dickandlois

Hi Michael, Relays can act up, but if the problem is time related, you mentioned needing to drive 20 miles or so makes it highly unlikely. Many of the relays used in the buss electrical box are the same number, you might try to switch 2 of them around. The fact that the problem comes and goes, is related to driving time, sounds to me like a intermittent component or a cold solder connection. There are other electrical components that can become temperature sensitive also. There could be a code set in the ECM, but some of them are low level codes meaning the problem the code represent a low level problem and does not directly involve engine performance. You could have the ECM run on scanner to see if there are any codes stored. Question-Its a little off form your issue, but are there any other intermittent issues, like strange gauge readings accruing at all no mater how unrelated they might appear. Hope the weather has not been as bad lately, in the country of some of my four fathers. Rich.

Hi Don, The reset only worked for a short time. How many times have you reset the unit since our last exchange of information? How much of a load are you trying to run on the circuits powered through the inverter when connected to shore power? Are you running electric heaters, hair dryers, and other high current loads at the same time? You mentioned that you have 2- MS-2000 inverters and the one powering refrigerator is working fine, sounds like that unit is dedicated to a limited number of outlets. There is a 30 amp circuit breaker on the AC input side and to large of a load will cause the inverter to power up if the current limit is exceeded. When running in inverter mode,if you have an energy management system it maybe trying to limit the total load by shedding circuit loads. http://www. magnumenergy.com Phone # 425-353-8833 You could talk to one of there techs and get there opinion. Keep us posted on what you fine out. As a work around until you can get things working on the charger side, a 50 amp battery charger would keep the coach batteries charged up when you are parked. If you are not sure how to connect one properly find some help so you do not cause another problem. You will need to disconnect the charger before starting the engine, just to be real safe. Rich.

Hi Joe, This is as close as I could come for your year F53 chassis: Stabilizer Bars 38.1mm Front, 35.7mm Rear 16,000–22,000-lb. GVWR; 38.1mm Rear 24,000– 26,000-lb. GVWR Page 4 from the information below. https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2011/2011_F53_F59.pdf Rich.

Mike, The filter housing and top come as one unit. Had the same problem 5 years ago. Broken top. Wish I had placed the part number in my file. I have used up my allotment of space for pictures or I could post a picture of the filter. 99% sure they would be the same. This housing has the water in fuel sensor mounted inside the housing also. Rich.

The weight of the coach makes turning the steering wheel very difficult when there is no power assist. You mentioned that the steering was free with the wheels off the ground, that test with out the engine running validates the system is free from any mechanical issues. I drive with driving gloves most of the time, this gives me a better grip on the steering wheel and when the engine quiets on gas driven power steering pumps on most cars and trucks,that little extra allows one to turn the wheel a little easier. Really makes one appreciate power steering. The gear ratio in the steering gearbox changes how much force is required to turn the wheels, so you could ask if that is an option. Remember there are always tradeoffs though !! Rich.

Joe, could you also post the mileage on the coach and also the Chassis manufacture per Brett's post. Most coaches now come with sway bars. You might want to check the sway bar bushings and links to make sure they are in good condition. Also, check the shocks for any bushing issues, leaks(oil), and or visible damage. Rich.

Hi Mike, There should be no problem running on the batteries. One good test would be to let the coach set over night without the charger running an measure the voltage in the AM. This is done with out running any 12 volt items and will give you a baseline charge number. A good indicator of your battery(s) condition. A voltage reading of 12.25 or better is good, and at that level they should run the furnace over night. The refrigerator, water pump, water heater and lights are an added load, but are not high current loads. The furnace blower is the highest load. In the AM start the generator and recharge for the next night. All should go well. Rich.

Hi Chris, Thanks for the information. Many of the new jack system control boards us logic circuits, Kind of a love-hate thing with me. On some of the models there is a reset button, others reset when the ignition key is turned off for a period of time. The filter circuits for the control boards slowly discharge and the circuit resets..The best way to reset some of them is to remove the power fuse in the control board and then replace. If you can supply a model number from your information or some numbers off the control board or keypad, then I could give you a better answer. Rich.

I have noticed an up tick in the number of odd emails coming in that are not in a format that many of those I correspond with would use. So I have not open them and have directed emails back to them, after running my system through my antivirus programs. Should you get something that is out of character just hit the delete key. Rich.

Hi DD, When I pull on the park brake on our unit they do not come on slowly, they lock up as soon as they engage. No delay at all. When I last took the RV driver safety course, the park brake question came up and unless I missed something, the answer I remember was never engage the park brake while driving of any reason-- the rear brakes will lock up as soon as they are applied. Rich.

