Results for "hydraulic-repair"

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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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

Ford E-450 RV Shock Absorber Upgrade Guide: Bilstein 4600 vs Koni FSD

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

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Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 89 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

General Easy N/A 87 👍 0

5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide

According to my old Class C setup this same hitch rating confusion was easily solved with basic math — but towing a Jeep behind this Class A motorhome has me worried about weight limits and legal liability. After checking the Jeep website, I noticed that most Jeep models weigh over 5100 lbs, which seems to exceed typical 5000 lb hitch ratings. Could this potentially expose RV owners to liability if something goes wrong during towing? I want to understand the weight implications and safety considerations before hooking up a vehicle. Does this mean most Jeep owners towing with a gasser Class A might be inadvertently exceeding safe towing limits? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 86 👍 0

Best Floor Jacks and Jack Stands for Ford E-350 Class C Motorhome: Safety Guide

Despite having the proper jack and stands, is it still dangerous to work under my 2001 Ford E-350 Class C motorhome with grandkids constantly playing nearby? What are the correct tonnage specifications for floor jacks and jack stands when working on this chassis weight? Additionally, what are the designated lift points on the E-350 frame, and what safety protocols should be followed to ensure stable vehicle support during maintenance operations? …more

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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 82 👍 0

RV Leveling Jacks No Power: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Leveling jacks have zero power — hit the button and nothing happens. No motor noise, no movement, no indicator lights on the panel. Coach is sitting crooked at the campsite and I can't level it manually because the electric jacks are in the way of using blocks. …more

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Engine Medium 30-45 minutes to evaluate performance 78 👍 0

Quad Shock Setup on Ford F-53 Chassis - Performance Review

Looked everywhere and my F-53 chassis is still showing 2.1 inches of body roll with quad shocks installed, but forums claim it should be under 1 inch. As a former high school auto mechanics instructor with 35 years of experience, I've carefully considered the shock design challenges in RV suspension.

I installed additional shocks after discovering that shock suppliers list a single shock design for F-53 chassis ranging from 16,000 to 26,000 lbs. I used Koni shocks ($170 each) and supplemented with Monroe shocks ($75 each) for additional dampening.

Installation required 10" bottom bolts and modified top mounting. I used hardened washers to prevent shock cover contact. Total bolt modification cost was approximately $18.

Completed a 30-mile test drive with no apparent harshness or negative handling characteristics. The suspension feels more controlled during normal driving conditions, but this limited test may not reveal the full performance picture.

What's the recommended approach for thoroughly evaluating quad shock performance on the F-53 platform? Specifically looking for guidance on testing duration, road conditions to assess, and key performance indicators to monitor during the break-in period. …more

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Slideouts Medium 3-4 hours 71 👍 0

RV Slides Creeping Out Randomly - Hydraulic Troubleshooting

Called the dealer about my practically new Tiffin Allegro Bay 38AB that's eating through hydraulic fluid because both front slides keep extending randomly. Sometimes it happens while we're driving down the highway, other times after sitting in storage for hours or even days. The weird part? It can also go months without any problems at all. The factory has already inspected everything twice - tested cylinders for internal leakage, checked all hydraulic lines, and even replaced the entire pump and valve assembly with their latest upgraded unit. Still happening! I've crawled under there with a flashlight checking every fitting and connection - bone dry, no hydraulic fluid anywhere. I even killed all 12V power thinking maybe a phantom signal was triggering the solenoids, but nope. Here's what's really puzzling: sometimes just one slide extends, sometimes both. Once we were parked on a serious slope (driver's side maybe 5-6 inches higher) and that slide still crept out uphill against gravity! I'm wondering if weak house batteries could cause the solenoid valves to malfunction? I'm pretty handy with tools and want to tackle this myself since the factory keeps saying there's nothing wrong. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 70 👍 0

Motorhome Steering Stabilizer: Do You Really Need One? | Complete Guide to RV Handling

Replaced the steering stabilizer on my old Class A and it completely fixed the wandering — but my 2017 Coachmen Pursuit 30FW feels totally different and I'm questioning everything. The steering requires constant correction to stay straight, and I'm worried about safety on the highway. I keep reading about steering stabilizers online, but I'm also seeing mentions of something called the "Quick Fix" and basic maintenance checks.

