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Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more
Ford F53 Godzilla V8 Suspension Problems: Fixes & Upgrades for Class A Motorhomes
Chassis Hard Research and planning phase 96 👍

Ford F53 Godzilla V8 Suspension Problems: Fixes & Upgrades for Class A Motorhomes

Halfway through my first long trip, this bone-rattling vibration and unsettling sway started plaguing my newer Class A motorhome with the Ford F53 Godzilla V8 chassis. Coming from a 26' travel trailer and a history with brands like LazyDaze, I'm trying to understand the current RV landscape. I saw a Baystar 2023 model where the owner spent around $35,000 on suspension upgrades after just 12,000 miles.

Sounds awesome on paper, but I keep hearing people say you still need to dump a ton of money into suspension upgrades to make these things handle decently on the highway. Did Ford actually improve the suspension setup when they introduced the Godzilla engine, or are we dealing with the same basic chassis design that's been around forever? I'm talking about 30+ foot Class A rigs here - seems crazy that a $200k motorhome would need immediate aftermarket work to drive safely.

Anyone know if the Godzilla F53 combo actually fixed the handling problems or if it's just more power on the same wobbly platform? …more
Ford F53 Chassis Bump Stop Replacement - Missing or Broken Front Leaf
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 90 👍

Ford F53 Chassis Bump Stop Replacement - Missing or Broken Front Leaf

Despite replacing F53 chassis bump stops twice already this season, my 2021's driver's side front leaf spring bump stop has completely vanished again and I'm done guessing. Just... gone. Vanished into the ether.

I'm seeing a bunch of aftermarket polyurethane bump stops on Amazon and other places, but honestly not sure if I should just bite the bullet and get the Ford OEM part or if there are better options out there. Also wondering if I should be checking the other side too - seems like these things might be prone to failing?

Anyone dealt with this before? What's the move here - stick with factory or upgrade to something beefier? …more
How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter
Engine Medium 1-3 hours 87 👍

How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter

According to Murphy's Law, my Onan QD3200 generator is doing something bizarre — it's leaking diesel fuel from behind the air filter instead of where you'd normally expect fuel leaks. The fuel appears to be coming from somewhere behind the air filter box, and I'm worried about making things worse if I don't diagnose this properly. I've shut everything down for now because I'm nervous about safety issues.

I need to know the safest way to trace where this leak is actually coming from without creating a fire hazard or damaging anything. What are the most likely culprits in that area, and what's the proper procedure to identify the exact source? I want to make sure I approach this methodically rather than just poking around and potentially making the problem worse. …more
RV House Refrigerator Storage: Should You Leave the Door Open?
Ac Refrigeration Easy 15 minutes 85 👍

RV House Refrigerator Storage: Should You Leave the Door Open?

According to the moisture buildup around my residential fridge door seals after just two weeks of storage, I'm clearly doing something wrong.

With my old propane fridge, I religiously propped that door open during storage like every RV manual commanded. But now that I've got this "house fridge" - do I treat it like a regular home refrigerator and keep it closed, or do I stick with my old RV habits and prop it open? I'm probably overthinking this, but the last thing I want is to open it up next season and get knocked over by some horrific smell that could wake the dead. What's the right move here for preventing mold and keeping things fresh during long-term storage? …more
Norcold N611 NO CO Error Code: Complete Repair Guide for Flashing Warning Lights
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-4 hours 83 👍

Norcold N611 NO CO Error Code: Complete Repair Guide for Flashing Warning Lights

Staring at my 2007 Norcold N611's flashing NO CO lights shutting everything down — is there a DIY fix under $50 since I can't swing a $300 service call? The fridge loses cooling and then locks out completely. I can reset it and it works for a few days or weeks, then the same cycle repeats.

What exactly does the NO CO error code mean and what causes it? Need to understand what's happening before I start throwing more parts at this problem. …more

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Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 82 👍

Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Woke up to check out my new place's Dometic CF80 basement refrigerator/freezer and discovered what looks like deteriorated foam filter stuff in the bottom drain compartment. The foam material shows significant contamination and degradation.

I need to understand the specific function of this foam component within the CF80's drainage system. Is this foam element critical for proper unit operation, and what are the consequences of operating without it? Additionally, what is the recommended replacement schedule for this component, and how do I determine when replacement is necessary versus simple cleaning? …more
Ford E-450 Motorhome Alignment: Complete Caster Adjustment Guide for RVs
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 81 👍

Ford E-450 Motorhome Alignment: Complete Caster Adjustment Guide for RVs

After following the Ford manual's factory alignment specs on my 2019 E-450 chassis, this house-on-wheels still wanders like a drunk tourist in Vegas. I'm pretty sure it needs a caster adjustment, but I'm confused about the actual process.

Do I need cam bolts or shims to adjust the caster on an E-450? And what's the sweet spot for positive caster degrees to keep this beast tracking straight? Also heard something about toe adjustments being important after messing with caster - is that really necessary or just another way for the shop to separate me from my beer money? …more
How to Fix Generac RV Generator Oil Leaks After Breather Hose Replacement Guide
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 79 👍

How to Fix Generac RV Generator Oil Leaks After Breather Hose Replacement Guide

Looked like a simple breather hose replacement on my Generac RV generator, but ever since I finished the job, oil has been leaking everywhere. I replaced the cracked original-style breather hose with a new version that now includes an elbow and short extension inside the air filter housing. While the hose replacement definitely helped reduce the oil drip, I'm still seeing some persistent leakage underneath the unit.

