What is this horrible noise in our new Class C?

[Big_Time_II]

We have been hearing this terrible clicking/clacking noise coming from our relatively new Minnie Winnie 22R. We didn't hear it on the test drive or first trip. We first noticed it on two subsequent trips when conditions were windy and we were going at least 50 mph. I have a video but I am not sure how to make it available in this post. The noise sounds like it is coming from the top of the windshield over the cab. Any ideas on what it is or how to fix it? We plan to head out west in two months and need to get it resolved prior to the trip. Otherwise we absolutely love our new coach! Thanks!

[biggjc]

I had a terrible banging noise that seemed like it was coming from right above me when driving my 2010 Winnebago Aspect. After 2 years of head scratching trying to solve the issue, I finally struck gold . I believe the metal roof of the cab was flexing. My Mcgyver fix solved it immediately. I purchased a roll of Caulk Backer Rod at Home Depot for less than $5. I used a plastic ruler to shove it into the void between the cab and the bottom of the coach overhanging the Cab. I accessed this from outside the coach. Worked for me !

[Mich_F]

Big Time II wrote:
When the rattle is at its worst, we can feel it when touching the light mounted beteeen the inside visors, just above the windshield. When touching the frame at the top of the windshield where it mounts to the cab we also can feel the rattle. Any other ideas?

It sounds like your cab roof and bunk board have separated/loosened. You are probably hearing/feeling your cab roof flexing.

[overbrook]

Big Time II wrote:
After spending so much money on virtually a new coach, it's pretty disappointing.

Get on the roof and check both the vent covers. If the locking pin that allows the covers to hinge, wasn't inserted properly when installed, it will allow the covers to lift and drag the pin making a horrendous noise - almost like nails on a chalkboard.

It's an easy fix, just insert the locking pin correctly.

Bill

[Big_Time_II]

Well we tightened up the awning arm and regretfully it did not solve the problem. We opened the engine compartment and tried to secure anything loose. There were a few hoses and covers that seemed less than secure. When the rattle is at its worst, we can feel it when touching the light mounted beteeen the inside visors, just above the windshield. When touching the frame at the top of the windshield where it mounts to the cab we also can feel the rattle. Any other ideas? Next step is to bring the rig back to the dealer to check it out. It's not easy to do given its location, our schedule and their backlog of appointments. We sure wish we could find the fix. After spending so much money on virtually a new coach, it's pretty disappointing.

[IAMICHABOD]

As long as you are working with the awning,one of the best things to get is a Awning Lock this will insure that your awning will not unfurl while going down the highway,strapping the arms with those velcro straps will not keep it from unfurling.

[klutchdust]

The strap used to pull the awning out bugged me for awhile, sounded like someone tapping on the window. My awning supports need to be fastened or they rattle as well.

[j-d]

It's a good idea to install something supplemental to the OEM Dometic roller tube latch. Dometic improved that latch, many years ago now, but with just about every awning make and model, ONE CATCH keeps the Roller Tube from Turning. Many of us bungee, ZIP tie, etc, the Arms closed, thinking it will prevent uncommanded deployment of the awning. That's BigWords for Coming Unrolled on the Road. It happens when the the Catch doesn't hold and the Roller turns a little. That loosens the roll of awning. Loosened enough, it becomes like a paratrooper's pilot chute. It catches enough air to forcibly unroll the bulk of the awning and does it in seconds. Those arms get ruined in the process because the awning is now a drag chute against the forward momentum of the coach.

There are various hardware patches. Clamps, etc. to hold the tube like a parking brake. A good fast fix is to put the hook of the pull-down rod one of the slots in the rear awning cap. Then spring it against the Arm and Bungee Cord it in place. The Rod, locked in the Cap and braced against the Arm, won't let the Roller turn.

You probably heard lots of Arm Noise from up high because the Upper Arm mounts at the Coach's Roof Line.

EDIT: If it's windy when you roll the awning up after camping, it's likely the fabric won't roll quite "true." Like seeing a scroll at the end of a roll of gift wrap when you didn't roll it back "just right." That little crookedness can keep the arms from nesting together. The only repair you might need would be to deploy and retract the awning again.

[fourthclassC]

Suggest velcro straps on each of the Awning arms when they are retracted. The straps are easy to deal with and keep the arms nice and tightly retracted.

[Snowman9000]

Glad you found it. Noises are very hard to pinpoint. I've had to send my wife searching around the MH while we go down the road. It always ends up being farther away from the cab than we thought. The noise must sort of funnel into the cab, I guess.

[Big_Time_II]

Thanks for all the great feedback. We think we finally located the problem. We checked all the hatches, vents, antenna and awning. We found that the front awning arm is not seating snugly when the awning is rolled up and locked into position for traveling. It's a Dometic awning. The rear arm sits snugly. When there is a strong crosswind, it causes the arm to rattle. I would've sworn the noise was emanating from above the windshield and I'm not sure why we seem to hear it more there than through the side door closest to where the arm is actually located, for example. Nonetheless, we are convinced (or perhaps extremely hopeful) that if we get it fixed we will be rattle free again.

Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions. The responses here caused us to stop focusing on the structure and look at the exterior component parts.

[overbrook]

Big Time II wrote:
we do have brand new vent covers installed.

I had the same noise about two weeks after new vent covers were installed.

Turned out that one of the hold down clip pins on the vent cover wasn't installed properly, and only went through one of the holes in the cover. This allowed the vent cover to lift up about an inch when going more than twenty miles an hour.

The unlatched pin was scraping on the roof as the vent cover flapped.

I got a ladder, climbed up and pushed the pin through both holes and secured it properly. Now, no more noise.

You can see the clip pins in the video at https://youtu.be/w_w7mka-dHo?t=2m55s

Bill

Bill

[Photomike]

Did a window come unlatched? Had that happen to me 20 minutes after picking mine up. Driving down the highway I was a little ticked with the noise. Pulled over and found the window slightly open, slide it closed and it was fine.

[Community Alumni]

Is the noise steady with a regular rhythm, or does it vary with a random pattern? A friend with a similar setup found by having a person or some other load up in the bunk, the noise diminished. The problem was some sort of adhesion between the cab roof and the cab-over bunk. I don't know how it got fixed other than a local RV repair guy waved his magic wand and all was good. I personally had a noise thing like this on a pop-up truck camper and the same repair guy went over it and found self-tapping screws that were not biting in real well.

[enblethen]

Make sure TV antenna is lowered all the way in the correct position.