shelbytom
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Posts posted by shelbytom
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On 8/15/2016 at 11:25 PM, WILDEBILL308 said:Welcome to the forum. "we pursue our objective of finding just the right spot to situate our home base."
How long is it going to take you to get to Texas?
Bill
Love Texas, have spent parts of winter / early spring in Big Bend area and Hill Country. Think our preference is more mountains, i.e., Montana, Colorado or Wyo.
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Looks like you have received plenty of really good advice. Basic tools, easy-to-replace spare parts, i.e., filters, bulbs, and hoses, etc., I would add a couple of different sized hose clamps. Vice grips too. Also...did anyone say DUCT TAPE?? You will learn - as most all of us did - by experience. We've been RVing for 20 years+, taking extended (2-month) trips for 7 years, and now full time. I am still adding to my tool kit! I have had to fix things on the fly that I never thought I'd have the skill to do, but you will find almost everybody you meet on the road - whether in an RV park or stranded on the shoulder of the interstate (God forbid) - will be kind and do their damdest to help you. If no one else mentioned previously, be a stickler for routine maintenance. Under the heading pay me now or pay me later, it's hard to put a price tag on aggravation, down time, etc. But I have our coach maintained per OEM chassis schedule specs by experienced people (I own a Cummins diesel, and my drive train is serviced at Cummins dealers or Spartan Chassis only). I have no idea how much if any it has saved me in actual out-of-pocket repair cost, but it does add greatly to my piece of mind. Good luck and enjoy the journey!
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Hi Everyone. We just began our full-timing experience in May. Since then we've logged about 6,000 miles as we pursue our objective of finding just the right spot to situate our home base. You can read all about us and our journey here. https://bruinsinthebus.com
Safe travels everybody!
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We are original owners of a 2002 AC Tradition with a Norcold 1200. I replaced the cooling unit in May 2015 at National RV Refrigeration in Shipshewana, IN. In additional NRVR installed an ARP control unit. Pulled our coach out of storage in May 2016 to begin full-timing and found refrigerator did not work on AC. Traced problem to worn out AC heating elements, but only after dealing with an RV tech who had no knowledge of the ARP device, disconnected that and refrigerator still blew control box fuse on AC. At that time I called Paul Umack who owns ARP, LLC and he walked me through re-wiring the ARP to work properly and directed me to his website which has abundant information on LP absorption refrigeration, the Norcold recall issues, and his ARP device.
We have opted to stay with our Norcold because of the amount of boondocking we do, and also after doing the research we believe the ARP provides the best level of safety against potential refrigerator fires. That said, we also have the FireFight Products auto discharge extinguisher installed in back of the refer in outside access compartment because we just feel better taking the "belt and suspenders" approach to this critical component of our "home."
We have been spending our time in Montana this summer, and made it a point to go see Paul (he's in Butte). At that time I swapped out our basic ARP for one with a fan controller and added the cooling unit fan.
Our Norcold works just fine, and better now with the added air flow past the cooling unit thanks to Paul's updated controller and fan unit. We chose the best option for us. Everyone has to weigh the pros and cons and make their own decision on going with a residential refrigerator or staying with one designed for RV use. But regardless of which refrigeration route you take, I think all RV owners should educate themselves on critical systems and related safety issues so as to make informed decisions on how to bes protect their rigs, property and lives.
Good luck with your refrigerator decision.
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Here is an update: since my original post, we have learned a great deal.
First: this is not new - it has been going on since the N23 recall started being rolled out late in the summer of 2013.
Second: Chrysler knows all about it.
I was blown off by Chrysler Customer Care (800 number) on my first two calls. On my third call, the support person said all the right things, and made arrangements to get me into a dealer for a "diagnostic work-up" and the promise that if the problem was, in fact, related to the N23 recall, then I would not have to pay for the workup and a STAR ticket would be generated. I gather that a STAR ticket is kind of a problem escalation procedure, where dealership technicians escalate problem solving to specialist techs in a remote location, and get their help in achieving problem resolution. On the surface, this sounds like a good plan, does it not? Problem is - my dealer in Texas did the diagnostic workup on 4/25/14. The problem recurred in 7 days (as they said it would, since the "reflash" is only a temporary fix). By then, I was 2000 miles away. So why should I go to another dealer, and surrender the car for SEVERAL days so that they can re-diagnose and start the STAR process? I would need to rent a car in the interim and would be subject to any dealer charges unless they can prove that the problem is related to the N23 recall. NOT!
A quick review of the internet shows that many, many Jeep owners are going throught this same process right now, and it seems that dealers are replacing components (like acutators) that do not resolve the problem, but do result in charges to the owners.
We may have solved the problem today!
We called a multitude of "used auto parts" companies around Western New York until we found one that had a Final Drive Control Module that was compatible ... jeeps from 2005 - 2010 used the same component. The Final Drive Control Module is the computer that talks to the transfer case and allows it to shift from 4WD to neutral, or 4WD LOW, etc. The module is located under the rear passenger bench seat (driver side) and it is very very easy to pull the old module and install the new one. It is "plug & play" wiring, but you do need to disconnect the negative terminal from the battery before you do it. Will need some basic tools (18mm socket) to lift the backseat off to access the module. The module itself just slides out of the bracket - easy. The module we found was one generation earlier than the one in our 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee ... it said that it was for 2008-2010 Jeeps.
We plugged it in, and it worked fine, and I was able to put the car into neutral for flat towing! Tested it twice and it worked both times! This module clearly has not had the N23 recall, and we plan to keep it that way! Per the concerns that triggered the recall, we will set the emergency brake each time we park the car.
The really good news is that these folks have more of the modules, and they will ship them to you!!!!! This company is located just east of Rochester, NY
If you need one, you can call:
Wilbert's Lakeside AutoParts
6333 Lakeside Road
Ontario, NY 14519
800-836-8418
we worked with Chris Perrello - but I think that anyone can help you.
On a final note: if you Google "final drive control module Jeep" you will see some images that include photographs showing which module is which under that bench seat!
Hi all -- I have been struggling with same problem on my 2008 Gr Chke Overland. I found a final drive module at a local salvage yard (Chicago area) from a 2006 Commander. Plugged it in and although it allows me to shift transfer case to and out of neutral, I do get a constant "service 4WD system" message on dash. So I am thinking that maybe I only use this module when toad towing the Jeep. I have an open case with Chrysler customer care, and am told all the "pablum" about their working on it, understand my frustration, etc., etc., but really frustrating their seeming ambivalence. Perhaps there just aren't enough of us with the problem to warrant serious attention on their part?
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We are Escapees members and are indeed using their mail forwarding service. I was fortunate to be aware of Escapees for many years as my in-laws were members when they full-timed.