Results for "Z brackets"

General Easy 30 minutes to 1 hour 95 👍 1

Flag Pole Mount for Tiffin Allegro 33AA Without Fixed Ladder

Spent all morning staring at my new Tiffin Allegro 33AA trying to figure out how to mount a telescopic flag pole without destroying something. My previous RV had a fixed ladder which made mounting easy and secure, but this new rig doesn't have that option.

I'm concerned about using suction cups or zip ties because they don't seem very secure, and I'm afraid the telescopic flag pole could come loose while driving and cause damage or become a road hazard. The bike rack is already occupied with our bikes, so that's not available either.

What are some safe, secure mounting options that won't damage the RV's exterior? I need something that will hold firmly during highway speeds but won't leave permanent marks or holes in my new rig. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 1 hour inspection 90 👍 0

Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips

Standing in my flooded RV after last week's torrential downpour, I'm realizing my Norcold double door refrigerator might be one electrical surge away from turning this whole rig into a bonfire. I've discovered a concerning burn mark that suggests serious heat distribution issues, particularly around the chimney and heat diverter placement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is one of those real risks from the previous class action lawsuit or just an RV urban legend. After the factory modifications following the lawsuit, which installed a thermal overheat switch, I'm still worried about the fundamental design - specifically how the heat diverter seems to direct heat toward the cabinet wall.

What exactly causes these fire risks, and more importantly, what can I actually DO about it? The fix seems to involve removing the fridge and installing heat protection on the cabinet wall. I've heard whispers about recalls and some prevention methods, but I want concrete steps to ensure my RV doesn't become a potential fire hazard.

Any guidance on real prevention steps would be amazing - I'd rather not explain to my insurance company why my vacation home spontaneously combusted! …more

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Chassis Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍 0

1997 Ford F53 Motorhome Chassis Brake Line Routing: Complete Installation Guide

Pulled into the driveway and my husband pointed out that our 1997 Ford F53 motorhome's brake lines look like "spaghetti thrown at a wall" and now I can't unsee it. I'm working on brake lines for my 1997 F53 motorhome chassis, and like a true amateur, I forgot to take a picture before disassembly. Classic mistake, right?

Now I'm staring at this brake line wondering if I've got it routed correctly. It looks awfully cozy with the caliper - maybe too cozy for comfort. I'm pretty sure brake lines aren't supposed to be BFFs with moving parts, but I honestly can't remember the proper routing path from the master cylinder.

What's the correct way to route these lines on an F53 chassis, and how much clearance should I maintain from the caliper and suspension components? I'd rather ask now than explain to my insurance company later why my brakes decided to take an unscheduled vacation! …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Air Conditioners

4.4 (8,100 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-4 hours for custom fabrication 88 👍 0

F53 V10 Water Ingestion Fix When Ford Parts Discontinued

Our '99 F53 chassis with the V10 engine hasn't run right ever since we got caught in that torrential downpour last month and now we're dealing with water ingestion issues. I've experienced hydro-lock issues in severe downpours, and I know Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin 04-24-22 specifically addressing this air intake design flaw on the '99 to '04 F53 models. The TSB called for replacing the air intake horn and modifying the intake strap to prevent water from being sucked into the engine during heavy rain conditions.

The problem is that when I contacted my Ford dealer, they told me the critical air intake horn part specified in TSB 04-24-22 has been discontinued and is no longer available. The modified strap is still available, but without the new intake horn design, I'm still vulnerable to water ingestion during storms. With extensive travel plans ahead where I'll likely encounter severe weather, I need a reliable solution to protect my engine from hydro-lock.

What are my options for addressing the F53 V10 water ingestion problem when the original Ford TSB parts are no longer available? Are there aftermarket solutions or modifications that other F53 owners have successfully implemented to solve this issue? …more

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Slideouts Medium 30-60 minutes 84 👍 0

Can You Remove RV Slideout Topper Temporarily? Safe Travel Without Awning

Since that heavy downpour last weekend, my slideout topper mechanism completely failed - something snapped inside the roller tube and now it won't retract at all. I managed to manually wind it up and secure it with zip ties just to get home, but it's clearly done for.

I've got a replacement topper on order, but of course it won't arrive before our next planned outing in two weeks. I'm really hoping we don't have to cancel this trip we've been looking forward to! Can I safely remove the broken topper completely and just operate the slideout normally without it? I assume it should be fine since it's just for keeping debris off the roof, but I want to make absolutely sure there are no safety issues with traveling and using the slideout without the topper installed. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

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Exterior Medium 1-2 hours 76 👍 0

Kwikee Steps Won't Extend: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Every time I open my RV door these Kwikee steps stay stuck at 90% retracted — should I drop $300+ on replacements or try fixing first?

