RV engine and mechanics Archives - RV Inspection And Care

RV Costs For Maintaining And Repairing An RV

This article is about the RV costs associated with owning, maintaining and repairing an RV.

And of course, many people buy RVs because they’re trying to save on vacation costs. So it’s often a budget thing that gets them into RVing.

And they have a budget for pretty much everything. That is, except for maintenance and repairs of the RV they intend to buy.

**Many people budget in advance for owning an RV**

Very often, they have figured out the monthly payments, insurance, fuel and camping costs.

But maintenance and repairs on their future RV? Well, that’s kind of nebulous and more difficult to nail down.

Watch my video on how to save on RV costs

Can You Project The Costs Of Owning An RV?

But RV maintenance and repairs can be a very significant annual cost for some RVers.

And of course, I can’t give you exact figures on what it’s going to cost you personally.

Because it will depend on the quality of the RV you have. And on the number of amenities and luxuries in it.

Also, it will depend to a large degree on how you care for your RV over the years too. In fact, that’s a big one!

But there’s several other factors as well. So what we can conclude is that it’s hard to give an exact figure that fits all situations.

A Good Source For Projecting RV Costs

But Wholesale Warranties has created an infographic that can be helpful.

Because I believe that it helps folks get a feel for many of the repair costs on an RV. By showing them what those costs could be before they buy.

And why am I turning to Wholesale Warranties for this information? Well, it’s because RV repairs is what their business is really all about.

That’s because they provide service contracts for RV buyers after their factory warranty expires.

So let’s take a look at what they say about RV repair costs overall and what you could expect.

Repair And Maintenance Costs For Motorhomes

And first of all, let’s look at a graphic they made on motorhome repair costs. Just look at the image below for that information.

**The projected costs for repairing parts of a motorhome**

Now taking a look at that, let’s go up to the upper left hand side of the graphic. And we’ll cover each component by going clockwise.

So let’s start with heating first. And you can see that their projection is that expenses could be $300 to $1,500 in repairs.

Moving on to the next item, they project repair costs on slide out rooms to be $500 to $1700.

Well, honestly I feel like that could even be a little low in some cases. But next up is refrigerators at $600 to $3500 for repair costs.

Then roof AC’s are about the same amount at $600 to $3500. But then we get to the transmission in a motorhome. And that can be significant!

In fact, repairs there can run $1,900 to $12,000 depending on the kind of motorhome you have.

Then the dash air conditioning in a motorhome could be $700 to $3,800.

More RV Costs Associated With Owning A Motorhome

And now, just take a look at engine repair costs. Once again this is a biggie!

And that is especially true if it’s a big diesel engine. In fact, repairs could range from $1,400 to $30,000. That could be a huge expense for anyone!

Next up is the braking components on a motorhome. And that could be $500 to $2500 to repair.

The repairs on the fuel system can range from $600 to $3400. And the leveling system repairs can go from $500 to $2,000.

Then there’s the waste system that can cost $400 to $3,400 to repair.

And finally, what if you have an installed generator in your motorhome? Well, that could run anywhere from $400 to $4,000 for repairs.

Is This All The Possible Repairs You May Have To Make?

Now one thing I want to mention here is that this is a very good overall layout for the general components of an RV motorhome.

But keep in mind that this is not all of your possible expenses on a motorhome.

Because there could be also expenses for water leak repairs. Or for replacing your tires regularly.

Or for replacing awnings, and so on. So what we have covered are just some of the major expenses that an RV motorhome can incur.

But I do feel that the graphic provides a pretty good breakdown on the major RV components.

Also notice that there’s a wide range of costs found for each listed component.

That’s because you can’t really nail down something specific for each situation.

There is a lot of variance in repair costs depending on what went wrong.

However I do feel that this graphic is useful. Because it helps you compare repair costs from one component of the RV to another.

So it could be a good idea to use the lower figures they’re giving here as a base for RV repairs.

Or you might choose to use a mid-range of figures in this graphic instead to produce your budget.

And then spread those costs over the years you plan on owning your RV.

RV Costs Associated With Owning A Towable RV

OK, let’s move along to towable RVs like fifth wheels and travel trailers now.

