Desert Season Is Upon Us.......Are you ready?

Hi everyone!

It's that time of year again for us Desert RV'rs. Good weather, cooler temps and the bite from the notorious camping bug means the Desert Season is here. Like bears coming out of hibernation at the first sign of spring, we take a swing by the storage lot or pull the cover off the rig that has been siting in the yard for the last few months and begin to ponder the first trip of the new season. We mull through the storage compartments, brushing mud and sand off the wheel chocks and awning mat taking inventory of what we still have and what we may have left in the sand at the last camp site. Its a good feeling imagining sitting under the awning on a cool fall day after a long ride, holding our favorite beverage and taking some R&R time with the family.The problem is, an estimated 250,000 of your fellow RVers are thinking the same thing right about now. So whats the problem you say?

This year in particular will be different from the last few in regard to RV service. With the virtual implosion of the RV industry this last year, many of the RV dealers that are still in business have pulled back staff and closed locations to save money. What that means to you is the possibility of much longer "in-service" times, longer appointment waits and generally poorer customer service (if that's possible) than ever before. If your RV is new and still under manufacturer warranty, the problem will be amplified because many of the RV manufacturer's as well as suppliers have quietly gone out of business over the winter. The few remaining are working shorter work weeks with fewer staff which will make it harder to get needed parts when the rush hits. Based on my personal "Guesstimate", I would say plan on a minimum of 4-6 weeks of down time or longer for any repairs if you wait until mid season. So whats the solution? Dont procrastinate, plan ahead and take steps now to beat the last minute rush.

First, do a full system run through on your rig right away. Start the generator, put it under a load with the A/C on t make sure it is working correctly. Light off all the appliances, lights, check your water system, test your batteries or take them in and have them load tested by a reputable shop with a load tester. Open up the awning, check your tires for checking or cracking and inspect your roof seals to make sure there is no sign of cracking or gaps in the factory sealant. I assure you, nine times out of ten, there will be something that will come up that was just fine last season before you put it away. If you are unable to do the full inspection yourself, contact your local reputable RV service center and make an appointment for a "Pre-Trip" inspection. Even if they call it something different, most RV service centers have packages for a full RV inspection and will give you a report of what they find, with pricing of what it will take to make it right. At this point its up to you to determine if you need to have the recommended repairs done or not to get through the next season.

The point is this, the season and time with your family is short enough. With a little planning and prep work on your part early on, you can catch any potential problems and get them corrected early on and avoid being caught up in the last minute rush!


Good luck and Happy Camping!

Michael Kahle
Murrieta Creek RV
951 698 8577

The Importance of RV Roof Inspections

Many of you who know me, know how I harp about inspecting your roof seals at least once a year. Its not that I like to nag you and see you wince and squirm at the realization that may have never done it. Its that it is critical that you do to endure the life of your rigs no matter how big or small. Repairing water damage is expensive so a little diligence and regular maintenance will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. I wanted to share a little story with you about a recent clients experience with roof seals.

A few months back one of our storage customers came to me with a concern that one of his moldings seals had a gap in it and might be leaking. I went through the explanation of how to correct the problem with him of which he did. Later in discussing the outcome, he expressed concern because in the same area on the inside, his shower and roof paneling had begun to bubble. Now being the unit is only two years old, this is unusual. We discussed opening up the corner of the roof where the seal had been cracked to make sure there had not been water damage and the customer agreed. When we removed the top cap seam molding and the front molding and pulled the roof skin back and guess what we saw? Yup, you guessed it, mold and rotten wood from the corner of the roof down into the wall of his two year old trailer.

My point here is, your RV doesn't have to be ten years old to be in jeopardy of water intrusion damage and dry rot. It only takes a few times of moderate water intrusion to cause damage. Usually by the time you see water coming into the RV, its already been seeping into the roof structure for a while and damage is probably already present. Even if your RV is brand new, you should inspect your seals because the manufacturers use a minimal amount of sealant in many cases just to get you through your warranty period then its no longer their problem. After just a few years, these seals will be in need of re-doing.

If anything remember, the maintenance of your roof is far less expensive over the life of your unit than the repair if water has its way. To see what we had to go through to repair this clients RV, click on this link for a quick slideshow


So go check your roof seams today and start down the road to recovery because I'm tired of nagging you!

Take care, and Happy Camping!
Michael Kahle
Murrieta Creek RV

Welcome to the Murrieta Creek RV Blog

Murrieta Creek RV is a full RV Service, Parts and Accessories facility located in the heart of Murrieta, California near scenic Temecula Wine Country.

Our state of the art new facility also offers over 155 paved storage spaces on 3.5 acres. We have one of the only storage facilities in town with an on site dump facility that is FREE to our members! We are centrally located between San Diego and LA in Riverside county right off the 15 and 215 Freeways in the Inland Empire.

We offer a full range of RV services like trailer hitch installations, 5th wheel hitch installations, gooseneck hitch installations, appliance repairs, plumbing repairs, generator service, body work, 12 volt and 110 volt electrical system diagnostics and repairs, all types of accessory installations, complete detailing, water leak diagnostics and dry rot repair, roof resealing and reconditioning, furniture upgrades, satellite TV installations, and so much more! We also specialize in Green RV power like solar and wind generating technologies as clean free energy for your RV.

Have an extended warranty service contract? Call us, we work with all service contracts and are an authorized Dometic,MVP/Thor CA, Tiffin, Newmar, Gulf Stream and now Outlaw Customs Trailer warranty repair center!

Our parts and accessory store is one of the cleanest and best stocked in the area. Our staff is always willing to lend a hand to answer any questions you might have. Purchase anything in our store and you can dump your tanks for FREE!

So call us or stop by and see all we have to offer, with over 22 years in the RV business, you'll be glad you did!

For more info including directions and testimonials go to Murrieta Creek RV