Newbie needing direction

Thank you, I will heed the advice "If it's not broke.." After I figure out how to turn it on of course. Also I will seek and buy the RVers Bible?

I have learned a lot just perusing this forum. I'm grateful for all the conversations you've contributed. I live in Portland and I will return with updates that perhaps will be useful to another newbie.

Surely there must be independent RV techs around who come to you. We had a fridge go bad while on a trip. Took less than a half hour to find somebody & he was at the CG the next morning for a diagnosis.

Take the LP tank to your local LP gas supplier, not just a refill place. Besides cleaning out back, if the fridge works leave it alone. Same with the AC.

Freedomvan,

Northwest is a pretty open geographic region....
As you have discovered, the companies that do RV sales and service will only service what they sell. They are not interested in restorations.
If you are near anything urban, look up the local community college(s). One might offer some courses on RV maintenance.

If that plan crashes, get what books you can out of the library or go the FMCA site and look at all the information that they offer for RV maintenance. If they can effective tell you how to maintain the system, they have to describe how it was initially assembled.

I wish you luck in your plan.

I was forced to stop being a workaholic and it was the best thing that could have happened.

Matt

Think about hooking-up with the women of the Northwest regional chapter of RVingWomen dot org. Most of them would be happy to assist in whatever way they can, and at the very least refer you to resources in your area.

Good luck.

Also, I camped a lot out of my suburban prior to marriage. The campers I got were used so Hubby and I could camp together. Like I said, he's not that interested in "camping" time, trouble, etc. and too difficult for me to put onto truck on the spur of the moment.
I intend to win him over with this Class B, but honestly I don't know my gas hole from a vent in the side! We are looking forward to retiring in a few years and I want to see the country, not just sit in hotel rooms overlooking different pools.

This is the equivalent to renting an RV to see if he likes it.

Thanks again, I'm reading and learning.

Thank you. I guess I just went to the wrong dealership? Houses and cars are much easier for me to navigate. I just call the oil company for annual service, jiffy lube for maintenance and wiper blades etc. I never have to take my furnace apart or know my wiper sizes. Perhaps there is a Road Trek dealership that isn't too far away, same with Dometic.

Sent you a PM

I would suggest you take all those items in small pieces. First, start by finding out the make and model numbers of your fridge and air conditioner. Google those numbers and you will likely find all kinds of good information about trouble shooting and maintenance.

You sound like a pretty handy and determined person, and you will likely just dig in on your own and learn a whole lot more about your rig, and rigs in general by doing it on your own.

A lot of the servicing you talk about it just cleaning vents and tubes, tightening wire terminals, and looking for things that can cause problems, corrosion, dirt and water, bugs and insects and those kinds of things you will just fix yourself and save yourself hundreds of dollars.

If you turn things on, and they work fine, and you have done the above, you are as good to go as about 95% of all rv'ers. If they don't work there is people here that will help.

Bravo to you, and bloooey to your overworking hubby.

Welcome. I don’t want to sound crass but it seems like this is a ready, shoot, aim strategy. You say you bought 2 units only to find you couldn’t use them and now another that needs rehabbed but no experience, know how or plan?

There are lots of resources for parts materials etc on line and lots of how to stuff on online as well. This forum is a good place but you might want to be very specific about particularly what you are doing and break it down into individual items. Most dealerships are happy to take your money to work on your rig. CW can be a little stuffy when it comes to that. Find a nice local dealer with good reviews. LP can be filled most anywhere, campground, dealer, truck stops etc. Dumping is pretty much the same, campgrounds even if you don’t stay there might charge you a few bucks to dump, so will a dealer. Some truck stops have dump stations too. AC and refer serviced, those are dealer items. Prepare to open your wallet. Especially if you are not sure what’s wrong.

You can probably get everything done that you listed at an RV dealership. Just drop in at some and pick one that seems easy to talk to and work with. I take my 5th wheel back to the dealership where I bought it when something goes wrong that I can't fix myself. You can probably do the tank dumping/rinsing yourself at a dump station near you. Google "rv dump stations" and you should find several sites that provide locations. There will also be lots of good information in the various forums here, and they're very entertaining to read. Good luck!