Question
We bought a short bed truck to pull our 40 ft Sanibel, based on the advice of the Chevy dealer and our RV dealer. According to the manual, the tongue weight is not supposed to exceed 3,000 lbs and the total gross vehicle weight is not supposed to exceed 10,000 lbs. Are these numbers correct? What are the consequences of continuing to drive the rig? Is there anything that can be done to modify the truck to increase its capacity or do we just need to get a one ton Dually?
Submitted by Jeff
Answer
First, I would like to applaud you on getting your coach weighed! If your 40’ Sanibel is a 5th wheel which I believe it is, you would not be concerned about “tongue weight” as this only pertains to the weight of a trailer hitched to the back of a receiver hitch or “bumper hitch”. A 5th wheel hitch is mounted in the bed of the truck so what you need to be looking at is Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the weight on the back axle.
Here is what I would suggest: Not knowing what type of commercial truck scale you used, I would recommend going to a CAT SCALE which has platform scales to get not only the overall weights but axle weights as well. They are at Flying J, Pilot, Loves, and other fueling stations and have 3 platforms that will weigh individual components. Put the front wheels of the tow vehicle on the first platform, the back axle on the second, and RV on the third. This will give you individual GAWR weights for the truck and the RV. Then drive off the scale, disconnect the trailer, and weigh the truck with the front axle on the first platform, and the back wheels on the second. This is the only way you can tell what weight is on the back axle.
One other thing I would recommend is to visit www.rvsafety.com and maybe even call Walter Cannon the Executive Director to discuss your weights. It’s a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing education on weight issues and THE authority on what is safe towing versus legal towing!
Hope this helps,
David Solberg
Related:
RV Weight Ratings: Basics And Considerations
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I have set my camper as a permanent site. My question is why the battery will not keep the refrigerator cold when on gas mode?
I am having trouble getting power to the controller. It’s seems to be from the neutral safety switch to the unit.
My son dropped some things down the toilet, trying to see the best way to get them removed or pipi g schematic so I can do myself… items are deodorant, toothpaste and brush…
Hi Scott. The toilet just leads to a large 84″x30″x6″ tank directly below the toilet. There is not much plumbing between that and the toilet. On 5th wheels with the toilet on the upper level, there is piping then bends at an angle to lead to this tank but on all other RV’s the toilet just drops the contents directly below the toilet. The flange and plumbing are maybe a few inches and then it hits the tank. Most likely the contents are just laying straight into the tank. If you have moved the RV they could have worked there way to the termination that goes to the plumbing. If that’s the case, you will have to flush it out of the opening. If nothing comes out, you will have to disconnect the plumbing attached to the tank and search inside. I would try going in from the top first. Remove the toilet and then you will be able to see the bottom of the tank and might be able to grab the contents out that way.
Dan
RV Repair Club
how safe are these hitches?
Hello Art,
Thank you for contacting us.
I am not sure what hitch you are referring to but hitches are only safe if under the weight rating. As long as you stay under the rated weight, you should be totally fine.
Sincerely,
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How do I remove the microwave can only find two screws when screws are removed microwave still will not move
Hello Quentin,
Thank you for your question. Please send us the year, make and model of your RV. Once we hear back from you, we can send your question to our expert.
Thank you!
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
We are having an issue with the landing gear not wanting to lift the RV the motor sounds like it is skipping and appears to be jumping
Hi Kevin. There is most likely an issue with the motor/gear assembly or the driveshaft has a broken pin to the leg. The best thing to do is remove the motor and head to the jack and inspect the drive shaft and see if you notice anything damaged. If everything looks fine then most likely the motor and gear assembly need replaced. On certain systems the gear pack can just be replaced and on others they are a whole assembly.
Dan
RV Repair Club
My fridge worked great. However I noticed that when we plug in it won’t switch to eletric
Can you get shop technical manuals Schematics, electrical, plumbing, ETC. for this unit from Fleetwood or another source.
Hello Tony,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The don’t make shop manuals for RV’s like they do for vehicles. There are some chassis shop manuals you might be able to get out there but as for the living area of RV’s, there is none out there to my knowledge. The only thing you can get sometimes are the wiring and plumbing schematics direct from the manufacture. Depending on the age of your RV they might still have it on file and often they are willing to give out the diagrams when needed. There is no online catalog of these diagrams so the best thing to do is contact them directly. Often it is better to get it from a dealer since they can contact them and are usually more willing to give out that information to dealers rather than just anyone.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Can you get the shop technical manuals /motorhome schematic etc. from fleetwood or and outside source. I have the fleetwood owners manual. Look for specific manuals for the fuses, wiring, battery connection wiring harness. Let me know THX
Hello Tony,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The don’t make shop manuals for RV’s like they do for vehicles. There are some chassis shop manuals you might be able to get out there but as for the living area of RV’s, there is none out there to my knowledge. The only thing you can get sometimes are the wiring and plumbing schematics direct from the manufacture. Depending on the age of your RV they might still have it on file and often they are willing to give out the diagrams when needed. There is no online catalog of these diagrams so the best thing to do is contact them directly. Often it is better to get it from a dealer since they can contact them and are usually more willing to give out that information to dealers rather than just anyone.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Can I replace the spare tire mount with a bike rack on the back.?
Hi Cheryl. You will have to check with the manufacture of your RV. There are many manufactures out there that don’t allow this. This is mainly because the bumpers are barely held on with some tack welds. They do this on purpose to call it a “break-away” bumper so if there is a rear end impact the bumper will break off absorbing most of the shock and saving the frame. If there was a heavily more secured bumper and you get hit in the rear, it could damage the actual frame and most of the time this totals the RV in a crash. Many manufactures are going the way of a light weight bumper and if you have this then it can only hold the tire. There are brackets that can be installed to support the bumper more, these do void any warranty you might have on the RV though. If you aren’t worried about the warranty these are a great option. I will share the link below.
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Mount-n-Lock/MO22FR.html
Dan
RV Repair Club
We are interested in purchasing the above named toy hauler but want to insure that our 2018 Ram 2500 Diesel is capable of towing it without safety issues. The dry weight of the toy hauler is 12065 and the cargo capacity is 4435 for a total of 16500. The pin weight is 3200 calculated by taking 20% of the total weight of 16500.
According to the specs for our truck it has a tow capacity of 17160 so we should be fine there. But it has a payload of 2380 which is causing us concern as it would appear that the pin weight of the trailer is over by a 1000 compared to the trucks payload. Are we missing anything. We have contacted a handful of dealers and have been told no worries and that it’s an issue. Please help. Thanks.
Hello Craig,
Thank you for contacting us.
Pin weight for 5th wheels is going to be between 15%-20% based on how the RV weight is distributed so the dry weight of that camper would be around 1,800-2,400. This doesn’t give much room for more payload. When it comes to toy haulers though more of the added weight does just go onto the rear axles since the garage is all of the way in the back. This doesn’t add much to the weight of the front. Really it is any weight added in front of the axles is what adds to the tongue weight. It will go up a little bit but not much. You might be ok with that truck pulling that camper. It is maxing at the payload so you might experience pre mature suspension wear or rear end components failing sooner. You should be safe but these ratings are made for a reason and with your model they have listed it with that range so it is best to stay under it. Again with a toy hauler though, the garage weight shouldn’t create the tongue weight to go up much if any.
