Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Class C Motorhomes: B+ motorhomes

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Topic: B+ motorhomes

Posted By: dancefan on 10/14/10 04:52pm

Hi Gene, and Bill and Maggie:
I got replies from you in mid-August when we were new members about to buy a used Trail-Lite B+. Thanks again.
Meanwhile we have been on a couple of short trips with it. It runs great, except we wonder if you have run into the following (minor we hope) problems:
1.Usually the engine starts right away by just turning the key, but every once in a while it won't start until about the 3rd or 4th try (with short waits in between).
2. Once the "security warning" came on (but not for any reason described in the instruction book as far as we could tell). It stayed on for several hours while driving, but the next day it was no longer on.
Have you had the same things happen and is it OK not to worry about them?
Regards,
Tom and Willy in Anacortes WA
2002 Trail-lite B+ 211

Posted By: Gene in NE on 10/14/10 10:07pm

dancefan - I don't recall you mentioning whether you have a Ford or Chevy chassis. I don't ask to make a pro or con discussion, but your question on starting might best be answered by someone with the same engine. Our Chevy (knock on wood) always has fired on the the first revolution of the engine. We finally had to replace our engine battery this year.

By security warning, did you mean the "check engine" warning light? Our light came on once when I failed to completely tighten the gas cap. My OBD code reader said I had a "evaporative emission control system malfunction" (code PO440). One of the possible causes was the loose cap. I had already refueled before I looked up the code. I cleared the code and it has not come back.

Hope you have had some good times already.

2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile)
Gene

Posted By: burlmart on 10/15/10 04:50am

dancefam

Our stsrter went bad, but that is probably not relevant.

Gene

What battery did you replace the chassis batt with? I am impressed that our OEM is still working after 5 years, but wow, you got 8 years. Can our engines use the same battery?

2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy

Posted By: Gene in NE on 10/15/10 09:43pm

burlmart - The replacement was bought at a farm supply (Farm King) store in western Illinois. We jump started the motorhome by using the motorcycle we had in the trailer. We then drove to the next town (Monmouth, IL) where we spotted the store, they were open, very friendly, had tools I could borrow if needed, and a place in the parking lot. Paid around $60 and was on my way in less than 1/2 hour.

I suspect your battery and ours would be interchangeable.

Posted By: burlmart on 10/16/10 02:51am

Gene

Why didn't you jump off the housebattery and the emergenct start toggle?

Also, does your battery have side-mounted terminals? What brand/model?

I ask because when I go to an auto parts website and input 6.0 L chevy V8 2005, some don't give any match, and one had only a $120 choice.

* This post was edited 10/16/10 07:41am by burlmart *

Posted By: Gene in NE on 10/16/10 07:38pm

burlmart - I had a dumb moment, never thought about the emergency start switch. We had just ridden back on the motorcycle and were going to start the RV and move it to be able to load the bike and battery was dead. So, we merely jumpered from the bike.

THe battery we got was a side terminal "Dura Start" size 75 with 700 CCA.

Posted By: dancefan on 10/21/10 01:17pm

To Gene in NE: Re: I don't recall you mentioning whether you have a Ford or Chevy chassis.....
Forgot to mention it, but actually it's a Chevy 5.7 - same as yours!
Meanwhile we've been on another trip of just a few days and we haven't had any trouble at all starting.
It's nice to know there's someone here with exactly the same Trail Lite B+ (even the year!), except we don't have a slide. We find the interior space quite comfortable though for the two of us (plus cat sometimes).
Regards, thanks again,
Willy & Tom in beautiful NW WA

Posted By: happyjack2 on 10/21/10 07:21pm

dancefan,
your problem sounds electronic, especially with the security light. When my chevy blazer had problems starting ( turned out to be the fuel pump ) one of the scenarios was the security system not allowing it to start. Try searching chevy express 5.7 intermittent starting and you'll probably get some hits.

Bill & Maggie
LT USNR Ret.
2003 Trail Lite 211 B+
Chevy 6.0L

Posted By: Gene in NE on 10/31/10 09:06pm

dancefan wrote:

I have been keeping a MS Excel spreadsheet of all the different members that have identified themselves as owners of a Trail-Lite. I have documented that there are 16 that have model 211's (2 have 2001, 7 have 2002, 6 have 2003, and 1 has a 2005). Three are on Ford Chassis (2-5.4 and 1-V10) and the rest on Chevy (7-5.7, 4-6.0, and 2-8.1). Interesting cross section. Glad you are not having problems starting. Less us know what happens.

Posted By: Lenc on 11/01/10 04:36am

We have a 2007 252 DS. Does anyone have information about the slideouts. Just wondering what to do if for some reason the slidouts fail.

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