RV Technician

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Keeping A Roof Over Their Heads

Regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance for expanding the life of RV roofs Page 5

Battery Special Section • Proper Storage for Longer Life • Battery Myths • Equalizing Flooded Batteries Starting on page 9

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Finding AC Ripple The Easy Way

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October/November 2012

Roof Repair 5 Keeping A Roof Over Their Heads

Electrical

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8 Finding AC Ripple The Easy Way

Batteries

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9 Proper Battery Storage For Longer Life

Batteries 10

Battery Equalization

Top This!

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12 A Technician’s Tales From The Speedway

DEPARTMENTS 3

Board of Directors

4

From the Editor

14 New Products 16 Recalls

Certification Page 18

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RV LEARNING CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman Jeff Pastore Hartville RV Center Inc. Hartville, OH (330) 877-3500 jeff@hartvillerv.com

Director Andy Heck Alpin Haus Amsterdam, NY (518) 842-5900 aheck@alpinhaus.com

Director Tim O'Brien Circle K RVs Inc. Lapeer, MI (810) 664-1942 t.obrien@circlekrvs.com

Vice Chairman Dan Pearson PleasureLand RV Center Inc. St. Cloud, MN (320) 251-7588 D.Pearson@pleasurelandrv.com

Director Jeff Hirsch Campers Inn of Kingston Kingston, NH (603) 642-5555 jhirsch@campersinn.com

Secretary/Treasurer Bill Koster Protective St. Louis, MO (636) 536-5704 bill.koster@protective.com

Director Rick Horsey Parkview RV Center Smyrna, DE (302) 653-6619 rhorsey@parkviewrv.com

Director Randy Packard Natl Assn of RV Parks & Campgrounds/Pine Acres Family Camping Resort Oakham, MA (508) 882-9511 opa203@aol.com

President Phil Ingrassia, CAE RVDA Fairfax, VA (703) 591-7130 pingrassia@rvda.org

Director Newt Kindlund Kindlund Investments Winter Park, FL (407) 628-4211 newt@kindlund.com

Director Randy Biles Pikes Peak Traveland Inc. Colorado Springs, CO (719) 596-2716 rwbiles@pikespeakrv.com

Director John McCluskey Florida Outdoors RV Center Stuart, FL (772) 288-2221 john@floridaoutdoorsrv.com

Director Mick Ferkey Greeneway Inc. (Route 66 Dealer) Wisconsin Rapids, WI (715) 325-5170 mickferkey@greenewayrv.com

Director Matthew Miller Newmar Corporation Nappanee, IN (574) 773-2381 mlmiller@newmarcorp.com

Director Eleonore Hamm RVDA of Canada Richmond, BC (604) 204-0559 eleonore_hamm@rvda.ca

Director John Myers Myers RV Center Inc. Albuquerque, NM (505) 298-7691 j.myers@myersrv.com

Director Amy Pennington RV Outlet Mall Georgetown, TX (512) 930-4922 amy@rvoutletmall.com Director Steve Plemmons Bill Plemmons RV World Rural Hall, NC (336) 377-2213 steve@billplemmonsrv.com Director Jim Sheldon Monaco RV, LLC Rancho Mirage, CA (760) 883-5556 jim.sheldo@monacorv.com Director Tom Stinnett Tom Stinnett RV Freedom Center Clarksville, IN (812) 282-7718 tstinnett@stinnettrv.com Director Brian Wilkins Wilkins R.V. Inc. Bath, NY (607) 776-3103 bwilkins@wilkinsrv.com

RV LEARNING CENTER STAFF

Phil Ingrassia, CAE RVDA Education Foundation President

Hank Fortune Director of Finance

Julianne Ryder Marketing Communications Specialist

Ronnie Hepp, CAE Vice President for Administration

Jeff Kurowski Director of Industry Relations

Liz Shoemaker Education Coordinator

Karin Van Duyse Chief, RV Learning Center

Isabel McGrath Technician Certification Registrar

Butch Thomas Field Representative

Mary Anne Shreve Editor

Julie Anna Newhouse Marketing Manager

Tony Yerman RV Service Consultant

Chuck Boyd Dealer Services Manager

Brett Richardson, Esq., CAE Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Trish Williams Accounting Clerk

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FROM THE EDITOR

October/November 2012

A Roof Survey That Should Interest All Technicians Welcome to RV Technician. By now, you may have heard about a survey conducted by www.rvtravel.com in which many RV owners said their roofs have leaked at least once (some said more than once) during their ownership. Although the survey wasn’t a scientific endeavor and may have been skewed by unhappy respondents, it highlights a common problem—there are a lot of people out there who will need roof repairs at some point in time.

Many owners don’t want to climb up on their roofs to inspect for, much less attempt to repair, leaks and other damage. For that reason, the roof is probably the most neglected part of an RV—out of sight and out of mind.

