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RV Flat Tire on Highway: Emergency Steps & Specialized Roadside Service Tips
Chassis Medium Varies 148 👍 1

RV Flat Tire on Highway: Emergency Steps & Specialized Roadside Service Tips

Every highway mile seems to be eating through my Tiffin Allegro motorhome tires way faster than it should, especially after that brutal double blowout on the back axle. When this happened to us, we found that regular AAA and typical roadside assistance don't always help with RVs. We were stranded and eventually had to use a service called Driving Solutions, who charged us $1600 for used tires after eight hours of waiting.

What's the proper procedure if this happens? Should I try to move to a safer location first, or stop immediately? Who should I call for help - are there specialized services that handle RV tires? I want to be prepared with the right contacts and know the safe steps to take, because I imagine regular tow trucks and tire services might not have the equipment or expertise to handle a large motorhome tire emergency on the interstate. …more
Dutchstar Chassis Cracking Noise: Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Chassis Medium 45 minutes 99 👍

Dutchstar Chassis Cracking Noise: Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Hearing a loud cracking or popping noise from underneath my Dutchstar when going over bumps or turning. Sounds structural — like metal flexing or a weld breaking. Crawled under and couldn't see any obvious cracks but the noise is getting louder each trip. …more
Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug & Coil Replacement Guide - RV Engine Maintenance Tips
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 94 👍

Ford E450 V10 Spark Plug & Coil Replacement Guide - RV Engine Maintenance Tips

After handling coil swaps on my old Chevy like they were nothing, this Ford E450 V10 setup has me completely intimidated and second-guessing everything. I've heard cylinder #3 is particularly difficult to access and I'm scared I might break something or use the wrong tools.

I tried using a 7mm wrench like some sources suggested, but it doesn't seem to fit properly and I'm afraid of stripping the bolt heads. I'm also concerned about how to safely reach the coils without damaging other components.

Can someone please walk me through the safest approach and tell me exactly what size wrench I should be using? I'd rather ask for help than risk making an expensive mistake. …more
How to Fix RV Rear Brake Lights and Hazards Not Working - Common Grounds & Connections
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 93 👍

How to Fix RV Rear Brake Lights and Hazards Not Working - Common Grounds & Connections

Spent months planning our cross-country trip leaving next week and my RV's rear brake lights and hazards just completely stopped working. My 1998 National Tropical (on a '97 Ford F53 chassis with the trusty 460 V8) has decided to get creative with its lighting situation. The rear brake lights and 4-way hazards have completely given up the ghost - nothing, nada, zero response from the back end. But plot twist: the turn signals work just fine back there, and everything up front (brake lights, hazards, turns) is working perfectly.

I'm scratching my head because if it was a fuse issue, wouldn't ALL the lights be affected? The fact that some work and others don't has me thinking it's something more specific. Any ideas where I should start poking around to solve this electrical mystery? …more
5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide
General Easy N/A 87 👍

5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide

According to my old Class C setup this same hitch rating confusion was easily solved with basic math — but towing a Jeep behind this Class A motorhome has me worried about weight limits and legal liability. After checking the Jeep website, I noticed that most Jeep models weigh over 5100 lbs, which seems to exceed typical 5000 lb hitch ratings. Could this potentially expose RV owners to liability if something goes wrong during towing? I want to understand the weight implications and safety considerations before hooking up a vehicle. Does this mean most Jeep owners towing with a gasser Class A might be inadvertently exceeding safe towing limits? …more
Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)
Engine Medium 30 minutes 85 👍

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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How to Fix Parasitic Battery Drain in 2006 Damon Challenger RV: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 77 👍

How to Fix Parasitic Battery Drain in 2006 Damon Challenger RV: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

I found three different "experts" telling me three different causes for my 2006 Damon Challenger's parasitic battery drain - neighbor blames the converter, dealer says bad fuse, YouTube points to inverter. I've traced it to the instrument cluster fuse, and Thor doesn't have schematics for this model due to its age.

I'm not even sure if it's actually the instrument cluster itself or something connected to it - could it be the transmission temp sensor, engine temp sensor, or other wiring? I really don't want to damage anything expensive or create a safety hazard. What's the safest way to diagnose and fix this without causing more problems? I'd feel much better with a step-by-step approach that won't leave me stranded or worse. …more
How to Reinforce Your RV Rear Ladder: DIY Safety Upgrade with Aluminum Tubing
General Medium 2-3 hours 76 👍

How to Reinforce Your RV Rear Ladder: DIY Safety Upgrade with Aluminum Tubing

Finally planning to tackle my wobbly RV rear ladder this Saturday — what materials and tools should I have lined up for this safety upgrade? It's rated for 250lbs but I don't trust the mounting points on the rear wall.

Looking at reinforcing it with 1-inch aluminum square tubing. What's the best way to bolt additional support tubes alongside the existing ladder rails? Need to know proper attachment points and hardware to distribute the load better and reduce that scary flexing. …more
RV Park Brake Warning Light Stays On: Causes & Quick Fixes
Engine Easy 30 minutes 74 👍

RV Park Brake Warning Light Stays On: Causes & Quick Fixes

Finally at 11 PM my 2016 Thor Miramar's brake warning light just lit up bright red on the F53 chassis — need this solved before tomorrow's departure. The park brake warning light on my dashboard stays on even when the brake isn't engaged, and I get that annoying warning chime when driving.

I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting this. Could this be a fluid issue or maybe a stuck switch? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what the most common causes are and what I should check first. Thanks for any help! …more
How to Replace Rear ABS Sensor on Heavy Duty RV Chassis - Complete Guide & Tips
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 74 👍

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
Texas Class B Test with Unregistered 2011 Thomas School Bus
General Medium 30-45 minutes to resolve 71 👍

Texas Class B Test with Unregistered 2011 Thomas School Bus

Halfway through prepping for my Texas Class B road test tomorrow, my neighbor insists my unregistered 2011 Thomas Built school bus is fine, the DMV demands current registration, but online converters claim they passed with expired tags.

I really want to use my bus for the test since I know it well and it's got air brakes - definitely want that endorsement! The bus is fully insured and I've got the commercial one-way permit it was driven here on, but I can't get anyone at DPS on the phone to confirm if they'll even let me take the test. Anyone know if Texas DPS will accept a vehicle that's not properly registered yet, or am I setting myself up for a headache? …more
Ford V10 RV No Crank Intermittent Starting Issue Solutions
Electrical Medium 30 min 70 👍

Ford V10 RV No Crank Intermittent Starting Issue Solutions

Opened the hood expecting to find the same starter solenoid issue that plagued my old gas motorhome — but my 2020 Fleetwood Bounder 33C with the Ford V10 keeps doing it. For the past few months, I've been dealing with this really frustrating intermittent starting problem where I turn the key and get dash lights but absolutely no cranking from the starter.

The weird thing is it's not consistent - sometimes it starts right up, other times I'll sit there for 20-30 minutes trying and then suddenly it'll fire right up like nothing was wrong. I've already replaced the ignition switch and even the starter/solenoid thinking that would fix it, but I'm still having the same issue. Battery tests good at 13.4 volts and it doesn't matter if I'm plugged into shore power or running the generator.

I'm kind of at a loss here and don't want to keep throwing parts at it. Could this be something with heat affecting an electrical component since it seems to work after sitting for a while? What should I be looking at next? …more
How to Replace Bergman 59 RV Clearance Light Bulb - Easy DIY Repair Guide
Electrical Easy 15 minutes 70 👍

How to Replace Bergman 59 RV Clearance Light Bulb - Easy DIY Repair Guide

Found myself in the same frustrating spot this spring - prepping my RV for camping season and my Bergman 59 clearance light bulb burns out again. The unit appears to be a sealed design, but I suspect there must be a standard method for accessing the bulb compartment. What are the documented procedures for removing the lens from this particular model? Additionally, what is the correct bulb specification for replacement - I want to ensure I order the proper wedge-type bulb before attempting the repair. Are there any recommended upgrades to consider during this maintenance operation? …more

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How to Fix LED Tail Light Problems on Workhorse RV Chassis - Complete
Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 69 👍

How to Fix LED Tail Light Problems on Workhorse RV Chassis - Complete

Last week my Workhorse chassis LED tail light upgrade started flickering and the RV tech wants $800 for a complete wiring harness replacement. The original discolored lights were getting hard to see, so the LED upgrade seemed like a smart move, but now I have three main problems that are driving me crazy.

First, my turn signal indicators are flashing extremely slowly - almost like they're struggling to work properly. Second, when I turn on my running lights or tail lights, the indicators stop flashing altogether and just stay on solid, which obviously defeats the purpose of having turn signals. Third, and perhaps most concerning, when I press the brake pedal, my main tail/brake lights actually turn OFF instead of getting brighter, leaving only the center high-mounted brake light working.

I made sure to match the wiring exactly - the stop/tail lights have 3 wires each, and the reverse/indicator lights have 2 wires each, just like the original incandescent bulbs. The connections seem solid and I followed the same wire routing. I'm wondering if this is a common issue with LED conversions on Workhorse chassis, and what specific components or modifications I need to make this work properly. What's the complete solution to fix these LED tail light problems? …more
How to Wire LED Halo Headlights to F53 Chassis DRL System - Complete Guide
Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 69 👍

How to Wire LED Halo Headlights to F53 Chassis DRL System - Complete Guide

During every spring prep on my 2005 F53 chassis RV, those damn DRL wires for my LED halo headlights leave me completely stumped again. I've upgraded to LED headlights with built-in halos on my Safari Simba, and I desperately want to connect those halos to work with the existing daytime running light system instead of having the DRLs run through the main headlight beams.

I know there are DRL relays and the parking brake cutout that I need to stay downstream from, but I'm completely lost trying to trace these wires through all the looms and bundles. The headlight uses a standard H4 connector, and the halo has its own separate positive wire that needs 12V when the DRLs should be active.

Can someone please tell me which specific wire at the headlight connector carries the DRL output signal? I really hope there's a straightforward way to tap into this without messing up the existing relay control system! …more
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