And of course they do not include the engine and drivetrain that motorhomes have.

So let’s take a look at the Wholesale Warranties graphic for those kind of RVs now. Just view the image below for that information.

**RV costs for repairing and maintaining a towable RV**

So when you look at this graphic you’re going to notice something right away.

And that is that the costs associated with the house or the RV part of the towable is very similar to the costs of the house part of a motorhome.

That’s because they are similar in makeup. However what you don’t see in this graphic is the engine and drivetrain costs.

But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still there. And why is that?

Where Are The Engine And Drivetrain Costs With Towable RVs?

Simply because those costs are transferred to the tow vehicle for a towable RV. And that’s often a truck of some type.

Now some feel that towable RVs are less expensive to maintain and repair than motorhomes.

However, you can see that often doesn’t take into account the cost of the tow vehicle’s repairs and maintenance as well.

So you need to add the tow vehicle’s costs in along with your towable RV.

And when you do, the repair and maintenance costs are pretty similar to motorhomes.

But there are a couple of factors that impact maintenance and repair costs.

And these factors are under your control. So let’s talk about that now.

A Huge Factor In Managing RV Costs

One of them is the size of RV that you choose. Because the bigger the RV you have, generally the more expense there’s going to be to care for it.

And the more luxury items and amenities in it, the more there is to go wrong.

For instance, the more slides you have, or the bigger slides you have, the more expense to repair them.

Also, what if you have an RV that has a lot of advanced technology in it?

Well, if a lot of things are controlled digitally in your RV, you may not be able to repair it yourself.

Instead, it may cost you to have someone who’s experienced and knowledgeable to make that repair.

So let me give you a few words of wisdom to remember here about RV costs.

And that is, generally speaking, usually the simpler and the smaller the RV is, the less costs you’re going to have to repair and maintain it.

The Costs Of Owning A Large RV

Now the most expensive RVs are often Class A diesel pushers like I own.

In fact, I made a video on that subject a little while back. And I showed how that I had made a projected budget for my repair costs.

However, I found that my projected budget was seriously low. It didn’t really match the actual RV costs that I encountered.

So I feel that it would be good for you view that video and see how that turned out. And you can view it by clicking here or on the image below.

**The expenses associated with repairing and maintaining my personal Class A diesel pusher**

Now the least expensive RVs cost-wise are usually small travel trailers. Ones with just the camping basics built into them.

**Smaller travel trailers are usually the least expensive RV to own**

So if RV costs could be a problem for your budget, decide what size RV will fit your budget. And maybe a smaller one will be best for you.

OK, now let’s talk a little bit about how to keep RV repair and maintenance costs down as much as possible.

The Best Way To Keep RV Repair Costs Low

And the number one thing you can do here is to learn how to repair most things on an RV yourself.

Now here’s the good news. Roughly 80% of things that go wrong on RVs can be fixed by the average owner with a little bit of knowledge.

And that kind of RV repair knowledge can often be found on YouTube these days.

If you do that, it can save you the big expensive hourly rates for labor that an RV facility is going to charge you on those repairs.

How You Can Prevent Many Large RV Repair Bills

Next up is to do your RV maintenance tasks on schedule. Don’t let them slide, or procrastinate them!

By doing that, you will help prevent many major RV problems that could be costly.

OK, let’s move on to number three on the list of ways to keep RV costs low.

How To Manage RV Costs With A Service Contract

And that is, if you want to manage your RV repair costs, you might consider getting a service contract for your RV.

This is also what some people refer to as an extended warranty. And that will help you cover the major repair costs that could come up.

Now personally, I think this makes most sense for those who own more complex and bigger RVs.

And that’s for the simple reason that they have more things to go wrong that could be expensive to repair.

So here I am going to recommend Wholesale Warranties as a good place to start.

**I recommend Wholesale Warranties for RV service contracts**

And a good reason for that is they have a great reputation among the full-time RVing community.

A Word About Saving Money At RV Repair Facilities

But I also recommend that you choose a highly rated repair facility that’s nearby.

First of all, make sure you can trust them. Then establish a relationship and try to do your business with them exclusively.

