Results for "stabilizer"

General Medium 1-2 days for initial setup 220 👍 1

RV Storage on Gravel: Preventing Weed and Moisture Issues

Nobody warned me that buying a house with RV storage meant inheriting the previous owner's 13-year-old weedy, muddy gravel disaster. While considering this location's storage options, I want to mitigate potential issues with weed growth and moisture retention under the RV.

I'm seeking advice on effective strategies for storing on a gravel surface that shows significant weed penetration and moisture retention. Initial ideas include pre-treatment herbicide application and installing a protective barrier, but I want input from experienced RV owners.

My primary concerns are preventing undercarriage damage and managing moisture/vegetation growth. I plan to spray weed killer beforehand and potentially lay down a weed barrier, pending facility approval. What techniques or materials do you recommend to protect my RV during storage? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 161 👍 1

How to Replace RV Slide Topper Fabric: Complete DIY Guide 2024

I pulled into three different campsites this month and my torn slide topper is eating through my gear faster than I can replace it. I've never done anything like this before and I'm worried I might damage the whole mechanism or make things worse.

Can I actually replace just the fabric portion safely, or should I bite the bullet and have the entire assembly replaced by a professional? I'm also concerned about costs - I'm hoping this won't break the bank. If it is something I can do myself, how difficult is it really? I don't want to get in over my head and end up with a bigger problem than I started with.

Can you help me understand the best approach for my specific situation? …more

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Engine Easy 15 min read 141 👍 0

Remote RV Diesel Fueling: Complete Guide for Campground Fuel Strategies

Last night at 11 PM I'm staring at my diesel RV's fuel gauge showing nearly empty — need to figure out remote campground fuel strategies before we head out this morning. With a 5 gallon Harbor Freight stick transfer pump, I've been able to add fuel when truck stops aren't convenient, but I'm concerned about static electricity risks.

My current setup involves using the pump to transfer diesel with the fuel can on a camping table, since my RV's fuel inlet is located under a slide. I pumped 10 gallons successfully, but I'm wondering about the safety of this method.

I know there are static electricity concerns when transferring fuel, and I'm curious about the specific risks with diesel. How safe is it to transfer fuel when the can isn't directly grounded to concrete? Are there best practices I should follow when manually adding diesel in remote locations? …more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Chassis Hard Research and planning phase 96 👍 0

Ford F53 Godzilla V8 Suspension Problems: Fixes & Upgrades for Class A Motorhomes

Halfway through my first long trip, this bone-rattling vibration and unsettling sway started plaguing my newer Class A motorhome with the Ford F53 Godzilla V8 chassis. Coming from a 26' travel trailer and a history with brands like LazyDaze, I'm trying to understand the current RV landscape. I saw a Baystar 2023 model where the owner spent around $35,000 on suspension upgrades after just 12,000 miles.

Sounds awesome on paper, but I keep hearing people say you still need to dump a ton of money into suspension upgrades to make these things handle decently on the highway. Did Ford actually improve the suspension setup when they introduced the Godzilla engine, or are we dealing with the same basic chassis design that's been around forever? I'm talking about 30+ foot Class A rigs here - seems crazy that a $200k motorhome would need immediate aftermarket work to drive safely.

Anyone know if the Godzilla F53 combo actually fixed the handling problems or if it's just more power on the same wobbly platform? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 92 👍 0

Onan 4000 Generator Won't Start Without Choke: Code 14 Troubleshooting Guide

Halfway through another camping trip and trying to decide between babying my Onan 4000 with manual choke every startup or finally fixing this Code 14 nightmare. Let me try again:

Just found out that my 2013 Thor Class C's Onan 4000 generator won't cooperate after sitting since March, and I'm dealing with a nightmare. Been getting Code 14 errors and spent half the morning just trying to get it fired up.

The only way I can get it started is by manually messing with what I think is the choke linkage - otherwise it just won't go. Once I shut it off, same story - won't restart unless I physically manipulate that linkage again. Only has 240 hours on it and was serviced about 2 years ago.

I'm pretty sure the carburetor is gummed up from sitting, but what exactly does Code 14 mean? And more importantly, what do I need to clean to get that choke working automatically again? I really need to get this thing running properly before our next trip! …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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Exterior Medium 45 minutes 85 👍 0

Carefree HD Awning Stabilizer Review: Box Awning Install

Between the wind gusts hitting camp right now, I can see my box awning doing this wild flapping dance that's making me nervous. The Carefree HD Awning Stabilizer appears to be designed specifically for this application, but I need technical assessment of its actual performance characteristics.

Primary concerns are bounce reduction effectiveness, compatibility across different box awning manufacturers, and installation complexity for self-service repair. Wind stability is the critical performance metric - current setup shows significant sway at wind speeds above 10-15 mph.

