As always, maintenance is high on our list of priorities. You might wonder why. After all, I could just hire someone to handle it. Sure, that’s an option—but would they do it correctly? Besides, I have the time and the capability to take care of it myself.
One of the key tasks is inspecting power cords. Start by examining both the plug and the receptacle. Look for any discoloration or damage on the blades. Then, inspect the inside of the receptacle—are the sockets tight, clean, and free of debris?
If either the plug or receptacle has been replaced, take the time to open them up and inspect everything thoroughly. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to electrical components.
Here’s an example: back in May of 2019, we were attending a rally in Fredericksburg, TX. On our way out, we stopped in Kerrville, TX, and stayed at the Elks Lodge for a few days. The lodge offered electric and water hookups, but no dump station.
Everything was working just fine—until we suddenly lost power. As usual, I jumped into troubleshooting mode to track down the issue and get it resolved.
If you look at the receptacle, you can see the reason for the failure in the third photo. It’s clear there was a problem. The first and second photos show the inside of the plug, which helped confirm what I suspected. Always good to document these things—what you find can be just as useful for learning as for fixing.
That’s exactly why ongoing maintenance matters. A repair might hold for a while, but it doesn’t mean it’ll last forever without rechecking. Catching problems early can prevent much bigger failures down the road.
Monday, May 8, 2025, was inspection day for that original fix. After all these years of service, it was finally time to take a closer look. And sure enough, the wear and tear was evident. Below, you can see the results—heat damage, fatigue, and signs of aging that can’t be ignored.
Time to replace and repair.
You will also notice I am using a new style of plug and Ferrell Crimps.
Press here to see the New Plug/Receptable I am now using.
Safe Travel and Journeys
DaGirls Rv, Gus Da Bus
Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.
Definitely on my to do list.
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