Because that way they get to know you, and you get to know them well too. So it eventually becomes a working relationship.

And over the course of time, that kind of thing can lead to their saving you money on RV repairs and maintenance.

Conclusion

Well I hope these tips that I’ve given you will be helpful in managing your RV costs.

And I hope they will help you keep your repair and maintenance costs on your RV as low as possible.

Have safe and happy RV travels!

The Best RV Batteries For Both The House And Chassis

This article is going to be talking about choosing the best RV batteries for both the house and chassis. And about what will fit your needs best.

And first of all, let’s suppose you have a towable RV like a fifth wheel or a travel trailer.

Then most likely you just have house batteries in your RV. And that’s all you need to focus on.

But if you have a motorhome, very likely you’re going to have both kinds of batteries. You’ll have chassis batteries and house batteries.

Watch my video on the best RV batteries to choose

Differences Between RV House And Chassis Batteries

So let’s explain the difference right away. House batteries are designed to run all the electrical needs in your RV when you’re not plugged in to shore power.

And they are designed to do that for a good long period of time as well.

But on the other hand, chassis batteries are designed mainly to start the RV engine. And then keep it running down the highway.

So what kind of batteries then do you need for the chassis in a motorhome?

The Best RV Batteries For A Motorhome Chassis

Well, actually they’re very similar to a car or auto battery. But they’re much more powerful.

Because what you need from them is a lot of cold cranking amps to get that engine started. Usually within two to five seconds or so.

And that’s often going to take around 1000 cold cranking amps or even more.

You see, those kinds of batteries have more plates in them. But they’re thinner plates.

So what that means is that you get a lot of power at once. But it doesn’t sustain that power level for a very long period of time.

Replacing RV Chassis Batteries

Now what happens when replacement is needed for your chassis batteries? And they all eventually need replacement.

Then I recommend that you use the batteries you already had in the chassis.

In other words, if the motorhome came from the factory with a battery in it, it’s a pretty good chance you need to go back with that kind of battery.

And very often you can get the information you need for replacement right off the battery itself.

But you also could consult your RV owner’s manual too. Very often they’ll tell you just what you need to get for your motorhome.

Of course, to make it simple, you also could just disconnect the battery. Then take it down to a local auto parts store and show it to them.

And very often they’ll know exactly what you need. And there’s a good chance they will have exactly what you need in stock.

But if they don’t, they can often get their hands on it in short order too.

The Best RV Batteries – Which Chassis Brands To Choose?

Now what about the best brands to choose from when you’re buying an RV chassis battery?

Well, in my case, I have used NAPA batteries quite a bit. And I’ve had very good success with their batteries too.

But I’ve also heard very good things about Interstate batteries in general as well.

Best RV Batteries - which RV chassis battery brands should you choose? — **Best RV Batteries – which RV chassis battery brands should you choose?**

The Best RV Batteries For The House

OK, now let’s talk about house batteries. And these are much more complicated to choose from.

Because what you choose really depends on what you want to accomplish with them.

Now there’s a lot of different kinds of batteries that could be used as RV house batteries.

But we’re going to talk about three main kinds of house batteries in use today.

Ones that are commonly used to power the RV’s house electrical needs. Especially when you’re not plugged in to shore power.

Now let me say this first. All of these kinds of batteries that I’m going to discuss will do the job.

But they all have pros and cons you need to consider.

RV House Battery Choice #1 – The Pros

So let’s start with the least expensive battery that you can get. And that is the flooded lead acid (FLA) battery.

A typical flooded lead acid RV battery — **A typical flooded lead acid type of RV battery**

It comes in both 12 volt versions and 6 volt versions. But with the 6 volt batteries, you have to use two of them together to make 12 volts.

And they’re often referred to as golf cart batteries because they are often used for that purpose.

Their plates are thicker, and therefore they often last longer for constant use. And that’s why golf courses love using them.

But first, let’s talk about the pros of FLA batteries. And the first pro is that they are the cheapest battery out there to buy.

So you can find them in a lot of places and you can often buy them at a great price too.

But they’re also rugged. And they can stand up to almost anything and keep on going.

