Camper problems & working the bugs out - UPDATED!

[pjhootch]

RVs are kind of like boats. The initial investment is usually just the beginning. They all have issues that need to be worked out. We've sprung leaks and had things not work. Honestly, a lot of our most irritating issues were user error. My husband took some shortcuts on winterizing a couple of times- or did it too late in the season- and we wound up with an exploded water heater and some bursting water lines in the spring. What a pain.

We have been very lucky with our winnebago, and have not had any major systems problems (that we didn't cause ourselves). The beatings they take on the road cause them to require frequent maintenance. The fact that they are built to reduce weight also means that many of the fittings can be/seem cheap and break easily. I think we replaced every drawer slide in the thing the first couple of months we had it.

The person with the gulf stream, however, sounds like they really took a hit with some shoddy build work from the factory. I hope that all gets worked out.

 

[njcamper95]

We had a keystone springdale and had several problems the vinyl flooring came up in the first few months and was replaced by warranty we had a frig problem that was warranty also one of our walls came loose then once those bugs got worked out it was fine for awhile til the tires all dry rotted
we replaced it in 05 with another keystone this one was a cougar and (knock on wood) we haven't had any problems with this one and its been from NJ to the Fort many times and to PA and CT so who knows you can get a good one or a bad one even from the same company

 

[Luv2Camp]

My parents had a Keystone at one time and didn't have problems with theirs either. Our last camper was a Trail Lite. It didn't feel quite as sturdy as our Gulf Stream, but we didn't have any problems with it. Hopefully everyone's right and we'll just get through the growing pains and then it'll hold together for a while.

We were out last night and passed a Class C Winnebago broke down right off the interstate. On our way back, we saw it being towed. The plates were from Florida. That is my ultimate nightmare! The poor couple was standing by the tow truck looking horrified. I really felt for them!

 

[Luv2Camp]

I would check for dirt dobbers and see if there is a blockage for the fuel injector on the heater. The fridge and hwh areas are notorious for dobbers and insects to make nests.

You were right - The RV service dept just called and said that there was debris in our water heater line. It only cost $120, so it was better than what I was expecting. Is this a common problem or is it more likely it was because it was a new camper? If it's going to happen again, I'd like DH to learn how to fix it!

 

[terri01p]

I don't have a whole lot of time but I will add that you are not the only ones encountering a problem whenever you take your tt out, our trip to WDW in April was pretty close to hell...our air mattress had a hole in it, so we were down a bed until we went and bought another....we had a problem with carbon mozide ( sp)...that like to have killed us all...our refrez. went out...our dog tore up jack in the camper and we had an unreal ant problem....I could go on but I have to get out of here, but you get the picture.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

That's probably why Jen's DH keeps losing them, leaves them on the faucet at the campsite. I put mine at the other end by the camper. Never had campsite water blow my hose.

Back in 2005 the Fort had over 90 psi of water pressure in the 700 loop. Just at last Octobers GG the 700 loop had just under 60 psi. Most camper water systems are designed for up to 45 psi.
I did have a hose blow out but I thought it was just a bad crimp job on the new Camping world hose. The next day my brand new over priced DISNEY trading post 5/8 inch drinking water safe hose swelled to over 3 inches in diameter at the Fort in August of 2005 (had the regulator after the hose and it was very hot and sunny week I should have had the regulator on the spigot outlet). After a quick trip out to Wal-mart for a new new hose and regulator I have the metal one from with the pressure Gage on it and a several of plastic ones for spares. Now one of the first things I do while setting up is to check the Campgrounds water pressure. I would hate to spend my vacation taking apart the MH to fix the plumbing. When it leaks it never leaks where you can get to it to make a repair trust me on that. After a very Bad experience from our 2004 Jayco Granite Ridge. I now carry extra adapters, fittings, tubing and a crimping tool for the fresh water lines (for the top of Jayco's line it was a piece of junk)