Results for "not retracting"

Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 213 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

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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General Easy 30 min maintenance 137 👍 0

RV Slide-Out Maintenance: Complete Guide to Prevent Wear and Extend Lifespan

Before I even finish extending my 2018 Newmar 2702 slide-out, there's this grinding vibration that kicks in during the final positioning phase every single time. The motor works hardest during that last foot of travel when the slide settles into place.

This observation has me questioning optimal maintenance protocols for slide-out longevity. What are the most effective strategies for reducing mechanical wear on these systems? I'm particularly interested in understanding proper usage frequency, seal maintenance requirements, and whether partial extension during routine tasks like cleaning provides any protective benefits.

Looking for comprehensive guidance on preventive maintenance practices, lubrication schedules, and storage considerations that will maximize slide-out system lifespan while minimizing premature component failure. …more

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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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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

General Medium Varies by issue 101 👍 0

How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation

Before buying our first RV, I never even knew slide topper awnings existed, and now ours is acting up and I'm completely lost. We're having all three slide toppers professionally replaced next week, but I'm honestly worried we'll end up with the same problems all over again if they're not installed properly.

I've been reading horror stories about misaligned toppers, wrong spring tension, and fabric bunching up during slide operation. Since this is costing us a pretty penny, I really need to know what specific things I should insist the installer check and test before they leave. What are the critical adjustments that need to be made during installation to prevent these common topper problems from happening again? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

Dometic 8300 Series Awning Torsion Assembly Replacement Guide (834AV44

Already burned through three Dometic 8300 torsion assemblies in six months and I'm hemorrhaging money as a new RV owner. The model number is 834AV44.138 and I'm not even sure what series this is - is it part of the 8300 series maybe?

The torsion assembly lever broke off and I can't seem to find exact replacement parts anywhere. I'm wondering if there are compatible parts from other Dometic awning models that would work with mine? I don't want to order the wrong thing and make the problem worse. Any guidance on finding the right replacement parts or temporary fixes would be really helpful! …more

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Exterior Easy 15 minutes 94 👍 0

How to Replace Your RV Door Awning Motor Cap: Step-by-Step Guide

I tried getting answers about my RV sideswipe damage but my insurance adjuster says it's totaled, three body shops say fixable, and forums are completely split. The coward took off at the highway exit before I could get his plates. Damage is to the bay doors and right front corner cap area - looks pretty ugly but the RV is still drivable. Police never showed up despite multiple calls over 4 hours of waiting. Already filed with insurance and sent photos, but I'm wondering what I should be looking for beyond the obvious visible damage. This is my first accident in 8 years of RVing and I'm stressed about hidden issues I might miss. Any advice on what to inspect or document before the adjuster comes out? …more

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Exterior Hard Varies 93 👍 0

Carefree RV Awning Spring and Arm Replacement Guide - Model Compatibility Tips

According to my mechanic, fixing my 18-foot Carefree of Colorado awning's busted spring mechanism will cost $800, but I'm wondering if I can tackle this myself since there's zero tension left. Along with that, one of the support arms that helps transition the awning from travel position to deployed position is also damaged and needs replacement.

Before I start ordering parts or calling repair shops, I'm trying to understand how Carefree's replacement parts work. Are their springs and support arms universal components that work across different awning sizes and models, or does Carefree use proprietary parts that are specific to each awning series? I've been browsing their website but the parts compatibility information isn't very clear about what fits what.

I'd really appreciate any guidance on part compatibility and whether this is something I should tackle myself or leave to a professional. The spring replacement in particular seems like it might be tricky given the tension involved. …more

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Slideouts Medium 45 minutes 90 👍 0

HWH 325 Levelers Shutting Off When Extended? Quick Fix Guide

This might sound like a warranty question, but before I start tearing into my HWH 325 series levelers that shut off when extended — am I covered or paying again? They power up just fine - all lights, sounds normal, no drama. But the SECOND I press any of the extend buttons, they shut off completely like I just insulted their mother.

I'm trying to level out while changing my motorhome's oil (because apparently I can't even do basic maintenance without my house deciding to be crooked), and these levelers are having none of it. Battery shows good on the panel, but I'm wondering if there's some kind of voltage issue happening when they try to actually work? Or maybe loose connections somewhere? Anyone dealt with this particular brand of RV stubbornness before? …more

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Slideouts Medium 30-60 minutes 84 👍 0

Can You Remove RV Slideout Topper Temporarily? Safe Travel Without Awning

Since that heavy downpour last weekend, my slideout topper mechanism completely failed - something snapped inside the roller tube and now it won't retract at all. I managed to manually wind it up and secure it with zip ties just to get home, but it's clearly done for.

I've got a replacement topper on order, but of course it won't arrive before our next planned outing in two weeks. I'm really hoping we don't have to cancel this trip we've been looking forward to! Can I safely remove the broken topper completely and just operate the slideout normally without it? I assume it should be fine since it's just for keeping debris off the roof, but I want to make absolutely sure there are no safety issues with traveling and using the slideout without the topper installed. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 84 👍 0

RV Stabilizer Jack Handle Spinning & Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Apparently my neighbor's manual stabilizer jack retracts like butter every single time, while mine is completely stuck extended with a handle that spins uselessly. It cranked down fine but now won't come back up. What causes this spinning handle issue and how do I fix it? Is this something I can repair myself or do I need professional help? …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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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Exterior Medium 1-2 hours 75 👍 0

RV Electric Steps Won't Lock Extended - Troubleshoot Lock Switch & Control Board Issues

Noticed my 2008 Tiffin Allegro Bay 35 TSB electric steps won't lock extended and keep retracting when I close the door — tackling this Saturday, what should I prep?

I'm concerned this could be a safety issue, and I don't want to start taking things apart without knowing what I'm doing. Could this be the lock switch going bad, or maybe something with the control board? I have a multimeter but I'm nervous about testing electrical components incorrectly. What's the safest way to troubleshoot this problem? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 55 👍 0

Power Gear Hydraulic Leveling Pump Noise - Causes & Fixes

Our 2016 Dynamax Force's Power Gear hydraulic leveling system started making way more noise than usual after those heavy Colorado storms hit last week. The pump noise has gotten noticeably worse over the past few months. I did change the hydraulic fluid last year using the full synthetic that Power Gear specifies, but the noise keeps increasing. The system still levels fine, but I'm concerned about what's causing the excessive pump noise and whether I need to address this before it becomes a bigger problem. Anyone dealt with similar issues on these Power Gear units? …more

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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 53 👍 0

Replace RV Step Motor & Gearbox Together or Separately?

Halfway through our last camping trip, my husband pointed out that grinding noise from our RV step, and now I'm completely torn between replacing the motor and gearbox together or separately. I'm pretty new to RV ownership and need some guidance. My single entry step on my 2019 Jayco Redhawk 25R Class C has stopped working properly. The motor still runs and sounds normal, but the step won't extend or retract - I'm guessing the gearbox inside has stripped gears or something? I can hear the motor running but nothing happens. My question is whether I should just replace the gearbox part that seems broken, or if I should do both the motor and gearbox together while I'm at it? I keep hearing about Murphy's Law in RV forums and I'm worried the motor might fail right after I fix the gearbox! What would experienced RV owners recommend? Thanks for your patience with a newbie! …more

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