Purchase an RV and I have no idea what I am doing

[atlmeb]

I was in a situation where I had to buy something quick to have living quarters in a very rural community with few options for rentals. I'm overwhelmed at this point. I am trying to put the "must do" now projects first before I move to the preferred cosmetic updates. I've never owned an RV; I've owned my share of houses and I've been downsizing for years. Moving into an RV is a big new adventure and experience in the world of downsizing. I am female and I am a miss fix it with a dad who taught me how to use tools around the house. Some of this stuff is out of my league. I like it so far as long as I can keep up with the small repairs and keep them from becoming big repairs.

I purchased a 2001 Thor Dutchman 31 foot fifth wheel. I've been tearing out old blue carpet. It has the uglies but appeared to be sturdy. Sturdier than the new models. Now the fun part begins, updating and making repairs as I go. As of today:

1. I used a burner on the stove. It was turned off for several hours. I woke up to the smell of gas. I opened all the windows and the door and shut off the gas valve at the tank. I see a need kit to test where the gas leak is happening. Any recommendations? I have many questions about this. When I turned the gas off, I assume the pilot light went out. Two things I detest working with: gas and electricity.

2. I walked outside yesterday and I saw water pouring out the front of the RV -- where the drain pipe leads from the kitchen sink. I have no idea what to do with that.

3. I want to update the shower, make it bigger and I can't find any recommendations on this. I understand I need to line up with the shower drain and tanks but for the love of God, I know RV owners have done this. The only guy in the area that works on RVs kinda poopooed any ideas around this -- like taking in the entertainment center which gives me another 20 inches in the bath. I come from a renovation family. I know anything is possible. What is the best way to find a person that will come to me for updates and repairs? Is this an impossible task? My bath has a narrow shower and a toilet only. The sink is in the outside hallway.

4. I want to paint the ceiling and the insides. I have obsessed and overdosed on reading articles about this.

5. I need to reseal the windows - what is the best way to remove the old sealant without damaging the exterior wall?

6. I am tired of dealing with poo. I am really interested in one of the incinerating toilets. Anyone out there with experience in this area with suggestions? I've read about all the composting options. There is one there I like but I don't want to deal with changing it out. I think I've watched every YouTube video of any substance on the matter. I understand the pros and cons of each.

I know this is a lot of questions but any information, reading, suggestions and straight talk is appreciated. I am an optimist but not feeling it this morning as I feel somewhat beat down.

Thank you. I am grateful for any assistance that can be shared.
Living the country life in Texas

 

[Rene T]

1st, welcome to the forum. You think you're overwhelmed how do you think we feel with all those questions.  :   No I'm just kidding. Ask all the questions you want. We're here to help.

One thing that would be much easier for us is that you post one question at a time. That way we can address that one question then move on to your next question.

As far as the propane, you should have a LP detector near the floor fairly close to the stove. I'm concerned that it didn't go off and alert you. That's one of the 1st things I would check out. It should be hardwired directly to the 12 Volt DC battery.

There is no pilot light except the one in the oven and that one goes out when you shut the oven off. I've never heard of a pilot light for the top burners unless someone made some modification.

How cold does it get where you live? Will you have a freezing problem?

 

[atlmeb]

Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I don't want to burn up or blow! On my way to get new smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors.
Okay, will post one question at a time. Good to know.

I did not find the LP detector near the floor. I did find the fuse box below the oven. I will continue to look for that important item.
I took the panel off below the fridge, nothing there.

Good to know about the pilot light.

It has gotten cold here the last few years but not until January. They had that once in a lifetime snow last year and a freeze a few years before.
What do I need to do to avoid a freeze problem? I've been thinking about that.

Thank you.

 

[SeilerBird]

1. I used a burner on the stove. It was turned off for several hours. I woke up to the smell of gas. I opened all the windows and the door and shut off the gas valve at the tank. I see a need kit to test where the gas leak is happening. Any recommendations? I have many questions about this. When I turned the gas off, I assume the pilot light went out. Two things I detest working with: gas and electricity.

You need to have a mobile RV mechanic check out your propane problem. That is not something to mess with if you don't know what you are doing. Find a mechanic on Craigslist.

2. I walked outside yesterday and I saw water pouring out the front of the RV -- where the drain pipe leads from the kitchen sink. I have no idea what to do with that.

Once again you need a mobile mechanic. 

3. I want to update the shower, make it bigger and I can't find any recommendations on this. I understand I need to line up with the shower drain and tanks but for the love of God, I know RV owners have done this. The only guy in the area that works on RVs kinda poopooed any ideas around this -- like taking in the entertainment center which gives me another 20 inches in the bath. I come from a renovation family. I know anything is possible. What is the best way to find a person that will come to me for updates and repairs? Is this an impossible task? My bath has a narrow shower and a toilet only. The sink is in the outside hallway.

It is possible but extremely expensive. Forget about it.

4. I want to paint the ceiling and the insides. I have obsessed and overdosed on reading articles about this.

Get a brush and some paint and start painting. It is the same as painting a normal house.

5. I need to reseal the windows - what is the best way to remove the old sealant without damaging the exterior wall?

That would be a waste of time. RV windows leak like a sieve even when new and installed correctly.

6. I am tired of dealing with poo. I am really interested in one of the incinerating toilets. Anyone out there with experience in this area with suggestions? I've read about all the composting options. There is one there I like but I don't want to deal with changing it out. I think I've watched every YouTube video of any substance on the matter. I understand the pros and cons of each.

