make sure that it has a full charge and this will prevent it from freezing. Some have said that an RV Battery will freeze if left in the RV during storage and that is not true unless the temperature drops way below Zero.

↓If you decide to store the battery in the RV, make sure the battery is disconnected from any electrical source that good drain the battery during storage. It might just be best to physically disconnect the battery cables altogether. If you are unsure of how to hook the battery cables up later then you could take a picture or draw a diagram. It is important that battery gets hooked up the same way it was connected was, assuming it was correct to begin with.

↓I would opt to store the battery in a garage or some place that has power to run a Trickle Charger. The stored battery should be fully charged prior to storage and then the charge should be maintain during the storage period. Today there are plenty of Hi Tech battery chargers available and I recommend to purchase a battery charger that will go into float mode after the battery is charged. If your charger has this capability your can leave it hooked up to the battery and plugged in for the off season with no harm being caused to the battery.

↓It is best to store the RV Battery away from any source away from sparks or open flames. Although today’s batteries can be stored on a concrete floor it is best to store it on a piece of wood, work bench or similar. Make sure the surface is protected if it is a nice surface you care about. It is pretty simple to store a battery for the off season.

I recommend Battery Tender and Noco battery chargers to maintain All of your Batteries. Click here for more information about both brands and to purchase from Amazon.

Bonus Content: The below content was briefly explained in the podcast. You can consider this some bonus content if you are thinking about changing to a different battery type.

Gel Cell vs. AGM (glass mat) batteries. 

What Is A Gel Battery?

Before you can determine the pros and cons of a gel battery and how they will affect you, it’s important to understand what exactly a gel battery is. A gel battery is very similar to a traditional lead-acid battery with the addition of silica to the electrolyte to create the gel like substance. This thickening of the electrolyte means that gel batteries can be installed in a variety of positions and don’t emit as many fumes.

Pro Tip: This allows for gel batteries to be used in applications where ventilation is limited.

How Does It Work?

A gel battery (often referred to as a gel cell battery) is a lead-acid battery that is valve regulated. When the electrolyte is mixed with sulphuric acid and silica, it becomes a relatively stationary gel substance. This gel mixture allows the battery to utilize the acid and electrolyte in the same way it would with a traditional lead-acid battery, just without the added maintenance.

The Pros:

Maintenance Free: Because the batteries are comprised of gel instead of liquid, there is little to no maintenance to keep the battery working properly.

No Leaks: Even though wet cell batteries are sealed in a plastic encasement there is still the chance that it will leak. Gel batteries are also sealed but with a valve that removes excess pressure. This means that between the gel substance and the removal of pressure, there is nowhere for the mixture to go.

Install Them Anywhere: Gel batteries have the advantage of being able to be used in virtually any position, because they don’t leak and are generally maintenance free. This greatly increases the number of applications gel batteries can be used for.

Minimal Risk: When damage occurs to a traditional lead-acid battery you are faced with a massive and dangerous clean up (not to mention the impact on anything the battery acid may come into contact with during the process). Gel batteries will not leak out if the casing becomes damaged, so there is a reduced risk of harm coming to the equipment and clean up hazards.

Vibration Resistant: One of the biggest complaints with wet cell batteries is that they are very susceptible to extreme vibration and other impacts. Gel batteries absorb the impact and vibrations, making them great batteries for items such as four wheelers.

No Fumes: Because these batteries are comprised of a gel substance there are minimal fumes created as a result of use. This means that there is a reduced need for ventilation which increases the potential applications gel batteries can be used for, as well as making them easier to charge anywhere.

Resistant To Discharge Death: When using a wet cell battery it’s important that you don’t allow the battery to discharge too much. Otherwise, it will never recharge. Gel cell batteries aren’t that way. They are deep cycle batteries  which means that they can discharge more and still be recharged like new.

The Cons:

The Price: While the benefits of a gel battery are pretty hefty, so is the price tag. Many people looking to switch from wet cell to gel batteries see this as the biggest drawback.

Charging Challenged: When charging your gel battery, you’ll want to plan on giving it extra time. Slow charging cycles are pretty common with these batteries, but you can’t walk away and leave it. Because it’s a gel instead of a liquid you’ll need to take it off the charger as soon as it’s complete. To leave it on could cause voids with the electrolyte which is irreversible damage.

Heat Control: This is truly a drawback with most batteries and gel cell batteries are no exception. Heat is one of the fastest ways to cut the lifespan of your battery short. By controlling the batteries exposure to heat, you can lengthen the life cycle and keep your battery running like new.

Pros and Cons provide by Northeast Battery.

What is an AGM Battery? AGM technology became popular in the early 1980s as a sealed lead acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles and UPS to reduce weight and improve reliability. The sulfuric acid is absorbed by a very fine fiberglass mat, making the battery spill-proof. This enables shipment without hazardous material restrictions. The plates can be made flat to resemble a standard flooded lead acid pack in a rectangular case; they can also be wound into a cylindrical cell.

