wolfe10

Mel, Here is a good place to start your search: https://site.fmca.com/towing-guides-towing-four-wheels-down/

Only had diesel pushers, no gas rigs. But career in the automotive industry, so pretty familiar with gas chassis as well.

Rich, ?? But, will the large gauge wire to the generator starter run through the salesman switch??

Yup, use of the exhaust brake switch AND the "down arrow" and in some cases the service brakes to slow you enough to drop to the next lower gear ARE part of learning to drive a heavy vehicle.

Tim, If starting the generator is "prime concern", pull your toad up next to it and use jumper cables. Hopefully, someone with more specific knowledge of your 12 VDC system will chime in for that part of the issue.

Lyle, If I understand correctly, the inverter went off just after a 100 mile drive. If so, the alternator should have brought the batteries to full charge. So, unless some part of the charging system is not functioning properly, you should not have had a low battery. But, your remote panel should showhouse battery voltage.

Chrisk22, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. There is an in-depth article on Liquid Spring in the June 2018 FMCA Magazine. Page 36.

An EXCELLENT IDEA!

Let me restate that: if the inverter/charger sees 120 VAC from shore power or generator, it both charges the batteries and "passes through" the 120 VAC to all thing wired downstream of the inverter 120 VAC. If no 120 VAC from shore power or generator, the inverter/charger, if turned ON will take battery power and "invert it" to provide 120 VAC for everything downstream of the inverter 120 VAC circuit.

REALLY hard to venture a guess without FACTS. But, would doubt that overheating would/could cause a fire. Fires in the engine room are usually caused by fuel leaks or hydraulic fluid leaks. While cleaning CAC's/radiators is a critical part of motorhome maintenance, particularly on rear radiator models, I doubt that neglecting this would do more than just overheat the engine/cause engine to de-rate.

Actually, a fall foliage cruise up the St Lawrence IS on our short list. Not sure we would get as far "uphill" as Lake Michigan and Chicago though.

Bill, Very familiar with fire suppression systems on boats. Fire when off-shore can be life threatening. The good news on a boat is that the engine room is a reasonably sealed compartment, so fire suppression systems work well. But in a motorhome, the whole underside and back/sides are open to the air, so displacing the Oxygen has limited value-- it is quickly replaced. And, since many fires start while the vehicle is still moving, keeping Oxygen from returning is virtually impossible. I would love to see some scientific studies on this.

sfox888, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. While watching a video can be enlightening, there are a LOT of other things that need to be inspected/done to safely adjust air brakes. Be sure coach is blocked with the proper safety stands. Inspect for oil leaks. Check for heat checking in drums and shoes/disks/pads. Proper lubrication which varies widely depending on brakes. Said another way, this is not where a shade tree mechanic should start on a coach. Now, if you are a trained tech and just new to air brakes, very happy you are interested in learning to service your own chassis.

You can also locate the solenoid. Then mark the wire(s) on one large terminal. Remove them and ADD THEM to the wire(s) on the other large terminal. This is electrically the same as having the solenoid ON.

What function are you using that is not working as it should: 1. Inverting when no shore power or generator on-- using 12 VDC from battery to make 120 VAC. If so, verify that battery voltage is not dropping such that the unit should (and is) turning off. 2. Battery charging when shore power or generator on. 3. "Pass through" feature so that when the inverter/charger sees 120 VAC from shore power or generator, it passes it through to circuits downstream of the inverter charger.

Do the gauges stay on? Allison shift pad stay illuminated? If so, more likely an ignition solenoid or ignition switch issue than anything to do with the engine. The better you describe what is and is not happening the better we can help.

MerrittislandMike, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. This will get you started on the tire program (Michelin and Continental): https://site.fmca.com/fmca-tire-program

WAIT-- the roof A/C is 12 amps AT 120 VAC. VERY, VERY different than 12 amps at 12 VDC. But, totally agree, we need clarification from the OP.

I ASSUME he means his INVERTER/CHARGER panel reads 12 amp draw with inverter turned on. If I have misinterpreted, please let us know exactly what is happening. What is draw with inverter turned OFF? And, inverters take some power even if nothing is running-- called standby-mode. So when storing, the inverter should ALWAYS BE OFF. The salesman switch by the door does not control power to the inverter/charger. The inverter/charger is wired directly to the battery bank with large-gauge cables and likely a very high amp slow-burn fuse.

Hopefully, someone else who got the kit will see this and give post some first hand information.

No first hand experience, but my understanding is that these are individually machined. No idea if there is a commercially available replacement. If there is, no one to date (several years) has mentioned one.

I would recommend by downloading the installation instructions from Blue OX and Roadmaster for your Focus to see which you prefer (strength, ease of installation, ease of setting up to tow, etc). Both are good companies.

Carl, How did you like you Blue Bird FC35'?

The ATS is generally close to there the shore power cord comes into the coach. No guarantee, but a good place to start, as the shore power cord WILL connect to it!

Yes, that is a vacuum pump that "powers" your dash HVAC system. Should be a PN on it. Probably a close relative to the very common one used on Ford diesel trucks. May be this one: https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-904-214-Mechanical-Vacuum-Truck/dp/B001KQF6PC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&tag=foreforums-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957