Breakdown Information

[Badeye]

Moderators Note: This thread is intending to report a problem and its resolution. If you are seeking help or information to help you resolve a problem you would best be served by initiating a thread on the class A forum proper

After some conversation with Diesel-Lover and others on this forum I thought I would try to start a thread concerning breakdowns on the road. We try to prevent this by good maintenance and driving reasonably but it can still happen. As I observed in a previous post, on a roughly 350 mile northbound drive on I-75 I saw 4 class A MH broken down. All were southbound.

If we should have a breakdown and would post the following information on this thread it could be a resource and reminder for others.

RV particulars:
Driveline (Engine, Transmission):
Miles:
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:

This is the type of information that is recorded in the aircraft industry and other maintenance activities to track failure trends. It will take a while before we see a lot of value in this. If it continues for a time and sufficient data is available, I will analyze the data and put it into a form that I can send by email to any interested parties. I would suspect that an initial report could be done in about three months or when we have about 100 to 150 cases.

What do you think?

[bwhitt]

The local freightliner shop has diagnostic tools to tell you what happened. Had a similiar experience and they could even tell at what
milge it happened. I learned alot that day about my Allegro and the cat.

[tom_quinlan]

We just got on I-75 in Ocala, FL and were heading South. All instruments were in the green.
Problem: when going up a small are larg incline, MH feels like it's gonna breakdown, jerks, hesitates, etc., then goes ok. This problem on manifests itself when at operating temperature.
Solutuion: Coil bad. breaks down when hot. Replace coil and not problems.

[ryanjenny]

good morning
i'm broken down in tucumcari new mexico with a broken hydraulic fan motor. i'm in a 1993 monaco dynasty with a 250hp cummins 8.3L engine. coming out of texas last night i got a high engine light and had her towed to tucumcari new mexico. the hydraulic fan does not engage fully causing her to heat up. any body have any ideas of a fix or where i can get this part out here. I'm stranded and the truck stop is trying to find this part. any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm along way from home. I've my no cell coverage out here.
I'm in the hampton hotel room 105
1-505-461-1111
thanks
Robert

[deltamaster]

RV particulars:2004 Thor Fun Mover Class C
Driveline (Engine, Transmission): F-450 Ford (8?ltr)
Miles:9,000
Year:2004
Break Down Description: Strange smell, brakes pull right, loss of power steering
Symptoms:Nice odor of raw diesel
Effect:Loss of function in brakes and power steering
Cause:Ruptured power steering hose
Outcome: Repaired by ford dealer after 2 days waiting.

Noticed strange metallic smell and wen stopped for traffic light vehicle pulled hard to the right. Stopped in Home Depot parking lot and called Coach Net who contacted tow truck. Driver insisted to tow from the rear. Delivered to dealer after closing. Next day dealer found the power steering hoses were routed against a bracket and rubbed hole in hoses. Parts delivered the next afternoon. All repair covered under warranty. Now tires are wearing incorrectly and are bowed out at bottom since towing. Tow company insists not caused by tow from rear. I insisted there was a problem when reported to dealer. Dealer and tow driver refused to correct. Problem and story to be continued.

[Jim_P]

I also had a Torque converter blow. We were in Oklahoma about 60 miles from Oklahoma City and the nearest Allison Transmission repair service. Luckily we had Sam's insurance. Cell phone was out of range!! Had to walk approx 1 mile and a good samaritan on her way to a bake sale stopped to pick us up with an admonition to not sit on her pies. She dropped us off at a gas station in a small town. Called Sams and proceeded to explain our predicament. Said we were stalled about two miles south of this small town. They wanted a cross street. Told them there was no cross street only a bridge over a river that I barely had enough momentum to get across. Finally after approximately one hour of explaining where we were and where we wanted to go Sams was able to get a wrecker out to tow us to Oklahoma City (no charge). Wrecker came and we found that the wrecker would not allow us to ride in the cab. Our tow car was disabled also. Anyway to make a long story short we finally convinced the tow driver to allow us to ride in the cab (he said he would lose his license if stopped by highway patrol). We told him we wouldn't tell on him. So after 60 miles with my wife on my lap bouncing along over Oklahomas worst highways we finally arrived at the Allison transmission repair garage. Two days later we were on our way again.