AGM has very low internal resistance, is capable to deliver high currents on demand and offers a relatively long service life, even when deep cycled. AGM is maintenance free, provides good electrical reliability and is lighter than the flooded lead acid type. While regular lead acid batteries need a topping charge every six months to prevent the buildup of sulfation, AGM batteries are less prone to sulfation and can sit in storage for longer before a charge becomes necessary. The battery stands up well to low temperatures and has a low self-discharge.

The leading advantages of AGM are a charge that is up to five times faster than the flooded version, and the ability to deep cycle. AGM offers a depth-of-discharge of 80 percent; the flooded, on the other hand, is specified at 50 percent DoD to attain the same cycle life. The negatives are slightly lower specific energy and higher manufacturing costs than the flooded, but cheaper than the gel battery.

Most AGM batteries are mid-sized and range from 30 to 100Ah. They can also be found in UPS, big and small for stationary and deep cycle use. They are commonly built to size and are found in high-end vehicles to run power-hungry accessories such as heated seats, steering wheels, mirrors and windshields. NASCAR and other auto racing leagues choose AGM products because they are vibration resistant.

AGM is the preferred battery for upscale motorcycles. Being sealed, AGM reduces acid spilling in an accident, lowers the weight for the same performance and allows installation at odd angles. Because of good performance at cold temperatures, AGM batteries are also used for marine, motor home and robotic applications.

AGM is making inroads into the start-stop function of cars. The classic flooded type is simply not robust enough and repeated cycling causes a sharp...

↓Episode 43 – Adco and Classic RV Storage Covers30 Nov 201800:26:47

In Episode 43 I break down purchasing either an Adco or Classic RV Cover for storing your RV, Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel in challenging climates. I am only going to spend time talking about Adco and Classic RV covers because they are mainly in the RV Cover business and have great reputations. I have sold other covers and at the end of the day I always default back to Adco and Classic.

After being in Arizona for many years I came to the conclusion an RV Cover whether it is for a travel trailer or motorhome will quite often only last for one summer due to the constant heavy winds. The wind, not the sun, tears them apart before the summer is over. Even if all of the edges and corners of the RV were protected the covers just did not last. I finally stopped selling them. That is, I gave a strong warning about how long they would last and for the most part talked the RV owner out of buying a cover that would probably only last one summer.

If you are thinking that there are other brands of RV Covers you are right and I do explain that point and add an explanation why I am focusing on just Adco and Classic RV Covers. Besides being in the cover business they are the 2 brands that have been sold predominantly in most RV parts and accessory stores for decades. They are very well known! I have sold other brands and stopped selling them because of the tremendous amount of problems our customers experienced and the headaches that came along with so called “Problem Free Warranties”.

I talked with Adco and they were very helpful in answering questions about their products. Adco recommends the All Climate Wind Series with Tyvek as the go to cover. They recommended it for all climates excluding windy areas. For windy ares, specifically Arizona they recommended a custom cover made of Sunbrella fabric. They are custom made for your RV and can get a little pricey compared to their other covers. I did not spend much time talking about the custom covers. Adco offers a 2 year warranty on the All Climate Wind Series with Tyvek covers. The two year warranty is a decent warranty as long the cover does not tear in that time. The two year warranty offers a one time cover replacement and free patch kits to repair any tears provided that they are repairable by the RV owner.

Adco & Classic both emphasized the importance of measuring correctly and buying the right cover at the outset. To measure properly you should include ladders, bumpers, spare tire covers, etc… Do not go by the size the dealer told you when you bought the RV, get some exercise and do the measuring yourself. Your size options will be broke down to size ranges. Your RV will fall into a size range that could have some extra length to or fit a little snug. The covers are adjustable to take up some of the extra material if it is a little large.

Classic RV Covers are very proud of their PermaPRO Deluxe RV Covers and it sounds like they should be. They too clam that it is ideal for all climates other than windy ares such as Arizona. They offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty and they deal directly with you about any warranty issues that may occur. They will replace the cover if needed and they also offer patch kits for minor tears. Classic boasts about their warranty and the customer service experience as being the best and I would say that they are excited about their product and warranty. Classic also offers the new SkyShield Plus RV cover with a Tyvek roof section similiar to Adco’s All Climate Wind Series with Tyvek except the 4 year warranty period is twice as longer with the Classic SkyShield Plus. Classic speaks very highly off the rip stop material used in their covers and reassures that small tears stay small if taken care of in a timely manner.

I personally will stick with these 2 brands because they both have very similar strengths and weaknesses. I believe they both will perform as stated by the Adco and Classic and if the RV is prepped properly before putting the cover on for storage they should hold for years to come. Just keep in mind that the Wind and improper measurements and usage will shorten the life of any RV Cover. Make this purchase count!

