Popular New Guides Product Guides Tools Checklists My Rig

Results for "lean condition"

783+ Q&A Updated Weekly Free
How to Replace RV Wall Art: 7 Lightweight Decor Ideas for Travel
General Easy 30 minutes per piece 93 👍

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
Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up Guide: Best Aftermarket Parts & Filters 20
Engine Medium 2 hours 90 👍

Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up Guide: Best Aftermarket Parts & Filters 20

Before my last camping trip when I tried to order replacement parts, I discovered that finding genuine OEM components for my Onan 5500 generator has become nearly impossible. The Cummins website has been showing most tune-up components as out of stock for months now, and when I do find supposedly "official" Onan oil filters online, many retailers are substituting generic filters that may not meet the same specifications.

I've been researching alternatives and I'm particularly concerned about getting the right oil filter and spark plugs. For the oil filter, I've seen conflicting information about whether aftermarket options like Wix filters are truly compatible - some sources mention the 57398 but I've read mixed reviews about fitment issues. For spark plugs, my current ones are NGK BPR4EY, and I've heard the NGK 3432 might be equivalent, but I want to make sure before ordering.

I'm also planning to stick with zinc-containing oil like Rotella T6 15w40 since I know air-cooled engines need the extra protection, but I'd love confirmation that I'm on the right track with quality aftermarket parts that won't compromise my generator's performance. What specific part numbers and brands would you recommend for a reliable tune-up when OEM parts aren't available? …more
Ford F53 V10 Engine Surging: Quick Diagnosis & Cheap Fixes for RV Owners
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 83 👍

Ford F53 V10 Engine Surging: Quick Diagnosis & Cheap Fixes for RV Owners

Ford V10 surges between 600 and 1200 RPM at idle and gets worse when the engine is warm. Already replaced the IAC valve and cleaned the throttle body with no improvement. Drives fine on the highway but sitting at a stoplight feels like the engine is about to stall. …more
How to Fix Peeling RV Seat Upholstery: Repair Options & Costs
General Easy Varies by solution 83 👍

How to Fix Peeling RV Seat Upholstery: Repair Options & Costs

Last time I looked at my 2013 Georgetown 335DS front seats there's faux leather flaking off everywhere like the outer layer is just disintegrating. I've tried conditioning treatments but nothing seems to help.

I'm hoping this isn't going to be a huge expense, but I need to know my realistic options here. Should I expect any warranty coverage on something like this, or am I on my own? I've heard about seat covers, reupholstery, or maybe even replacing the whole seats, but I have no idea what any of this costs or what makes the most sense.

What's causing this deterioration in the first place, and what are people actually doing to fix it? I need real solutions with honest cost expectations - this RV is otherwise perfect and I don't want crumbling seats ruining the whole experience. …more
How to Store LiFePO4 Batteries in Winter: RV Cold Weather Battery Guide
Solar Batteries Easy 1 hour preparation 83 👍

How to Store LiFePO4 Batteries in Winter: RV Cold Weather Battery Guide

Somewhere along the way, the previous owner of my newly purchased RV completely abandoned proper winter storage for these LiFePO4 batteries through multiple harsh seasons. My battery documentation shows a storage temperature range of 14° to 122°, which concerns me since Spokane winter temperatures tend to drop within 10° of zero.

The batteries are currently located under the entry steps, and I'm considering three options:
1) Leave batteries in the coach and risk potential damage like case cracking
2) Install heating pads or battery blankets
3) Remove and store batteries indoors

I'm leaning towards removing the batteries indoors, but I'd appreciate input from those with experience. Can anyone talk me out of this approach or confirm it as the best strategy? …more
Is It Safe to Sleep with Your RV Generator Running? Safety Guide 2024
Engine Easy N/A 79 👍

Is It Safe to Sleep with Your RV Generator Running? Safety Guide 2024

This is 11 PM and my wife is sweating bullets in our RV — need to know if running our generator overnight is safe before we both melt. We have a 2023 Class C RV and my wife really needs the A/C running at night to sleep comfortably. I know our RV has a carbon monoxide detector installed, but I'm honestly not sure if that's enough protection.

I've heard mixed things about running generators while sleeping - some people seem to do it regularly while others say it's dangerous. What safety precautions should I be taking if we do this? Should I be worried about which windows are open or wind direction? I want to make sure we're being as safe as possible but also want my wife to be comfortable. Any guidance from more experienced RVers would be really appreciated! …more

Still stuck on this repair?

Get a personalized answer from a verified RV mechanic. Describe your issue and get step-by-step help.