Do you conduct regular roof inspections when your customers are in for service? Do you stress the need for regularly scheduled maintenance in order to preserve their investment? Read “Keeping a Roof over Their Heads” on page 5 for more on what to look for and how to make repairs.

This issue also features a special section of articles about batteries, starting on page 9.

You’ll find out how and where to store them, how to equalize flooded batteries, and rates of discharge. Plus, a sidebar debunks some battery myths that are currently circulating on the Internet, including the one that adding a non-buffered aspirin into a battery cell will extend its life.

Finally, did you know there’s an easy and surefire way to troubleshoot AC ripple for refrigerator boards? Use the method described on page 8 and you’ll know whether the problem is the converter or the refrigerator board.

Mary Anne Shreve Editor 3930 University Drive Fairfax, VA 22030 mashreve@rvda.org (703) 591-7130 x117

RV Technician Advisory Group

Randy Biles, Pikes Peak Traveland Inc. Tom Fribley, Fribley Technical Services Inc. Ellen Kietzmann, Blue Ox Gary Motley, Motley RV Repair Steve Savage, Mobility RV Service Tony Yerman, RV Service Consultant

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Roof Repair

Keeping a Roof over Their Heads

By Steve Savage

Regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance will keep roofs like this…

…from looking like this.

By now, you’ve probably heard the good news: According to a recent survey taken by the website www.rvtravel.com, 43 percent of RV owners reported that their roofs had leaked at least once, and 20 percent reported having had more than one roof leak. How is this good news? If upselling roof repair just flashed across your radar screen like it did mine, you understand how!

to answer customer questions about roof construction and maintenance that may arise because of this survey. They should point out to consumers that even the highest quality roof, if poorly maintained, will prove troublesome over time. And they should note that the study didn’t ask owners who reported roof leaks whether they had maintained the roofs.

First, a few words about the survey. One of its beauties is that it wasn’t undertaken by anyone in the RV industry, so it’s a more creditable source in owners’ minds. The “Question of the Week” was, “Has your RV’s roof ever leaked since you owned it?” The respondents were self-selected and weren’t broken down by the age or type of RV they owned, so it’s possible the results were skewed by a higher percentage of dissatisfied owners or owners of a disproportionate number of older RVs. Be that as it may, the survey results are out there on the Internet, and it may have some effects. First, salespeople should be ready

Perhaps the most important point that can be drawn from this survey is that there are many RV owners out there who could benefit from periodic roof inspection and service. Why do so many owners and dealerships fail to include the roof when it comes time for routine maintenance?

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“The roof is the most neglected part of an RV,” says Dave Majewski, vice president of aftermarket sales at Dicor Products.

I think it’s analogous to newspapers’ practice of putting the most important news “above the fold” to capture readers’

attention. In the case of RVs, the things that are seen the most readily are the ones that garner attention. The things that are repaired first are the ones that are most easily seen. Roofs are not easily seen and require extra effort to even reach, so they are often ignored.

Another factor is that the material necessary to maintain and repair roofs isn’t available at the local builder’s supply store. Most techs have seen the mess that results when owners buy a bucket of glop intended for something else and slop it on their RV’s roof. The resulting flaking and peeling often make it almost impossible to track down the leak that fixes like these were trying to repair. I often will not attempt a leak repair if the roof is coated in this manner, due to the liability I incur if my follow-up repair is unsuccessful.

Where to look for damage Regularly scheduled roof inspection and maintenance is a winner for both the dealership and the customer. Roof leaks and water penetration can cause extensive and expensive damage, so I ask every customer to take a walk with me around their camper to look for possible problems on the exterior, slide seals, caulking around fittings, and so forth. I use this time as a way to educate, as well as look for things that might need further attention. I stress how important it is to make sure water doesn’t penetrate sidewalls or roofs.

During the walk-around, I encourage owners to have their roofs inspected twice a year. In the spring, most RVs have sat outside unattended for a number of months.

That means inspecting the roof fits right in with airing up the tires, checking appliances, flushing and chlorinating the fresh water Page 6

system, and so forth. Service managers may even want to have a brochure offering a list of seasonal inspection services right at the service desk.

In the fall, when it’s time to prepare for winter storage, it follows that an owner should make sure the roof is ready to deal with rain and snow, so roof inspection can be included in a winterization package.

The majority of owners will prefer to have me inspect their roof. They aren’t going to inspect their own roof--ladder work can be heavy and dangerous, and many folks aren’t comfortable working on the roof.

Many RV owners are more than happy to leave the climbing to someone else.

What are the major problem areas?

Provided the roof hasn’t been totally neglected, the front seam where the front cap rolls over the roof is always suspect, particularly at each corner where the aluminum trim curves up over the roof. In my experience, caulking almost always breaks down at these points, before it fails anywhere else, so it deserves added attention.

