Confessions of an RV Technician – Learned from Problems Seen in the Field

When is the last time you had your RV AC serviced or any preventive maintenance done on your RV? Are you the typeof person that procrastinates or are you proactive regarding recommended service and maintenance intervals? If you are a service procrastinator. I guarantee this episode will enlighten you. It might even freak you out a little. If you’re squeamish, it might gross you out. If I had not witnessedthis confession, I wouldn’t even believe it. Today’s RV Help is a confession about what happens when you say “No, I don’t need my RV AC Serviced!”This is one of my wildest confessions to date. Every time I get the opportunity; I tell this story and share pictures. There’s nothing better than a good story…. good true story to drive a point home.

We all have different motivations to pack up the RV and hit the road. One of the most common reasons is the freedom to explore our beautiful country. Another common reason is just to get away from the daily grid. Many RVers seek beauty and isolation. We accomplish this through boondocking. To boondock, your RV needs to be 100% self-sufficient. You need to generate your own power, have plenty of fresh water in your tanks and plenty of space in your holding tanks. Back in 2017, my wife Tracey and I discovered the pure joy of boondocking in august at an altitude over 9000’ overlooking Laramie, Wyoming. It was so peaceful and relaxing. We were instantly hooked. We had a very capable generator on our motorhome and every morning I needed to start the generator to run our power-hungry coffee machine……what a buzz kill. From peace and quiet to the constant drone of the generator. That’s when we decided we needed to get a solar setup with more capable batteries and a large inverter. Today’s dose of RV help is our second segment on RV electrical issues. This confession relates specifically to the generation of off grid solar power, but the actual problem applies to ALL RVs of any configuration. In this episode, I'll talk about ✔️ When DIY makes sense (and when it’s a money pit)✔️ Why a certified tech might save you more✔️ What you need to know before grabbing your tools✔️ How one bad board became a hot mess (pun intended)Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:R Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

When it comes to your RV you can find pretty much any repair on YouTube. We all want to be do-it-yourselfers whether it's for the thrill of accomplishing something new or saving a few bucks, but should we? Does the video give you enough knowledge and foundational information? In this episode we're going to discuss the pros and cons of DIY RV repairs.Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:R Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

As an RV technician, I come across all sorts of challenges on the job and I love a good challenge. We’ve all heard the phrase – It’s not work if you’re having fun. That’s how I feel many times, but like anything sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s just work.When it comes to troubleshooting a problem, I’m typically having fun. But before I can troubleshoot and resolve a problem, I must diagnose and understand how it happened in the first place. If it’s not obvious why that’s important, then lets consider that sometimes problems on the surface aren’t caused by things that are so obvious. For example, your AC not cooling might not be a problem with the AC. It could be a power problem. It might not even be a problem with your RV, it could be a problem with your shore power connection. So today, we’re focusing on the importance of communication between RV owners and their technicians. You the RV owner have a very important task. You must give your technician enough information to help localize and identify where to look and what to fix. Your job that you must accept is to paint a complete picture and to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Why? It will definitely save you time, saving time equals saving you money. It might reduce inconvenience and it will certainly reduce stress.Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:R Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

Today we are talking about RVers that park and setup their RV long term and use it as a weekend getaway or vacation destination. Since these RVs don’t travel very much, they aren’t subject to as much wear and tear, so you have less to worry about….If you think this way or just don’t give it much thought at all, then this confession is for you.Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:Chris RatcliffR Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