So they’re very reliable and proven technology that’s been used for years and years.

And they’ll last somewhere around 500 discharge cycles on average.

What that means is discharging them all the way down and then charging them up again.

What Are The Cons Of RV Battery Choice #1?

So what are the cons? Well there’s several cons. And one of the big ones is that they are usually very heavy.

So if you have a bank of 2, 3, 4 or more of these, it’s really a lot of weight to put in your RV. And you have be sure your rig can handle that weight.

Now the other thing is that they off-gas a lot. They put off noxious and toxic fumes in the charging and discharging process.

So you can’t just put flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries inside your RV with you in most cases. In fact, it’s dangerous to do that.

And even if you put them in the RV’s outside compartment, make sure that it’s well ventilated.

Another con is that they’re going to need constant maintenance. It’s called “watering the batteries”.

That means that they have to have the water inside replenished regularly as it evaporates.

So that’s a constant thing you have to remind yourself to do if you own FLA batteries.

Another Big Disadvantage Of These Batteries

Also you really only get about half the power potential of the battery in real world use.

So for instance, when you have a rated 100 amp hour battery, actually you can only use about 50 amp hours out of it.

Because if you discharge the battery down below 50 percent, you could do damage to the battery.

And if you consistently do that you will shorten the life of the battery considerably.

So that means therefore that you really only have about half of the battery’s potential. And that’s all you can make use of for your RV.

So you have to often have a bank of several FLA batteries to get the job done.

The Best RV Batteries – The Pros Of Choice #2

OK, let’s move on to our second kind of battery. And that’s an AGM battery, or absorbent glass mat battery.

**The Best RV Batteries – Absorbent Glass Mat batteries**

Now it’s actually still a type of flooded lead acid (FLA) battery. But there’s no liquid in it.

In this case, what they’re using instead is cell matting material in all of the battery cells. And it works very well for RVing purposes.

So now let’s talk a little bit about the pros and cons of AGM batteries.

And the first pro is that it’s mostly maintenance free and that’s a great feature that a lot of RVers love.

That means no more watering batteries on a regular basis to replace lost fluid. And it’s spill-proof too.

So they can often be installed in more places and not always in upright positions.

Also, there’s less off-gassing of toxic and noxious fumes as well. So clearly we’re moving in the right direction with this kind of RV house battery.

And you sometimes can discharge those batteries a little bit farther too. At least more than most liquid filled flooded lead acid batteries and still be okay.

Also, they’ll usually last longer too. In fact, they last roughly on average about 1000 discharge and charge cycles. Which is pretty good.

The Cons Of Choosing Battery #2

OK, now let’s move on to the cons about AGM batteries. And the big con is they are more expensive than liquid flooded lead acid batteries.

Also, they’re more sensitive to over-charging too. So you have to be very careful with them and make sure you have a quality AGM battery charger.

Now let’s move on to our last type of battery that we’re going to talk about in this article.

The Best RV Batteries – The Pros Of Choice #3

And it’s the LifePO4 lithium battery which is becoming much more popular now for RV use. In fact, we are starting to see them quite a bit.

**Many consider the lithium battery to be the best RV batteries overall**

So what are the pros? Well there’s a long list of pros because they really solve a lot of the issues of the first two kinds of batteries we talked about.

First of all, they are much lighter. So you can have a bank of these batteries and not really be adding as much weight to your RV.

Also, there’s essentially no maintenance to them either. And isn’t that nice? You just install them and let them do their job.

Also, there’s no off-gassing involved with RV LifePO4 lithium batteries. And that’s really great!

In fact, many RVers put these batteries right inside the house itself. You know, in a compartment inside the RV.

And that’s just fine because they don’t cause any toxic fumes that can harm people.

More Advantages Of RV Battery Choice #3

Now here’s a big pro. They can be discharged close to 100% of the rated battery power.

So you’re getting practically the full use of the power that’s stored in the battery. That’s a huge weight and space saver for RVers!

And they also charge faster as well. So they tend to bounce back quicker during the charge process.

And here’s a big one. They last a long time. In fact, they usually last between 3000 – 5000 discharge and charge cycles.

