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how to independently maintain your car

One of the most difficult adjustments I had to make after my divorce was learning how to maintain and repair my own vehicle. That was one thing that my husband had always taken care of for me. Since the divorce, I have learned quite a bit about maintaining a car myself. I have picked up a few tidbits of information that has helped me avoid being overcharged for simple things that I can quickly do myself - like jump-starting my dead battery and changing a flat tire. If you need to learn how to independently maintain your vehicle for the first time, take a moment and visit my site.

Replacing A Roof Vent Cover On Your RV

If your roof vent needs replaced, you are not alone. It is one of the most common RV repairs. Luckily, it is a relatively easy maintenance task that you can perform at home.

The Basics

Virtually all RV's have vents, and vent covers, on their roofs. These vents help air circulate throughout your RV, and keep it from getting too stuffy inside. The vast majority of vents on RV's are equipped with 14-inch covers. If the cover becomes cracked, or if the crank used to open the vent gets broken, the entire unit needs to be replaced.

Supplies

You will need to purchase a new vent cover for your RV. As long as your RV uses the standard 14-inch vent covers, it should be pretty easy for you to pick one up. You should be able to pick one up from your local RV repair shop or order one online.

If the crank or support arm used to open the vent is broken, you will also need to add that to your order.

Finally, if you do not have a screwdriver handy, you will need to pick one up for this job.

Removing The Screen

You will need to get work both inside and outside of your RV for this repair job. You will need to start off inside of your RV. If you cannot reach the vent, you will need to stand on a secure footstool or chair.

Use your screwdriver to remove the screws holding the screen in place over the vent. You will need to turn the screws counterclockwise to remove them. The screen will be held in place with either two or four screws. As you remove the screws, place them inside of a baggie or container, as you will need them later.

After you have removed the screws, you will need to gently pull on the edges of the screen in order to remove it.

Removing The Crank Or Support Arm

Next you need to remove the support arm or crank. It should be held in place with a single bolt. Remove the bolt and place the support arm somewhere safe.

(Depending on how your screen and crank arm is set up, you may need to complete this step before you remove the screen, if the crank arm is in front of the screen. If it is secured behind the screen, you can do this step after removing the screen.)

Removing The Cover On Top

Once you remove the screen and support arm inside the RV, you will need to get on top of your RV. Use a secure ladder to get on top of your RV, and make sure your RV is parked on a flat surface.

Once you are on top of your RV, you will need to use your screwdriver to remove the top of the vent cover. The vent cover should be secured with two to four screws. Make sure you save the screws.

After you remove the screws, you may need to use a little force to pull off the vent cover. You can place the screwdriver under the edges and wiggle it back and forth to loosen the vent cover.

Attaching The New Cover

Now that the old vent cover has been removed, you need to install the new vent cover. Luckily, you can work backwards. Place the new vent cover into the vacant space left by the old cover, and secure it with some new screws.

Once the cover is secure, use the ladder to get off the roof of the RV. Back inside the camper, you need to find those screws you set aside and use them to first reattach the crank arm, and then reattach the screen. You will need to turn the screws clockwise this time.

Make sure that the crank arm still works and that the vent is securely in place. Once it is securely in place, you are good to go.

For more information, contact a business such as Orangewood RV Center.