Results for "highway noise"

Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 147 👍 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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General Medium 4-8 hours 116 👍 0

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

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Chassis Medium 45 minutes 99 👍 0

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

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

General Easy 30 minutes per piece 92 👍 0

How to Replace RV Wall Art: 7 Lightweight Decor Ideas for Travel

Opened up my motorhome and I'm staring at this hideous generic wall art — but before I start ripping it down, would that void my interior warranty? Since I'm only using it for 20-30 days a year, I'm wondering about the best approach to personalizing my space. I've noticed these factory pictures are pretty standard across RVs, but I'm curious how others handle this.

I'm worried about damaging walls or creating safety hazards while driving. The current pieces seem attached with velcro or screws, but I'm not sure how to remove them properly. More importantly, I want to understand weight limits and what materials are safe for RV walls. When I tried hanging a regular glass-framed photo last month, it rattled terribly going down the highway - clearly not the right approach!

Have other RV owners, especially those who are full-timers or occasional campers, replaced their standard artwork? What's the best way to remove existing mounted pieces and replace them with lightweight alternatives that won't become projectiles when traveling? …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 91 👍 0

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

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours shop time 85 👍 0

Toyo M-156 RV Tire Review: Replacing M-154 Steering Tires

After 50,000 miles, my Class A motorhome's 245/75R22.5 M-154 steering tires have uneven wear, sidewall cracks, AND are losing air pressure weekly. I've been running the Toyo M-154s for years and have been extremely satisfied with their performance, durability, and overall quality. However, I recently discovered that Toyo has discontinued the M-154 model and replaced it with the M-156.

From what I can see, the M-156 has a completely different tread pattern compared to the M-154, and I'm concerned about how this might affect performance. Specifically, I want to know if the construction quality and load ratings remain the same as the M-154, since those have been rock solid for me. I'm also curious about the road noise characteristics - the M-154s were reasonably quiet, but I'm wondering if the new tread design on the M-156 creates more or less road noise. Additionally, since this is a steering tire replacement, I want to confirm the proper replacement approach and whether there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind when switching from the M-154 to the M-156 design. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 78 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Squealing Noise at Highway Speed: Complete Diagnosis Guide

After replacing the belt tensioner, cleaning the pulleys, and checking all the belts — my 2019 27' NeXus Viper on Ford E450 V10 chassis still squeals from the front driver side at highway speeds. The noise occurs at highway speeds after approximately 5 miles of driving and disappears when slowing down. I've already replaced the serpentine belt and performed an engine-off test in neutral, which confirmed the noise persists independently of engine components.

I want a systematic diagnostic approach to determine whether this is brake caliper drag or wheel bearing failure. What specific tests should I perform to differentiate between these potential causes? I aim to avoid unnecessary repairs and focus my troubleshooting on the most likely culprits based on these symptoms. …more

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Engine Easy 1 hour to diagnose 78 👍 0

Ford E-450 Class C RV Front Squeak: Complete Diagnosis Guide for Brake

Between leaving my campsite last night and starting up this morning, my Ford E-450 Class C developed this awful front-end squeaking that definitely wasn't there before. My 2004 E-450 Class C with 54k miles has developed a squeak coming from the front end, and I'm not sure how to figure out what's causing it.

The squeak seems to happen at different times - sometimes when I'm braking, other times when going over bumps or rough roads. I've heard it could be anything from brake issues to suspension problems, but I honestly don't know how to tell the difference or what to check first.

Could someone help me understand how to properly diagnose where this front squeak is coming from? I'd really appreciate any step-by-step guidance on what to look for and how to identify whether it's a brake problem versus suspension issue. …more

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Electrical Medium 30 minutes 76 👍 0

2017 Ford E450 Alternator Output: Complete DC to DC Charger Sizing Guide for RVs

Somewhere between installing my DC to DC charger and realizing I don't know my 2017 Ford E450's alternator output, I'm wondering if this setup could be dangerous with my kids living in our RV full-time? I've been down every rabbit hole - VIN lookups, parts catalogs, service manuals - and I keep getting conflicting information or just replacement part numbers instead of actual specifications.

I'm planning to install a DC to DC charger for my LiFePO4 house batteries, but I absolutely need to know the real alternator output before I size the charger. I've seen everything from 120 amps to over 200 amps mentioned for the E450, but nothing definitive for my specific year and configuration.

Can someone please tell me what the actual alternator rating is for the 2017 E450, and more importantly, what size DC to DC charger I can safely run without overloading the alternator? I really don't want to fry anything, but I also don't want to undersize the charger if I have more capacity available than I think. …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 75 👍 0

How to Replace 1995 Ford F53 Rear Sway Bar Bushings - Complete RV Repair Guide

Staring at my 1995 Ford F53 motorhome's rear sway bar bushings that look perfectly fine, probably a dumb question but why does this thing sway like crazy over every bump? I can hear some clunking back there and the handling feels loose and wallowy.

