Results for "ball seal"

Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 108 👍 0

How to Fix a Squeaking Dometic Fan-Tastic Roof Fan in Your RV

Looked up at my Dometic Fan-Tastic roof fan squeaking loudly above my kids' beds—is this dangerous or could something actually break and fall on them? The fan blades aren't hitting the housing, so that's not the issue. What are the most common causes of squeaking in these roof fans? Is this something I can fix myself with basic maintenance, or does it usually require replacing parts like bearings or the motor? …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 100 👍 0

RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In

According to my neighbor I need to replace the valve, the RV dealer says it's just a clog, and YouTube insists it's a pump issue with my 2012 36 QSP's black tank flush system. When I connect my hose to the flush port and turn on the water, nothing seems to go into the tank - the water just doesn't flow in like it should.

I'm wondering if there's a check valve that might be stuck or if something is clogged up? I've used the flush connection earlier in the year without any problems, so this is puzzling. I've heard about debris getting in the spray nozzle too. What are the most common causes when the black tank flush won't accept water, and what should I try to fix it? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I'm not sure what to troubleshoot first! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours for thorough inspection 84 👍 0

2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 Steering Play & Tire Wear Issues

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Plumbing Easy N/A 82 👍 0

How to Travel with a Winterized RV: Complete Cold Weather Guide

I noticed my travel trailer isn't winterized for my Connecticut to Florida Keys trip in February — can't afford professional service right now, need DIY solutions under $200? I'll be stopping at my brother's place in New Jersey first, and then caravaning to our first stop in Fredericksburg, VA at a KOA with a full bathhouse.

I've winterized my travel trailer for the cold months up here, and I recently heard a podcast about travelers staying winterized and using RV antifreeze for quick bathroom needs during the trip. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this approach.

I know I could de-winterize before leaving, but I'm worried about pipes freezing during the drive south since we'll be going through some cold states. On the other hand, traveling winterized means no water systems working during the trip. What's the smartest way to handle this? Should I keep it winterized for the whole drive and deal with no water, or is there a better strategy I'm missing? …more

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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 77 👍 0

Ford F53 Hydroboost Check Valve Ball Replacement Guide - RV Brake Repair Tips

Spent the weekend troubleshooting my 1996 Ford F53 motorhome's spongy brake pedal, and now I'm really concerned about the hydroboost system safety. When I disassembled the unit, I discovered there's no check valve ball in the accumulator assembly. The system has been working fine so far, but I watched a video where someone's accumulator failed catastrophically without this ball and damaged other components.

I'm worried about operating the RV without this part, but I'm also second-guessing myself since the brakes have been functioning normally. Do most 1996 Ford F53 hydroboost units actually require this check valve ball, or could mine be a special variant that doesn't need it? I don't want to risk brake failure or cause expensive damage by running it incorrectly. …more

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Plumbing Medium 30-45 minutes 76 👍 0

How to Replace Thetford Style II Toilet Ball Valve Seal Without Removal

Last weekend I followed three YouTube tutorials to fix my Thetford Style II toilet's water retention issue, but now the bowl drains even faster after flushing. Diagnostic assessment indicates the ball valve seal has deteriorated and requires replacement.

Before proceeding with repairs, I need to determine the most efficient approach. Is it possible to access and replace the ball valve seal without removing the entire toilet unit from its floor mounting? What access points are available for this type of seal replacement on the Style II model? …more

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Plumbing Medium 60 minutes 74 👍 0

RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells

Since my RV service tech insists I need to replace my entire toilet just because the water keeps disappearing from the bowl, I'm wondering if he's overselling me on what might be a simple seal issue. Pretty sure it's a seal issue but not sure if it's the ball seal, blade seal, or something with the valve itself. Getting some lovely sewer smells too which is just fantastic 🙄

Before I start tearing things apart, what's usually the culprit here? And roughly what am I looking at cost-wise for parts? Really hoping this is one of those DIY fixes and not a "call the RV guy" situation. …more

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Plumbing Easy N/A 72 👍 0

Dometic RV Toilet Parts Diagrams: Complete Guide by Model Number

Halfway through this camping season, my Dometic RV toilet is eating through replacement parts way faster than it should, and I can't figure out which diagrams match my model number. I think I need a new ball seal and possibly a water valve, but I want to make sure I get the right parts for my specific model.

Where can I find official parts diagrams that show all the components? Also, I'm not even sure how to figure out what model toilet I have - is there a way to identify the model number? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to order the wrong parts. …more

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Chassis Medium 2-4 hours 70 👍 0

Best Shock Upgrades for 2024 Fleetwood Bounder 35K

I woke up determined to fix my 2024 Fleetwood Bounder 35K's ride quality — adjusted tire pressure, checked alignment, swapped sway bar links — but it still bounces like a trampoline. The thing rides like a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail - every bump feels like we're crossing the Continental Divide!

I keep hearing about Koni FSD and Bilstein shocks as upgrades, but I'm wondering if they're actually worth it or just RV snake oil. Are these brands really that much better than whatever factory shocks came on this beast? And more importantly, what kind of financial damage am I looking at to stop feeling like I'm in a paint mixer every time we hit the road? …more

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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 69 👍 0

Dometic Sealand Traveler 111 to 511 Toilet Upgrade Guide

Three days into my RV trip with the kids, my Dometic Sealand Traveler 111 toilet started leaking and making weird gurgling sounds during my 511 upgrade—is this dangerous? Both are low-profile toilets and my current setup has a 4-bolt floor flange.

Will the Traveler 511 bolt directly onto my existing mounting hardware without modifications? I want to confirm the mounting patterns are compatible before ordering the replacement. …more

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Engine Hard 8-16 hours 67 👍 0

2003 Fleetwood Southwind Exhaust Manifold Repair in Waukesha WI RV Services

The exhaust manifold gasket on my 2003 Fleetwood Southwind is shot and I'm staring at a hefty repair bill — worth fixing or time to walk away? The situation is complicated by four broken studs that are flush with the head, which means this repair will likely require head removal to properly extract the damaged hardware.

Given the complexity of this repair on a motorhome chassis, I need to identify the appropriate type of service facility in the Waukesha, Wisconsin area. This isn't a standard automotive repair - it requires specialized knowledge of RV systems and heavy-duty engine work.

What type of professional service centers should I be targeting for this level of exhaust manifold repair work on my Fleetwood Southwind? …more

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Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 1-2 hours 67 👍 0

Adding Ball Valve to 2008 Fleetwood Terra Heater Line - Safe?

I turned off my RV's cooling system and grabbed my wrench — ready to install a ball valve on my 2008 Fleetwood Terra's heater line but need safety confirmation first. I've been battling what I suspect is a faulty electric heater valve that may not be closing completely when I switch to A/C mode.

The electric valve is expensive to replace and located in an incredibly awkward spot that's driving me crazy to access. I've tried everything - heat detectors, feeling around the lines, you name it - but I still can't definitively tell if it's actually sealing off hot coolant flow when the A/C is running.

Here's my question: Can I safely install a simple manual ball valve in the heater line before the existing electric valve? I'm hoping this would let me manually shut off coolant flow to the heater core when using A/C, essentially doing the job the electric valve should be doing. Will this cause any problems with the cooling system or damage anything? I just need to know if this is a safe solution before I start cutting into lines. …more

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Engine Hard Several days 65 👍 0

E4OD Transmission Rebuild Guide: Motorhome vs Truck Torque Converter Differences

Planning my annual spring RV prep for the 1994 motorhome, that stubborn E4OD transmission keeps reminding me the rebuild I've been avoiding can't wait another season. I'm specifically wondering if the motorhome E4OD has a unique torque converter compared to truck models. When I get this transmission on the workbench, what should I know about finding the right torque converter? Are there any key differences I need to watch out for? I want to make sure I order the correct parts and do this rebuild correctly. …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-3 hours 65 👍 0

RV Vacuflush Toilet Odor Fix: Stop Black Tank Smells While Driving

After six months on the road, my 2016 Fleetwood Bounder's Vacuflush toilet is eating through air fresheners faster than I can buy them thanks to relentless black tank odors. When parked, no smell at all. What causes this driving-only odor issue and how do I fix it? I'm thinking it's related to air pressure or venting but need to know the exact solution. …more

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Electrical Easy N/A 65 👍 0

RV Dashboard Warning Lights: Complete Diagnosis and Troubleshooting Guide

Around mile 50,000 my 2014 Tiffin Open Road 31 SA's dashboard warning lights started going haywire despite the manual saying each light indicates specific problems. I've got a lovely collection of warning lights glowing at me - specifically the yellow Hydromax, ABS, and red Brake warning lights. They all go off if I apply the brake first and then start the engine, but come back on when I release the brake.

I've already done some basic troubleshooting: checked all fluids (they're ok), e-brake is working, jacks recognize parking brake status, speed control works, and brake switch seems fine. I even tried unplugging the brake differential switch while the brake was depressed, which made the lights go off (except for the red brake warning).

So help a fellow road warrior out - how do I decode this dashboard light festival? What could be causing all three of these warning lights to come on simultaneously? …more

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