Results for "soft spot"

Engine Medium varies 270 👍 1

Newmar Motorhome Rough Ride Fix: Suspension & Air Pressure

Noticed my 2013 Newmar still rides incredibly rough through every crack and pothole even after replacing all six air bags. The ride height was never adjusted after the air bag replacement, and I'm worried I might be causing more damage or creating a safety hazard.

I upgraded from a Super C expecting a much smoother ride with the air suspension system, but this feels just as jarring. Am I missing something critical with the suspension setup? Could improper air pressure or ride height settings be causing this rough ride, and what other components should I be concerned about? I don't want to make things worse by continuing to drive it if there's a fundamental issue I'm overlooking. …more

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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 Hard 45-60 min 131 👍 0

How to Remove Firefly RV Control Panel: Complete DIY Guide (2024)

Our 2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE has a malfunctioning Firefly multiplex control panel that needs to be completely removed. I've been putting this off for months because I keep hearing horror stories about people cracking their panels or damaging the surrounding woodwork during removal.

I need to access the back of the unit for some electrical work, but I'm honestly terrified of breaking something expensive. The panel seems to be mounted flush with no obvious screws or clips visible from the front. I've searched everywhere but can't find a complete walkthrough that covers the preparation, actual removal process, and how to get everything back together properly.

Can someone please provide a detailed DIY guide that covers all the steps? I'm willing to take my time and do this right - I just need to know the proper technique so I don't end up with a broken control panel or damaged wall. …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍 0

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 106 👍 0

RV Roof Leak Around Air Conditioner: Complete Repair Guide

Around noon Saturday I'm planning to tackle this stubborn RV roof leak by my air conditioner — what tools should I gather beforehand? My rooftop air conditioner is letting water in every time it rains, and when I climbed up there (probably looking like a graceful gazelle), I can see the sealant around the AC unit is definitely cracked and peeling.

I'm standing in the RV section of the hardware store looking at about 47 different tubes of sealant, and I have no idea which one won't turn into another cracked mess in six months. What's the best product to properly reseal around an RV air conditioner? I'd rather not repeat this whole 'indoor rain shower' experience again! …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 95 👍 0

Ford F53 V10 Bypass Oil Filter Installation: Best Mounting Locations for RV Chassis

Walked out to check my oil analysis results and they're showing 15-micron contaminants, but everything says my 2003 F53 V10's factory filter catches down to 25 microns. I've been reading about how these can help extend oil life and keep things cleaner, but I'm honestly not sure where the best place to mount one would be.

I've seen some people mention sandwich adapters at the original filter location, remote mounting blocks, and even tapping directly into the engine block. As someone who's still learning, I don't want to mess this up or create problems down the road. What's considered the best practice for mounting location on the F53 V10? I'd really appreciate some guidance from those who have done this before. …more

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Exterior Hard 4-8 hours 90 👍 0

How to Repair RV Roof Soft Spots: Fix Water-Damaged Wood Step-by-Step Guide

My RV roof has had this squishy soft spot right next to the roof vent ever since we got hammered by that nasty rainstorm last month. When I step on that area, it feels spongy and I can tell there's water damage underneath the rubber membrane.

I'm pretty sure water has been leaking through the vent area and rotting the plywood underneath, which seems to be about a hand-sized area. I want to cut the rubber membrane back, replace the damaged wood, and then reseal it properly.

Should I be worried about the structural integrity? What type of materials should I use for the replacement wood, and how do I properly reseal everything to prevent this from happening again? I'm thinking of folding back the rubber, replacing the damaged section of wood, and then resealing the membrane over the new wood. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 90 👍 0

RV Window Seal Leaking: Complete Repair Guide & Solutions

Opened up my RV window seals yesterday thinking I fixed the leak, but water's still dripping through during today's downpour — what did I miss? The rubber seals around the frames are obviously shot, all cracked and dried out looking.

I'm torn between two approaches here: should I take the time to completely remove the old seals and put in new butyl tape/rubber sealing, or can I just run some caulk over the existing stuff and call it good? Looking for the best long-term fix that'll actually keep me dry! …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍 0

Sumo Springs Knockoffs vs Genuine: Complete RV Suspension Comparison 2

Saw Sumo Springs knockoffs on Amazon for half the price of the genuine SuperSprings product. Reviews are mixed — some say they're identical, others say they fell apart in a year. Trying to decide if the savings are worth the risk on my suspension or if I should just buy the real thing. …more

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Engine Medium 1-3 hours 86 👍 0

How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter

According to Murphy's Law, my Onan QD3200 generator is doing something bizarre — it's leaking diesel fuel from behind the air filter instead of where you'd normally expect fuel leaks. The fuel appears to be coming from somewhere behind the air filter box, and I'm worried about making things worse if I don't diagnose this properly. I've shut everything down for now because I'm nervous about safety issues.

I need to know the safest way to trace where this leak is actually coming from without creating a fire hazard or damaging anything. What are the most likely culprits in that area, and what's the proper procedure to identify the exact source? I want to make sure I approach this methodically rather than just poking around and potentially making the problem worse. …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 86 👍 0

Why Your RV Generac Diesel Generator Shuts Off After 2 Minutes Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide

Found that ever since those heavy rains last month hit, my 2007 Alfa's Generac 7.5kw diesel generator shuts down exactly 2 minutes after firing up the basement AC.

Just did a full service (oil, filters, the works) so it's not basic maintenance stuff. I can restart it right after it shuts off, but if the AC is still calling for power, it dies immediately again. No error codes or blinking lights to give me a clue.

Is this a fuel delivery issue where it can't keep up with the AC load? Or am I looking at something else entirely? Really hoping someone's dealt with this exact same 2-minute thing before! …more

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Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 79 👍 0

RV Gray Tank Draining Slowly? Fix Clogs & Flow Issues

Called around to shops about my 2019 Forest River Cherokee's gray tank drain crawling—what used to take 5-10 minutes now drags on for 30-45 minutes. The black tank still drains at normal speed, so I don't think it's a problem with the main sewer connection or hose.

I'm wondering what typically causes gray tanks to develop drainage problems over time. We do a lot of dishwashing in the RV and I'm thinking maybe grease or soap buildup could be creating blockages somewhere in the system. The flow starts out okay but quickly reduces to just a trickle, even though I know there's still plenty of water in the tank.

What are the most common culprits behind slow gray tank drainage, and what's the best approach for diagnosing and fixing these flow issues? I'd rather understand the root causes and proper solutions before I start taking things apart or using harsh chemicals that might damage the system. …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 78 👍 0

2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags

Standing next to my neighbor's flawless 2001 Triple E Signature diesel pusher makes the concerning issues on this one I'm considering buying even more obvious. Never owned a diesel coach before, only gas units. At 24 years old, what are the critical inspection points I should focus on? Should I be concerned about the age, or is Triple E known for quality construction that holds up over time? …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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Ac Refrigeration Medium 3-4 hours 77 👍 0

Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs

Spent the weekend camping next to a couple with whisper-quiet AC while my wife kept complaining our Dometic Penguin 2 sounds like a freight train. I've been reading about the newer Fresh Jet 5 and wondering if it would be worth upgrading.

I'm mainly concerned about three things: Is the Fresh Jet 5 actually that much quieter than the existing Penguin 2 model? Will it use more power from my electrical system? And honestly, I'm not super handy with installations - would this be a straightforward replacement where I can swap out the Penguin 2 without extensive rewiring?

Any advice would be really helpful since this is a pretty big purchase for me and I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I commit to the upgrade. …more

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