Charging House Batteries
I have a 2006 Coachmen 38-foot diesel pusher on a Freightliner chassis with a 300-horsepower Cummins engine. I bought the motorhome new and found that the house batteries do not receive a charge while the diesel engine is running.
V-10 Temperature
We purchased our 2008 Itasca 32H Sunrise in September 2007. It is built on a 2007 Ford chassis with a V-10 engine, and it has been driven 47,800 miles. On five different occasions during the past 12 months, the water temperature gauge has risen toward or into the red zone.
Fridge Facts
The refrigerator in our motorhome works sporadically. During our last trip, it didn’t work at all. We took the RV to a home appliance store and the diagnosis was that they needed to “burp the fridge,” because of the ammonia within the sealed system.
More Maceration
This letter is in reference to the “Macerator Mulling” letter in the June 2012 "Tech Talk" column (page 18). In the seven years of using the macerator in our motorhome, we have experienced much of what was discussed in the letter.
Ethanol
Now that the government has approved 15 percent ethanol (E15) gasoline, how is this going to affect our 2007 GM Workhorse 8.1-liter gas engine?
Coach Batteries
Several years ago, I bought a 2000 Monaco Diplomat. At that time, the house batteries (four 6-volt) were five months old. I recently replaced them and must have received some bad information somewhere along the line.
Extended Storage
In the December 2011 issue of Family Motor Coaching, the answer to Don Loudermilk’s “Storage Question” letter (page 20) states that you should place pieces of plywood under the tires of the motorhome when storing it. I have a Prevost XLII with air support…
ABS Error
I own a 37-foot 2006 Holiday Rambler Neptune built on a Roadmaster diesel chassis. Occasionally the ABS light comes on. The problem is that the light comes on intermittently.
Ford 2012 Escape, Fusion No Longer Towable
Family Motor Coaching recently learned that Ford Motor Company has amended its information concerning flat-towing 2012 Ford Escape and Fusion vehicles equipped with front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive systems (excluding hybrid models). In February 2012 the company published an Owner Guide Supplement for these vehicles that was sent to current owners.
Ford Escape, Fusion Clarification
In the ”Tech Talk” column of the June 2012 issue of FMC (page 18), it was reported that Ford Motor Company had published an Owner Guide Supplement in February 2012 that indicated 2012 Escape and Fusion vehicles with front-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, and all-wheel-drive systems should no longer be towed four wheels down behind a motorhome.
Valve Extensions
Referencing the “Tire Valve Extensions” letter that appeared in the January 2012 “Tech Talk” column (page 20), I think the answer provided offered good advice, but I also want to point out that many wheels do not need them.
Maintaining Towable’s Battery
In the August 2011 “Tech Talk†column there was a letter about Honda CR-V battery problems (page 22). I also use a 2009 CR-V as my towed vehicle and had the same problem with the battery dying while it was being towed. I recently went to a local trailer hookup and welding company and found a wonderful solution.
Macerator
I have a 2010 Roadtrek Type B motorhome that I ordered and received in February 2010. I went on a trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico, in October 2010 to visit with family. I used the macerator pump to empty both the black and gray water tanks. The system worked fine, except that it blew the fuse.
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.
Towable Battery Assistance
I read the “CR-V Battery Problems” letter that appeared in the August 2011 “Tech Talk” column in which Bill Shaw wrote about the battery drain issues he was having. I’d like to share some information that I think could help people who are experiencing similar battery problems.
Frosty Fridge Fins
We have a 2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor motorhome. Last summer the refrigerator’s cooling unit was replaced. With the original unit, we hardly ever had to defrost the refrigerator or freezer. With the new unit we have to defrost the refrigerator about every two weeks.
Propane Level
From the time I purchased our new 2003 Fleetwood Discovery, the propane gauge at the front of the motorhome always has read full, regardless of the amount of fuel in the tank.Â
Chevy Cruze Automatic No Longer Approved For Flat TowingFMC recently was notified by several FMCA members that Chevrolet has issued a bulletin and supplemental owners manual page that advises owners not to flat tow Chevrolet Cruze vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, even though the owners manual states that the vehicle can be towed four wheels down.
Power Switch Problem
We have a 2001 Country Coach Allure motorhome, and I hope you can help me with a shore power question. I think the problem is the Todd Engineering power switch, model PS245L, located at the motorhome’s electrical entry point. Todd Engineering is no longer in business.
Batteries
Is it a good idea to keep my motorhome plugged in to AC power while not being used?
If you own a motorhome equipped with a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator and have not received recall notification, or if you have recently purchased a preowned motorhome that has a Dometic or Norcold refrigerator, you may want to check to see whether your refrigerator needs to be serviced.
How Long And How Fast?
I tow a 2008 all-wheel-drive Saturn VUE XR that’s equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. When preparing the vehicle to be towed, I place the transmission in “neutral†with the ignition key in the accessory position and pull the ignition fuse so the battery doesn’t go dead.
