Results for "emergency-services"

Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours for inverter replacement 249 👍 1

RV Inverter Guide: Modified vs Pure Sine Wave - Safe Power

My multimeter's out and I'm ready to tackle this RV electrical mess myself — pretty sure the inverter's the culprit but need to know where to start. I have a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage with four deep cycle house batteries and recently installed a Xantrex 758 inverter to replace my old Freedom 15 unit. The first time I tried using the inverter power while unplugged from shore power, something very strange happened - a hair dryer in the bathroom started running by itself and wouldn't shut off when I tried the switch. I had to unplug it, and the handle was warm. The hair dryer appears to be ruined now.

When I bought the Xantrex 758, I paid around $725 for what I thought was a good unit, but I'm now learning there's a difference between modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverters. I wasn't aware of this distinction when I made the purchase, and it turns out the 758 is a modified sine wave unit. I've since heard that modern electronics, especially things like residential refrigerators, computers, and sensitive electronic components, can be damaged by modified sine wave power.

I'm really concerned about potentially damaging my new residential refrigerator, stereo system, and computer equipment. Should I be worried about using this modified sine wave inverter with modern RV electronics? Is the hair dryer incident a sign that I need to upgrade to a pure sine wave unit, or are there other factors that could have caused this problem? I'm trying to understand if my current setup is putting my expensive electronics at risk. …more

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Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 213 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

According to three different RV shops, fixing my bubbling sidewall delamination will cost thousands, but I'm wondering if tackling this DIY repair myself is actually feasible. My 2004 Itasca Sunova has decided to sprout some lovely blisters on the right sidewall - two beauties that are about 12-14 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, running vertically right behind the awning arm. Perfect timing since we're currently on the road living our best RV life!

I'm pretty sure water snuck in somewhere (probably from the roof rail or that shower skylight we never use), and now my RV looks like it's got chicken pox. Since we can't exactly pull into the nearest RV surgeon's office, I need to know: what can I do right now to stop this from getting worse, and what's involved in actually fixing this mess properly? I'm hoping there's some kind of emergency containment plan that doesn't involve duct tape and prayers! …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 208 👍 2

Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Called Power Gear support and they said press retract after leveling, but my system deployed perfectly and now just sits there doing absolutely nothing. The system appears to receive the retract command since I can hear some activity, but the legs remain extended. The only way to get them up is by engaging the transmission which triggers the emergency retract function.

I need a systematic approach to diagnose this retraction failure. What are the most likely causes when Power Gear levelers deploy normally but won't respond to the retract command, and what's the proper troubleshooting sequence to identify whether it's a solenoid valve issue, wiring problem, or control module failure? …more

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Engine Easy 15 min read 141 👍 0

Remote RV Diesel Fueling: Complete Guide for Campground Fuel Strategies

Last night at 11 PM I'm staring at my diesel RV's fuel gauge showing nearly empty — need to figure out remote campground fuel strategies before we head out this morning. With a 5 gallon Harbor Freight stick transfer pump, I've been able to add fuel when truck stops aren't convenient, but I'm concerned about static electricity risks.

My current setup involves using the pump to transfer diesel with the fuel can on a camping table, since my RV's fuel inlet is located under a slide. I pumped 10 gallons successfully, but I'm wondering about the safety of this method.

I know there are static electricity concerns when transferring fuel, and I'm curious about the specific risks with diesel. How safe is it to transfer fuel when the can isn't directly grounded to concrete? Are there best practices I should follow when manually adding diesel in remote locations? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 130 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Slideouts Medium 1-2 hours 124 👍 0

RV Slide Out Won't Retract: Motor Runs But Won't Move - Fix

Planning to use the same motor running trick that saved my old Winnebago's slide out, but this new rig's slide won't budge at all. It extended just fine this morning, but now when I try to bring it back in, the motor sounds like it's working but the slide isn't budging at all. I can hear it running but zero movement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is a hydraulic problem or if I've got a cable system that's gone haywire. Could it be something simple like low fluid, or am I looking at broken cables? Don't want to mess around with it too much without knowing what I'm dealing with first. …more

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General Easy N/A - shopping 103 👍 0

Independent Super C Motorhome Manufacturers: Complete Guide to Non-Thor Builders

Three months of shopping and my wife just pointed out every Super C we're considering comes from Thor subsidiaries, making me realize consolidation might be trapping us with limited service options. It seems like Thor Industries and Berkshire Hathaway own practically every major motorhome brand out there now.

Before I make what could be a costly mistake, I need to know - are there actually any independent Super C manufacturers left that aren't owned by these corporate giants? I'm cautious about putting all my eggs in one basket with these mega-corporations. Should I even care about the ownership structure, or am I overthinking this? I just want to make sure I have options and aren't setting myself up for problems down the road. …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 97 👍 0

RV Emergency Start Switch Not Working: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Every time the temperature hits 85°F or higher, my RV's emergency start switch completely fails — works perfectly in cooler weather, but now my chassis battery is dead while house batteries stay charged. When I press the emergency start button, absolutely nothing happens - no sounds, no response at all.

I'm worried there might be something wrong with the system or that I'm not using it correctly. Should I be hearing some kind of click or sound when I press the button? Could there be blown fuses I need to check? I'm hesitant to keep trying without knowing if I might cause damage to the electrical system. What's the proper troubleshooting process to safely figure out why this emergency start feature isn't connecting my house batteries to help start the engine? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 94 👍 0

HWH 625S Slide Out Not Working: Step-by-Step Control Box Bypass & Repair Guide

Wondering why my 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J's HWH 625S slide out won't budge after replacing the solenoid, cleaning connections, and checking fluid levels? The passenger slide won't extend or retract from the wall switch, but when I manually operate the solenoid valves, the slide moves perfectly in both directions.

I've already replaced the solenoid valves, so I know they're good. The problem seems to be that power isn't reaching the solenoids from the switch - everything routes through the control box first.

Can I safely bypass the HWH control box by connecting the switch wires directly to the solenoid wires? What should I check before attempting this bypass? …more

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Chassis Easy 15 minutes 92 👍 0

Ford F53 Jounce Bumpers Always Touching: Normal Design for 20K+ GVWR Motorhomes

Finally crawling under my Ford F53 motorhome staring at these front jounce bumpers constantly touching suspension components with no clue if this means something's actually broken. According to Ford Special Service Message SSM 53453 for 2020-2025 F53 Motorhome chassis with a GVWR of 20,500-26,000 lbs, this constant contact is actually normal.

The front jounce bumpers (service base part number 3020) are designed to be an active part of the suspension, providing incremental dampening that improves ride quality and cornering performance. For motorhomes in this weight range, constant contact is not an indication of overloading or damage.

You can reference the full details in the official Ford document: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11015265-0001.pdf

I want to ensure I'm not damaging my suspension or operating unsafely, but this service message confirms that constant contact is within normal operating parameters for heavier motorhomes. …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 min 92 👍 0

Dead House Batteries on 50 Amp Shore Power: Troubleshooting Guide

Turned on my 2024 Entegra Reatta XL this morning to find the house batteries completely dead again despite being plugged into 50 amp shore power—third time this season and I'm done guessing. New batteries, good connections, power was working fine for days then died completely. Voltmeter shows 12.69V on chassis, 4.7V on house batteries at the BIM.

What's the proper troubleshooting sequence for house batteries not charging on shore power? Need to check converter, breakers, and connections but want to do this systematically. …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Slideouts Easy 30 minutes inspection 92 👍 0

RV Hydraulic Leveling Jack Leaks: Normal Seepage vs Serious Problems Explained

Somewhere between parking and leveling my 2019 Forest River Georgetown, I noticed the hydraulic leveling jacks have small amounts of fluid on the fittings. No puddles underneath and the jacks aren't sagging when stored or in use. Just a light coating on the hoses and one fitting has a small amount of fluid visible.

Is this normal seepage or something I should worry about? What's the difference between normal weeping and a real problem that needs immediate attention? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 92 👍 0

RV Awning Repair vs Replacement: When to Fix Torn Fabric

Apparently my RV manual says to replace the entire awning when the fabric tears, but everyone online seems to just patch or swap the fabric instead. My 2020 motorhome's awning fabric has developed a few tears - some small ones that are maybe 4-5 inches, but also a couple larger rips. The fabric also feels kind of stiff and brittle in places, especially where it's been exposed to the most sun.

I'm trying to figure out if I should attempt repairs or just bite the bullet and replace the fabric entirely. The frame itself seems to be in decent shape, so I think I'd only need new fabric rather than a whole new awning system. I've seen repair tapes advertised but I'm not sure if they actually work or how long they last.

What's the general rule of thumb for when awning fabric can be repaired versus when replacement makes more sense? And if I do need to replace just the fabric, what should I expect to pay for something decent? Thanks for any advice - I really don't want to make the wrong choice here! …more

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Solar Batteries Hard 6-8 hours 91 👍 0

Complete Newmar RV Lithium Battery Upgrade: DC-DC Charger and BIM Wiring Guide

Staring at my 2019 Newmar's freshly wired lithium upgrade with Victron BVM-712, Orion XS DC-DC charger, and Cerbo GX — finished yesterday but the system still isn't charging properly.

The main issue is I can't figure out how to properly integrate my existing boost switch with the new DC-DC charger setup while maintaining the ability to trickle charge chassis batteries. Currently, my Orion XS DC-DC charger flows only one way from engine alternator to lithium batteries. Should I replace the existing BIM with a LI-BIM, which would be in series with the 2/0 cable? Is there a control wire on the Orion XS that will allow flow from lithium to chassis batteries while on shore/inverter power?

I'm considering adding a 120V battery tender for chassis batteries, but want to confirm what modifications might be needed to my existing BIM. Can someone provide guidance on the correct wiring approach? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours for installation 90 👍 0

Sailun TerraMax HLT-C Tire Review: Are They Right for Your Class C Motorhome?

Since I'm planning to swap out my RV tires this Saturday — need to confirm these Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires are compatible with my Class C motorhome. I've been looking at the Sailun TerraMax HLT-C 225/75R16C E/10PLY tires since they seem like a good value, but I'm not sure if they're appropriate for a motorhome versus a trailer.

I know load ratings are important, but I'm honestly not entirely sure how to figure out if these tires would work safely on my rig. Should I be looking at my door placard or getting the actual weight measured? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to make a costly mistake with something as important as tires. …more

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