RV Country Paint & Body Shop

Did you know that our Fresno location  has a paint and body shop?  Our personnel are capable of repairing ALL types of RV's, including fiberglass, filon, gel coat repairs, travel trailer skin repairs, graphics and painting.

Our process for success begins with giving you our customers the reliable and accurate estimates which are totally FREE for Paul Evert's RV Country's customers. You can cal or even use on on-line form to make an RV service appointment. Paul Evert's RV has established positive relationships with virtually every RV insurance company. Our ability to cut through the red tape ensures a smoother and faster repair process. We will work pro-actively with your insurance company to deliver the high quality service you deserve.

Our RV paint department uses PPG, one of the finest paints available. We are capable of producing any color on the market or we can mix a one-of-a-kind color that cannot be duplicated.

There are many facts that you should know about the repair of your RV as they apply to dealing with your insurance company.
 
Some of the RV services we offer are:
* No repair is too large or too small
* We use state of the art paints like PPG
* FREE estimates
* Custom paint available (we will mix one of a kind colors)
* Glass repair and replacement
* Custom fiberglass and body work
* Theft related repairs
* Direct repair center for most insurance companies


Here are some pictures of one of the units we did:

We're pretty pleased with the way this one turned out!
Contact us today if you'd like to give your RV a new look!
You can call us or fill out a form on-line for an appointment. 

Happy RV'ing!

Thermostat got you feeling a little dim?

We’ve heard it numerous times, “I wish the display on my thermostat was brighter.” Special thanks to Family Motor Coach Association for publishing a short ‘how-to” article on just how to get that thermostat a little brighter so you can read it! This tech and travel tip happens to come from their February 2011 edition:
You can make the display nearly twice as bright by removing the blue filters on the light bulbs. (This applies only to Dometic Duo-Therm Comfort Control Center five-button thermostats #310 9228 0001 — white; and #310 9228 019 — black.) Here’s how:

Un-clip the thermostat from the holder — top or bottom center — and find the two small, black, round bulb holders. Remove the bulb assembly by inserting a small blade screwdriver into the center slot of the assembly and twist 1/8-turn counterclockwise. Lift the bulb assembly out and gently remove the tiny blue filter from the bulb. Reassemble and return the thermostat cover to its holder. The brightness of the display will be sharply improved.

We sure hope that helps, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself or if you have any questions, remember you can always call and make an appointment with our great service department. If you'd like, you can even make an appointment on-line!

RV Country Routine Maintenance

If you’re new to owning an RV, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. Going through your owners manual can seem overwhelming, and when you bought your unit, you were probably overwhelmed with excitement and received more information than you remember. That's another reason why we thought  going over some commonly asked questions with our service manager Hank Dudley was such a great idea... kind of like a review to refresh the minds of new and old RV owners of things they may have forgotten. 

One question we’re asked by new RV owners is: How often should I bring in my motor home for routine maintenance? When we asked Hank this question, he explained that “All the new units will come with a warranty packet and it will let you know when it's time to bring the unit in for an oil change for the engine, transmission and the generator. It will also let you know what the tire pressure should be kept at. The roof will need to be inspected at least every six months. The appliances will need to be serviced yearly, and the wheel bearings will also need to be inspected yearly. Tires should be replaced every four to five years going by the manufacturer date.” Hank stressed that the biggest item to remember is to check your batteries. “They need to be checked every month when in use, and be sure to keep them charged and clean.”

If you’re still feeling  overwhelmed, or if you have misplaced your warranty packet, that's okay! All the service advisers keep routine maintenance books right by their side. All you have to do is give them a call and they will be happy to let you know when you need to come in and see them. You can also schedule your service appointment right on-line if you’d like.

Remember, if you have any service questions, be sure to give our friendly service staff a call!


Happy RV’ing!

Do I need an inverter to enjoy the RV Lifestyle?

We’re back with another question from an RV Country friend, and another answer from our Service Manager, Hank.

Today's question is:“Do fifth-wheel travel trailers have inverters? If they do not, then I need one with a generator, right?”

Hank tells us that “most fifth-wheel trailers do not have inverters, and only special order trailers come with a generator. However, most can have a generator or inverter installed, but you will not need an inverter if you have a generator.

An inverter takes the place of a generator if you are dry camping (parking anywhere without or with limited amenities) and want to watch TV or make coffee without starting the generator because of noise or fumes. The inverter will take the 12 volt from your battery and convert it to 120 volts.” Remember, if you are going to use a generator, you must also be sure and have a working carbon-monoxide detector installed.

f you are still unsure about using a generator or inverter, you can give our service department a call at (800-959-6485) and speak to any of our friendly service advisors, they’re there to assist! Or you can make an appointment to come in to RV Country and see us. We always love visiting with friends and we'd be happy to help!

Our service department in Fresno is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday.

Your Personal RV Expert for the RV Lifestyle

Have you ever wished you had your own personal RV expert on hand to answer all your questions? Well, now you do! Introducing Hank Dudley! Hank is our service manager and he’s been with RV Country for 10 years!

We’ve had several questions from all of you RV enthusiasts submitted through our social media sites as well as our website, so we thought we would take this great opportunity to sit down with Hank and get some answers. We have chosen to break up the questions into separate articles. By the end of the series, we’re confident that you’re going to know Hank pretty well, and you'll feel comfortable knowing that when you need to bring in your RV for service, it's in the very best of hands. 

 The first questions we’re going to address is: 
“What psi should my tires be at?” 

Hank explains that “all trailers should be five pounds under the recommended pressure on the tire. This allows the hot air to expand and not blow out the tire. For coaches - it goes by the size and weight of the coach. Be sure to remember that all RV’s need to be loaded with your belongings for camping BEFORE checking the air pressure in your tires. Also, most new coaches a will come with a tire pressure label inside the coach or trailer.”

If you are still unsure, you can give our service department a call (800-959-6485) and speak to any of our friendly service advisors. They’re always happy to help or you can make an appointment to come on in to RV Country and see us. We always love visiting with friends! Our service department in Fresno is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday.

RV Adventure Preperation

Recently RV Daily Report published an article called "FCCC Offers Summer RV Preparation and Safety Tips.” Service Trainer, Michael Cody gave some great tips, and we thought we’d share the article with our RV Country community! Remember, these tips are not only great for summer, but for any time you're heading out on an RV adventure. So read on RV'ers... and before you take off, take one more minute to check these items:

• Tire care and maintenance are key, so begin by checking the condition of your tires, inspecting each one closely for sidewall cracks on both sides, excessive wear and cuts on the treads and sidewalls. Measure your tread depth and make sure you’re rolling on at least 4/32-inch-deep tread on the front axle tires and 2/32-inch-deep tread on the rear axle tires.
• Check each tire’s pressure and adjust it to the manufacturer’s specified pressure per weight on each corner of the coach. Remember: All RV tire manufacturers recommend four corner weights to account for variations in weight distribution once travelers get their own belongings on board. It’s worth noting that it does not matter whether you use nitrogen or air from a compressor – tire pressure must be adjusted to the coach’s weight before traveling.  Review your chassis’ servicing records to ensure it’s not overdue for any regular maintenance.
• Make sure crucial fluids are at proper levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, diesel exhaust fluid and windshield washer fluid. For engine coolant, FCCC recommends its Fleet Charge 50/50, pre-charged with SCA. This is an ethylene glycol-based diesel-specific coolant formulated for heavy-duty cooling systems.
• RVs are loaded with lights of varying functions, but all are important to check: high and low beam headlamps, taillights, turn signals, back-up lights, tow power lights and emergency four-way flashers.
• And finally, because not every emergency is road-related, make sure all smoke alarms, LP leak detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries.
• Check fire extinguishers for a full charge and be sure they’re stowed where they can be reached quickly should you need them.

Should you need assistance, we invite you to contact us to schedule a service appointment with your friendly RV Country Service Advisor. We'll be happy to make sure your RV is in tip top shape!

Happy RVing!

Sewer Hoses for the RV Lifestyle

So, you want to know what the best sewer hose is to buy? One of our favorites and a TOP seller at our parts store is the ‘Dominator’. The Dominator is durable and reliable. Which is exactly what you’ll want in a sewer hose. You don’t want to be one of ‘those’ who are seen wrapping their hose with duct tape to fix a leak. (EWW!) So, durable and reliable are what you’re going to want. We suggest starting with at least a 15 ft hose, but the more you travel and the more experience you get, you’ll know what size works best for you. The 15 feet sewer kit with elbow Superior drainage, holds its shape after installation. Durable, UV stabilized, rugged poly construction. Convenient, fully assembled and ready to use. Patented rotating fittings.

Stop in and see us or visit us on-line. This is one accessory you’ll want to be sure to have before you leave home!

The Importance of a Water Regulator

Before owning an RV you probably never gave much thought to water pressure or the need to regulate it, but the piping in your RV needs to be taken care of just as much as any other part. Too much water pressure can cause the pipes to burst, leaving you to experience an indoor wading pool - or worse - such as only partial use of your shower, toilet, or any other appliance that uses running water to function and sometimes no water at all.  A regulator helps you keep an eye out for potential danger, and will prevent the water pressure in your system from surging to a level high enough to cause damage.

You can’t always be sure of the water pressure in camp grounds. If there aren’t many campers in the park with you, or at night when not many people are using running water, the pressure can go up at any time. For this reason, a water regulator is something you will want to be sure to add to your RV necessities before heading out on the road.

If you don't already have one, stop in and see us or order one on-line!

Happy RVing!

Safety First in RV Country

Before you set out on your next adventure, be sure to keep a few things in mind. It may seem obvious to some, but to others the height of an RV often goes overlooked. Some drivers accidentally drive under an overpass without enough clearance because they forget about the height of the vehicle. Keeping your RV's height handy is a good idea, as well as knowing the clearance to the upcoming bridges and tunnels along your way. An atlas can sometimes help with this, as can some GPS units. While there is currently no phone app for this, we were able to find a website that does list low clearance bridge heights that may be helpful to you.

Another item to keep in mind is maintenance. Yes, it's sometimes a pain to get your RV into the shop for its maintenance check, but an RV that's well maintained is less likely to give you problems along the way. You can even start by doing a small check on your own, such as checking headlights, brake lights and turn signals and making sure your tires have the correct air pressure and sufficient tread depth. Our service department can do a more in depth checkup, such as inspecting your belts, brakes, and engine.

You'll also want to make sure you have a plan in case you do break down. Always carry a cell phone, and it's a good idea to leave your travel plans with someone back home. Have plenty of food and drink on hand in case you're stuck on the side of the road for awhile. A good roadside assistance program is good to consider as well.

Stay safe out there RVers, and happy traveling!

The importance of properly servicing your RV!

This week we're encouraging everyone to perform routine maintenance checks on your recreational vehicle! Time and time again our service department sees vehicles in need of expensive repairs that could have been avoided with a proper check-up.

For example, you may see us advertise a Free 10 Point Inspection occasionally... Use these!!! In case you needed further nudging, not servicing your appliances and engine components (all covered in our inspection) can void the terms of your warranty.

Real Life Example!
We had a customer who did not check his roof and seals for cracks. Due to those unattended cracks, water began to fill up underneath the laminate sidewalls and front cap. When it finally started to noticeably bubble out, IT WAS TOO LATE!

Check your roof & seals for cracks every 6 months as recommending by the manufacturer!

Instead of a couple hundred dollars to reseal the roof, we now have a VERY costly and time consuming job on our hands!

We don't do this to scare you or to try and drum up business for our service department, but because we honestly want to save you from an even greater expense and to keep you out on the road enjoying your RV as intended!

Make sure your summer vacation plans are headache free!

Have your RV checked out today!

 

To make a Service Appointment Click Here or call (559) 486-1000

Thor Motor Coach Recall

Thor Motor Coach has a recall out due to a faulty fuel line. Please see information below. If you are unsure if your unit is involved in the recall or to make an appointment for necessary repairs, please contact our service department. 

THOR MOTOR COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 DAMON CHALLENGER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 CHALLENGER PLATINUM, MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 DAYBREAK, MODEL YEAR 2010 DAYBREAK CLASSIC, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DAYBREAK SPORT, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009, OUTLAW AND MODEL YEAR 2011 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2007, THROUGH AUGUST 2008. 

THE FUEL-FILL CAP ASSEMBLIES USED TO SEAL THE UNUSED SIDE OF THE DUAL-FILL GASOLINE FUEL TANK WERE PRODUCED WITH A HOSE MATERIAL THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. DURING NORMAL USAGE THE HOSE MATERIAL MAY DETERIORATE WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS.

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Recently we heard about a gentleman that was a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning while in his RV. Our thoughts are with his family.
This should remind all of us living the RV lifestyle to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of our loved ones.  Below are some precautions you should always take while RVing.  Be safe and have fun!

• Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is odorless and colorless.
• When using your stove be sure to open a window or crack open a rooftop vent. (When opening a window though, do not open one on the exhaust side of the coach!)
• Have your fuel burning appliances checked at the beginning of each camping year to be sure they are properly vented and working well and don’t sleep with the generator running.  A basic LP leak test at our service department is quick, easy and only costs $62.50.

Did you know that in RV's carbon monoxide gas usually results from: Exhaust leaks from either a vehicle engine or a generator, improper use of portable gas powered heaters, or even someone else's vehicle or generator when camping in close quarters? It's often recommended to have a carbon monoxide detector in the front of your trailer/motorhome and one in the rear bedroom area (And an additional one in the garage if you have a toy hauler!).

Hank Dudley, our Service Manager, explains that when replacing your carbon monoxide alarm, it's best to choose one that has been tested by Underwriter Laboratories (noted by a UL on the label) and that is designed specifically for RVs. RV carbon monoxide alarms need to be more rugged than alarms for home use. Generally, it is easiest to replace your existing alarm with one of the same model.  For hardwired alarms, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely when connecting your replacement alarm to the vehicle's 12V system.

At Paul Evert’s RV Country we have carbon monoxide detectors always in stock and can even help you get them installed.

Click here contact our parts department.
Click here to schedule a service appointment.

Tech Talk: 6v or 12v batteries - which one is right for you?

We've recently seen some debates online about the differences between 6 volt and 12 volt batteries and which option is better.

---

Rod Ploeckelmann

Paul Evert's RV is very fortunate to have master technician (since 1995!!), Rod Ploeckelmann on hand, so we quizzed him and found he has a wealth of information on this topic.

PE's: What is the difference between a 6 volt and a 12 volt battery?
Rod: Amp hours, longevity, and weight are probably the main differences.

PE's: And what are amp hours good for?
Rod: The longevity - The 6 volts are designed more for the inverters purpose of charging the battery. Also, should there be an issue, even though it's best to replace all 4, you can replace just 1 - there are a lot of advantages to the 6 volt versus the 12 volt battery.

PE's: You said 6 volts are designed for inverters. Does that mean in a trailer that does not have an inverter, you would have to use a 12 volt battery?
Rod: No, you can use either one, but 12 volts are more customarily used in travel trailers and fifth wheels because they are more compact and lighter weight. However, if you have the room, I would still recommend using two 6 volt batteries.

PE's: Since there would only be one 12 volt battery instead of two to four 6 volts, should the two types be wired differently?
Rod: I'm glad you asked this! Yes, many times I've seen the wiring from the manufacturer be done incorrectly. 6 volt batteries need to have the positive go to one pair and the negative to the other pair so that the inverter sees it as one battery and doesn't have a leader or a follower.

PE's: So if a customer is having trouble with a 6 volt battery holding it's charge or they feel they are going bad too quickly, what should they do?
Rod: The customer should definitely bring their vehicle in! If they just take it anywhere and have new batteries put in, things will seem fine for maybe the first year, but then the same problem will eventually re-develop. However, I always check to make sure the wiring is done correctly before just replacing them - this ensures a full and long battery life.

PE's: It seems the 6 volt is the way to go. Do you know if there is a price difference between the 6v and 12v?
Rod: Yes, the 6 volts are going to be a little bit more expensive, but the customer will be much more satisfied with the longevity of the 6 volt. Also, if the customer has an inverter or demands a lot of usage, they'll be able to cut down on the generator starting because of the 6 volts additional amps. You see, two 6 volts are 105 amp hours each equaling 210 amp hours, whereas one 12 volt is only 80 amps.

---

So there you have it folks! Looks like the 6 volt is the way to go.

Pricing from the Paul Evert's RV Parts Department:
6v   - $164.49 + tax & core
12v - $108.24 + tax & core

Click Here for more info on joining our "Country Club" and how you can save 10% on your battery cost and even on labor if you have work done in our service department!

Click Here to make a Service Appointment.