Escapees May June 2015 Demo

31 / 92

May/June 2015 |ESCAPEES .31
Must-have Items for RV Repair
If you’ve been on the road at all, you’ve experienced it:
Something on your rig broke. You can’t always get help
with the fixing, and you need to do it yourself. Being
prepared with a few tools and some of the essential
emergency supplies can go a long way to making it
easier. So, what should you have on hand?
Absolute essentials are screwdrivers of both
the slotted and Phillips variety, in various
sizes. Look around your rig, too, and see
if the manufacturer has used specialized
fittings that “normal” screw-
drivers won’t fit. Clutch screws
(which look like little bow-
ties) and Torx (star-shaped) aren’t
uncommon. Wrenches are necessary,
too, for tightening bolts.
While you can maybe get
by with a couple of adjust-
able crescent wrenches, having
combination wrenches that won’t slip
off the nut and bang up your knuck-
les is a help. A hammer is a versatile
tool, even though you’ll find few nails
in most RVs. A sharp utility knife is
invaluable. And don’t forget the lowly
tape measure.
Some specialty items: a good tire
gauge (not a cheap, two-dollar stick
type). A dial gauge is probably best.
If you have dual tires, you’ll need
the crow-foot tire gauge to be able
to access all tire stems. You can find
these at truck stop convenience stores.
A bottle of soapy-water solution is
handy to check for LP leaks. Use a
50/50 liquid dish detergent and water
solution, either in a spray bottle, or
use a little paint brush to dab the solution on any suspect
joints or cracks.
Electrical issues hit every RVer, so get an electrical
multimeter. These devices measure both DC (battery) and
AC (shore power) voltage and are invaluable for tracking
down issues. If you’re willing to learn more about running
down problems, look for one that measures current (amps),
as well. While you’re dealing with electrics, get yourself
a good wire cutter/stripper. And we highly recommend an
electrical crimping tool along with an assortment of crimp
fittings. While not critical, a pair of needle-nose pliers
makes electrical work much easier. Don’t forget a couple
of rolls of electrical tape. Find out what sorts of fuses your
RV (and tow vehicle) use, and carry spares. The same holds
true for extra light bulbs or fluorescent tubes.
Continued ›››
Got bills to pay? A tank to fill?
Learn more at
“Electrical issues hit every RVer,
so get an electrical multimeter.
These devices measure both DC
(battery) and AC (shore power)
voltage and are invaluable for
tracking down issues.”
Tips