Chat with an RV Mechanic
27708 RV owners helped · Avg response under 5 min
How to Replace 1995 Ford F53 Rear Sway Bar Bushings - Complete RV Repair Guide
Engine Medium 2 hours 75 👍

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
Ford V10 RV Engine Codes P0171 P0174: Complete Diagnosis Guide
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 70 👍

Ford V10 RV Engine Codes P0171 P0174: Complete Diagnosis Guide

Our '04 Southwind with the Ford V10 started with minor hesitation last month but now it's turned into full P0171 and P0174 lean condition codes. Engine runs fine otherwise - no rough idle, no hesitation, fuel economy seems normal. Just these annoying codes that keep coming back.

I've heard the V10 has some common issues that cause these dual lean codes. Already checked the obvious vacuum lines and cleaned the MAF sensor, but wondering what the most likely suspects are when you get BOTH banks showing lean. Is there a systematic way to track this down, or should I just start throwing parts at it?

Really don't want to take it to a shop if this is something with known failure points on these engines. What would you guys check first? …more
Ford V10 P0171 Code: Is It Safe to Drive Your RV? Lean System Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Engine Easy Informational 68 👍

Ford V10 P0171 Code: Is It Safe to Drive Your RV? Lean System Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Finally dealing with my Ford V10 throwing the P0171 lean code for the third time this season and I'm absolutely done with these guessing games. My Ford V10 with 60,500 miles threw this code during our recent trip from Maine to Virginia, and while there are absolutely no drivability issues - no rough idle, stalling, or poor performance - I'm terrified something catastrophic could happen on the road.

I've already cleaned the MAF sensor and had a local mechanic check for vacuum leaks and run a detailed diagnostic, which found no performance issues and cleared the Check Engine Light. The engine runs perfectly fine, but that check engine light has me spooked. What if I'm damaging the engine by driving it? Should I be monitoring for specific symptoms? I keep reading horror stories online about lean conditions causing engine failure.

I really don't want to get stranded somewhere or cause expensive damage, but I also don't want to cancel our upcoming trip to Florida if it's actually safe to drive. Has anyone dealt with this specific code on a Ford V10? What should I be watching for, and is it actually dangerous to drive with P0171 when the engine seems to be running normally? …more
HWH Leveling System Pump Failure: Diagnosis and Repair Guide
Slideouts Hard Several hours 65 👍

HWH Leveling System Pump Failure: Diagnosis and Repair Guide

Before I throw more money at this HWH leveling system, my neighbor swears it's the shuttle valve, the RV dealer wants to sell me a pump, and YouTube says something totally different. Here's what happened: my shuttle valve failed, so I replaced it following the manual. The system worked fine initially - all jacks cycled properly during testing and worked the first night out. But on the second night, the pump started sounding different and the jacks wouldn't extend at all.

A tech came out and found zero discharge pressure from the pump. Now I'm facing a $5k replacement, but I'm worried there might be underlying contamination issues. Could debris from the original shuttle valve failure have damaged the pump? I really don't want to install a new expensive pump only to have the same thing happen again.

Should I be concerned about system contamination, and what steps should I take before replacing the pump? I'm nervous about doing more damage if there's debris circulating through the hydraulic lines. …more
How to Diagnose and Fix RV Fuel Injector Problems: Complete Repair Guide for Motorhomes
Engine Medium 1-4 hours 63 👍

How to Diagnose and Fix RV Fuel Injector Problems: Complete Repair Guide for Motorhomes

The mechanic wants to replace all my fuel injectors on my 1996 F53 460 motorhome after I installed a Banks Power system with Accel 24 lb, but this sounds like complete overkill. injectors. It's been running rough, especially at idle, and I'm getting intermittent check engine lights. I don't want to make things worse by guessing or doing the wrong repairs.

I'm honestly a bit intimidated by fuel system work - I've heard horror stories about people causing expensive damage. The injectors I installed were Accel 24 lb., and I want to confirm if these are correct for this engine. I'm planning to pull a plug soon to check my fuel mixture, but I need some expert advice on the safest way to diagnose whether my injectors are actually the problem. I want to be absolutely sure before I start throwing parts at it or risk damaging something else in the fuel system. …more
Used Motorhome Buying: Newer Basic vs Older Loaded Model
General Medium 2-3 hours 62 👍 1

Used Motorhome Buying: Newer Basic vs Older Loaded Model

Pulled up dozens of used motorhome listings and I'm staring at this massive price gap between newer basic models and older fully-loaded ones. I'm concerned about making the right choice for our family's safety and comfort. We have around $275,000 to spend and I'm torn between two options: a newer 3-year-old 40-foot coach that's in nice condition, or an older 6-year-old 44-foot model that's loaded with features. Both seem well-maintained, but I want to make sure we choose the safest, most reliable option for our family adventures. What factors should guide our decision? …more
Robert, RV Mechanic
Ask an RV Mechanic Avg reply < 5 min

My Rig Settings

Hi, I'm Hank!
Need help setting up? I can walk you through it
Rig Info
Give it a name you'll recognize
Power & Electrical
Climate Control
Water System
Refrigerator Type
Leveling System
Convenience & Features
Sync across devices