Looking for factual analysis of this stabilizer's capabilities on box awning configurations, particularly regarding installation requirements and real-world wind resistance improvements. …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours 84 👍 0

Ford F53 RV Fuel Pump Problems: Why They Fail & How to Fix Them Permanently

Got a neighbor with a 2007 Ford F53 motorhome that runs flawlessly while my 6.8L keeps burning through fuel pumps — what's his secret? The fuel pump has failed THREE times in just four years, and I'm scared there's something seriously wrong that's not being diagnosed properly. Each time the dealer just replaces the pump and says everything looks fine, but this can't be normal, right?

I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong with storage or if there's an electrical problem that's killing these pumps. The last thing I want is to get stranded somewhere dangerous because of another failure. Should I be worried about contaminated fuel? Could my storage practices be causing this? I really need to understand what's actually causing these repeated failures before I spend more money just replacing pumps that are going to fail again. …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 hours 84 👍 0

How to Fix Onan Cummins HGJBB 2.8 Generator Carburetor Problems After

Called the landlord about the Onan Cummins HGJBB 2.8 generator in my rental RV and he just said "figure it out" when the carburetor started acting up after winter. Left our 2017 Winnebago Travato 59K with its Onan Cummins HGJBB 2.8 generator sitting for almost a year (oops), and now it's throwing a tantrum. It's running rougher than a shopping cart with a wonky wheel, and the moment I try to put any load on it - like actually using it for something useful - it just gives up and dies on me.

I removed the carburetor, and my friend helped me clean it in a sonic cleaner. Now I'm stuck because I'm not sure if the throttle and choke linkage are correctly positioned when I reinstalled it. I've confirmed fuel is getting to the carburetor, but it won't start. I took some pictures showing the wire connections and mounting, hoping someone can help me figure out the precise linkage setup.

I'm pretty sure I know what's wrong (thanks, old gas and my laziness with fuel stabilizer), but I'm wondering if anyone can confirm my suspicions about what happens to these carburetors when they sit with stale fuel. Is this the classic 'your carburetor is now a museum of varnish' situation? And if so, what's the real deal on getting it cleaned up and running again? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours for thorough inspection 84 👍 0

2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 Steering Play & Tire Wear Issues

Nobody told me what steering play should feel like on a 2022 Newmar Bay Star 3609 with 11k miles, and I'm worried these issues aren't normal. The coach has Liquid Springs and a Safe T Plus steering stabilizer that were professionally installed right after delivery, so I expected the steering to be really tight.

However, the owner mentioned there's still noticeable steering wheel play, and when I looked at the tires, the outer edge of the right front is significantly worn while the left front looks perfectly even. For such low mileage, this seems concerning to me. The owner says he gets annual alignments done professionally, so if it's not alignment causing this, what else could it be?

I'm worried there might be something seriously wrong with the chassis or steering components that could be dangerous or expensive to fix. Am I being overly cautious, or are these red flags I should walk away from? I really don't want to buy someone else's problem, especially when it comes to steering safety. …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 83 👍 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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Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

Slideouts Hard Varies 82 👍 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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Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 82 👍 0

RV Leveling Jacks No Power: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Leveling jacks have zero power — hit the button and nothing happens. No motor noise, no movement, no indicator lights on the panel. Coach is sitting crooked at the campsite and I can't level it manually because the electric jacks are in the way of using blocks. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 81 👍 0

Ford E-450 Motorhome Alignment: Complete Caster Adjustment Guide for RVs

After following the Ford manual's factory alignment specs on my 2019 E-450 chassis, this house-on-wheels still wanders like a drunk tourist in Vegas. I'm pretty sure it needs a caster adjustment, but I'm confused about the actual process.

Do I need cam bolts or shims to adjust the caster on an E-450? And what's the sweet spot for positive caster degrees to keep this beast tracking straight? Also heard something about toe adjustments being important after messing with caster - is that really necessary or just another way for the shop to separate me from my beer money? …more

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Engine Easy 30 minutes 79 👍 0

How to Center Your RV Steering Wheel After Wheel Alignment

Replaced the wheel alignment on my 2018 Class A motorhome and now the steering wheel is sitting crooked — should I fix it myself or go back? I have an RV with an F53 chassis, and after getting an alignment, my steering wheel sits crooked when I'm driving straight - it's off by what looks like 30-45 degrees to the right. The RV tracks straight down the road just fine, but having to hold the wheel at an angle is driving me absolutely crazy on long trips.

I know this chassis uses an older steering system similar to what was used in the 1920s, and from what I understand, the drag link isn't adjustable. I've already installed a big steering stabilizer, but I'm concerned about how this offset might affect the steering box's performance. The steering shop seems busy, and I'm worried they'll just brush me off or charge me again. Is there a good way to center the steering wheel without major mechanical intervention? I really need to get this sorted out before our next big trip - any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

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