The problem with the Torque converter going out was caused by my own stupidity. I usually drop down in gears when coming to a stop sign to allow the engine to help in braking. When I left the stop sign I accelerated OK in 2nd gear, but skipped a couple and went to neutral and stepped on the accelerator. The engine raced up to some ungodly rpm and in a panic I immediately dropped the tranny into DRIVE which blew the converter. Moral of the story don't rev diesel engine in neutral and then engage transmission.

[MartyAndPeg]

RV particulars:
Driveline (8.1L Vortec, Allison Transmission):
Miles: 3600
Year: 2003
Break Down Description: Leaving a dealership after some warranty work; 1 mile away from delaership, two miles from the RV park where we were staying.
Symptoms: Loud noise between pilot and co-pilot seats, no other indication of a problem.
Effect: Serpentine belt is frayed, and has (2) 7" gouges (belt is onlt about 1/4 wide in areas)
Cause: We believe something was left on the engine at the dealership and it fell into the belt, causing damage.
Outcome: Need to have the belt replaced (May 5th). It will be towed (as per Workhorse) to another repair facility which is approximately 35 miles away.

Yes, this can be annoying. Especially when you are a fulltimer. We had unrelated warranty work performed at a dealership close to the RV park where we are staying until June. One of the repairs was verifying a recall with hydraulic hoses too close to the engine. About a mile from the dealership, we heard a loud bang right between the seats. No loss of power, and everything else seemed OK. Drove back to the park (about two miles), and the next day, while crawling under the coach, I saw the damage to the serpentine belt. We called Workhorse, and they recommended not driving it. The belt is still intact.

2003 Southwind 36B
2003 Ford Focus (the little red toad)
A darling wife and two cats!
Quando omni flunkus moritati (when all else fails, play dead)

[tjc1989]

Many of us don't drive the motorhomes in the winter, and they sit for months. The first thing that sticks out in my mind the most, is corrosion to battery cables and other high amp connections. Before taking it out in the Spring, clean all the battery cables and other high amp connections ( such as to solenoids and relays ) Nothing more annoying than a bad ground connection, caused by corrosion somewhere. Causes lots of things to quit working.

The other things can be prevented somewhat, like old fuel, or plumbing problems. Proper fuel additives like Stabil, before storage, or whatever to prolong gas life ( or diesel life ), and proper draining / winterizing of fresh water components. Ruins your day in a hurry to discover a leak in the pipes from freezing. 🙂

[marktec1]

RVPARTICULARS: Winnebago Vectra 32
DRIVELINE: Ford 460 w/ford transmission
MILES: approx 41000
YEAR: 95/96

BREAKDOWN DESC: While heading out of town for my next RV Vacation to Bristol TN (nascar races, etc)
SYMPTOMS:i got approx 45 miles from home and heard a thump thump - EFFECT: the unit started to shake rattle and roll all over - i thought the cabinets were gonna fall off the wall..
CAUSE - turns out one of the belts let go in one of the brand new perelli tires (when i bought the unit approx 2-3 months earlier, there were 2 tires needing replacement, the deal with the dealer was he would replace those, and i would pay for(with good discount) the other 4... of course specified tires of proper size, load range, etc..

the vehicle was not overloaded, 4 adults, cloths and food for week, full tank of fuel, app 1/2 tank of water, pulling a pontiac sunfire on a dolly...
(ps this was the second tire to go in a week - the first one went as i was leaving the dealer who had just attached the electronics for the dolly - 1/4 tank of fuel, no water, no food clothes or passengers..

this is when i got rid of the MH... 2 incedents in 2 trips a month or so apart, each ruining a long planned vacation..

