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I ran a small handheld mirror underneath using a flashlight. No sign of an opening. Would be the perfect place to facilitate belt change. Would be looking right down at the fan. Probably not difficult then. Already had to trash carpet to get to the only access supplied. We found a small area rug that matches the color pretty much and lies right in the spot. The shop where the unit now sets tells me that 2 to three hours labor plus belts will get it done, but they started the conversation with radiator removal. Perhaps it will be their first? But I am feeling better. Knock on wood.

I doubt it. I remember when Peterbilt tried that as an option. Didn't go over well. I remember talking to a driver that ran one for a small fleet. He said that it really had a hard ride, but that was late nineties. Perhaps it has been perfected. My Western Star rode really well when pulling an air ride trailer. Perhaps a Super C with air bags in the rear would ride well. The current issue of MotorHome has a big spread on Super's. Out of my price range.

Thank you Ross. If I can look through the bottom of the closet I will have a clear view of the front of the engine. I really believe given that view, I can probably replace the belts on my own. I will put some plywood on the gravel, jack the rear up using the onboard jacks, and place some jack stands under the axle. Honest to goodness, even at my age, I think that I could then do it. We all hate being scammed, and I think that was the setup in progress when we dropped our Phaeton at the only place in my end of York county that claims to have certified mechanics. Why do we have to put up with this? Tiffin is one of the larger builders of RVs and they have a loyal group of customers. Many have owned two or three in just a few years. Why build something that is so difficult to work on? That is my humble opinion.

I have very good access to the top of the engine. Having valve lash adjusted, exhaust brake worked on, preheater etc would be rather easy. I had thought about carefully running a blade around the edge of the carpet in the closet, it would then be easy to replace. Who looks at the floor of a closet? I think that might greatly simplify the work. If the floor sans carpet looks removable and then replaceable on our unit, I am going to try it, but I won't tell my DW until after the fact.

If I could have a do-over, I would have bought a Super C. Easier to service yourself or anywhere trucks are worked on. Give us enough room for two people , two cats, and necessary cargo. We no longer dry camp. RV parks are safer.

Turbo Actuator might be what I was taught to call a waste gate. It opens to bleed turbo pressure out at a set point speced by the engine manufacturer. If it opens before spec you will lose boost. Some people (truckers) not knowing the possible problems monkey with them.

You picking on me again? Just making small talk, but I do wish the condensor was up there instead of underneath. Oh! By the way. I think that post I read on an inline filter between the tank and the generator was Crusingator on the TRVN site. A lot of responders on that site found that they had them and didn't know it. Even a small filter in need of change would really limit power. Maybe it is just something that Tiffin does?

Our coach is a 2003 Phaeton. The inverter is labeled Freedom, but the control panel inside is a Xantrex. Guess we would be OK to change in the future?

Thanks to everybody. I am probably going to find someone that I trust more. I have two shops in mind. Probably have not done one, but both places have experienced truck mechanics. If I was younger and had a suitable place to do the work I would try it myself..I will call Freightliner tomorrow to track down the belts. As rossboyer mentioned having a spare is a good idea. Oh! here I go with truck stuff again/ the serpentine belt on my Series60 Detroit took about 15 minutes, and I didn't have to get dirty in the process.

Will the serpentine belt have to ordered from Tiffin? I guess the other belt can be found locally for sure?

I did my best to look at the front of the engine from up top. I used a mirror and flashlight, but I couldn't see well. It looked like the same belt that powered the compressor and alternator headed to the fan hub, but I wouldn't bet money on it. Just under 22,000 miles on the coach. I think that I will take the unit to some place with more experience. Everything setting around the shop was mostly gas powered.

Love Spokane all of the way from PA. What did they do to you Cat for $7700? How old is your RV?

Finally got to drop my Phaeton 40ft. 2003 for the state mandated inspection. Wanted to do it weeks ago, but they were too busy with spring get readies. They are the only place nearby that work on RVs. Asked about replacing the Serpentine belt on our rear radiator Cat 330. Almost immediately started about removing the radiator, but I was assured that that they routinely replaced them. I mentioned removing the air filter housing and muffler would be a cheaper way to see what they are doing. Oh really! About to participate being scammed. Younger/ I would find a hard surface (not gravel) and do it.. What would be a fair labor hour # to replace the belt? $$ per labor hour vary. Our area is right at $100 per.

Lubed it today. Will probably do a repeat soon, ie the extended shaft. Still want to do the extension that Brett mentioned. Time was short. Lots going on. Mostly dodging critics on FMCA. Kind of unnerving being reminding how dumb that I am. Hey I am used to it.

Well I guess everybody is mounting it there. Wrong again!! I bought a twin fan rooftop condensor on sale from an area KW store, had custom hoses made, and put it up top on the front of my 88 gasser. Used R-12 so it threw ice cubes out. The engine ran cooler also. Those were the days. I would never attempt it again though.

I am going to check for possible water damage getting started on ours. We have the same window location. It was garaged by the previous owner, but I will take al look to be safe. It has been out for over a year now, but the weather stripping seems to drying out. Looks to be a pain to replace $$$ wise.

Not necessarily bad. They did get some bad press. I would have tried one if it had been available when we bought our Georgie Boy Cruise Air II in '88. Setting just a few feet away from a 4 barrel carb on a 460 was deafening. Sure did run good though.

What a great place to put an a/c condenser! Between steer tires slinging stuff and 30 feet or more from the compressor.

I don't have any suggestions for you, but be patient. Things will liven up after a bit. I am sure that help will be on the way. Post your coach builder, model, and year.

Perhaps what I mentioned is actually the a/c condenser for the dash air?? That would be at least a 30ft run from the compressor. Haven't been underneath any further than lubeing the steps. I will be headed to the storage yard shortly. I will slide under on a piece of pegboard that I keep as a "creeper." Works anywhere. Gravel is just no fun to crawl on.

I remember reading about an inline filter added by some coach builders between the generator and fuel tank. My unit has a radiator with electric cooling fans mounted across the frame behind the generator. I have spent very little time under the front end but I will be checking for the possible inline filter. Could the additional radiator be an after market fix, or do you folks have one also?

Good info John. I still want it out of our coach, but at soon to be 71 I was not sure I could do it. By the way/ we drink no boxed wine before it's time. But drink a lot of it after that.

Good advice. Thank you for that.

Do I remember a front radiator with a long run of coolant hose?

Picked up my can from local NAPA store this afternoon. They must not sell a lot of it because the counter guy had to look around for it. I am gonna have to turn on my desk top to print a pic of the lubes points. Old printer with no WIFI so I can't print from my iPad. Out the door was over $18 but the governor had to have his share. Does have the straw taped to the container which I prefer. Exhaust brake be gentle with me tomorrow. No trouble with mine so far but it is well past the time to lube. On a somewhat different note/ I had a Pacbrake engine brake on my Series60 Detroit. Fitting because they are from BC where my Star Car was built. It worked very well.