Motorhome-101 A short course for the first time motorhome owner.

E-mails from visitors to my Classic RV Advocate Website often ask about "Owner's Manuals" for various older motorhomes. Folks ask this because the definition of "motorhome" is unclear.

I'll try to explain: What you have is not just one "thing."
You have many things, arranged into three major arenas:
(1) the motor (vehicle) - actually, a truck.
(2) the coach (the "home") and
(3) all the stuff inside or attached: Appliances and accessories.

Consider each of categories as a potential source of problems, independent of the other two. And now, let's deal with the easiest one first

Category # 2, the "home" bit.

Did you get an "Owner's Manual" with the street house you occupy? Not likely! When problems crop up with a house's floors, roof, plumbing . . . you either fix it yourself or call the appropriate expert. The same holds true for any motorhome coach that is past its warranty period. Based on what I read in RV magazines, it is also often true during the warranty period!

Category # 1, the "motor" part.

This is the chassis, drive train and other running gear. These are usually backed by the firm that manufactured the chassis, if they are still in business.

Trivia: The word "Chassis" (sha-see or cha-see) is the same in either singular or plural form. Don't ask me why; its probably the fault ot the French.

Fortunately there are often Parts Manuals and Repair Manuals available for chassis; both are important. In the case of our own Bye Way; (Dodge chassis, series "M" [for "Motorhome"] which they quit making in the '80s) both manuals are available. Morever, some parts are still in inventory somewhere within the vast Chrysler Parts System. Other parts come from various "junk yards" and friends (visit the Dodge Chassis Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Assoc. for more help.) Other chassis builders may or may not maintain parts inventories - all you can do is ask!

Category # 3, Appliances & Accessories

This group includes things like plumbing, toilets, water pumps, holding tanks, furnaces, cooking appliances . . . on and on. Like #2 (the coach) deal with these just as you handle problems with old appliances or household fixtures in a sticks-&-bricks house. Either find a repairman, buy a new replcement, ask the original maker (or their current reincarnation) for help, or D-I-Y (do it yourself.)

You can go on to other chapters in numerical order, or just explore - - -

Table of Contents

Chapter 2: Contemplating the spirit of the Motorhome

Chapter 3: Grasping the soul of the Motorhome

Chapter 4: Learning to love the Motorhome - while hating its parts .

Chapter 5: Shakespeare on Motorhome Maintenance

Chapter 6: "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"
(Shelly, Ozymandias 1.65)

Appendix 1: Links to further knowledge

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