Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: Breakdown Information

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Topic: Breakdown Information

Posted By: watk69 on 03/21/11 11:42am

A bedroll of some sort flew out the back of some "spring breakers" pickup truck, unfurled itself on the roadway, our choice was to swerve and possibly roll the motorhome do to heavy traffic or run over it dead center. We chose the latter.

We saw that the bedroll exited out of the rear (we thought). Within 5 miles we found out differently, a portion of it had hung around the drive shaft, taking wires, hydraulic lines with it and the transmission ground itself to bits, bringing a 32,000 lb beast to a screeching halt

We called our Road Hazard outfit, they mulled it over--said call your insurance company (office closed)---we deem it an accident. Law enforcement shows up, helps us put out our flares and cones and said "bye bye", we aren't writing anything up or reporting it, you hit road debris---not an accident.

So glad we knew people in the truck maintenence and towing industry and a kind couple from Alberta, or we would still be sitting there beside the roadway while the 2 insurance entities argued who was going to come get us.

I am sure we have a long claim battle ahead of us, any suggestions from any of you veterans out there???. At least wife and I are safe and sound---thats what counts

Rig: 2003 Revolution 38B
Chassis: Freightliner
Powerplant Cummins 350
Outcome: Uncertain

Posted By: earln7 on 03/29/11 08:00pm

Electrical breakdown A large, usually abrupt rise in electric current in the presence of a small increase in electric voltage.
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caravan sales

Posted By: MrDoneIt65 on 04/18/11 06:14am

Haven't had an electrical problem as described but my cruise control has never worked in my Workhorse chassis. I get it fixed, it works, I shut it off, it won't work. Guess I wasn't meant to have cruise control.

'02 Southwind 37U towing '05 Chevy Colorado with Blue Ox tow bar and Brake Buddy. 8100 GM/Workhorse Chassis. Retired UAW-GM.

Posted By: xctraveler on 04/18/11 04:58pm

MrDoneIt65 wrote:

Check your brake light circuit! Had similar problems and it finally (two + years) resolved as a .2 volt (approx) leak to ground in the brake light circuit. It fluctuated enough that sometimes the cruise would work and sometimes not. Had similar issues on current coach as well.

Paul
2012 Phaeton 36QSH on Freightliner Chassis with a Cummins 380 pushing it. 2011 Cherry Red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with US Gear Unified Tow Brake System. Check out my blog
FMCA 352081 SKP# 99526

Posted By: mtrumpet on 05/16/11 02:36pm

C'mon folks - How about sticking to the initial format of this topic for easier referencing. It becomes a waste of time to have to read through paragraphs of someone's breakdown story, only to find that it would have nothing to do with your particular type of coach or driveline, or to find no reference at all to the coach effected by the breakdown.

=================================
RV Particulars (Mfg, Type, Model):
Driveline (Engine, Transmission):
Miles:
Model Year:
Break Down Description: (You can add any description of the problem here that you think would help others in understanding the situation and problem.)
Symptoms:
Effect:
Cause:
Outcome:
==================================

Mark & Cherie
2002 Newmar Dutch Star DP 3872, Cummins 350 ISC, Spartan Chassis

Posted By: mtrumpet on 05/16/11 02:51pm

RV Particulars (Mfg, Type, Model): 2002 Newmar Dutch Star

Driveline (Engine, Transmission): Cummins 350 ISC / Allison M-3060 / Spartan MM Chassis

Miles: 78,500

Model Year: 2002

Break Down Description: About 3 miles down the road upon departing for a weekend trip, thick white smoke bellowing from engine compartment. Pulled into a shopping center parking lot. Fluid pouring down into ground and trailing behind us.

Symptoms: (Above) Engine was operating fine.

Effect: Hydraulic fluid being throw around engine compartment and on exhaust pipes cause the smoking.

Cause: Cooling Fan Hydraulic Motor Shaft Seal(s) failed causing extreme hydraulic leak.

Outcome: Called Coach Net who arranged to have the rig towed to a nearby service facilty. I had to order a new Hydraulic Motor from Spartan Chassis (Spartan P/N 0700-FF1) and have shipped overnight. Repair facility installed new motor the next day.

