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Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners
Engine Easy 1-2 hours inspection 148 👍

Ford E450 V10 Reliability: Expected Mileage and Longevity Guide for RV Owners

Nobody prepared me for staring at this 2018 Jayco Greyhawk 29MVP with Ford E450 chassis showing 54,000 miles and wondering if I'm looking at a money pit. The unit appears well-maintained with quality features including auto-leveling, fiberglass roof and nose, plus J-ride suspension. However, the odometer shows 54,000 miles, which exceeds my initial target range.

I need to assess whether this mileage represents significant wear on the E450/V10 drivetrain combination. What is the typical service life expectation for these engines when properly maintained? At what point should mileage become a primary concern versus overall mechanical condition? …more
How to Replace a Broken RV Front Shock Mount - Part ID Guide
General Hard 3-4 hours 94 👍

How to Replace a Broken RV Front Shock Mount - Part ID Guide

Tried to avoid a costly repair by checking first — would my RV's front shock mount bracket failure where the shock absorber connects to the chassis be covered under warranty? The bracket appears to be chassis-specific hardware, but I'm unable to locate the correct part number through standard parts diagrams - it shows as a grayed-out component without identification in the technical documentation I've found.

What is the proper procedure for identifying and sourcing this type of suspension mounting hardware? The bracket sits adjacent to part 3A010 in the assembly and appears to be a critical structural component for proper shock absorber attachment. …more
2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &
Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 89 👍

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …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
2006 Fleetwood Tioga Fuel Shutoff Switch Location: Complete Guide
Engine Easy 15 minutes 84 👍

2006 Fleetwood Tioga Fuel Shutoff Switch Location: Complete Guide

Tried everything to get my 2006 Fleetwood Tioga running after it started cutting out randomly yesterday, but can't even find the fuel shutoff switch. I think it might be related to the inertial fuel shutoff switch, but I honestly have no idea where to even start looking for it.

Could someone please help me understand where this switch is typically located on this model? I've heard it could be in a few different spots but I don't want to go tearing apart panels randomly. Any guidance on the most common locations would be really appreciated! …more
Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 82 👍

Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Woke up to check out my new place's Dometic CF80 basement refrigerator/freezer and discovered what looks like deteriorated foam filter stuff in the bottom drain compartment. The foam material shows significant contamination and degradation.

I need to understand the specific function of this foam component within the CF80's drainage system. Is this foam element critical for proper unit operation, and what are the consequences of operating without it? Additionally, what is the recommended replacement schedule for this component, and how do I determine when replacement is necessary versus simple cleaning? …more

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RV AC Humming But No Air Flow? Fix It Yourself (2024 Guide)
Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 79 👍

RV AC Humming But No Air Flow? Fix It Yourself (2024 Guide)

I tried everything I could think of, but probably a dumb question—why would my 2006 Sightseer 30B's AC hum after storage but blow zero air? big mistake lol. The thing is humming like crazy but zero air coming out of any vents. It's loud enough to wake the neighbors but doing absolutely nothing.

I'm guessing something got stuck or seized up while it was sitting? Anyone know what typically causes this after long storage periods? Really hoping it's something I can fix myself before calling a repair guy. …more
Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs
Ac Refrigeration Medium 3-4 hours 78 👍

Dometic Fresh Jet 5 vs Penguin 2 Air Conditioner: Complete Installation Guide for RVs

Spent the weekend camping next to a couple with whisper-quiet AC while my wife kept complaining our Dometic Penguin 2 sounds like a freight train. I've been reading about the newer Fresh Jet 5 and wondering if it would be worth upgrading.

I'm mainly concerned about three things: Is the Fresh Jet 5 actually that much quieter than the existing Penguin 2 model? Will it use more power from my electrical system? And honestly, I'm not super handy with installations - would this be a straightforward replacement where I can swap out the Penguin 2 without extensive rewiring?

Any advice would be really helpful since this is a pretty big purchase for me and I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I commit to the upgrade. …more
Used Onan 4000 Generator Buying Guide: Essential Inspection Checklist for RV Owners
Engine Medium 1 hour inspection 72 👍

Used Onan 4000 Generator Buying Guide: Essential Inspection Checklist for RV Owners

Spent an hour inspecting this Craigslist Onan 4000 from Villa Rica and it's doing something bizarre — everything looks perfect but won't even attempt to turn over. I'm seeing prices ranging from $500 to $3000+ and want to understand what's a fair price. The original link was https://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/rvs/d/villa-rica-onan-cummins-generator/7895531063.html.

