In the excitement of considering life as an RVer, it may not occur to some that the new lifestyle demands several non-recreational roles to be assumed. One of these roles is the handyman (ladies included). I point this out not to throw cold water on the exciting plans, but to prepare you for a certainty that comes standard with living in an RV, no matter how new the unit.

If fixing things around the house is your thing, then fixing things in an RV will come easy for you. On the other hand, if you rely on someone else when the simplest thing goes wrong, prepare yourself to become handy or take a handyman along on your RV adventure.

Think that you can dismiss this role by throwing money at it? Not so fast! Even if your budget can sustain paying for all preventive maintenance and repairs, services may not always be available. Imagine the difference it would make if you can do your own RV repair, versus having to spend a day or two of your week-long vacation at the shop.

RV REPAIRS VS. HOUSE REPAIRS

Even though an RV is considerably smaller than a modest house, it requires more frequent repairs. This is also true for brand new recreational vehicles, while new houses are mostly trouble-free in their first few years.

Some of the reasons for the increased repairs in an RV are the following:

• Lighter construction throughout, due to weight and space constraints. Even the appliances are not made as well as the ones manufactured for fixed residences.
• RV's have more moving parts, some of them complex.
• Vibration, bumping, and frame flexing caused by travel can break or loosen all sorts of components.
• Less insulation means preventive measures must be taken in freezing weather. If preventive measures are ignored, repairs may be necessary.
• Unlike houses that are frequently inspected during construction, RV's have no such regulatory requirements. This leaves quality control up to each manufacturer, some of which choose to build poor quality products. This is why it is so important to inspect all RV's before buying.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A HANDYMAN?

From my own experience and from observing others on both sides of the handyman fence, I have come to the conclusion that the two requirements to become handy are: interest in solving a problem and not being intimidated by machinery. A close third is knowing your limits; knowing when a problem is beyond your skills and being willing to ask for professional help. Once you posses the above three attributes, the finer skills of being a handyman can be learned with time and practice.

As you are gaining experience, keep this old saying in mind: "Measure twice and cut once." The key is not to be so afraid that you won't try, but to be extra cautious when approaching an unfamiliar problem. Are you about to drill through a wall? Do all you can to examine both sides of the wall and items near it. If there is a chance that utilities may be running through that wall, do not proceed without consulting blue prints or an expert.

MAINTENANCE & REPAIR TASKS

Handyman skills are necessary for RV preventive maintenance and for making repairs. Below is a list of common tasks that a person possessing a good dose of common sense and average skills should be able to handle without specialized training:

Motor home engine or tow vehicle components:

• Check and fill engine oil
• Check and fill engine coolant
• Check and fill other engine fluids
• Check and adjust tire pressure
• Lubricate under-chassis steering joints
• Lubricate hitch moving components

Recreational vehicle components:

• Repair or install cabinetry hinges, slides, and latches
• Re-attach paneling with nails or adhesive
• Fix external storage door hinges and support arms
• Replace broken entryway handles
• Dislodge and lubricate stubborn awning mechanisms
• Replace bulbs
• Find and replace blown fuses
• Troubleshoot basic electrical problems with a multimeter
• Test RV park A/C power voltage
• Check and fill RV battery water
• Test RV battery charge level
• Replace common electric motors such as water pump and waste water valve motors
• Drill holes in various locations to run wires, but having enough sense to know where not to drill in order to avoid damaging components beneath the surface.
• Find source of water leak and caulk it
• Repair leaky water lines and hoses that are easily accessible
• Unclog slow or blocked sink and shower drains
• Insulate exposed hoses and pipes to prevent freezing
• Winterize RV before cold storage to prevent freezing
• Repair broken sewage connectors and covers
• Detect and find propane leaks
• Clear clogged air conditioner drain passages
• Recognize and correct common refrigerator problems. For example, my mostly-new Norcold fridge occasionally stops cooling until I reset the control board by unplugging the 12 volt DC wire in the back. According to a service guy, this is common for this brand.

HANDYMAN ESSENTIALS

Take it from me and the Boy Scouts