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?

[APR1967]

I have a friend who has a renegade trailer and Truck (RV). On a recent trip the toung broke off the trailer and it careened off the road.

Renegade has been disinterested in fixing it, or admiting that it is a design flaw.

If you are interested in comparing war stories and possible legal action I can give you his email.

[Boad]

Valve stem extenders with rubber stems caused two blowouts on the inside dual rear wheels on Interstates in Iowa. Fortunatley, no one was hurt in either situation although I had to buy two new tires in Clear Lake, Iowa.

The answer is metal stems. The rubber ones with the valve extenders were the culprit. Stupid me, I never checked the extenders close enough to realize the stems were rubber. The worst part, the dealer that installed the valve extenders assured me the stems were metal.

Maybe I'm the one who ought to go by Badeye!

[RKP]

denny,

I don't really know about steaming the engine in a MH, but I do know that when my son and I have taken his truck(18 wheeler) in to be washed, they do the engine as well as all the frame etc they can reach. As far as I know, he has not had any trouble with the washing. I think it would be prudent to avoid any direct spray or as much indirect spray as possible on any obvious electrical components as well as not using an extremely high pressure. I guess its using a little common sense which makes the difference. Good luck with youor problems-when you get it all sorted out and up to speed, it is really worth it.

I had a 97 Dynasty before the Beaver, and that was one of the things I noticed. The bed was right over the engine and was not insulated worth a darn. Never did fix it, just tried to stop early to let it all cool down. There's an awful lot of metal down there and it's at a pretty good temp. Wait and let it cool before you go to bed. When you're doing this, you're not in a hurry- at least I'm not.

RKP

[Searchersgetawa]

Badeye, Great idea.

Coachman Mirada 300Q
Ford 460hp 4speed AT
42,000 miles

First, last year right side exhaust manafold had to replace (going again)


This week pulling into campground on Grand Island, Ny. Came out of office RV would not move, looked under; sure enough fluid leaking out. Made it to campsite. Called Goodsam ERS (great service) Transmission burned up due to rapid fluid loss, something rubbed a hole in the convertor. Rebuilt Trans. new convertor. $5K later we are back in Toledo Oh safe. We received great service from ERS, Enterprise Rent-a-Car and AAmco Transmissions

Searcher

Searchersgetaway

[denny4850]

We just purchased our first class A diesel pusher. After about 5k in unexpected repairs, I think we've almost got it ready to roll. From exhaust manifold leaks to a turbo that was just barely attached, it has been a real interesting process. We're still working through some lingering electrical challenges. A couple of questions:
1. Does anyone have any advice about steam cleaning their engine compartment? Ours has accumulated a lot of soot because of the exhaust leak, but the mechanics advised against it, fearing damage to the alternator.
2. Our bed directly over the engine is too hot to lay on after a few hours on the road. Is this common or is there some kind of additional insulation we should be buying to keep cool in the sack?
Thanks!
Denny

[xctraveler]

turbo6gto,

Our two breakdowns were very similar, loss of all power during a stop when the steering wheel was moved to top position. This was on our former Damon Daybreak on the Workhorse P32 chassis. they paid for tow and repair both times. Blew more than a fuse, took out the ignition switch. First time it took three days to diagnose. Second time, I told the WH Tech to review the reords on the unit, they spent very little time diagnosing the problem.

I now have a W22 chassis, I hope they have resolved this issue.

[1_2_Canadian]

Did you notify Workhorse? Yours could be one of the first of thousands yet to come, and to prevent those disgruntled, inconvenienced-on-the-road customers, it would be in Workhorse's interest to recall the W20's for modification of that bracket.

