Help! Newbies need some advice!

[ranfan26]

HELP! We just bought our first fifth wheel from someone who had lived in it for a few years. We are new to full-time RVing and seem to be having a few problems that have, so far, gone unanswered. First, our refrigerator has a mind of its own. It likes to be so cold that it freezes anything inside of it. Even when the trailer is plugged in and the fridge is turned off, it still freezes. When we power it on, the light flashes “not owner serviceable,” but there is no way we can pack up to take it somewhere to be serviced. Ugh. Second, the previous owner bypassed the black water tank so that the toilet water goes directly into the dump tube. But for some reason, the black water tank has been slowly filling up, according to our tank monitor. And the galley never seems to empty all the way. Is there something seriously wrong with our drainage system?, or do we have a faulty sensor…or two. We just wanted to nip this in the butt if it’s a serious problem. The last thing we want is to have to crawl underneath the dang trailer when it’s 10° outside! So, if anybody has any ideas or suggestions, please, please, please let us know! Thank you so much!

[OneRVer]

Well first off you can not trust you tank lights. However you should take a Flash light and a mirror and try to look inside of your black tank. Was the gray tank bypassed also? When your refer is not plugged into shore power it might be working off of the propane. But if the light is blinking on the refer you should call a service tech and ask for his advice. Speaking of 10 degress, is the trailer ready for winter, heat tape, insulated?

[Ray,IN]

I'm not sure of your intentions about your 5er. Do you plan to leave it parked where it was? Or, do you plan to use it as it was designed, mobile to see our great Nation?
First, the refrigerator. From your description it sounds like the fridge has a faulty PC board, and it has switched to constant cooling until it can be serviced. If you cannot move your 5er now, look in the phone book or search the internet for a mobile RV service technician near your location. They should be able to diagnose the refrigerator and repair it on-site.
Without knowing how the black tank was bypassed I cannot address that issue. Again the mobile RV technician will know what to do. If you prefer,and are a handyman,(person), you can have the problems diagnosed, then purchase the parts and perform the repair work yourself.
The refrigerator must have a good 12V house battery to power the PC board or it will not work. The same is true for the furnace.
I hope my opinions help some, if not, others more knowledgeable than I will join your topic questions.

["007"]

Welcome to irv2.
Not knowing what your in for I'd call in a Mobile repair man the campground your at should have a list of them.
Maybe you can request some help from someone in park never know who might help if you do not ask.