That is a very long time and way beyond the capabilities of most FLA batteries.

The Cons Of Choosing Battery #3

So what are the cons then? Well the big one is the cost! And yes, they really do cost quite a bit more than the other batteries I’ve covered.

Now just a few years ago they were pretty much $1000 per battery. But they’ve become a little more affordable at this point.

However, the cost is still more much more than either common flooded lead acid or AGM batteries.

Another con is that there’s a good chance you might need an upgraded charger at the same time that you switch to these batteries.

Because if the RV came from the factory with flooded lead acid batteries in it, very often the charger will not charge lithium batteries like it should.

And lithium RV batteries require a very specific charging process to protect the battery.

So suppose you make a complete switch of a bank of batteries you have in your RV’s house.

Well then, you may be not only replacing the batteries. But you might be replacing the charger as well and that’s an added expense.

More Cons Of Choosing RV Battery #3

Now the last con for lithium batteries is that there can be challenges for charging them in cold weather.

So in most cases you shouldn’t do it below freezing or you could damage the battery.

But of course, you could have them installed inside the RV and keep them warm that way.

And lately more and more of these lithium batteries are being made with internal heating systems. And that resolves much of that issue.

OK, so those are the pros and the cons of both house and chassis RV batteries.

Which Kind Of Battery Should You Choose?

Now let’s talk about who should choose what kind of battery for their RVing needs.

So let’s suppose that you are an RVer that’s usually found in RV parks and campgrounds. And you are most often hooked up to shore power.

Well in that case, you really don’t use your batteries all that much to run the electric components in your RV.

Because your electric needs are mostly being met by the campground power connection.

So common flooded lead acid batteries will work really well for you. And that’s especially true if you’re on a budget.

So what about AGM batteries? Well essentially they work best for the same kind of RVers.

You know, people that are in RV parks and campgrounds most of the time. Especially those that have a little bit more money to spend.

And as a result, they can afford to buy a battery that doesn’t require much maintenance.

Now who’s best for lithium LifePO4 RV batteries? Well those are great for RV boondockers.

For people who spend the majority of their time unplugged from shore power. And especially for those that enjoy a lot of off-road RVing.

Also, for those who have solar installed on their RV since lithium batteries can maximize the use of the sun’s power.

But they’re also a great choice for any RVer who can afford the higher cost of those batteries.

Now one thing needs to be said at this point. And that is the cost is certainly initially more for lithium RV batteries.

But consider the fact that they last much longer than the other kinds of batteries.

So then, the lifetime cost actually equalizes quite a bit between the various battery types.

Conclusion

Well, I hope that what I’ve covered here today in this article will help you choose the best RV batteries for both the RV house and chassis.

Have safe and happy RV travels!

Cummins Onan RV Generators – Are They The Best You Can Buy?

This article is about Cummins Onan RV generators. Are they really as good as so many people claim?

And if you have one, how do you take care of it and maintain it to make it last?

Watch my video on Cummins Onan RV generators

Why A Generator Is A Good Thing To Have

Now if you do a lot of boondocking, a generator is often considered to be essential equipment in your RV.

**A generator is a great piece of equipment to have when boondocking**

And that’s true even if you have a lot of solar equipment installed. Especially on some of the hotter days in the summertime.

That’s when you’re going to be very happy that you can run your roof air conditioners to stay comfortable.

And when you do, you’re going to need a generator to run them for any length of time.

Because there are periods where you could go days without much sunshine.

And when that happens the effectiveness of your solar power system is really diminished.

Do You Really Need A Generator In RV Parks?

But even if you mostly stay in RV parks and campgrounds, a generator can still be very helpful.

**Cummins Onan RV generators can even be useful in RV parks too**

Especially in those times when the power goes out in the park or campground you are in.

In fact, we’ve had that happen a lot to us in our travels. And when it did, we were happy that we had a generator on hand.

Also, maybe you’re just traveling somewhere and you decide to stop and stay overnight. And you choose a spot that’s not in a park or campground.

Well then, a generator will make that so much more pleasant and comfortable.

What Size Generator Should You Have For Your RV?

