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1

General Discussion / Onan 4000 Generator - Want To Replace - Alternative?

« on: August 14, 2024, 03:25:07 pm »

After 17 years of ownership, I have come to the point with our Onan 4000 generator, where I need to invest in a carb (or maybe more) it to get it running properly and reliably.  I could do that, but I really would like to replace this noise maker with a very quiet, very tollerant, non-fussy, extremely reliable alternative.

Has anyone found such a "Magic Genny" that takes up the same space as an Onan 4000?

2

General Discussion / My Brother Seeks A PC Like Ours - Anyone Selling a 2350 or 2351?

« on: July 01, 2024, 08:07:41 am »

My brother and his wife in Florida (Tampa area) are done with their 1998 B+ Starflyte, E350-V10 with DRW and 175,000 miles, very close to THIS ONE but with a beefier chassis.

It has left them stranded 3 times in the past 2000 miles.  After a rebuilt transmission and two failed torque converters in rapid succession, they feel it is time to replace the rig.  They really loved their 21'-2" long rig with rear corner double bed and half-dinette but would consider longer.  Absolutes are...

- Not new or near new solely because of their budget
- B+
- permanent double bed
- a dinette
- prefer no slide-out(s) but may compromise if everything else is ideal.
- miles driven, they seem to be open to 80,000-ish.
- fancy paint jobs and such are not a requirement
- if preserved well and 20 years old, at the right price they would consider it.

They are very familiar with OUR PC-2350 SEEN HERE feeling that would be an ideal replacement, even though it measures 2.5 feet longer than theirs.

I believe they would be willing to travel to purchase the right rig.  No financing required.

Please PM me directly and I will hook you up with them.

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General Discussion / Propane Tank Shield - Report After Years Of Service

« on: June 14, 2024, 08:45:33 am »

It has been a number of years since I installed a rubber mudflap shield between my left rear tires and the propane tank.
 CLICK HERE TO SEE MANY PICTURES.  I thought it would be good to report on how it has been working.

Simply stating, I am very satisfied with its effectiveness.  There is only one minor issue that I must note to readers.  Similarly to what I have seen on semi-trucks, the inside lower corner of the shield flops around from wind through forward motion.  The wind moves the rubber shield towards the inside rear tire which causes abrasion to the shield, sort of notching it a little.  There is no damage to the rear tire, only some missing rubber shield material.  I did not take a picture of it yet, but will when I pull the motorhome out from the garage.  I will trim the shield there to avoid further contact.

This addition reminds me of my battery shield that I had made back around 2009.  You can review many pictures of that project by CLICKING HERE.  Does Phoenix enclose the battery compartment yet?  OR are the rear tires in later model years, still throwing debris all over the batteries?

The propane tank shield is shown here mounted on the left side.


BEFORE


AFTER

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General Discussion / 2007 Ford E350-V10 PC-2350 - After 2 Years Stored In Climate-Controlled Garage

« on: October 05, 2023, 11:51:02 am »

For you who may be curious as to the consequences of leaving your PC sit for 2 years idle.

During the past 2 years, our road trips did not involve our PC.  So our PC sat in our garage hybernating all that time.  Last week, we went on a 700 mile round-trip journey, the first time anything operated in 2 years.

2 years ago, I disconnected all batteries and charged them up roughly 3 to 4 times a year at a low 4 amp setting.  The batteries performed perfectly with no degradation that I could notice.

The gasoline in the gas tank was filled to the top 2 years ago to minimize air in the fuel tank.  The fuel was 87 octane with 10% ethanol.  I did NOT add any products like Stabil.

The main Ford V10 engine started right up and ran perfectly smooth throughout our 700 mile journey with no noticable degradation in performance or behavior.  We drove until we burned through the tank of fuel to 1/8 of a tank to get rid of as much old fuel before refueling.  Once back home, we had burned almost through an additional 1/2 tank, so I figure we have an estimated 6 gallons of 2 year old gasoline dilluted in 50 gallons of fresh gasoline.

ABOUT THE GENERATOR
Sitting idle for 2 years did not fair well for it.  It starts hard and runs poorly such that we could not use it during the trip.  Now that we are back at home, I am trying to bring it back to good health.  I will report on my progress.

ABOUT THE WASTE SYSTEM
Our second macerator is now 8 years old.  It works but spins slower than it should.  To wake it up, I used my electric drill with a flat blade screw driver tip and spun the motor to get it going.  This needed repeating with every use.  I am replacing it.

Our black tank waste valve is gummed up.  It is not fully closing.  I disconnected the electro-mechanical feature and worked it by hand to learn that I have to tap it closed.  Working it open/close multiple times was futile.  I could remove and clean the valve, but am going to replace it instead.

