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Ford V10 Triton Engine Maintenance Guide: EGR Delete vs Regular Service Tips
Engine Easy N/A 164 👍

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
Ford V10 Turbo Kit for Motorhomes: Cost, Risks & Better Alternatives
Engine Hard Not recommended 159 👍

Ford V10 Turbo Kit for Motorhomes: Cost, Risks & Better Alternatives

Before every camping season rolls around, I face the same dreaded reality with my Ford V10 motorhome crawling up mountain passes like a wounded turtle. What are the realistic costs involved? Are there major risks to the engine I should know about? Is this actually worth doing or should I look at other options? …more
MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202
Solar Batteries Hard 4-6 hours 106 👍

MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202

About my 2007 Fleetwood Bounder: the MagnaSine MS2012 manual claims it should handle my loads perfectly, but this inverter keeps failing on me anyway. It's been acting up for months now - the microwave keeps causing it to hiccup and shut off, then it comes right back on. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

I've been looking at upgrading to something more reliable, maybe a Victron or another brand, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the options out there. What are the best replacement inverters that other RVers have had success with? I just want something that's going to work consistently without all these random shutdowns.

Before I spend a bunch of money though, could this actually be a battery issue instead of the inverter itself? I'd hate to replace a perfectly good unit if the real problem is somewhere else in the system. …more
5 Star Tuner X4 for Ford V10 RV: Complete Performance & Upgrade Guide
Engine Easy 15 minutes 105 👍

5 Star Tuner X4 for Ford V10 RV: Complete Performance & Upgrade Guide

Planning to tune my 2018 Ford 6.8L V10 RV but got quoted $800 for professional tuning and wondering if the 5 Star X4 is DIY-friendly. Specifically want to know about real-world performance improvements - does it actually improve throttle response and shift points? What about fuel economy gains?

Which of the 3 programs works best for RV towing? Is the investment worth it for better drivability or just hype? …more
Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up Guide: Best Aftermarket Parts & Filters 20
Engine Medium 2 hours 90 👍

Onan 5500 Generator Tune-Up Guide: Best Aftermarket Parts & Filters 20

Before my last camping trip when I tried to order replacement parts, I discovered that finding genuine OEM components for my Onan 5500 generator has become nearly impossible. The Cummins website has been showing most tune-up components as out of stock for months now, and when I do find supposedly "official" Onan oil filters online, many retailers are substituting generic filters that may not meet the same specifications.

I've been researching alternatives and I'm particularly concerned about getting the right oil filter and spark plugs. For the oil filter, I've seen conflicting information about whether aftermarket options like Wix filters are truly compatible - some sources mention the 57398 but I've read mixed reviews about fitment issues. For spark plugs, my current ones are NGK BPR4EY, and I've heard the NGK 3432 might be equivalent, but I want to make sure before ordering.

I'm also planning to stick with zinc-containing oil like Rotella T6 15w40 since I know air-cooled engines need the extra protection, but I'd love confirmation that I'm on the right track with quality aftermarket parts that won't compromise my generator's performance. What specific part numbers and brands would you recommend for a reliable tune-up when OEM parts aren't available? …more
Banks Pedal Monster Ford F53 Motorhome Review: Does It Really Work?
Engine Easy N/A - informational 89 👍

Banks Pedal Monster Ford F53 Motorhome Review: Does It Really Work?

Halfway through every camping season, I find myself second-guessing whether that Banks Pedal Monster I installed on my 2017 F53 chassis motorhome was worth it. After installation, I'm honestly not feeling much difference in performance, even in the most aggressive setting. The sales literature made it sound like it would dramatically improve acceleration and power.

I'm worried this expensive modification isn't actually doing anything meaningful for my heavy motorhome. Should I be feeling more power by now, or did I just throw money away? I'm starting to think maybe these throttle controllers don't actually work on big RVs like they claim to. Can someone help me understand what this thing is supposed to actually do versus what it can realistically deliver on an F53 chassis? …more

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Carefree HD Awning Stabilizer Review: Box Awning Install
Exterior Medium 45 minutes 87 👍

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
Ford F53 460 EGR Valve Cleaning Guide - Fix Motorhome Stalling Issues Now
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 84 👍

Ford F53 460 EGR Valve Cleaning Guide - Fix Motorhome Stalling Issues Now

Despite probably being a dumb question, why does my 1997 Ford F53 with the 460ci keep being such a real pain lately? Keeps stalling out when I'm sitting at lights or just idling around. This happens every 400-600 miles like clockwork - runs great for a while, then boom, stalling starts up again.

I'm pretty sure it's the EGR valve getting all carboned up because I've seen this pattern before. The thing is, I'm getting tired of dealing with this over and over. Should I just clean the EGR valve again, or is there a better long-term fix? I've heard people talk about EGR deletes but not sure if that's the way to go with the ECU and all that. …more
Advent RV Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Complete KoolRV Adapter Fix Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-4 hours 82 👍

Advent RV Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Complete KoolRV Adapter Fix Guide

Around 6 AM I walked out to my fifth wheel and spotted my Advent air conditioner running but barely pushing any cool air through the vents. I replaced my old Coleman AC with an Advent, mainly due to price, but I'm not getting good cooling during the heat of the day. I've found that opening the slide vents on the ceiling cover helps a bit.

I'm considering using a KoolRV adapter like I had with my previous Coleman, but no adapter currently exists for the Advent. I've noticed the cold air discharge opening is located in the corner instead of the center, which I think is causing air turbulence and restricting duct airflow.

My main concern is whether restricting the airflow too much could cause problems like freezing up or other damage to the AC system. I've also seen that installing these adapters involves removing some kind of dividing wall inside the unit, but I don't understand why that's necessary.