Today we're diving into a topic that might not be on everyone's checklist, but it absolutely should be RV inspections. Whether you're in the market for a new or used RV, knowing why you need an RV inspection can save you from a world of trouble down the road. So let's get into this week's dose of RV help. That answers the question, why do I need an RV inspection? The Importance of an RV InspectionRVs are essentially homes on wheels. They come equipped with electrical systems, plumbing, heating and cooling units, appliances, and a host of other components that can fail. As an RV inspector, I’ve seen everything from deteriorated roofs and damaged wiring to rotted slideout floors and plumbing leaks. Many people assume that if they buy a brand-new RV, an inspection isn’t necessary. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even brand-new units can have defects straight from the factory or develop issues after being transported hundreds or even thousands of miles. I’ve personally come across brand-new RVs with reversed hot and cold water lines, misaligned doors, and deteriorated roof sealant. Just because an RV hasn’t been used doesn’t mean it’s problem-free.But my RV is under warrantyOne common argument I hear is, “It’s under warranty, so they’ll fix any problems.” While that may be true, there’s a crucial detail to consider: timing. The moment you officially take ownership of the RV, your leverage with the dealer significantly decreases. Before you sign on the dotted line, the dealer is highly motivated to fix issues. Once the sale is complete, you’re at the mercy of their repair backlog—which could mean waiting weeks or even months for repairs. Having an inspection before purchase allows you to negotiate necessary fixes beforehand, saving you time and frustration.What Happens During an RV Inspection?A thorough RV inspection can take anywhere from four to twelve hours on site, depending on the size and complexity of the vehicle. NRIVA certified inspectors follow a strict protocol to examine every critical system, including:• The roof’s condition, checking for leaks and damage• Plumbing systems, ensuring no hidden leaks or weak connections• Electrical components, including outlets, breakers, and batteries• HVAC systems, making sure heating and cooling units function correctly• All appliances, testing their functionality• Propane systems, checking for leaks or faulty connections• Signs of previous repairs or damageOnce the inspection is complete, the buyer receives a detailed report, complete with photos and videos, documenting the RV’s condition. This report provides leverage for negotiations, whether it’s requesting repairs before purchase or adjusting the price based on necessary fixes.SummaryAt the end of the day, an RV inspection is about protecting your investment. It gives you peace of mind knowing exactly what you’re buying and ensures that your RV is safe and road-ready. It’s easy to fall in love with a rig at first sight, but an inspection helps you look beyond the shiny exterior and into the details that truly matter.Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:R Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

Do you stay comfortable in your RV when it's above a 100 degrees outside? At those temperatures, do you even want to be outside? And why doesn't your RV stay at 75 degrees inside? In this episode, I'm going to give you some RV help to answer the question, why is my RV air conditioner not keeping me cool enough? RV air conditioner may not be effectively cooling the interior, even when the unit is running continuously. The key reasons include:1. Dirty air conditioner filters and coils, which restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. 2. Airflow issues, such as blocked vents or problems with the air duct divider, causing short-cycling of the air. 3. Electrical issues that reduce power to the compressor and other components.4. An overworked AC unit in extremely hot weather, causing the compressor to shut down periodically to prevent damage. 5. High humidity, which forces the AC to work harder to remove moisture before cooling. 6. Low refrigerant levels due to leaks. 7. A failed compressor, a critical component of the AC system. 8. Minimal insulation in the RV, allowing heat to radiate in and overwhelm the AC unit. There are many RV configurations, and this information is general to a large percentage of RVs out there. Other things to consider. Many times you will have a combination of issues. So for example, dirty coils, a dirty filter, maybe your RV has very minimal insulation. Put all these together on a very hot day. You should not expect your RV to stay. Very cool.Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rfactorrv?sub_confirmation=1Contact us:Chris RatcliffR Factor RV ServicesEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comIG: @RFactorRV

This might be the most helpful episode I will produce and it doesn’t even include a confession. You’ve spent weeks or months planning your camping trip, you get to your campground and you cannot put out your slideout, or you lost power to your refrigerator…now your trip is ruined.Here’s another situation: you just brought home your RV, it may or may not be under warranty, but you’re having some problems and now you have to take it back to the shop and wait weeks, sometimes months to get it repaired. You might even miss a whole camping season waiting for your RV to get fix. If you happen to be a full time RVer…you now have no place to live. Did you know you can call a mobile RV technician to fix many problems with your RV and it might not disturb your RV adventure. When you need a certified RV technician go to RVHelp.com.RV Help helps you find and schedule service with vetted & trusted RV service pros who can come directly to your campsite.

This episode touches on one the most popular and unique things about RVs…Yup we are talking about RV holding tanks, they keep all of our waste stored until it can be properly released. Today’s confession originates from Terrell, Texas, where the client asks, “My toilet is leaking, can you replace it?”Contact us:R Factor RV ServicesChris RatcliffEmail: [email protected]: RFactorRV.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/RFactorRV/IG: @RFactorRV

In today’s episode, I’m going to share a confession from a client that just bought a used motorhome. He gets it home and then he couldn’t start the motorhome engine, none of his jacks would work and the generator wouldn’t start in today’s confession “Help my RV engine won’t start”Join us as we dive into this confession and solve this very common problem.

This episode gives some background on your host (Chris Ratcliff).It discusses his journey to become an RVTAA Certified RV Technician and an NRVIA Certified RV Inspector. As well as his love for the RV lifestyle and passion to help other RVers. This podcast is about real-life problems that I’ve experienced or helped other RVers resolve. This is educational information tied to an actual story or confession that will help you learn ways to improve your RV experience and possibly resolve small problems before they become big problems. Hopefully you find this information helpful and entertaining.