Hello Jocelynn and Quico! Arcadia Has a special charm. Late August is when the battle between Fall and Winter starts. Sunny days and Gray days. Fall colors start around the second week of September in Northern Maine and then move South over the next 2 months or so. Elevation has and affect on when the trees change color. The Higher trees change color sooner as a rule, cooler on the top of the mountains. When frost covers the trees, the leaves change to a more vivid color. When we have a dry summer and early fall, the leaves change, but the colors are not as vivid. Every year is different, Mother nature paints her fresh canvas in many different colors every year. Are you what many of the residents up our way call Flat Landers, people who live in a level area or Ridge Runners; the ones who live in the higher areas, in the hills or mountains? What is your comfort area? Some of our roads cross areas that quite hilly and some of the roads have some very steep grades with allot more curves. There are some Rts. that are and easy drive and others are more challenging. You might like to drive the toad on some of the rural roads. There are roads that are not RV friendly, low bridges and weight limited. Covered bridges are not high enough for Class C or larger coach's to clear. When you have an area in mind that you would like to visit, let me know. Then I can offer more information on roads. You can contact states for travel information and if you belong to AAA, they have a number of brochures for one to look at. Stop at one of there centers as many of the folders a free, but members have a wider choice. We love to show off our part of the country and in the Fall it can really light up !!! Rich.

Hi Don, I have to agree with you regarding the total loss of steering. Might be worth a letter to the NTSB explaining the problem. It is hard for me to think that the loose of the power steering pumps could lead to one not being able to have some steering left. Did you have any indication of the pending loose of the air compressor / drop in air pressure ? The other item is that with the loss of air when it drops below 45 lbs the parking brake will engage. This locks the rear brakes and that is not what you want. Where you able to reduce your speed with the air brakes while trying to steer to the side of the road? From your information, I take it the 3in. hole was in the compressor. Rich.

Hi Ron, Could you post the Year and Model number of the coach? Do you have any information on who makes slideout system that is installed on your coach? You might call Gulf Stream at 800-765-8787 and see if they can tell you where the drive motors are located. Rich.

Urine Tin Tin, I must admit that the coaches we have owned over the years have gotten bigger over time. Started with a little 19 ft.Class C unit to a 34 ft Class A gas and up to a 40 ft. Diesel. The first two we could drive with a standard class operators license, but things changed with the diesel. Not because of the length or weight class,but the air brakes! Had to prove I understood how they worked an how to test them for proper operation. With that skill mastered I can drive the current couch with the same license class I have used for years. NOW, if we purchase a coach the is just a little longer and or heavier, will require I upgrade my license to an R classification. A good question for your DMV might be, how should one go about getting the proper license for the coach you are interested in before spending that kind of money. Regarding what Coach to buy, I have always considered how we travel and will the floor plan allow us to use the coach with side(s) in or out depending on where we set up for the night or longer. As I mentioned,the difference in state motor vehicle laws are so varied and I could run into an issue if we change our home address in the future. Should our current state change there requirements, we will fall under a grandfather clause. With the requirement to pass a test and possibly a medical exam. Always a variable. Rich.

Welcome to FMCA !!! The Drivers License requirements very widely from state to state. So start with your local DMV or the state of residents. Should you be considering renting one for a trial run, check and see what they require for licenses. Often one can drive a fairly large RV on a standard drivers license. The coach you are looking at because of its weight, length and air breaks often puts the owner into a different class license. So that information is needed to get started, some states require a CDL or modified version of it. Learning to drive one that large to start with can be intimidating. Just bet that you have school bus drivers in the area that would just love to give you driving lessons. They are also very good source of information on air breaks and driving a vehicle(s) with them. FMCA often has classes of RV safety at the larger Rallies. Thank You for your service. Rich.

Hi Joe, do not think you should have any problem regarding power. Just check the total weight of the coach and toad. to stay with in capacities. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum permissible weight of the unit, including the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) plus all fluids, cargo, optional equipment and accessories. For safety and product performance, do not exceed the GVWR. CW (Curb Weight): The weight of the unit without factory or dealer installed options, plus allowance for the weight of full fuel capacity. The “payload capacity” for all other fluids, cargo, occupants, optional equipment, and accessories can be determined by subtracting the CW from the GVWR. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The maximum total weight of the loaded unit, plus a tow vehicle. This includes the weight of both the unit and tow vehicle, fuel for each, all other fluids, cargo, occupants, optional equipment and accessories. Have a safe Trip and enjoy yourselves. Rich.

Hi Chris, Could you post the make and model of your leveling system. They do not work the same way for the different suppliers. Wiring and control systems very. Rich.

Ralph, Here is a link to the service manual for your Water heater. http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/subsw.pdf Check page 18. you should find information on the units Thermostat and limit switch. This has a reset button and the Hi temperature limit switch. This is where I would start. Hope this helps and work safe. Rich.

Could you post the make of your coach along with the year and Model Number. Some electric stoves work on 120 VAC, others on 240 VAC. We need to know which model you have. If I understand your post, all of the other outlets, lights and equipment is working properly. With both main breakers reset and the charger/inverter(s) working properly it sounds like all the 110 volt systems are working. That leaves the 220 volt circuit that requires power from both main breakers to operate. I do not know your skill level when working with electrical equipment or if you have a meter to check voltages. Working with a 240 volt circuit can be dangerous if one is not careful. One needs to know how to measure both 110 volt lines and the ground/neutral circuits to see if there is a blown fuse,loose wire connection that burned open. Is there a panel behind the stove or access from the outside in one of the cargo pods. DO Not open any J boxes that might feed the stove circuits with any AC power feeding the coach. This also means turning off the Inverter(s) that might be used to supply 240 volts to the stove and the 120 volts to any of the 120 volt circuits. Power down any and all sources of AC power. If there is an electrical issue opening any electrical boxes could really make for a bad day !!!! with power to the coach..... Edit, You might check your inverter system(S) to see if you tripped one of there circuit breakers. As some of the all electric coach's use inverters that can produce 220 volts AV. Rich.

