Recent content by Gary RV_Wizard

"No cooling" is more likely a sign of a cooling unit deteriorating toward total failure. A pinhole leak or tiny crack will let the hydrogen gas in the coolant leak out first and cooling deteriorates. Then the ammonia itself slowly leaks away. However, it's possible the gas heater flame isn't...

As Lou says, modern compressor fridges are highly energy efficient. The only drawback from an RV perspective is that a battery doesn't stored anywhere near as much energy as a propane bottle, so you run out of electric "fuel" sooner than propane. It's the fuel tank size/capacity that makes the...

Whatever you use as a solvent-cleaner, follow up with any brand of automotive or marine polish/wax to get the remains of the crud off and restore some shine.

The crank tool is dimply a pipe or tube with a slot to slide over and engage the pin on the crank shaft. If you cut a slot crosswise in a deep socket, it should slip into the crank port and over the crank. The drive end of the socket makes it easy too use a ratchet or breaker bar as a handle...

Sounds like TWO problems to me: Faulty propane shut-off valve (leaks propane even when "off") Faulty thermostat (it's "on" regardless of temperature)

Fine, but the smallest Tab is going to be 200/2000 lbs with even a modest load, and he still needs to allow for passengers in the TDI (more passenger weight inside reduces the trailering capacity).

Nope. The 12v power draw isn't a lot of amps, but if you are without shore or generator for 24 hours the total amp-hours really adds up using the battery only. As Lou described, modern 120v compressor fridges are quite efficient these days (usually Energy Star rated), so running one from an...

It was $1260 to replace a windshield half on my American Tradition way back in 2008. Bigger & taller than an Elandon windshield, but the labor would be similar. Yes, most of them are glued in.

You are talking about buying a 28 year-old truck that is carrying a 28 yo old house filled with equally old appliances & furnishings. See where I'm going with this? Condition is everything, and even excellent condition still carries the risk of things worn out from use or simple aged materials...

Your first problem is that a Highlander is NOT flat-towable. Would need to use a tow dolly (front wheels off the ground - 2WD only) or a trailer. For front seat passengers, at least since the 1980's. Other seats have varied depending on the seat position and the rated vehicle "people capacity"...

It's easy to run up a huge labor bill for that sort of thing, especially if you go to an quality cabinet shop or RV remodeling specialist. Besides the cabinet work, you are adding power wiring for tv & lift plus tv signal cabling (Satellite/DVD/antenna). A lot of detail work you no doubt want...

As best I can recall, 39 different vehicles in 63 years of vehicle ownership. I've slowed down a lot in the past decade - only 6 cars and two of those were "spares" for hauling trash to the dump or whatever. Plus 3 motorhomes and 5 RV trailers.

The 5 blinks is simply telling you that there is No Cooling. The gas burner is out and you have no 120v, so that is accurate. Have you reviewed the N811 service manual?

It's one of those things that is extremely unlikely to occur but near-always catastrophic if it does.

I've seen "salesman switch" used elsewhere, e.g. IRV2, but it's just an arcane term used to impress newbies with the poster's vast knowledge. As some of you will know, the term comes from an RV sales persons use (abuse?) of the house battery disconnect to instantly turn all interior lighting &...