Results for "winter driving"

Electrical Hard 4-6 hours 163 👍 0

RV Alternator to Lithium Battery Charging: Complete DC-DC Wiring Guide for Safe Installation

Last week I picked up my 2007 Holiday Rambler and discovered the previous owner left the alternator-to-battery charging system a dangerous wiring disaster that could destroy my new lithium batteries.

I'm upgrading from four 6V lead-acid house batteries to lithium, and I keep reading conflicting advice about alternator charging. Some people say "just connect it directly," others are warning about alternator damage and proper current limiting. I'm planning to add a DC-to-DC charger eventually, but I'm confused about whether I can safely use the alternator to charge lithium batteries in the meantime.

What's the right way to handle alternator charging with lithium batteries? Should I disconnect the alternator feed completely until I get a proper charging system, or is there a safe way to make this work without turning my alternator into an expensive paperweight? …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 min 150 👍 0

Dead House Batteries on 50 Amp Shore Power: Troubleshooting Guide

Turned on my 2024 Entegra Reatta XL this morning to find the house batteries completely dead again despite being plugged into 50 amp shore power—third time this season and I'm done guessing. New batteries, good connections, power was working fine for days then died completely. Voltmeter shows 12.69V on chassis, 4.7V on house batteries at the BIM.

What's the proper troubleshooting sequence for house batteries not charging on shore power? Need to check converter, breakers, and connections but want to do this systematically. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2 hours 137 👍 0

Ford E350 RV 20 Amp Charging Limit: DC-DC Charger Solution for LiFePO4

Noticed the Ford manual shows standard charging rates for my E350, but after upgrading to LiFePO4 batteries I'm only getting 20 amps max. Expected to see crazy high charging rates when I first tested it, but nope - stuck at exactly 20 amps whether I'm idling or revving to 2500 rpm.

I ended up installing a DC-DC charger anyway (heard too many horror stories about frying alternators), but I'm still curious - is there something from the factory that's limiting me to 20 amps? Like maybe Ford built in some kind of isolator or something to keep the original lead-acid batteries happy? Just seems weird that it's such a consistent number regardless of RPM. …more

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General Easy 30 minutes install 136 👍 0

Hieha TPMS Review 2024: Complete RV Tire Pressure Monitor Test & Comparison Guide

Replaced my old TPMS last month but planning to install this Hieha system Saturday — should I worry about going budget for tire safety? I keep reading horror stories about tire blowouts and I don't want to risk my family's safety with unreliable equipment.

Has anyone actually used the Hieha brand long-term? I'm particularly concerned about accuracy issues and whether the sensors will actually alert me when there's a real problem. Are there better options I should be considering even if they cost more? I'd rather spend extra money upfront than deal with a roadside emergency later. …more

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General Easy N/A 118 👍 0

When to Buy a Used Class A Diesel Motorhome: Best Times for Deals

Pulled into three dealerships expecting to find a decent used Class A diesel motorhome within budget, but they're all quoting me $20K+ over what I can afford. When during the year do dealers typically have the best deals and inventory turnover?

Also curious about when to avoid shopping due to high demand and higher prices. Any insights on seasonal buying patterns would be helpful. …more

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Chassis Medium 2-3 hours research plus tire replacement time 113 👍 0

2024 Tiffin Allegro 36LA Winter Tire Options Guide

My new 2024 Tiffin Allegro 36LA came with Michelin 255/80R22.5 highway tires and I'm worried they're dangerous for winter driving with my kids onboard. Living in Washington state, we sometimes encounter snowy and icy conditions during our travels, especially when heading to the mountains or traveling during shoulder seasons. While Tiffin and Michelin state these highway tires perform well in wet conditions, I'm wondering if other owners have switched to all-season or M&S rated tires for better winter traction. What are your experiences with different tire choices for Class A motorhomes in winter conditions? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 112 👍 0

Motoraid Heat Exchanger Maintenance Guide: RV Engine Coolant Heating System Care

Our Motoraid heat exchanger is showing 180°F on the gauge but everything I've read says our 2008 Ford V10 RV should be running closer to 200°F. Currently experiencing an antifreeze leak around my Atwood GCH10A-4E hot water tank. The leak is draining my antifreeze reservoir quickly, costing me $53 per 3L refill (already on my third jug). I'm wondering if there's a safe way to temporarily bypass the engine heat assist system without risking engine damage until I can get professional repair. What temporary solutions or diagnostic steps would you recommend? …more

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General Easy N/A 110 👍 0

Forest River Georgetown GT3 Class A: Owner's Guide

Called a tow truck after that torrential rain last weekend left my Forest River Georgetown GT3's emergency brake on the left wheel completely stuck and won't disengage. I'm looking for advice on diagnosing and resolving this specific brake problem. Has anyone dealt with a similar emergency brake malfunction on this model? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 105 👍 0

Dana Super 70 Pinion Seal Leaking: When to Worry About RV Differential Seepage

Pulled into camp yesterday and spotted fresh oil weeping around my Dana Super 70 pinion seal - now I'm wondering if this needs immediate attention. Not full-on crying tears of gear oil onto my driveway (thankfully), but definitely looking a bit moist around the edges. Been like this for years now - my RV's apparently got commitment issues with keeping things bone dry.

The plot thickens: even the weld spots where the axle tube meets the diff are joining the sweating party. At 24k miles, I'm wondering if this is just my Dana Super 70 being a drama queen, or if I should be genuinely concerned? No actual drips after sitting all winter in storage, but my OCD brain keeps telling me to grab a flashlight and inspect it daily. Should I be panicking or just accept that my differential has trust issues with seals? …more

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