November 2017
What are our options for replacing the horn on our 2014 Tiffin Breeze motorhome? It sounds like a baby Volkswagen. I don’t need blast-you-out air horns, but certainly something more appropriate for a motorhome.
Betty Walker, F407230
Mobile, Alabama
I know what you mean; my Jeep’s horn sounded like a goose with laryngitis. I replaced it with a set of air horns from a local auto parts store. They easily can be installed using the included instructions and require only one wire connection (the original power wire for the horn). They don’t blast you out of your shoes, but most air horn kits have a high-pitched tone that can be heard over normal traffic noise. If you want to get fancy, some of the more expensive air horn kits will have a selector switch for playing a few tunes.
I want to share how we solved an odor problem in our motorhome. At various times, we noticed a sewer smell that was sickening. The dealer, who couldn’t find anything, filled the black tank, checked the vent, accused us of bad housekeeping, etc. They refused to remove the commode and check it. I spoke with the head of the RV service center as well as the president of the RV franchise dealership and was told that we could take the motorhome to a different dealership and have them check it. I am a master certified RV technician, and I told the president that if they would pay for a new commode, I would install it. We received a check in 10 days. Meanwhile, a friend of ours researched the problem on the internet and found that our Dometic commode had been recalled; sewage was overflowing into a holding area and remaining there. The RV service center should have checked for such recalls. Be persistent in any repairs until they get it right.
Sherman Riley
Lehigh Acres, Florida
Thank you for sharing your experience.
In the April 2017 “Tech Talk” (page 20), Robert J. Barry, who flat tows a 2015 Chevy Silverado, noted that the towing instructions say to remove the negative battery terminal. He asked how he can supply power to his Even Brake. You suggested that by using a “dumb” key while flat towing, the battery would not have to be disconnected. That may not be a good idea.
The primary reason for disconnecting the battery is to ensure that the steering system is not powered. Recent GM products are equipped with electrically powered steering. Unless all power is removed, the steering systems may be damaged.
Removing the negative battery terminal reduces the chance of shorting the connection; it’s safer than removing the positive terminal.
I bought a Battery Brain, which is a remote disconnect of the battery. It works great. Robert could install wiring to supply power to the Even Brake.
Gary Haynes, F443932
Box Elder, South Dakota
I disagree with your recommendations to Robert J. Barry regarding “Towing a Silverado.” The reason the battery has to be disconnected has little to do with the power drain and everything to do with the electronic steering that has been featured on this GM series of pickups since 2014. The steering system mounts the electric motor on the steering rack, and sensors in the steering column detect the steering wheel direction and compare it to the wheel direction. Effectively, it is a “steer by wire” system that is designed to compensate for crosswind pressure, the crown in the road, and so on. It is active almost all the time.
When the vehicle is set up to be towed, the steering wheel is likely in the straight-ahead position, and when the coach takes a corner, the truck wheels naturally follow. If the steering system is “alive,” it tries to compensate because the steering wheel is still straight ahead, yet the tires have moved from the straight-ahead position. The system will straighten the wheels to match the steering wheel position, creating a conflict. With the battery disconnected, the system is inactive and the wheels can free wheel, following the coach. Not only must the battery be disconnected, it is imperative that the negative cable not make contact with the battery negative terminal; otherwise, serious nonwarranty damage will be caused to the steering column.
The bottom line is that the negative battery cable must be disconnected and Robert’s desire to use his Even Brake can only be accomplished if both the positive and negative power comes from the coach. Otherwise, he will need a system that does not require power from the motorhome for operation and brake signal indication.
Rob Lowe
Owner, RV-Parts Plus
Brantford, Ontario
Thank you for sharing this information.