Everything else is in perfect working order.  The fridge, furnace, a/c, plumbing, etc. all is well.  Being stored in our garage with rodent traps and poison, and routine insect control, nothing has been compromised by them.

I do NOT recommend storing your PC for 2 years without exercising it.  I am only reporting on what you may experience if you do.

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Tips and Tricks / 5-Star Tune Evaluation (2007 E350-V10 PC-2350, October 2023) (NOT Towing)

« on: October 03, 2023, 12:02:31 pm »

I bought the 5-Star Tune a year ago at a cost of $508.39 which included a discount of $82.49, but considers shipping and IL sales tax.  I finally got around to installing it last week, just prior to taking a 700 mile round-trip journey, all highway driving and not towing.

The first task was to update the 5-Star Tune hand-hend unit using a Windows computer.  An Apple does NOT work.  The process involved downloading an updating tool called "Device Updater" then performing the actual update.

After updating the hand-held unit with my Windows 8.1 (now unsupported by Microsoft) laptop computer, I plugged it into my OBD-II port.  It then loaded my factory tune into it.  This is saved in-case you later change your mind and would like to revert back to the factory original tune.

Afterward, I uploaded the 5-Star Tune.

.................Here are my observations...................
I cannot provide a good evaluation at this time because this was a short trip of only 700 miles, all highway driving, relatively flat roads, not towing our 2006 Jeep Liberty, and the gasoline in our fuel tank was over 2 years old.

BEHAVIORS: The transmission shifts more like, and accelerates more like a normal car would.  I describe it as a refined version of "Tow-Haul Mode".  It simply "feels better" with the 5-Star Tune.

I used cruise control nearly all the time.  I made note that the transmission did NOT downshift when climbing over-passes.
 Our cruising speed was a consistent 63 mph per our ScanGauge-II readout (65 mph per the speedometer).  Per The ScanGage-II, our fuel economy to our destination of 350 miles consistently read 12.6 mpg.  Our return trip back home of 350 miles consistently read 11.6 mpg.  On the way out, we had no notable head wind.  Our return trip, we felt a head wind which explains the 1 mpg difference.

Our average fuel economy there and back was 12.1 mpg.
Performance was improved, but we were not towing our Jeep Liberty which is what we are used to.  So my comment on "performance" is nearly worthless.
I liked that the transmission did not downshift with each overpass, emphasizing again that we were not towing our Jeep Liberty.

I will provide a better evaluation after a 5000-6000 round trip journey out west when towing our Jeep Liberty.  That is most valuable to me, not a short 700 mile trip not towing.  I post this because I didn't want my first 5-Star Tune experience go undocumented.

Ron Dittmer

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General Discussion / Service Intervals For 2005-2007 E350/E450 With 5-Speed TorqShift Transmission

« on: October 11, 2021, 09:52:51 am »

I was just reading through my 2007 Ford E-series service manual.  I noted the following service intervals for our TorqShift transmission with OEM external bypass filter, a bell jar design.

Under normal operation.....

At 30,000 miles, drain the oil using the drain plug and replace the external bypass filter.  Leave the inside filter alone, no need to replace it yet.  You will need 9 quarts of Mercon-SP transmission oil.

At 60,000 miles, replace both the external and internal filters.
At 90,000 miles, replace only the external filter.
At 120,000 miles, replace both filters
....and so on....

Under extreme operation, everything changes to 15,000 mile intervals.  The choice is yours if you want to consider your PC operated in "extreme" conditions.  It just might be.

Here is the bypass filter.  The last year Ford used it was 2007.


The filter inside looks like a roll of toilet paper.  The filters are available at most auto parts stores, though you might have to order it at some places.  I bought my replacement from Autozone, the Duralast brand.


The instructions say to NEVER drive the vehicle without the bypass filter.  Being a bypass filter, it is safe to operate the vehicle with an extremely dirty plugged-up filter, but driving without the filter, the transmission will get damaged because most of the oil will pass through the bell jar instead of through the transmission oil cooling system.

This bypass filter when new allows 10% of the transmission oil through it by design.  As it gets dirty and slowly clogs, less and less oil gets filtered through it.

Unlike the primary internal filter, the bypass filter captures extremely small impurities, so it's really nice to have.  It makes sense to replace this filter every 15,000 miles, per the "extreme operation" service interval.

7

General Discussion / Broken Fridge Access Panel Retainer

« on: October 07, 2021, 09:37:59 am »

Cleaning up our 14 year old PC after our recent 4 week trip, I thought I would remove the outside fridge and furnace panels to inspect and clean.  I have not had either one off since 2007.  I was happy to see that everything inside looked good with minimal debris and grime, the result of indoor storage.

Anyway, while removing the fridge panel, either I broke one retainer, or it broke on it's own sometime over the years.




Shopping around for replacements, I learned there are two different choices.  There is a thick wall and a thin wall version.  Our 2007 PC takes the thick wall version.  I bought two packages of 2 from etrailer for $26.23 including taxes and shipping.

I found them cheapest at etrailer but maybe they are sold cheaper elsewhere.  I replaced only the broken one and reused the inner piece because it is painted silver from the full body paint job.  I have 3 spares now.

I would hate to loose that panel, especially because of the full body paint job.

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General Discussion / Phoenix Reduces Their Models

« on: September 29, 2021, 09:27:11 am »

I just noticed that Phoenix dropped models 2350 and 2551.  They were the most popular models not so long ago.  I guess adding the extra foot in creating models 2351 and 2552 has been most successful.

I am partial to model 2350 because we've owned one for 14 years and counting.  I've always appreciated having an unmodified 158" wheel base chassis, keeping it all Ford-standard.  Oh well.  That's progress.

Another 6 years and we will own a classic. 

9

General Discussion / Replaced My Original Hot And Cold Fresh Water Drain Valves

« on: August 16, 2021, 10:29:24 pm »

Each year my two original multi-turn (many turn) fresh water drain valves got harder and harder to open and close.  Today they were so difficult that I twisted off the handles breaking the valve stems, so it was time to replace them.  In my 2007 2350, they are located in the main outdoor storage compartment, right up against the forward wall.


Menards was the only store I found that stocked 90 degree PEX 1/4 turn ball valves that accepted 3/8 PEX piping.  CLICK HERE to see the ones I bought.  They are so much nicer than the original multi-turn valves that were never user friendly.

I re-learned today that 3/8" ID PEX piping requires THESE 1/2" copper crimp rings like Phoenix used.

Replacing them was not easy because of the limited space and length of pipe to work with.  It took some determination but I got it done and done right.




Imagine trying to fit this beast in such a confining space.

10

General Discussion / First "Partial" Transmission Oil Change On A 2007 E350 Chassis

« on: August 16, 2021, 08:12:38 am »

We have a 2007 Ford E350 chassis with the 6.8L-V10 engine and the Torqshift transmission of that time.  Our transmission has a secondary fluid filtration system, a bell jar design which I understand was installed for a 2 year period, 2006 and 2007.  Our PC has 38,000 miles and so I thought it would be a good time to change the oil and filters.  I bought everything, 9 quarts of Mercon SP fluid, primary transmission filter, and secondary filter that resembles a roll of toilet paper.

Well I chickened out changing the primary filter in the trans pan after draining the near perfectly clean trans fluid and change only the secondary toilet paper roll filter this first time.  The secondary filter was dark & dirty but not alarming.  It's condition indicated it was doing it's job well.  I will change the main filter and everything else again in 22,000 more miles when the odometer hits 60,000.

I found it interesting how the external secondary filter works.  It is not in-line with the trans oil system but rather taps off the system so some oil gets filtered through it and returned to the transmission while most oil gets cooled through the two external oil coolers.  The paperwork that came with the secondary filter stated that running the vehicle without this filter will greatly increase transmission operational temperatures, damaging the transmission.  It is fine to drive the vehicle with a 100% plugged-up filter, but do NOT use the vehicle with the filter removed.  With a plugged-up dirty secondary filter, the trans fluid would naturally get dirty more quickly.

This is the secondary filter cartridge.


The bell jar is very similar to this, if not identical.  It is mounted on the driver side of the transmission, hanging down in logical fashion.  I wonder why this secondary filter was removed in the years that followed.

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General Discussion / WARNING About Ford E350/E450 Brake Fluid Change Between 2012 And 2013

« on: July 03, 2021, 11:17:03 am »

I just learned this today and am passing it on to an unsuspecting owner.

Ford switched brake fluids....

from DOT3 up to and including model year 2012
to DOT4 for model year 2013 to current day

I confirmed this change comparing Ford owners manuals that are available on-line HERE.

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Tips and Tricks / Adding A Propane Tank Shield On Our 2007 2350

« on: May 18, 2021, 07:23:52 pm »

This has bothered me for 14 years.  I finally got around to making a shield for our propane tank that was always fully exposed to the rear tires as shown here.

I bought a truck mud flap from a truck stop during one of our vacations.

I measured and cut out my shield, first with my table saw, followed with a large scissors for the detail work.
I used a generic perforated bracket for mounting it.
I used hardware I had around the house including nylon locking lug nuts.
Cost was only that of the mud flap which as I recall was around $25.

I assembled it followed by a final fitting, then decided to adjust the lower-right area for improved clearance to the leaf springs and parking brake cable.

Here it is installed and the project finished.

