Results for "body panel"

Exterior Medium 3-4 days (includes curing time) 236 👍 1

DIY RV Basement Door Paint Repair: Complete Guide & Cost Analysis

Despite protecting my RV all winter, those brutal summer months have absolutely destroyed the paint on my four basement doors and rear wheel area across 2' x 20', leaving me staring at a $5,000-6,500 shop estimate versus DIY with my compressor. I've never done automotive paint work before. Could I really achieve decent results for under $500 like I keep reading online? I'm concerned about proper paint matching, whether I'll damage the surface during prep, and if I choose the wrong spray gun or technique.

Has anyone successfully tackled RV exterior panel paint repair as a DIY project? I need reassurance that this is actually doable without professional training, and guidance on the complete process from start to finish. …more

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Exterior Medium 30-60 min 155 👍 1

Kwikee RV Steps Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide (2024)

Apparently we're leaving for a three-week cross-country trip next Monday and my Kwikee electric RV steps are still having intermittent retraction issues even after replacing both the gear box and motor. My steps are exhibiting intermittent retraction issues - they extend normally but require manual assistance to retract fully, stopping approximately a quarter inch through the cycle without intervention. I've already installed a new gear box and motor, yet the problem persists.

What systematic diagnostic approach should I follow to identify the root cause? I need to understand the complete troubleshooting sequence for motor functionality, electrical switch operation, and mechanical linkage components. Are there specific voltage measurements, resistance checks, or mechanical adjustments that should be performed to isolate whether this is an electrical or mechanical failure?

Thanks,
Pete …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 147 👍 0

How to Repair a Hole in RV Grey Water Tank

Tried marine epoxy on my old Class A's tank and it worked perfectly — but now I've drilled a 1 inch hole in my ABS grey water tank while running battery cables. The hole is in an awkward spot near the rear wheel vault with thick metal bars and beams, making repairs challenging.

What's the best way to repair this? I've prepared a patch by flattening and heat forming a pipe section, beveling edges and scouring surfaces for a strong mechanical bond. Should I cement the ABS patch and then cover with fiberglass, or are there other recommended repair methods? I want to ensure a durable fix for this tricky tank damage. …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

General Medium 4-8 hours 117 👍 0

How to Reduce RV Interior Noise: Complete Sound Dampening Guide for Motorhomes

Despite having a 2021 Coachmen Mirada, looking at my sound meter right now and there's 69 decibels of highway noise blasting through the cabin. My target is to achieve approximately 65 decibels for better communication with passengers.

I need a systematic approach to interior noise reduction. What are the most effective sound dampening materials and techniques for motorhomes? Specifically, I'm looking for solutions that address engine noise transmission, road noise, and any rattling components that contribute to the overall sound level.

What realistic noise reduction can I expect from proper sound deadening implementation, and what are the key areas to focus on for maximum impact? …more

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General Medium 2-4 hours 113 👍 0

Thor Ace Fiberglass Rear Cap: Repair and Maintenance Guide

Halfway through my first RV ownership experience, Camping World dropped the bomb that my Thor Ace 29.2's rear cap has delamination and I'm completely clueless. The back doesn't feel like typical fiberglass - none of the other sides move like this. Is this movement normal for this RV model, or is it a sign of serious damage? …more

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Engine Hard 4-6 hours installation 108 👍 0

SDI E-Clik vs Liquid Spring: Affordable F53 Chassis Suspension Upgrade Options

Nobody warned me that what started as minor swaying on highway trips last month would turn into white-knuckle driving every time I take my F53 chassis RV over 50mph. SDI E-Clik costs about a third of what Liquid Spring systems run, but I'm wondering what you actually get for that price difference.

Is E-Clik just electronic shock control, or does it offer more comprehensive suspension improvements? How does the ride quality compare between the two systems on F53 motorhomes? …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-4 hours 108 👍 0

How to Fix RV Fresh Water Tank Leaks: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Nobody warned me how tricky RV fresh water tank leaks could be — got my tools ready and determined to fix this dripping mess under my trailer myself. The dripping was pretty steady at first but seems to have slowed down overnight to just occasional drops. My tank gauge still shows full, so I don't think it's completely emptying out.

I can see there's an underbelly cover that would need to come down to access everything underneath, but I'm hoping maybe there are some easier spots I should check first? I'd rather not tackle removing panels if I don't have to - any guidance on where these leaks typically start would be really helpful, especially near the drain valve! …more

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Slideouts Medium 1-2 hours 103 👍 0

Fleetwood Bounder Slide Out Reset: Fix Lost Stop Points & Controller Issues

Slide out lost its stop points during a power surge at the campground and now it extends way too far and retracts too deep. Fleetwood Bounder forum says I need to reset the controller but the process involves running the slide to its limits and I'm afraid of damaging the mechanism. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 101 👍 0

Ford E450 Inertia Switch Location Guide - Find Your RV's Fuel Cutoff Reset Point

Every Ford E450 I've worked on had the inertia switch behind the driver's panel — but my 2011 Freedom Elite 32r has it hidden somewhere completely different. The engine is experiencing what appears to be fuel delivery issues after a minor fender bender, and I suspect the inertia switch may have been triggered and needs to be reset.

I've already done extensive searching in the typical locations - removed both driver and passenger side kick panels completely, pulled out the glove box, and even partially disassembled sections of the dashboard. Despite checking all these common spots where Ford usually places these switches, I'm coming up empty-handed.

Could the switch be integrated into another component on this particular year and model? Are there any alternative locations specific to the E450 chassis or Freedom Elite configuration that I should be checking? I'm also wondering if some models of this year might not have a traditional standalone inertia switch at all. …more

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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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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 94 👍 0

RV Chassis Battery Draining & Dead Outlets - Troubleshooting

Finally followed the manual's advice to check the converter first when my outlets died, but my RV chassis battery keeps draining even though the converter tests perfectly. here and I'm at my wit's end with my 2018 Winnebago Vista. The chassis battery keeps going completely dead every few days, even when we're plugged into shore power at the campground. I've already replaced the battery twice thinking it was just old, checked all the obvious stuff like dome lights and radio, and even had the alternator tested - everything checks out fine.

What's really driving me crazy is that this just started happening about a month ago out of nowhere. We've been full-timing for three years without any major electrical issues. I'm wondering if there's some parasitic draw I'm missing or if the battery isolator could be acting up? Has anyone else dealt with this nightmare? I'm getting tired of jump-starting this thing every other day and my wife is about ready to sell the rig and get a travel trailer instead! …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Engine Medium 30 minutes 85 👍 0

Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

About to drop serious cash on a used Class A motorhome with a Ford F53 460 engine — should I check those timing marks myself or am I asking for trouble? Where exactly are the timing marks located? I can see the harmonic balancer but having trouble spotting the marks and pointer. What's the best way to make them visible and actually read them with a timing light? …more

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Propane Medium 4 hours 84 👍 0

Suburban SF-30 Furnace Replacement: Complete Unit vs Core Guide for RV Owners

Somewhere between our freezing mountain trip last month and now, my 2002 Born Free's SF-30 furnace died completely and I'm torn between replacing the core versus the whole unit. I believe it's a Suburban SF-30 model. I've been doing some research and see there are two options - I can buy a complete furnace replacement or just get a replacement core that supposedly slides into the existing SF-30 housing for about half the price.

I'm honestly not sure which route to go. The cost savings on the core is tempting, but I don't want to make the wrong choice and end up with more problems. As someone who's still learning about RV maintenance, would you recommend getting the complete unit or would the core replacement work just as well? Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more

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Engine Medium 30-60 minutes 80 👍 0

Onan 4KY Generator Starts Then Dies: Oil Pressure Sensor Troubleshooting Guide

About to sound like a total newbie here, but why does my 2018 Winnebago Spirit's Onan 4KY-26100R generator start perfectly then instantly die when I release the start switch? I suspect it's the oil pressure sensor based on what I've read, but want to confirm this diagnosis before ordering parts. Oil level appears normal. I've tried locating the oil sensor near the oil filler tube on the crankcase, but it's difficult to see or reach. Is there a way to test if the oil pressure sensor is actually the problem? Can I bypass it temporarily to verify that's the issue? …more

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Engine Easy N/A for warranty 79 👍 0

How to Fix 2022 Ford E-450 RV Tire Pressure Sensor Fault | TPMS Troubleshooting Guide

During my morning drive, that sharp, persistent beeping sound erupts from my 2022 Ford E-450 motorhome dashboard as the "Tire Pressure Sensor Fault" message flashes relentlessly. Because nothing says "relaxing RV vacation" like mysterious warning lights, am I right?

The intermittent fault seems to be coming from the rear tires mostly, and of course it always happens at the most inconvenient times - like when I'm trying to convince my spouse that this whole RV lifestyle was a brilliant idea. I'm wondering if this is just a typical TPMS sensor going bad or if there's some sort of relearn procedure I need to do?

Since this beast is still under warranty, I'm hoping there's a straightforward fix that doesn't involve me pretending to understand tire sensor technology. Anyone know what the usual culprit is for these TPMS faults on the E-450 chassis? …more

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