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/2018%20Ram%202500.pdf
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Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
My tire exploded and tore up my fender skirt and bottom trim
Any recommendations how to get replacement parts on a camper that is no longer being made?
Hello James!
That’s a great question!
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Ayan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I bought this trailer use , when filling fresh water tank the water goes into the black water tank and makes it overflow tolet . What is wrong . Turning water valve to city water it works as it should .
The fresh water tank and the black tank are separate systems, they only way for water to get into the black tank is from the toilet or a tank flush. It is possible the previous owners plumbed it differently. Some people change things when they never use them and the fresh tank is a common one since a lot of people only every use full hook up. Typically on the valves that turn to select city and fresh will do what they are supposed to. Since it is filling the black tank it has been changed and you would have to inspect the plumbing to see what was done and how to change it back. It is possible there is a different fresh fill so finding the fresh tank and tracing the plumbing from there is the best place to start.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I need to replace part of the floor and would like to do it as close to the original as possible… it looks like it was made by making a frame out of 2 x 2’s filled with cardboard waffling and sandwiched between 1/4″ plywood.. is there somewhere this kind of floor can be bought or at least the waffle cardboard.. if not what should I substitute for it..
Hello Wilson,
Thank you for contacting us, here is the reply from the expert:
The 1/4″ plywood can be bought at local hardware stores, usually referred to Luan boards. The cardboard you are talking about was the older insulation that was used. It didn’t work too well and it is best to replace it with something better. RV’s these days now use a foam board, the thickness of the opening. Not only adds better insulation but a little better support on the floors as well. You can get the boards at local hardware stores as well. I don’t know where to get the old cardboard as places don’t use them anymore so it might be hard to come by.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
While traveling I had some power issues with the battery going dead even while charging thus I had to have a dealer replace a couple of fuses under the stove. The stove had to be removed to get to them. Do you know what could cause them to go out and how to easily access them in the future. I do not understand the hidden fuse issue they should I would think all be easily accessible.
Hello John,
Thank you for contacting us, Before I can send this to the experts please resubmit the question and include the make, model and year of the RV.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I was told 2 different dry weights. I am in Canada and have a Flying J near me. Is there a charge for weighing your trailer? Would I need to make an appointment as I will be tying up the scale for 10-15 minutes?
Hello Darrell,
Thank you for contacting us. I wouldn’t know about that. Sorry, here is a weigh station in Calgary.
TAddress: 4560 14 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 6T7, Canada
Hours:
Open ⋅ Closes 4:30PM
Phone: +1 403-250-3232hank you for contacting us.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Slide will not move
Hi Joe,
Thank you for contacting us. Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge in RV repair. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
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We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I am thinking of trading my wilderness 21.75 in on a air stream that has 6700 lbs . The dealer says my Ridgeline Honda will pull it no problem and pull easier than what I have. Can you give me any advise on this matter please.
Hello Ed,
Thank you for contacting us. In order for the expert to better assist can you tell me the year and the HP of the Honda?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Fairy good trailer, but water leaks close by rooftop ‘ Fantastic’ fan, also through roof A/C., and mis-shapen entrance door and frame from improperly made replacement molds made after factory fire in 2006.
Have a 2017 Ram / 5.7 litre Hemi 6 speed. l believe it has the 3.92 gears. Is it prudent to pull the 2020 Forest River 26rl-l ? We will be crossing the Mtns fairly often.
Hello Kevin,
Thank you for contacting us. Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge in RV repair. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
If you are interested in becoming a member to RV Repair Club, please click on the special offer below:
https://go.rvrepairclub.com/C22856
If you have any further questions, please chat, email, or contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3536.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
What Ford pickup truck will pull my 2005 Citation 33ft 5th wheel RV, gvwr 14000lb max. Hitch weight 2345lb
Hello James!
For that, we advise you to speak with a Ford dealership.
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Where is the backflow preventer located? I believe it’s leaking, every time I go to flush the black tank water leaks out in the pass-through in the ceiling on the drivers side.
Hello Jean,
In order for the experts to assist you, they will need the year, make and model of the RV.
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
The digital thermostat will not come on to turn on the ac or furnace or even the fan. Because it does not turn there is no code to identify the problem. This happened once before when it was new and it was a circuit board.
Andrew,
If the digital thermostat is not coming on you will have to check the voltage to it. You can remove the thermostat and check the wires and connections to it then check for voltage. If there is voltage then the thermostat display is bad. If there is no voltage you will have to trace where the voltage is lost. There are two areas where the thermostat can receive voltage. Either the voltage from the furnace incoming voltage or from the air conditioner control board. I would first start with the main fuse panel and make sure it isn’t something simple like a blown fuse. After that you have to trace where the voltage could be coming from. You said before it was a circuit board, if it was the AC circuit board then this is the best place to start. Some models even have a fuse on the board so make sure to check for that. You should be able to either see an indicated output for the thermostat or look at the wiring diagram attached to the AC to find the output and check the voltage as well. If the board you are talking about was on the furnace you will want to inspect this area. Again depending on how they wired it the could have the voltage output for the thermostat coming after the breaker on the furnace. This breaker protects the control board from a system short. Check this breaker and if it is fine you will have to check the input and output voltage from the furnace and thermostat connections. Really the only way of knowing is testing the voltage and seeing where it is lost.
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
What is the best way to adjust the door between the kitchen and garage so it will latch. When the rig is all leveled it is about a 1/4 in out and will not latch. Thanks Nick
Nick,
The easiest thing to do is to adjust the striker plate on the door frame. This is one of the most common spots to get twisted when trying to level the unit and it prevents the door from closing. This is usually because there is no strain on the frame at the factory when they are installing everything and once it gets out in the field things don’t aligned up. It is best to adjust the striker plate when the unit has been leveled. You might have to cut the opening a little bit bigger but usually you can just move the plate up or down and try to keep it centered so the door will stay closed even when not level. This is the easiest way of fixing this issue, I hope it helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How do you remove the dryer? I can get the wood face frame partially out of the way but the aqua hot heat exchanger attached from the outside on bottom cant be disconnected from the hoses.
Michael,
They are all installed differently. I have seen some that were installed and cabinets built around it so the cabinets had to be removed to get the dryer out. Most of the time it is just anchored on the front feet, usually has a cover over it, so you just need to remove these anchors and then the dryer can be lifted up and pulled out. Usually there isn’t anything else holding it in place other than the front feet but it is possible something else was used. You might have to contact the manufacture and see if there is something else holding it in place if you aren’t able to get it out by lifting it up and out.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
We have a complete solar system installed on our Cougar fifth wheel trailer. The trailer is equipped with a battery disconnect switch. When we put the trailer to bed for the winter is it best to disconnect the batteries or should they be left connected?