[turbo6gto]

Workhorse W20 2003, motor stalled at dump station when I tilted steering wheel forward.Lost all power to dash,would not crank.Ign 1, 40 amp fuse blown under hood.I put steering wheel in middle position,put a 30 amp fuse in,got it to start.Took steering collum apart when I got home, found wire rubbed thru on factory bracket.This bracket is gonna cause a lot of headaches for people,instead of being rounded,it has a sharp 90 outside corner that the ignition switch wires rub up and down every time you adjust wheel.I took a file to it and rounded it off.My advice is to have this checked.

[jcamp]

Broke a crankshaft in a a 2004 Newmar Dutchstar with 2,100 miles on it. Go figure. The only thing that irks me is that Newmar or the Dealer we purchased from is any help and Catapillar only wants to replace the crankshaft and send us on our way.

[binary1]

RV particulars:40 ft 2001 NewMar Dutch Star on Freightliner Chassis
Driveline (Engine, Transmission):Cat 3126B engine Allison MH 3000
Miles: New to 40000
Year: 2001

Symptoms: Driving to Alaska on maiden voyage and got to Bismark ND. (about 2000 mi. on OD) and speedometer, then air, then tach. quit or go crazy.
Effect:
Cause: Needed to replaced ECU (Electronic Control Unit)

Outcome: Fixed problem although problem recurred again in Black Hills following year. Same resolution.

No further problems and now have 45,000 miles (prox).

I mention this because this is apparently a regular occurance with Freightliner/Cat. Not sure whose fault, but I sure wouldn't doubt that placing the ECU next to the engine and its heat might not be partly to blame.

Anyway, any other details of this sort would be greatly appreciated. As well as dates. This thread might help improve the breed.

Thanks to you Badeye and all who contribute

Bob Manchik

[rootietn]

Just back from trip to Fontana, CA from TN & have a little info. to share..
Driveline: Renegade 450hp mercedes benz, automatic tran.
Miles: 27500
Year: 2003
Breakdown: All 6 six tires on custom tow trailer blew out.
Onan generator failed to code "36" if much of a demand was placed on it.
Freightliner altenator on cab engine failed.
Needless to say all the sight seeing we done on the week of 4th of July was at the service centers for Freightliner, Onan, and the small middle of nowhere shop that in a burst of blinding luck last Sunday had the U-Bolts for the center axle that we had no idea was in danger of catastophic failure until the trailer brakes quit working on an exit ramp!
He had the exact items needed & the pricing for repair was great!

We are now in the process of trying to get with Renegade to replace wheels & tires to proper size etc. They tell us so far that for $3500 or so they will be glad to change this error in design.
I think maybe if they knew of this danger it would benefit them to help us out better than that!

[BIANCI]

RV particulars: 1999 36 ft. Holiday Rambler Endeavor Ford Triton V-10
 
   Miles: 18K
   Date of failure:   August 2003   
Break Down Description: Engine would not start after stopping for fuel. Temp 104
   Symptoms: Engine cranked, but would not run
   Effect:    Stranded on a Saturday evening in Bismarck, ND
   Cause:      Fuel pump failure
   Outcome:   Pushed rig away from fuel pumps to parking area. Spent the night in the parking lot and rented a car the next morning to drive the last 200 miles home. Called the dealer the following Monday and told him where to find the rig. Traded for a diesel pusher. MUCH BETTER!

[jusda6ofus]

Have a 1994 Winnebago Adventurer with Ford 460 Chasis. 70 miles into our trip to NY the fuel pump went out. I know the MH is 10 years old, but it only has 22,000 miles on it. Had to drop the 75 gallon fuel tank to get to the fuel pump. Other than that:4,000 miles and no problems.

[bobnkay]

Have a new 37' 05 Expedition w/Cummins 300 & Allison 6-spd on a Freightliner CC. No problems so far, but all of these postings are outstanding. I can see where I will need a service plan of some kind. Cost will do me in and I guess I had better learn some maint things on this.

[1_2_Canadian]

Gawd, I love this thread. Thanks, Badeye. Thanks Joe.
Joe, before your last MI, 50 years from now, ya gotta write a book!