Results for "open roads"

Engine Easy 45 min 196 👍 0

Femco vs Fumoto Oil Drain Valves for RVs - Which is Better?

Looked at my mechanic's quote for a $300 professional oil change setup and something seems off—wouldn't a basic Femco or Fumoto drain valve work just fine? I've narrowed it down to Femco and Fumoto, but I'm genuinely worried about road debris damage since RVs sit lower and encounter more hazards than regular vehicles.

The thought of a drain valve getting hit by rocks or debris and causing a catastrophic oil leak on the highway keeps me up at night. I need to know which design is actually safer and more protected in RV applications. Does one have better protection features than the other? I'd rather be overly cautious than deal with a roadside emergency. …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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Ac Refrigeration Easy 45 minutes 99 👍 0

How to Fix RV Refrigerator Door That Won't Stay Closed - 5 Best Latch

RV fridge door swings open every time we hit a curve or a bump in the road. Already lost a shelf full of groceries on the highway. The magnetic latch barely holds and the aftermarket ones I've looked at all have mixed reviews. What actually keeps these doors shut while driving? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Engine Medium 3-4 hours 83 👍 0

1999 Pace Arrow F53 Fuel Pump Replacement - Expert Advice

According to my troubleshooting so far, I've replaced the fuel filter, cleaned the fuel lines, checked all the connections, and even swapped relays — but my 1999 Pace Arrow F53 still won't get fuel to the engine. The original fuel pump has been operational for 27 years, exposed to gasoline storage conditions throughout this period.

Given the extended service life and potential for roadside failure, I'm evaluating whether proactive fuel pump replacement represents sound maintenance strategy. Seeking technical assessment on replacement timing and expected performance outcomes with quality aftermarket units from established suppliers.

What are the documented results from similar preventive fuel pump replacements on this chassis configuration? Is the investment in preemptive replacement justified based on reliability data? …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes assessment 78 👍 0

RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide

The Trek motorhome's water pump just died at 11 PM in the middle of nowhere — need to figure this out before morning. While returning from Assateague, just north of Smyrna, Delaware, my water pump failed with a cloud of steam, leaving me stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully, Coach-Net, our road service provider, found us a tow to Lube Station and Repair in Smyrna. The Delaware State Police and Smyrna Fire Department were incredibly helpful, checking on us during this stressful situation. We ended up staying the night in the shop's lot and made it home only a day late. Has anyone else experienced something similar and have advice for handling roadside RV emergencies? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours with help 73 👍 0

Fix Detached RV Awning Arm After Storm - Removal Guide

Finally discovered my RV awning arm completely detached and hanging loose after yesterday's storm - is this dangerous with kids running around the campsite? The rear arm completely detached during high winds and the whole thing partially deployed while I was driving. I managed to push it back in and tape it down temporarily, but it won't latch properly and keeps wanting to roll back out.

I've tried everything I can think of from ground level, but I can't reach high enough to see what's actually broken up there. The arm just won't stay in position no matter what I do. I'm worried about driving home with it like this - it could deploy again or cause damage to the RV.

I have help coming with ladders tomorrow, but I need to know my options. Is this something that can be secured well enough for travel, or am I looking at having to remove the entire awning assembly? I really need to get this resolved so I can get home safely! …more

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Engine Easy Research during breakdown 72 👍 0

How to Find Emergency Diesel RV Repair Shops During Breakdown

Nobody believes my wife when she tells people our diesel pusher started billowing black smoke right when that fan belt snapped on Interstate 10, 40 miles from Houston. I know truckers deal with this all the time, so there's gotta be some go-to resources or apps they use to locate repair shops when they break down on the road. What's the smartest approach to quickly find diesel mechanics who can handle an RV when you're stranded? I'm talking about real-world tools and methods that actually work when you're in a jam, like I was where I could barely find anyone close to work on my vehicle. …more

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General Easy Research time 70 👍 0

Class B vs Class C Motorhomes: Best RV for Extended Western States Bicycle Tour

I tried researching Class B versus Class C motorhomes for weeks now since we're new RV owners planning an extensive retirement bicycle tour through all the western states. We've narrowed our RV choices down to either a Class B or Class C motorhome, but we're struggling to decide which would be the better fit for our specific needs and travel style.

We're particularly concerned about the trade-offs between fuel efficiency, drivability, and living comfort during what will be extended periods on the road. After spending full days cycling 40-50 miles on various trails, we want to make sure we'll have adequate space to recover and relax, but we also need to be practical about fuel costs and maneuverability when accessing different trailheads and camping areas throughout the western states.

