The products that you use to wash and wax your car will have a significant impact on how long the paint on your car looks nice. If you use products containing certain ingredients, the clear-coat can fail and leave your car looking terrible. So, what ingredients should you find by reading the labels on each product? What should you be looking for to protect the finish of your car and what should you avoid using at all times? These and many other questions about the care of your car's paint can be found right here on my auto body blog.
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.
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.