Now for many RVers, if you have a 30 amp service in your RV, a portable inverter generator will work just fine for you.

**Many 30 amp RVs can be served well by a portable inverter generator**

But what about larger RVs? What about RVs like diesel pusher motorhomes? Or a Super C, or larger fifth wheels and so on?

Well, many of them have 50 amp electrical services installed in their RV.

So what happens if you want to run everything in that RV? Like you do when you’re hooked up to shore power?

In that case, you’re probably going to need a larger generator. One that’s capable of supplying the needs of a 50 amp RV.

**Larger RVs are often served best by a larger Cummins Onan diesel generator**

And that is where Cummins Onan RV generators really shine.

What You Should Know About Cummins Onan RV Generators

So now let’s talk just a little bit about the company itself. Onan has been making generators since 1926.

And that means that they’re coming up on a hundred years of making generators.

Cummins bought them in 1986. So they have had ownership for almost 40 years now.

And at this point, Cummins Onan has 85 percent or so of the market share of generators in RVs. Wow, that is really an impressive statistic!

And these days, if you buy a new motorhome or a larger fifth wheel, the chances are that you’re going to find a Cummins Onan RV generator in it.

So the question is, why are they so popular? And why do manufacturers like them so much?

Well, let’s find out about the pros of Cummins Onan RV generators first.

Cummins Onan Generators – Pro #1

And the first pro is that they are relatively quiet. So what do I mean by relatively quiet?

Well honestly, smaller inverter generators may be quieter decibel wise.

However, when you run a Cummins Onan generator, you’ll notice that the tone that it puts out is very low.

So an inverter generator may have fewer decibels with the overall sound it creates.

But the sound that comes from the Cummins generator may not be as noticeable to most people.

So that’s why they are what I call relatively quiet.

Cummins Onan Pro #2

Now the second pro is about maintaining your Cummins Onan RV Generator.

And if you do, they are super reliable, and they will last an incredibly long time.

In fact, a Cummins Onan generator will probably outlast the RV that they are installed in. And that’s an amazing thing to be able to say!

Cummins Onan Pro #3 – What About Repairs?

Now the third pro is that if you have to work on them, parts are usually readily available.

Also, you can find repair facilities and technicians almost anywhere in the country.

Of course, there’s lots of Cummins facilities that you could use for service and repairs.

But there’s also quite a few independent facilities and repair techs that can work on Cummins Onan generators too.

So if you need a repair on your Cummins Onan generator, it shouldn’t be a major problem to find a service tech who can handle the job.

Cummins Onan Diesel Generators Pro #4 and 5

OK, our next pro is that they’re very flexible. They can come in diesel versions, gasoline versions, and even LP versions.

Cummins Onan RV generators come in a variety of sizes and versions

And that leads us into pro number five. That it is that they make it very convenient for you as an RV owner.

Because often, they have a remote start. And that means that you don’t have to go out and start the generator manually when you need power.

Especially like you very often have to do with many portable inverter generators.

Also, they’re usually able to run off the fuel that you already have in your RV.

So for instance, we have a diesel pusher motorhome. And our Cummins Onan generator runs off the diesel that’s in our fuel tank.

And as long as we’re above a quarter tank of fuel, it just keeps running along nicely.

So I don’t have to even think about carrying fuel for the generator. Not unless my motorhome’s fuel tank gets down to that quarter tank mark.

And that’s very convenient as many RVers struggle to find space for generator fuel.

Well, those are all good things about Cummins Onan RV generators.

Cummins Onan Diesel Generators Con #1

Now what about the cons? Well, the number one con of a Cummins Onan generator is that they are big. And they are also very heavy.

So that means that they can’t be moved around like a portable inverter generator.

And so, that is something you have to plan for if your generator was not installed at the factory.

Cummins Onan Con #2

Now the number two con is they usually need lots of space in your RV.

**A Cummins Onan RV generator can be very large and require a lot of space**

Now we all know that space and weight is at a premium in most any RV.

So you’ve got to find somewhere to put that Cummins Onan RV generator.

A spot where it will be in its permanent location from then on. And that can be a challenge in some rigs.