Frank,
Since you have the solar setup it is best to leave them connected so they can receive a charge throughout storage. If you are in an area that gets a lot of snow coverage it could cover the panels and they might not get a charge but when it is clear they will. Batteries left in RV’s can get damaged in cold weather if left uncharged so it is best to make sure they are receiving a charge or disconnect and take them indoors for the winter.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Trying to get the water heater to light but it won’t stay on
Hi there Julie!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
So i have a 2003 Monaco Diplomat 38pbdd, yesterday after get on shore power, later that night about 11pm our lights started flickering then they went out for about 5 seconds, then tonight it went out all the way anything that got to do with 12 volts. The house batteries are showing 6.71- 6.77 volts. But tonight when we lost all 12 volt power i seen the ems wasn’t working neither. Also the monitor board was out to. Any suggestions?
Michael,
It sounds like there is either a problem with the converter or the fuse panel for the 12v system. Typically if the converter goes bad the batteries can take over and the lights won’t go out which could mean the fuse panel itself is the issue. If you have 6v batteries connected in series and you are checking the voltage one at a time, the reading you are getting is fine. If they are 12v batteries and you are only reading 6.7v then they are really low and not getting a good charge from the converter. The best thing to do is check the output voltage to the converter. A lot of times when there is voltage fluctuation it is caused by the converter and it would also cause the batteries to not get a charge. If reading the voltage and it fluctuates, this indicates the converter has failed. If the output voltage is fine then the next place to check would be the fuse panel itself. This is less common to fail but I have seen it many times. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I’m getting some screw pop on my slide outs and under the nose near my hitch. Is there another method of backing out the broken screw. I’ve used a drill bit and a easy out on some of them but some have proved to be more difficult. Any suggestions?
Dan,
Those can be a pain to get out sometimes. You will get some that can come out with a screw extractor, which is just a drill bit with the threads in reverse, and others will have to be drilled out or busted out. If they are smaller screws it is usually easier to just install a new screw right on top of it angled to the side. This will fill in the hole and still make a good connection. If there is a piece of the old screw sticking out far enough you can try using vice clamp pliers to grip it and turn it but a lot of times it isn’t worth the effort and just installing a new one is the best option.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Do you have a recommendation on replacement tires for an RV? Read a lot about ST vs. LT tires and Goodyear Unisteel or Michelin XPS RIB LT seem to lead the recommendations. I plan a long trip next summer and want tires that I can depend on (yes, I use a TPMS). Thanks.
Richard,
I always recommend ST tires since they are made with stronger components for the weights of RV’s compared to the light truck tires. They use thicker cords and steel belts as well as a stronger side wall so they what I would recommend sticking with at all times with RV’s. If you have a smaller Class B or C then really it doesn’t make much of a difference and the LT tires would be fine but when you are talking about the heavier weights from Class A’s and trailers, you will want something stronger from the ST line. Both of those brands are great but I can say that I have noticed the Goodyear brand holds up really well over the years from extreme weather conditions and it is what I use on mine.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Just changing vehicles, from a 2013 Toyota Hi Ace to a Lexus RX330. Can my Lexus tow this legally ?
many thanks
Hello John!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Jessica
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Regarding trailer weights and capacities, NEVER go by what the truck dealer or trailer dealer tells you. They are trying to sell you a product and most times they don’t consider (or don’t know) all of the variables. An RV dealer tried to sell me a travel trailer that weighed almost 9000LBS dry. My truck has a max tow capacity of 9100LBS! Do your own research!
I would be interested in more information about the pickup in question.
What make, and model, engine, etc.
Also, there is a sticker, usually affixed inside the driver’s door jamb with invaluable information as to the capacity of the vehicle.
I believe even a Ford ecoboost has a higher combined vehicle weight rating than 10k.
There isn’t anything that can be legally done to increase those ratings.
You can add air bags, change springs, etc, but law enforcement will just look at the sticker referred above, and go with that.
I use Haul guage, a device that plugs into the obd port of newer trucks, and is relatively accurate. Although having said that, nothing beats the accuracy of CAT scales.
Can I run the furnace and water heater even though the coach is not level? (It is about 18″ lower in the front – it is level side to side. I have no level spot in my yard or drive, and will be taking it out next week. I hate to winterize it for one week. I can put a space heater in it, and I can isolate and drain the water heater – would that be a better option?
Dan,
Furnaces can be run all of the time. They are actually made to be mounted laying down or standing up depending how they need to be installed so operating them unlevel shouldn’t make a difference. I don’t see any reason for a problem with the water heater either. As long as the water heater isn’t on it’s side, there shouldn’t be an issue running that either. The heat inside will still get distributed evenly to the water so nothing negative should happen. You don’t need to winterize as long as it isn’t below freeing temps, 32 degrees, for more than 48 hours straight. If it gets above freezing during the day it should be fine just running the furnace and leaving everything as is. If it is freezing it would be best to drain the water heater, run the furnace and open up the faucets to allow for expansion in case the lines do freeze.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Trying to learn this thing. I have a 1992 Allegro Bay. My 12 vdc works but when I start the rv they won’t . Even with the switch by the steps on. And my monitor on the hood range doesn’t work. And I’m still not clear about my battery hook up. 3 12V batteries. I have them hook up in parallel but I have 4 positive cables coming from the rv and 2 negative. Right now I have ( as you are facing the rv from right to left ) one of them hooked to the first battery. Two hooked up to the second battery and one to the third. With a negative hooked to the first and one to the third.
Steve,
For the batteries, they are going to be hooked up in parallel. This means all of the positives are connected to each other and the same with the negatives. To get equal power, drain and charge you want all of the negatives connected on the first battery and all of the positives connected on the last battery. The only thing in between should be cables connecting the batteries together. I would first set this up properly and see if the 12v inside now works. If the 12v works with the engine off but doesn’t when it is on, there is something hooked up incorrectly. The engine power shouldn’t cut off voltage unless there is a solenoid switch hooked up improperly inline from the chassis battery to the house batteries. You would have to trace the wires from the batteries and see if where they connect to the engine supply. There could just be a different switch that needs to be turned on but I haven’t heard of the engine cutting off power to the house so something sounds wired incorrectly to me. If you need a diagram, let us know and we can email it to you.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
my ac compressor only hums. I replaced the capacitor, but there is no change. Will you suggest something I might do?
The dry weight of the travel trailer is 2,980 lbs with a hitch weight of 310 lbs…so pretty close to 10%. My question is, when I load the trailer to any weight up to its maximum of 7,000 lbs, should the hitch weight raise accordingly? I understand the general concept tha the hitch weight should be 10-13 o4 maybe 14% of the trailer weight, but as the trailer is loaded does the hitch weight increase at the same percentage? Thanks.
Perry,
It depends on where the weight is being loaded in the trailer but typically the ratio stays about the same. If you have a toy hauler or flat bed and you are adding a lot of weight behind the axle, the tongue weight will not increase nearly as much. The more weight you add in front of the axles the more weight that is added to the tongue, especially if loaded at the very front. For example, if you have two 20lb LP containers on the A-frame and they were empty and then filled them you just added about 40lbs of weight to the tongue since they are located so close to the front. If you were to take those containers and put them on the rear of the trailer there will be little weight added to the tongue. To keep the same +-10% ratio you will want the weight distributed evenly throughout the trailer as much as possible. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Thanks for the fast reply, Dan!…I think my biggest concern is what number should I be looking for when I really don’t know the actual loaded weight of my trailer. If dry it is supposed to weigh about 3,000 lbs with a hitch weight of 310…if I load X amount of weight do I move things around trying to keep the hitch weight at 310…or do I need to apply the 10-12/15% ratio to whatever my guesstimated gross weight becomes? I guess I could weigh everything as I load it but in reading a lot of the blog posts I don’t see much reference to that…and there is no CAT scale facility near me.
