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9/29/2009 12:21:16 PM
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betterRVing
Posts -2
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Awnings, air conditioners, and towing
RV Expert Andy Dietz shares his 25 years of technical expertise as he tends to your questions.
Q: The awnings on my coach are coming apart where they mount into the rail. It appears that the stitching is coming undone or it is weather rotted. The fabric seems to be in good shape. Is there anything I can do to repair them and avoid the expense of replacing the awnings?
A: Yes, if the fabric is in good shape it can be removed from the awning/slide toppers and taken to an upholstery shop for re-stitching. Have them use a high quality weathering thread and stitch them with the bead cord inside. Due to the work involved in removing and replacing the awnings, I recommend you have a technician do this. There will be some labor cost to do so but you will still come out way ahead of replacing the entire awnings.
Q: I live in Florida where it’s hot and very humid. My air conditioners have been working fine however recently they’ve not been putting out as much air. Everything appears to be right as far as power supply and filters. What else should I look for?
A: First, check your A/C evaporator for dirt; we suggest cleaning by a certified technician only. If the evaporator is clear of dirt and has ice or frost, the cause may be running the air on “low cool” with either a lot of in-and-out traffic or an open vent or window. When this happens, the A/C cannot get rid of the moisture fast enough, which leads to moisture build up on the evaporator, which can eventually freeze over causing loss of air flow. To overcome this, turn the unit off or set to “fan only” until it completely thaws out. As water will likely drip inside the coach, put towels on the floor. Once all of the ice has melted, turn it back on “high cool.” You can avoid this happening again by keeping the doors and windows closed as much as possible during the more humid months, as well as ensuring your filters and evaporator are clean.
Click here to read the rest of the article on the BetterRVing website.
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10/19/2009 6:49:21 PM
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mike pace (chickasha oklahoma)
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i have a ford 250 2008 6.4 v8 i want a rv with bunkhouse what size can i buy length weight can the truck pull
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12/4/2009 4:37:46 PM
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Jenny (bakersfield, ca)
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I have a Allegro motorhome and we put new batteries in and our step into the motorhome still wont work???? Help
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12/6/2009 7:59:21 PM
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Mike (Zephyrhills, FL)
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I am trying to find a support for the big slide tube on my 5th wheel. The big slide awning holds water and I ve seen a middle support bracket that has rollers on it.Any idea who makes it and where can I find one?
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12/7/2009 9:34:05 AM
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Steve (Lazydays RV)
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The best way to see if the step is getting power is check the light on the step. It should be on with the switch on and door open. If not check fuse/breaker.
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12/7/2009 9:36:28 AM
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Steve (Lazydays RV)
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Is this for the main awning or a slideout awning. What brand of awning is mounted on your 5th wheel?
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12/7/2009 9:36:46 AM
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Steve (Lazydays RV)
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Is this for the main awning or a slideout awning. What brand of awning is mounted on your 5th wheel?
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1/6/2010 10:16:22 AM
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ron (wi.)
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Can a2006,2007 honda element be towed 4 down?
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1/7/2010 1:01:53 AM
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Ray (Moses Lake, WA)
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We are buying our first motorhome and want to haul our 2000 Toyota Echo behind it. However, it has an automatic transmission, so we ll need to modify the transmission or use a dolly for the front wheels. What is your experience &/or recommendations
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1/7/2010 9:20:13 AM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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A Honda 06 or 07 Element can be towed all 4 wheels down as is.
A 2000 Toyota Echo with manual transmission can be towed all 4 wheels down as is.
A 2000 Toyota Echo with automatic transmission needs to have a lube pump insttalled on transmission or be towed on a dolly.
Pros and cons of towing:
Dolly- another trailer to maintain, license etc.. Do not have to transfer when a new vehicle is purchased
Tow bar- always available and can be stoed in place on motorhome Must have new equipment installed when changing vehicles.
Any one towing one of thes vehicles that can share experience?
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1/11/2010 2:53:02 PM
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fmononen
Posts 1
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what RV's can safely be towed behiond A Dodge Grand Caravan?