Please listen to the full Episode for more useful information.

BTW: The best deals for Adco RV Covers are to be found on Amazon. I have included links to purchase them on our Blog page. Click here to Purchase from Amazon at Down & Dirty Prices with FREE Shipping.

Classic RV Covers are very Sparse on Amazon – Call us @ 800-789-5588 to get Down & Dirty Prices with FREE Shipping!

 

 

 

The post ↓Episode 43 – Adco and Classic RV Storage Covers appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 42 – How to Choose an RV Power Converter17 Nov 201800:32:58

In Episode 42 I discuss the 4 Major Brands of RV Power Converters that are commonly found in most RV’s providing power to the RV’s 12 volt system. This an interesting topic due to the similariteis of each power converter. Also, all 4 brands boast great products, excellent customer service and a very small defective/return rate. I have neglected to mention the

4 brands by name; Progressive Dynamics (PD), WFCO (woofco), Iota and Parallax. They are not named in order other than this is how I listed them for this article. I certainly gained an equal amount of respect for each brand and walked away knowing each one has a place in the RV Industry.

I am asked questions almost daily about RV Power Converters and which one should be used to replace one that has bitten the dust. I have to say I almost always recommend a Progressive Dynamics converter because I keep them in stock at all times. That might sound like that is my “go to converter” because of quality! That is not necessarily the case, I love their Retail Packaging! I do see more Progressive Dynamics Converters than any other brand for what that is worth. There could be a few reasons that make that happen.

I spoke to technicians at each company and asked questions about the life of the product and what makes theirs the best. By the way, each company thinks there converter is the best. Another interesting and well appreciated point is that there was no bashing of the competition and that in itself speaks volumes about the employees and their perspective companies. In the episode I get into greater detail about each brand such as, Iota’s are repairable in some cases. Although that is not always the case it is a possibility. It might not be worth the expense and the time spent without a power converter.

WFCO is very proud to boast that they have a strong presence on the assembly line floor at many factories where RV’s are made. This is worthy of mention because they are there to make sure their converters are installed properly and with the proper amp rating to take care of the job. They truly believe in making the customers experience the best it can be. That makes itself evident with the technical and diagnostic information available on their website.

Parallax has been around along time and they certainly have built some really good products over the years and their RV Power Centers/Converters certainly have stood the test of time. Power Centers are visible in the RV and contain the circuit breakers and fuse panel above what is called the “Lower Section” of the power center. The lower section is the converter and Parallax has built a quality product and it has been a preferred power center by the RV Manufacturers.

All in all I have to say that each brand has put their unique spin on options and cleverly giving the options a unique name to drawing the RV’er into purchasing their Power Converter. Do they all do the same thing? For the most part yes! They just do it a little different. Below you will find links that will give you descriptions of each product so you can compare the differences. In most situations if you need to replace your converter you could replace it with same model and not have to worry about a thing. They are all good!

Listen to the Full Episode Now!

Here is the Short List of the more popular Models:

Progressive Dynamics:

PD9100 Series: 30 Amp, 40 Amp, 45 Amp, 60 Amp, 78 Amp & 80 Amp

PD9200 Series: 45 Amp, 60 Amp, 70 Amp & 80 Amp

Iota Power Converters:

DLS Series: 15 Amp, 30 Amp, 45 Amp, 75 Amp & 90 Amp

DLS-X Series: 15 Amp, 30 Amp, 45 Amp, 75 Amp & 90 Amp

WFCO Power Converters:

WF- 9800 Series: 35 Amp, 45 Amp, 55 Amp, 65 Amp, 75 Amp

Parallax Power Converters:

5300 Series: 55 Amp, 65 Amp & 75 Amp

7100 Series: 55 Amp

Check Out all the Converters here and Get FREE Shipping!

 

The post ↓Episode 42 – How to Choose an RV Power Converter appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 41 – Everyday Minor Repairs that can Ruin A Trip22 Jul 201800:33:11

Episode 41 – This episode is about simple repairs that can keep your vacation on track. I recap some of the recent conversations I have had with customers about certain maintenance items that can ruin a trip if not taken care of. We are in fire season in many parts of the country and rather than be surprised by smoke and fire plan ahead but, do not cancel your trip, just go elsewhere. I once again urge everyone to get organized when it comes to parts and items that need to be replaced on the RV. There are several apps that work with PC’s, Mac’s and portable devices.

