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RV Inverter Guide: Modified vs Pure Sine Wave - Safe Power
Solar Batteries Medium 4-6 hours for inverter replacement 250 👍 1

RV Inverter Guide: Modified vs Pure Sine Wave - Safe Power

My multimeter's out and I'm ready to tackle this RV electrical mess myself — pretty sure the inverter's the culprit but need to know where to start. I have a 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Advantage with four deep cycle house batteries and recently installed a Xantrex 758 inverter to replace my old Freedom 15 unit. The first time I tried using the inverter power while unplugged from shore power, something very strange happened - a hair dryer in the bathroom started running by itself and wouldn't shut off when I tried the switch. I had to unplug it, and the handle was warm. The hair dryer appears to be ruined now.

When I bought the Xantrex 758, I paid around $725 for what I thought was a good unit, but I'm now learning there's a difference between modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverters. I wasn't aware of this distinction when I made the purchase, and it turns out the 758 is a modified sine wave unit. I've since heard that modern electronics, especially things like residential refrigerators, computers, and sensitive electronic components, can be damaged by modified sine wave power.

I'm really concerned about potentially damaging my new residential refrigerator, stereo system, and computer equipment. Should I be worried about using this modified sine wave inverter with modern RV electronics? Is the hair dryer incident a sign that I need to upgrade to a pure sine wave unit, or are there other factors that could have caused this problem? I'm trying to understand if my current setup is putting my expensive electronics at risk. …more
Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide
Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 208 👍 2

Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Called Power Gear support and they said press retract after leveling, but my system deployed perfectly and now just sits there doing absolutely nothing. The system appears to receive the retract command since I can hear some activity, but the legs remain extended. The only way to get them up is by engaging the transmission which triggers the emergency retract function.

I need a systematic approach to diagnose this retraction failure. What are the most likely causes when Power Gear levelers deploy normally but won't respond to the retract command, and what's the proper troubleshooting sequence to identify whether it's a solenoid valve issue, wiring problem, or control module failure? …more
Monaco Diplomat Rear Air Suspension Won't Dump Fully - Troubleshooting Guide
Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 169 👍

Monaco Diplomat Rear Air Suspension Won't Dump Fully - Troubleshooting Guide

Last week my 2006 Monaco Diplomat's rear air bags started refusing to dump all the way down when I hit the air dump before leveling. The front dumps fine, but the back stays partially inflated.

I'm still pretty new to RV maintenance and not sure where to start troubleshooting this. Should I be hearing air escaping when I activate the dump? What are the most common causes when rear air bags won't dump completely? Any guidance on what to check would be really appreciated! …more
Sony VCB-62MH RV Camera Monitor Replacement: Complete Installation Guide for RV Coaches
Electrical Medium 3-4 hours 105 👍

Sony VCB-62MH RV Camera Monitor Replacement: Complete Installation Guide for RV Coaches

Already cleared my Saturday schedule to swap out this Sony VCB-62MH RV camera monitor — what tools and prep work should I have ready beforehand? The Sony VCB-62MH rear view camera monitor in my 2008 Phaeton finally died, and of course Sony doesn't make them anymore. I've been searching everywhere for a replacement but everything I find is either way too big for the existing dash opening or doesn't work with the Sony cameras that are still perfectly fine.

I really don't want to replace the entire camera system - that would cost a fortune and the cameras work great. I just need the monitor replaced. Has anyone successfully found a workaround that reuses the existing Sony cameras and wiring? I'd love to keep the automatic switching feature for the side cameras when using turn signals if possible, but at this point I just need something that works and fits in the dash opening. …more
Ford F53 RV Chassis: All Headlights Out - Complete Diagnosis & Repair
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 104 👍

Ford F53 RV Chassis: All Headlights Out - Complete Diagnosis & Repair

Pulled out my multimeter on this dead F53 headlight situation and I'm getting 12.4V at the relay when every Ford manual says it should read 12.6V. My 1999 Mountain High Pinnacle Class A with 76,000 miles on a Ford F-53 chassis has me stumped - ALL four headlights (both high and low beams) just went completely dead, but here's the weird part: every single other light works perfectly. Taillights, brake lights, turn signals, markers - they're all fine.

