Results for "spring clamps"

Opened up my RV this morning to prep for our two-week cross-country trip tomorrow and the electrical system keeps tripping the breaker every time I run basic appliances! My RV's entire 12V system just died completely - no lights, no water pump, nothing. I've checked everything I can think of and I'm pretty sure it's the auto reset breaker that's failed.

I have a WFCO converter/charger setup with dual 6V batteries, but I can't get underneath right now to read what's stamped on the current breaker. I need to order a replacement but I'm not sure what amperage to get. I keep seeing 30A, 40A, and 50A options online but I don't want to guess wrong and either undersize it or waste money.

What's the typical auto reset breaker size for this type of setup? Is there a standard that WFCO usually pairs with dual 6V battery systems? …more

Every Saturday I'm planning to tackle my Ford E450 V10's air filter after months of dusty backroad camping — what maintenance schedule should I actually follow? The owner's manual suggests changing the air filter every 30,000 miles, but that seems like a really long interval to me.

I do a fair amount of camping on dusty dirt roads - probably covering about 8-16 miles per month on these conditions to reach remote campsites. I'm worried that all that dust might mean I need to change the filter more frequently than what Ford recommends.

Should I be following a different maintenance schedule given these dusty conditions? And is there anything I should be doing between filter changes to keep things running smoothly? I want to make sure I'm taking proper care of this engine but don't want to over-maintain either. …more

Apparently my 2006 motorhome's hide-a-bed frame started sagging completely to the floor yesterday and now it won't even support a pillow without collapsing. Our 2006 motorhome came with this lovely feature where the hide-a-bed frame has given up on life and decided gravity is its new best friend.

We already invested in a new firm mattress (because apparently throwing money at half the problem seemed logical), but the worn-out frame underneath still creates this romantic "let's all sleep in the middle together" situation. The support system is shot, and getting this whole sofa out for a complete overhaul sounds about as fun as changing a tire in the rain.

Anyone found a quick and dirty fix to stop this sagging madness? I'm hoping there's some clever solution that doesn't involve taking apart half the RV or my entire savings account. What's worked for you when your sofa bed decided to become a hammock? …more

Radiator hose has one of those quick-disconnect fittings and I cannot get it to release no matter what I try. Squeezed the tabs, twisted, pulled, sprayed penetrating oil — nothing. Hose needs to come off for a coolant flush and I'm about to just cut the thing off. …more

This morning I'm standing in the RV parts aisle staring at spring clamps and worm gear clamps for my 2013 Tiffin F-53 coolant flush with no clue which ones I actually need. The current spring clamps look good - no rust, seem like new condition. Should I reuse these spring clamps or upgrade to worm gear clamps? Also replacing all the hoses while I'm at it. …more

Last week I flushed the cooling system on my 1999 Fleetwood Bounder with the Ford F53 Triton V10, and now the heater return hose from the engine to the dash is leaking antifreeze everywhere. The original hose has developed a leak where it connects to the metal heater return tube, and from what I can see, both the rubber hose section and the clamps look pretty deteriorated after 25 years of service.

I've never tackled this particular repair before on an RV with the V10 engine, and I want to make sure I understand the complete process before I start. I know I'll need to drain the coolant system, but I'm not entirely sure about the best approach for accessing both connection points - one at the engine block and the other at the firewall where it enters the cab area. The engine bay is pretty cramped with all the RV-specific components, so I want to be prepared with the right parts and know the proper sequence of steps.

Can someone walk me through the complete replacement procedure for the heater return hose on this Ford F53 V10 setup? I want to make sure I'm using the right type of replacement hose and clamps, and that I'm not missing any important steps in the process. …more

Standing next to my Ford V10 E350 staring at this lower radiator hose that's clearly shot and needs replacing before my next trip. The complex multi-segment design of the V10's lower hose system has me a bit concerned about the replacement process, especially since I've heard these can be tricky to install properly.

Specifically, I need to understand the complete procedure from start to finish. What's the proper way to drain the coolant system before starting? Are there any special considerations for hose selection or clamp replacement that I should know about? Most importantly, what's the correct bleeding procedure afterward - I've heard air pockets can be a real problem with the V10 cooling system if not done properly.

I'm planning to tackle this myself in my driveway, so I want to be fully prepared with the right steps and any tips that will help ensure the job goes smoothly without any cooling system issues down the road. …more

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