The new hose design appears to be an upgrade from Generac, with the uphill extension meant to help oil sucked from the crankcase run back down into the engine. I'm hoping this will further minimize the drip issue. I want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious before I take it to a repair shop. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with their Generac generator's breather tube? Any guidance on troubleshooting would be really appreciated. …more
F53 Chassis Leaf Spring Problems: Signs of Failure and Replacement Guide
Engine Hard 3-4 hours per spring 79 👍

F53 Chassis Leaf Spring Problems: Signs of Failure and Replacement Guide

Got a 2001 F53 chassis with leaf springs making weird noises and the RV feels unstable—is this dangerous with my grandkids riding along? Specifically for my RV, I want to know what to look for during inspection of the passenger side front spring. I'm considering replacing the stock springs (2750# rating) with new springs rated at 3750#, as my front axle weight when loaded is 6000#. Are there particular areas I should focus on when checking the springs? Also need to understand how urgent replacement is if I find problems. …more
F-53 Motorhome Leaf Springs: Complete Replacement Guide & Warning Signs to Watch
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 79 👍

F-53 Motorhome Leaf Springs: Complete Replacement Guide & Warning Signs to Watch

My F-53 motorhome still bounces like a trampoline over every bump despite replacing the shocks, checking alignment, and rebalancing the tires. I have a 1995 F-53 motorhome that's been in Arizona its whole life, so thankfully no rust issues.

I keep seeing posts about people replacing leaf springs on much newer rigs, and it's got me wondering if I should be doing the same. My coach is 30 years old now, but honestly I don't see any obvious sagging and the springs look okay to my untrained eye. I do have some worn bushings that I'm planning to replace.

What are the actual warning signs that leaf springs need to be completely replaced? Am I missing something obvious, or could my old Arizona springs actually still be fine? I don't want to spend money I don't need to, but I also don't want to ignore something important for safety. …more
How to Remove Dometic 10 Gallon Water Heater from Class A RV (Without
Propane Hard 4-6 hours 78 👍

How to Remove Dometic 10 Gallon Water Heater from Class A RV (Without

Turned on my water pump this morning and there's that unmistakable musty smell wafting from behind the fridge where my 1999 Class A's leaking Dometic 10-gallon water heater sits. I've got the mounting bolts out and can wiggle it a bit, but can't pull it far enough to get at the water and propane connections on the back.

Really hoping I don't have to yank the entire refrigerator just to swap this thing out! I'm thinking maybe I could disconnect the propane line from the front and push it through, but those water lines are probably gonna be the real problem. Has anyone figured out a way to get these units out without the massive headache of fridge removal? Maybe working from the exterior compartment somehow? …more
AGM Battery Deep Discharge Damage - East Penn 6V Recovery
Solar Batteries Medium 30-45 minutes for testing 77 👍

AGM Battery Deep Discharge Damage - East Penn 6V Recovery

Looked inside my battery compartment and immediately hit with that acrid sulfur smell - my East Penn 6V AGM batteries are completely dead after a deep discharge. Last July, I installed six East Penn 6V house batteries and set the Magnum remote to AGM type. Left my coach at a shop for 2.5 weeks and came back to completely dead batteries - we're talking 8V dead, folks. Nothing worked: steps, lights, even my fancy electric shades decided to take a permanent nap. Chassis batteries were still okay.

After plugging in at home, the Magnum charger went through its whole song and dance - bulk charging at 100A, then eventually settled into float at 13.2V. When I unplugged and fired up the generator briefly, voltage dropped from 13.0V to 12.7V.

So here's my million-dollar question: did my deep discharge adventure turn these batteries into expensive paperweights, or do these voltage readings suggest they might have survived my negligence? I'm cautiously optimistic but honestly have no idea what signs indicate whether AGM batteries bounced back from the dead or are just pretending to be okay! …more

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Koni Shocks vs Sway Bars for RV Body Roll: Which $1200 Upgrade Works Best?
General Medium 4-6 hours 76 👍

Koni Shocks vs Sway Bars for RV Body Roll: Which $1200 Upgrade Works Best?

Standing in front of my 2022 Fleetwood Frontier 36ss after following every YouTube tutorial on fixing body roll, I somehow made the swaying and corner instability even worse. The difference is really noticeable compared to my previous RV, a 2016 Itasca 34H that had Bilstein shocks and handled much more smoothly with minimal body roll.

I'm considering investing about $1200 in Koni shocks as an upgrade, thinking they might solve this handling issue. However, I want to make sure I'm spending my money on the right solution. Will upgrading to Koni shocks actually reduce the body roll I'm experiencing, or should I be looking at other suspension modifications? I'd hate to spend that much money and not see a significant improvement in the handling characteristics that are bothering me most. …more
Water Heater Hot When Empty - No Safety Protection Issue
Propane Medium 2-3 hours for inspection and potential repairs 74 👍

Water Heater Hot When Empty - No Safety Protection Issue

Finally asking what's probably a dumb question, but why is my RV water heater getting scorching hot even when it's completely empty? After 10+ years of RV ownership, I somehow managed to leave my water heater running while empty and connected to shore power. When I opened the access panel today, that sucker was HOT.

I'm honestly amazed I haven't burned anything down yet - or at least fried the heating element. I always assumed there was some kind of built-in safety feature that would shut things down if the tank went dry, but apparently my water heater didn't get that memo.

So here's my slightly embarrassing question: Do most RV water heaters actually have dry-fire protection, or am I supposed to rely on my apparently non-existent common sense? And more importantly, what can I do to prevent my future self from making this same bone-headed mistake again? …more
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