Results for "steering"

Engine Medium 1 hour research 562 👍 0

Fleetwood Excursion Tire Upgrade Guide: 255 to 275 Width Conversion

After upgrading my 2015 Fleetwood Excursion M-35B from 255 to 275 width tires, it started getting sketchy handling on highway turns. The current 255/70R22.5 tires are wearing out and I'd love to go wider with 275/70R22.5 for better stability, but I keep getting conflicting advice from different tire shops.

Some say it's fine, others warn about clearance issues and potential problems. I really need to know what specific measurements I should check before making this change. What wheel width do I need? How do I verify there's enough steering clearance? I don't want to buy expensive tires only to find out they don't fit properly or aren't safe for my RV's load requirements. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium varies 449 👍 1

Michelin RV Tire Problems: Complete Guide & Solutions

Standing in my driveway planning to tackle these serious handling issues with my new Michelin Agilis HD Z 245/70R19.5 tires on my 2018 Winnebago Vista LX 27N this Saturday — what should I check first? The RV now has 25k miles, and since switching from Goodyear tires, I'm experiencing terrible tail wag - especially when towing my 2024 Toyota Tacoma and in windy conditions.

I've tried multiple tire pressures (82 psi from door sticker, 110 psi from installer, up to 100 psi) but nothing resolves the side-to-side movement. I have several stability modifications installed (Rear Trac Bar, Aux Roadmaster Rear Swaybar, Front Roadmaster Swaybar, Koni FSD shocks), which previously helped with handling.

The movement feels like the towed truck is actually pushing the RV's rear side-to-side, making driving extremely uncomfortable. I'm within Michelin's 60-day/2500-mile buy-back period and want to understand why these tires are performing so differently from my previous set.

Could experienced RV owners help me diagnose what might be causing these handling problems? …more

Read answer

Engine Easy 15 minutes 254 👍 0

5 Star Tuner X4 for Ford V10 RV: Complete Performance & Upgrade Guide

Planning to tune my 2018 Ford 6.8L V10 RV but got quoted $800 for professional tuning and wondering if the 5 Star X4 is DIY-friendly. Specifically want to know about real-world performance improvements - does it actually improve throttle response and shift points? What about fuel economy gains?

Which of the 3 programs works best for RV towing? Is the investment worth it for better drivability or just hype? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 241 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 Wheel Bearing Grease: Best Products

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

Read answer

Engine Medium Varies 233 👍 0

RV Transmission Problems: Troubleshooting Guide & Quick Fixes

Planning to fix my Class A motorhome's transmission myself, but my neighbor says it needs fluid, the dealer insists it's the torque converter, and YouTube swears it's the solenoid pack. On my 4R100 transmission specifically, the transmission has been shifting a little rough lately, especially when accelerating from a stop or when climbing hills. Sometimes it seems to hesitate before shifting into the next gear, and I've noticed the engine RPMs climbing higher than usual before it finally engages.

I've owned this RV for about three years now, and I'll admit I haven't been as diligent about transmission maintenance as I probably should have been. The fluid looked a bit dark the last time I checked it, but I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for or what the proper procedure is for checking transmission health. I've heard horror stories about transmission rebuilds costing thousands of dollars, so I want to make sure I'm approaching this systematically rather than just hoping the problem goes away.

What's the proper first step when you suspect transmission problems? Should I be taking it straight to a shop, or are there some basic diagnostic steps I can handle myself before spending money on professional diagnosis? I want to make sure I'm not missing something simple that could save me a lot of headache and expense down the road. …more

Read answer

Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 225 👍 0

RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First

Last week I'm trying to decide between shelling out hundreds for an RV tech or tackling this myself after my F53 chassis motorhome's dash A/C blower motor completely died. I've checked all the obvious fuses in the main fuse panels, but nothing seems blown.

I discovered something crucial that might help others: Fleetwood added a hidden 25 amp fuse wire-tied above the emergency brake, not shown in standard Ford chassis diagrams. In my case, this was the culprit. As a temporary fix, I even ran a wire directly from my lighter plug with a switch to get some air movement.

I'm wondering if other RV owners might have similar hidden electrical components that aren't in standard chassis wiring documentation? Before taking it to a shop, I recommend carefully checking behind panels and tracing wires, especially looking near the dashboard area above the emergency brake for manufacturer-specific fuses. …more

Read answer

Engine Easy 20 min read 224 👍 0

RV Wheel Alignment Guide: Warning Signs, Cost & When to Get Service

This Class A Freightliner Chassis alignment I finished yesterday still pulls hard left through those tight campground turns — did I mess something up? who knew? 🙄

Now I'm dealing with some funky tire wear patterns and my rig seems to have developed a mind of its own on the highway - it's pulling to one side like it's trying to make an unscheduled scenic detour. I'm pretty sure I need a wheel alignment, but honestly, I have no clue what warning signs to look for or how often this service should be done.

What are the telltale signs that scream 'GET AN ALIGNMENT NOW!'? I'm specifically looking for recommendations near Glendale, AZ, and I've heard mixed things about Bell Road RV. How do I find a shop that actually knows what they're doing with big rigs like my Freightliner? And what should I expect to pay for this delightful reality check? Any guidance would be awesome before I end up as one of those viral RV fail videos! …more

Read answer

Engine Easy N/A - informational 222 👍 0

Toyo vs Michelin RV Tires: Complete Comparison for Diesel Pusher Motorhomes

Planning to replace the tires on my 2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH, and ever since I started getting quotes, everyone keeps suggesting Toyo as a cheaper alternative to Michelin.

