looking for owners of 2004-2005 Pace Arrows

[Jim_Bakker]

I'd like to make contact with others who own one of the new (2004, 2005) Pace Arrows so we can share experiences, problems, good things, etc.

[MrMudstud]

While I was tinkering around my motor home, I notice that my awning support was full of water. The bottom supports of the side arm that attaches to the lower part of the RV is made in such a way that it holds water up against the side touching the gel coat finish.

My solution was to drill a 1/8” hole near the bottom of the support below the 2 holes that secure it to the wall. I was amazed as how much water came out when the drill went through the bracket. It has been over a week that I washed the RV and it still had water inside of the bracket. Everyone needs to check theirs after washing the unit or after a light rain.

[Phelangroovy]

Hi have any Pace Arrow owners had a problem with the living room slide break not holding the slide in while travelling. Mine can move out 2 inches during a 2 hour drive, never seems to go much further. Checked the break on the end of the motor and it is engaged but does not seem as tight as the break on the other slides.

2006 37C - based in Ireland

[glewis]

Took lightning hit thru plug in oxford,Ms week ago. Took out plug, coffee pot,back tv,microwave(still checking),poped fuse on fridge(Found and fixed)I now have no charging system for my batteries. Is my converter in the fuse panel under the sink? Is there a fuse somewhere I can check?Charging batteries with plugin charger for now. also my generator is still putting out voltage but not converting to 12 volts hope it is same fuse or problem. In Jackson, Ms. on a job right now. Thanks GREG Email hgcjlewis@gmail.com

[Jim_Bakker]

Jim Bakker wrote:
Subject: hard ride....bad springs?

The quality of the ride in our 2004 Pace Arrow has been deteriorating recently. For awhile we thought it was just California roads, but I knew it was time to replace the shocks after 4 years and 50K miles. But unfortunately new shocks didn't help at all. Now the ride is unbearable! Drawers and doors that haven't come open since the Alaska Highway are coming open, significant squeaks are coming from the living area, one (maybe both) the corner braces of the shower enclosure has broken, etc. We knew something serious was wrong when our 110-pound Golden Retriever climbed on the dash to escape the noise and bumps!

I took it back to the shop that installed the shocks, complaining about their overly stiff ride. They say it's not the shocks, but the springs. They showed me that the chassis is resting on the "bump stops". I had a mechanic friend come to look at it today and he verified that diagnosis. We found another Workhorse-based motorhome in the storage yard; it was at least 2 inches off the "bump stops".

I got the coach weighed this afternoon. It's well under the published load limits.

Has anyone else found their coach sitting on the bump stops?

What an experience this has been! Here's what I've done and learned since my previous posting.

• I took the coach to my dealer service center to have the springs checked out. After consulting with Workhorse they advised that the springs were OK.
  
• They provided a Workhorse document that explained the suspension system. What Camping World called a "bump stop" is actually an active part of the suspension system, what Workhorse calls an "auxiliary
  elastomer spring". This document also stated that Workhorse installs custom tuned shock absorbers (Monroe prior to late 2004, Bilstein since then). These custom tuned shocks are available from Workhorse, but apparently not from the shock manufacturer.
  
• My new shocks were Bilsteins, purchased from Camping World. I do not believe these were the custom tuned shocks that Workhorse uses.
  
• Research I did on the internet convinced me that Bilsteins give a much harsher ride than Monroes. The Workhorse representative agreed and advised installing Monroes because of their more gentle ride, and because that's what I had for the first 50K miles.
  
• Camping World agreed to remove the Bilsteins, install whatever shocks I bought elsewhere, and refund the purchase and installation price of the Bilsteins. No hassle; I was impressed!
  
• I purchased a set of Workhorse's specially tuned Monroes and had Camping World put them on in place of the Bilsteins.
  
• Workhorse also recommended checking with Michelin to be sure the tires weren't over-inflated. They were, so I reduced the pressure to the Michelin recommendations.
  
  

My ride is much better, probably as good as when the original shocks were brand-new. Drawers and doors are no longer opening, and the dog hasn't tried to climb on the dash! Most of the noise coming from the living area was being caused by the oven coming loose. It very nearly came completely off it's mountings, but we noticed before that happened. It's secure now and much quieter, but the door seems to have loosened and I can't find any way to tighten it. I'll try shims to see if they will keep it from squeaking.

[Jim_Bakker]

Mel Johansen wrote:
Retractable steps. Has anyone had a problem with the steps not going down when the screen door is opened? I went out last night in the dark to turn off some lights, stepped ouy and no stairs. I broke a toe as I fell all the way down. I was fortunate to have hold of the bar as I went down. The switch was off in order to keep the stairs in the down position. This is a dangerous situation.

Mel

A fellow member of our California Pacers club (an FMCA chapter of Pace Arrow owners) had a similar problem. She was quite badly injured and they took legal action against both Fleetwood and Kwikee. The matter was settled before going to trial, and the settlement agreement prevents them from discussing their situation. I've never fully understood what they thought caused the problem, but I think it might have been inadvertently changing the position of the step switch, thinking the porch light was being turned on/off. All of us in the club have now put a guard over the step switch to keep us from unknowingly changing it's position.