Cummins Onan RV Generator Con #3

OK, the third con is that they have to be exercised regularly. Yes, if you’re going to get good service out of them you need to use them.

And that is especially true of the diesel and gas versions that you often see in RVs.

Cummins Onan Con #4 – What About Cost?

OK, the final con we’re going to talk about is that they can be costly to replace.

Oh yes, even the smaller Cummins Onan RV generators will start around $3000.

And they can go up to almost $15,000 for the bigger units. For the 12,000 watt generators and so on.

But there is a flip side of that too. Because remember I said that usually they outlast the RV they’re installed in.

So you don’t have to replace them very often. However, if you do need to replace one, you definitely will have a serious expense then.

The Results Of My List Of Pros And Cons

Well, that’s my list of both the advantages and disadvantages of Cummins Onan generators.

So I invite you to just compare the pros and the cons that we’ve covered in this article.

And if you do, I think you’ll agree that Cummins Onan generators really are a great choice for many RVers.

There’s a lot of really good points on the positive side of this subject.

And I would say, there are more pros than there are cons for most RVers. Especially if you have a larger RV with lots of power hungry equipment.

Cummins Onan RV Generators Maintenance

OK, now let’s talk a little bit about maintenance. So how do you keep these big generators going?

And the number one thing I talked about earlier is to exercise them. And that means you have to use them regularly to keep them in good shape.

A Cummins Onan diesel generator will need to be exercised regularly

In fact, about once a month you need to crank up that generator and run it.

In addition to that, you need to put it under an electrical load too. So what do I mean by that?

Well, you need an electrical draw that’s pulling a lot of power to exercise them properly. And that will make the generator really work.

Now to do that, you could turn on an air conditioner or two in the RV.

And if you do that, you’ll definitely get that generator working. But you could also use the electric element in your water heater too.

Or electric hair dryers. You know, things along that line that pull a lot of electrical current.

Yes, you need to get that generator up and really humming along to exercise it properly.

And if you do that for a couple of hours or so, then you can turn those items off and let it cool down.

Once again, this should be done about once a month when you’re not using the generator regularly.

Cummins Onan Maintenance Schedule

Now the next thing you need to do to maintain them is watch the maintenance schedules.

Especially for things like oil filters, air filters and spark arrestors. All of those need to be given attention fairly regularly.

So whatever your manual from Cummins Onan tells you to do for your generator, follow that very carefully.

And then there are also some items that need to be taken care of on a basis that’s a little bit longer.

Things like flushing the coolant and changing your fuel filter, and so on. You need to be religious about caring for those things on time.

Do not neglect a Cummins Onan RV generator. Instead, make sure that you take care of it throughout its life of service.

And replace the items that need to be replaced as they come up. Also, keep a record of what you’ve done and stay on schedule.

If you maintain your generator properly, you can expect it to work well for many years.

Who Should Maintain Your Cummins Onan Generator?

Now some of the tasks that you can do on Cummins Onan generators can actually be done by do-it-yourselfers.

And that means all of you guys out there that know your way around engines.

So if you love tools and working on things, well there’s nothing super difficult about maintaining a Cummins Onan Generator for you.

But for the vast majority of the rest of us? Probably, maintaining and repairing your Cummins Onan generator is best done by qualified repair techs instead.

Ones that are familiar with Cummins Onan repair and maintenance needs.

In fact, there’s a few things that even I don’t try to tackle when it comes to my RV.

Now I’ll do a lot of the things that have to be done for maintenance. But when it comes to the chassis and the generator, I’m going to let the pros do it instead.

Of course, that’s just my personal decision about performing maintenance on my generator. But it’s up to you to decide how you want to do it.

Conclusion

OK, here’s my final statement on Cummins Onan RV generators.

Personally, I love our 7500 watt diesel generator. It has worked so well and it has been so reliable for us in our travels.

In fact, we haven’t had the first problem with it in our ownership of the RV.

So for me, I personally believe that Cummins Onan generators really are just as good as so many people claim they are.

And I highly recommend them to others who need a plentiful and reliable source of power for their RV.

As always, have safe and happy travels my friends!