I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed by all the tire choices and wondering if I'd be making a mistake switching brands. Will Toyo tires give me the same ride quality as the Michelins? I've heard you can save quite a bit of money, but I don't want to compromise safety or comfort since we're still learning how to handle this big rig.

Would really appreciate some guidance from those who've made this switch - are you happy with the decision or do you regret not sticking with Michelin? …more

Read answer

Chassis Medium 2-4 hours 219 👍 0

F53 Hydroboost Brake System Problems: Complete Repair & Troubleshooting Guide

Between the small hydraulic leak that started on my 1995 F53 hydroboost brake system last month and what's happening now, I'm wondering how much worse this nightmare can get. Right now it's just a slow drip - maybe one drop per minute - and I can feel the power steering is slightly stiffer than normal, plus the brake pedal requires a bit more effort than usual.

What I really need to understand is the theory behind how hydroboost systems operate, since this is different from the vacuum brake boosters I'm used to. More importantly, if this leak gets progressively worse and I don't address it immediately, what's my worst-case scenario? Will I completely lose power steering and power braking assistance, or would I still have manual control of both systems? I'm trying to figure out whether this is something I need to drop everything and fix right now, or if I have some time to plan the repair properly. …more

Read answer

Chassis Easy 30 minutes 218 👍 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

Read answer

Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 215 👍 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

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 215 👍 0

Ford F53 RV All Headlights Out: Diagnosis & Repair

Pulled out my multimeter on this dead F53 headlight situation and I'm getting 12.4V at the relay when every Ford manual says it should read 12.6V. My 1999 Mountain High Pinnacle Class A with 76,000 miles on a Ford F-53 chassis has me stumped - ALL four headlights (both high and low beams) just went completely dead, but here's the weird part: every single other light works perfectly. Taillights, brake lights, turn signals, markers - they're all fine.

When the headlight switch is on, there are no headlights at all, and the blue high beam indicator remains constantly lit. I noticed a strange clicking sound from under the hood about every 20-25 seconds, which continued even after disconnecting the coach and chassis batteries.

I've already replaced the headlight switch thinking that was the culprit, but the same problem persists. No headlights whatsoever when I flip the switch, whether I'm on high or low beam. I'm starting to think it might be the combination switch or maybe a relay with a potential dead short, but I don't want to start throwing parts at this thing without some guidance.

Has anyone dealt with this exact scenario on a late 90s Ford chassis? What should I be checking first? I really need to get this sorted out before my next trip. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 1-2 hours 210 👍 0

Ford F-53 Steering Wheel Clunk Fix: Complete Diagnosis & Repair Guide for RV Chassis

Halfway through summer, my '95 F-53 motorhome chassis steering wheel only starts making this weird clunking noise when it's above 85 degrees outside — runs silent the rest of the time. When I hit certain bumps, I get this annoying clunk that I can actually feel through the steering wheel. Had the front end checked and everything seems tight up there, but here's the kicker - when I grab the steering wheel and mess with it, I can push it straight back into the column like I'm trying to compress a spring or something.

Is this normal for these old F-53s or am I looking at some worn out parts? The clunk is definitely coming from somewhere in the steering column area, and that push-in play has me scratching my head. What should I be checking first? …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 1-2 hours shop time 205 👍 0

Toyo M-156 RV Tire Review: Replacing M-154 Steering Tires

After 50,000 miles, my Class A motorhome's 245/75R22.5 M-154 steering tires have uneven wear, sidewall cracks, AND are losing air pressure weekly. I've been running the Toyo M-154s for years and have been extremely satisfied with their performance, durability, and overall quality. However, I recently discovered that Toyo has discontinued the M-154 model and replaced it with the M-156.

From what I can see, the M-156 has a completely different tread pattern compared to the M-154, and I'm concerned about how this might affect performance. Specifically, I want to know if the construction quality and load ratings remain the same as the M-154, since those have been rock solid for me. I'm also curious about the road noise characteristics - the M-154s were reasonably quiet, but I'm wondering if the new tread design on the M-156 creates more or less road noise. Additionally, since this is a steering tire replacement, I want to confirm the proper replacement approach and whether there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind when switching from the M-154 to the M-156 design. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 202 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Firewall Wiring: Finding Brake LED Through-Holes

Opened up my 2022 Holiday Rambler 36DB for spring prep and once again I'm staring at my 2021 Ford F53 chassis firewall wondering where those brake LED through-holes are hiding. I need to run the brake indicator LED wire from my toad to the dashboard inside the motorhome, but I'm having trouble locating the best firewall penetration point.

Rather than drilling a new hole through the firewall (which I'd prefer to avoid for obvious reasons), I'm hoping to find an existing through-hole or grommet that I can utilize. I've heard that Ford F53 chassis typically have several factory access points, but I'm not sure exactly where to look or which ones would be most suitable for this type of low-voltage wiring installation.

Can anyone provide specific guidance on where to find existing firewall through-holes on the F53 chassis that would work well for routing brake indicator wiring? I want to make sure I'm using an appropriate location that won't interfere with existing systems and will provide a clean, professional installation. …more

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 90 Q&A articles!