Refrigerator Facts
I have a 1996 American Eagle with a Dometic side-by-side refrigerator. It won’t maintain the cold when in the electric mode. The freezer works fine, but the refrigerator does not stay cold.  Â
Convertor/Charger Problems
My question is about my 1992 34-foot Safari Ivory that has a 50-amp convertor/charger that has stopped working. Can I replace this with a regular 120-volt-AC/40-amp battery charger?Â
Sneaky Circuitry
I am working on an electrical problem in a friend’s 2003 Holiday Rambler Traveler 26RB2. On the wall by the outside door is a push-button switch, whose purpose is to disconnect the coach battery from everything but the refrigerator and the inverter.Â
Electrical Nightmare
I have a 2003 Monaco Dynasty motorhome with an electrical problem that has puzzled just about everyone I’ve spoken with about it. It all began more than two years ago when I started the generator and the engine to return to Canada. The inverter began to sound an alarm…
Powerless
My 1991 motorhome is built on a Ford chassis with the 460-cid engine. It will go about 20 miles and then lose power, and I have to keep my foot on the gas feed to keep it running. It’s like it is not getting enough gas.
30-Amp Versus 50-Amp
Our 2004 Winnebago Adventurer 33V came with 30-amp electrical service. However, other similar coaches have 50-amp service. Prolonged use of the heat pump/air conditioner burns the contacts on the shore power plug.
No Dash Fan Info
This information may help Dennis Auclair with the issue he described in his “No Dash Fan†letter that appeared in the March 2010 issue of Family Motor Coaching (page 14). I had the same problem on my 2000 Monaco Knight and this Web site was very helpful: www.evanstempcon.com/guides_ccl.php.
Ignition Problem
I own a 1999 Monaco on a Ford chassis with a V-10 engine. The starter will not engage from the ignition switch. I can turn the ignition switch to the “on†position and jump the starter and the engine cranks okay.Â
Storing Batteries
Last year, when storing my coach for the winter, I ran a jumper wire (fused) from my house battery bank (six 6-volt batteries) to my three other batteries — the gen set starting battery and the two chassis batteries.
Stalling Problem
I have a 2000 Pace Arrow Vision with 28,000 miles on the Ford V-10 engine. I occasionally have trouble keeping the engine running after starting it.
Engine Malfunction
We have a 2005 Bounder 32W with a Ford Triton V-10 engine. On a recent trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the engine malfunctioned and the motorhome had to be towed to a Ford dealer in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The problem turned out to be a wet air filter, which got sucked inside out.
Anti-Ant Attack
Regarding the “Ant Infestation” letter in the August 2009 Tech Talk column (page 20), we have on several occasions also been infested with ants.
Kooky Cables
We have a 1986 Fleetwood Limited with three batteries. We need a diagram that shows how to hook up all the wires from the alternator to the battery isolator. For some reason, our cranking battery is discharging while the motorhome is being driven and is not being recharged.
Treatment Time
I have a 1996 Winnebago motorhome with a Cummins diesel engine. In the fall I filled the fuel tank and added diesel fuel treatment before storing it for winter. The next year we didn’t get a chance to use the motorhome except to drive it maybe 50 miles or so. Will the fuel be okay this year if I top it off again and add some more fuel treatment?
Leaky Ice Makers
We have two U-Line ice makers; one is installed in our Safari motorhome and the other in our trawler yacht. We purchased the one in the trawler new; the ice maker on the motorhome came to us 10 years old. Each of these units leaks like a sieve inside the cabinet when the water fills the cube tray.
Hybrid Towables
I noticed that there are several vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions that can be flat-towed. …Also, I noticed there are a few hybrids that are flat towable. We are interested in getting a hybrid that is automatic and flat towable.
Coach Tires
I am experiencing some abnormal wear on the front tires of my 2005 Fleetwood Bounder 38N. These are the original tires and have only 25,000 miles on them. I first noticed the wear approximately a year ago and had them inspected by a tire dealer. The wear is occurring primarily on the second rib in from the outside of the tire.
Slideout Awnings
Some of the awnings over my slideouts are loose on the ends, but tight in the middle. When the wind starts to blow, the ends flap and create noise inside the motorhome.
W22 Brake Caliper Overheating
We own a 2004 National RV Dolphin on a W22 Workhorse chassis manufactured in December 2003. It is among those included in an Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) notice as having a front brake caliper problem.
Blowout
I am writing to ask your advice about an accident I had June 7, 2009. I purchased my first motorhome, a 2004 40-foot Holiday Rambler Imperial, in April 2009 and used it on a couple of trips for about 3,000 miles. At the time of the accident, it had approximately 56,000 miles on it.
Toilet Paper
We used the “right brand†of toilet paper for quite a while, but then something happened and apparently we switched brands. That did not sit well in the black water holding tank. So, can you tell us what the right brand of toilet paper is?
Ant Infestation
Do you have any ideas on how to rid an RV of ants (the very small kind)? We cannot seem to find their nest or point of origin.
Give Me Liberty!
I recently purchased a 2008 Jeep Liberty that I intend to tow flat behind my motorhome. Based on published data, I thought this would be a simple thing to do. I had a 1998 Jeep Cherokee …
Butane Vs. Propane
Could I get some clarification on the propane versus butane issue brought up by Walter A. Szczepanik in his letter (“Propane Or Butane?†page 25) in the October 2008 issue of the magazine?
Digital TV questions
We have two TV sets in our motorhome on the antenna with the power booster. Will we need the converter box for each set even though the one is digital?
Cooling It With A Colorado
I just purchased a 2008 Colorado 4X4 and I am going to tow it behind my RV. I want to know whether I need to do anything other than put the transfer case in “neutral”? Does the steering wheel lock when the key is removed?
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.
DTV Converter Question
We hope you can clarify the DTV converter box issue with our motorhome. Do we need to purchase a converter box for our motorhome TV, or will the place we camp at have the right digital connection for us? Please clarify this dilemma.