What should I be looking for when I go check one out? Don't want to buy someone else's headache but also don't want to pass on a good deal because I'm being too picky. Any red flags I should watch out for? …more
Ford V-10 Temperature Sending Unit Location on Engine Block
Engine Medium 30-45 minutes to locate and replace 72 👍

Ford V-10 Temperature Sending Unit Location on Engine Block

I'm planning my next move after replacing the thermostat, flushing the coolant system, and checking all hoses — but I still can't locate Ford's hidden temperature sending unit on my V-10 engine block. Where exactly is this sensor positioned on the engine block? Looking for the specific location and what it looks like so I can identify it. …more
How to Fix LED Tail Light Problems on Workhorse RV Chassis - Complete
Electrical Medium 2-3 hours 69 👍

How to Fix LED Tail Light Problems on Workhorse RV Chassis - Complete

Last week my Workhorse chassis LED tail light upgrade started flickering and the RV tech wants $800 for a complete wiring harness replacement. The original discolored lights were getting hard to see, so the LED upgrade seemed like a smart move, but now I have three main problems that are driving me crazy.

First, my turn signal indicators are flashing extremely slowly - almost like they're struggling to work properly. Second, when I turn on my running lights or tail lights, the indicators stop flashing altogether and just stay on solid, which obviously defeats the purpose of having turn signals. Third, and perhaps most concerning, when I press the brake pedal, my main tail/brake lights actually turn OFF instead of getting brighter, leaving only the center high-mounted brake light working.

I made sure to match the wiring exactly - the stop/tail lights have 3 wires each, and the reverse/indicator lights have 2 wires each, just like the original incandescent bulbs. The connections seem solid and I followed the same wire routing. I'm wondering if this is a common issue with LED conversions on Workhorse chassis, and what specific components or modifications I need to make this work properly. What's the complete solution to fix these LED tail light problems? …more
Class A Motorhome Wheel Balance Services in Columbus Ohio - Fix RV Steering Shimmy
Engine Easy 1-2 hours 68 👍

Class A Motorhome Wheel Balance Services in Columbus Ohio - Fix RV Steering Shimmy

Despite getting my tools ready and being determined to tackle this steering shimmy hitting my 1997 Class A motorhome at 55 mph — where should I start? Based on my troubleshooting, this appears to be a wheel balance issue, though I suspect there could also be tire wear patterns or front end component problems contributing to the vibration.

I need to locate commercial truck tire facilities in the Columbus, Ohio area that can properly handle motorhome wheel balancing services. Standard automotive shops don't have the equipment for larger RV wheels, so I'm specifically looking for commercial-grade tire service centers that can diagnose whether this is purely a balance issue or if there are additional front end problems requiring attention. …more
RV LED Clearance Lights Turn Off When Headlights On - Grounding Fix Guide
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 65 👍

RV LED Clearance Lights Turn Off When Headlights On - Grounding Fix Guide

Replaced all the clearance lights on my 2002 Bounder 39Z Diesel with LEDs yesterday but something still doesn't seem right — they work perfectly with the clearance light switch but shut off completely when I turn on the headlights. But the moment I turn on the headlights, every single LED clearance light goes dark! This is driving me crazy - the old incandescent bulbs never did this.

I've checked the fuses, swapped out different LED bulbs, and even tested the voltage at the fixtures. Everything seems fine until those headlights come on. I'm really hoping someone has seen this before because I'm running out of ideas. What could cause brand new LED clearance lights to shut off only when the headlights activate? …more

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Damon Daybreak Wiring Diagrams: Complete Guide to Finding Electrical Solutions
Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research 64 👍

Damon Daybreak Wiring Diagrams: Complete Guide to Finding Electrical Solutions

I spent all winter looking forward to camping season, but every spring when I pull my 2001 Damon Daybreak out of storage, those same electrical gremlins start haunting me again. The dash AC isn't working properly and I think I need to trace some wiring to figure out what's going on.

I've been searching everywhere but I'm not sure where to get the proper wiring diagrams for this model. Should I be looking for RV-specific diagrams, or is the dash AC part of the Ford chassis system? I'm a bit confused about what's considered "coach electrical" versus automotive on these units.

Any guidance on the best places to find these diagrams would be really appreciated - I don't want to start poking around without the right documentation! …more
Complete Pace Arrow Tie Rod End Replacement Guide - Step-by-Step RV Repair Tips
Engine Medium 1-2 hours per side 63 👍

Complete Pace Arrow Tie Rod End Replacement Guide - Step-by-Step RV Repair Tips

After discovering my 99 Pace Arrow F53 chassis needs tie rod end replacement — would this repair be covered under my extended warranty? What's the correct procedure for removal and installation? Do I need special tools, and what about alignment afterward? Want to make sure I do this right the first time. …more
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