September/October 2013 Issue of RV Technician

Welcome to RV Technician.  This issue is all about the details and how they can trip us up. For example, nothing confuses consumers and technicians alike more than brake controllers, says contributing editor Steve Savage.  In his article, “The Essence of Integrated and Aftermarket Brake Controllers,” he discusses various problems and misconceptions, including when customers think something’s wrong with their rig because they don’t understand how controllers work.  

Savage explains the types of controllers and how they operate and discusses how to track down the most frequently heard customer complaints.  

Sometimes it’s technicians who trip themselves up over details. In this issue’s “Top This!” by RVDA Service Consultant Tony Yerman, you’ll read about a tech who prided himself on his attention to detail—until the day he was made painfully aware of the limitations of relying solely on his own memory.

Some of your customers may have already taken to the road for warmer winter climes, but others are putting their RVs to bed for the season. Be sure to remind them of the importance of proper winterization, especially when it comes to the generator. You’ll find a good checklist for preparing the genset by contributing editor Alvaro Camargo from Cummins Onan.

Table of Contents

• The Essence of Integrated and Aftermarket Brake Controllers, Plus Basic Troubleshooting - Some brake controllers might work too well for their own good--when customers can no longer feel the activation of their towable brakes, they may assume something's wrong. Here's a troubleshooting guide for getting to the bottom of some common complaints.
  
• RV Tire Pressure - Correct tire pressure is critical to tire life, performance, and safety. The important question: What pressure should be used?   
  
• Cold Weather's Coming--Winterize RV Generators Now! - If RV owners aren't going to be running their generators for at least two hours monthly at a minimum 50 percent load, you need to perform this cold-weather preparation.
• Top This! The Devil is in the Details - Even the most conscientious and meticulous tech shouldn't rely solely on memory for some jobs, as this individual discovered. 
  
• Educational Opportunities from RVDA's 2013 Convention/Expo - Dozens of convention workshop CDs are now available for ordering, in case you didn't make it to the show.
• Certification How-To - There's more than one path to certification, and it's easier than you think. There are online courses, study guides and tests, and more. Choose your path.