One of the necessities of RV life is the daily maintenance of the sewer hose. When the sewer hose begins to leak, tear or wear thin, you can have a messy situation on your hands. Investing in a heavy-duty hose is a good idea unless you only RV a few days a year. But, when the hose leaks, keep the duct tape at bay and grab the adhesive.

If you know where the leak is, follow the simple instructions we’ve already discussed. Make sure the area you are working with is clean and dry. Apply a small amount of an adhesive, like Amazing GOOP RV, to the area.

When creating a waterproof seal, you need to build thin layers of adhesive to create a thick coating. Wait three to four hours between each application to ensure a proper seal.

Tip: Make sure to clean off the tip of your adhesive tube with a little acetone and apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to threads of tube before replacing cap!

Some other quick fixes possible with a flexible adhesive: repair tears in rubber roofs and awnings, seal leaking windows and shower drains and vents; permanently adhere molding and chrome; or if you like to be reminded of your trip to the UFO Capital of the World, Dundee, Wisconsin, you can stick mementos right to the roof or a tabletop in your RV.

So minimize unpleasant surprises on the road by preparing in advance with a few simple tools. After all, the road to the World’s Largest Potato, Driggs, Idaho, is a smoother when you’re ready for it. For more ideas about unique places to visit see Roadside America. And learn more about RV GOOP here.

[parts of this series originally appears in Escapees Magazine, November/December 2003]

Versatility is the key
A tear in the linoleum can be both unsightly and hazardous. But it’s easy to repair tears when you have the right tools. Look for a flexible adhesive that’s both water- and UV-resistant when repairing linoleum in a high traffic area.

Tip: Use a diluted vinegar solution to clean the part of the floor you are working with.

Apply a small amount of an adhesive like Amazing GOOP RV along the tear line and apply pressure to the linoleum to minimize the tear while the adhesive creates an initial bond. The adhesive can be spread with a putty knife or wooden Popsicle stick, and wipe away excess immediately. A full cure will take about 24 hours, depending on the surrounding temperature.

The same directions apply if you’re repairing an upholstery tear or a tear in any fabric.

Tip: Apply heat indirectly with a hair dryer set on “low” to decrease drying time.

Stay tuned for part 3, repairing a sewer hose. Should be good!

[parts of this series originally appears in Escapees Magazine, November/December 2003]

Some surprises are pleasant, like when you come across the World’s Largest Peanut in Ashburn, Georgia. Others, like a nasty tear in your sewer hose, a leak around a window, or a mirror getting knocked off, are not as pleasant.

A few simple tools, tricks and tips will help you repair minor problems on and in your RV without missing a second of your journey.

One of the simplest and least expensive, but probably most useful tools to have aboard is an industrial strength, one-part adhesive, like RV GOOP. (Some other tools to consider: a shovel and axe, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, some duct tape, flashlights and batteries, and leveling blocks.)

You’d be amazed, however, at how many annoying problems can be solved with a tube of contact adhesive and sealant. Look for a product that remains flexible after drying, is great for repairs that will weather a moving vehicle even over bumpy roads, is waterproof and good at permanently adhering two materials together, such as metal to glass.

I’ll take you through how to do three minor, but common RV repairs over three separate posts. Each has broad application, so you can use the same directions to repair a variety of surfaces. We’ll reattach auto trim, specifically a wayward reflector, next we’ll patch a tear in some linoleum, finally, we’ll mend a torn sewer hose.

Match adhesive to material
White glue like Elmer’s works great for paper-to-paper projects, an industrial strength crafters’ glue might be better for glass-to-glass, and no one has developed anything better for wood than carpenter’s wood glues. On your RV you have a variety of surfaces and often a repair will mean adhering two different surfaces together.

An adhesive that remains flexible when dry will provide maximum stick for your buck because it allows each surface to dry at its own rate. This is true when reattaching auto chrome, or a reflector to the exterior of the RV. The bond will hold through extreme variation in temperature and the constant vibration of the road.

Recipe for success: Make sure both surfaces are clean and dry prior to applying the adhesive. Apply a small amount to each surface and allow the glue to partially cure for 2–10 minutes before pressing the pieces together (the less adhesive you use, the less time you need for a partial cure).

Press both pieces together using sufficient pressure to establish complete contact. Immediately clean away excess adhesive with a little acetone on a clean cloth. (Acetone is a paint thinner, so be careful how much you use.) Allow the repair to dry for 24 hours.

Tip: Different materials need different drying times and outside temperature also affects the drying time. The bond cures faster in higher temperatures and slower in lower temperatures.

Stay tuned for part two – patching a linoleum tear.

[parts of this series originally appears in Escapees Magazine, November/December 2003]