Perry,
You don’t have to be to concerned about getting the weight perfect, if you load it with things spread out through the trailer it should be fine. You just don’t want the majority of things on one end or the other. If you just spread things out it should stick within the 10-15% tongue weight. The more weight you add near the axles the less weight you will have on the tongue though. You just don’t want the bulk of the weight behind the axles to where it is taking away weight from the tongue, this will create more sway during travel. I don’t think you would need to weigh every time or have to worry too much about dividing it up perfect, just use your best judgement and try to spread it out and keep the weight more centered than on the ends and you should be fine.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Thanks,Dan. I am probably over thinking it. I have a Fastway WD hitch and my Grand Cherokee has self adjusting rear shocks and the factory installed towing options and electric brake controller so I will just follow your advice and keep the tail from being overloaded. Thanks for your help.
PP
Dan, Perry Pilgrim again. I bought a Sherline 1000 lb scale and the first time I used it it read 600lbs…I was careful to set it up so that it was the same height as the hitch ball on the TV. I am confused as to how it can weigh that much…the trailer is dry…nothing in any of the tanks. I did have a couple of 50-60 lb items at the front of the trailer but don’t see how that could ratchet up the weight so much. I am going to set up the scale again and be extremely careful/precise but I am pretty baffled…the dry weight of the trailer is 2,980…the title says about 3,200. Hitch wgt is supposed to be 310. All I have in the trailer is a few articles of clothing, a couple of 50-60 items, and some typical rv “road stuff” underneath. My worst case guess would be 500-600 more, max.
I will remove the 2 heavier items when I re-weigh it but am pretty confused at this point. Thanks for any insights you may share. PP
Perry,
When the trailer sits empty and level the tongue weight will typically range from between 10-15% which means it could be upwards of 450lbs depending on how the trailer was built and how they have the weight distributed. If you add a few items weighing 50lbs each, it could go up a lot more. There are many things that can change the range of weight like how far back the axles are or what is installed in front of the axles. If you are looking to limit the tongue weight, it is best to place heavier items closer to the axles and away from the front. Depending on how the RV was built it may just have a heavier tongue weight than others. That does seem to be on the higher side than normal but it isn’t unheard of. If it is causing the tow vehicle to sit too low, I would recommend using a weight distribution set for traveling.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
This trailer has a potential overweight condition. It is certified for a GVWR of 5600+ lbs, yet the A frame coupler is rated at only 5000 lbs. I discovered this as my unit is the 2019 midwestern version with the same capacity A frame coupler and the GVWR is only 4999 lbs. Thus the 2020 units could have a GVWR >600 lbs in excess of the rated capacity of the A frame coupler. Its been reported to Forest River tw oweeks ago but I’ve received no response.
James,
The rating of what can be towed goes off of the lowest rating from the hitch, ball size, coupler rating, axle rating and tire load range. If the coupler is only rated for 5,000 and that is the lowest rating out of all of the items mentions, that is all it can tow. If they have the sticker on the side saying it can be more then it is either misprinted or they installed the wrong size coupler. The weight can not be higher than the lowest rating. That is a good catch on your part and I would keep contacting them until you hear back.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
We have two slide outs one go in and out but our bedroom slide out didn’t go back in its not making any noise but when we try to close it but it wont close what is happening does it need a fuse or is one of our batteries low. Help!
why is our back slide not working
Cheryl,
It could be an issue of low voltage or battery power but it also depends on the type of slide. If there is an arm under the slide, the switch directly goes to the motor. So with this there could be a low voltage issue, bad switch, loose connections or bad motor. If you have an in-wall slide out, you will have side rails on the side walls of the slide, there will be a control board somewhere in the RV. This control board will have a light that will flash a code for an error. You will have to find this controller to diagnose any problem, these can be hidden anywhere. If you can’t locate it you will have to contact the manufacture to get the exact location. If you have a cable system, again you will have to check the voltage at the switch and motor. The motor will be above or below the slide, you will have to trace the cables to locate the motor. For the underfloor systems and cable systems, there are manual ways of bringing the slides in by operating the motor manually. The in-wall systems have a manual override on the control board. Most of the time the issue comes from low voltage, bad connection or faulty switch. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
we get sway going down road,,, gets spooky sometimes we have load sway bars and a sway control but it still happens??? note: its a 274 bunkhouse
Hello Arnold,
That’s a great question!
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Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
We get sway going down road. It gets spooky sometimes! We have load sway bars and a sway control but it still happens. Note: it’s a 274 bunkhouse.
Arnold,
I would first make sure your sway control is set up properly. There should be a lot of tension on the control when installed. Most will say in the instructions to turn the handle until the threads bottom out and then adjust the lower bolt for tension. You also have the option of installing a second sway control as well. I know a lot of people that like to do this on the longer trailers. You can also upgrade to a weight distribution/sway control combo like the Equalizer Hitch or the Husky Centerline. The sway control on these use the weight of the trailer to create the traction and create the sway control so they tend to work better than just the standard sway controls. I would also check and make sure you have the weight distributed evenly in the trailer as well. A lot of weight shifted on one side and help prevent the trailer from getting back to position after sway.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I purchased this RV 6 months ago and it is still under warranty the problem I am having is the front air bags dump after being parked in storage for more than 3 days, the back do not dump. Freight Liner can’t find a leak in the system and had it for over a week. Holiday Rambler it telling me this is normal which does not make sense to me why the front air bags dump and the rears do not. Freight Liner is telling me if they can’t find the leak I need to take the RV to Holiday Rambler. Any ideas of what is happening? Thanks
Tom,
It really shouldn’t dump unless called for. Most likely there is a small leak. I would assume it is a connection from the pump to the bags. It is possible just from traveling or even temperature changes for a small leak to happen and then not happen again. I have seen this many times. Small leaks are the worst too since it is hard to identify when very little air is coming out. The best way to find a leak is to spray soapy water on all areas and look for bubbles forming. On really small leaks, the soapy water may evaporate before bubbles can even form though. It is possible there is a problem with the bags too. It is normal for the bags to loose air over time but three days isn’t that long at all. I would assume there is a small leak somewhere.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
We have a 8500 watt Onan diesel generator that kicks its breaker frequently, I’ve replaced the breaker but if I try to pull both a-c’s it will kick, even 1 ac and a hair dryer will kick it. Used to have older mh w 7500 watt and it would pull anything we turned on. It used to kick the ac breaker but had it replaced and now it kicks the Gen. Breaker.
Hi, I’ve recently purchased an older conversion van and there are a few things I can’t figure out. Not wanting to borrow trouble I replaced both the Starting and RV batteries. I have removed the converter and tested it on the bench, all okay. My quandary is the inverter. When parked in my driveway ignition off and not plugged into a 120 source my expectation is that the inverter should provide power to some components., not that I can find. How is this supposed to work?
