On Friday, Chuck Woodbury editor of RVTravel.com posted on his site that Gary Bunzer known as “The RV Doctor” had passed away from complications due to COVID-19. Chuck was a friend, colleague, and neighbor of Gary’s and had reported several weeks ago on RVTravel.com that Gary was in ICU in a Seattle hospital in serious but stable condition. So it came as a shock when he posted the news on Friday night.
Gary was a 40 year veteran in the RV Industry as a technician, trainer, educator, author, and inductee into the RV Hall of Fame. His bio is available here.
Almost every company and organization in the RV industry benefited from Gary’s technical expertise through videos, blogs, articles, on site training, seminars, and written handbooks. He helped educate not only RV technicians but also owners, manufactures, and government agencies. Gary was truly a champion for education in the RV industry.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gary’s family and friends.
RV Make: Monoco, RV Model: Diplomat, RV Year: 2008, Brand: Lippert slideout, Model Number: Flush floor
Keep having problems with broken shafts , gears on the main slide out .
Any info on the adjustments on the height or depth adjustments.
Hubert,
It does sound like something is out of alignment. We do have a video showing where adjustments can be made. You want to measure everything first and see where it is out of square. The arms attached to the lower arms underneath will have the adjustments to raise and lower as well as adjust the in and out of each side. The video will show this but I will also include a link to the service manual with some more information on what to check as well.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/adjusting-rv-slide-out-seal-011521/
https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/slideouts/ccd_0001614.pdf
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
RV Make: DYNAMAX, RV Model: CARRIGO, RV Year: 2004
HAD TO PUT ON A NEW AWNING ABOVE SLIDEOUT AND NOW I HAVE HOLES IN THE FIBERGLASS WHERE THE SCREWS WERE. CAN THESE HOLES BE PLUGGED OR REPAIRED?
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your question, here is the experts reply:
You can plug them with body filler, Bondo is a name brand. It is best to fill the holes with it and make a mound covering the opening. Let it dry and then sand it smooth. This will make sure it is sealed. You can then paint over it if you want to make it not as noticeable. I have seen people just use sealant in the holes and this can be fine but you have to keep an eye on it as over time it can break apart and open up again. The body filler makes for a better repair.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
RV Make: Lance, RV Model: 1020, RV Year: 2000, Brand: Domestic, Model Number: 3663
The power will not light control switches, elect ,propane, or battery
It is a 3 way. Can’t tell what mode it is in. But it won’t light 5 amp was out but I changed it, it did not blow again. Fridge worked perfect when I parked it for winter. Suggestions please.
Hi Dorene. I would need the model number of the fridge to tell you what components in it could be failing but if all controls are turned on at the same eyebrow control panel, most likely the panel is the issue. The 5 amp fuse is what protects this circuit when there is a high amp draw and most likely there was a short in this panel that blew the fuse. It is not blowing not because the circuit was most likely damaged and not complete now. The best thing to do to be sure is to test the 12v coming into the fridge. If there is 12v most likely the panel will need replaced.
Thanks
Dan RV Repair Club
Fender
Hi Serge,
Thank you for reaching out! Could you give me more details on what your question is?
Sincerely,
Shelley
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: Heartland, RV Model: Landmark 365, RV Year: 2019, Brand: Landmark, Model Number: Charleston
Love it
RV Make: Thor, RV Model: 35M, RV Year: 2020
RIP Gary, I will missed your writings and opinions.
RV Make: Holiday Rambler , RV Model: Alumalite , RV Year: 1995, Brand: Suburban , Model Number: 5186A, 620015 or IW60
Ticket 35302 Hello I need help I’m want to change to an on demand water heater as I’m a fulltime RVer but want to know if this unit is good all around for different locations around the USA? If they are reliable units? I’m kind of confused. Thank ya for your time and help.
Hello Ginna,
Thank you for contacting us. Here is the experts response:
It is possible to change to an on demand water system but some more electrical and plumbing modifications are needed. The tanks are roughly the same size so that isn’t an issue but the plumbing on the back needs to be taken apart and built new to fit. You also need to run new wires into the RV living area for the controls. On demand systems have different settings and require a control unit to be place somewhere. You can put it where you want but it is best located near the kitchen or bathroom. The hardest part really is just modifying the plumbing and then running wires for the controls. As for if you have a reliable unit it is best to check forums and see what other users are saying. Even the best manufactures can have a bad line of RV’s made certain years so it is best to see what others experiences are with them.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/article/rv-repair-club-pays-tribute-to-gary-bunzer-the-rv-doctor/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
RV Make: forest river sierra, RV Model: 345 ret cch, RV Year: 2011
i cannot find an access to the shower control valve plumbing, do i need to remove the shower to change the water control valve. i cannot find any other way to access the shower valve and plumbing.thanks for any help you can offer.