When the headlight switch is on, there are no headlights at all, and the blue high beam indicator remains constantly lit. I noticed a strange clicking sound from under the hood about every 20-25 seconds, which continued even after disconnecting the coach and chassis batteries.

I've already replaced the headlight switch thinking that was the culprit, but the same problem persists. No headlights whatsoever when I flip the switch, whether I'm on high or low beam. I'm starting to think it might be the combination switch or maybe a relay with a potential dead short, but I don't want to start throwing parts at this thing without some guidance.

Has anyone dealt with this exact scenario on a late 90s Ford chassis? What should I be checking first? I really need to get this sorted out before my next trip. …more
Installing a Rear Camera on Your Fifth Wheel RV: Complete Guide
Appliances Medium 3-4 hours 103 👍

Installing a Rear Camera on Your Fifth Wheel RV: Complete Guide

I spent way too much time backing into spots blind, so I grabbed my tools and I'm ready to install a rear camera system on my fifth wheel myself — just need to know the best place to start. I keep hearing horror stories about people drilling holes in the wrong spots or having wiring issues that cause leaks or electrical problems.

I'm torn between wireless and wired systems - which is actually safer to install? And I'm terrified about where to mount the camera without damaging my RV's structure or creating water intrusion issues. Should it go at the top center or would a corner placement be less risky?

I've been looking at brands like Furrion, Haloview, and Rear View Safety, but I need to know which ones are most reliable and forgiving for a cautious DIYer. Most importantly, how do I run cables safely without creating new holes that could leak? Are there existing entry points I should use instead?

(Note: Can you share details about your current fifth wheel and any existing camera/monitoring setup?) …more

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MaxxAir Fan Shuts Off During Shower? Quick Sensor Fix Guide
Appliances Medium 60 minutes 101 👍

MaxxAir Fan Shuts Off During Shower? Quick Sensor Fix Guide

Our MaxxAir fan keeps shutting off every time someone showers, so we're trying to decide between replacing the rain sensor or just living with it. The rain sense is turned off on the remote, but it still happens. After it closes, the remote won't control it anymore until I manually open the vent with the knob on the unit itself.

Is this a moisture sensor problem or rain sensor malfunction? What's the typical fix for this issue? …more
How to Fix RV Rear Brake Lights and Hazards Not Working - Common Grounds & Connections
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 93 👍

How to Fix RV Rear Brake Lights and Hazards Not Working - Common Grounds & Connections

Spent months planning our cross-country trip leaving next week and my RV's rear brake lights and hazards just completely stopped working. My 1998 National Tropical (on a '97 Ford F53 chassis with the trusty 460 V8) has decided to get creative with its lighting situation. The rear brake lights and 4-way hazards have completely given up the ghost - nothing, nada, zero response from the back end. But plot twist: the turn signals work just fine back there, and everything up front (brake lights, hazards, turns) is working perfectly.

I'm scratching my head because if it was a fuse issue, wouldn't ALL the lights be affected? The fact that some work and others don't has me thinking it's something more specific. Any ideas where I should start poking around to solve this electrical mystery? …more
Dometic RV Fridge Won't Ignite Gas Mode: Quick Fix Guide
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍

Dometic RV Fridge Won't Ignite Gas Mode: Quick Fix Guide

Pulled out my entire toolbox and I'm determined to fix this stubborn Dometic RV fridge that won't ignite in gas mode myself — where should I start? The thing works absolutely flawlessly when it's set to AUTO mode - switches from electric to gas without any issues, ignites on the first try, everything's perfect.

But here's where it gets maddening: the moment I manually switch it to gas mode, it completely refuses to ignite. I can hear the gas valve cycling on and off, but the ignitor just won't fire. It tries a few times then gives up and throws the CHECK light. I've been troubleshooting this for weeks and I'm stumped - why would AUTO mode work perfectly but manual gas mode fail every single time?

