Gasless Gen Set
I have a 37-foot 1998 Pace Arrow on a Ford chassis. My generator won’t pull fuel from the chassis’ fuel tank even when the tank is full. When I use a portable gas tank hooked up to the fuel pump on the generator, it runs great. Have you heard of this problem before? Any advice will help.
Frank Carlson, F319371
Olympia, Washington
I would say your problem is a clogged or pinched fuel line between the fuel tank and the generator. Or the generator’s in-line fuel filter is clogged. The easiest way to check this is to take the cap off your fuel tank and disconnect the fuel line at the generator. Have someone listen at the fuel inlet while you apply air pressure to the fuel line. Your assistant should hear air bubbling up through the fuel in the tank. If the sound of air escaping cannot be heard, the fuel line is obstructed. If your coach has an in-line fuel filter and you have access to it, remove the filter and ascertain whether you can blow through it. If you can’t, the filter is clogged and needs to be changed. However, if it appears the filter isn’t clogged, you’ll have to have a new fuel line routed from the fuel tank to the generator. This type of repair should be done by a trained technician at an RV shop.
Towing A Pilot
Can you give me any information about towing a 2008 Honda Pilot 4×4 with four wheels down? Neither Honda Motors nor Remco has any information.
Tony Cook, F389577
San Bernardino, California
According to a representative from Honda, the company does not approve towing a 2008 Honda Pilot 4×4 four wheels down. If you wish to tow this vehicle, you’ll need to use either a trailer or a tow dolly, depending on what the vehicle’s owners manual recommends.
Suspension Parts Installations
I own a 1998 Georgie Boy Cruise Master built on a GM chassis. While at a rally in Lebanon, Tennessee, I had a 1 5/8-inch-diameter front antisway bar installed with urethane bushings and heavy-duty brackets. The rear antisway bar and brackets also were replaced. This was done to help eliminate sway in windy conditions.
Over a period of two years, the two rear brackets pulled loose and I had to replace the bolts, and the front bar became disconnected from the control arms on both sides. One bracket was missing, and the other was attached with one bolt. The company did send me new bolts and brackets to repair the front.
I sincerely hope that all of us owners are on the lookout for problems. I was told that the new brackets were heavy-duty. The bolts could have been over-torqued. The front bar being disconnected could result in loss of control of the vehicle and is a serious matter. Luckily I noticed it. By the way, when the parts were installed at the rally, no one mentioned that the bolts may need to be retorqued. I recovered one sheared bolt, indicating too much stress or over-torque. The bolts did not have Loctite on them.
Frank Atkinson, F196918
Clinton Township, MI
If I remember correctly from installing my own larger antisway bar, the instructions indicated that the bolts need to be retorqued after 500 miles or so. The instructions said to retorque the bolts following a break-in period and to continue retightening them periodically after that. The technician who installed the equipment should have advised you to retighten the bolts. Also, red Loctite (or the supplied compound) should have been used on the bolts so they wouldn’t loosen from road vibration. I suggest you retorque the bolts this time and use red Loctite on the new bolts.
Mounting An LCD TV
I would like to have an LCD TV mounted in a new cabinet where my old TV is in my Safari Centennial. I’m inquiring about a TV because I have salespeople telling me it can’t be mounted flat. No one can tell me why or at what angle it would be safe. I have seen some TVs mounted in new coaches and have heard of several people wanting to do this. Are we heading for trouble down the road if we do?
Ralph Harvey, F182723
Post Falls, Idaho
The question of mounting an LCD TV in a recreation vehicle may (or may not) be addressed in the owner’s manual for that particular product. The wording of your question is rather intriguing. You said salespeople say “it can’t be mounted flat.” Could they be referring to stowing the TV flat on its back while traveling? I have been advised that due to the nature of the LCD TV’s screen composition, it should be maintained in a vertical position.