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Does Your RV Need Collision Repairs? Four Living Section Systems That Should Also Be Checked Out

10 July 2015

Viivi Kumpula

When your RV is involved in traffic accident, repairing it is a bit more complicated than patching up the average car. Your home on wheels has hidden wires, tanks and water lines that may need adjusted or fixed. The following four systems should be checked anytime you get RV collision repairs.

Water System and Holding Tanks

Self contained RVs have three holding tanks to worry about. They are typically made of durable plastic.

• The fresh water tank supplies the faucets, shower and/or tub and toilet. The connecting pipe system is usually plastic, simply because it's light. Both the tank and the pipe system should be checked for leaks.

• The grey water tank holds the waste water from the sinks and shower/tub. It also uses a plastic piping system to drain from the fixtures into the holding tank. Depending on the rig, the holding tank is usually under the shower section. Not only do the pipes and tanks need checked for leaks, the discharge system used to dump the waste needs looked at. The connection is usually under the bathroom area.

• The black water tank holds the waste from the toilet. It sits directly under the toilet, so there is no additional piping to check, but the tank and the dumping connection should be inspected. Collision repair firms that handle RVs usually have a dump station on site or nearby, since this can be a messy proposition.  

Propane System Check-Up

On some RVs, like trailers, propane tanks are out in the open and if they are damaged, it may be obvious. Motor homes tend to house their propane tanks behind a protective door, usually low on the chassis and on the opposite side of the gas or diesel filling port. Even if the door doesn't appear damaged, it's a good idea to have the propane tank checked for leaks and to make sure it is still firmly mounted.

The lines leading to various appliances, such as the refrigerator, heater and stove, should also be checked for damage and leaks. If the RV is equipped with a propane alarm, that wiring needs checked. Most propane alarms are inside the chassis, near the floor line and close to an entryway.

House Batteries and Charging System

The living section of your RV has its own electrical source, called the house batteries. These are also behind an outside door just above the chassis. These batteries charge anytime the RV is plugged into an electrical outlet, like at a campground. In most RVs, the house batteries are also connected to your motor battery so they charge whenever the engine is running.

An inverter inside the RV, which looks like the fuse box in your home, governs the distribution of electricity. If an RV is in a collision, the house batteries, connection to the engine battery, the inverter and the electrical wiring to the individual appliances and outlets should be checked. If the RV has a generator, that too should be looked at.

Checking the Slide Outs

Slide outs are available on most modern RVs. When the RV is parked, at the push of a button the slide out emerges from the side or back of the RV, increasing the inside living space. On the larger trailers, such as the 5th wheels and the bus-like Class A motorhomes, multi-slides are often installed.

Slide outs operate on an electrical motor system, triggered by a button on the RV's command center. A collision could damage the connection between the command center and the motor and/or knock the device out of alignment. Making sure the slide opens and closes properly is a priority. Most slides also have mini awnings that pull out with the slide to keep leaves and other debris off the extended top. The awnings should be checked for rips and to make sure they still work properly.  

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