My next concern is the rear cap at the corners. Since water penetration can be sneaky, be sure to feel the roof next to the corners for softness. Sky lights also can be a problem--they just don’t seem to do well when it comes to remaining water tight. I am not sure why they fare so much more poorly than roof vents, other than perhaps they are larger. TV antennas that swivel have a number of levels and also are accidently left up while underway stressing the base and breaking down the seal, so inspection there is important.

Based on my experience, as long as caulking is maintained and not allowed to crack and dry out, rubber roofs do quite well and frequently will go beyond the manufacturers’ stated life expectancy. (Of course, lifespan may vary by location and weather conditions.)

I use Dicor self-leveling caulk on roof fittings and joints and recommend the same to owners. I also advise them not to waste their money on the caulk they find at the local builder’s supply store, as I have not found it to adhere or seal well on RV roofs.

When it comes to caulking, there are two lines of thought about surface preparation.

Some technicians take the position that all old caulking must be completely removed before applying new caulking. I take a more moderate position. If I find the existing caulking is adhering well, I will recaulk without completely stripping the old caulk away.

If there has been a repetitive problem with maintaining a seal, I will completely remove old caulk, lift the fitting, and apply new butyl tape, before reinstalling the fitting and applying new caulk. I also will remove

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existing caulk if there are multiple layers or if the existing caulking is not adhering well to the roof (often a sign of a leak).

It’s also important to match the type of caulk to the type of roofing material. For example, some manufacturers have begun using TPO (a thermo-formed flexible plastic) roofing material, which may swell if traditional sealants are used. If you’re uncertain which roofing material is on a roof, you can get more information on the Dicor website (www.dicorproducts.com).

Some inspections will reveal that severe water damage has already taken place, even when it’s not yet apparent inside the camper. The repairs involve substantial labor and material costs to rebuild the roof.

In many of these cases, it may be time for the owner to consider purchasing a new camper.

Steve Savage is a Master Certified RV technician, the owner/operator of Mobility RV Service in Bristol, TN, and a member of the RV Technician Advisory Group. His articles appear frequently in consumer and industry magazines.

Electrical

Finding AC Ripple—the Easy Way

By Steve Savage

Electrical oddities can really make you scratch your head—in fact, they may eventually make us all bald. Here’s one such issue that many techs have reported experiencing.

As we all know, control boards are sensitive animals. They consume direct current (DC) and become noticeably unhappy if their diet includes a touch of alternating current (AC).

How do you get alternating current down a direct current line? Answer: You shouldn’t, but a failing converter will do just that, and it will start affecting the control boards long before it affects anything else in the RV. Which control boards are the most sensitive? In my experience, it’s the refrigerator boards. I’ve run into this so often that, as soon as I get a call about eyebrow boards doing anything they shouldn’t, I immediately think of the power converter. What I see most often is check lights that stay dimly lit or are hyperactive, and I may hear clicking relays on the board as though the board is switching rapidly between gas and electric.

You might assume that you could pick that up with your meter on the DC terminals at the back of the fridge. Everyone knows the drill--check for DC voltage at the terminals and then switch your multimeter over to AC voltage. But there’s a twofold problem.

First, the manufacturers’ manuals are not useful in terms of stating AC ripple tolerances for boards in the field. I find that many boards have zero tolerance for AC Page 8

ripple! Perhaps new boards meet the specs, but I find that many boards in the field do not.

Secondly, your meter may not see AC ripple when it’s small. Simply put, no matter how much we all like our meters, if you use it to troubleshoot AC ripple for refrigerator boards, you may well get burned.

Fortunately, there’s a fast, simple way to determine whether the problem is with the power converter or the refrigerator board.

Without dragging out your booster pack and using it to power the refrigerator board, what is the simplest thing you can do? Unplug the shoreline so the converter is off line and, using an extension cord, plug in the refrigerator. You are now operating off the RV battery for the control board, so there is no way you have ripple in the line. If the problem goes away, change out the converter or converter charger section, depending on the model converter.

If the problem persists, troubleshoot the refrigerator. Doing it this way may save you the added time of installing a new board, taking it back out, and putting the old one back in.

Steve Savage is a Master Certified RV technician, the owner/operator of Mobility RV Service in Bristol, TN, and a member of the RV Technician Advisory Group. His articles appear frequently in consumer and industry magazines.

Batteries

Proper Battery Storage for Longer Life

By Vicki Hall In this article, I’ll discuss procedures for proper battery storage while your batteries are not in use.

Batteries will self-discharge while in storage. The rate of self-discharge is dependent on battery temperature and time. To maximize battery capacity and life, batteries should be fully charged prior to storage.

Batteries like colder temperatures for storage. Hotter temperatures will accelerate self-discharge. Any loads should be disconnected from batteries while they’re in storage.

