RV Maintenance Courses - worth it?

[Rixey & Jeff]

Hello, we are newish at full time RV living (just a few months) and have a '22 38' ft 3231 CK. We are learning as we go and we're ok with that; so far there have been no repair issues with the rig (my holding tanks even read empty when I dump! ) I see that the National RV Training Academy offers at-home courses, both basic and advanced, in RV maintenance and repair. The costs seem reasonable. Has anyone availed themselves to this program, and what is your opinion? Thanks

[Foldbak]

It certainly worthwhile to be educated on maintaining your rig. If you full time and it doesn't move, you will have a different maintenance schedule then if you took it on the road often.
You can learn everything you need to know online through keystone, Lippert and YouTube.
But for $200 buck it might be worth it.
https://rvtechcourse.com/
I just went down the rabbit hole and found so many companies and videos. Careful, I found one that charges $49 per video and they have like 50.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fift...zKvZ7M5d0,st:0

[DutchmenSport]

Some time ago, I down loaded a PDF called, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association / Recreation Vehicle / Study Guide for Registered Technician.

It covers just about everything and gives lots of study questions with answers at the end. It explains a lot of stuff, covers a wide range of topics.

Unfortunately, I cannot locate it on the internet any more. RVIA might have closed it down for "general consumption", and probably made it available for those who pay for the classes and seek the certification.

It's a great guide, like I said, covers every topic imaginable with a summary. I occasionally take that guide, select a specific topic, and go out and watch the YouTube videos and search on line for more information.

If you are already familiar with electricity, plumbing, carpentry, auto mechanics, appliance repair, it is a great help. Otherwise, the information (list) is really overwhelming.

I don't know if you can find that resource on line, but you could make your own list and seek out each item. I find, when a repair is needed on my camper, then is the time to seek out that specific repair item, study it out, and then do the repair myself. I don't need to know "everything", I just need to know what I need at that moment!

For me, it works.

Because it seems to be impossible to access that document any more, here's just a small sample from the document. It's really detailed... 70 pages worth of stuff:

RV Registered Technician Core Standards Chart
A. PROPANE SYSTEMS
1 Comply with propane safety procedures
a Avoid propane contact with skin to prevent tissue damage
b
Avoid overfilling containers to prevent liquid from getting into propane
piping, liquid expansion, regulator damage and propane vapor release
c Use proper tools
d Maintain safe distance from ignition sources to avoid explosion and fire
e Wear proper protective clothing
--goggles
--specialized gloves
--hard soled shoes
f Properly store propane cylinders to avoid vapor build up
--open ventilated space
--proper orientation
--with valves closed and safety/dust caps installed

g Transport cylinders properly
2 Demonstrate general knowledge of propane
a Demonstrate knowledge of propane theory
--efficiency of propane based on ambient temperature and rate of vaporization
--area of wetted surface
--expansion rate of propane
--limits of combustibility to ensure proper air mixture
--container refrigeration
b Identify properties of propane
--boiling point
--specific gravity of vapor
--weight per gallon
--btu's per gallon
--chemical make-up (odor)
c Understand Boyle's Law and Pascal's Laws
--general definition
d Define common terms and identify components
--cylinder, tank, container
--butane
--propane
--inches of water column (w.c.)
--psig
--water capacity (w.c.)
--other terms in glossary
e Demonstrate knowledge of RV codes related to propane
--NFPA 1192
--CSA Z240
3 Inspect/maintain/replace propane containers and fittings
a Visually inspect container surface
--measure dents
--inspect for damage (e.g., secondary heat damage, drop damage, broken welds, etc.)
--inspect for surface rust
b Review the container data plate
--date of manufacture/cylinder recertification
--water capacity
--dip tube length (cylinder)
--tare weight (cylinder)
--manufacturer
--DOT and/or ASME specifications (e.g., container construction specifications)
--surface area
--serial number and registration number (Canadian)
c Inspect/install mountings and brackets
d Inspect/replace container relief valve
e Inspect/replace excess flow valve(s)
f Inspect/replace container service valves
g Inspect/replace 80% outage valve

h Inspect/replace fill valve/insure dip tube correct length
i Inspect/replace sight gauge and its float mechanism
j Inspect/replace OPD
k Inspect/adjust/replace regulator
--size regulators
--locate vent position
--adjust regulator
--replace regulator
--ensure required protection
l Inspect high pressure system
--POL and CGA791
--differentiate between green, black and blue mating connector knobs
--backflow check valves on automatic changeover
--quick disconnect (high pressure side)
--excess flow valve
--high pressure hose, piping, tubing and routing and support
--solenoid shut off valves
--pressure reduced to 30psi within 60" of container outlet
--differentiate between schedule 40 and schedule 80 pipe including proper use
m Purge containers per NPG standards
n Fill containers per NPG standards
o Transfer propane from one container to another container
p Burn off propane in a container
q Comply with safety procedures
5 Perform propane system tests
a Perform container and fitting leak tests
--use appropriate leak detector solution
--operate electronic gas leak detector b Perform system tests
--timed pressure drop test
--leak test ACME pigtail connection (backflow device) (cylinders only)
--lock up test
--system operating/demand pressure test
--regulator adjustment test
d Perform propane detector system test
e Calibrate manometer (gauge and U-tube)
f Complete proper documentation of test results
6 Troubleshoot propane system faults
f Diagnose and Repair container filling problems
g Diagnose and Repair container refrigeration situation


