Repairs I have done to our Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel Trailer
This year, I picked up a simple mechanical rope winch as a backup for our boat’s anchor windlass. With 30 meters of heavy chain and a 44-pound anchor, retrieving everything by hand is tough if the motor or gearbox fails. I figured I could hook the winch at the stern and pull from the bow … Read more
In this video, I diagnose and repair my faulty RV 12VDC freshwater pump. Turns out the microswitch, part of the water pump’s pressure switch assembly, was intermittent. A new inexpensive microswitch solved the problem. Installation was straightforward, only requiring unscrewing 4 screws to access and replace.
In this video, I check out the Topdon TC004 Mini thermal imaging camera. It’s a compact, budget-friendly option. I’ve used their Tornado 30000 battery charger before and love it. I have also tested other thermal imagers on the boat to spot hot spots in wiring, monitor the diesel engine, and more. They are super handy … Read more
Recently, I tackled some routine maintenance on my trailer. I started by jacking up one wheel with a 20-ton bottle jack under the U-clamps—something I’ve done for years without issues, even though RV makers suggest using the I-beam frame. I took off one wheel at a time, cleaned them up, and pulled the brake drums … Read more
Today, I continued maintenance on my nearly 14-year-old Cougar RV, tackling some cracked decals that have been slowly deteriorating. Over time, I’ve removed several of these swooshes using elbow grease, mineral spirits, Goo Gone, isopropyl alcohol, plastic razors, and a heat gun set to a gentle setting to soften the vinyl without damaging the fiberglass. … Read more
I use West Systems’ G/Flex 655 thickened epoxy to repair hairline cracks in my RV waste tanks. This product is ideal because it doesn’t drip, has a low odor, and retains some flexibility. First, I roughened it with a sanding stone on my Dremel tool and cleaned the tank surface really well. Then, I applied … Read more
In this video, I will detail how I replaced my non-working black tank sprayer nozzle. Over the years, it can clog from hard water deposits and debris. I’ve pulled it out and cleaned it before but this time I thought I would swap it out for a brand new part. The OEM installed a flushing … Read more
Today, I decided to tackle some plumbing maintenance on my RV, specifically focusing on a leak I noticed around my water heater connections. Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen some weeping where the plastic meets the metal on both the hot and cold connections. This issue became apparent because I mostly boondock, using my … Read more
I tackled a little maintenance project on my RV. I noticed that the slide wiper seal on the top was completely falling apart due to its age – this trailer’s almost 14 years old now. I had previously replaced the secondary bulb seal a couple of years ago because it had failed from too much … Read more
I have a handy new tool to add to my collection: a thermal imaging camera from Kaiweets. I also have their digital multimeter and clamp-on ammeter. The thermal imaging camera will help me quickly check temperatures on things like engines, wheels, electrical equipment, and appliances. It is also another tool for troubleshooting and repairing problems. … Read more
The other day, I discovered a thin crack in the shower pan of our 2011 Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. As a temporary measure, I applied a good helping of G/Flex 650 Epoxy around it to stop any leak and keep the crack from spreading further. I used it to repair cracked waste holding tanks over … Read more
As we started our snowbird journey south, we ran into a hiccup on the first day in the USA. After crossing from Victoria, BC, to Port Angeles, Washington, we were heading down Highway 101 along the Hood Canal when a warning message appeared on the dashboard. “Check Trailer Brake System”. Also, “Service Trailer Brake System” … Read more
Recently, I performed a minor repair to our Dometic 310 RV toilet in our 2011 Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. First, I replace the flush valve that has been letting too much water into the bowl after a flush. This is annoying when we are off-grid camping and trying to conserve water and tank capacity. While … Read more
In this video, I replace squeaky white RV 1/4 turn shower faucets with new brushed nickel ones from Dura Faucet. Then show how to fix the squeak and explain the anti-siphon valve, which causes dripping for a brief period after the taps are turned off. Overall the job was quick and relatively straightforward, requiring few … Read more
The other day, I replaced the 12-year-old 7-pin towing cable on my Keystone Cougar fifth wheel. I elected to buy a new one that includes a plastic junction box with wire grommets and ring terminal connectors. In this video, I show you how I replaced the old cable with the new cable. I also tested … Read more