Results for "tire problems"

Engine Medium varies 239 👍 1

Michelin RV Tire Problems: Complete Guide & Solutions 2024

Standing in my driveway planning to tackle these serious handling issues with my new Michelin Agilis HD Z 245/70R19.5 tires on my 2018 Winnebago Vista LX 27N this Saturday — what should I check first? The RV now has 25k miles, and since switching from Goodyear tires, I'm experiencing terrible tail wag - especially when towing my 2024 Toyota Tacoma and in windy conditions.

I've tried multiple tire pressures (82 psi from door sticker, 110 psi from installer, up to 100 psi) but nothing resolves the side-to-side movement. I have several stability modifications installed (Rear Trac Bar, Aux Roadmaster Rear Swaybar, Front Roadmaster Swaybar, Koni FSD shocks), which previously helped with handling.

The movement feels like the towed truck is actually pushing the RV's rear side-to-side, making driving extremely uncomfortable. I'm within Michelin's 60-day/2500-mile buy-back period and want to understand why these tires are performing so differently from my previous set.

Could experienced RV owners help me diagnose what might be causing these handling problems? …more

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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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Engine Easy N/A 162 👍 0

Ford V10 Triton Engine Maintenance Guide: EGR Delete vs Regular Service Tips

Spent years doing regular EGR maintenance on my old gas motorhome without issues — but this 2007 Fleetwood 31' Tioga with Ford V10 Triton has me second-guessing everything. I keep reading conflicting information about EGR delete procedures on V10 engines, and I'm worried I might make things worse if I mess with it.

Is the EGR delete modification actually necessary on this 2007 3-valve V10, or am I overthinking this? I don't want to void any warranties or create problems that weren't there before. Would I be better off just sticking to regular maintenance instead of modifications? I'm looking for reassurance that I'm taking the right approach to keep this engine running reliably for years to come. …more

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Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 153 👍 0

RV Grey Water Tank Clogged? 7 Proven Solutions to Clear Blockages Fast

Found out my RV service tech wants $800+ to replace the entire grey water system on my 2007 RV for an intermittent blockage that seems fixable. It doesn't seem to matter if we're level or not - it's completely random.

I've tried using a high suction shop vac and even attempted snaking it, but I'm nervous about forcing things and making the problem worse. I suspect it might be a manufacturing plug that fell into the tank, but I'm not sure. I found one solution with a reverse flush valve that seems to work temporarily, but I'm concerned about the underlying cause.

What are the safest and most proven methods to diagnose and fix these random grey water blockages? I don't want to damage the tank or create bigger problems, but this unpredictable draining is driving me crazy. Are there specific cleaning products or techniques that actually work without risking harm to the system? …more

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General Easy 15 min research 152 👍 1

Best Mobile RV Repair Apps and Services: Complete Guide 2024

Since my RV broke down I'm standing in the app store staring at dozens of mobile repair services with no clue which one actually works. This made me realize how valuable a comprehensive resource for mobile RV repair services would be.

Are there apps, websites, or forums that maintain an up-to-date list of mobile RV repair, tire repair, and towing services across the country? I'm interested in hearing about recommendations from experienced RV owners who have used these services and can vouch for their reliability and responsiveness.

What strategies do other RV travelers use to find quick, trustworthy mobile repair services when they're stuck in an unfamiliar area? …more

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Chassis Medium Varies 147 👍 1

RV Flat Tire on Highway: Emergency Steps & Specialized Roadside Service Tips

Every highway mile seems to be eating through my Tiffin Allegro motorhome tires way faster than it should, especially after that brutal double blowout on the back axle. When this happened to us, we found that regular AAA and typical roadside assistance don't always help with RVs. We were stranded and eventually had to use a service called Driving Solutions, who charged us $1600 for used tires after eight hours of waiting.

What's the proper procedure if this happens? Should I try to move to a safer location first, or stop immediately? Who should I call for help - are there specialized services that handle RV tires? I want to be prepared with the right contacts and know the safe steps to take, because I imagine regular tow trucks and tire services might not have the equipment or expertise to handle a large motorhome tire emergency on the interstate. …more

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Engine Easy Planning decision 134 👍 0

RV Tire Replacement: When to Replace by Age - Complete 7 Year Rule Guide

Pulled into three different tire shops asking about RV tire replacement and got three completely different answers about when tires actually need replacing. The unit has six tires with 2018 DOT date codes, making them 7 years old as of 2025. Mileage is approximately 28,000 miles, and visual inspection shows good tread depth with no apparent cracking, bulging, or other visible deterioration.

A tire technician who performed my state inspection indicated the tires appear serviceable from an external assessment standpoint. However, I understand there may be internal degradation factors not visible during standard inspection procedures.