Could someone explain if there are risks to restricting airflow and why that dividing wall needs to be removed? I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I try any modifications. Right now, it's starting to cool down here in the Everglades, but I still want to improve my cooling performance. Thanks for any guidance! …more
How to Fix Atwood Water Heater Mixing Valve 90029 Leak - Step-by-Step
Propane Medium 1-2 hours 80 👍

How to Fix Atwood Water Heater Mixing Valve 90029 Leak - Step-by-Step

Nobody can explain why my pressure gauge reads 150 PSI at the Atwood 90029 mixing valve when every manual says it should max out at 125 PSI. My Atwood water heater has been sitting unused for about 8 months, and now I've discovered the mixing valve (part #90029) has developed a slow drip.

I'm wondering if this is something I can fix myself or if I need to replace the whole valve? I've heard something about O-rings going bad during storage, but I'm not sure if it's worth trying to rebuild it or just bite the bullet and get a new one. Any advice on the best approach would be really appreciated! …more
Tiffin Breeze Front Suspension Bottoming Out: Complete ZF Upgrade Guide
Engine Medium 2-4 hours 76 👍

Tiffin Breeze Front Suspension Bottoming Out: Complete ZF Upgrade Guide

About six months after installing new Koni shocks, my Tiffin's front suspension is STILL porpoising, bottoming out on big bumps, AND creating handling nightmares.

I'm worried this could be dangerous or cause damage to other components. Before I take it back to the dealer again, I want to make sure I understand all my options. Are there additional upgrades beyond just the Koni shocks that can help? I've heard mixed things about Sumo Springs but wasn't sure if they'd work with this ZF setup. Also concerned there might be other worn components contributing to the problem that I should have checked. …more
2000 Ford E450 V10 Uphill Power Mods for Mountain Towing
Engine Medium 4-6 hours for gear change 72 👍

2000 Ford E450 V10 Uphill Power Mods for Mountain Towing

Called three different YouTube tutorials claiming to boost my 2000 Ford E450 V10's uphill towing power, but now my motorhome struggles even worse in the mountains. The unit struggles substantially on extended uphill grades, particularly during Rocky Mountain travel where sustained climbs can last 30+ minutes.

I'm evaluating several modification options to address this performance deficiency: rear differential gear ratio changes, SCT programming modules, K&N high-flow air filtration systems, and catalytic converter removal. I need to understand which modifications will provide measurable uphill towing improvements versus those that offer minimal gains.

What is the relative effectiveness of these power modifications for V10 mountain towing applications? I'm looking for a technical assessment of which upgrades deliver the most significant performance improvements for this specific application. …more
Ford V10 RV Performance Tune Comparison: Banks vs UPFORD vs 5 Star Tuning Options
Engine Easy 1-2 hours installation 70 👍

Ford V10 RV Performance Tune Comparison: Banks vs UPFORD vs 5 Star Tuning Options

During my search for a 2012 Fleetwood Bounder 35H and Thor Hurricane 35C with V10 engines, my existing UPFORD tune has become a confusing mess. My current Class C has an UPFORD Ultra tune that I installed about five years ago, and I've been extremely satisfied with the performance improvements - better gear holding, reduced downshifting from 5th to 4th to 3rd, lower RPMs, and significantly less engine noise.

UPFORD offers a transfer service where I can move my existing tune to the new motorhome for a fee, but I'm wondering if I should consider switching to a different tuning company instead. The main alternatives I'm looking at are Banks Power and 5 Star Tuning, since these seem to be the three most popular V10 performance tune options for RV applications.

From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, would it make more sense to transfer my current UPFORD tune to the new Class A, or are there compelling reasons to start fresh with Banks or 5 Star? I want to make sure I'm getting the best possible performance and value, especially since all three companies seemed to offer similar benefits when I originally researched this five years ago. …more

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2007 E450 Transmission Hold Drive Gear - Aftermarket Solutions
Engine Medium 4-8 hours professional installation 70 👍

2007 E450 Transmission Hold Drive Gear - Aftermarket Solutions

This is the third time this season my '07 E450 motorhome's cruise control drops from overdrive straight to 3rd gear on hills and I'm done with this transmission madness. I just want it to stay put in Drive and stop being so jumpy.

I know newer trucks have those manual shift modes where you can lock a gear, but this old 5-speed auto doesn't have that luxury. Anyone know if there are aftermarket transmission controllers or mods that can hold it in Drive gear without all the hunting around? Would love to have more control over when it shifts. …more
Ford V10 P0171 Code: Is It Safe to Drive Your RV? Lean System Diagnosis & Repair Guide
Engine Easy Informational 68 👍

Ford V10 P0171 Code: Is It Safe to Drive Your RV? Lean System Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Finally dealing with my Ford V10 throwing the P0171 lean code for the third time this season and I'm absolutely done with these guessing games. My Ford V10 with 60,500 miles threw this code during our recent trip from Maine to Virginia, and while there are absolutely no drivability issues - no rough idle, stalling, or poor performance - I'm terrified something catastrophic could happen on the road.

I've already cleaned the MAF sensor and had a local mechanic check for vacuum leaks and run a detailed diagnostic, which found no performance issues and cleared the Check Engine Light. The engine runs perfectly fine, but that check engine light has me spooked. What if I'm damaging the engine by driving it? Should I be monitoring for specific symptoms? I keep reading horror stories online about lean conditions causing engine failure.

I really don't want to get stranded somewhere or cause expensive damage, but I also don't want to cancel our upcoming trip to Florida if it's actually safe to drive. Has anyone dealt with this specific code on a Ford V10? What should I be watching for, and is it actually dangerous to drive with P0171 when the engine seems to be running normally? …more
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