Regarding That “Perplexing” Furnace
Dear Editor:
The February 2016 issue’s “House Calls” column (page 20) covers a question titled “Perplexing Furnace Problem.” It includes a photo of a work light, and it’s suggested that one of these can keep a propane tank warm. This is a great idea, but we face the elimination of incandescent bulbs. Most of the 100-watt variety are no longer available, and CFLs or LEDs are not able to do the job. Times, they are a changin’.
Gary Haynes, F443932
Box Elder, South Dakota
Editor’s note: Now that you’ve shined a light on the issue (pun intended), we see your point. At this time, incandescent bulbs are still available online. One resource is www.1000bulbs.com.
Dear Editor:
I read the “Perplexing Furnace Problem” topic with interest and disappointment. It discussed the potential failure or unreliable operation of propane systems under higher demand in colder weather.
It was interesting to learn the cause and effect of the condition from the RV Doc and the experiences and diagnosis of the reader. I find it disturbing that this is not a mystery condition, but one with a name (container refrigeration), and a logical explanation and cure. So, why does an owner, who has possibly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for a coach, have to experience this hardship and troubleshoot this problem on his own?
Where are the motorhome manufacturers on this? Where is the propane industry on all this? We put men on the moon 47 years ago. Can’t they make a regulator or system that will function normally in colder weather, regardless of demand? Until then, why can’t motorhome manufacturers provide some kind of protection and/or supplemental heat to overcome the situation? Propane is just as important as any other onboard system.
The fix may add to the price, but it seems like cheap insurance to reduce the potential for an unhappy camping experience.
Richard Gehret, F304976
Manheim, Pennsylvania
Tire Fix Saves Atlantic Province Tour
Dear Editor:
On our first major trip in our Newmar Essex, we traveled with friends in three other coaches from Sault Ste. Marie to Nova Scotia, Canada. On the way, one of the new front tires just installed prior to this trip started leaking air. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, while we were out enjoying the area, the tire went flat.
We contacted several tire stores, but no one had a tire our size. We were finally referred to a tire service and a young man came to our coach, fixed the valve stem, checked for leaks, and assured us it was fixed.
The next morning, the tire was flat. One of our knowledgeable RV friends pumped up the tire from his compressor and we drove on our way. We continued to monitor the tire, which was slowly leaking. Near Digby, we were referred to a tire service person who came out to the RV park. This man worked for two hours to get the tire off the rim, without success. Our tire’s air pressure sensors prevented him from removing the tire to install a new valve; apparently the valve stem had been damaged when the new tire was installed prior to our trip.
We kept adding air and were able to take the ferry from Digby across to Saint John, New Brunswick, to Coast Tire and Auto Service (860 Fairville Blvd., Saint John, NB E2M 5T5; 506-674-9630).
We were greeted by six men ready to work on the tire, remove it, and replace the valve. They worked for over an hour to remove the tire; the sensor made it difficult even with the right equipment. They were able to get us on our way with friendly service and they refused to charge us. They wouldn’t even accept a gratuity. With their help, we continued our trip with fellow RVers.
If you ever need help with tires on your RV, truck, or vehicle, contact Coast Tire. They have locations throughout New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. They are wonderful people.
Dave & Valerie Overheul, F448028
Bonita Springs, Florida
Top-Quality Collision Repair
Dear Editor:
We are full-time RVers and were traveling from Colorado to Dodge City, Kansas, in our 40-foot diesel pusher. While on U.S. 50, we hit a male mule deer. The damage was mainly to the entire front cap, windshield, and diesel generator. The coach was drivable, and, thankfully, our insurance adjuster referred us to Kellogg RV for repairs. We drove approximately 250 miles to Wichita, Kansas, which was difficult without cab or rooftop air since it was 98-plus degrees outside.
The personnel at Kellogg RV are well-trained professionals, and very friendly. Because of the extent of the damage, the required repairs took two months.
J.B., the owner, and his crew were able to expertly restore our motorhome. Their fiberglass man, Tony, did an excellent job. You would never guess that we had a major collision with a 250-plus-pound deer. In spite of the repairs taking two months, our time in Wichita was very enjoyable because of the courtesy and kindness from everyone at Kellogg RV. We have grown close to them all. Whenever we pass through Wichita, we will stop by to say hello, and, if needed, we will not hesitate to have any maintenance or repairs performed there.
We highly recommend Kellogg RV (316-733-6454) in Andover, Kansas, about 6 miles east of Wichita. If you do stop by, please tell them we said hi.
Rusty & Debbie Batt, F435991
Port Orchard, Washington
Faucet Fix
Dear Editor:
My wife and I own a 1978 GMC motorhome with a wet bath. When our sink faucet broke, I attempted to locate a replacement faucet, but I found out that faucets with the shower diverter connection located beneath the faucet are no longer made. Changing to a standard faucet and re-plumbing the shower to utilize a separate control would have been challenging and very time-consuming, so I decided to replace the broken valve instead. Replacement valves are readily available from parts retailers, but mine had broken off inside the valve body and could not be removed without damaging it. Unfortunately, the valve body is not considered a replacement part and therefore is not available for purchase.
