Results for "frustration"

Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 161 👍 1

How to Replace RV Slide Topper Fabric: Complete DIY Guide 2024

I pulled into three different campsites this month and my torn slide topper is eating through my gear faster than I can replace it. I've never done anything like this before and I'm worried I might damage the whole mechanism or make things worse.

Can I actually replace just the fabric portion safely, or should I bite the bullet and have the entire assembly replaced by a professional? I'm also concerned about costs - I'm hoping this won't break the bank. If it is something I can do myself, how difficult is it really? I don't want to get in over my head and end up with a bigger problem than I started with.

Can you help me understand the best approach for my specific situation? …more

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Electrical Medium 30 min read 131 👍 0

RV DC Electrical System: Expert Guide to 12 Volt Systems

Opened my RV this morning to find the 12V system going haywire — lights dimming randomly, fans slowing down, and the inverter shutting off despite full batteries.

Specifically, I need to understand the fundamentals of RV batteries - different types, proper sizing, charging requirements, and maintenance. I'm also confused about DC wiring best practices, what gauge wire to use for different applications, how to properly route and protect circuits, and where fuses and breakers should go. Voltage monitoring is another area where I'm lost - I see all these battery monitors and don't know what I actually need or how to interpret the readings.

I'm also planning some system upgrades down the road like adding solar or upgrading to lithium batteries, so I'd love to understand how all these components work together and what I need to consider for future modifications. Is there a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of RV DC electrical systems from batteries and wiring through monitoring and upgrades? …more

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General Easy 15-30 min 119 👍 0

RV Windshield Washer System: Complete Maintenance Guide & Troubleshooting Tips

Somewhere between following three different YouTube tutorials, I managed to turn my RV's windshield washer repair into a sprinkler system that hits everything except the actual windshield. The specific issue I'm experiencing is fluid running back into the reservoir after each use, which means washer fluid isn't effectively hitting bugs before they dry and smear. I actually found a clever solution - using an aquarium air pump check valve from PetSmart for just $3.00. Sometimes it's these little fixes that make a big difference.

Sometimes the washer sprays like a garden sprinkler gone rogue, other times it dribbles like a leaky faucet. The fluid seems to have a mind of its own - either freezing up in cold weather or not hitting the windshield where it's supposed to.

I'm dealing with nozzles that spray everywhere except where the bugs are, a reservoir that I can never seem to locate when it's empty, and wipers that just smear everything around instead of actually cleaning. Could someone help me troubleshoot and confirm if my check valve solution might help? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 89 👍 0

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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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 84 👍 0

1991 Ford E350 Winnebago Battery Ground Wire Location: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Wondering if anyone else has dealt with corroded battery cables on their Class A before — replaced them easily last time, but this 1991 Ford E350 Winnebago's ground wire location has me completely stumped. I've traced the ground cable to a tie strap on the fender, but that's obviously just a routing point, not the actual termination.

Where does the battery ground cable actually terminate on these E350 chassis? Need to find the real connection point so I can clean it properly and install the replacement cable with a solid ground connection. …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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Slideouts Hard Varies 83 👍 0

HWH Leveling Jacks Won't Retract: Motor and Solenoid Valve Troubleshooting Guide

Every time I walk over to my HWH leveling jacks they extend perfectly but won't retract, leaving me clueless whether it's the motor, solenoid valve, or something else. But when I try to retract them using Store mode, absolutely nothing happens. I can hear the motor trying to run, but the jacks just sit there extended.

I recently replaced the springs on these jacks and I'm wondering if I somehow messed up the hydraulic system in the process. The spring replacement was a pain and I had to disconnect some things to get to them. My main question is: should I be hearing the motor run when I press Store mode, just like when extending? And if the motor runs but jacks don't retract, what's the most likely culprit?

I'm really hoping this is something I can troubleshoot myself before having to call in expensive service. Any guidance on what to check first would be a lifesaver! …more

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Engine Easy N/A - finding shop 81 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Service and Repair Shops in Connecticut - Complete Guide to RV Repairs

Called every Ford dealer in Connecticut about my F53 chassis recalls and they're all giving me the runaround instead of actual repair appointments. One Ford heavy truck place told me they don't work on motorhomes after September 1st because of "weather" - but it's been like 70-80 degrees! Perfect working weather if you ask me.

Anyone else deal with this kind of pushback? What's my best bet for actually getting recall work done on an F53 around here - are there other types of shops I should be calling instead of just regular Ford dealers? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 81 👍 0

1990 Tioga E-350 Won't Start: Complete DIY Troubleshooting Guide

Turned the key in our "new" 1990 Fleetwood Tioga E-350 and my wife immediately said "that's not starting, honey" — now I'm completely stumped. The engine turns over like it wants to start but just won't fire up. I've already replaced the fuel pump inside the tank, but I'm wondering if another pump might need replacement. I don't want to just start throwing parts at it. What's the best systematic approach to figure out why my Tioga won't start? Are there common failure points I should check first on these older E-350 based motorhomes? …more

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Propane Medium 45 minutes 80 👍 0

Coleman 9420-381 RV Thermostat Voltage Drop: Complete Repair Guide & Solutions

Pulled the same wire swap trick that fixed my old analog RV thermostat's voltage drop, but this new Coleman 9420-381 digital replacement is behaving completely different. Everything worked great all summer with the AC, but now that heating season is here, I'm having major problems.

