Replacing Tires
I’m thinking about replacing the tires on my 2005 Sportscoach even though there are only 34,000 miles on them. I keep my coach garaged, the tires are always covered and set on heavy-duty plastic, and the air pressure is checked often. They are Michelin 235/80R22.5. I checked with a dealer and he has some Toyos in stock, but the size is 245/75R22.5. Would these tires be okay?
Don Casteel, F211642
Benzonia, Michigan
Yes, the 245/75R22.5 Toyo tires have the same load capacity as the 235/80R22.5 tires when both have the same load range. Be sure that the tires are rated to handle the actual weights on each corner of your motorhome. This is done by having each wheel position weighed. The maximum load limit at the maximum air pressure is molded on the sidewall of your tires.
Smokin’ Coach
We have a 2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter that’s equipped with a Cummins ISL400 engine with 38,000 miles on it. The engine sometimes loses power and begins to smoke. This typically happens when we have been on the highway going 60 to 65 mph and then have slowed down to 30 or 35 mph. I’ll push on the accelerator but get no response. At the same time a lot of black smoke comes out of the tailpipe. The motorhome eventually will slow to only 5 mph and we have to stop. After we let the motorhome idle for 10 to 15 seconds, the boost will return and the motorhome will be under power again. Sometimes that’s the end of the problem; other times we have to stop again.
This does not happen all the time. We can go days and weeks with no occurrence. It will occur whether the engine is hot or cold, and it never shuts off completely. We’ve had the fuel filters and air filters changed, and added fuel injector cleaner, but nothing seems to work.
We’ve talked to truck drivers who have given all kinds of solutions, but none have solved the problem. The service center we use has looked at it four times but has been unable to find a cause. They said they would like to keep the motorhome to see whether they can replicate the problem, but it could be weeks until it happens again. Any ideas on what might be causing this to happen?
Joe Fazzio, F149767
Whitney, Texas
The intermittent loss of boost may be the result of the turbocharger’s wastegate opening to allow all of the manifold exhaust to bypass the turbocharger’s turbine. I’m guessing that something is amiss in the engine control module (ECM) that may be allowing this to happen, so I think your service tech should begin by looking there.
If the engine is equipped with an exhaust brake (ISLs were marketed with an exhaust brake or an engine compression brake), the exhaust brake butterfly could intermittently hang up, which could cause the same smoking and power loss problems. This would most likely occur right after applying the exhaust brake (slowing from 60 mph to 30 mph).
You don’t mention the name of your service center, but I recommend that you take your motorhome to an authorized Cummins dealer or service center, where they may have more experience in dealing with this type of problem than an RV service center or general truck shop. To find your nearest Cummins dealer or authorized service center, call (800) 343-7357 or visit www.cummins.com and click on the “Service Locator” link.
Owners Manuals
Last fall we bought a 1999 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour. We received a large packet of books that had information about almost everything on the coach. However, the most important book was missing — the chassis operating guide that includes information about the chassis, engine, and drivetrain. This is very important to me. Could you help me locate this manual?
Also, the motorhome has a satellite dish mounted to the roof, which I assume was installed at the factory. But it seems that something is missing. In the left compartment above the driver’s seat there is a coaxial cable plus a rectangular block that has several small wires going to it. I wonder whether the equipment was removed while it was sitting in the dealer lot. I can get cable on the TV, but that is all.
Orrin & Carol Clover, F58812
North Branch, Minnesota
You can purchase the Chevrolet P-12 chassis guide from Helm Inc. by calling (800) 782-4356 or by visiting www.helminc.com. For further information, the Winnebago Owner Relations department can be reached at (866) 653-4329.
As far as your satellite dish question is concerned, from your description I’d say you’re missing the receiver. This is the “decoder” box that comes from the satellite TV service provider, typically DirecTV or Dish Network, and will be given to you once you sign up for service. If you wish to receive satellite TV in your motorhome, contact a representative from one of these companies to inquire about a service plan that might be right for you.