You should monitor the battery voltage every six weeks while in storage. And stored batteries should be given a boost charge when they are at a 70 percent state of charge or less.

For batteries stored in an application such as a golf cart, you should reference the charger manufacturer’s user manual. Some chargers check the batteries’ dry voltage automatically, and provide a boost charge if connected in the application.

You should never store discharged batteries. If batteries are stored for long periods of time in a discharged state, they may incur irreversible damage. You should always store batteries in a cool dry place, avoiding areas where freezing temperatures are expected. And you should always Page 9

recharge your batteries prior to putting them back into service. You should keep batteries fully charged to prevent freezing, and always avoid direct exposure to heat sources such as radiators or heaters.

Understanding how to properly store your batteries will ensure that they’ll provide the power you need when they’re put back into service.

Also, visit Trojan Battery’s website to read more about battery technology and other useful battery information.

Vicki Hall is director of quality assurance and technical services for Trojan Battery Company.

Batteries

Battery Equalization

By Vicki Hall Only flooded batteries should be equalized, not AGM or gel batteries-- it will cause excess gassing and premature dry out.

Equalization is an overcharge performed on flooded batteries after they’ve been fully charged to reverse the buildup of negative chemical effects such as stratification.

Stratification occurs when the acid concentration is greater at the bottom of the battery than at the top. Equalization helps remove sulfate crystals that can build up on the plates. If left unchecked, sulfation reduces the overall capacity of the battery and eventually destroys it. Equalization also addresses cells that are imbalanced due to undercharging or over-discharging in the field from use, thus maintaining the overall health of your battery.

Equalizing procedures vary by application, the charging source, and the extent to which the battery has been discharged. Any maintenance that has been conducted up to this point will also affect the equalization.

Trojan recommends equalizing every 30 days or when the specific gravity falls below 1.235 across all cells, or there is a wide range of specific gravities which is more than 30 points or greater between the cells.

Note: The equalization process subjects the batteries to a much higher battery voltage than is normally utilized in daily usage. Some converter manufacturers suggest that 12v DC appliances be disconnected from the DC electrical supply Page 10

to eliminate any potential damage which may be caused by the higher voltage used in the equalization process. Please refer to the converter/charger instruction manual.

Before equalizing, ensure the batteries are the flooded type and not valve-regulated.

Also ensure the electrolyte levels are above the top of the plates, all vent caps are completely seated before charging, all loads should be removed from the battery, and the charger is set to the equalization mode.

If your charger doesn’t have an equalization mode, unplug the charger and plug it back in--this will conduct the equalization charge.

During equalization, the batteries will gas or bubble. This is normal, so don’t be alarmed. During equalization, you should measure the specific gravity every hour using a hydrometer. Discontinue the equalization charge when the gravity no longer rises.

There are some newer chargers on the market that automatically conduct an equalization charge, so no action is required of the owner. If you’re unsure, contact the charger manufacturer to determine if your charger does this automatically.

It’s always important to refer to the specific battery manufacturer’s recommendations and to keep good maintenance notes.

Vicki Hall is director of quality assurance and technical services for Trojan Battery Company.

Batteries

B Ba atttte erry yB Bo oo o--B Bo oo os s There are many “tips” circulating on the Internet regarding the care of deep-cycle batteries that, if followed, could destroy or diminish the life of the batteries. Before taking advice from friends or the Internet, check with the battery manufacturer and refer to the battery user’s manual.

Here are some of the most common battery myths to avoid: Myth: Batteries self-discharge if stored on concrete.

Fact: Batteries can be stored on any type of surface and will not discharge.

Myth: Adding a non-buffered aspirin into a battery cell will extend battery life.

Fact: Aspirin tablets should never be added to battery cells. Aspirin forms acetic acid, which attacks the battery grid and destroys the battery.

Myth: Urinating in a battery will extend battery life.

Fact: Uric acid will attack the battery grid and destroy the battery.

Myth: Additives will extend battery life.

Fact: While some additives may reduce water loss and acid smell during charging, they will not extend battery life.

Myth: Use of hydrocaps will extend battery life.

Fact: Hydrocaps may reduce the frequency of watering, but they will not extend battery life.

From the Trojan Battery Company

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Top This!

I’m No Miracle Worker

By Steve Savage

There are a lot of stories at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN, and not all of them are pretty, as this local RV technician will tell you.

If you’re a NASCAR fan, you know that Bristol, TN, has the Bristol Motor Speedway, reputedly the world’s fastest half-mile, and that there are two races a year, in March and August. These races bring NASCAR faithfuls by the thousands, many of them in RVs. Being a native Bristolian and the only local RV technician working the race track campgrounds means I see a lot of stuff that makes me shake my head in wonder, all in the course of one week.