I'm pretty sure this is either a motor that's given up the ghost or something's binding up in the linkage, but I'd love some confirmation before I start throwing parts at it. Should I be checking for 12V at the motor first, or am I overthinking this? And while we're at it, any preventive maintenance I should do to keep this from happening again? Because apparently my RV has commitment issues with working components. …more

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Engine Easy 30-60 minutes 74 👍 0

How to Stop Animals From Nesting in Your RV Generator Air Intake

During my pre-trip RV inspection this morning, I'm staring at my generator and there's a massive bird's nest completely blocking the air intake. I keep finding cat poop on my Onan Q70 generator intake! At first I thought maybe it was a one-time thing from the previous owner, but nope - I've had to clean it off THREE times now, and we're talking about some serious deposits here.

The really puzzling part? I haven't even been running the generator or traveling anywhere, so it's not like cats are seeking out warmth. We're also 500+ miles from where I originally bought the RV, so unless the same cat has been following me cross-country (which would be impressive dedication), this seems to be a recurring problem with different animals.

Is my generator intake just irresistibly attractive to cats somehow? Has anyone else dealt with this lovely surprise, and more importantly, how do I convince the local feline population that my generator is NOT their personal bathroom? I'm starting to feel like I'm running a very expensive outdoor cat toilet! …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 74 👍 0

How to Replace Rear ABS Sensor on Heavy Duty RV Chassis - Complete Guide & Tips

Looked forward to spring camping season prep on my 2011 Ford F53 22,000 lbs GVWR RV, but that damn ABS light killed my inspection plans again. I'm trying to figure out where exactly the rear ABS sensor is located, specifically on these heavy duty chassis. I found a RockAuto part (WELLS 5S12339) that seems specific to my 2011 model.

I see there's one sensor at each rear wheel. I've already removed a small screw, but I'm unsure about next steps. Do I need to remove the wheel, drum, or bearing to access the sensor? There seems to be a metal cap over it that's complicating things.

Any advice on accessing and replacing this sensor, especially dealing with potentially rusty mounting hardware? I haven't found clear guidance on YouTube or IRV2.com for my specific setup. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours installation 68 👍 0

DC-DC Charger Needed for E450 AGM to Lithium Upgrade?

Finally got a 2019 Ford E450 and I'm upgrading from AGM to lithium batteries but can't figure out if I need a DC-DC charger. Now I'm seriously considering ditching my AGM 12V batteries for the shiny new lithium upgrade on my E450 chassis.

The thing is, I've got a decent 200 amp alternator already installed, and I'm wondering if that's enough muscle to properly charge lithium batteries, or if I need to add yet another gadget to my ever-growing collection of RV electronics. Do I really need a DC-DC charger for this upgrade, or can my alternator handle the job? My wallet is already crying from pricing out lithium batteries, so I'm hoping to avoid another expensive add-on if possible! …more

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Propane Hard 3-4 hours 68 👍 0

Atwood 8535-III Furnace Replacement: Best Direct & Alternative Options for RV Heating

This 1998 Holiday Rambler's Atwood 8535-III is dying and I can't swing a $300+ service call — any DIY replacement options under $200? It's been repaired multiple times over the years, but now it's getting rusty and parts are nearly impossible to find. I'm worried about safety issues if I keep trying to patch it up.

I really need to replace it with something reliable, but I'm nervous about compatibility issues. Will a newer furnace even fit in the same space? Are there any direct replacement options that won't require major modifications to my RV's heating system?

I'd feel much better having a proper replacement recommendation rather than guessing and potentially creating bigger problems. What are my best options for replacing this old Atwood 8535-III? …more

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Engine Easy 30 minutes inspection 65 👍 0

Ford E450 RV Engine Bay Parts Guide - OEM vs RV Manufacturer Components

Last week I noticed my 2024 Ford E450 RV chassis developed this weird electrical issue and I'm worried it's dangerous with kids constantly playing around the rig. A power cable was touching the metal bracket holding the transmission dipstick tube, and when a water drop fell on the right top bolt (which shows some discoloration), a spark occurred. This raised safety concerns about potential electrical interference or risk. Should I apply insulation to prevent future sparking, and is this a normal occurrence in the engine bay? Would like to understand if this is a Ford-installed or RV manufacturer component to guide my troubleshooting. …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 52 👍 0

Loose Part Near Cylinder #5 - Ford V-10 Fleetwood Southwind

During my continuity test on this dangling wire near cylinder #5 of my 2000 Fleetwood Southwind Ford V-10, I'm getting a reading but the wiring diagram shows nothing should connect there. Noticed it while doing spark plug maintenance. Can't tell where it came from or what it might be. What are the common components in that area of the Ford V-10 that typically come loose over time? …more

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