bob casale
riverside, ri

[marktec1]

RV Particulars: Winnebago Vectra 32'
DRIVELINE: Ford 460 and ford trans
MILES: approx 40,000
YEAR: 95/96

BREAKDOWN PARTICULARS: after driving approx 200 miles fm home, stopped for fuel on the Maine tpk, and saw a large puddle of pink fluid on the ground under the unit.. trans fluid.. large puddle leaking from somewhere around the bellhousing...
SYMPTOMS: leaking trans fluid at gas stop..
EFFECT: Unknown - i called a wrecker and got towed back home (to my dealer) $900 paid for by dealer - unit was used and still under 30 day warranty)
CAUSE: well, the dealer pulled the tranny and sent it to a transmission shop, and they could find nothing wrong... all speculated the wrong type of trans fluid had been added at the last transmission service - this tranny is apparently fussy about the specific type of trans fluid you put in.. (sorry i dont remember the particulars)
OUTCOME: sold the rv at wholesale - i was souered on the whole rv thing and stayed away until this past november when i bought a new winne journey... with extended warranty..

bob c
riverside ri

[fmon]

Great feed Badeye.

My problem has been reported a few times, once preceding this.

RV particulars: Allegro 33'
Driveline: 454, 3 speed
Miles: 51,000
Year: 1990

Symptoms: Backfire
Effect: Shutdown
Cause: Coil Module
Outcome: Works ok to date

We were eastbound I-70 just into St Louis.

[darbyjudy]

Motor home 1986 Bounder, chev eng. Mileage 60,000
Engine quit south of Ocala, backfired and coasted to the side of the road. Towed to Clearmont, Fl., dealer found bad ign. coil.

Motor home 1997 Winebago 34 ft. Adventurer, Ford 460 mileage 36000
1st zipper break in left front tire Michelin tire south of Live Oak, Fl. Called Good Sam towing service, installed new tire.
2nd Zipper break in Michelin tire inner right rear, tore up around the wheel well and the fender liner, cost $1600.00 to repair, insurance covered it, Michelin denied any problems but did replace the tire if I signed a release.
3rd Zipper break in Michelin tire on inner left rear, tore up around tire and the wheel well and fender liner. Done with Michelin tires, took them off as soon as I got home. These tires were only a little over two years old when I replaced them, they had abot 10,000 miles on them. I always checked the air pressure for 80lb each and every time I took it out. The tires were built in late 2001 and they were LT236/85R16 load range E XPS Rib.

[degoldmn]

RV particulars:35' Sportscoach
Driveline (Engine, Transmission):Ford 460 fuel injected, 4 speed
Miles:60K
Year:1991
Break Down Description: Eastbound on I-10 just approaching Blythe, CA doing 60 mph in cruise control. There were several load noises including a tremendous bang on the bottom of the motor home. The engine revved briefly then kicked out of cruise and started coasting down. Application of the gas revved the engine but had no other effect. Coasted off to the side of the road.
Symptoms: No drive power
Effect: Can't go.
Cause: Broken drive shaft, differential destroyed, etc.
Outcome:Vehicle is being repaired in Indio. The most likely scenario according to the shop is that a bearing locked up the axle and destroyed the differential which in turn broke the drive shaft. Incidental damage, inside left rear tire (brand new Michellen), broken generator gas line, one bashed in basement compartment, stepladder in said compartment. Fortunately the compartment and the ladder kept the end of the broken drive shaft from whipping up through the floor of the motor home and possibly damaging us.

[burgess001]

My only breakdown on the road was several years ago with a Jamboree, Class C. Left me dead on the road in KY.

RV particulars:
Driveline Engine Ford 460, Transmission Auto OD
Miles:49,000
Year:91
Break Down Description: Gradual loss of power to the point of not running.

Symptoms: After coming down out of the Smoky Mtns, the 460 began losing power and in only a few miles, just refused to run.
Effect: Coasted to side of road. Would start and run for just a moment, then die. Would immediately die if put in gear.
Cause: Plugged Catalytic Converter
Outcome: Local mechanic changed the fuel filter. Didn't work. A passerby wanted to tear into the distributer. I wouldn't let him. He grumbled and went on his way. Towed to Knoxville. RV Roadhelp was very helpful. Towed us to their lot, leveled us and agreed to tow us to a garage when someone opened on Monday. Later that night towed us to a private garage that agreed to meet us about midnight to work on the unit. The guy spent 3 or 4 hours changing the plugs which I knew I didn't need. I finally suggested disconnecting the exhaust, since it sounded like it couldn't breathe. He did and it ran fine. Had him secure the exhaust open and drove home (10 hours) sounding like a Nascar racer. He charged me $250 to replace the plugs. I get robbed a lot. After getting home, Ford replaced the CC under warranty along with several sensors. Was less than 300 miles from being out of warranty.

[Daveinet]

5 breakdowns but never stranded.

Blew heater hose going to rear heater.
Symptom:temp gauge rise, no heat from front heater.
Fix: bypassed heater and filled with water from fresh water tank. If your coach does not have any place where you can hook up your fresh water hose to one of the faucets, you can by an adaptor from any waterbed store. Replaced rear heater hoses once I arived home. (This happened at night, many trucks wizzed by me a couple feet from my head while under coach, not a good feeling.)

Had water pump start leaking
Symptom: temp gauge rise, no heat from heater
Fix: used leak stop until I got to my destination and then replaced.

Blew front heater hose. You'd think I would have replaced all my heater hose from before...
Fix: Bypassed until got to my destination and replaced front hoses

Radiator started leaking
Symptom: Temp gauge rise, no heat from heater (this is starting to get old real fast)
Fix: Copper powder Stop leak. Replaced radiator once I arived home.

Lost brakes
Symptom: Noticed excesive pedal travel when slowing down for cops. So thinking something may not be right, I gave myself plenty of extra stoping distance when I slowed to get off freeway. Hit an open stretch of road with no traffic and did a full test of brakes, I basically had none, I could slow down better by downshifting. Drove real slow to destination.
Fix: Replaced leaking master break cylinder.

I always keep stop leak, oil, antifreaze, trans oil and lots of tools with me at all times.

Coach has ~80K mi GM 454 w/475 trans - Custom FWD drivetrain.

[pen]

1. F53 Frod 460 ci E4OD transmission
2. 43000 miles
3. 1996
4. Symptoms:
After driving over 550 miles from PA to N Carolina, the unit started to act sluggish when starting at a stop light. The light turned green, hit the gas.......hesitation......finally start out and go..
We were 10 miles from the campground.! ! ! Got to the campground, checked in and drove back to the site. Stopped on the road, dropped the toad, and started to back into the site.... Wouldn't move!! Got out looked at things.. saw smoke from oil on the exhaust pipe.. Checked the tranny oil....LOW... Added 3 quarts... Then it would move back into the site.. Got into the site... Shut down and called my
warranty people to set up the repair.

CAUSE: Unknown: I bought the unit used with 43000 miles on it.

Outcome:
Good sam club arranged the tow for the unit at the end of the week.
The Warranty people (National Warranty of Fla INC) worked with the tranny garage (AMMCO- Yeah but it's nationwide)... After the 5 days I moved us to a Beach side motel
with a rental car (while the R/V was towed away) and waited for the R/V to return fixed.
IT DID ! But darn, we had to spend another 4 - 5 day at the beach waiting for AMMCO to get finished.
National Warranty and Good Sam are worth their weight in gold.!!!

Outcome:
The unit (96 Mountain Aire F53 Ford / Tag axle) Works well now..
Failure Mode Analysis:
I put a transmission temp gauge on it to keep track of the temp..
-Add additional trans cooler if needed.
Thinking of a Banks or other Transcommand type module..
-Better shift and clutch wear control.
Change fluids every other year (6 to 8 M miles)

pen