[saber]

Finally got back to troubleshooting my electrical problem. Turned out to be a faulty GFI that would check good sometimes and and then lose about 10 volts on the output side occasionally. Thanks for input and ideas.

[dkingdoe]

SWM wrote:
I have 2008 Pace Arrow 38P and have a few questions. I tried to run my heat pump on the electric setting on the thermostat and the gas and heat pump came on. I thought the heat pump only should have kicked on.

When I turn on my heat pump on the electric setting ... the only time the gas will kick on at the same time as the electric is when the inside temperature is several degrees lower than the temperature at which you are setting the electric. (i.e, 68 desired temp. vs. 60 inside temperature.) The electricity needs help to get it up to the higher temperature quickly. Then the gas will shut off.

I hope you understand what I've written. DH & I have an agreement that only one of us controls the thermostat, and I'm usually the one (unless I'm not around). My explanation is from usage, and what I've experienced. You should have - in your suitcase of manuals - a manual for Operation & Maintenance Instructions for Heat Pumps.

[R2Dillon]

The only time I have had an issue with the steps is when I cycled them by turning the ignition on with the switch in the "locked" position. The switch keeps them in the locked position they were last in. The ignition overrides and moves them in.

[SWM]

I have 2008 Pace Arrow 38P and have a few questions. I tried to run my heat pump on the electric setting on the thermostat and the gas and heat pump came on. I thought the heat pump only should have kicked on. I also filled my fresh water tank and tried to drain it and when I cracked open the valve nothing. My last question is what does the red and green light do on the tolet, do I have to run that suction all of the time or not.

Thanks,

Shawn

[Cathy_Johansen]

Retractable steps. Has anyone had a problem with the steps not going down when the screen door is opened? I went out last night in the dark to turn off some lights, stepped ouy and no stairs. I broke a toe as I fell all the way down. I was fortunate to have hold of the bar as I went down. The switch was off in order to keep the stairs in the down position. This is a dangerous situation.

Mel

[MrMudstud]

The last time I stored my unit, I left my hot water heater switch on. I just overlooked the switch. To remedy that, I took the switch apart and drilled a small hole in the cover plate. I installed a small red LED light I bought at Radio Shack. Now, when the switch is on, the red light is on. While I was at it, I also put one in for my microwave wall switch.

In my bathroom, I installed a small night light to use when you get up in the middle of the night. Instead of putting on the big light and blinding you, the small light is just enough to use and not bother anyone else when they are sleeping. I used a small light like the one near the inside steps or the ones that are on the license plate.

I installed it on the inside hallway wall flush to the top of the commode. I just tap it to the bathroom wall switch wires. But, I did buy a bathroom 3 switch fixture at Lowe’s for a little over $12.00. To keep someone from turning it on during the day, I installed a small red light in the hallway to let me know the small light is on. Hey, don’t laugh, it already worked, as I caught a guess turned it on during the day.

[Rich___Cheri_]

If you've already found the switch in the bathroom cabinet above the washer/dryer, then the other switch is at the top of the pantry cabinet to the left of the sink under the counter. There are 2 switches there. One has a flame on it and the other has a lightning bolt, the 110v supply.

[Meme_Ray]

unionman wrote:
04 how do get the water to work on 110? I flip the switch but that does not turn it on,there must be another switch somewhere?

We have a 37C with a combo washer/dryer in the bathroom. The cabinet above the washer/dryer has a switch you must also flip to use the electric waterheater. Because these units are only 30amps you must make a choice between being able to use the microwave, washer/dryer or electric waterheater. If you don't have a 37C I'm sure you have a similar switch tucked away in some storage closet or cabinet.

Hope this helps.

[unionman]

04 how do get the water to work on 110? I flip the switch but that does not turn it on,there must be another switch somewhere?

[Paul_Turpin]

Paul Turpin wrote:

saber wrote:
Electrical Question
The two kitchen 110 outlets are putting out low power--around 92 volts. I have fiddled around with the electrical system for a couple of days and have concluded that the circuit breaker is not the problem, and interestingly enough, the bathroom 110 GFI outlet, which is on the same circuit, reads 112 volts. I have dropped all power off of the coach; checked every fuse, and followed the wiring as much as I can with nothing unusual found. Anyone had a similar problem, or any good ideas before I schedule our PA into the dealer?

Had the same problem and it almost caused a fire, it did melt the outlet. If your wiring is the same as my 37C, the circuit runs from the breaker to the GFI outlet in the bathroom, then goes to the outlet inside your water/electric basement compartment outside. Then it runs to a junction box in the kitchen slideout wall then to the kitchens outlets. (As you can see I had fun tracing this)

My problem was the outlet in the water/electric basement compartment. The hot wire came loose and was shorting out inside the outlet box. I would check there, Fleetwood used a cheap outlet and the wire just came out. Then I would check inside the junction box behind the slideout wall. I had to remove the wood inspection plate then started bring in the slideout until you see the junction box.

saber,
Sorry, I am on the road and just re-read my post. After the wires goes to the metal junction box in the wall, there it splits with one wire going to the kitchen outlet and the other wire goes to the outlet in the basement compartment under the kitchen.

Let us know how this works out.
Paul