The post ↓Episode 41 – Everyday Minor Repairs that can Ruin A Trip appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 40 – The Move to Montana and Some Lessons Learned21 Jul 201800:25:31

Episode 40 – I cover some ground on the move to Montana and explain why I bought so many new tires for the move. My Toy Hauler tires just made it to the tire shop 10 miles from my house. The Utility trailer tires didn’t make it out of driveway. There were lot of things happening during the move and I wanted make sure I had little or no problems on the highway with any of our trailers and vehicles. My focus was going 1200 miles without a break down. And we did make to Victor without any major issues. That really is not a surprise considering I do maintain my vehicles. I also had to make a 22″ escape hatch lid out of scrap aluminum before we hit the road due to mine (Ventline) no longer being available. I preferred not to replace the entire escape hatch so I wouldn’t ruin the seal on the roof. It worked just fine without any leaks on the road and in the heavy rains after we arrived.

There are a lot of concerns that might run through your mind while you are traveling and I certainly had mine. Although I thought about many things that could go wrong I already had my mind made up that I would push through whatever came up.

Listen to Episode 40 Now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post ↓Episode 40 – The Move to Montana and Some Lessons Learned appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 39 – RV Surge Protection and UV-LED Water Filtration10 May 201800:29:33

Episode 39 covers RV UV-LED Water Filtration as the newest technology to provide Clean Pure Drinking Water in any RV at a an affordable price. We sell the Acuva brand RV LED Water Filter System. This system completely remove all of the nasty things in water that other systems can’t remove. Call us for prices.

Surge Protection is the other topic I covered in this Episode and how important they can be to protect the RV’s electronics and appliances that use 110 volt. Surge Guard and Progressive Dynamics are the 2 brands I recommend because it is the brand I have grown to trust and sell problem free.

I also explain some of the awesome changes coming to our new location in Victor Montana. The changes are going to be awesome and provide a completely different customer experience not found in the RV Industry.

Listen Now!

The post ↓Episode 39 – RV Surge Protection and UV-LED Water Filtration appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 38 – Move Update and RV Prep for Summer10 May 201800:27:31

In Episode 38 I do a brief update on our move to Victor, MT and spend most of the show talking about prepping for summer and some of the important basics that go along with vacation prep. Everybody has their own routines that match their RV and that usually works so, I just give some reminders and spend some time on sealing the roof because in most parts of the country it rains almost regularly in the summer. I also touch on trailer tires and suspension and the importance of quality brake controllers. And as always I push the DIY aspect of owning an RV and the importance of maintaining your RV and especially having the confidence to do it yourself!

Listen Now!

The post ↓Episode 38 – Move Update and RV Prep for Summer appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 37 – Big Announcement, We’re Relocating08 Apr 201800:16:35

We are moving to Victor Montana! Yes, that is correct, we are relocating to Victor Montana in the middle of May 2018. Due to family illness Karen and I have decided the best thing to do is move to Montana so she can be closer to her mom in the the last months of her life. We also decided that we would relocate Arizona RV Parts, our brick and mortar store as well. We still need to work and are able so why not move it all and be there for her mom and and enjoy some beautiful surroundings. This is a planned a move and now that we are sure of it, we will be very public and let all of our customers know to the best of our ability. Let me emphasize, we are relocating, not going out of business nor are we leaving Wellton, AZ because of shady business practices. I suggest listening to the Podcast and hear all of the details for yourself. Below are links to the website branding our new name, Highway 93 RV. The podcast will carry on under the same name, Radio Arizona RV – The RV Maintenance and Education Show for the DIY’er. Listen Now!

Highway 93 RV Parts & Accessories

1345 Hwy 93 North Suite2

Victor, MT 59875

800-789-5588

www.Highway93RV.com

 

The post ↓Episode 37 – Big Announcement, We’re Relocating appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 36 – Exterior Sealant for an RV26 Mar 201800:20:13

In this episode I cover the essentials of what type of sealants to use on your RV. I briefly cover what is needed for a Rubber Roof because I have done a previous on sealing a rubber roof and the Sealants I recommend are made by Dicor, they specialize in rubber roofs. I also am a fan of Dicor products for maintaining and repairing rubber roofs. In this episode I use a window as an example of how to seal just about anything on the side of your RV although, the principle holds true for the roof as well. A window typically uses the same process and sealants that compartment door would use as well as an entrance door. The main thing to do in any application is clean the surfaces thoroughly and use Butyl tape to as the main seal and a sealant such as Proflex to seal the top of the window or whatever it is that you are resealing. I also explain the differences in Butyl Tape and Putty Tape and why you should use Butyl Tape in almost all reseal jobs. There are four main brands of sealants that are widely used across the RV Industry by consumers and manufacturers alike. It brand has it’s different products for the variety of applications that might be found on an RV. You can also check with the RV manufacturer for their recommendations. The 4 brands that I recommend are listed below and there is also a link to Arizona RV Parts Center for more information and part numbers.

• Hengs formerly know as Elixer

• GeoCell

• Dyco – Not Dicor

• Sika also known as Sika Flex

For more information use this link!

 

The post ↓Episode 36 – Exterior Sealant for an RV appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓ Episode 148 – Lithium batteries are the current trend among RVers; But Who really needs lithium batteries in their RV?12 Apr 202400:33:48
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Let's Talk Everything RV!   Enjoying the RV Life: Eric talks about how RV maintenance can seem overwhelming and how you can ease that tension with some know-how. Maintenance is really nothing to be intimidated by. It can be a way to get to know your RV much better and keep up with the little quarks your RV inevitably has. Therefore, you will be more confident on the road, which is precisely what we want for our RV listeners. Staying On The Road: In this section, Eric discusses Lithium batteries and who needs them. Lithium batteries can be a great resource but also a big expense. Understanding how they work, and other details can be crucial in helping you decide if lithium is the right choice for you. The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis talk about Mystic CT. They detail how cool this little East Coast town is and what there is to do there. It was made famous through a 1980’s movie called “Mystic Pizza.” They still have a pizza parlor in the town, so if you’re in the area, check it out! RV Envy: Eric talks about converters and how to use them. He explains what you need to know for using and changing out a converter. Eric is a fountain of knowledge for all things converters, so if you’re wondering about converters, just give Eric a call. Power Converters Made Easy Our Online Resources: The Smart RVer YouTube Channel - Check Out Our No-Nonsense YouTube Videos Sunpro Mfg - RV Sunshade, Windshield Covers & Slide Out Awning Fabrics Hot Boat Ropes - Marine Cordage- Anchor Lines, Dock Lines, Tow Lines etc. Top Rated Podcast - The Smart RVer Podcast Website
↓Episode 35 – The RV Tool Box Essentials11 Mar 201800:30:49

 Not sure of what tools you should carry in your RV Tool Box? As an RV’er you never know when your RV is going to need a repair whether it is on the road or camping at your favorite get away. The one thing you do know is that you will experience problems that will require repairs. The other unknown is if it will happen when it is convenient with your local repair shop open for business or will it be on a weekend or at night when everybody is closed up tight? It will happen if it already hasn’t, breakdowns are part of the RV Experience. In reality though, don’t cars and boats need repairs? What about ATV’s and personal water crafts? My point is everything fails and for some reason when an RV has a problem it is classified as an absolute inconvenience, when it is just part of the experience. Episode 35 covers this topic and I share with you my thoughts on what tools would be worth carrying and why. I also cover some items that are very handy to have on hand to get your problem solved when the stores are closed or late at night. Being prepared is worth its weight in gold. I know this from experience and a lifetime of Not having to call someone to do something I could do and did do myself. I will provide a list of tools and items I believe that should be part of the RV Tool Box and it can be found below and I will add & subtract as needed. Not all items or tools will work in every RV Tool Box! Open the box and listen now to the Entire Episode!

The RV Tool Box Contents!

Hand Tools:

• Socket Set Metric & American

• Wrench sets Metric & American

• Screw Drivers – Phillips and Flat Head

• 6 In 1 Type of Screw Driver with Torx Bits and a #1 & #2 Square Tip Bits

• Bit Driver for a Cordless Drill – with assortment of Bits: Square tip, Phillips, Sockets etc…

• Magnet Drive Guide – Usually Included in multi piece drive bit sets

• Channel Lock Style Pliers, Regular Pliers

• Wire Cutter, Wire Stripper and Wire Crimper

• Allen Wrench set

• Ball Peen hammers – Medium and Small

• Tools to Change Tire – Don’t assume your RV came with everything needed, sometimes they don’t.

• Volt Meter (110v & 12v)

• 12 Volt Test Light

• Cordless Drill & Drill Bits

• Pex Tubing Cutter

• P&T Relief Valve Tool

• Hack Saw – Spare Blades

• Tire Gauge that works with your tire pressure

Systems:

• Pex Tubing 2 -3 feet of 3/8 & ½ inch

• Flair It Fittings for Pex Tubing – Couplers for 1/2” & 3/8” female pipe thread, Couplers for female pipe thread to Pex tubing, Shut Off Valve, Pex • • Fitting with cap to close off line.

• Fuses – Check your RV styles. Mini, Maxi, ATO/ATC, Micro etc…

• Wire Ties

• Electrical Tape

• 14 & 16 Gauge Wire

• Wire Connectors

• Battery Terminal Cleaner or a Wire Brush

• Duct Tape

• Teflon Tape for water systems

• Gas/Propane Tape for LP fittings

• Spray 100% Silicone

• Spray Lubricant

• Assortment of screws, nuts and bolts for your RV

• Hose Clamps

• Rags & Paper Towels

Road Side Emergencies:

• Flairs and or LED type flairs

• Cones or Reflective Triangles

• Fire Extinguisher

• LED Flash Light

• Rechargeable LED Flashlight

• Spare Batteries

• High Quality Jumper Cables

• Ground Cloth

• Spare Tire

Some retailers recommend small portable air compressors to inflate your tires if they are low. Most of these inexpensive compressors won’t be able to bring RV tires up to the proper pressure. Most inexpensive tire compressors are junk! And quite often not worth the money. The best solution is to check out Power Tanks! Power tanks offers C02 Systems that are awesome! I have 2 of them for my vehicles.

Other Stuff:

• Rope

• Bungee Cords

• Work Gloves

• Scissors

• Shovel

• Pocket Knife

• 7’ Aluminum Ladder

Awning Emergencies – While Driving

• Box Cutter to Remove Fabric if needed

• Velcro Straps to Secure Awning Arms

• Wire Ties to Secure Awnings

• Tools to Remove awning if needed

In an emergency it might become necessary to remove the fabric or the complete awning on the roadside, be prepared to do so!

 

The post ↓Episode 35 – The RV Tool Box Essentials appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 34 – Solera RV Awnings by Lippert Components26 Feb 201800:29:58

Episode 34 is about Solera RV Awnings by Lippert Components and the quality that has made Solera my new favorite RV Awning. In the past I expressed a low opinion of Lippert Components and now I changed my view point as time has passed. Not only have they become a better company, they are providing a great line of RV Awnings. The Solera brand has proven to be a Rock Star for my customers and our new go to awning. I go into the 3 Solera products that we have sold the most of this winter season in Arizona. The 18 Volt Universal Awning Arm Sets and the Universal Fabrics are two awesome products but, I have to say the Sliders or more commonly known as Slide Out Awnings are the best Slide Out Awnings we have ever installed. They are very similar to the Old Style A&E Slide Toppers except, they have been improved upon not only in style and appearance but also the performance is like none other. Listen Now to the Entire Episode!

For More Information Click Here!

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Leave a ReviewClammr ItListen in a New WindowDownloadSoundCloudStitcherSubscribe on AndroidSubscribe via RSSDownload Free eBookAnother Call to ActionOne More Call to Action

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↓Episode 33 – The Ford V10 Spark Plug Project25 Feb 201800:30:18

Ford V10 Engine Rebuild Due to Spark Plugs Blowing Out!

In this episode I explain the Spark Plug problem that Ford V10 Engines experience and how a spark plug problem turned into an engine rebuild on a Ford E350 Super Duty Van. I explain the overall process I went through and why I did it. I could have possibly just spent 800 bucks and maybe got by with a Time Sert/Helicloi type of fix but, I chose to go deeper because of the mileage (235,000) and at the bare minimum have the heads rebuilt and all of the spark plug holes repaired. The engine was going to have to come out no matter which way I decided to proceed and it was not nearly as difficult as the internet will make you believe. Some shops automatically remove the entire body to get to the engine. This makes no sense!

After removing the engine I decided to scrap getting the heads rebuilt after calling around Yuma and not really getting the answers I wanted to be comfortable with any of the shops rebuilding the heads. I then decided I would buy and engine online and soon realized that might not be the best plan if I wanted to keep the van and get another 200,000 miles out of it. The online reviews were not very good for any of the engine builders and the process was somewhat of a chore and they did not replace all of the parts that should be replaced. My engine was not blown nor neglected and I decided I would prefer to get my own engine back and not some beat up engine that blew up due to neglect.

That is when I starting calling around Phoenix and eventually chose to go with RnR Engines and was very glad I did. The podcast describes all of the above in more detail and how much I appreciated the work RnR Engines did and they will always be my go to guys for any major engine work I need done. Keep in mind that I live 2 hours away form them, that should say something about them.

Listen to the entire Episode Now!

The following are pictures of the project in the order as the project progressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post ↓Episode 33 – The Ford V10 Spark Plug Project appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 32 – Plugable Technologies for the RV06 Feb 201800:26:51

Episode 32 explores the possibilities of using new technology to make computing in an RV easier while expanding potential possibilities. See the simple way to add a second monitor to any PC or Mac. The living space in an RV can become a little tight at times and being able to use a Compact Wireless Keyboard with iPads and Android Devices can be extremely helpful. Many RV’ers find that just recharging all of the devices can be a chore, the Plugable Power Adapter/Charger cleans up the charging cables and simplifies the charging process. Plugable provides computing adapters of all types and styles to make life easier and using technology more enjoyable and absolutely hassle free. In this Episode I review many of the Plugable items I use at work and at home on a regular basis. There many ways to make an RV more PC and Tablet Friendly and with the help of Plugable you can certainly find out how. The entire Plugable Product Line is DIY Friendly! Listen Now to Learn How!

More more information about Plugable and a summary of this Episode on Arizona RV Parts Center  Click Here!

The post ↓Episode 32 – Plugable Technologies for the RV appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 31 – Maintenance for Atwood & Suburban Water Heaters30 Dec 201700:22:28

Epsisode 31 breaks down the basic Annual or as needed maintenance for RV Water Heaters. Atwood and Suburban need to have the Tanks Flushed, Anode Rods replaced and the Pressure Relief Valves replaced as needed. I delve into each area for Atwood and Suburban Water Heaters on what to check, how often and the tools needed along with parts. I also have created 3 Landing Pages on our E Commerce Site www.ArizonaRVPartsCenter.com. These pages bring out in detail the needed maintenance for both brands of water heaters. I explain just the simple maintenance side of the water heaters, not in depth repairs for a malfunction. I will get into the deeper repairs in a future episode. Another point about the landing pages on Arizona RV Parts Center is that I will continue to build these for all podcasts where it will bring some DIY value to enable to do repairs. The pages will create a go to website for RV Maintenance all in one place. The maintenance is not to difficult to do with some education and the right tools. The Water Heater Maintenance should be a DIY project for all RV’ers at any skill level, it is easier to do this than it is to take the RV to a Service Center. Listen Now!

Use this these Links for Your Water Heater:

Atwood RV Water HeatersAtwood Repair Parts

Suburban RV Water HeatersSuburban Repair Parts

RV Water Heater Tools

The post ↓Episode 31 – Maintenance for Atwood & Suburban Water Heaters appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 30 – Why Shop Local for a Weekend Project06 Oct 201700:13:48

You have this Saturday marked on you calendar to do some long needed repairs on your RV. Do you shop at the Local RV Parts Store or go online and try to snag a super deal and have the parts in time for the Saturday set aside to get the RV ready for the next trip? In most cases, you won’t snag a super deal online for RV Parts, at best it will be a good deal.

A good deal is alright if you save a buck or two. Or is it?

The point of this episode is to bring to the front some easy steps to make sure you have the needed parts by Saturday and making sure there is a Plan B. Lets say your RV Water Heater needs a new circuit board, your almost 100% sure! If you go to the local RV Parts Store they will be able to test your old one and confirm your theory and sell you a new board. The Internet Can’t Do That! You have your new board and you go back to your RV and install it and your water heater still doesn’t work! If you bought this circuit board Online you would now start to wonder how the return process works? What if I can’t return? Is this going to be a big hassle? The anxieties mount up but, you did save a few bucks! Or did you?

Now, if you shopped locally you could just go back to the RV Parts Store and they will most likely hand you a new circuit board. This time you make sure they test it before you leave. It is the same thing with a lock or any other part, if you bought it locally you can return it and get the repair done right away. It is just like shopping at Home Depot, if you buy a faucet and it leaks after installing it, you can return it and get a replacement the same day and finish the project. It might be a hassle to do it twice but, you got the job done. In this episode I share some other thoughts based on the years of experience I have from selling online. There are many misconceptions and getting the Best Price on Amazon is just one of them. We must also consider how customer service ties into our online purchases. Listen to Episode 30 and hear the whole story!

The post ↓Episode 30 – Why Shop Local for a Weekend Project appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 29 – Answering Questions From Randy14 Jul 201700:18:38

In this Episode I answer the questions Randy submitted via email.

My rig is a 50 amp, 2 a/c units and wondering what I would need for a generator to operate 5th wheel safely when we are away from campgrounds and what brand.

Ok another question, don’t know if you deal with tires. My new 2017 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 5th wheel has Castle Rock ST225/75R15 tires and I read numerous postings that these are China tires and they call them China bombs and they are rated load range D. I am sure we are will be running heavy with all they new stuff. We should be ok with these tires for a while I hope. I am thinking about maybe American made Goodyear endurance tires load range E. Any thoughts.

The 5th wheel came with a grill to hang on the side of the slide out and it has a propane hose to quick connect to the rv, we want to use the road pro grill we have had for several years but I need to adapt from my auxiliary propane bottle hose we was using to our new quick connect on the 5th wheel to about a 15′ hose and fitting to the road pro grill, our road pro has what I think is a pressure regulator at the grill, so do I need this regulator if I am tapping into my new rv quick connect which I assume would be coming through the rv’s pressure regulator ?

On the slides measurements:

Left large slide 151″ outside edge to outside edge. (Has stove, refrigerator, couch)

Left closet slide 69 1/4″ outside edge to outside edge.

Right large slide 115 3/4″ outside edge to outside edge. (Has dinette set, tv, fireplace)

Thank you

Randy

The post ↓Episode 29 – Answering Questions From Randy appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 28- Answering Questions about Purchasing Slide Out Awnings14 Jul 201700:14:30

In this Episode Eric Stark explains in simple terms the steps you should take to get an accurate price quote and what brand Eric prefers. Eric also explains why there could large gaps in price quotes if you are price shopping. Some points might seem to be elementary but I base my information on and how questions related to Slide Out Awnings are asked. I also find if the question is not asked right or properly understood the results will be less than satisfactory.

