Forum Discussion

down_home's avatar
down_home
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2016

Being Prepaired

Another forum, someone asked about Air Condition quitting.
After a while, you encounter a lot, of these, house problems.
A first timeer might panic when facing this huge complicated RV.
First thing buy a spare water pump and physically find wher it is installed and look at how it is connected, at your leisure.
That will solve a lot aggravation on the road.
Buy spare capacitors, American made, and yes they still make them, for your air conditioner(s) and sail switches or whole thermostats for you environmental controls.
Third, and the Manufacturers should provide a starter kit of these, two or three, minimum, of the 12 volt fuses, each size, and a fuse puller. You you will more than likely appreciate having one, and divided box to keep them in and two breakers, of each size, in the RV.
A spare or two ground fault receptables.
Tool set of 1/4,3/8,1/2 ratchet and extensions and adapters
Screw driver set
Two pairs, of piers, because you will lose one or loan one or bury one.
Circuit tester a good one, and read the manual, and use it a time or two....and wire cutters and wire nut and splice set, with heat shrink tubing.
Three or four or five, and special size socket for, Nylon or other Water Heater Plugs, and teflon tape.
Two good tire pressure gauges, cause you can't find one when you need it.,
And the biggie. I wish I had obtained the Fellow RVers name, one year at American Coach.
He had a large size divided drawer system,, for these tools and extras, situated on a slide. Just like, at home everything you need. He repaired a light for us in about a minute after finding the problem.
I forgot to mention two or three bulbs, of every size and screws that the sizes correspond to reak light hosuing and others sizes
I haven't found the too chest that ill fit our slide yet so, if I can't find the tool or widget or bulb I end up calling a Mobile Tech and that can get expensive.
What did I forget.

18 Replies

  • I made up a zip lock bag full of all different kinds and sizes of fuses for my son-in-law. I hope he remembers where he put them !

    When I take a multi-day trip, even to a rental house, I usually take a tool box full including a couple of kinds of tape, zip ties, bailing wire, hose clamps, etc. I gave that to my SIL. I am not certain he even packs it.
  • LadyRVer wrote:
    And, zip ties


    I used up dozens of zip ties just cleaning up all the electrical birds nests behind my panels. Not mandatory...but I sure feel better that stuff is secured going down the road.

    Daryll
  • I can understand the spare fuses and light bulbs, but there is no way I would keep a spare water pump or Ac capacitor.

    my "goodie box" with spares, (lots that you didn't mention) must weigh 35 pounds.


    jack L
  • All I ever carried was a roll of duct tape and a can of wd-40. Fix anything.
  • 7 yrs FT travel and I carried NO Spares.
    Easy to get almost any part overnighted IF ----IF needed

    Tools ....carried a basic tool set
    If needed could buy

    Although we traveled back- roads/secondary roads it wasn't like when I use to go rock crawling/deep canyon off-roading. Then I carried lots of spare parts cause I was way out in boonies where only off roaders could get to.

    Basic tool set
    Assorted fuses Mini and Large....Auto and glass
    Voltmeter, tire gauge, infrared temp gun
    good jack
    torque wrench
    socket set..specially tire lug nuts
    Credit Card/Debt Card


    Sometimes less is more.......if I hadn't used/needed in 6 mos. didn't carry it

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