Sometimes the track provides a mother lode of service opportunities, but there’s also a dark side. Allow me to tell you about some of the times when, as I am prone to say, “You can only do what you can do.” Take, for example, the late night and early morning calls. One occurred at 2:30 a.m. from a caller whose motorhome was parked in a Wal-Mart lot about 30 miles away. He thought the engine had a fuel delivery problem and wanted to know what to do.

I diplomatically refrained from telling him what immediately came to mind, and instead brain-stormed with him as well as Page 12

my brain is able to storm at 2:30 in the morning. We figured out how to get him, when daylight rolled around, to a service center that worked on engines, because that’s about all I could do for him at 2:30 a.m.

Then there are the nutty electrical issues, some of which I can do something about, others that just leave me shaking my head.

For instance, one recent caller was still an hour away from Bristol when he hit a bump and the battery in his truck “bounced up and hit the hood and shorted out.” My first reaction to a call like this is fear. If the owner’s battery is floating around so freely that it can bounce up and hit the hood, what kind of liability would I be taking on if I touched this rig? Fortunately, since he was outside my service range, I could in good conscience suggest that he seek road service.

Here’s another mind-boggler. One of the speedway’s campgrounds is high-end and attracts some big-ticket units. On the other end of my phone was the manufacturer of

one such mega-buck model. The new model tripped the 50-amp breaker on the pedestal feeding it power whenever it was tethered. This by itself wouldn’t be a big deal except that the campground had wired this leg of pedestals so that when one blew, they all went down.

I had to see it happen with my own eyes before I could try to fix it. But that meant involving not only the already very unhappy coach owner, but also a whole group of other owners, who insinuated to me that repeating the procedure wouldn’t be good for my health.

Using my meter and using only resistance checks, I was able to determine that the automatic transfer switch was the culprit. I didn’t happen to have one late on a Saturday afternoon. That ended with threats of a lawsuit, but sometimes “You can only do what you can do!”

dangerous that the unit should never have left the agency. The only thing I had to offer was the number of the company that supplies propane to the campers at the track.

And finally, there are the folks who argue with me when I’m trying to help them. An owner called to say his water heater was acting up. It fired on propane, but there was just a burst of hot water at the faucet, and then it got cold again. It sounded like an easy call to me-- bypass valves closed, right?

Not as far as this owner was concerned. He was quite certain that he had split his water heater tank because the burner was lit for so long, even though there was no water running out and no reason to assume the tank was split. There was simply nothing I could say to dissuade him. Once again, “You can only do what you can do!”

Another time, a rental company called me at 9 p.m. It seems they sent out a motorhome whose propane tank was venting propane after they filled it. The unit was now in the midst of a very large and crowded Bristol campground, still venting propane, and they wanted me to “do something.”

Over the years, it has always amazed me what RV owners think I can or should be able to do. I’ll bet you feel the same way.

So do what I do and just silently chant this mantra: “Sometimes you can only do what you can do!”

I marveled to myself at how they could have allowed the unit to leave in that condition. If they were able to overfill the tank, they should have known that the overfill protection device was defective, or that the tank had a leak. Either situation was so

Steve Savage is a Master Certified RV technician, the owner/operator of Mobility RV Service in Bristol, TN, and a member of the RV Technician Advisory Group. His articles appear frequently in consumer and industry magazines.

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New Products

New Replacement Parts Catalog from Coast

RV products and outdoor power equipment with 17 distribution centers in the United States and Canada, offering same day shipping for most products.

CoolCoat Heat-Reducing Coating for RVs

The Coast Distribution System’s new RV Replacement Parts Catalog is designed to make it easy for RV dealers and service personnel to find and order replacement and repair parts for RV accessories from many major manufacturers. Brands represented in the catalog include Atwood, Carefree, Husky, Dinosaur, ColemanMach, Norcold, Powerhouse, Nordic, Suburban, Thetford and Winegard.

The 560-page catalog provides numerous schematics and exploded product illustrations, and includes a complete list of parts, the manufacturer part number and the Coast Distribution SKU to make ordering easy.

To reserve a free copy of this new catalog, call Coast Distribution at 800-495-5858, or contact your Coast Distribution representative.

Coast is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of Page 14

To help RVers escape the heat, Dicor Products has introduced a new heatreducing coating option to its twopart coating system for EPDM rubber RV roofs.

CoolCoat™ insulating coating can reduce the interior temperature by as much as 29 percent from the roof temperature.

CoolCoat contains nano-sized spheres that help to dramatically slow the rate of heat transfer from one surface to another.

The technology is similar to the way a Thermos® works in keeping liquids hot and cold for extended periods of time.

When CoolCoat cures, the spheres become tightly packed and help create a tough coating that reflects and dissipates heat by minimizing heat flux. This allows everything under the roof to stay cooler longer, reducing the load on air conditioning and saving energy. The durability and longevity of the EPDM coating is also improved. As with the other parts of the coating system, CoolCoat™

insulating coating is easy to apply and dries quickly. Like Dicor’s EPDM roof acrylic coating, CoolCoat extends the life and beauty of rubber roof membranes by forming a protective barrier with superior resistance to harsh weather and ultraviolet light.

Portable Solar Charging Kit for RVers

Dicor Products is a leading supplier of high quality RV roofing repair and care products. For more information about Dicor and its offerings, visit www.dicorproducts.com.

Cold Weather Kits Help Fridges Work at Super-Low Temps To extend the camping season and support full-timers and those using RVs for worksite living in the winter, Norcold is producing kits that allow RV refrigerators to operate in ambient temps down to 0°F. RVers previously needed makeshift solutions to maintain proper refrigerator operation at temps below 32°F. Factory-installed kits are now standard on Norcold's N641.3 and N841.3 gas absorption models. The kit is also available separately for retrofitting Norcold 6-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 17-cubic foot models.

Norcold is America's leading maker of gasabsorption refrigerator/freezers for the RV, marine, and truck markets. It is a whollyowned subsidiary of Thetford Corp., the world's leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries. Contact Thetford at 800-543-1219 or visit info@thetford.com; www.thetford.com.

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Anywhere Solar’s On-the-Go solar module provides a portable, storable charging kit for RVers or anyone who needs portable power. The compact, light-weight, 50-watt, 1- volt system recharges batteries and provides on-demand power use. The panels feature a shatterproof, glass-free construction, making them extremely durable, scratch resistant, and easy to store. The complete kit consists of: • Four 23” long by 6 1/2” wide modular panels that can easily connect and disconnect for simple set up and storage • One solar charge controller to protect batteries • Extension cables for connection to batteries up to 12 feet away • One durable carrying bag for easy transport and storage “These panels give RVers and even home owners a portable solution for generating power,” says Tom Johnson, longtime RV owner and an Anywhere Solar-on-the Go distributor. For more info, go to www.anywheresolartech.com/rvsolar.php or call 858-695-9161.

Recalls

Forest River LPG Fuel Line Recall Forest River Inc. is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Sunseeker 2860, 3120, 3170, Forester 2861, 3121, 3171, and Lexington 283 Class C motorhomes, manufactured from August 18, 2009, through September 12, 2012. The liquid propane gas (LPG) fuel line that supplies fuel to appliances in the slide out can become damaged and lead to an explosion or fire.

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-206-7600 or the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

Newmar Brake Recall Newmar is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Dutch Star and 2009-2010 Dutch Aire motorhomes built on a Spartan chassis equipped with a Hendrickson independent front suspension. The front brake chambers may contact the upper control arm of the independent front suspension. Continued contact may result in damage sufficient enough to prevent the full release of the brakes. If the brakes don’t fully release, they could drag and generate heat, causing the brakes to engage even

Page 16

further. As the brakes heat up, they may self-engage, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Spartan Motors will notify owners and repair the vehicles. Owners may contact Newmar Corporation at 1-574-773-7791 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Heartland LP Hose Recall Heartland Recreational Vehicles is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Bighorn Silverado fifth wheel travel trailers, manufactured from February 28, 2012, through August 28, 2012. The liquid propane (LP) hose and wire hanger mounted under the slide out can come in contact with the tire, causing damage to the LP hose and wiring. A damaged LP hose can lead to an LP leak and fire, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge.

Owners may contact Heartland Recreational Vehicles at 1-888-262-5992 or the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

The RV Learning Center proudly recognizes these

CONTRIBUTORS *Active donors are those who have contributed to the RV Learning Center since 07/01/11.

Received From

Contributed 7/01/11 11/05/12*

Total Lifetime Pledge

Last Contribution

Received From

Contributed 7/01/11 11/05/12*

Total Lifetime Pledge

Last Contribution

MAJOR GIFTS active donors* with cumulative donation or pledge of $25,000 or more Newmar Corporation Protective Tom Stinnett Derby City RV PleasureLand RV Center, Inc. Horsey Family Memorial Fund

$20,000 $23,118 $500 $3,000 $1,000

$260,000 $110,963 $101,000 $86,350 $68,000

Bill & Kristen Fenech Campers Inn of Kingston

$2,500 $17,578

$52,500 $50,000

10/28/11 12/02/11 03/12/12 10/22/12 06/28/12

Winnebago Industries Ace Fogdall, Inc. Byerly RV Center McClain's RV Superstore RV Assistance Corp. (a subsidiary of RVDA) 07/25/12 Tiffin Motor Homes, Inc. 08/20/12 Bill Plemmons RV World

$6,000 $500 $10,000 $1,000 $3,000

$46,000 $38,600 $36,000 $36,000 $26,000

09/30/11 12/27/11 01/03/12 08/14/12 11/23/11

$2,500 $2,500

$26,000 $25,000

04/18/12 09/21/12

CHAMPIONS active donors* with a cumulative donation or pledge between $2,500 and $24,999 Reines RV Center, Inc. Diversified Insurance Mgmt. Inc.