You need to hire a mobile mechanic for this also. However if you are going to live in an RV get used to the idea that you must deal with poo. None of us like it but it is part of the whole freedom thing.

 

[atlmeb]

Yeah, straight talk. Thank you.

I've got to update the bath somehow even if I don't move something around. The only soft spot is by the shower, very small and I think it came from the faucet in the shower.

Looking for a mechanic now.

Thanks.

 

[NY_Dutch]

I'll have to disagree with Tom on #5. I've worked on many RV's, both my own and other people's, and if a window shows any signs of leakage it's resealed and no longer leaks. My current coach is 17 years old and no windows leak even in a driving rain. I did reseal the small bathroom window a few years ago though due to a small leak from an incorrectly installed gasket. As far as how to reseal your windows, different style windows require different methods, so it's difficult to make suggestions without knowing more about what you have. Some windows are sealed with a butyl putty tape behind the frame, and others have a vinyl/rubber gasket between the frame and wall. If you have a mobile RV tech come out for some of the other issues, it would be worth an extra hour's pay to have him go over other maintenance items with you and how best to take care of them.

 

[atlmeb]

Thanks. I looked at the gasket and I read about the two different methods of resealing. Looks like it takes two people to take them out.
Maybe new seals on a couple of them. Thank you.

 

[Rene T]

I did not find the LP detector near the floor. I did find the fuse box below the oven. I will continue to look for that important item.
I took the panel off below the fridge, nothing there.

The LP detector will be around 12" off the floor and somewhat in the general vicinity of the stove. If you still can't find one, look for a small hole about 1/4" dia. where the wire came through the wall and maybe a couple of small screw holes near the wire hole. I would think that a RV built in 2001 would have one. Maybe the previous owner got tired of hearing it beep  and removed it. There are several things that make them beep. A low 12 volt battery and either a LP gas leak, hair spray or even a dog passing gas close by.

 

[atlmeb]

Found it. It is not working. I think I traced the wires which you can't see on the other side of the wall. Appears the wires under the cabinet to the underside of the fridge. I see two wires capped off that are not connected to anything. It appears to be out of date anyway. I will get a new one this week. Also called a mobile mechanic who has glowing reviews to help me get up to speed. 

This was very helpful.
Thanks to all.

 

[SeilerBird]

I live in a fiver full time and I have an awesome mechanic who comes by and solves all my little problems. The beauty of a mobile mechanic is you never have to leave your RV for days or weeks or months at time. They can only charge you for the time they actually take rather than the 'book' rate. And I find them to be a lot easier to deal with.

 

[atlmeb]

Thanks for the tip. I had one go to guy out here and his mood and actions presented as lackadaisical and negative about every question. Maybe that was not his intention but it did not make me feel comfortable with his advice.

I pulled out the gas detector and it was not wired. Doesn't look like it was ever wired. I can't fish out any wiring in the wall and I should be able to see something but I don't see any wiring in the wall. Odd.

 

[Lou Schneider]

RV windows are installed differently than those in a house.  They "sandwich" the wall between the inner and outer frames, which are held together by screws.  Remove the screws, take off the inner frame, then go outside and work the outer frame and window free.

Two people are best, but if you're lucky the gasket putty will hold the outer frame in place while you get outside.  You may even have to take a putty knife and work it in between the window frame and the trailer wall to get the window out.  If you're working by yourself, open the window so you can grab hold of it while you're removing the inside ring.

About remodeling the bathroom, are you expecting to sell this trailer in the future?  If so, changing the stock layout may destroy any resale value.  If you don't care about that, go for it.  A 5th wheel is merely a shell, remodeling the inside isn't much different than remodeling a house.

If you're going to stay hooked up to sewer, you can remove the black and grey holding tanks and just plumb directly from the toilet, shower and sinks to the sewer connection.  Again, this will impact resale value if you want to sell it in the future.

 

[atlmeb]

Good to know about the windows. Practical experience is always good to know.

I will not change the sewer connections inside. I've been standing the layout and how to gain a bigger shower and keep the same connections. I'm sure I will figure something out to make showering a better experience.

Thanks for the info.
mg

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

There are videos on YouTube for a lot of stuff, e.g. removing & re-installing RV windows.

 

[atlmeb]

Does anyone out here weigh their trailers down to secure them in high winds?  Wind is up to 13 miles an hour. I will a little movement in the 5th wheel.

How much wind does it take to blow one over?

 

[sightseers]

it should have some screw down stabilizers under the front and back,  use blocks so as to not extend them to a weak point. rocking is common on gusty days. 

but it would take hurricane force winds to ever tip it over.

 

[SeilerBird]

Does anyone out here weigh their trailers down to secure them in high winds?  Wind is up to 13 miles an hour. I will a little movement in the 5th wheel.

How much wind does it take to blow one over?

My fifth wheel is not secured at all. In fact the rear jacks were never extended. We get wind here in central Florida occasionally and the unit is as solid as a rock. I cannot feel the wind inside the RV. This is a 20 year old RV that was very expensive when it was new. Very solid construction. Stunning beautiful solid wood oak cabinets throughout and it sits on three axles.

 

[atlmeb]

Thanks. Good to know. This one is older as well and seems much sturdier than the new ones. I understand the studs in the walls of the older models are closer together than the newer ones. It's heavy enough even though I've removed some the heavier furniture that was inside to make way for lighter, more comfortable options.