Hello William,
Thank you for contacting us.
I’m not sure what control valve you are looking for. The water lines connect directly to the back of the faucet. There won’t be a shut off valve for the water lines. They are all connected together and don’t have individual shut off’s like residential water lines. You just need to turn off the water supply to the camper and disconnect the faucet connections to remove it. Normally the shower faucet is connected to a mount with a few screws and sealant around it. You just need to remove these screws and pull the mount forward then you can disconnect the faucet connections. Some RV’s have an access panel to the back of the faucet to disconnect these connections. Under rare circumstances you have to remove the shower surround to gain access to these. I have seen a few though.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: Forrest River, RV Model: Wildwood Xlite, RV Year: 2018, Brand: Wildwood Xlite, Model Number: 233RBXL
There is no rear ladder, does this mean you can not walk on this roof?
Hi Ronald! To get the best possible answer for you from our experts can I please have you send over the year, make, and model of your RV?
We’ll be glad to help further when we here back.
Sincerely,
Codi
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: Itasca, RV Model: Spirit, RV Year: 2004
Having a hard time figuring out what could be the problem and fixing it…We are beginner RV’ers. 1. How do we check the RV’s wiring for inside plug receptacles that do not work without completely taking the inside completely apart? 2. Both stereos are not working, seems no power to them. Any ideas of why and what we can do to fix? 3. Why the engine battery completely drains after sitting a few days? Vehicle is plugged into external source.
Hopefully someone can give us ideas, we are at a loss.
Hello Gina,
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: winnebago, RV Model: vectra, RV Year: 2004, Model Number: 36gd
just installed 2 new batterries for the for the interior but they will not hold a chrge , both the engine and generator are charging them but they wont hold a charge overnight, any thoughts
Hello Arnold,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: Monaco, RV Model: Camalot pdq, RV Year: 2006
no power to house,all batteries fully charged
RV Make: Mountain high ford, RV Model: Residency, RV Year: 1999
My roof ac units won’t come on….. breakers are on don’t see a turn on switch thermostat on cool ?
Hello Ed,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model your RV please?
Sincerely,
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
RV Make: Forest River, RV Model: Lexington , RV Year: 2006
Wondering about how to increase of double bed in our Lexington model
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
RV Make: Grand Design , RV Model: Reflection MK273, RV Year: 2019
My slide will not go completely flush with the side of the RV. The slide sticks out about 2” at the bottom of the slide and the top is flush. The Forester 30’ motor home I had had two slides and they were flush top to bottom.
Hello Jess,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
There are some slide systems that have a stop on the actuator arm below the slide room. They usually look like a can and it presses against the side of the frame to create the stop. It is possible this stopping can just needs adjusted for the room to sit flush. There could also be an issue of something being wedge somewhere preventing the room from closing all of the way. If you have a hydraulic system the adjustment is at the end of the arm in between the two stopping nuts. The best thing to do is to check under the slide and inspect what is hitting when trying to close and see if it can be adjusted. We do have a video showing some adjustments that can be made on the slide arms.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/adjusting-rv-slide-out-seal-011521/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
RV Make: Newmar, RV Model: Dutch Star 4028, RV Year: 2006
Kitchen slide will not go out, slide locks opened but slide will not go out. Can move slide manually and did replace the circuit board with new but still will not work. Pressing switch will start the process voice works but that is all. All other slides work.
Hello Karen,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
Since the board was replaced there are only a few other things that could be causing the issue. The motors or the harnesses from the control board to the motors. Depending on the system and control board, there are usually error codes on the board when you try to operate the slide and it doesn’t move. Look at the board when trying to operate and see if something comes up saying what the issue could be. If there is no error code and no lights at all it could be a voltage issue. This depends on the slide system and board as well. There are many types of systems but ones with a control board usually have a code when there is an error. Most of the time when there is an error it has to to do with the harnesses, connections or the motors. There aren’t too many things from the switch to the motors so if you have already replaced the board then the issue is most likely with the motors or harnesses.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert