Posted by: Mark Polk | 1:22 am

RV DIY Article – Tow Vehicle Tire Load Range Tips

tow vehicle tiresDuring a routine inspection of my truck I noticed the sidewalls of the tires had some cracking caused by too much exposure to the sun, and that the tread was almost down to the tread wear indicators. These were the original Michelin tires that came on the truck when it was new, and with almost 70,000 miles on them I really can’t complain about replacing the tires.

When you are replacing the tires on a truck used for towing or hauling heavy loads an important consideration is the load range or load rating of the tires. For light truck tires the load range lets you know the strength of the tire and the tires ability to hold air pressure. When I was growing up tire manufacturers referred to how many plies the tire had (the number of layers) to determine the load rating of the tire. The higher the ply rating the stronger the tire was and the more air pressure it could hold to support a heavier load. Nowadays they use an alphabetical rating system to specify the load range of a light truck tire. The tire load ranges today don’t actually count the number of plies or layers in the tire, but the strength of the tire is comparable to the older ply ratings used years ago.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:39 am

RV DIY Article – Take Care of your RV Tire Pressure Gauge

 

RV tire pressure gaugeI always talk about how important it is to check the inflation pressure in RV and automobile tires, but is your tire pressure gauge giving you accurate information? If not it is basically worthless. If your tire pressure gauge is old and/or gets banged around and thrown in a storage compartment it probably isn’t accurate anymore.

Lots of the inexpensive tire pressure gauges, say $5 to $10 that you purchase can’t be calibrated, so there is no way to tell if they are accurate. That’s why you should spend a little more, $15 to $30,  and get a quality tire pressure gauge that can be calibrated. I am a real believer in the old saying; you get what you pay for.

Here are some simple steps you can take to really know how much air pressure is in your tires:

  • You can check the air pressure in a tire with the gauge in question and then check the same tire with another gauge. If there is a significant difference in the readings (4 or more psi) between the two gauges one or both gauges may be inaccurate. If both gauges read within 1 to 2 psi of each other the gauges are more than likely accurate.
  • If you want a more precise way of checking the accuracy take the gauge to a local tire dealer or fleet truck maintenance facility and ask them to check it using a master gauge. A master gauge is a gauge that is certified to be accurate. But I caution you there are probably some tire dealers out there who don’t have their own tire pressure gauges calibrated.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 12:08 am

RV DIY Article – RV Generator Preventive Maintenance

RV generator In a recent article I mentioned that Preventive Maintenance (PM) is maintenance the owner can perform on your RV before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a component or system on your RV. Preventive Maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your RV.

Here are some PM checks you can perform on a typical RV generator. In addition to these checks you should always follow the maintenance schedule and guidelines found in the generator set owner’s manual.

Note: These PM checks are for a gasoline fueled generator. There are diesel and propane fueled generators too. Some of these checks apply to all types of generators, but some don’t. Consult your generator owner’s manual for maintenance checks, services and service intervals for your specific generator.

RV generator exhaust  Always check the oil level and the exhaust system prior to starting the generator. Starting and running a generator that is low on oil can result in costly damage to the generator’s engine. Add oil as required. Check your owner’s manual for the type of oil to use. A damaged exhaust system can result in carbon monoxide gas getting inside the RV. Always inspect the entire generator exhaust system prior to starting the generator. Never operate a generator with a damaged exhaust system!

Keep the generator set and the compartment it is housed in clean. You can use compressed air to assist in cleaning the generator compartment and use a clean shop rag to wipe the generator set off. While you are cleaning the generator check all electrical connectors for secure connections. Note: always wear safety glasses when using compressed air.

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 11:30 pm

RV DIY® Article – RV Power Cord Preventive Maintenance

30 amp RV Power CordToday I want to talk about getting electricity from the campground pedestal to the RV itself. In your house electricity comes from the pole to the meter,  and is securely connected to the electrical panel box. On your RV the connection between the pedestal and the RV is made through a shoreline power cord and a plug.  It’s a good idea to routinely inspect and maintain the power cord and plug on your RV.

Your RV shoreline power cord is the electrical lifeline of your RV. The problem is the power cord is constantly exposed to the elements, gets abused and is for the most part neglected.  To ensure the power cord will work properly when you need it requires a little preventive maintenance. First you want to inspect the power cord for any obvious damage. With the power cord disconnected from the power source inspect it for any cuts or scrapes that go through the protective outer layer of the cord. If the cut does not penetrate the inside wiring you can make repairs using electrical tape. Next inspect the plug end of the cord for any damage like bent prongs or dirty and corroded surfaces. You can usually straighten bent prongs on the plug unless they are broken or separated from the plug itself. Clean any debris or corrosion from the prongs on the plug using Emory cloth or fine grit sandpaper.

When you plug the cord in always make sure the breaker at the pedestal is turned off and make sure you get a good connection. When you unplug the cord turn the breaker off and unplug the cord by pulling from the plug itself, not by pulling on the cord. Wipe the power cord clean with a damp rag prior to storage. These preventive maintenance tips apply to your RV extension cords and electrical adapters too.

A little preventive maintenance goes a long way with your RV shoreline power cord and can prevent serious electrical problems concerning your RV and the campground electrical connections.

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

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Posted by: Mark Polk | 10:47 pm

RV Water Heater Tune-Up by Mark Polk

RV DIY® -Owning & Operating an RV E-Book Training Course

We are going to discuss how to give your RV water heater a quick tune-up. Twice a year at a minimum I like to clean and service the RV water heater. Mud daubers and other insects like to build nests in and around LP gas appliances, and your water heater is exposed to the outside elements, so it’s a good idea to perform this periodic preventive maintenance. Insects, dirt and debris around the burner tube can result in poor combustion and ignition issues.

A properly burning RV water heater makes a roaring sound and has a nice strong blue flame. If you don’t hear that roaring sound or you notice a weak yellow flame there might be an obstruction in the burner tube. Make sure the water heater is turned off and allow sufficient time for it to cool down.  Before we clean the burner tube I like to use compressed air to clean the front of the water heater, and in and around the flue area. Caution: Always wear eye protection when using compressed air.

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