I don't want to spend money on a stabilizer if it's just going to mask a bigger problem, but I'm also concerned about driving without addressing the steering wander. Should I install a steering stabilizer first, or am I potentially making things worse by not fixing the root cause? What's the safest approach here? …more

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Engine Medium 45 minutes 68 👍 0

RV Fuel Filter Replacement: How Often & Maintenance Guide

Every time we plan a big RV trip, something goes wrong - and now my 2005 Tradition 40W motorhome is running rough with fuel delivery issues just days before our two-week cross-country adventure. We're fairly light users - only putting about 1,200 miles on it annually since we mostly use it for shorter trips and occasional longer vacations. The coach has two fuel filters that I can see: a Luber Finer LFF1003 and an LF5488. I'm not entirely sure when they were last changed, possibly not for quite some time.

I've been researching maintenance schedules and seeing conflicting information about fuel filter replacement intervals. Some sources suggest every 10,000 miles, others recommend annual replacement regardless of mileage. Given our low annual mileage, changing them every year seems excessive and potentially wasteful. Our local RV service shop does annual maintenance including oil changes and general inspections, but they haven't specifically flagged the fuel filters as needing replacement.

What would be the appropriate replacement interval for fuel filters on a low-mileage RV like ours? Should I be concerned about contamination or other issues even with light use? I want to maintain the engine properly without over-maintaining components that don't need frequent attention. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours installation 68 👍 0

DC-DC Charger Needed for E450 AGM to Lithium Upgrade?

Finally got a 2019 Ford E450 and I'm upgrading from AGM to lithium batteries but can't figure out if I need a DC-DC charger. Now I'm seriously considering ditching my AGM 12V batteries for the shiny new lithium upgrade on my E450 chassis.

The thing is, I've got a decent 200 amp alternator already installed, and I'm wondering if that's enough muscle to properly charge lithium batteries, or if I need to add yet another gadget to my ever-growing collection of RV electronics. Do I really need a DC-DC charger for this upgrade, or can my alternator handle the job? My wallet is already crying from pricing out lithium batteries, so I'm hoping to avoid another expensive add-on if possible! …more

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Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

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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Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 66 👍 0

HWH Leveling System Won't Start - Pump Troubleshooting Guide

Looked outside at 11 PM and discovered my HWH leveling system pump just died on me — need to figure this out before we leave in the morning. I've got a '96 Allegro Bus with what I think is called the HWH 610 leveling system. We were out camping last weekend and I started the leveling process, but someone suggested I move forward a bit for better slide clearance. So I turned off the leveling system, moved the coach forward maybe 10 feet, then tried to level again. That's when everything went wrong - now it just keeps bleeding air constantly and the pump motor won't even try to start. I've tried pressing the individual leg buttons but nothing happens except more air loss. Back home I've been doing some basic testing (please be patient with my limited knowledge). The solenoids all seem to click when I press buttons, and I've checked every fuse I can find. I suspected the pump relay since I wasn't getting any output, so I replaced it, but same problem. I'm getting confused about the wiring - should the small terminals on the pump relay get voltage or ground signal? Right now I'm seeing ground on both small posts. I also replaced all three batteries just to eliminate that possibility. I'm really puzzled how this went from working perfectly to completely dead in just 20 seconds. Any ideas what I should check next? …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 66 👍 0

RV Transmission Spin-On Filter Conversion Kit Installation Guide

Nobody wants to hear that subtle whining noise coming from their RV's 4R100 transmission with a V10 engine, but here I am wondering if a spin-on filter conversion kit installation might help. My mechanical skills are about as reliable as my RV's slideouts in a rainstorm, but I keep hearing these kits make filter changes easier than finding a level campsite.

I'm seeing all these different kit options online and honestly feeling more confused than a GPS in a tunnel. Do these spin-on filters actually mount in the cooler line (which I believe is a full flow system)? I'm specifically looking for a filter under 10 microns that works with my transmission setup. Are these supposed to work alongside the existing internal filter, or am I about to create an expensive science experiment under my rig? Because let's be real - my track record with 'simple' RV modifications usually ends with me calling a professional and pretending I never touched anything. …more

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Slideouts Medium 1-2 hours for inspection and measurements 62 👍 0

Hydraulic RV Jack Drift: How Much Sag is Normal?

Apparently my hydraulic leveling jack has a mind of its own — it keeps slowly drifting downward when it's supposed to stay in the retracted position. All four jacks also have a thin coating of hydraulic fluid on them, which has me a bit concerned. I went ahead and extended the leveling system today to take some careful measurements of each jack's extension and the distance from each corner to the ground. I'm wondering what amount of drift or sag should be considered normal versus something that needs immediate attention under warranty? …more

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