I screwed the perforated bracket up into and through the PC wheel well liner into the steel above it.  It wasn't too thick, the large screw was able to self-tap into it.  I got lucky, in that there was a large production hole in the thick hardened steel main cross frame to allow the screw to the far right to pass through it into the steel above.

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General Discussion / After 14 Years, First New Set Of Tires (Plus Alcoa Wheels)

« on: March 24, 2021, 08:23:11 pm »

Mister Procrastinator here.....

Our PC was built in the spring of 2007.  It is now spring of 2021, 14 years later.  I am finally replacing the original tires with 38716 miles as stated on the odometer.  The last cross-country trip we took was in August 2018 so our PC has been idle for nearly 2.5 years due to a focus on vacations in Europe with extra focus on Greece with Irene's family there, Egypt, and the Holy Land Israel.  But we are are back focusing on the good old USA so it's time to "reset" our PC with new tires and all fresh fluids.

Our original tires are just now starting to show some minor cracking as shown here, seen around the tire size.


Here is the thread wear on the rear tires that is very nice and even.  I never rotated them.


Here is one of two front tires, both worn poorly, caused by bad shock absorbers, those red Koni-RVs that were unevenly adjusted, also made worse when the top mounts worn away.


It is the perfect time to give our PC the full treatment with Alcoa wheels.  The way it works is that you replace only the wheels that show.  The inner duallies remain original steel.  These cost me $1,500 HERE.  I still await for Alcoa-specific Borg valve stems HERE (not extenders) that extend out for easy air filling.



I will be stopping by Discount Tire to purchase 6 new Michelin Agilis CrossClimate 115/112RE tires of the exact same size and load rating.  I will mount them myself at my church where I volunteer as a mechanic for the under-resourced, to assure the wheels don't get marred, then return to Discount Tire to get them balanced with stick-on wheel weights placed on the hidden inside.  They quoted me $1316 for tires, tax, and balance.

I will reassign the two front steel wheels to the inside rear and discard the two front tires.  The original 4 rear wheels and tires will be sold locally.  Hopefully someone who drives a lot locally with an E-series Box truck or landscape truck who lives on a tight budget will value them.

I will also be selling my PC-supplied wheel cover set.  They would do nice for someone with a motor home that lacks them.

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General Discussion / Post Pics And Stories Of Your Previous and Current RVs Here

« on: February 02, 2021, 11:21:25 pm »

I hope this will be a fun topic for all to participate in. 
-----------------------------------------------------------

We bought our first motor home at the age of 25, the year we became parents.  We special ordered our new Toyota/Mirage in September 1983 paying $12,225 which was about the price of a big Buick at the time.  The Mirage factory was in Elkhart about 5 miles south/west of Phoenix USA.  Mirage went out of business sometime during model year 1986.  We sold our Mirage in early 2007 on eBay for $7,600.

We ordered our Mirage stripped to the bone for affordability and simplicity.  It was extremely basic by motor home standards.  It was more like a hard shell tent with furnishings on wheels.  Even the chassis was stripped with a manual 4-speed transmission, no radio, no air conditioning....not even power steering.

Our Mirage served us well for vacations during and beyond our parenting years.  Our annual trips with our two sons sometimes included one of their aunts.  With a 2.4L-L4 carbureted engine rated at only 96hp, our little Mirage was a turtle.  It's top speed, full throttle on flat ground and no wind, was 78mph.  With the small fuel tank, we learned it was best to limit our cruising speed to 57mph.  This actually made better time than increasing our speed because we stopped much less frequently for fuel.

Our Mirage was our second vehicle during our first 7 years of ownership.  Irene changed careers from software engineering to domestic engineering when we became parents.  Our Mirage was her vehicle for meeting her transportation needs.  I used it as a delivery vehicle bringing home all kinds of bulk including all the lumber for building our deck.  During the construction of our house in 1988, our Mirage was my mobile tool shed.

For a number of years prior to 2007, we talked about replacing our Mirage with something much better.  The defining moment was in 2006 driving in 117 degree heat through South Dakota.  That was our last trip with it.

This picture was taken during our last trip with our Mirage in 2006.  CLICK HERE to see many pictures.


In May 2007, we special ordered our Phoenix Cruiser 2350 of which we still own today.  We paid $67,205 but have invested significantly more thereafter to improve our needs, comforts, and conveniences.  CLICK HERE to see many pictures.

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General Discussion / Parks And Places Online

« on: December 27, 2020, 08:56:51 pm »

My brother has been putting together YouTube videos of parks and places that he and my sister-in-law have travelled to.  It's sort-of a travel channel hobby he is establishing.

CLICK HERE to get to his YouTube listing of short videos.

I thoroughly enjoyed the one video called "No To Solar", primarily because he shares his opinion during a hike in Big Bend National Park.  I simply enjoyed his hike.