The Class B appeals to us for what we assume would be better gas mileage and easier handling, especially when navigating to remote trail access points. However, we're worried about feeling cramped during longer stays, particularly after physically demanding cycling days. The Class C seems like it would offer more comfortable living space for extended trips, but we're concerned about fuel efficiency and whether a larger RV might limit our options for camping and parking. Would a smaller Class C in the 24-27 foot range potentially offer the best of both worlds for our specific travel plans? …more

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General Easy N/A 69 👍 0

Open Roads EFS Fuel Card Loves App Not Working - Quick Fix Guide

This is driving me crazy — my neighbor's Open Roads EFS fuel card works flawlessly in the Loves app but mine throws "Entry Mode not allowed" errors every time. I'm afraid I might be doing something wrong or that my card is damaged somehow.

The physical card still swipes fine at the pump dispenser, but I'm concerned about whether I should keep attempting to use the app or if that might cause problems with my account. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I don't want to mess anything up further, but I also don't understand why the app suddenly stopped working when it used to be fine. …more

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Engine Hard 1-2 hours roadside 68 👍 0

Aqua Hot Engine Coolant Hose Failure: Emergency Roadside Repair Guide for RVs

Despite what started as a minor Aqua Hot coolant leak in my Western Alpine motorhome last month, the engine coolant hose has now completely blown out three times this week crossing Texas on I-10. Each time it happens, I lose coolant and have to find a repair shop, but the repairs don't seem to be holding up to road conditions and vibration.

The first failure happened about halfway across Texas, got it repaired at a local shop, but it blew again after only 80 miles of driving. Made it to Houston where it failed a third time, and now I'm stuck at Auto Tech Center in Kingwood, TX (owned by Wendel Walden), paying $50 a night for water and electric, plus $225/hour for labor. I'm also facing additional costs of $10 a day to store a box trailer I need to pick up on the south side of Houston.

What are my options for emergency roadside repairs when this type of Aqua Hot coolant hose failure happens? Should I be carrying specific spare parts and tools for this type of repair? Is there a way to temporarily bypass the Aqua Hot system entirely so I can at least get to a proper repair facility without risking further engine damage from coolant loss? …more

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Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 67 👍 0

1999 Monaco LaPalma Front Run Bay Control Panel #166-2011

My 1999 Monaco LaPalma's front run bay control panel #166-2011 had something completely new on it this morning that wasn't there yesterday. I have a 1999 Monaco LaPalma on an F53 chassis, and the front run bay control panel has stopped working completely. From what I can tell, the part number I need is #166-2011.

I've been searching online but I'm not having much luck finding this specific control panel. Are these parts still available anywhere, or am I out of luck since it's such an older unit? Also, is there anything special I should know about compatibility or installation for my particular chassis? Any advice would be really appreciated! …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours for diagnostic testing 65 👍 0

1991 Ford E350 460 Engine Oil Pump Issues - Diagnosis Help

Somewhere between last month's slightly low oil pressure reading on my '91 Ford E350 460 engine and today's complete engine knocking, I'm thinking this oil pump is finally dying.

Here's the weird part - oil pressure gauge sits really low (like concerningly low) but the temp gauge never even hits the middle, stays cool as a cucumber. She runs like a total champ though, starts every time, smooth as butter, pulls hills no problem. Just hit 99k miles and put about 7k on her this year with zero issues performance-wise.

Everything I'm reading online says oil pump problems usually show up as low pressure AND high temps together. But I've got low pressure with low temps, which seems backwards? Had one moment recently where the oil pressure suddenly jumped to normal mid-range after smelling some hot oil at a gas stop. Is this actually pointing to oil pump failure, or am I maybe looking at faulty gauges or sending units instead? …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 days 65 👍 0

2014 Thor Challenger Engine Replacement: Complete Cost Guide & Best Options

Already embarrassed to ask this, but my 2014 Thor Challenger's V10 threw a rod in Florida - is replacing it as wallet-crushing as I think? Because apparently my RV has a sense of humor and perfect timing! 🙄

Now I'm staring down the barrel of an engine replacement and trying not to have my own mechanical failure when I see the potential costs. I've heard Jasper engines mentioned, but I'm honestly clueless about what I should expect to pay for a complete engine replacement on this beast.

Anyone been through this wallet-emptying adventure before? What's the realistic price range I'm looking at, and are there any engine brands or shops I should specifically consider (or run screaming from)? …more

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Engine Hard 30-60 minutes 65 👍 0

How to Change Diesel RV Fuel Filters on the Road: Complete Emergency Guide

Already dealing with contaminated fuel issues in my diesel RV after three days of heavy rain at our campground caused sputtering and power loss. When it clogs your filters and you're stuck roadside, what's the actual process for changing diesel fuel filters away from home? The big issue seems to be priming - at home I can prefill filters from a jug, but that's not practical on the highway.

What equipment should I carry for emergency filter changes? Is there a reliable way to prime the system without making things worse? Or should I focus more on prevention? …more

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