The furnace keeps short-cycling terribly - the burner fires for maybe 3-20 seconds, shuts off, then the whole cycle repeats. I've already ruled out the furnace itself (replaced the board, checked sail switch and limit switch). Through testing, I discovered the furnace is steady at 13.4V, but when the thermostat calls for heat, the voltage it sends back slowly drops from 13V down to around 10V, then the burner shuts down.

If I short the two furnace wires directly, the furnace runs perfectly. I suspect the thermostat's solid state components are failing. I'm wondering:
1 Has anyone else seen this issue?
2 Are others using this 9420-381 thermostat without problems?

I really like the digital features, but need a reliable solution. …more

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Propane Medium varies by service 80 👍 0

Oasis RV Heater Rebuild: Best Repair Services & DIY Guide 2024

According to my insurance agent, extended RV warranties might not cover my Oasis heater rebuild — should I verify this before starting repairs myself? I can't find the specific ad now - does anyone remember seeing details about a professional Oasis heater rebuild service? Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks, W.L. …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Electrical Easy Informational 79 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Problems: Why Salesman Switches Fail

Since following that popular YouTube fix for my Thor Outlaw's battery drain, the salesman switch "solution" turned my minor electrical issue into a complete nightmare. Despite being marketed as a battery disconnect, this switch fails to eliminate parasitic draw completely while simultaneously disconnecting the batteries from the charging system when on shore power.

The design creates a problematic scenario: batteries continue draining through various circuits even when 'disconnected,' but they cannot receive charge from the converter. This results in dead batteries after extended storage periods, particularly when parked indoors where solar charging is unavailable.

I'm experiencing about a 50% probability of completely dead batteries, where they're disconnected from the converter and lack sufficient power to even reconnect to the charging system. The indicator light provides no reliable signal about the switch's actual position, making it impossible to track battery connection status.

What are the most effective solutions for addressing this flawed disconnect system? Are there proven workarounds that other Thor Outlaw owners have implemented, or should I be looking at bypassing this switch entirely? …more

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Engine Medium Decision process 77 👍 0

Onan Generator Won't Stay Running: Complete Repair vs Replace Guide 20

Three distinct sputtering sounds keep coming from my Onan generator that fires up perfectly but dies out after running for a while. Multiple service calls and repairs have been attempted, but the problems persist intermittently, making diagnosis challenging.

The repair costs are accumulating significantly, and I'm reaching a decision point regarding whether to continue troubleshooting or consider replacement options. What criteria should I use to determine when total repair investment justifies switching to a replacement unit? Are refurbished Onan generators a viable alternative, and what factors should guide this repair-versus-replace analysis for intermittent generator failures?

(Note: This is specifically about my RV's Onan generator, which I'm referring to as my 'Jenny'.) …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 30-45 minutes 75 👍 0

How to Remove RV Thermostat for Micro Air EasyStart Installation - Step-by-Step Process

The 2ZC thermostat in my RV is staring at me right now and there's this Micro Air EasyStart manual saying it needs to come out first. I've got the Micro Air unit ready to go, but I'm not entirely sure about the proper procedure for removing the current 2ZC thermostat from the wall without damaging anything or losing track of the wiring configuration.

I want to make sure I handle this correctly since I know the wire connections are critical and I don't want to create problems when connecting the new system. What's the proper step-by-step process for safely removing a 2ZC thermostat, and are there any important precautions I should take regarding the wiring before I start the Micro Air installation? I'd appreciate detailed guidance on the removal process and any preparation steps that will make the new installation go smoothly. …more

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Engine Hard 3-4 hours 74 👍 0

1988 E350 Class C 460 EFI Won't Start - Advanced Fix

Got stuck with this 1988 E350 Class C 460 EFI that the previous owner left me — thing absolutely refuses to start. My 1988 E350 Class C with the 460 EFI decided to throw the ultimate tantrum right as we were heading out for a trip - just completely died and refuses to start.

Here's where it gets fun (and by fun, I mean expensive): I've got spark, I've got 40 psi fuel pressure at the rail, timing looks good, and I've already thrown money at fuel pumps, filters, plugs, wires, TFI module, distributor, and even the inertia switch. The thing will occasionally act like it wants to fire but never actually starts. The real kicker? Even when I give it a shot of ether, absolutely nothing happens - not even a sputter!

At this point I'm wondering if there's something more advanced going on that I'm missing. When you have spark, fuel pressure, and timing but even ether won't make it fire, what else could be the culprit on these 460 EFI engines? …more

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