I was able to locate the manufacturer, BPC Manufacturing of Plymouth, Indiana, a subsidiary of LaSalle Bristol, and I emailed them a photo of the valve body I needed. Even though the faucet itself is no longer made, I was sure that the valve body was probably the same one they used for the still-available diverter faucets that connect through the top. I was correct, and I asked them to send me four, so I could have replacements for future failures. They agreed, but they didn’t have a way to bill me for them, so I offered to send a check. They said they’d get back with me when they figured out how to proceed. I then received an email that said the parts were on their way.
Two days later, the valve bodies arrived at my home, along with four replacement valves (which I had been planning to order from one of their parts suppliers). The only thing missing was the invoice. I was able to replace both valves, and now have three spares, and I wasn’t charged a penny.
This is an excellent example of putting the customer first, and LaSalle Bristol (www.lasallebristol.com; 574-295-4400) is to be commended.
Nick Chapekis, F335972
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Thanks, K&C
Dear Editor:
In January, I encountered a power steering problem while on Interstate 8 west of Casa Grande, Arizona. My roadside assistance contacted K&C Auto in Casa Grande for repairs and Tri-Star Transporting of Phoenix for towing.
While disconnecting the driveshaft for towing, the technician found that a U-joint was defective. We were towed to K&C and waited there overnight until they opened the next morning. The diagnosis was that we needed to replace the power steering gear box and the rear U-joint.
While we were waiting for the parts, we were able to use the facilities at the shop and stayed in the motorhome. Although we were detained for one week, our stay was made comfortable because of the hospitality and mechanical efficiency of K&C.
If you are in this area and need mechanical help, I strongly recommend K&C Auto, 15276 W. Jimmie Kerr Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122; (520) 836-6921.
Bobby Speights, F396941
Bogalusa, Louisiana
Repairs In Ohio
Dear Editor:
In early October we were sight-seeing in Columbus, Ohio, when warning lights lit up the dash and strange noises came from the engine. I pulled into a parking lot, got out, and found a large puddle of coolant at the rear of the coach.
I used Google to find a diesel shop that would work on our Type A motorhome. Fix My Rig said they could probably repair the problem but could not start until the next morning. We had the coach towed to their shop, which was only about five miles away. The shop owner has a motorhome also, and we were able to use his RV spot and hookups.
As our towing contractor was unhooking the coach at the repair place, he noticed something hanging down from beneath the middle of the coach.
Fix My Rig techs went to work on the cooling system the next morning. The fan clutch had disintegrated and thrown the fan into two radiators. It took four days to locate all of the parts required. Worse, the replacement for the fan had to be manufactured by Spartan, and it would be 11 days until they could ship it.
We elected to rent a car and drive home to Houston, Texas, and return later to pick up the coach.
To check the “something” dangling from beneath the coach, the technicians had to put the RV over a pit. The supporting members (wood and steel) had rusted or rotted away and left almost nothing to hold the fresh water and holding tanks in the chassis. The tech who fixed the problem said he had corrected the same issue in the boss’s coach a couple of months before, so he knew exactly what had to be done. He did a beautiful job of replacing the support structure and insulating it.
The price was expensive but I believe very fair for all the work done. The staff was very friendly, I was kept informed about part arrivals, and my technical questions were answered.
In case you are in central Ohio and need diesel or tire service, keep FixMyRig (4251 Lockbourne Industrial Parkway, Columbus, OH 43207; 614-326-9987, www.fixmyrig.com) in mind. They also offer 24-hour road service using stocked trucks.
John B. Wardlaw, F427252
Houston, Texas
Regular Customers
Dear Editor:
We were traveling south through Indiana in December 2014 when we had a problem. The coach’s steering column computer stopped working, leaving it impossible for us to operate the headlights, signal lights, windshield wipers, and horn. It was recommended that we try to get to Wetnight RVs in Terre Haute (4401 N. U.S. 41, Terre Haute, IN 47805; 800-937-4079, 812-466-3961; www.wetnightrvs.com).
When we arrived, they immediately assessed the problem and ordered the part. We were so impressed by their service that we stopped on our way back north in March 2015 and had them fix a few problems that we found while wintering in Texas.
The people at Wetnight RVs are exceptional, competent, and friendly. We stopped again in November 2015 to have more servicing done on the coach on our way back south to Texas.
Tom Nichols & Ken Hall, F445353
Marmora, Ontario
Problem Solved In Colorado
Dear Editor:
On the way home from a trip to the northwestern United States, we were traveling east of Pueblo, Colorado. At times, our 24-foot Forest River motorhome made a rubbing noise. I thought it was a tire problem but couldn’t detect any vibration. In a short time, the noise became much worse, so I stopped and called for roadside assistance.
The technician drove the coach just a bit and determined it could be driven a few miles to his repair shop. When he got under the RV, he saw that the carrier bearing had been installed at a severe angle, causing the housing to come apart.
After locating the necessary part in another town, he parked us at his own house and worked at his shop until 9:00 that night. The next morning he drove to Rocky Ford, Colorado, to pick up the part. We were back on the road by 11:30 a.m.
The price was low, and the job was very professional.
If you are in the Pueblo area and need a good, honest technician, call Carroll’s Tire and Auto Service (113 Fifth St., Fowler, CO 81039; 719-263-5611).
Jim Ramsey & Patricia Thompson, F341091
Edmond, Oklahoma