Storage Solution Our 2005 Fleetwood Excursion motorhome came with a washer/dryer combination, which we never used. What we needed was more space to store things, such as paper plates, cups,…
Category:
Tech Talk
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The following recall notices are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, and model, visit www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues. NHTSA’s Vehicle…
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Finding “ACC” In Escalade I outfitted my 2016 Cadillac Escalade with Blue Ox equipment to make it flat towable. One of the steps in the flat-towing procedure calls for the…
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The following recall notices are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To search for recalls, investigations, and complaints by vehicle year, make, and model, visit www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues. NHTSA’s Vehicle…
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Faded Decal Removal
I have a 2003 Type C motorhome with Dutchmen logo decals that are faded and cracked. What is the best way to remove them?
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In the November “Tech Talk” (page 18), Tim Scowden said his alignment had been adjusted six times but his tires were still wearing out at an unacceptable rate. I have found that many alignment and RV shops do not know what they are doing when it comes to alignment. At one shop, the person I spoke with didn’t even know what caster is.
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In the February “Tech Talk,” the owner of a 2005 Monaco Dynasty said his starter sometimes engages on the first turn of the key, but other times it takes up to 10 tries to engage (“Shaky Starter,” page 18). I had a 2004 Monaco Safari Trek with a similar starter issue (a click, click, click sound, and no start).
Inverter Input Voltage
We have a 2006 Tiffin Allegro built on a Workhorse chassis with an 8.1-liter engine. Several years ago I installed a Tripp Lite inverter/charger, model RV1250ULHW. Two years ago we were on a trip and stopped for the night at an RV park. I plugged into shore power and noticed that the remote panel for the inverter was showing shutdown due to overcharge
A/C DrainageType C motorhomes have long had the problem of water draining from the rooftop air conditioner onto the sides of the coach, including the windows. Has a solution been developed to drain the water efficiently so that it falls to the ground without touching the coach’s sides?Equine RVer
We are in the market for a motorhome. We plan to tow a three-horse trailer. The trailer, when loaded, will weigh a maximum of 10,000 pounds. We assume we’ll need a …Front-View Camera
I’m trying to find a mirror or camera that views the front end of the RV. Any suggestions?Electric StepMy 2000 National RV motorhome (bought new) has a Kwikee electric step that needs a new motor assembly. Both National and Kwikee no longer exist. I’ve tried to find a new or used replacement with no luck.Low Ground Clearance
I purchased a 2014 Type A motorhome. It was jacked up at the time, and I did not notice the low ground clearance of the 10-foot overhang behind the rear duals. I have talked to the motorhome manufacturer, and they say it is a problem of the chassis manufacturer. I talked to the chassis manufacturer, and they say it is a problem of the motorhome manufacturer. I cannot find anyone who can help.Weighing The OptionsI learned a lot from Mark Quasius’ article about proper chassis alignment (“Chassis Alignment Checkup,” June 2016, page 50) and have one question. All manufacturers recommend weighing coaches loaded, but the only place to get this done seems to be at a rally.Charging SystemI recently inherited a 1998 41-foot Beaver Patriot motorhome. Even though the motorhome has been plugged in, power from the batteries is not reaching the motorhome circuits. Everything is dead. Local motorhome repair technicians do not seem to know where the problem is.Chassis Batteries QuandaryThe chassis batteries do not hold a charge on my 2004 Winnebago Vectra. The engine alternator charges them when the engine is running, but the batteries do not charge when connected to shore power.Battery IssueI have a 2011 Monaco Diplomat. When I turn off the house battery switches, the gauges on my dash blink on and off. Obviously, the batteries run down fairly quickly. I replaced all of the batteries two years ago, so they are fairly new. …Any idea what's happening?Electric Receptacle IssueMy 2000 Four Winds Infinity has two electric receptacles mounted underneath the cabinets above the kitchen sink. The receptacles work only when they want to. It makes no difference if the coach is on battery power, generator, or shore power.Brake QuestionI tried to drive my Allegro Breeze after a month or so in storage and found that the brakes would not release. They apparently were stuck to the drums.Painting A Propane TankI look forward to receiving Family Motor Coaching magazine every month. I always learn a lot from your column and very seldom question your answers, but this time . . . oops.Water Tank SeepageAbout a year ago, I began noticing that when we are connected to city