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General Discussion / Re: Xantrex 1800 inverter not working

« on: October 22, 2022, 10:46:53 pm »

Agree - one year manufacturer warranty, though I did find a vendor that offered a second year for purchase (I did not).  I found a sticker on the original unit, manufactured 2018.  Agree that this is too expensive to be so short-lived.  However, looking through reviews of the product there does not seem to be a huge problem with these.  The bad reviews were extremely bad, but others experienced many years of service without issue.  Most telling (to me) was that I did not find tons of negative interviews on the unit here on this forum.  Certainly there are a few but not overwhelming.  Got my fingers crossed.

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General Discussion / Update Re: Xantrex 1800 inverter not working

« on: October 21, 2022, 06:50:45 am »

Never did receive a call back from Xantrex.

Filled out the online form on their website several days ago but no response from them.

Ordered same-model replacement from Amazon, it arrived yesterday about 6pm.  Installed and working properly, all is well.  There are definitely some products out there with better features and capabilities but the Xantrex 1800 was just right for "our type" of camping so just went for the swap out.  Thanks.

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General Discussion / Xantrex 1800 inverter not working

« on: October 13, 2022, 07:29:09 pm »

Dry camping (no hookups) after setting up turned on the inverter to watch tv.  2019 2552.  Inverter turns on, status light is red, shows battery status (12.5v eg) display stays on a couple of seconds, there is a click then the screen shows - - - then a click, screen shows 12.5v, etc.  this repeats (screen flipping from battery status to dashes) until I turn the inverter off.

Start the generator, turn on inverter, all appears normal.  Status light is green, screen reads battery status, no clicking, no dashes appearing. 

I have disconnected the inverter (located under the bunk) via the little telephone type cord then reconnected.  Also removed battery cables for about an hour then reconnected.  No change.

Call Xantrex, waited on hold awhile, then agreed to go on a call back list but they didn’t call (that was yesterday).

Just to confirm, when the display is on (showing the level of battery charge) the data is correct.  Have the solar suitcase hooked up and the controller on it hives with the display on the inverter screen. 
  While in inverter is turned on and doing this thing, the tv nor the outlets that should work are working. 

Any suggestions?   TIA

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General Discussion / Re: Speakers in 2022 PC 2552

« on: August 10, 2022, 07:54:39 pm »

You may have already tried this, but after we took delivery on our new 2019 2552 from Campers Inn I had two speakers not working.  One was the center speaker up front and the other was one of the back two by the bathroom door.  I actually called the factory and we talked through solutions until I finally pulled the non-working ones down and both had loose speaker wires.  Hooked 'em up, no problem since.

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General Discussion / Re: slideout mechanism is blinking

« on: July 13, 2022, 08:00:52 pm »

Ours will occasionally do this (blink when the slide is in).  I only noticed it once when I opened the cabinet door.  The slide works fine.  Just for kicks I "bumped" the slide "out" button just briefly, not enough to move the slide, just a touch is all it takes, enough to barely engage the motors, and the light goes out.  I cannot explain how or why this works, or even what prompted me to try it, but it works to stop the blinking.  As stated, the slide works fine.  We actually had the coach up to the mothership October last year for work on the slide (an unrelated issue) and all is well with the slide workings.  Just wanted to share our experience with the blinking lights.  Gary

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General Discussion / Re: Searching for Member

« on: January 08, 2022, 07:36:10 pm »

Hi Chuck - we're here, just saw this today.  Kristy is sending an email as she was the one posting to the newsletter.  Gary

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General Discussion / Re: Lego type leveling blocks

« on: June 09, 2021, 08:44:29 pm »

We carry the lego type blocks.  Very handy in NP or state park type sites which can be very un-level.  Coach is reasonably stable on the blocks too.  The HWH sometimes just can't get it done on these sites.  Sometimes we can get level using the HWH manually when the auto level can't do it, but occasionally just have to drive up on the blocks.  Do not use wheel chocks. 

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General Discussion / Re: Protecting rv from freeze

« on: February 09, 2021, 10:01:52 pm »

We keep our 2552 garaged at our home here in NC and the temp inside the garage usually runs 7-10 degrees warmer than outside during winter.  During a cold spell (about 26F or colder I connect to shore power and run a radiator heater on low.  Open cabinet doors and shower door.  Turn on tank heaters.  Coach temp stays in the 40's or above.  We are blessed to have the coach at home and garaged so have never had to winterize.

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General Discussion / Re: Things we learned on our cross country trip

« on: November 12, 2020, 07:04:46 pm »

Re the covid restrictions we encountered - it varied from place to place.  Glacier NP had closed all but one campground inside the park, but thankfully Fish Creek (where we had reserved) remained open.  The showers and laundry at Fish Creek were closed (taped or roped off) but bathrooms open.  The East entrance to Glacier was closed because it is on the Blackfeet reservation which was closed to public.  At Grand Teton NP, the campground and other facilities are concessionaire operated so bathrooms and showers and laundry were open.  At all the parks we visited the ranger programs were not being held.  Some of the gift shops and restaurants were usually open inside the parks but not all of them.  One thing consistent at every park we visited (except maybe North Rim GC) - they were packed and extremely busy.  Often could not get a parking place at the trail heads, etc in order to hike.  Had to get a very early (pre-dawn) start to hike the trails we wanted to hike at Glacier, Teton, Arches, Zion, etc.  Not complaining, just explaining.

The private campgrounds were mostly open with all facilities operating, though we did run into a few closed showers, etc there too.  Almost everywhere we camped (except the boondocking) were filled or nearly so.

Also - there were a lot of newbies on the roads and in the campgrounds.  You know, you can kinda tell if they're reading the manual at the dump station.

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General Discussion / Things we learned on our cross country trip

« on: November 11, 2020, 01:43:28 pm »

Just completed our cross country “trip of a lifetime” in our 2019 2552.  We left NC July 31 and returned Oct 12, driving a little over 7600 miles towing our 2006 Jeep Liberty. Both vehicles performed beautifully.  The purpose of our trip was to experience many of our wonderful National Parks (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier and others) and to just “see the country.”  The wildfires prevented us from visiting our California destinations (so we’ll have to go back again hopefully another time).

With this post I want to share some of the RV related things we experienced and dealt with while traveling, issues I consider just “things that could happen” on a trip like this and the learning opportunities that resulted.  Here we go…

We developed a slow leak in the right rear outside tire on the PC and had to visit Eagle Tire in Bozeman Montana.  They found the valve stem to be “loose” and tightened it up, no more leak.  No charge to tire repairs there!  Great folks.  Had probably 10-11k miles on the PC at that point and no tire issues prior or since. 

Our water heater stopped working in Riverton, Wyoming.   It would not light on gas but would usually (but not always) work on AC.  After much research on this and other forums we decided we needed a new circuit board.  Apparently there are some poor quality foreign made boards in some of these appliances that commonly fail after a year or so of use.   Could not find one locally so we ordered from Amazon and had it shipped ahead of us to General Delivery West Yellowstone Montana, where we picked it up a week or so later, got it installed, and presto hot water.  I also learned how to adjust the air mixture as I had it too rich at first.  I am so thankful for experienced folks online who are willing to help with comments and videos.

While camped at North Rim Grand Canyon, our furnace went crazy.  It would light and run about 5 seconds, shut off, light again, run about 2 seconds, shut off, light and run about 8 seconds, etc in a random pattern.  The coach did warm up eventually like this but needless to say I did not rest listening to that.  We were dry camping and had no cell or internet so just had to make do.  After leaving GC and able to research the issue, I believe the problem was - altitude.   Had never heard of this (then again had never camped at 8000+ feet before either).  I found strong opinions on both sides of this issue, but, my experience was that the furnace functioned perfectly at 5-6000 ft elevation but not at 8000 ft.  I made no adjustments or repairs at all, just got off the mountain.  Not everyone on the forums agreed with this (that elevation can impact function of propane appliances) but many others described similar experiences, sometimes the furnace, sometimes other appliances.  BTW our newly repaired water heater and the refrigerator were unaffected. 

We had the windshields of BOTH vehicles chipped with thrown rocks on the highway.  First the PC on I-90 and a few weeks later while driving the Jeep on a state highway.  Both were small chips and we waited to have them repaired after returning home.  What are the odds?

We lost a front wheel cover (simulator) somewhere on I-70 I think in Utah.  No idea how it came loose but we did travel some extremely cruddy roads unfortunately.  Ordered replacement from Carol after returning home and already received/installed it.

Here is the strangest thing of all - leaving a campground one morning, just finished dumping the tanks, and DW says “what is that sound?”  It was a “click/whir/click/whir/click/whir” over and over nonstop, coming from the furnace (this happened several weeks before the Grand Canyon issue above).  We could think of nothing to do but cut the power so we switched the battery disconnect.  Waited a minute then switched back on, and no more sound, and perfect function since (except for described above).  I have no idea what this could have been.  It was warm where we were and had not been using the furnace for awhile.

I must say that the 2552 V-10 was awesome and I loved having the Tow/Haul.  Our Jeep Liberty 4x4 weighs about 4200 lbs and the PC handled it on the grades well. 

Last comment - the dust omg - hurt my heart to see the PC so filthy.  However it is now washed and waxed and stowed in the garage until next time.  Couldn’t be happier with the PC. 

Again - my purpose here is just to share what we experienced and learned - not making recommendations or criticisms.  This was a fabulous trip and can’t wait till next time.

