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Re: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
Been a while since I posted. The family and I just took the 33sw on a 2600 mile road trip with no issues. Even with the upgraded 3trax system I had installed 2 years ago, I still don't look forward to running the slide in an out. But no problems whatsoever on the trip. Ran it out and back in probably 12 times and once managed to smash a DVD case between the slide and the exterior wall after the kids dropped it behind the driver seat while we were driving and didn't tell me. The crunching sounds when running the slide out when we stopped made my heart skip a beat. Heh. But I ran it back in and out again with no problems. Thinking of going to the dark side: https://www.dp-tuner.com/ford-powerstroke/ford-powerstroke-6-7l-1/tuning-1/infinity-mini-dx-touchscreen-6-7l.html Been exchanging emails with them and I might bite the bullet. They suggested going with just the 35hp Heavy Tow tune due to the weight of the coach. But it adds another 75tq and firms up the trans shifts. In addition to the tune, it provides a lot of useful real time data using all the existing factory sensors, such as EGT and such. I've had a couple DP Tuners for previous 7.3's and even with the conservative tunes the trucks would just drive so much better than stock. If I do bite the bullet, I'll report back :)598Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
Quick update on my charging issue. I replaced the Intellitec Isolator Relay Delay (http://www.nwrvsupply.com/product/00-00629-120.html), which is located just to the rear of the stairs, under the coach. It basically senses whenever the generator and/or the coach alternator is producing X amount of voltage. It then trips the solenoid which is located right next to it to allow the batteries to begin charging. Anyhow, aside from the Xantrex monitor showing me that the voltage would not increase whenever the gen or engine was running, I got under the coach and listened for the solenoid to trip when they were; it never did. I confirmed that the solenoid was functioning by having the wife press the "Emergency Start" switch located next to the steering wheel; it did. I replaced the isolator relay delay module (see link above) and it fixed my charging problem. As RobbieH pointed out, there are several things that can cause charging issues (or appearing to not be charging), so this is just another to add to the list. Sites wrote: About half-way through a camping trip this past weekend, I started having a house battery charging issue. When I run the generator, it powers all of the coach, but doesn't charge the house batteries. When I run the engine, it no longer charges the house batteries either. The Xantrex display panel voltage doesn't increase after the gen or engine are turned on. Its currently pouring raining here, so I haven't tried plugging into shore power to see if that will charge them. I'll try that tomorrow. Has anyone else had this happen? I've done some searches and it sounds like the battery isolator relay (bi-directional isolator relay or trombatta?) might be bad. That said, I have no idea where these are located on mine (2014 33SW). Thanks, Andy544Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
Random observation I made last night. I haven't bothered doing any forum searches lately to see if there are people reporting 3Trax slide failures, so I decided to try looking last night. There have been literally no forum posts (at least that I could find) since around 2015 about Schwintek slide (original 2 track) failures on Thor RVs. I'm hopeful that the 3Trax might have resolved it for the most part.542Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
Slide issues aside, we really like the layout of the 33SW. If you read a few dozen pages back on this thread, my original 2 track system failed right before a 2 week, 2500 mile road trip. Before that, there was no indication that it was going to fail. And to be clear, mine didn't fail catastrophically like RobbieH's system. The rear gear slipped a few teeth so it wouldn't retract evenly and the rear would end up an inch out when the front was full seated. I also believe that I didn't help the situation since it happened while the RV was parked on an incline and not level when I extended/retracted the slide. But oh well, sh*t happens and I was able to replace it with a 3Trax system. Shipping might be expensive, but its probably worth it. When I upgraded my 2014 33SW to the 3Trax system, getting the hardware from Thor/Lippert was a nightmare. They sent the original replacement schwintek system (2 track) twice! Then made the repair shop pay for return shipping even though the order specifically said that it was for the 3Trax system. Plus, they would ONLY sell the 3Trax system to the shop and not to me directly. I spoke with the sales person at Lippert and they refused to sell me the complete 3Trax kit, saying that it was "incompatible", which RobbieH and I know is complete BS. Plus, they required me to provide a VIN number to confirm that my RV came with the 3Trax, which of course I didn't have, so I had no luck purchasing directly. Luckily the shop was finally able to acquire the 3Trax kit and install it. Since then (knocking on wood and fingers crossed), it has worked perfectly, which is about 1.5 years now. Though I do get an uneasy feeling everytime I have to extend/retract the slide while we're camping. Heh. The total price for the entire 3Trax kit (tracks, motors, wiring, seals, etc) was about $1300 -- at least thats what the shop charged me. Installation time was a little less than a day.390Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
I checked that tiny breaker while I was out camping after seeing your previous post about it, but it wasn't tripped. Its not stuck at 11.5v on the panel, but when the gen or engine was running, the panel would jump up to 13.x volts. Now it doesnt get above 12.2. Ill try the shore power hook up you suggested next430Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
About half-way through a camping trip this past weekend, I started having a house battery charging issue. When I run the generator, it powers all of the coach, but doesn't charge the house batteries. When I run the engine, it no longer charges the house batteries either. The Xantrex display panel voltage doesn't increase after the gen or engine are turned on. Its currently pouring raining here, so I haven't tried plugging into shore power to see if that will charge them. I'll try that tomorrow. Has anyone else had this happen? I've done some searches and it sounds like the battery isolator relay (bi-directional isolator relay or trombatta?) might be bad. That said, I have no idea where these are located on mine (2014 33SW). Thanks, Andy407Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
I can now use the fast fill if I put the filler into the neck about half way. If I put it in all the way, I can't use the fast fill and need to keep it at about 1/2. Otherwise it will still shut off. Before the fix, it didn't matter how slowly I filled, it would always immediately shut off. It would literally take me 20 mins to fill the front tank. It sucked.266Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Super C (Chateau/Four Winds) improvements and mods
Side note, I finally got around to fixing my front fuel filler neck issue yesterday. Took me only about 20 mins. Wish I would have gotten off my lazy butt and done it two years ago. Heh. I ended up removing the three self tapping screws that hold the neck to the recessed plastic piece on the exterior of the coach. Loosened the clamp on the fuel hose, rotated the neck such that the vent line was facing straight up. Then positioned the fuel hose so it maintained a gradual slope to the tank and zip tied it in place. Voila, finally fixed. I was able to go to the gas station, put the fuel filler in and turn it on without it immediately shutting off. It was so nice.266Views0likes0Comments
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