water, our onboard water tank slowly fills, even with all the gate valves properly positioned. Every two to three weeks I have to turn off city water and use the onboard water until the tank becomes mostly empty again.Complex Electrical TaskWe own a 2002 Beaver Monterey Type A motorhome with 50-amp service. It has two chassis batteries and four coach batteries. It also has a Xantrex PROsine 2.0 2,000-watt inverter/charger and a Progressive Dynamics 5200 series automatic transfer relay switch. We frequently stay at campgrounds that have only 30-amp service but also have a separate 20-amp outlet.Tire Pressure GaugesI’ve read several articles over the years about the importance of tire maintenance. I’ve had my coach weighed. I carefully check the tire pressures at least once a week, more often if traveling, and I use a tire pressure monitoring system. My question: How do I verify the accuracy of the tire-pressure gauge?Oily Electrolyte
Letters from people who added four ounces of mineral oil to each cell of a battery bank appeared in “Tech Talk” in March 2014 (page 18) and August 2014 (page 18). I did this, and I am amazed at how well it has worked the past 1 1/2 years.Battery Charging Revisited
I am writing in response to a question from John Billups in the May 2015 “Tech Talk” column (“Battery Charging,” page 18). The 12-volt house batteries on his diesel pusher were charging only when …Fiat Chrysler Addresses Jeep IssueFiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has issued “Customer Satisfaction Notification P73,” which is directed at owners of certain 2005 through 2010 model-year Jeep Grand Cherokee and certain 2006 through 2010 model-year Jeep Commander vehicles equipped with a Quadra-Trac II full-time active four-wheel-drive transfer case. The notification may be of interest to FMCA members who tow those vehicles four wheels down behind a motorhome.Towing Guide Information Family Motor Coaching’s “Towables for 2015” (January 2015, page 44) does not include the Jeep Liberty. It was listed from 2002 through 2012, but not beyond. Does that imply that the manufacturer no longer deems the 2013 vehicle towable? What about all those prior years?
Tire InflationI have a 2004 National RV Tropi-Cal Type A motorhome. A NHTSA recall of model-year 2004 and 2005 National RV motorhomes stated: “On certain motorhomes, depending on the floor plan configuration and options, the actual weight on the rear passenger-side tires could exceed the tire capacity for those tires at the current cold inflation pressure setting.”Towing A Chevy Silverado 1500
I now plan to tow my 2014 Chevrolet Silverado four wheels down. I’ve had a Blue Ox base plate installed on the Silverado along with an ICX transmitter for the Even Brake. All of the wiring for the system has been installed in the truck. Family Motor Coaching’s 2014 towing guide says that the negative battery cable must be removed from the battery before the 2014 Silverado 1500 can be towed.Towable Honda DebutsHonda has introduced a crossover SUV for the 2016 model year that is towable four wheels down behind a motorhome, according to its owners manual.Battery ChargingThe 12-volt house batteries failed on my 2004 Georgie Boy 38-foot diesel pusher. Using my multimeter, I found that the batteries were charging only when the coach engine was running.Gen Set InfoThe December 2014 “Readers’ Forum” column (page 16) mentioned that any generator with two legs of 120 volts AC could be connected to provide 240 volts AC output. Twenty years ago I went through this with Onan, and they said the generator absolutely was not designed to do that.Owners Manual InfoI have a 2011 Sportscoach Pathfinder. Have you seen a specific year and model owners manual for this coach? All I have is a generic motorhome manual from Coachmen for all types of motorized RVs, and it is too general in its content.Out Of Step
I have a 2006 National RV motorhome. The automatic retractable steps worked as they should until I shut the door recently and the steps wouldn’t retract. What should I look for? What would make them not work?Leveling JacksThe leveling jacks work perfectly on my 2001 National RV. However, when they are retracted, the warning light indicating that the jacks are down sometimes will stay on for 10 miles or more (and on one occasion, 50 miles).Leveling SystemI own a 2009 Coachmen Mirada motorhome with an Atwood Levelegs leveling system. Last spring, before our summer trip, we took the coach to our local RV dealer (an FMCA commercial member) to have the Levelegs repaired, as they suddenly had lost all power.Installing Temperature/Compass Gauges
In your March 2014 issue, Alex and Janet Bartha asked if temperature/compass gauges are available for installation on motorhomes.50-Amp Service
I’m curious. Since all electrical appliances in a motorhome are 120 volts (or 12 volts DC), why is a 240-volt source provided?LED Upgrading
I have a 2001 Monaco Windsor, and I am interested in replacing the exterior lighting with LEDs. I would prefer to do the installation myself, if possible. Can you give me any advice on the selection …FRVA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FRVA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.
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