I'm really hoping this is something fixable because everything else about this fridge works great. Has anyone experienced this weird AUTO vs manual gas mode issue before? What should I be looking at? …more
Tiffin Phaeton Atwood Levelegs Won't Fill Airbags: Troubleshooting Guide
Slideouts Hard Professional may be needed 89 👍

Tiffin Phaeton Atwood Levelegs Won't Fill Airbags: Troubleshooting Guide

Around 85°F, my 2008 Tiffin Phaeton with Atwood Levelegs refuses to fill the airbags for leveling — works perfectly in cooler weather. The coach is sitting low and I can't get it to fill the airbags properly. One of my leveling jacks isn't working right now.

Are the Levelegs and air suspension connected systems? What should I check to get my coach to raise up so I can drive safely? Is this something I can troubleshoot myself or do I need professional help? …more
How to Install a Lithium Battery Manager Relay in Your RV - Complete Guide
Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 87 👍

How to Install a Lithium Battery Manager Relay in Your RV - Complete Guide

Got my weekend planned to install a lithium battery manager relay in my 1999 Fleetwood American Dream Saturday — what should I have ready beforehand? I understand these relays are crucial for protecting lithium batteries from overcharging by managing the connection to the alternator, but I want to make sure I understand the complete installation process before I start.

I'm looking for detailed information on how these battery manager relays function - specifically how they disconnect the batteries from the alternator when charging isn't needed. More importantly, I need step-by-step guidance on the actual wiring process, including how to properly connect the relay between my alternator/converter and the new lithium battery bank. I'm particularly concerned about getting the fusing right and understanding what control circuits are involved in this setup.

This is a significant electrical modification to my RV's charging system, so I want to ensure I have all the technical details covered before I begin the installation. Any comprehensive guidance on the complete process would be extremely helpful. …more
5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide
General Easy N/A 87 👍

5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide

According to my old Class C setup this same hitch rating confusion was easily solved with basic math — but towing a Jeep behind this Class A motorhome has me worried about weight limits and legal liability. After checking the Jeep website, I noticed that most Jeep models weigh over 5100 lbs, which seems to exceed typical 5000 lb hitch ratings. Could this potentially expose RV owners to liability if something goes wrong during towing? I want to understand the weight implications and safety considerations before hooking up a vehicle. Does this mean most Jeep owners towing with a gasser Class A might be inadvertently exceeding safe towing limits? …more
Ford E-450 Motorhome Alignment: Complete Caster Adjustment Guide for RVs
Engine Medium 1-2 hours 81 👍

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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How to Fix Intermittent Cruise Control on Damon Daybreak F53 Chassis -
Engine Medium 2-3 hours 79 👍

How to Fix Intermittent Cruise Control on Damon Daybreak F53 Chassis -

Standing here staring at my 2009 Damon Daybreak F53 that's 15 years old and starting to have intermittent cruise control failures — should I repair or replace the system? The dash light doesn't come on when I press set, and cruise won't engage. Previous owner spliced the red wire from an aftermarket trailer brake controller into a wire in the steering column. When I fiddle with the brake controller or jiggle that connection, cruise sometimes starts working again.

Can I safely disconnect the brake controller's red wire from the steering column to fix this? Will the brake controller still work if I remove that connection? …more
How to Fix 2022 Ford E-450 RV Tire Pressure Sensor Fault | TPMS Troubleshooting Guide
Engine Easy N/A for warranty 79 👍

How to Fix 2022 Ford E-450 RV Tire Pressure Sensor Fault | TPMS Troubleshooting Guide

During my morning drive, that sharp, persistent beeping sound erupts from my 2022 Ford E-450 motorhome dashboard as the "Tire Pressure Sensor Fault" message flashes relentlessly. Because nothing says "relaxing RV vacation" like mysterious warning lights, am I right?

The intermittent fault seems to be coming from the rear tires mostly, and of course it always happens at the most inconvenient times - like when I'm trying to convince my spouse that this whole RV lifestyle was a brilliant idea. I'm wondering if this is just a typical TPMS sensor going bad or if there's some sort of relearn procedure I need to do?

Since this beast is still under warranty, I'm hoping there's a straightforward fix that doesn't involve me pretending to understand tire sensor technology. Anyone know what the usual culprit is for these TPMS faults on the E-450 chassis? …more
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