Real DIY Fixes from the RV Community
RV life is all about freedom, adventure, and discovering new places—but let’s be real: it also comes with its fair share of surprises. Sometimes those surprises are a stunning view or a friendly neighbor. Other times… it’s a busted water line at 10:30 p.m. in the middle of nowhere. That’s when the RV community’s inner MacGyver comes to life.
RVers are a resourceful bunch. Maybe it’s because we’re miles from the nearest repair shop when something breaks, or maybe it’s just part of the DIY spirit that runs deep in the lifestyle. Either way, the RV world is full of clever, real-life fixes that get the job done when things don’t go as planned.
In this episode, we’re shining a spotlight on those fixes—from the simple and smart to the downright ingenious. Whether you’re new to RVing or a seasoned full-timer, these stories and solutions might just come in handy when the road throws you a curveball. We collected these stories from various online RV forums!
1. The Duct Tape Slide-Out Rescue
Let’s start with a classic Real DIY Fix: duct tape. One full-time RVer, Mike from Arizona, shared how his slide-out’s rubber seal ripped during a windy overnight stay in the desert. The tear was letting dust and heat pour in. No dealership in sight and two days from his next stop, Mike grabbed his trusty roll of industrial duct tape and covered the tear from the outside. It wasn’t pretty—but it held for over 600 miles. The key, Mike says, was cleaning the rubber thoroughly before applying the tape and using multiple layers in a crisscross pattern. Bonus: the temporary fix kept out both the dust and a nasty scorpion he later spotted on the ground outside.
2. DIY Water Line Fix with a Bit of Garden Hose
Another favorite comes from Linda and Jack, a retired couple who were wintering in Florida when they discovered a cracked freshwater line under their Class C motorhome. With no parts store nearby, they did a Real DIY fix by cutting a piece of spare garden hose to length, sliding it over the damaged section, and clamping both ends with stainless steel worm gear clamps they had in their toolbox. It wasn’t a permanent fix, but it stopped the leak cold and got them through until they reached a full-service RV shop a week later.
Tip: Keep a short section of rubber or reinforced hose in your toolkit—it could double as an emergency fix for fresh water, gray water, or even your propane regulator line in a pinch (with proper fittings, of course).
3. When a Cabinet Door Falls Off… and Zip Ties Save the Day
It’s not always the big stuff that causes headaches. A listener named Rachel wrote in to say her upper kitchen cabinet door came completely unhinged—literally—while driving across a bumpy Kansas highway. With no screws long enough to reattach it, she did a Real DIY Fix by grabbing a pack of heavy-duty zip ties and looped them through the screw holes to temporarily anchor the door to the frame. It wasn’t elegant, but it kept everything secure and rattle-free for the rest of the trip.
Pro Tip: Zip ties aren’t just for organizing cables—they’re great emergency stand-ins for missing bolts, broken latches, or even securing your awning arm if a hinge breaks mid-trip.
4. MacGyvered Fridge Fan Fix with a Computer Part
Then there’s Chris, a tech-savvy solo traveler who noticed his RV fridge wasn’t cooling properly during a summer boondocking trip in Utah. Turns out, the cooling fan behind the refrigerator had given out. With no spare parts and temps rising, he pulled a small 12V fan from an old computer tower he had in his gear bin, wired it directly to the fridge’s power line, and mounted it with twist ties. It worked so well, he kept it permanently.
Tech Hack: Old PC fans run on 12V DC power—just like your RV. If you’ve got one around, it could be your next emergency cooling solution.
5. The Broken Leveling Jack and the Stack of Firewood
One couple recounted their experience in Montana where a rear stabilizer jack wouldn’t extend due to a blown fuse they couldn’t access. Stuck without it, they improvised by stacking firewood and flat stones under that corner of the RV until it was level and steady. Not only did it work—they said it actually made their rig more stable than the wobbly jack had.
Sometimes the best fix isn’t fixing at all—it’s finding another way to achieve the same result. That kind of on-the-fly problem-solving is a big part of RV life.
Lessons from the Road: Tools, Mindset, and Community
So, what can we learn from these quick fixes and clever hacks? First, always carry a basic toolkit. Include essentials such as duct tape, zip ties, hose clamps, a multimeter, and a few miscellaneous items like 1/2″ water hose segments and bungee cords. You never know when they’ll come in handy.
Second, stay calm and think creatively. RVing teaches us that there’s always a workaround—it might not be perfect, but it can get you to the next destination.
And finally, lean on the RV community. Whether it’s a neighbor at the campground offering a spare part or someone sharing a fix on an online forum, RVers look out for each other. That’s one of the best parts of the lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Every RVer has at least one good repair story—and probably a few that still make them laugh (or cringe) years later. These moments test our patience, creativity, and sometimes our sanity—but they also teach us to be resilient and adaptable. Because on the open road, it’s not just about where you’re going—it’s how you handle the bumps along the way. For Real DUY Shade Fixes, check Out SunProMfg.com
Got a clever Real DIY Fix or funny fail of your own? Share it with us at The Smart RVer Podcast—you might just hear it featured in a future episode.