Posted By: Your Old Dog on 05/26/11 05:37am

RV particulars: Holiday Rambler Ambassador 40 foot
Driveline [emoticon]

ummins ISC360
Miles: 25,000
Year: 2008
Break Down Description: Engine alternator failure.
Symptoms:Low Voltage warning - alternator not putting out full power
Effect: alternator could not keep up with coach and motor battery demands
Cause: Pilot error I believe. In getting RV ready for next day use the shore power cable came loose and that resulted in sapping the coach batteries pretty hard. The Coach engine alternator put out extreme power to meet the demand and failed after 200 miles of thruway driving.
Outcome: New alternator put in from air cleaner side of engine (not top bedroom cover where it isn't accessible). Shop took alternator to truck alternator specialist and brought back another. Cost was s$280.00 for unit and $740.00 for everything. DON'T LEAVE HOME WITH NEARLY DEAD COACH BATTERIES OR YOUR ALTERNATOR MAY NOT FINISH THE TRIP.

Unless tomorrow has been promised to you, you better get busy today.

Posted By: FSTEDYRV on 05/26/11 07:11pm

On my trip home from Myrtle Beach, 10 miles from I95, noticed white cloud in rear vision monitor. On inspection found radiator fluid all over the engine and my toad. Called my insurance company for tow or repair. ABC Discount Towing Mullins/Marion SC could send mechanic in one hour or tow 2 hours. Elected to have mechanic come as that seemed the quickest. They found a ruptured hose(3"OD) just before the water intake/thermostat connector. They removed the thermostat and hose. The Cummins trained mechanic claims he has seen several of this type failure after the thermostat sticks closed and burst(1"-Tear) the hose. He made field expedient repair to thermostat by cutting the valve portion off. No replacement thermostats were available within 200 miles. Made it home to DE after 11 hours the next day. After 4 hours at the side of road and $400 for the repairs and parts.The mechanic also recommended replacing thermostat ASAP before winter. ABC road service was great and fast.
Ed Bowler
2006 Presidio
335 hp Cummins ISC

Posted By: chrisnjackie on 06/04/11 07:12am

We were 75 miles into our first trip in new MH when the low coolant indicator came on. Luckily we were only a few miles from rest area. Since we were newbies, called RV dealer for help. Tech told me I could keep going but keep eye on temp gauge. Luckily I went to back of unit to take a look before moving on because radiator fluid was spewing out. At that point, I called CoachNet and they had a rep from Freightliner contact me. He sent out a mobile unit within 90 minutes. A split in the radiator hose was found and changed out. Unfortunately, the mobile unit had no coolant but I was only a few miles from an auto parts store. Got there 10 minutes before closing and told the clerk I needed 9 gallons of coolant for an RV. Back to the RV with the antifreeze only to find out that I didn't get radiator coolant, but was sold winterizing fluid for the plumbing system. In the end he used water and got us on our way. It took us 7 hours to go 200 mile, not a very fun inaugural ride. Luckily, a very relaxing 4 days at the campground tempered my desire to get rid of the RV.

Posted By: William (Bill) on 06/16/11 03:59pm

Engine: V10
Mileage: 30000 +
Year: 2000

Description of breakdown

Symptom:
While driving back from Boston Ma to Louisiana, we stopped at a Flying gas station in Chattanooga TN. I was filing the tank when I noticed the compartment doors on the slide out were out about 2 inches on the bottom but flush on the top. After filling, I found that the compartment was swinging freely only supported by the attachment to the front of the slide. The back of the four door compartment is supported at the rear by a 1/2 inch bolt on each corner with the top of the bolt welded to the slideout support beam. On the compartment the bolt goes through a bracket with an adjustment nut on the other side. Both bolts had broken at the weld.
Took the toad to Lowes and bought two band straps. Strapped the compartment up in place, not easy, and came home.

2000 Allegro Bay 34' V10 gas
Banks Powerpack
95' Nissan Sentra with Remco lube pump
2004 Honda Pilot
Brake Buddy
Falcon 5250 Towbar

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