High Definition
I need some help with the installation of an HDTV in my motorhome. I would like to be able to use my Winegard roof-mounted antenna that I currently have on my 2003 Pace Arrow. It works fine with my digital satellite receiver. Will it do the same with an HDTV receiver? Any help/and or advice you can provide would be appreciated.
Bill Griffith, F367290
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Winegard offers a new satellite interface, model WB-2700, that can provide RVers who have RoadTrip SD and SDi series or Movin’ View 3500 series satellite TV antennas the ability to receive high-definition programming. For more information about this product, visit www.winegard.com or call the company at (800) 288-8094.
Recall Clarification
I’m looking for some clarification. In your July 2007 “Tech Talk” concerning the Ford speed control recall, your response to an inquiry indicated that a Ford customer service person told you that no F-53 chassis were involved. In your November 2007 “Recall Corner” section, you report that 1995 through 2002 F-53 type A motorhomes are included in the recall. What’s up?
Gene Heileman, F306914
St. Joseph, Michigan
In June 2007, we were told by Ford that no F-53 chassis were involved in its original recall (NHTSA recall 05V017000) for the speed control deactivation switch defect, which was first issued on January 27, 2005, and subsequently extended to include more vehicles (NHTSA recalls 05V388000 and 06V286000).
However, just a couple of months after questioning Ford about F-53 chassis involvement in these earlier recalls, we discovered that the chassis was included in a similar recall (NHTSA recall 07V336000) for the speed control deactivation switch. Ford submitted that recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on August 2, 2007. While it may seem that these recalls are all identical, since they involve failure of the same switch, which could potentially lead to an under-the-hood fire, according to Ford officials they are slightly different.
More Gen Set Suggestions
In the November 2007 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine, I read the “Gasless Gen Set” letter from Frank Carlson, F319371, regarding the problems he’s experienced with the generator on his 1998 Fleetwood Pace Arrow motorhome built on a Ford chassis (page 20). All the things you told him to check are potentially valid causes of his problem, but there is one other that I’m aware of.
We previously owned a 1998 Fleetwood Bounder, also built on a Ford chassis, and experienced the exact same problem Mr. Carlson described “” the generator would run when hooked up to a portable gas container, but would not run when connected normally. The problem turned out to be the rubber fuel line running between the coach’s fuel tank and the generator. The line had dried out and cracked; not enough to leak fuel, but enough to allow air to enter the line. I replaced the cracked fuel line with NAPA’s top-quality neoprene fuel hose, which solved the problem.
In our case, the fuel line failed after the coach was only a few years old. But we live in Arizona, where the climate is very dry. Since Mr. Carlson lives in Washington, it’s conceivable his hose would have lasted longer before experiencing a similar failure.
Larry Beckner, F383536
Scottsdale, Arizona
In reference to the “Gasless Gen Set” letter in the November 2007 “Tech Talk” column, my RV buddy had a motorhome with the same problem. After two service calls did not resolve the problem, he asked for my help. There was no fuel to the gen set’s carburetor, but the tank was full. Being familiar with this symptom, I took the fuel line off the generator and sucked on the hose to see if I could coax any fuel up. No fuel, but there was air coming out. If the line sucks air, it will not get fuel. It had a screw-on fuel filter, which had been cross-threaded and was leaking air. It turned out to be a simple fix, but expensive for the two service calls.
Richard Ives, F267635
Creswell, Oregon
Debris Damage
I have seen various towed vehicles with canvas-type covers over their front ends while they’re being towed. I tow a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon behind my motorhome. Do you know of a vendor that sells this type of protection for a towed vehicle? I’ve done several Internet searches but can’t find what I’m looking for.
What I’ve seen is a canvas-like material stretched from the front bumper up over the windshield. Next time I see one I’m going to stop the motorhome and take a better look at it. Maybe it’s custom-made. I’ve got all the other stuff on my motorhome, but I still get home with a broken headlight or dings. I guess this is probably just something I’ll have to accept with RVing.
Larry A. Barry, F386852
Amarillo, Texas
I believe the product you are looking for is available from the Coastline Cover Company. It is called the Tow Car Shield and covers the entire front of the towed vehicle, including the windshield. Check it out at www.coastlinecover.com/tow.htm or call (800) 216-1664.
Many auto parts stores carry “bras” that cover the front of the vehicle, while companies such as Blue Ox, Roadmaster, and Demco have shields that attach to the front of the towed vehicle and deflect road debris. You might find additional companies listed in FMCA’s Business Directory, published in the January and June issues of FMC and online at www.fmca.com.
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