Results for "hard start"

Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 1,295 👍 0

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

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Appliances Hard Professional repair required 822 👍 0

Splendide WDC7100XC Drum Bearing Repair & Replacement Guide

Splendide combo washer-dryer started making a grinding noise during the spin cycle and now it vibrates so hard it walks across the floor. Pretty sure it's the drum bearings based on the sound. Debating between a $400 repair bill and just replacing the whole unit. …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour research 474 👍 0

Fleetwood Excursion Tire Upgrade Guide: 255 to 275 Width Conversion

After upgrading my 2015 Fleetwood Excursion M-35B from 255 to 275 width tires, it started getting sketchy handling on highway turns. The current 255/70R22.5 tires are wearing out and I'd love to go wider with 275/70R22.5 for better stability, but I keep getting conflicting advice from different tire shops.

Some say it's fine, others warn about clearance issues and potential problems. I really need to know what specific measurements I should check before making this change. What wheel width do I need? How do I verify there's enough steering clearance? I don't want to buy expensive tires only to find out they don't fit properly or aren't safe for my RV's load requirements. …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 420 👍 0

Dometic 12V Refrigerator Not Cooling on Battery Power - Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Staring at my Dometic DMC compressor refrigerator that runs perfectly on 12V DC when it's cool but stops cooling completely once temperatures hit 85°F or higher. The unit works perfectly when I'm plugged into shore power at campgrounds - everything stays cold and the freezer compartment keeps items frozen solid. However, when I'm boondocking and running solely on my RV's battery bank, the performance drops significantly. The refrigerator struggles to maintain proper temperatures, and the freezer can't keep things frozen.

I have a relatively new battery setup with what should be adequate capacity for my power needs. The batteries test fine with a multimeter when the refrigerator isn't running, but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing about power requirements or electrical connections. I've heard that 12V compressor refrigerators can be pretty demanding on battery systems, but I'm not sure what specific issues to look for.

What are the most common causes when a 12V Dometic compressor refrigerator works fine on shore power but fails to cool properly when running on batteries? I want to troubleshoot this systematically before calling in a technician. …more

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Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 349 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide

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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Exterior Medium 3-4 days (includes curing time) 348 👍 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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Engine Easy N/A 348 👍 0

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

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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Propane Hard 6-8 hours 286 👍 0

Atwood GC10A-4E Replacement: Best Tankless RV Heaters

Halfway through draining my Atwood GC10A-4E's supposed 10-gallon capacity, the water's already running cold but my gauge shows I've only pulled maybe 6 gallons. Are there any dual-fuel tankless units that would work as a replacement? I know there's no plug-and-play option, but what are the best tankless water heaters that offer both gas and electric operation for RVs? …more

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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 272 👍 1

Dometic 310 Toilet Leaking at Foot Pedal: Complete Fix Guide

Called my weekend camping trip short because my Dometic 310 toilet has water pooling underneath, the flush mechanism sticking, AND that annoying gurgling sound happening constantly. I can see the leak between the fixed outer part and the moving pivot section when the pedal is pressed.

Already replaced the toilet valve but it's still leaking from the same spot. The inlet and outlet hoses look fine. What causes leaks at the pedal mechanism itself after the valve has been changed? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 248 👍 1

How to Replace RV Slide Topper Fabric: Complete DIY Guide

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 1-2 hours 245 👍 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 Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 231 👍 0

How to Fix a Squeaking Dometic Fan-Tastic Roof Fan in Your RV

Looked up at my Dometic Fan-Tastic roof fan squeaking loudly above my kids' beds—is this dangerous or could something actually break and fall on them? The fan blades aren't hitting the housing, so that's not the issue. What are the most common causes of squeaking in these roof fans? Is this something I can fix myself with basic maintenance, or does it usually require replacing parts like bearings or the motor? …more

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Engine Easy Planning decision 229 👍 0

When to Replace RV Tires by Age: Inspect at 5, Replace by 10

Pulled into three different tire shops asking about RV tire replacement and got three completely different answers about when tires actually need replacing. The unit has six tires with 2018 DOT date codes, making them 7 years old as of 2025. Mileage is approximately 28,000 miles, and visual inspection shows good tread depth with no apparent cracking, bulging, or other visible deterioration.

A tire technician who performed my state inspection indicated the tires appear serviceable from an external assessment standpoint. However, I understand there may be internal degradation factors not visible during standard inspection procedures.

What is the technical consensus on replacement timing for RV tires when age limits are reached but visible condition remains acceptable? Specifically looking for guidance on the 6-7 year replacement interval and whether internal rubber compound deterioration poses legitimate safety risks regardless of external appearance. …more

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General Hard 45-60 min 220 👍 0

How to Remove Firefly RV Control Panel: Complete DIY Guide

Our 2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE has a malfunctioning Firefly multiplex control panel that needs to be completely removed. I've been putting this off for months because I keep hearing horror stories about people cracking their panels or damaging the surrounding woodwork during removal.

I need to access the back of the unit for some electrical work, but I'm honestly terrified of breaking something expensive. The panel seems to be mounted flush with no obvious screws or clips visible from the front. I've searched everywhere but can't find a complete walkthrough that covers the preparation, actual removal process, and how to get everything back together properly.

Can someone please provide a detailed DIY guide that covers all the steps? I'm willing to take my time and do this right - I just need to know the proper technique so I don't end up with a broken control panel or damaged wall. …more

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Propane Easy 30 min 218 👍 0

RV LP Gas Detector False Alarms: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Already tried everything but my RV's LP gas detector has false alarms in the garage, keeps beeping at random times, AND won't reset properly. Even with the LP tank completely shut off, the alarm still goes off within hours. It's located in the bottom of the fridge cabinet.

I've checked everywhere for actual leaks - can't smell anything, and all my appliances still light immediately when I take the RV out. The detector seems fine outside but becomes a nightmare indoors. I'm wondering if it's the sensor going bad, poor placement, or if there are other things that can trigger these detectors besides actual propane leaks?

I really need a complete breakdown of what causes these false alarms and how to fix this issue once and for all. Should I be looking at replacing the detector entirely, or are there troubleshooting steps I'm missing? …more

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