Gary

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: August 21, 2020, 07:00:38 pm »

We were there August 6 and all seemed well.  Keith gave us a tour as we had never been to the factory (we purchased from Camper's Inn Raleigh NC).  Tina saw us and came from her office to chat awhile (we had met her at Charleston last year).  We were having trouble with our levelers so Keith asked the service tech drive our rig over to the HWH shop for a calibration and bring it back.  Cannot beat service like that!  Had a great experience there.

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General Discussion / Re: First trip,. First mishaps

« on: June 02, 2020, 04:44:24 pm »

MikeA - re the tie down hooks in the rear storage - inspired by Ron's post I removed the bottom hooks (only the bottom) and the table (same model table) fits perfectly.  On my 2019 2552 I could reach the nuts inside the bumper with a wrench (1/2" I think).  Perhaps they may not be accessible on your model.  Besides a few head bumps reaching up in there it was simple.  Good luck and thanks again Ron.  Gary

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General Discussion / Re: Distribution Box AVS050HD

« on: June 12, 2019, 06:22:26 pm »

Agree with previous post.  We took delivery of our 2552 in March this year and it is set up same way.  I assume it's there in case we want to add additional components later.

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General Discussion / Re: Roadside Assistance

« on: March 25, 2019, 03:19:02 pm »

We will NEVER use Good Sam (or shop again at Camping World but that's a different tale) and here's why.  The one and only time I called Good Sam Roadside Asst was after a front tire blowout on my Fleetwood Class A.  The blowout occurred about 5pm at highway speed on busy I-85 and I was pretty rattled afterward.  It was 95 degrees out but I got stopped under a bridge overpass for some shade.  When I called GS a giggling young lady answered the phone.  I answered all her questions (what state, which highway, what mile marker on that highway, etc) and she said she would send help.  I happened to be about 15-20 miles from two pretty good sized cities in North Carolina (Winston Salem and Greensboro).  I waited a couple hours and finally got a call..."I'm here but I don't see you" he said.  "I'm right here under the bridge at exit 102" I replied.  "No I'm on the bridge looking down - there's no RV there".  Then he said "are you headed toward Spartanburg" and it hit me - SHE SENT HIM TO THE WRONG STATE.  The helpful tire man was in South Carolina (and ironically dispatched from across the border in NC to go there).  I had some lively discussion with GS when I called back, but the short version is I had to wait until the next day to get my tire changed because "we can find anybody tonight."

The next morning about 10 am a nice young man from Schneider's Tire service got us back on the road.  Interestingly he told me that he had seen us a couple times the evening before sitting under the bridge, and that they (Schneider's) get calls from GS "all the time" but GS did not call them until that morning.

I understand that many folks swear by GS and this is just one story - but it was enough for me to say enough.

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General Discussion / Ford warranty issue on new coach

« on: March 19, 2019, 10:35:32 pm »

While on the way for our FIRST weekend in our NEW 2552 (the "Toaster"), I noticed the "check engine" light was on (solid, not flashing).  Less than 1200* miles on it.  Pulled over, did some quick research, checked the gas cap (it was tight) and finally continued on our way.  All the info I could find indicated that, if the engine was performing properly it was safe to continue until we could get it checked.  The campground is 28 miles from our home.  Got home Sunday no problem and first thing Monday I called the local Ford dealer (less than 10 miles away), told the story, and was told "we don't work on RV's".  Called the next closest dealership (about 20 miles away), they asked the wheelbase length then replied "that's just over out limit."   Called the next closest dealership (30 miles away), they "only have one lift that can handle something that big and it's occupied right now" so they could not help.

On the advice of an acquaintance I drove the rig to the local Advance Auto and the nice fellow there (Jay) determined the error code was "P0496" which is "an issue with the purge flow in the EVAP system.  Apparently the engine was not handling emissions safely as designed.  I next called the AWESOME folks at Capital Ford in Charlotte (40 miles from home) and made a service appointment in the Heavy Truck Center.  They diagnosed a "purge valve was stuck" and replaced it, under warranty of course, and all is well.  Paul at the desk there was outstanding to deal with and we had our beloved Toaster home in the same day. 

It bothers me that none of the first service centers I called even offered to try and diagnose the issue, even if not equipped to fix it themselves.  Perhaps they might have helped me find the nearest dealer that could help.  They could have done better than "we don't work on RV's" or "our lift is tied up" - each time I explained clearly that we have a new E-450 under warranty.  All is well now, but we have looked up the Ford corporate customer service number and plan to give them a call.

*About the 1200 miles - the coach had 950 miles when we drove it home, I assume having been driven from Indiana to Raleigh NC.  We drove it 160 miles home from Raleigh.

Gary B
North Carolina