Thank, TC
Dear Terry,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
The inverter will take 12v battery power and convert it to 120v power. This can be used to power a single thing like a fridge or a whole circuit that might have outlets or low power components. A lot of times the inverter is a backup power source to the fridge. If there is a residential fridge it will run off of 120v and if there is a power loss or while traveling the fridge can be run off of the inverter to keep it cool until 120v power is restored. It really depends on what it is wired to. Most inverters will have a light or display indicator on it. I would plug into shore power and check the inverter to see if a light has come on. If it does, I would turn off a breaker at the distribution center one at a time until you see the inverter turn off. This would tell you what circuit it is tied into and you could then trace what components are on it. Again, it could be one thing or a few. If it looks original from the factory there might be some information in the owners manual but if it was installed after the factory, it could go to anything. I would also check and make sure it was connected to the batteries properly as well. Look for any in-line fuses or disconnect switches. Some inverters have a reset button on it as well. You could always check the battery voltage at the inverter connections first to save time and make sure it does have power. I hope this helps you track it down!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I have a Chevy engine on this motorhome. I would like to drain the old radiator fluid and replace it. I can’t seem to locate the drain valve on the radiator. Any suggestions on finding it? thank you
Dear Gia,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
It should be on the radiator itself, usually one of the lower corners. If you can’t seem to find it you might have to look up the schematics for that radiator. If you could provide the year and engine size I could look it up for you and try to find the location of the plug.
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https://go.rvrepairclub.com/c16978
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Do I need to reseal my rubber roof, if so what with?
Dear Bill,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
You only need to reseal it if the sealant on the roof has any openings, tears or cracks in it. If the sealant is fine on the roof you do not have to do anything other than checking it periodically to make sure it is on good shape. If there are openings or it needs touched up, you will want to clean the area around the sealant and then apply new sealant on top of that. You have to use an RV Lap Sealant. Never use anything silicone based, it will not adhere to the rubber. There are different kinds of rubber roofs and you want to make sure to get a sealant that is made for that rubber. We do have a video showing how to identify which roofing material you have, I will post the link below. TPO and EPDM are the most common used but will use different sealants for each roof. I hope this was helpful!
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-roofing-material-011538/
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/?s=roof
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Can I change exterior door to open from the right, hinges on the left?
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
You will most likely have to get a new door and frame. The hinges are usually permanent, the door latch can’t be reversed since it will leave a large hole on the left side, and the door can’t be turned upside down so really the only way to do this is to buy a right handed door. These doors are typically only used on the drivers side, off door side. There are a few companies that make them but you would have to check all of the measurements to see if it would fit into your frame. I will post a link below to an example of one. Other than replacement, there is no way of modifying the current door to open from the right. I hope this helps!
http://www.adventurerv.net/dexter-square-entrance-door-right-hand-polar-white-camper-p-31845.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwitPnBRCQARIsAA5n84n5-qwRwT642TomkqpX01Fwq3VVd0g1GO0PFhOo5UUBjCSQmkpCYXIaAlEKEALw_wcB&sc_intid=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net31845&scid=scplphttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.adventurerv.net31845&adpos=1o10&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=Froogle&utm_campaign=partsfeed_organic
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How do I remove and replace toilet in my 1977 country camper?
Dear Carroll,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
I wasn’t able to find any information on that model but most of the time if you have a plumbed toilet that goes to a tank, it should just have two mounting bolts on the base of the toilet that can be removed and then the water line disconnected. If it is a portable tank, they can have different mounting brackets or slides to hold it into place. Cassette toilets are a little different. These are the toilets that have a cassette that can be pulled out to dump and usually to remove this type of toilet, a lot more things need to be disassembled as they are built into the compartment. There should be a way to get it out but I was not able to find a picture or diagram set up of a 1977 country camper to see what was used in it. I hope this still helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I am having trouble with the leveling jacks. If they are up I can’t get them to go down or if they are down they won’t go back up. I purchased a new control harness thinking that was the problem…didn’t work. What can I do to fix this problem.
Dear Randy,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
There could be many things causing this issue like low battery voltage, bad connections from the power source, loose wire connections at the control board, the board has failed or a problem with the jacks. If the jacks can go down and up just fine manually, the problem is more likely a voltage issue or the control board. I would make sure you have good battery voltage and check to make sure the connections are good, tight and clean. If that is good I would check for any fuses to the control board and then voltage to the board. If there is voltage to the board but it does not operate, you might have a bad control board. When you said you replaced the control harness, is this the board or a wire harness to the board? If it is the board, then the problem is most likely a bad connection in the wiring itself. It could be at a wire harness or even a faulty ground connection. A lot of times the negative wire from the controls is connected to the chassis with a screw. If this screw gets rusted or broken, the system will not work. Check all negative and ground connections and make sure they are good. If you have an electric system, check all of the motors and their connections. If you have hydraulic, check the connections to the pump and check the fluid level as well. Again, there could be a few different things but checking the voltage and tracing where it is lost is the best thing to do. I hope this was helpful!
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first-year membership.
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Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club
Refrigerator will not operate under ac, only lp.The code that comes up is “no ac”.
My previous question was problem with front jacks. I wanted to add that the motor for the jacks runs only with truck running. All my other 12V systems appear to work fine lights, slides etc. Thanks for your help.
I have a situation with my front landing jacks. No power to the front jacks until I hook up to my truck and it is running. No power to front jacks when my generator is running or not. I have checked the inline fuse,new battery,switch works when I use truck power. Battery connections are tight. Please help
Dear Terry,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
I would check the ground (negative connection) on the jack to the trailer. If there is a bad ground connection on the trailer, it may not be making a complete circuit until it is connected to the truck. Some of these are connected inside the junction box by the front of the trailer. It is possible that a wire got loose or connection broke. I would also check the positive too. I have seen them tied in the junction box from the 7-way to the battery and if the battery connection came off, the jack will only work when plugged into the truck. Since it does work off of the truck, the best place to check is the junction box. Sometimes they are just wires connected if inside the kingpin, there may not be a box. If this is the case, your batteries may not be getting a charge while traveling down the road too. Everything is tied together in that area so you should be able to see something that is not connected properly. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
is basement air a good idea
basement air good or bad
How to replaace the front door keyless solenoid actuator
Dear Carlos,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
You would have to remove the inside door panel to gain access to the components. There are screws and clips all over the place and are different on every vehicle. Typically there is one or two behind the door handle, on the sides and bottom and by the hinge. Sometimes the arm rest needs pulled up to get another screw. Once you remove all of the mounting screws, there still may be some clips holding it in and would need popped off. The panel should lift off and you can gain access to the key-less entry system.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How do you find out who the manufacturer of the exhaust fan in the bathroom
NB Ticket 23395 Recently I noticed that when my rv refrigerator in gas mode had a yellow flame between the gas jet and burner any advice don’t want my camper to catch on fire
Dear Tyler,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
If the flame is yellow this is usually an indicator of a dirty burner assembly. There can be dirt, rust and debris on the burner causing a small blockage and the burner isn’t getting a good propane/air mixture leaving a yellow flame instead of a blue flame. Having yellow flame will cause a lot of carbon build up and more potential problems in the future. We have a great showing how to take the burner assembly apart and clean it. You can try using compressed air and blowing it out, but taking it apart and cleaning an debris out manually is the best way of fixing this problem. I will post a link below, I hope this helps!
