Category: <span>Camper Corner</span>

Our technicians suggest a full AC service, inspection and cleaning of your RV’s AC unit every two years. Outside dirt and debris clog the condenser fins of your AC and greatly limit its ability to operate efficiently. We also clean the evaporator coils, inspect the fan, fan motor, outer shroud and lubricate any recommended areas.

It is not uncommon for a technician to arrive at a job where the customer is complaining of an AC unit not cooling and be able to solve the issue cleaning the unit. However, regular maintenance and cleaning of your AC unit will allow it to run more efficiently which will not only allow the unit to better cool your RV. When the unit is running efficiently id doesn’t work as hard and will protect your investment by prolonging the life of the AC and its components.

Often customers call-in requesting AC service because the unit is running but not cooling and assume that like your vehicle these units can simply be re-charged with refrigerant. Camper air conditioning units are closed systems and have no refill point. If an Open Road RV Repair technician or any RVIA Certified Technician tests your system and determines that the issue is low refrigerant charge the only option is replacement of the rooftop assembly. Note: This diagnostic procedure cannot be professionally completed by visual inspection. If your service professional does not take a temperature reading and use a millimeter to test the unit ask what diagnostic procedure they used to determine that your unit is faulty? The technician should then check to make sure that your control board and thermostat will be compatible with the new unit, if not then all of the proper installation equipment will be quoted.

You maybe told or read online that you can purchase a self installed valve and recharge your system. These saddle valves clamp over a line in your system and pierce the copper tubing allowing for a fill point. However, this 100% will void any manufacturers warranty, compromise the system possibly introducing a new leak and most notably does not address the root cause of the failure.

Service and inspect your AC annually and rely on the advice of a reputable service company, like Open Road RV Repair, employing RVIA certified technicians. In the end this is the best way to save time and money. Not to mention enjoy worry free air-conditioned camping.

Happy Camping!

De-winterization of a properly winterized RV can be one of the simpler “do it your-self” projects that a RV owner can perform. For this reason many owners may choose to pay for an RVIA rated technician to winterize their unit while they feel comfortable enough to de-winterize themselves.

At Open Road RV Repair we encourage all our customers to perform any regular maintenance items that are in their comfort zone. However, our de-winterization offers an extraordinary value for the cost. During our service we not only perform a basic flush and prime of your water system, we go a step further and inspect all the systems in your RV. After we have flushed and primed the water system we will test all your appliances, test the battery, visually inspect your tires and perform an overall visual inspection of the camper. Any mechanical or electrical issues or even items to watch will be highlighted to the customer and on the technician’s write-up. This gives the RV owner the opportunity to resolve any issues that may arise during the season.

Should you pay for de-winterization? We say yes. When you have Open Road both winterize and de-winterize your RV you are protected by our guarantee against water line damage caused by freeze and through our de-winterization inspection we will leave you reassured that your camper is ready to go for the season. Enjoy more of your camping season and leave the maintenance to us.