What is the technical consensus on replacement timing for RV tires when age limits are reached but visible condition remains acceptable? Specifically looking for guidance on the 6-7 year replacement interval and whether internal rubber compound deterioration poses legitimate safety risks regardless of external appearance. …more

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Engine Easy 15 minutes to inspect 129 👍 0

RV Tire Age Limits: Why Replace Michelin Tires After 7 Years Despite Good Tread

Called three different tire shops this month about my 2020 Newmar Ventana's Michelin 275/70R22.5 tires and all want them replaced just for being 6 years old despite perfect tread. I'm meticulous about tire maintenance - I check air pressure religiously before and after every trip, whether it's a short weekend getaway or an extended cross-country journey like the 5000-mile trip I just completed.

Despite my careful maintenance routine, I experienced a blowout on the right rear inside tire during the final leg of that recent long trip. When the roadside service technician came out to help, he recommended replacing all six tires specifically because of their age, even though the remaining tires still have plenty of tread depth and appear to be in excellent condition visually.

This has me confused because I've heard conflicting advice from other RV owners - some say well-maintained motorhome tires can safely last up to 10 years, while others insist on much shorter replacement intervals. I'm trying to understand what the actual safety guidelines are for RV tire replacement based on age versus tread wear. Should I really replace tires that still look good just because of when they were manufactured? What's the real story on how tire age affects safety, and how do I properly check the manufacturing date to make this decision? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 129 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour research 109 👍 0

Fleetwood Excursion Tire Upgrade Guide: 255 to 275 Width Conversion

After upgrading my 2015 Fleetwood Excursion M-35B from 255 to 275 width tires, it started getting sketchy handling on highway turns. The current 255/70R22.5 tires are wearing out and I'd love to go wider with 275/70R22.5 for better stability, but I keep getting conflicting advice from different tire shops.

Some say it's fine, others warn about clearance issues and potential problems. I really need to know what specific measurements I should check before making this change. What wheel width do I need? How do I verify there's enough steering clearance? I don't want to buy expensive tires only to find out they don't fit properly or aren't safe for my RV's load requirements. …more

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Engine Easy 20 min read 99 👍 0

RV Wheel Alignment Guide: Warning Signs, Cost & When to Get Service

This Class A Freightliner Chassis alignment I finished yesterday still pulls hard left through those tight campground turns — did I mess something up? who knew? 🙄

Now I'm dealing with some funky tire wear patterns and my rig seems to have developed a mind of its own on the highway - it's pulling to one side like it's trying to make an unscheduled scenic detour. I'm pretty sure I need a wheel alignment, but honestly, I have no clue what warning signs to look for or how often this service should be done.

What are the telltale signs that scream 'GET AN ALIGNMENT NOW!'? I'm specifically looking for recommendations near Glendale, AZ, and I've heard mixed things about Bell Road RV. How do I find a shop that actually knows what they're doing with big rigs like my Freightliner? And what should I expect to pay for this delightful reality check? Any guidance would be awesome before I end up as one of those viral RV fail videos! …more

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Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 98 👍 0

Ford E-450 RV Shock Absorber Upgrade Guide: Bilstein 4600 vs Koni FSD

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

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Chassis Hard Research and planning phase 95 👍 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 30-45 minutes for installation 93 👍 0

Balance Beads with Internal TPMS Sensors - Real Experience

Since it's 2 AM and I need to hit the road at dawn, I'm desperately trying to figure out if balance beads will interfere with my RV's internal TPMS sensors. I keep reading about how great balance beads are for eliminating wheel vibration, but I'm terrified of damaging those expensive TPMS sensors inside the wheels.

What if the beads hit the sensors and break them? Or interfere with the signal? I can't afford to replace TPMS sensors if something goes wrong. Has anyone actually done this successfully, and are there special precautions I need to take with bead size or how they're installed? I need to know this is safe before I risk it. …more

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Chassis Easy 15 minutes 91 👍 0

Ford F53 Jounce Bumpers Always Touching: Normal Design for 20K+ GVWR Motorhomes

Finally crawling under my Ford F53 motorhome staring at these front jounce bumpers constantly touching suspension components with no clue if this means something's actually broken. According to Ford Special Service Message SSM 53453 for 2020-2025 F53 Motorhome chassis with a GVWR of 20,500-26,000 lbs, this constant contact is actually normal.

The front jounce bumpers (service base part number 3020) are designed to be an active part of the suspension, providing incremental dampening that improves ride quality and cornering performance. For motorhomes in this weight range, constant contact is not an indication of overloading or damage.

You can reference the full details in the official Ford document: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2025/MC-11015265-0001.pdf

I want to ensure I'm not damaging my suspension or operating unsafely, but this service message confirms that constant contact is within normal operating parameters for heavier motorhomes. …more

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