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-refrigerator-repair-cleaning-a-burner-assembly-007892/
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first-year membership.
https://go.rvrepairclub.com/C16046
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Ticket 23392 My steering wheel will not line up in center. The Ford emblem is at 2 o’clock. Is this an indication of a problem
Dear Steven,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
This is usually an indicator that you need an alignment or the steering column has an issue. Most likely it needs an alignment. This usually happens when the tie rods are not adjusted properly but it can be something in the steering column. I would take it to an alignment shop and have it checked out to make sure it isn’t a problem that could get worse.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Ticket 23390 My tounge jack and slides wont work unless hooked ut to electricity. What could be the problen? The battery has a full charge
Dear Jon,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
There is most likely an in-line fuse or breaker that is bad and cutting off the connection of the battery to the components. The converter is what powers the 12v system when the battery is dead. The battery should also receive a charge from the converter when plugged in, they are all connected in the same system of 12v. So if everything works fine when plugged in, the battery is isolated from the system. There could be something by the A-frame, look for fuses or thermal breakers. Or it could be a fuse at the distribution center where the converter is. You also want to make sure the negative off of the battery has a good ground connection. It will be attached to the frame at some point for a chassis ground. Most tongue jacks and a lot of slides and other components get there negative connection from the chassis ground. If this connection has broken off or come loose, it can stop a lot of things from working. The battery connections may be good, but you have to check where they are going and see if there is a problem. A simple test to do with the tongue jack is jump it from the battery. There are three bolts holding in the jack, if they are painted scrape the paint off of one of the heads. Connect a jumper cable only from the negative terminal of the battery to one of the bolt heads on the jack. Test the jack and see if it works. If it does, there is a bad negative/ground connection from the battery. If it still does not work, there is a problem with a fuse/breaker or bad connection from the battery positive going back. It can be either solution since many times the jack and slides are connected on the same circuit. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I just purchased a 5th wheel with 50 amp service. I want to purchase a surge protector, not sure if I need a 30 or 50 amp. most of the state parks and campgrounds in my area only have 30 amp service. some are adding some 50 amp sites and I will use them when I can. thank you
Hello Lee,
I would get the 50 amp protector. Even if you plug into 30 amp, you can use the adapter with the 50 amp protector and still get the same protection for the RV. It would be good to have the 50 amp for when you are able to plug into a 50 amp service at a site, you wouldn’t need an adapter and could use the RV for what it is rated for. If you were to purchase a 30 amp protector and there is a 50 amp service receptacle at the site, you would have to use an adapter to hook up the surge protector and then you would only have 30 amps going to the RV. So I would recommend getting the 50 amp from the beginning.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I also have 50 amp service on my 5th Wheel and bought the 50 amp protector, but I’ve never got it to work on 30 amp service at a Park or off of the 30 amp generator. So I’ve just gone without the protection when I’ve had to use 30 amp service.
Will my furnace work without the battery if I’m hooked up to electric
Need to know how to manually open and close slideouts can anyone help me out
My RV will not start. I have a new battery and have tested the starter and it works great. When I try to start it nothing happens: no clicking does not even try to start.
Hello,
If the battery and starter are fine, the next thing to check are the fuses and wiring. Check for a ground connection off the negative too. If all of that works good I would check the ignition switch and the wiring from there to the starter, it could be a problem with the switch not making a connection. There shouldn’t be anything else inline to those so these are the best things to inspect.
Thanks,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Was wondering if anyone has installed Slide out toppers on their Reflection fifth wheel? Dificulties, suggestions on which one you recommend. Carefree,lippert etc
Easy of install
I need to know if the battery disconnect needs to be on or off when connected to shore power.
Normally they are left on
Dave,
I watched your recent video & during the break in questions, you took items out of you repair bag. Can you make a list of the contents so I and other RVers can make similar repair bags. I appreciate the RV Repair Club; I learned a lot and made fewer mistakes with your service.
Terry Finnegan
Hi Terry,
Here is a list of the products he mentioned in the video. I will post links to some of the items below to help as well.
dewalt distance finderinfrared thermometer clarity defender endoscope7 mil glovesbit magnetizer puck wrench
https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Measure-Layout-Tools-Measuring-Tools-Laser-Distance-Measurer/DEWALT/N-5yc1vZc23pZ4j2
https://www.homedepot.com/s/infrared%2520thermometer?NCNI-5
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/products/tools-accessories/
This is the endoscope I personally use, they make many different models.https://www.amazon.com/Depstech-Endoscope-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B01MYTHWK4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1548865070&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=wireless+endoscope&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Delcast-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer-Screwdriver-Small/dp/B00PBCDRN4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1548865137&sr=8-8&keywords=bit+magnetizer
https://www.harborfreight.com/universal-grip-wrench-60435.html?cid=paid_google_pla_main_newproducts_highersales_lessthan$10_60435&gclid=CjwKCAiAs8XiBRAGEiwAFyQ-ejNw77wdWEZ4t1RWtK7qJmKqVTsGgsbf65eZ77YER0A84RrHnvm5URoCggUQAvD_BwE
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How can I check the brakes on my travel trailer and is there a way to check the brake module as I think the brakes are not working properly.
Hello Barry,
You may need a brake adjustment if the brakes don’t seem to be working well. A way to check this is to jack the trailer up and spin the tires, they should only make one full rotation and you should hear the brake pads lightly grab. If the tire freely spins multiple rotations then they need adjusted. They should all have the same amount of tension on each tire as well for even braking. Some braking systems use self adjusting brakes and those need to be done differently. If they are standard electric brakes, there is a gear on the lower rear inside of the wheel (should have a cover on it) that can be turned to increase the tension of the pads. There is a tool available from auto parts that can help with this process. To check the brake controller, it depends on what kind it is and how it works. A time based one can have the voltage checked at the 7-way to make sure it is working but a proportional one would be harder to see what the gain is on faster stops. A lot of brake modules have to recognize resistance from the brakes before activating so just checking voltage won’t work. If you have the trailer jacked up to adjust the brakes, you could have someone activate the brake controller while someone else spins the wheel and see if it grabs like it should. Other than testing on another trailer to see if it works the same, raising the wheels and testing the brakes is really the only way to do it.
I hope this was helpful
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Trailer brake question: is a gain of 10 safe? It used to be 4, and suddenly it’s 10. Even at 10, is doesn’t grab. There is a very, very slight pull, but not a grab.
Hello,
It is possible you need a brake adjustment. After a while, especially after a new trailer or brakes, they need time to burnish in. The initial setting you have for the brakes can increase. Going from 4 to 10 is a high jump but it could be something simple as an adjustment. It is possible there is a loose connection going to the brakes. Could be at the 7-way, cord to trailer, junction box or at the magnets. Checking the wiring all the way through is the best thing to do. I have seen a lot of times a bad ground connection can make this happen. They are sometimes screwed into the frame at the junction box and if the screw breaks or comes loose, there will be little or no voltage to the brakes. This would be the best place to start.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Ticket#21493 Seals around the slides. Are there a place to purchase the seals that doesn’t cost two arms and one leg ?
