RV Expert Andy Dietz shares his 25 years of technical expertise as he tends to your questions.*
Q: When I turn my furnace on I can hear it try to light. It eventually lights after a few tries, but only burns for a few seconds and then suddenly shuts down. What is the problem?
A: First, make sure that you have your LP turned on. If it is, remove the screws that hold the cover on the furnace and check all of the connections on the circuit board to make sure that they are tight. Next, make sure that the combustion chamber is clear of any blockage. I have seen many furnaces with mud dabbers or frogs that have settled in to enjoy a warm, dry place to live. Lastly, check the igniter wire to be sure that it is not cut or loose. If after troubleshooting all of these areas it still does not light, it is time to service your furnace.
Q: I have no hot water coming out of my faucets. I get a blast of hot water but it quickly goes cold. My motor home is hooked up to electric and water and I have verified that my water heater is running. Where do I look next?
A: There are several things to check in this situation. First, check the bypass valve. On most RVs, it is located in the access panel which is typically near the water heater or under one of the sinks. Verify that the bypass valve is in the “NORMAL FLOW” position. Once the valve has been turned to the “NORMAL FLOW” position, run water from all the faucets until the water is hot. Second, if your RV is equipped with an outside shower, both the hot and cold water valves must be closed in order to have hot water run from all the faucets inside the RV. If the valves on the outdoor shower are left on, they will mix the hot and cold water throughout the coach’s plumbing.
Q: There is a large patch of cloudiness on the driver’s side window of my RV and it is preventing me from seeing the side mirror. I have tried to clean it with Windex, but it didn’t come off. Do you know how I can eliminate this?
A: Unfortunately, cleaning the glass will not remove the fog. Many RV windows are double-paned, which means they consist of two pieces of glass vacuum sealed together. When the glass loses its vacuum seal, moisture creeps in between the panes and cloudiness results. The only solution for this problem is to replace the window.
Q: How often should I rotate my tires?
A: Manufacturers suggest that in order to preserve the tire life, the front tires should be rotated to the rear beginning at 7,000 miles for smaller tires (16-19.5”) and at 15,000 miles for larger tires (22.5”). In the meantime, you should check your tires before every trip. Tire pressure, tread depths and any unusual wear patterns should be noted. In addition, consider the length of time an RV has been sitting between uses as prolonged storage can induce memory into the stationary tire thus providing a flat spot where the weight has been resting. Keeping an eye on all of these will ensure you replace your tires when it becomes necessary.
Q: Is there anything that will remove the mildew from the exterior rubber caulking and trim around my windows and doors, and prevent it from coming back?
A: You can remove the mildew with Soft Scrub on a cloth, however it will not prevent the mildew from coming back. Regular cleaning of your RV is the best prevention of mildew.
Andy Dietz has committed the last 25 years of his professional life to Lazydays and to the RV industry. From morning to night, weekdays and weekends, you will find Andy hard at work making “customers for life” with every one that he meets. He has worked in virtually all phases of RV service operations including delivery, wood working and chassis. Andy is a RVIA/RVDA Master Certified technician, but more importantly, he is a master problem solver. Known to many as a “go-to-guy”, Andy is especially relied upon for situations that aren’t clearly defined or documented.
*The views expressed herein are solely the opinions of the author. No information should be relied upon until it is verified by a manufacturer or a qualified technician. Neither Lazydays nor its employees or agents are liable for any claims of any kind arising from the use of this information.