WD08 Project Update
WD08 Update
2008 Winnebago Destination, 39', two slides, Cummins 6.7L diesel pusher.
Two months and four local trips later.
1. Driver side slide leak repaired. Pretty much leaked every time it rained. Visual inspection revealed a two gasket tear in the front upper corner. Patching was marginally effective. Took it to Whited RV & Truck Center. They found loose screws and worn out sealants. Repaired both. The next week, sat through an 18 hour rain storm, on the coast of Maine, as a hurricane passed to the east, and front passed over from the west. 18 hours of rain later - still bone dry.
2. Passenger side slide 'leak'. During same trip to Whited RV, they repaired a dried out gasket on the ice maker supply line. (I did ask that they cap the supply line under the sink - instead, they repaired...guess I'll cap it off myself---I can live without an ice maker)
3. The infamous Norcold fridge failure. Same trip to Whited - they are the local Norcold Authorized Service Center. Removed failed Rev 4 recall unit. Replaced with current Rev 5 unit. The fridge cools nicely on LP. Does not cool at all on AC. Further research pending. Rocket science.
4. Black Tank Stench has emerged as the current most pressing issue. Nauseating is the polite description. Problem most likely exacerbated by dumping minimal contents every trip out. Perhaps not enough stuff for an adequate vigorous flushing dump. Do use the tank sprayer everytime. The previous owner installed a clear 90 degree angle at the dump hose connection. Run the tank sprayer until clear.
Last trip, stuff flushed wasn't dumping into the tank. Looking downward, can see 'stuff' that should be seen. Duct taped a several inch drywall spreader onto a broom handle and pushed stuff out of sight, into the direction of observed fluid flow. Now think that the stuff is only out of sight, not out of smell.
Downloaded plumbing diagram from Winnebago. The drawings indicate a straight path from toilet to black tank. (on previous fifth wheel, this could be observed) Visual inspection does not indicate a straight path. Instead, there appears to be a flat shelf with the path to the black tank out of sight.
Before leaving tomorrow, will be filling the black system to full before dumping. Hopefully 50 something gallons of fluid will vigorously flush and rinse out any clogged/cornered debris.
5. Last trip out, the Check Engine light would intermittently flash on, then off, on rough & turbulent roads. (not much four lane highway time yet). One time, the warning included low coolant, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY! The coolant reservoir is full, suspect false alarm caused by sloshing to the rhythms of the substandard road surface.
This trip,occasionally intermittent Check Engine episodes. Research in progress and will research and reach out to Cummins for awareness, knowledge, guidance & direction.
I see a trip to an authorized Cummins dealer in the near future before next month's extended trip into more rural & remote destinations.
6. Not all campgrounds are Class A RV ready. Made reservations near event destination. The last two roads provided early clues. The paved one would have made a great racing road course with the constant hills, thrills and curves. Then the unpaved final section, the rig was brushing through the overhanging trees. Descend into the campground, easily the largest rig around in what is a very congested seasonal enclave. Clerk at desk looks at my rig and asks why I am here. Me, "I have a reservation." We go look at the site. There is a roadside firepit in the middle of the questionable, from either direction, access. Not only that, it is all grass sod, not a gravel pad. At best, I sense muddy ruts and flinging sod, coming and going - am informed that I would be liable for any site repair. A few other open sites are looked and are not any better. Get refund, turned around, KOA reservations made, and drive off.
So, what say ye?
2008 Winnebago Destination, 39', two slides, Cummins 6.7L diesel pusher.
Two months and four local trips later.
1. Driver side slide leak repaired. Pretty much leaked every time it rained. Visual inspection revealed a two gasket tear in the front upper corner. Patching was marginally effective. Took it to Whited RV & Truck Center. They found loose screws and worn out sealants. Repaired both. The next week, sat through an 18 hour rain storm, on the coast of Maine, as a hurricane passed to the east, and front passed over from the west. 18 hours of rain later - still bone dry.
2. Passenger side slide 'leak'. During same trip to Whited RV, they repaired a dried out gasket on the ice maker supply line. (I did ask that they cap the supply line under the sink - instead, they repaired...guess I'll cap it off myself---I can live without an ice maker)
3. The infamous Norcold fridge failure. Same trip to Whited - they are the local Norcold Authorized Service Center. Removed failed Rev 4 recall unit. Replaced with current Rev 5 unit. The fridge cools nicely on LP. Does not cool at all on AC. Further research pending. Rocket science.
4. Black Tank Stench has emerged as the current most pressing issue. Nauseating is the polite description. Problem most likely exacerbated by dumping minimal contents every trip out. Perhaps not enough stuff for an adequate vigorous flushing dump. Do use the tank sprayer everytime. The previous owner installed a clear 90 degree angle at the dump hose connection. Run the tank sprayer until clear.
Last trip, stuff flushed wasn't dumping into the tank. Looking downward, can see 'stuff' that should be seen. Duct taped a several inch drywall spreader onto a broom handle and pushed stuff out of sight, into the direction of observed fluid flow. Now think that the stuff is only out of sight, not out of smell.
Downloaded plumbing diagram from Winnebago. The drawings indicate a straight path from toilet to black tank. (on previous fifth wheel, this could be observed) Visual inspection does not indicate a straight path. Instead, there appears to be a flat shelf with the path to the black tank out of sight.
Before leaving tomorrow, will be filling the black system to full before dumping. Hopefully 50 something gallons of fluid will vigorously flush and rinse out any clogged/cornered debris.
5. Last trip out, the Check Engine light would intermittently flash on, then off, on rough & turbulent roads. (not much four lane highway time yet). One time, the warning included low coolant, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY! The coolant reservoir is full, suspect false alarm caused by sloshing to the rhythms of the substandard road surface.
This trip,occasionally intermittent Check Engine episodes. Research in progress and will research and reach out to Cummins for awareness, knowledge, guidance & direction.
I see a trip to an authorized Cummins dealer in the near future before next month's extended trip into more rural & remote destinations.
6. Not all campgrounds are Class A RV ready. Made reservations near event destination. The last two roads provided early clues. The paved one would have made a great racing road course with the constant hills, thrills and curves. Then the unpaved final section, the rig was brushing through the overhanging trees. Descend into the campground, easily the largest rig around in what is a very congested seasonal enclave. Clerk at desk looks at my rig and asks why I am here. Me, "I have a reservation." We go look at the site. There is a roadside firepit in the middle of the questionable, from either direction, access. Not only that, it is all grass sod, not a gravel pad. At best, I sense muddy ruts and flinging sod, coming and going - am informed that I would be liable for any site repair. A few other open sites are looked and are not any better. Get refund, turned around, KOA reservations made, and drive off.
So, what say ye?