Ralph, Could you post the make and model of your water heater? Rich.

elisowski, We have traveled from Niagara Falls to Toronto then to Barrie to Sault Ste Marie To Thunder Bay . That is a long trip by its self. The North side of Lake Superior is lacking in fuel stops. We just found places to park if we could not find a campground. Thunder Bay to Winnipeg- Note do not drive through the city !!!! old narrow streets and traffic. Use the 100 bypass. West of Winnipeg you can pick up Rt. 16- The Yellow Head Highway if you have driven The Trans Canadian Rt. 1 should you want a change. Rt. 16 is flat across the country until you reach BC. At Edmonton you need to decide if you want to drive the AlCan Hwy. or continue on Rt. 16 to Prince George. We needed to get some parts at an RV sales center there on our last trip, not may places west and north of there !!! West from Prince George things are getting more rustic all the time !!! not many top end campgrounds Period !!! West to Smithers ( Interesting old mining and logging town) Just west of Kitsegueda You can take Rt.37 North towards Watson Lake, Yukon Territory. This a desolate Rt. an few if any services and definitely not a super highway !! but some pretty country. At Watson your back on the AlCan. Another possibility is to drive over to Prince Rupert and take the Ferry up to Haines to Haines Junction or Skagway and drive up to Whitehorse. There are some cliff edges that protrude out over the highway as you start towards Prince Rupert, they could do some major damage to ones coach if hit !!! The sign for them is different then any I have ever seen. I have never Driven Rt. 7 from Haines to Haines Junction towards Beaver. You will need reservations for the ferry well in advance to get a space at times. Two nights and a day or more, one needs to figure in price and time too make all the stops, but they are only assessable by boat or plane. Order a Mile Post publication for information !! it is well worth the price. NOTE ! All the roads in Northern BC, the Territory's and Alaska are used for emergency runways for small aircraft and they have the right of way. So if you get buzzed or see a low flying aircraft coming at you, your road has turned into a runway !! Very interesting !! In Alaska if you see a motorist broken down on the highway you are obligated to stop an offer assistance. When out in the bush country one becomes bear food and the authorities (Police) can ticket you if you do not offer assistance should they get information that you did not stop..... Long stretches of road with few or no people or cars for extended periods of time. Remember it's called the Last Frontier for a reason. Once you have been there it will keep calling you back or just make you say its to wild for me. Rich.

Dale, Thanks for your feedback. The issue that now needs to be addressed is the flat towing sway. I wounder if you have a service tech ride in the toad while you are towing it, or one of there other techs driving the coach for legal reasons. No police officer wants to see a passenger / driver in a toad. However ! with some one in the car they could tell if the steering wheel was moving and the pressure required to remover the sway. Also, that person could have the engine running to see if that would change how or if sway changes. Eliminates the transmission system if with the engine running the toad reacts the some. Should the toad still sway in both cases, then how much braking is needed to make it track properly. If very little pressure is required, them your back to an aerodynamic bug a boo to my way of thinking. The items that then need to be addressed are stone shields, if you use one or not. Then see if you can tow a different style of toad and see how it reacts. Make notes on how speed and wind conditions affects the sway. If you have a rear view camera keep an eye on the toad as the driver keeps the unit on the road. This is not a common problem and one needs to eliminate items one at a time. It will require some time on your part, but a smooth towing toad will greatly reduce your stress level and increase your driving safety. For some reason its always the little things that are the hardest to pin down. With all the changes you have made and the reduction in the sway. This is a real world case of the tail wagging the dog !!! Please keep us informed on your progress. This information will add very valuable information for everyone. Rich.

Dale, Click on the more Reply options. This will offer a more features. Just under the smiley face and left is a box that is labeled image, this should allow you to attach an image. You mentioned that the problem is just when going down hill. Do you have a braking system on the Toad ? if so increase the amount of braking applied to the toad. This should add a slight drag to the Toad and in doing so, the toad should then track straight behind the coach. Rich.

A little out of the box. What model and year is your Coach? Just wounder if sway is related to speed and if there is an aerodynamic issue between the Coach and Toad? Was there any visual tire wear? Front or rear or equal if any? Are all elements of the hitch and tow bar tight and do they track straight? You mentioned the alignment was checked, but Has the toad suffered any damage at some point? Do you load any items in the toad and what is the condition of the shocks on the toad? Do you have a friend with a toad you could tow behind your coach to see if things change and how? Rich.

Part number 21544 should be the correct part number Check this link to see if it looks like your starter. http://www.urqualitysolutions.com/New-Starter-021544-OD9230-87266-A7692-D9230-OA7692-21544-5786-5786.htm This link leads to a service manual for your model. http://www.oscar-wilson.com/manuals/generac/a6448.pdf Rich.