$2,000 $2,200

$22,025 $21,000

12/22/11 United States Warranty Corp.

11/05/12 Hemlock Hill RV Sales, Inc.

$1,000 $639

$10,250 $10,000

04/13/12 09/14/12

Jayco, Inc. Greeneway, Inc. (Route 66 Dealer) Rivers Bus & RV Sales Alpin Haus

$1,000

$18,500

12/27/11 Rich & Sons Camper Sales

$2,000

$10,000

11/02/11

$5,000

$18,300

10/10/12 Motley RV Repair

$135

$8,075

11/04/11

$500 $1,500

$17,350 $17,000

06/15/12 American RV 06/29/12 Circle K RV's, Inc.

$1,000 $250

$6,925 $6,000

10/04/12 06/08/12

Wilkins R.V., Inc. MBA Insurance, Inc.

$1,500 $1,000

$19,600 $15,100

06/28/12 Madison RV Supercenter 05/14/12 Camperland of Oklahoma, LLC

$1,000 $1,000

$5,000 $4,350

08/21/12 06/25/12

Mike Molino Affinity RV Service Sales & Rentals AIRXCEL - RV Group Hartville RV Center, Inc.

$550 $1,000

$11,311 $11,000

07/03/12 United RV Center 10/12/12 Topper's Camping Center

$2,000 $500

$3,000 $3,000

09/20/12 06/18/12

$500 $250

$10,500 $10,500

06/14/12 J. D. Sanders, Inc. 06/11/12 Alliance Coach, Inc.

$500 $500

$2,750 $2,500

08/07/12 10/12/12

$1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

$1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

09/05/12 09/01/11 05/07/12 12/02/11

$300 $500 $100

$625 $500 $500

08/24/12 06/26/12 04/13/12

$250 $250 $250 $250

$250 $250 $250 $250

12/02/11 07/27/12 06/05/12 10/25/12

LEADERS active donors* with a cumulative donation or pledge between $1,000 and $2,499 RV Outlet Mall RCD Sales Company, Ltd. Hilltop Trailer Sales, Inc. Tacoma RV Center Skyline RV & Home Sales, Inc.

$750 $500 $41 $1,000 $1,250

$2,300 $2,250 $1,622 $1,500 $1,250

10/22/12 07/20/12 07/20/12 06/15/12 07/03/12

Phil Ingrassia Newell Coach Pete's RV Center Spader Business Management

BENEFACTORS active donors* with a cumulative donation or pledge between $500 and $999 Noble RV, Inc. Fretz Enterprises, Inc. Dinosaur Electronics

$500 $750 $500

$900 $750 $750

02/21/12 Ronnie Hepp 06/18/12 All Valley RV Center 06/13/12 Holiday Hour, Inc.

SUPPORTERS active donors* with a cumulative donation or pledge between $100 and $499 Bowling Motors & RV Sales Beckley's Camping Center Camp-Site RV Foley RV Center

$300 $250 $250 $250

$300 $250 $250 $250

ENDOWMENTS Kindlund Family Scholarship

Page 167

$270,000

12/16/11 06/05/12 02/01/12 09/01/12

Kroubetz Lakeside Campers Mayflower RV, Inc. Quality Drive-Away, Inc. Karin Van Duyse

RV Technician Certification Preparation Course Every RV Technician Can Have Access to Individual Self‐Study Training and Certification Preparation Interactive-Multimedia, Online Format • Combines text, audio, graphics, and video, with mentor-led technician community forum – all content is online (no extra books or handouts needed)

Developed by RVIA Available through the RV Learning Center

Corresponds to RV Certification Test Sections • Propane; Electrical; Plumbing; Brakes, Suspension & Towing; Appliances; Generators; Hydraulics; Exterior; Interior; Expandable Rooms; Miscellaneous (Welding Safety, Customer Care) • Fulfills 40-hour RVDA-RVIA Service Technician recertification requirement • RVIA RV Service Technician recertification requirement

Personal Progress Tracking

• Automatically tracks individual’s progress • Quizzes after each chapter and section with immediate feedback • 205 question assessment that’s similar to the RV technician certification test

Registration information

$249 per technician*

Company: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone:

Fax:

In order for the program to function properly, each technician MUST have his own personal e-mail address that only he has access to.

*Quantity discounts available when registering four or more technicians at one time. E-mail info@rvda.org or call 703-591-7130 for details. Note: Registration fee subject to change without notice.