Clicking Fridge
My ice maker overfills and will not eject the ice when it’s frozen. I can hear a clicking noise in the freezer as though it’s trying to eject the ice. What controls the water level? I think this may be the problem.
Jim Richardson, F267748
Orangeburg, South Carolina
The clicking noise you are hearing is probably a broken ring gear that’s driven by the motor. It may have been broken as a result of an inoperative mold heater that would not create enough heat for the ice to loosen for harvest.
The amount of water being sent to the mold is determined by the duration timer of the cam. This can be regulated by the adjustment screw (under the square white cover). It is marked plus and minus. However, if the ring gear is broken — or has missing teeth — the adjustment will not work.
I suggest you take a look at the “Understanding Your Ice Maker” article that appeared in the August 2009 issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 40) and also can be found in the back issues section at www.FMCmagazine.com. Unless you are mechanically skilled, I would not advise taking the ice maker apart to try to replace the ring gear, as it’s a tough reassembly. This is one of those situations where it’s simple to replace the broken part, but difficult to repair.
GPS Unit
I have contacted several campground clubs that publish listings giving the GPS latitude and longitude coordinates. It seems that many campground directories now list this information. Can you tell me which GPS units include a function that will allow me to enter these coordinates? I’d like a small unit, 3 to 4 inches wide.
Charles Story, F155843
Jacksonville, Florida
There are several GPS brands to choose from, such as DeLorme, Garmin, Lowrance, Magellan, Rand McNally, and TomTom. Most GPS devices used for in-vehicle navigation are designed for the user to input the physical address for the destination, since that information is more readily available than GPS coordinates. However, there are some models that do allow you to input precise GPS coordinates for the location.
When searching for a GPS that has this feature, make sure to ask the salesperson at the electronics store whether the device will allow the input of latitude and longitude coordinates. I have a TomTom XL 330 that’s a few years old and it’s quite easy to input the coordinates. With the unit on, I touch the screen, which sends me to the main menu. I then touch the “Navigate to . . .” icon and scroll through the options until I find the “Latitude Longitude” icon. When I touch that icon, I am able to program in the north-south and east-west coordinates. Once I touch “Okay” for my selections, the GPS maps the route from my current location to the location that corresponds to the coordinates.
It is very important to input the exact coordinates when using this method. One wrong or misplaced number can send you to a completely different location than what was intended. For instance, the GPS coordinates for FMCA’s national headquarters on Clough Pike in Cincinnati, Ohio, are N 39 05.285 W 84 19.435. If your finger slips and you type “N 30” instead of “N 39,” you would end up in the Florida panhandle near Apalachicola National Forest.
If the GPS devices in the electronics store are operational, click through the various navigation options to determine which devices will allow you to input the coordinates.
Awning Info
We are getting ready to replace the patio and window awnings on our 1998 motorhome for the second time and would like to know if there is any advantage to replacing them with acrylic fabric versus vinyl? We know the acrylic is more costly, but will it last that much longer?
Eric & Bernadette Berland, F270976
Hollywood, Florida
The woven acrylic awning material offers several advantages. The color goes all the way through the fabric, so scratches are less visible since there is no base color to show through. Plus, the colors are usually a bit more vibrant with the acrylic. Since acrylic material is woven, it breathes, making it cooler when sitting beneath the awning. And it eventually will dry out if rolled up wet.
As you mentioned, one disadvantage is the cost. To keep the awning “waterproof,” it is advisable to spray it with a water repellent (such as silicone) about every two years with average time out in the sun. After a few years, in a crosswind, the acrylic will tend to roll up “leaning with the wind,” as the weave is not as tight as when new. If you choose a style that has seams that are sewn together, most stitching will start to deteriorate in 10 to 15 years with average time in the sun. Woven acrylic fabric should only be cleaned with mild soap and water, never a detergent, or the waterproofing will be removed.
The vinyl canopy is a piece of laminated plastic with the color on the surfaces only. It will tend to roll up straight even in a crosswind. This is a very serviceable material if kept clean and not stored when wet.{loadpositionEndBlurbTechTalk}