I'm planning to tackle this myself (because apparently I enjoy spending my weekends cursing at rusty bolts). When replacing these axle bushings, be extremely careful with bolt alignment. The nuts are welded to the bracket, and if you don't align everything precisely, you risk cross-threading, which can turn a simple job into a much longer project - I learned this the hard way and had to chisel off a nut.

I've got some photos documenting my process and can share those if anyone's interested. I did not need to replace the upper sway bar tie rod bushings this time. Should I stick with the original rubber ones or is it worth upgrading to something better? And since I'll already be crawling around under there getting dirty, are there any other components I should check or replace while everything's accessible? …more

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Engine Medium 4-6 hours for gear change 71 👍 0

2000 Ford E450 V10 Uphill Power Mods for Mountain Towing

Called three different YouTube tutorials claiming to boost my 2000 Ford E450 V10's uphill towing power, but now my motorhome struggles even worse in the mountains. The unit struggles substantially on extended uphill grades, particularly during Rocky Mountain travel where sustained climbs can last 30+ minutes.

I'm evaluating several modification options to address this performance deficiency: rear differential gear ratio changes, SCT programming modules, K&N high-flow air filtration systems, and catalytic converter removal. I need to understand which modifications will provide measurable uphill towing improvements versus those that offer minimal gains.

What is the relative effectiveness of these power modifications for V10 mountain towing applications? I'm looking for a technical assessment of which upgrades deliver the most significant performance improvements for this specific application. …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Chassis Hard Professional repair required 70 👍 0

Ford F53 Front Wheel Bearing Failure: 2018-2019 Chassis Problems & Solutions for RV Owners

I spent a fortune replacing front wheel bearings on my 2018-2019 Ford F53 motorhome because they keep failing way faster than normal, and apparently other RV owners are getting hammered too. A friend's 2018 F53 chassis just had a complete bearing failure at only 22,000 miles - the wheel was literally at an angle and destroyed the tire too.

This has me worried sick about my own rig. Are there documented issues with premature wheel bearing failures on 2018-2019 F53 chassis? I'm seeing reports of failures happening way too early, and I'm terrified of having a catastrophic failure while driving. What's causing these failures and should I be doing something preventative before I end up stranded on the highway? …more

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Engine Easy 1-2 hours installation 69 👍 0

Ford V10 RV Performance Tune Comparison: Banks vs UPFORD vs 5 Star Tuning Options

During my search for a 2012 Fleetwood Bounder 35H and Thor Hurricane 35C with V10 engines, my existing UPFORD tune has become a confusing mess. My current Class C has an UPFORD Ultra tune that I installed about five years ago, and I've been extremely satisfied with the performance improvements - better gear holding, reduced downshifting from 5th to 4th to 3rd, lower RPMs, and significantly less engine noise.

UPFORD offers a transfer service where I can move my existing tune to the new motorhome for a fee, but I'm wondering if I should consider switching to a different tuning company instead. The main alternatives I'm looking at are Banks Power and 5 Star Tuning, since these seem to be the three most popular V10 performance tune options for RV applications.

From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, would it make more sense to transfer my current UPFORD tune to the new Class A, or are there compelling reasons to start fresh with Banks or 5 Star? I want to make sure I'm getting the best possible performance and value, especially since all three companies seemed to offer similar benefits when I originally researched this five years ago. …more

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Engine Easy N/A 68 👍 0

Cummins Engines in RVs: Diesel vs Gas Options and Maintenance Guide

Wondering if I made the right call upgrading to the new 6.7 Cummins gas engine after weeks of research — still feels like I'm missing something important. Imagine if Freightliner built a new chassis using this specific Cummins gas engine. I would think it would be a great option. I don't imagine Ford would willingly use this engine in the F53 chassis. …more

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Engine Hard 3-4 hours 67 👍 0

How to Install Saginaw Power Steering Pump on 1990-1998 Ford RV Chassis: A Complete Guide

Apparently I'm now the proud owner of a used RV with a 1990-1998 Ford 460 engine chassis and this power steering pump is making terrifying noises. DM MOTORSPORTS offers a complete upgrade kit with a Saginaw pump rated at much higher pressure for notably improved steering response.

I'm particularly concerned about whether I need special parts or if I can just bolt it on. What exactly do I need to make sure this conversion is done properly? I want to understand the specific installation steps to ensure I don't end up with steering problems or safety issues while driving my RV. …more

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