Results for "hydraulic-issues"

Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 279 👍 2

Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Called Power Gear support and they said press retract after leveling, but my system deployed perfectly and now just sits there doing absolutely nothing. The system appears to receive the retract command since I can hear some activity, but the legs remain extended. The only way to get them up is by engaging the transmission which triggers the emergency retract function.

I need a systematic approach to diagnose this retraction failure. What are the most likely causes when Power Gear levelers deploy normally but won't respond to the retract command, and what's the proper troubleshooting sequence to identify whether it's a solenoid valve issue, wiring problem, or control module failure? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours research 136 👍 0

How to Find Discontinued Generac 75D Coolant Hose C4845 for 2003 Newmar Dutch Star RV

Generac generator in my 2003 Dutch Star needs a specific coolant hose — part number C4845 — and it's been discontinued everywhere I look. Called six RV parts suppliers and checked every online dealer. Need to find a compatible replacement before this thing overheats on our summer trip. …more

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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 127 👍 0

RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions

Around my neighborhood, opinions on hydroboost fluid seepage are all over the map—my neighbor calls it normal wear, the RV dealer screams safety hazard, and YouTube mechanics can't agree either. It's not a major leak - just some dampness and staining where it mounts. I'm remembering a previous forum discussion where a user named Subford had similar seepage years ago and wanted to follow up on their experience.

The seeping seems minor right now, but I'm worried it could suddenly get worse while we're on the road. I had attached a picture similar to one I saw in an older forum post. Should I stop driving immediately and get it fixed? Or is some seeping normal and okay to monitor?

My main questions: Is minor hydroboost seeping immediately dangerous? Did Subford ever end up replacing their hydroboost? What does the replacement job involve? I want to be safe but also don't want to panic if this isn't urgent. …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 125 👍 0

HWH 625S Slide Out Not Working: Step-by-Step Control Box Bypass & Repair Guide

Wondering why my 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J's HWH 625S slide out won't budge after replacing the solenoid, cleaning connections, and checking fluid levels? The passenger slide won't extend or retract from the wall switch, but when I manually operate the solenoid valves, the slide moves perfectly in both directions.

I've already replaced the solenoid valves, so I know they're good. The problem seems to be that power isn't reaching the solenoids from the switch - everything routes through the control box first.

Can I safely bypass the HWH control box by connecting the switch wires directly to the solenoid wires? What should I check before attempting this bypass? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 121 👍 0

HWH RV Slide Hydraulic Hose Repair: Complete DIY Guide

Replaced my HWH slide's hydraulic hose last month and now it's spraying fluid everywhere again with our three-week cross-country trip starting Friday! My 2007 Monaco Dynasty with HWH hydraulic system decided to throw me a curveball when the bedroom slide hydraulic line (1/4" I.D.) decided to spring a leak. After some detective work (and a lovely puddle of ATF to mark the spot), I traced it back to where a 1" air line to the front caliper had been playing the world's slowest game of 'saw through the hydraulic hose' for who knows how many miles.

I temporarily patched with Gorilla Tape and 1/2" hose clamps, which got the slide almost closed but still creeping. I'm planning to fix this with a compression coupling since that seems like the most straightforward approach for a DIY repair. Two quick questions: Can anyone confirm the 1/4" I.D. hose size for HWH systems? And once I get this coupling installed, will I need to bleed the system, or does it sort itself out? I'm hoping this repair goes smoother than my attempts to explain to my spouse why we're currently camping with a slide that's permanently 'almost' closed! …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 107 👍 0

Complete Luxury Motorhome Buying Guide for Retirement Full-Time RV Living & Travel

My husband just casually mentioned we're about to drop our entire retirement nest egg on a luxury motorhome when neither of us knows anything about RVs.

I keep hearing different brand names thrown around but honestly have no clue which ones give you the most bang for your buck in that mid-range luxury space. Also wondering if I should buy new or let someone else take the depreciation hit? And what features should I absolutely not compromise on for full-time living?

Just want to make sure I'm not learning expensive lessons after I hand over the cash! …more

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Engine Medium 3-4 hours 105 👍 0

RV Coolant System Maintenance: Spring Clamps vs Worm Gear Clamps Explained

This morning I'm standing in the RV parts aisle staring at spring clamps and worm gear clamps for my 2013 Tiffin F-53 coolant flush with no clue which ones I actually need. The current spring clamps look good - no rust, seem like new condition. Should I reuse these spring clamps or upgrade to worm gear clamps? Also replacing all the hoses while I'm at it. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 104 👍 0

How to Replace Rear ABS Sensor on Heavy Duty RV Chassis - Complete Guide & Tips

Looked forward to spring camping season prep on my 2011 Ford F53 22,000 lbs GVWR RV, but that damn ABS light killed my inspection plans again. I'm trying to figure out where exactly the rear ABS sensor is located, specifically on these heavy duty chassis. I found a RockAuto part (WELLS 5S12339) that seems specific to my 2011 model.