Part B covers the DC electric system
Part C covers the AC electric system
Part J covers the Interior components
Part L covers the Technical skills

Here's a portion of Part L:

L. TECHNICAL SKILLS
70 Install accessories (interior and exterior)
b Identify impact of adding accessories on chassis weight and distribution
e Comply with regulations regarding adding accessories
--maximum widths, heights, lengths, weights (Federal weight label
compliance)
71 Perform preventative maintenance
a Check propane systems
b Service and adjust appliances
c Test GFCI
d Winterize coach and de-winterize
e Check safety items
f Check and lubricate doors
g Check exterior lights
h Check window roof molding seals
i Change oil and filter on power plants
j Check wiper blades
k Visually inspect fluid levels
l Service batteries
m Inspect belts and hoses
n Change chassis oil and filter and lube chassis
o Change transmission oil, filter and gasket
p Visually inspect chassis
q Check lug nuts and tire pressure
r Flush and refill cooling system
s Test-drive
t Drain and flush water and waste systems


Here's the last 2 questions for study on the document:

291. Which of the following is not one of the three keys to making the repair?
A. Economics.
B. Quickness.
C. Correctness.
D. Cleanliness.
292. According to the TARP findings, customers who have their problems resolved tell an average of how many people?
A. 5
B. 10
C. 15
D. 20

Answers: 291 and 292 (both are "A")

Personally, if I were to take a course, I'd take the ones offered by RVIA. After all, they are the standard, everything else is just a copy of that.

[jsb5717]

Knowledge of how to take care of all the systems in your trailer is always beneficial. I think a person is better off with more knowledge rather than less...no matter where it comes from. Formal training, trial and error, or phone a friend are all viable ways to learn.

If your an inquiring mind that needs to know and the offered training appeals to you then I say go for it. The cost of one moble tech visit will pay for it.

[Rixey & Jeff]

Thank you, that's very helpful. I'm taking notes!

[Rixey & Jeff]

Wow that's a very detailed summary - thank you! I'm taking notes on all of these responses

[BB_TX]

You can never learn too much. The more you know the more you can do when situation arises.

But then, I think it also depends on the person’s prior knowledge and expertise. I did not take any RV courses. But by the time I bought my first RV at age 55 I had a lot of experience in electrical troubleshooting and repair, home plumbing repair, appliance repair and/or replacement, auto repair, etc. I just had to try everything myself before giving in. From a very early age if something stopped working and was to be discarded I would take it apart to learn how it worked and see if I could repair it. Supposedly curiosity killed the cat, but I survived. With that, forums like this, and endless web links to troubleshooting and how to videos, there is not much you can’t solve.

So again, there is certainly no downside to the RV courses if the cost is reasonably. But if you are already pretty handy, the on line resources can get you thru most anything.

[Rixey & Jeff]

Thanks - I appreciate the encouragement. I don't mind spending the time or the money as long as I'm getting some quality return.

[Carl n Susan]

DutchmenSport: It seems like you still have the PDF even though it is no longer to be found on the internet. Are you willing to upload the PDF to the MOC Files section so we all have a chance to utilize it?

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

DutchmenSport: It seems like you still have the PDF even though it is no longer to be found on the internet. Are you willing to upload the PDF to the MOC Files section so we all have a chance to utilize it?

Sure, I'll do that.

[DutchmenSport]

OK, I tried uploading it. The system said it uploaded. I tried immediately to download and I got a message back that I did not have permission to download it.

I then went "out" of the down load / up load area and came back in, and I cannot find the file. I'd like to make sure it uploaded OK, but where it went, I have no idea. I thought it was under "systems".

Here's the download link as it appeared after I did the "upload". But, again, I get the error, I don't have permission to down load.

Is there a wait time or something to do the down-load?

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...79c35545d5d960

[Carl n Susan]

Thanks DutchmenSport!! Yes, you tripped into one of those "approval" things. The upload doesn't appear to anyone until one of the Site Team "Approves" it. I was busy this afternoon and just got back to the forum and saw it. It has been approved. Don't ask me why these files need to be "approved" when one can post it in a discussion.
But thanks again for the contribution. I am sure it will be useful to all members. The more knowledge we can share, the better it is for everyone.

[Sr. Oso]

If you become a certified Keystone Technician, you can get paid by Keystone to fix any warranty repairs that come up on your camper. We met an indy RV tech in the southern states that worked on our Montana High Country that did just that. Could be very handy

[rpkittle1]

The RV Service Registered Technician Study Guide can be found at
https://www.rvda.org/RVTechnician/Tr...Resources.aspx or use the search term "Recreation Vehicle / Study Guide for Registered Technician" in Google. The more education you can get the better off you will be.

[jjwhite368]

With the quality of service techs in dealerships and the time delay once in a dealership to get repairs completed, the more you can do for yourself, the better.

[RicknTee]

$367 for all the textbooks. Sold as a set only.