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1/11/2010 3:03:14 PM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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There are several tow guides available on-line. The one I used was RV Business Tow Guide. It shows an 09 Grand Caravan able to tow:
Engine Size Tow rating
3.3L 2000#
3.8L 3600#
4.0L 3600#
The owners' manual will will also confirm the correct information for your model year.
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1/18/2010 1:37:30 PM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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have a 2006 Tiffin-Phaeton 35DH. It has 2 RVP 15.000 BTU heat pump/air conditioners. The rear unit is working on both heat and air as expected. The front unit will fail some times in the A/C mode. This generally happens when the outside temperature is over 100 degrees, only one occasion less than 100 degrees... This is not a repeatable failure. It may work for days at a time with no problem in as much as 106 degree heat. It appears that the compressor is turning off, the fan continues to run and warm air is being sent thru the system. I then turn the system off. After about 30 plus/minus minutes I can turn the unit back on and cold air will generally be produced. It may continue to work properly or fail once again.
I have had an A/C technician attempt to diagnosis the problem. There was never a failure in his presence. He checked all measurable components and all were within specs. He even double checked with factory reps. Coils were not dirty and there was no icing. Return air and output air differential was 18 degrees.
This fall I had a need to use the Heat Pump. Again rear unit worked as expected. The front unit did not. On one occasion, with the set point at 72 degrees and outside temperature in the 50's the unit quit producing warm air. I assume that the compressor had turned off. This again does not happen all the time. Unit would often work well with outside temperatures in the mid 40's. During this trip, this failure repeated itself 4-5 times. After turning the unit off for 30 plus or minus minute's warm air would normally be produced.
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1/18/2010 2:32:28 PM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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I think you stated that air flow (fan) did not stop. Some of the items that will shut off compressor causing failure of cooling in ac mode or heating in heat pump mode are:
Thermostat, relays within ac system, loose wiring connections, overload mounted on top of compressor and a defective or shorted compressor. Unfortunately if everything is working properly when taken to service center the technician will not be able to find the problem.
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2/12/2010 10:56:14 PM
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Mike (Texas)
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I have a 31ft travel trailer and I am trying to fined pointers on how to back into a campsite. I have always had help from friends, but I am planning to be on my own. Where can I get a how to vidio like in your driver confidence cources?
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2/14/2010 8:07:29 AM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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I don't think you will find anyone to suggest backing up without a spotter is good idea. The best thing to do is take some traffic cones to an empty parking lot and practice. I have always found that if I am turning towards the drivers side when backing I can see one side and my spotter can watch the passenger side.
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3/5/2010 7:46:44 PM
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Charlie (Texas)
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good sites to explain whether to get class C or trailer, and which models are in demand, which designs are good for what use, gas vs diesel, what weight vehicle can you tow in mountains to 9,000 ft. Any other sites of help.
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3/5/2010 10:46:03 PM
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JetSet
Posts 3
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I am about to purchase my third set of tires on my towed CR-V.....thanks to my Brake-Buddy locking up when I hit the RV brakes too hard. I have the settings as low (soft) as possible and follow all set-up instructions and brake bleeding. Is it possible to eliminate the "locking" of the CR-V brakes or do I need to search for another type of system?
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3/8/2010 5:37:58 PM
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Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 282
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A couple of things to check / Make sure the vacuum is drained from the towed vehicle by pressing the test button 5 times every time the towed vehicle is started, adjust sensitivity to lowest number of lights and confirm air pressure is adjusted for proper weight of vehicle. If this does not cure brakes locking I would suggest contacting Brake Buddy and make arrangements to ship it back to them to be inspected for proper operation.
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3/25/2010 11:13:54 AM
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Roy (Nashville,TN)
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On my 2004 Monaco Sig. the slide awnings are not rolling up and sticking when I bring in the slides.This is causing the slides to not close all the way.I assume there is a way to lubricate the wind up mechanism. I don t know how to open the cover.
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