Ticket#21444 Why won’t my propane gas automatically flow to the other 20# propane tank when the other one is empty? They are a dual tanks with regulator in between.
Thank you
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for your patience. In regards to your question-
Most RV gas connections (pig tails) have a check valve in them and only allow gas in one direction. If you were to remove one of the gas connections from a tank and then open the other tank, gas should not come out of the hose that is not connected. Some older RV’s might do this, but most modern gas connections prevent this from happening. Even if you just took an open hose and connected the tanks together, the liquid from the full tank would not transfer to the empty tank. Only the gas pressure would. When the propane tanks are filled, they are filled with liquid propane. When a tank is filled, it is only filled 80 percent of the way with liquid propane. Propane boils at a very low temperature, negative 44 degrees. Because the temperature outside is above negative 44 the propane boils and builds pressure. The remaining 20 percent of the tank is now filled with propane gas. When the valve is opened and pressure is released, the gas flows out. If another tank was connected to it that was totally empty, the pressure would transfer and equalize between the tanks but stop transferring once pressure has built up. So now the empty tank would have a little pressure, but not enough to run anything. The liquid would not transfer over. I hope this was useful!
Sincerely,
Dan RV Repair Club Technical Expert
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I just opened the front compartment and had a bad smell , checked battery and it is hot. What makes happen? Does mean battery is bad or what would cause this?
Hello,
It could be hot for a couple of different reasons. There could be a really high amp draw on the battery or loose connections on the battery. The battery could be getting too high of rapid charge from the converter as well. You could also have a bad battery with heavily sulfated plates. Make sure to check all of the connections at the battery and converter and make sure they are good and not corroded. The next thing to do is getting the battery tested. Many auto parts stores have testers to load test the battery and they will usually do it for free. If the battery tests well, you would then want to check the voltage coming from the converter and make sure it isn’t more than 14VDC. Some converters can send higher when a low battery is connected, but normally should only be sending out about 13.6VDC when the RV is plugged into an outlet. If that is OK, you would then have to do an amp draw on the DC system and see trace what would be causing as much amperage to heat the battery. Most likely, your battery is bad. This is the most common thing to cause the battery to heat up. I definitely would not use it until you get it tested.
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Has anyone had the error code “DOOR” appear on their whirlpool over the range microwave? The unit will not cook when CV 5th his happens. It is intermittent and we cannot find as repairman to work on it.
Hello,
Most of the time there is a sensor inside that connects a switch to let the control board know the door is closed. It could have been knocked to the side or broken. A lot of places won’t work on these since just to look at it would cost half of what a new replacement would be. You could always try to take apart the main panel and see if the connection can be fixed. Sometimes a wire just needs soldered on or a clip re adjusted. Just make sure it is unplugged when working on it and don’t touch anything else other than the control panel, the magnetron in the microwave is high voltage and very dangerous so do not touch this. You could keep trying to find someone to work on it, I would check out Angieslist.com and see if anyone is willing to help take a look at it. There is a variety of people looking to do repairs that businesses won’t.
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Our factory installed HighPointe microwave went out last January while we were in Florida. Went to local Walmart and bought a same size unit. Got home and replaced the HP with the new unit. Then took the old HP apart and found a fuse behind the control panel that was burned to a crisp. Getting to the fuse was not easy
We just had one of our three Lippert Schwintech Motor Controllers fail. Had it replaced. Wondering if there’s a shelf life to these parts and whether or not I should just go ahead and replace the other two now before they fail also. Thanx
Hello Dan,
I would wait to replace them. There really isn’t a shelf life to those, just sometimes an internal component fails causing the need for a replacement. They can last for a very long time so I would only recommend replacing if needed.
Hope this helps,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
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The seriel no.4x4TSMG228T106010 we need the slide ot seal that goes around the super slide goes around the inside and outside of the slide. our local camping world tried to order it and could not get it. the supplier they went through could no longer get it.the strip we need is 1 and a half in. wide and three quarters thick. its stick on.
Our cabin had odor of sewerage
I lost two wheels(one on each axle) I had wheel bearings serviced both times no one can give me a definite reason why. Do you have any
Hi Bruce,
If the wheels were not torqued when installed they can definitely come off. To repack the bearings the wheels have to come off. When they re install the wheels, they have to be evenly torqued all around to ensure equal pressure on each lug. If they were never secure or some were put on tighter than others, they can work loose and come off. If they were installed correctly and never over torqued, and the lugs weren’t broken then they shouldn’t come off. Most likely the cause is that they were not torqued or the wheels were installed crooked which would cause the lugs to come loose after a while.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
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Regarding tire lug. Last year, we had a tire blowout. The guys at Discount tire in Pensacola told me the lugs on my fifth wheel were made in China of cheap metal and were becoming stripped and could not be properly torqued. They replaced all of them with “Made in USA”.
how often should tires on rv be rotated if at all
Hi Art,
On trailers it is really not necessary, it is more needed when used on vehicles. When the tires on the front of vehicles turn it wears down the tires more and getting them rotated with the tires on the rear every so often helps keep all of the tread about the same. When it comes to trailers, the tires will be about the same on each side. If your trailer is a lot heavier on one side, it could help to rotate the tires from side to side every now and then but most of the time you don’t really need to get them rotated. There is nothing wrong with rotating them, if you experience uneven tread wear it could help by rotating them.
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I have changed the shackles because one broke and the Springs don’t have much “bow”. Should I replace the Springs with made in USA and heavier to avoid any failures?
Hello Leighton,
If the springs are loosing there tension it is usually a good idea to replace. The size of the springs is based on the axle and GVWR of the RV. You can go heavier but have to make sure they still fit. They could hold up longer especially if you have you RV fully loaded. Just make sure to replaced all springs with the same size. If only one axle needs replaced, you would want to use the same size springs but replace both on the same axle. Replacing all at the same time is best though. Check your tire tread too, if the springs have been sagging then the tread wear could be getting uneven and might need replaced as well.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Replace flooring around the kitchen island.
My tonge jack and slides will not work when not connected to electric power. the battery is fully charged so what can be the problem?
Hello,
I would check for an in-line fuse from the battery to the converter, also check for a fuse on the converter that goes to the battery (charge line). If either of these are bad or blown, it will stop the voltage from the battery to the system. It could also be a bad connection on the battery but the most likely there is a fuse that is bad. If you have a battery disconnect switch, that could be in the wrong position or possibly bad. With the battery connected, check the voltage at the wires going in and follow the wires to see if they hit any other connections, fuses or switches. You could also check the power coming into the converter from the battery, I have seen that connection come loose multiple times and sometimes the problem could something simple like tightening that screw. Check all ground wires too, if the ground wire from the negative terminal on the battery is loose or bad, it will disconnect the battery from the system. Some RV’s have the negative from the battery screw directly into the frame, if this is loose or broken the battery will not work at all.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Is it possible for the springs to sag over the years and not be as stiff trailer tends to sway more recently had the trailer since new.And is it possible to re-arch springs or should I replace
Hello Ed,
Yes, as with any suspension components on any vehicle, they can weaken over time. Most of the time this happens when some of the springs start to crack. Even with springs that aren’t cracked, they can’t be fixed and would have to be replaced. I would take them in and have them inspected. The springs are held together with U-bolts and tension brackets. If the brackets or bolts are bad, those can be replaced and not just the springs. It would be best to have them inspected to see if something can be fixed or if they would need replaced.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Yes, as with any suspension components on any vehicle, they can weaken over time. Most of the time this happens when some of the springs start to crack. Even with springs that aren’t cracked, they can’t be fixed and would have to be replaced. I would take them in and have them inspected. The springs are held together with U-bolts and tension brackets. If the brackets or bolts are bad, those can be replaced and not just the springs. It would be best to have them inspected to see if something can be fixed or if they would need replaced. I hope this helps!
https://go.rvrepairclub.com/C14630
Auxillary battery charges with shore power and generator power only, does not charge while driving, during my trip from Minnesota to Florida battery drained on the second leg of journey and couldn’t start generator to recharge and refrigerator and furnace wouldn’t work, (1) do I need to replace the converter, (2) could I have jumped with the chassis battery to start the generator to charge the house battery.
