RV Camping; Tips, tricks & repairs

[S-FLY]

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Trailers have the worst security … the storage comportment keys on 90% plus are the same fucking key …. And even door keys there are limited options.

One of my keys on my trailer is the same key as my dads trailer ….

I would not leave anything of real value in a trailer …

My storage key is the same as my friends which is also the same key as his boss's.
Locks only keep honest people out.

[roopi]

Do I want Mouse Shield/Coating when purchasing a new trailer? I'm a newb here and this sounds like when buying a car and all the upsells.

[ExtraSlow]

It's exactly like that. You don't want anything.

[D'z Nutz]

Just remember, you're going to be hauling that thing into bush, trees, and gravel. It's going to take a beating in no time.

[roopi]

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Just remember, you're going to be hauling that thing into bush, trees, and gravel. It's going to take a beating in no time.

Understood. Extended warranty worth It? Thinking of skipping it. Figure the kinks will be worked out in the first year and then I just pay out of pocket for repairs. Good idea?

[suntan]

[roopi]

Haha ok. I never buy extended warranties but thought i would ask. Be prepared for more newb questions over the next week.

[ExtraSlow]

Dealerships are the worst place for any repair or maintenance work too.

[94boosted]

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Just remember, you're going to be hauling that thing into bush, trees, and gravel. It's going to take a beating in no time.

When we bought our unit new last year, around this time they quoted us ~$2500 for a 3 year extended warranty, we turned it down. They reached out to us a few months back and offered the same warranty for $1600, I think I negotiated it down to $1400 and ended up getting it, we had a handful of issues so I just wanted the peace of mind. If you're going to get the extended warranty, fight hard for price.

[ExtraSlow]

That's a good point, all that stuff is highly negotiable. Same as with cars.

[hampstor]

The slide has been an entertaining project on my trailer.

Found my slide was not working in March. So busted out multi meter, checked the switch, wiring, all good. Checked motor, was not working. Disassembled the motor, found corrosion on the armature, so cleaned it off, and reassembled. Sure enough starts working again. At this point, no cost.

Jump to may long weekend camping (Rathtrevor Prov Park is an amazing campground with a very big beach during low tide), slide stop working when opening it up. Thankfully, it was 1" from the full open position so we could use the trailer. Had to retract it manually at the end.

Bought new motor, took old motor and hooked it up to a battery.... and it spin. WTF. Put in new motor, of course it doesn't work either. Multimeter shows i have continuity even when the switch is open. wtf? I guess i'll go get a new switch today and see what happens.

/end rant

[Tik-Tok]

Sounds like amp draw is the issue. Check your grounds?

[ExtraSlow]

Slides are fun. I need to find some time to play with mine, as only one side is trying to extend. there is a manual override of the safety switch, but it requires two people to operate it. It's a fucky system. I swear I may have zero slides on my next trailer, as this has been an annual issue with this rig.

[hampstor]

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Sounds like amp draw is the issue. Check your grounds?

I could only find one ground and I took a file and shaved it a bit before reattaching. When I disconnected the switch entirely no continuity (obviously).

I never considered amp draw.... that might explain why on one of the days the battery drained really fast despite nothing being hooked up to it.

Edit: Checked voltage. I'm 13.6V before the switch, and zero at the motor when I use the switch. I swapped the switch with another and still zero. I guess it's the wiring between the switch and the motor.

[haggis88]

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I could only find one ground and I took a file and shaved it a bit before reattaching. When I disconnected the switch entirely no continuity (obviously).

I never considered amp draw.... that might explain why on one of the days the battery drained really fast despite nothing being hooked up to it.

Edit: Checked voltage. I'm 13.6V before the switch, and zero at the motor when I use the switch. I swapped the switch with another and still zero. I guess it's the wiring between the switch and the motor.

time for a hotwire

[Tik-Tok]

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time for a hotwire

My buddy did that a couple of years ago and burnt this trailer up, lol.

[haggis88]

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My buddy did that a couple of years ago and burnt this trailer up, lol.

I've come close to melting shit back in the day installing my own car audio...gotten a little wiser with it now

[hampstor]

I'm going to see if I can find the break in the wire (must be cut somewhere if I'm getting nothing at the motor). If not, i'm just going to remove it and run another wire to it from the switch... now you guys got me all worried about burning it down and maybe i should put an inline fuse in.

The underside of my trailer has all a bunch of plastic panels so i can't see shit without dropping these panels. Supposed to rain here all weekend so not looking forward to laying on the ground in the rain.

[haggis88]

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I'm going to see if I can find the break in the wire (must be cut somewhere if I'm getting nothing at the motor). If not, i'm just going to remove it and run another wire to it from the switch... now you guys got me all worried about burning it down and maybe i should put an inline fuse in.

The underside of my trailer has all a bunch of plastic panels so i can't see shit without dropping these panels. Supposed to rain here all weekend so not looking forward to laying on the ground in the rain.

just make sure that if you're leaving the cable there on a permanent basis that it's the right gauge for the ampage, the motor is grounded, the wire isn't frayed and the fuse is there somewhere in the circuit

[hampstor]

Alright i'm thoroughly confused and need some help or advice.

Voltage pre switch: 13.6V
Voltage on the wires before I connect to motor and press switch: 13.6V (+/- depending on direction of switch)
Voltage when I hook motor to it and press switch: 0V
Connected motor direct to 12v battery: motor spins fine.

Disclaimer: not an electrician.