I see there's one sensor at each rear wheel. I've already removed a small screw, but I'm unsure about next steps. Do I need to remove the wheel, drum, or bearing to access the sensor? There seems to be a metal cap over it that's complicating things.

Any advice on accessing and replacing this sensor, especially dealing with potentially rusty mounting hardware? I haven't found clear guidance on YouTube or IRV2.com for my specific setup. …more

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General Easy N/A 102 👍 0

Monaco Knight 40 Fuel Economy: Real MPG Numbers When Towing a Car

Our 2012 Monaco Knight DFT 40 GOLD is sitting in the driveway right now with the Jeep hitched behind it, and I can practically see my wallet getting lighter just looking at this setup. We're looking at covering about 1000 miles over the course of the trip, and I'm trying to get realistic expectations for fuel costs and planning fuel stops accordingly.

I've heard wildly different numbers from other RV owners about what kind of fuel economy to expect when towing a vehicle behind a 40-foot diesel pusher like the Monaco Knight. Some people claim they get decent mileage, while others say it's absolutely terrible. I'd love to know what's actually realistic to expect in terms of MPG when towing, and if there are any driving techniques or speed considerations that can help maximize fuel economy on a long trip like this. …more

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Engine Easy Informational 101 👍 0

Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine Lifter Failure: 70K Mile Analysis & Prevention Guide

Somewhere between shock and disbelief, I'm questioning my Ford dealer who insists my 2023 E350's 7.3L Godzilla V8 needs a complete rebuild after lifter failure at just 70,000 miles. The engine had one bad lifter and two scored piston walls, which seems pretty severe for a relatively new motor with what should be considered moderate mileage for a commercial-grade engine.

This has me concerned since I'm considering a similar setup for my Class C motorhome build. The 7.3L Godzilla has been marketed as Ford's heavy-duty solution, so seeing this kind of failure relatively early is troubling. Is this an isolated incident or are there patterns of lifter problems emerging with these engines? What should potential buyers be watching for, and are there any preventive measures or early warning signs that could help avoid this kind of expensive failure?

I'd appreciate any insights on whether this represents a broader reliability concern with the 7.3L platform or if it's just an unfortunate one-off situation that shouldn't influence purchasing decisions. …more

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Engine Medium 2 hours 98 👍 0

How to Replace 1995 Ford F53 Rear Sway Bar Bushings - Complete RV Repair Guide

Staring at my 1995 Ford F53 motorhome's rear sway bar bushings that look perfectly fine, probably a dumb question but why does this thing sway like crazy over every bump? I can hear some clunking back there and the handling feels loose and wallowy.

I'm planning to tackle this myself (because apparently I enjoy spending my weekends cursing at rusty bolts). When replacing these axle bushings, be extremely careful with bolt alignment. The nuts are welded to the bracket, and if you don't align everything precisely, you risk cross-threading, which can turn a simple job into a much longer project - I learned this the hard way and had to chisel off a nut.

I've got some photos documenting my process and can share those if anyone's interested. I did not need to replace the upper sway bar tie rod bushings this time. Should I stick with the original rubber ones or is it worth upgrading to something better? And since I'll already be crawling around under there getting dirty, are there any other components I should check or replace while everything's accessible? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 97 👍 0

Ford V10 Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Guide: Can You Reuse It?

Somewhere between my wife's third comment about oil stains under our RV and my denial phase, I realized I need to drop the oil pan on my Ford V10 2-valve engine. I remember when I did the 4R100 transmission pan, that rubber gasket was totally reusable - just cleaned it up and slapped it back on.

Is the engine oil pan gasket the same deal? Can I get away with reusing it or am I gonna need to pick up a new one? And if I do need a replacement, any recommendations on brands or installation tips? Don't want to create a mess under there! …more

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Chassis Easy 30 minutes 51 👍 0

Which Dually Tire for RV Leveling Blocks? Inner vs Outer

My Class A sits crooked when parked in front of my house due to the road crown, and the entry steps won't extend because they hit the curb. I built some wooden ramps from stacked 2x8s to level out the passenger side, but they're only wide enough for one tire. My neighbor insists I should use the inner dually tire since it carries more weight, but the RV dealer told me to always use the outer tire for stability. Meanwhile, YouTube videos show people doing it both ways. The road slopes toward the curb, so using the inner tire would actually put me higher up the crown. I've been defaulting to the outer tire thinking it keeps things more consistent, but now I'm second-guessing myself. Which dually tire should actually go on the leveling blocks? …more

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