The post ↓Episode 28- Answering Questions about Purchasing Slide Out Awnings appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 27 – The RV Manufacturer Today Disregards Quailty16 Oct 201600:24:52

Today we see that the automotive industry does everything in it’s power to build a better product and provide a customer service experience that will make you want to be a loyal customer. Where as, the RV Industry is building RV’s with more electronics and taking advantage of new technologies and giving the perception of building a better product. The RV Manufacturer has long been known for cutting corners and doing things to save money that no other reputable industry can get away with.

The point of this Podcast is not to discourage someone from buying an RV or giving up on the RV Lifestyle, it is an effort to educate the RV’er to become a better consumer and avoid some the pitfalls of buying a new RV. Listen Now to Learn More About Purchasing a New RV!

The post ↓Episode 27 – The RV Manufacturer Today Disregards Quailty appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 26 – Lippert Components & Power Gear15 Oct 201600:15:42

The purchase of Power Gear by Lippert Components took place in June of 2014 and has resulted in a decline in customer service for dealers and RV’ers alike. Power Gear was a good company to work with before being purchased by Lippert Components. Although Power Gear did raise their prices substantially before the purchase. We experienced 20%-40% price increases. For example: A power Gear motor that cost $200 went to $500 my cost. That is a substantial increase and Power Gear could never give a good explanation for the radical increases.

After the purchase Lippert Components raised the prices again and also started the unfriendly task of assigning all Power Gear and Kwikee parts with Lippert part numbers. This will create confusion for years to come. Power Gear and Kwikee numbers have been populating the internet for decades and all of the dealers have only used Power Gear and Kwikee numbers. It will take years to get the world transformed to Lippert numbers. It was a ridiculous move and it just exemplifies the “who cares’ attitude by Lippert. It is also displayed in the quality most of Lippert products.

Listen Now to Episode 26.

The post ↓Episode 26 – Lippert Components & Power Gear appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓ Episode 147 – Are You and Your RV Ready to Hit the Road? If Not Lets Get it Ready31 Mar 202400:25:39
This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast, Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down! Enjoying the RV Life: Towing anxiety! Do you have it? Many people are not as smooth at towing a trailer or a 5th-wheel as they should be. Even if you are a passenger most of the time, it is still essential to have towing skills in case of an emergency or situation. Eric has advice on how to become a better tower and how to do it safely.  RVSafety Staying On The Road: Eric discusses how to get ready to hit the road this season! He advises about what to bring and how to know what you need in advance so that you have a fabulous trip and not a trip filled with undue stress! It's essential to prepare in advance for RV trips even if you’re an experienced RVer. The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis travel to the historic New Orleans! Even big cities can be RV-friendly if you know how to do it correctly! They highlight the best spots to eat and sightsee so that you can plan your best trip ever! RV Envy: RV Fresh Water Hoses! Eric explains the Good, Better, Best Concept for RV Water Hoses and how to choose the right one.  
↓Episode 25 – Entertainment w/ TV, Movies & Pico Projectors06 Mar 201600:09:05

The big deal about the small projector is that you can connect it to just about any Computer, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android device with simple and inexpensive adapters. You have the technology to connect to an awesome projector. Here is the other plus to using a projector. You can now get out of the RV and move outside to watch movies with as many friends and family members you can pack around your RV or Trailer. With a projector all you need is a flat wall or you can hang a sheet to make a projector screen.

 To Learn more about Pico Projectors by AAXA Click Here!

Adapters for Apple Products and Android devices are available in most electronic stores or on the internet.

The post ↓Episode 25 – Entertainment w/ TV, Movies & Pico Projectors appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 24 – Pest Control w/ Sniff n Stop06 Mar 201600:09:51

Sniff n Stop is a product that works and in this Episode I break down how well it works based on

my own personal experience with it. Sniff n Stop is distributed by Valterra Products to the RV Industry and they offer some of the best products in the industry and Valterra is an honest and trusted company that has withstood the test of time and has served the RV Industry for decades.

Not to mention, Sniff n Stop has been around for decades being used in other industries and it is now available to the RV’er.

Sniff n Stop is available @ Arizona RV Parts Center

The post ↓Episode 24 – Pest Control w/ Sniff n Stop appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

↓Episode 23 – LP Fittings & Adapters Part 212 Dec 201500:14:08

In this Episode I talk about safety and how to Identify and explain what you are looking for when you go to the parts guy. Quite often the terminology makes it hard for you to explain and harder for the Parts Guy to see your vision. I lay it out in simple terms. I also explain certain things that have to work in specific ways for additional appliances to work properly.

LP Fitting and Adapter Catalog

Check Out Arizona RV Parts Center for LP Fittings and Accessories.

The post ↓Episode 23 – LP Fittings & Adapters Part 2 appeared first on Radio Arizona RV.

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