Thanks
Jimmy Ryan
Hello,
You do not need to replace the converter. If they charge when plugged in, the converter is doing it’s job. The batteries may not be charging while charging due to a blown fuse or bad connection. I would check your fuses panels for a bad fuse. You might also have a faulty isolator switch. This sends a charge to the batteries while traveling but prevents the chassis battery from draining when the engine is not on. If that switch is bad, it could cut off the power going to the auxiliary batteries. You would have to check the output voltage going to the batteries from the switch. As for your second question, yes you could have jumped the generator from the chassis battery. It is a 12v battery so that would have been fine.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I have a differant question. I have a 2003 silverado hd. 2500, what is its towing capacity. Ive pulled as big as15,500 gvw trailer
I have been asked if the 3/4 ton Dodge 05 is enough to pull my rv, I took it across some pretty high roads this summer and had no trouble or issues! The trailer is rated at 2576lbs at the hitch and I’m sure the pickup is rated at 9000lbs. I don’t think there’s a problem but wouldn’t mind having an answer.
Hi Steven,
It depends on what engine, gas or diesel, axle ratio, cab size and bed length of your truck. All of these determine what the truck can tow. You would also need to know what the weight of the trailer you are towing is to make sure you are well in the specs. I will send you a link to the Ram towing guide for that year. Find what exact model you have and it will tell you what the MAX weight of the trailer can be. http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2005sbbgl/docs/dr/mlup.pdf#page=5
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
We had trouble with some TowMax tires on our 5th wheel and were involved in a lawsuit against the manufacturer. When deposed by their attorney, he indicated that the weight of the trailer ought to have been measured “on each side”. I almost always weigh our trailer and have never seen a scale that would accommodate weighing the right side of the axle versus the left side. Any comment?
Hello Lyle,
The scales I have seen will only check the whole axle, it won’t do each side. The most common are the CAT scales, they will not do side to side differences. There are portable wheel scales out there that can be purchased and some service shops may have them but most weigh stations will not have them. Not from what I have seen anyways. Weighing each wheel position is the best way of knowing what the tire pressure should be set at but it is not easy to find a place that does it. There is more information here https://rvsafety.com/wheel-position-weighing
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Why is my rear tail light on even when not hooked up to vehicle and no power going to camper. It just came on suddenly and been on for 3 days. How and Why?
Hello Mary,
There could be a short in the wiring on the back that is connected to another power source. If the battery is still connected to the RV, there could be wires behind the light that are live and a screw or staples may have gone through the wire insulation just enough to power to taillight and not the other lights. All tail and running lights are tied in together, so if only one is on it could be very low voltage or maybe the turn bulb is on. If it is the turn signal getting a solid signal of power, the short could be behind the light or in the front junction box. Most likely it will be in the front with all of the wires, the hot wire could be shorting the turn light. This can happen inside the 7-way cord as well if wires get shorted. You would have to inspect all wires in the junction box and behind the light to make sure nothing is shorted. The junction box on the front uses wire nuts to hold all of the wires together, if they come loose and touch other wires it can cause this problem. Check the 7-way cord and make sure it was never dragged or damaged, if so it could cause this and would need replaced.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
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My furnace won’t light, and I can’t find a pilot. Help please!
Ticket#20409 How hard is it to adjust the bedroom slide, it hangs low when it’s closed?
Dear Dean,
Thank you for your patience. In regards to your question-
I will provide a link to a video showing you how to adjust a certain type of slide out, many other types will have the same set up with arm and bracket that can be adjusted the same way. Some slide outs don’t have the option to raise or lower but if it does, this video should help. To break it down, look under the slide out when it is fully extended. Follow the extension arm to the outside wall and you will see a bracket that attaches the arm and the slide out wall. You can loosen the nuts and then turn the lower adjustment bolt to raise the wall. Make sure to secure all bolts and nuts before running the room in. Repeat this process until the correct height is achieved. It is fairly easy to do, just takes some wrenches and a little time. Some other types of slide outs may have a roller wheel that needs adjusted and those are harder to do as the room will need to be lifted up. I hope this and the video help you!https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/adjusting-rv-slide-out-seal-011521/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
need to ask about brake system
Hi, I have been having trouble finding the low point drains on this motorhome. I tried thor manufacturers, but they did not have the prints going back that far. I have been researching until I am blue in the face. Can you provide any help?
Hello James,
If no location is given, you would either have to go under the coach and search for lines coming out or try to follow the plumbing lines inside until you find something. The lines will exit somewhere underneath, the valves to open them can be on the outside or inside. Common areas are under sinks, kitchen or bathroom. I have seen them in wheel wells, under the fender skirts, even in between the axles. There are usually located closer to the sides of the coach as opposed to the middle. Most likely they won’t be under slideouts or near the front engine. Check all lower cabinets and see where the water lines go. They can be very well hidden but should be accessible. I’m sorry I can;t give you an exact location but I hope this helps! You could also try searching the Thor blogs and see if anyone has information, I will provide the link below.https://www.thormotorcoach.com/blog/
Thanks,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Refrigerator won’t work
Do you have any videos on the Ford F 53 Chassis?
Connecting to the truck
My husband replaced the roof on the 13 foot slide out. Replace all the wood and ceiling put back together and there is big water spot on the ceiling. Any ideas where it could be coming from? Thank you
Dear Jenny,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
When the roof was replaced, was everything sealed that was installed on the roof? There will be side rails that need to have putty tape behind it before install and there is also the seam that goes against the outside edge of the roof to the slide fascia that will also have to have roof seam tape applied to it. This tape is very thick and sticky and is used to prevent water from getting under the membrane. You will have to double check everything up there and make sure it is well sealed. If there is a water spot, then water is getting in somewhere and could damage everything again. If it is in the center on the ceiling panel, most likely it is the outside seam letting water in. I will post a link to the seam tape I am talking about below. This should be applied to the outside seam all the way across the roof and down the side corners at least an inch.
https://www.recpro.com/eternabond-white-rv-rubber-roof-seal/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwoInnBRDDARIsANBVyASSMfBmv8MfkVdVSM_2FyqPkS5EvggaIbd29l6F-eTaiDP9Q1Z6-tAaAkLJEALw_wcB
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first-year membership.
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Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert