BOB SCOTT RV'S, INC

Purchase your new or used RV from a reputable dealer who will help you determine the proper unit for your particular needs, assist you in finding the best available financing, check out the unit before delivery, and give you a complete orientation on safe and proper operation of your unit. If you do have problems do not hesitate to contact your dealer, his business success depends upon your happiness and he has a large investment to protect.

When shopping for a truck camper you need to know how much a camper weighs and make sure that the weight matches the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your truck. The certified weight label is normally located on the back of a truck camper, and lists the total weight with standard equipment, including full water and propane tanks, and excluding any options. Standard equipment varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and thereby affects the certified weight, make sure you know what equipment is considered standard.

Motorhome vs trailer/5th wheel - When not in use a motorhome has an engine, drive train, and more tires to deteriorate than a trailer or fifth wheel. Motorhomes can be harder to get serviced than other vehicles as not all service bays will be large enough. The original price, taxes, licences, and insurance will be higher with a motorhome than a trailer or fifth wheel. However, you have access to all features of the motorhome while driving where you have to pull over to use the trailer or fifth wheel. When you arrive at your destination you can unhook the trailer or fifth wheel and use the tow vehicle to travel about town or the area. With a motorhome you have to tow a vehicle behind you if you want a smaller vehicle to drive around town or tour the area.

Consider the following when matching a tow vehicle to a trailer: (1) What is your vehicle's tow rating? (2) What is the trailer's weight? (3) In addition to the trailer, how much weight will you carry? (4) How much time will be spent towing? (5) What type of conditions will you frequently encounter? steep grades, high altitude, extreme temperatures (6) What special conditions requiring added traction are you likely to encounter? off-roads, snowy roads, unfinished roads (7) Will you tow over short or long distances? (8) Is the trailer equipped with trailer brakes? (9) What type of electrical connection does the trailer require? 4-wire, 6-wire, 7-wire, other (10) What type of hitch does the trailer require? weight-carrying, weight-distribution, fifth-wheel, or gooseneck

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is not the weight of the trailer. GVWR is the maximum amount the vehicle is rated to carry. Everything that contributes to the weight of the tow vehicle features in this rating including the base unit dry weight (UVW), all fluids, cargo, optional equipment, and accessories. Gross Dry Weight or Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) is based on standard model features. It is the weight of the actual unloaded vehicle without cargo, fresh water, LP gas, optional equipment, or accessories. Hitch Weight or Tongue Weight is the amount of weight sitting on the ball of the hitch or in the back of the truck. For a trailer this can be minimized with a weight-distribution hitch.

Electric brakes usually provide automatic and manual control of the trailer brakes. The tow vehicle must be equipped with a brake control and additional wiring. The control is installed within reach of the driver and can be applied manually or automatically. Surge brakes are independent hydraulic brakes activated by a master cylinder on the trailer tongue. The tow vehicle's hydraulic brake system should never be connected directly to the trailer's hydraulic system.

Wiring your tow vehicle or trailer should only be done by someone with electrical experience. Wiring the plug incorrectly can damage the tow vehicle or trailer. Click here for a 7-pin wiring diagram.

Load your trailer to attain a 10%-15% tongue weight. Distribute 60 percent of the load over the front half of the trailer. Also, make sure that the weight is distributed evenly from side to side. Uneven distribution can create unstable conditions, such as trailer sway and uneven tire wear. Firmly secure the load to prevent shifting during cornering and braking which could result in loss of control.

Be sure to prepare your RV for travel. Take a few minutes to secure all items inside that may fall or break and shut all drawers and cabinet doors completely. Take a final walk around outside to insure jacks and steps are up, all exterior doors are closed and locked, antennas and vents are down, and all cords and hoses secured. Make one final check of your hitch, safety chains, exterior lights, tires etc.

When backing up be aware of the height of obstacles behind you. Overhangs, tree limbs, stumps, etc. can cause extensive damage and may not be visible in your mirrors. Distance is also hard to judge when backing a long RV. If you are not sure get out, walk back and look. Whenever possible have someone guide you from behind. If you are unfamiliar with backing or towing, your dealer will school you when you take delivery of your RV. A large empty parking lot is a good place to practice maneuvering and backing.

Water quality is important and should be considered every time you use your RV. Your fresh water system needs to be sanitized annually to prohibit the growth of harmful bacteria. For proper procedures contact our service department or your local health department. Following is a general procedure, but check with your local health department or allow our RVIA Master Certified Technician to do it for you. Take regular household bleach, 1/4 cup to each 15 gallons of tank capacity. Be sure to dilute the bleach before filling the tank. Run all the faucets (except the toilet) to get the solution in all the lines. Drive around the block to slosh it; then empty the tank. Next use a ½ cup of regular baking soda dissolved in a bucket of water, fill the tank, and then drain it. Then fill the tank with clean water and drain it one more time.

New trailers may smell of Formaldehyde. To eliminate this odor place an open bowl of lemon scented ammonia in the closed trailer for 3 days. The evaporation of the the ammonia will neutralize the formaldehyde. For more information click here.

Have a qualified RV repair facility check your LP gas system once a year for leaks and proper operating pressure to insure safe operation. DO NOT SERVICE OR MAINTAIN YOUR LP GAS SYSTEM YOURSELF!!

Be sure your RV is properly winterized. If you are unsure of procedures check with us. Don't pour antifreeze into your fresh water tank to run it through the pump into your water system. Even when the tank is drained there remains some water in the bottom of the tank which mixes with the antifreeze and lessens its protection level. Also the antifreeze will be very difficult to flush out in the Spring and will taint the taste of your drinking water. Do not forget to de-winterize the unit before using it in the spring.

Keep your batteries charged through periods of inactivity. Remove for storage in cold winter climates. Efficiency and longevity depend on batteries being kept in a good state of charge especially in cold weather. NOTE: Many people do not know that automobile batteries give off hydrogen as they are charged and can explode. Ventilate to ensure your safety.

Have your wheel bearings checked annually, whether you've used your RV or not, or every 12,000 miles whichever comes first. Accumulation of moisture from inactivity will damage them just as quickly as wear from heavy usage. They may not need repacking every year, but to be safe on your next trip they need to be checked. Buddy Bearing grease caps are a good idea for boat trailers that go into the water, but you still need to have your bearings checked, cleaned, and repacked. Be careful with the Bearing Buddy cap, as too much grease can cause your wheel seal to fail. Even EZ-Lube or Ultra Lube bearings need to be manually checked for wear and debris. These bearings have a port or access for extra grease to escape so you don't damage your seal.

Overloading the tires and low tire pressure are major causes of tire failure. Poor weight distribution and taking advantage of all of the storage space offered on today’s RV’s can result in tire overloads. Load the vehicle with everything you plan to take on a trip including passengers, cargo, fuel, full fresh water and propane tanks and weigh it on a platform scale. If you tow something behind the RV take it to the scales with you. It is possible to not exceed the GVWR, GAWR or GCWR, but exceed the tire ratings. This is why you MUST weigh each axle end separately to determine if tire ratings are exceeded and if the loaded weight is properly distributed.

The main factor in preserving the life of your RV is to maintain its water tightness. The best place to start is the roof. You should check the condition of your roof seal in the Spring and in the Fall. Closely inspect the roof sealant condition on every protruding fixture on the roof. Any cracks or thin spots can be touched up with the appropriate material. If the roof sealant is peeling or flaking in any way, then the old coating must be physically removed and replaced. A tiny leak on the roof will turn into a major problem within the structure of the RV. Even a small leak can become costly if you have to replace the wall, floor, or roof.