Sign up the following RV technicians from our dealership: Name: E-mail: Name: E-mail: Name: E-mail: Send progress reports to the following supervisor: Name:

Title:

E-mail:

Method of payment

Important: • The RV Technician Certification Preparation course offers RV service technicians the means to prepare for certification through an online, self-study format. A computer with high-speed Internet is needed to access the course.

• Visit www.rvtechnician.com for information about the RVDA-RVIA RV Service Technician certification program. The certification testing fee is not included in the course registration fee.

• Registration gives the technician 365 days to complete the course by achieving 80% or higher on the final practice test. The technician should plan for certification testing within the enrollment period since course extensions are not available.

All registrations must be pre-paid in U.S. funds.

□ Check enclosed (make check payable to The RV Learning Center) □ Send invoice (RVDA members only) □ VISA □ MC □ AMEX □ DISCOVER C Cardholder’sName:_____ Acct. number: Cardholder’s signature: Billing address:

Exp._______ Security code: _ Return completed form to: RVDA I 3930 University Drive I Fairfax, VA 22030 I Ph. (703) 591-7130 I Fax (703) 359-0152 www.rvlearningcenter.com I info@rvda.org

Page 18

10th Edition Service Management Guide (Flat Rate Manual) The expanded Service Management Guide offers over 100 pages of average work unit times for the most basic service functions performed by competent RV technicians. th



The 10 Edition of the Service Management Guide offers extensive updates and additions provided by dealers, service managers, and technicians.



It also offers all new Service Check Sheets that provide a valuable reference for service managers and technicians.



It is a great tool for the service department when working with extended service contracts.



The Service Management Guide is also available in CD-ROM.

The Service Management Guide is designed to provide reasonable guidance relative to the time required for competent technicians to complete assigned tasks. It is an important part of the service management system, but it is not intended to be the sole determinant of prices or rates charged in that sale of service.

Manual or CD-ROM: RVDA Members $164.95

Non-Members: $330.00

Manual and CD-ROM: RVDA Members $275.00

Non-Members: $550.00

Order Online at http://www.rvlearningcenter.com - prices are subject to change without notice

Order Form – 10th Edition Service Management Guide (Flat Rate Manual) Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company Name:___________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________State:________Zip Code:______________________________ Phone:___________________________________Fax:______________________E-mail:________________________ ___RVDA Member

___Non-RVDA Member Manual - # of Copies:___ CD-ROM - # of Copies:____

Method of payment (Please check one) ___Check enclosed (Made Payable to The RVDA Education Foundation) ___Send an invoice (members only) Credit Card: __Visa __Master Card __American Express Card Number:____________________________________________Expiration Date:___________________________ Name on Card:_____________________________________Signature:______________________________________ Billing Address:_________________________________________________________Billing Zip:_________________

Page 19

RVDA, 3930 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 591-7130, Fax (703) 359-0152, Email: info@rvda.org

Online Training with FRVTA’s

DISTANCE LEARNING NETWORK supplier-specific advanced repair and troubleshooting classes designed to upgrade technicians’ skills.

Completion of these classes qualifies for recertification hours. Classes are available 24/7 throughout the program year, providing maximum flexibility.

FRVTA–RV Learning Center Partnership $995 per year for each dealership location.

Over 50 sessions available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with full access to training through July 31, 2013.

The DLN offers your dealership: • • • • •

Onsite training Group training No travel time or expenses Self-determined pace One fixed price of $995 for the subscription term

• Service Writers/Advisors – This three-hour program is valuable for both new staff and experienced personnel preparing for the RV Learning Center’s Service Writer/Advisor certification.

• Greeters/Receptionists – This 50-minute session is suitable for all employees who need customer service skills. It includes a final exam and certificate of completion.

The DLN offers online training for:

• RV Technicians – The certification prep course helps technicians get ready for the certification exam.

Your subscription includes unlimited access to more • Dealers/GMs – This program features important topics for management, including lemon laws, LP gas than 50 training sessions, reviews, and test preparalicensing issues, and the federal Red Flags Rule. tion sections. Also included are manufacturer- and

DEALERSHIP REGISTRATION Company

Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

Mentor Name:

Phone:

E-mail (at dealership) :

Fax:

**High speed Internet access required. RVIA service textbooks not included** location(s) at $995 each = payment due: $

PAYMENT METHOD

❑

(select payment method below)

Complete lower section and mail or fax to:

PAY BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

❑

PAY BY VISA OR MASTERCARD

Florida RV Trade Association, 10510 Gibsonton Drive, River view, FL 33578, (813) 741-0488, Fax: (813) 741-0688 Name

on

Credit

Card Number: Card Billing Address:

Card:

Security Code: City:

Expires: State:

Card Holder Signature:

For more information, call (386) 754-4285 or go to www.fgc.edu/rv-institute.aspx Page 20

Zip: