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RV Liquid Spring Adjustment Guide: Setup & Tuning Tips
General Medium 30-60 minutes 208 👍

RV Liquid Spring Adjustment Guide: Setup & Tuning Tips

Three different adjustment knobs on my 2022 Tiffin Open Road 34PA's LiquidSpring suspension and I'm staring at them with zero clue about the limits.

I've got LiquidSpring suspension on all four corners, but I'm specifically wondering about the rear struts. Can I raise and lower just the rear ones independently, or am I stuck adjusting everything at once like some kind of suspension caveman? I'd love to dial in the perfect ride height and handling, but I need to know if I can fine-tune the back end separately from the front. Between the control panel and what I assume is some fancy smartphone app, surely there's a way to make this old road warrior ride like a dream without turning into a mechanical engineer, right? …more
Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners
Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 148 👍

Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners

Nobody prepared me for staring at this 2018 Jayco Greyhawk 29MVP with Ford E450 chassis showing 54,000 miles and wondering if I'm looking at a money pit. The unit appears well-maintained with quality features including auto-leveling, fiberglass roof and nose, plus J-ride suspension. However, the odometer shows 54,000 miles, which exceeds my initial target range.

I need to assess whether this mileage represents significant wear on the E450/V10 drivetrain combination. What is the typical service life expectation for these engines when properly maintained? At what point should mileage become a primary concern versus overall mechanical condition? …more
How to Reduce RV Interior Noise: Complete Sound Dampening Guide for Motorhomes
General Medium 4-8 hours 116 👍

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
Ford F53 V8 Engine Tapping Noise: Complete TSB 25-2200 Repair Guide for RV Owners
Engine Hard Professional repair required 112 👍

Ford F53 V8 Engine Tapping Noise: Complete TSB 25-2200 Repair Guide for RV Owners

Since I replaced the valve cover gaskets on my 2022 motorhome's Ford F53 V8 yesterday, I'm still hearing that annoying tapping noise — did I miss something? I've been noticing this tapping or ticking sound when the engine is idling, and sometimes it seems to run a bit rough. I'm worried I might have a serious problem.

I found a Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 25-2200, NHTSA ID 11018524) that might be related to my issue. The bulletin mentions potential camshaft and valve tappet wear causing ticking noises, rough performance, and diagnostic trouble codes P0301-P0308. According to the bulletin, repairs might even include a new long block.

Can someone help me understand what this TSB covers exactly? Does it apply to my specific year model, and what kind of repairs might be needed? I'm hoping this might be something covered under warranty since the RV is still pretty new to me.

Any guidance would be really appreciated - I'm still learning about all this mechanical stuff! …more
Ford F53 V10 RV Chassis Repair Shops Near Raleigh NC - Engine Service
Engine Easy N/A - finding shop 110 👍

Ford F53 V10 RV Chassis Repair Shops Near Raleigh NC - Engine Service

My Ford F53 V10 is showing misfire codes P0301 and P0303, but my compression test reads 180 PSI when everything says it should be around 150 PSI. I'm located near Raleigh, North Carolina, and I need to get some mechanical work done - specifically repairs to the exhaust manifold bolts and air conditioning system work.

The problem I'm running into is that when I call Ford dealerships in the area, they keep telling me they don't work on motorhomes, even though it's a Ford chassis. This seems crazy to me since the engine and drivetrain components should be the same as other Ford vehicles. The exhaust manifold issue and AC problems are fairly standard automotive repairs, so I don't understand why the Ford connection isn't helping me here.

What type of repair facilities should I be looking for instead? Are there specific shops or service centers near Raleigh that specialize in F53 chassis work, or should I be approaching this differently? I just need somewhere that can competently handle these mechanical repairs on my motorhome without the runaround. …more
Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 106 👍

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more

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RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First
Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 101 👍

RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First

Last week I'm trying to decide between shelling out hundreds for an RV tech or tackling this myself after my F53 chassis motorhome's dash A/C blower motor completely died. I've checked all the obvious fuses in the main fuse panels, but nothing seems blown.

I discovered something crucial that might help others: Fleetwood added a hidden 25 amp fuse wire-tied above the emergency brake, not shown in standard Ford chassis diagrams. In my case, this was the culprit. As a temporary fix, I even ran a wire directly from my lighter plug with a switch to get some air movement.

I'm wondering if other RV owners might have similar hidden electrical components that aren't in standard chassis wiring documentation? Before taking it to a shop, I recommend carefully checking behind panels and tracing wires, especially looking near the dashboard area above the emergency brake for manufacturer-specific fuses. …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
How to Fix Dutch Star Front Air Bags That Won't Inflate - Height Valve Troubleshooting
General Medium 1-2 hours 98 👍

How to Fix Dutch Star Front Air Bags That Won't Inflate - Height Valve Troubleshooting

I replaced my 2006 Dutch Star height valve but the front air bags still won't inflate, the valve seems stuck, AND the whole front end is sitting way too low. The air pressure gauges look totally normal, but when I try to air up the front bags, they just won't fill up. Instead I'm hearing this whining noise and air is literally coming out of the height control valve exhaust port.

It's like the system thinks something's wrong but I can't figure out what. The bags themselves seem fine, and there's definitely air pressure in the system. What would cause the height valve to dump air instead of letting the bags inflate? This is driving me nuts! …more
Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 95 👍

Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis

Walked out to check my oil analysis results and they're showing 15-micron contaminants, but everything says my 2003 F53 V10's factory filter catches down to 25 microns. I've been reading about how these can help extend oil life and keep things cleaner, but I'm honestly not sure where the best place to mount one would be.

I've seen some people mention sandwich adapters at the original filter location, remote mounting blocks, and even tapping directly into the engine block. As someone who's still learning, I don't want to mess this up or create problems down the road. What's considered the best practice for mounting location on the F53 V10? I'd really appreciate some guidance from those who have done this before. …more
How to Lift RV Slideout for Floor Repair - Safe Methods
Slideouts Hard 4-8 hours 94 👍

How to Lift RV Slideout for Floor Repair - Safe Methods

Apparently my 2000 Allegro Bus slideout only starts sagging and needing floor repair when it hits 85 degrees outside — works perfectly fine otherwise. We discovered water damage under the slideout and need to replace some plywood subflooring, but there are screws I can only access if I lift the slide somehow.

I'm worried about damaging the slideout mechanism or worse, having it fall and hurt someone. The hydraulic system seems to work fine, but I've heard you shouldn't trust it alone for this kind of work. What's the safest method to lift and support a slideout while doing floor repairs underneath? I want to make sure I'm not making a dangerous mistake here. …more
Mercedes Sprinter RV Extended Warranty: Worth the Cost in 2024?
Engine Easy N/A - informational 92 👍

Mercedes Sprinter RV Extended Warranty: Worth the Cost in 2024?

Walked into the dealership at closing time with my 2022 Thor Quantum MB24 and they're pressuring me to decide on extended warranty coverage before they open tomorrow. The original Mercedes chassis warranty has already expired since it was put in service in 2021, and the dealer is pushing a 4-year/60,000 mile extended warranty.

I keep hearing that Mercedes Sprinter repairs can be really expensive, but I honestly don't know what to expect or what questions I should even be asking about the warranty coverage. Are there specific things I should make sure are covered? What kind of repair costs are we actually talking about with these Sprinter RVs?

I'd really appreciate any guidance from folks who've been through this decision before. Thanks for helping a newbie out! …more
HWH 325 Levelers Shutting Off When Extended? Quick Fix Guide
Slideouts Medium 45 minutes 90 👍

HWH 325 Levelers Shutting Off When Extended? Quick Fix Guide

This might sound like a warranty question, but before I start tearing into my HWH 325 series levelers that shut off when extended — am I covered or paying again? They power up just fine - all lights, sounds normal, no drama. But the SECOND I press any of the extend buttons, they shut off completely like I just insulted their mother.

I'm trying to level out while changing my motorhome's oil (because apparently I can't even do basic maintenance without my house deciding to be crooked), and these levelers are having none of it. Battery shows good on the panel, but I'm wondering if there's some kind of voltage issue happening when they try to actually work? Or maybe loose connections somewhere? Anyone dealt with this particular brand of RV stubbornness before? …more

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How to Replace Onan 10KW Generator Isolation Mounts: Complete RV Repair Guide
Engine Hard 2-4 hours 90 👍

How to Replace Onan 10KW Generator Isolation Mounts: Complete RV Repair Guide

My 2013 Tiffin Allegro Bus generator (model 10HDKCA11506E) is producing violent shaking and a grinding noise that's absolutely driving me insane. The isolation mounts keep wearing out way too quickly - I just had them replaced 19 months ago and they're already shot again.

Last repair used parts #402-1680-02, but my Onan parts manual shows I should have 2x #402-0728-01 and 2x #402-0728-02 isolators. The generator only has 34 hours since the last mount replacement, and symptoms are obvious - excessive noise, vibration throughout the coach, and the oil drain plug hanging below the frame.

What's the proper way to replace these mounts? Are the parts I'm seeing actually interchangeable, or did the shop potentially use incorrect components? I'm tired of this recurring problem and need a solution that will actually last. …more
Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads
Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 89 👍

Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads

Turned onto that steep mountain grade last week and heard grinding from my 2014 F53 chassis, but I can't figure out how to properly inspect the brake pads and rotors. I've been crawling around under there, contorting myself into every possible position, but I just can't get a good view of the brake components through the wheel openings.

Is there a specific technique or approach that actually works for getting a proper look at the pad thickness and rotor condition? I really want to stay on top of brake maintenance, but the limited visibility is making this nearly impossible. Should I be using special tools, or is there a better method I'm missing? …more
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