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Re: Kwikee Step won't Retract
My Kwikee step was doing the same thing (loud, ratchety noise and steps would only partially close). I knew either the motor's plastic gear was stripped (highly likely), or the main linkage assembly metal gear was toast (less likely). I found the Kwikee Service Manual PDF online and found the replacement motor for my particular step on Amazon for around $66 bucks. In less than 30 minutes, I was able to replace the motor myself and problem is now solved! Here's the video of my repair: https://youtu.be/jJ4Rt5wJahU I plan to buy another motor and keep it on hand. These motors tend to fail every couple of years (or more often if all the step joints and linkage pin are not lubricated frequently, or RV is not frequently used).623Views0likes0CommentsRe: Check your Shore Power Plug & RV wire connections regularly!
I agree MexicoWanderer. I posted this same topic on another board, and we've now determined that the cause of my "melt-down" was likely one or more loose and/or corroded connections on the neutral buss of the power center. They were a slow ticking time bomb, that quickly accelerated when I began running a ceramic heater this winter. This combo eventually caused the whole buss to overheat and wires to melt. Even though, when I first discovered the fried wires, they all seemed tightly secured into the buss, what I've now learned is that corrosion (or the residue from the arcing) could make loose connections appear tight and fine, when in fact, they were not. So, a very important reminder to everyone to safe-check their electrical connections regularly....and ESPECIALLY if you plan to use a high-draw continuous appliance such as an electric heater! Lynne548Views0likes0CommentsRe: Progressive Insurance in Mexico
I was told the same thing as Tallyho69, when I called Progressive before my first trip to Mexico 2 years ago. They said everything except liability was covered when I went to Mexico, with the caveats about repairs being covered only if done in the U.S. I'll call them again this year before I go to confirm again, but 2 years ago they also told me that my Comprehensive and personal effects coverages would also be honored while in Mexico too, so if a coconut fell on my RV and broke a solar panel, or I got mugged while touring a town and got a camera stolen, I'd still be covered (obviously, not fixed/reimbursed until I got back to the U.S., but supposedly still covered). Good info to be aware of with the roadside assistance coverage. I just removed that from my Progressive policies and decided to go with GoodSamERS again. $1000 will be better than nothing if I ever need towing!613Views0likes0CommentsRe: Check your Shore Power Plug & RV wire connections regularly!
Wish I had the room in my shore cord storage bay for a hardwired surge protector. Unfortunately I don't, so I need to keep using the portable versions . Obviously, hindsight is 20/20. I had very little knowledge of my RV 110 electrical system before this incident, but now that I've replaced the power center and shore plug myself, I am much more aware and educated. Just sharing my story in hopes that others too will become more familiar with their RV electrical systems and the dangers it poses if not inspected regularly.374Views0likes0CommentsCheck your Shore Power Plug & RV wire connections regularly!
I've been RVing for 10 years and full-timing for almost 2, but last month I nearly started my rig on fire due to my RV's 110 electrical system going haywire. My problems started one night last month with circuit breakers flipping when I was running my ceramic heater. I'd been running the heater fine for weeks and my RV is currently parked for the season, so nothing had changed from the day before. Once I reset the breaker the 3rd time, things seemed to work o.k. again, but within a few days I started noticing a slight smokey smell whenever I was running a "high-demand" electrical appliance (i.e. space heater, microwave, hair dryer, etc). The appliances continued to work so I didn't immediately investigate the problem. But a few days later when I finally did, oh good heavens! Opening the access panel of my power center/converter revealed some severely charred 110 wiring (all of my neutral buss wires were burnt to a crisp!). I stopped using 110 electric immediately, and the next day, the park's electrician came to check my outside power pedestal for any miswiring or other problems. It checked out fine, so the problem was deemed with my RV. The electrician suggested I start troubleshooting from my surge protector all the way to my power center/converter to look for loose or faulty wires. Long story short, I discovered that the wiring inside my shore power plug had become faulty due to one of the screw posts rubbing against the ground wire's insulation until it finally wore thru. This created a "hot neutral" condition which then burned up the neutral buss wires in my power center as well as the neutral prong receptacle of my surge protector (that the shore power plug was plugged into). So my tip to all fellow RVers is to inspect your shore power plug regularly (at least annually), and routinely double-check all your power center wiring (and any other RV wiring you can easily access) for any loose connections as well. I thought my fancy $200+ surge protector would keep my rig safe from any and all electrical problems. Nope! It can't prevent the RV-side electrical problems, it only protects you from those lurking at the power pedestal! I learned a valuable lesson...and dodged a major bullet by getting this fixed before a fire started! If you're interested in further details and photos of my saga... check out my blog posts here and here.3.7KViews0likes29Comments1st Anniversary Reflections as a Full-Time RVer
Hi All: I spent some time this past weekend summing up how my life has changed after 1 year of full-time RVing. Some surprising and unexpected twists in the road, but overall I've not regretted this lifestyle change & look forward to more years to come as a full-timer! http://winnieviews.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-year-in-rear-view-mirror.html Lynne WinnieViews3.1KViews0likes10CommentsAdvice on full-timer rig needed
Hi everyone: I've had a Class C Winnebago View for the last few years and have loved it, but am looking to start full-time RVing soon and want to move up to a shorter used DP rig (I'm a solo RVer). I'm ideally trying to find a rig about 7-10 yrs old that is 35' or less. The 2 top contenders are the Winnebago Journey (34H), or a 34' Holiday Rambler Neptune (34PDD or 34SBD). I'm most familiar with Winnebago so sticking with them would be most comfortable way to go, but I'm worried about a few potential short-comings vs the Holiday Rambler, namely, the basement A/C and the Cat engine (vs. the HR's rooftop AC, additional basement storage space, and Cummins engine). On the other hand, I'm not sure what service limitations there might be with older HR/Monacos due to legacy Monaco being bought out by Navistar (i.e. access to coach parts or Roadmaster chassis parts?). Any feedback from those who have owned either one? thanks, Lynne3.4KViews0likes10Comments
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