Newbie owner of 2024 Axis 24.1

[Epiphany]

Good morning from the hot DFW Texas. I completed my maiden voyage in my Axis this week. My husband & I had a fifth wheel for many years and after he passed away I needed something I felt comfortable driving, setting up, etc. and feel I did very well considering in the past I only followed his instructions in leveling which was my biggest challenge but I did it!



The difference in driving a F-250 and pulling a trailer to being inside your rig will take some getting used to. I don't know if I need to take it back to the dealer or if this is standard with the Axis. The cab air conditioning only seems to blow air when driving and then it doesn't seem to have much output. I drive with generator running so the living area is cooled but my dog and I were not comfortable.


Other than this one issue I love the Axis. It was very comfortable and I even was able to maneuver around the small shower. I read somewhere about using pool noodles so will look into that. Also I read somewhere about putting up sunblocking curtains between the cab and coach so will look into that but the reflectix seemed to keep a lot of heat out while camping.


Just wanted to introduce myself and if you have any suggestions for this old woman solo anytime camper I would appreciate it!!!

[DavidEM]

With the temps you are getting in the DFW area now, it isn’t surprising that the chassis and coach A/Cs can’t keep up even with both running.

David

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

The cab air conditioning only seems to blow air when driving and then it doesn't seem to have much output.

Not normal. Of course the engine A/C will only work with the engine running but I take your post to mean you only feel air coming out of the vents while the MH is moving? But if you're stopped at a stoplight, no air comes out?

The Cab A/C should work just like the A/C in your car with different fan speeds. Might want to cruise that back to the dealer.

[Smallengine]

Hi there.
I have had a 2021 vegas and also a 2022 axis. The a/c leaves a lot to be desired. Make sure the ac button and also the resurculating buttons are both on.
The cab gets exceptionally hot after you shut the engine down from residual engine heat.
The Vegas ans Axis are awsome. Fun to drive. Set up and use.
I just ordered a new ACE 32B. A little bigger unit, but we are changing up the type of rving we are doing.
I wish youbthe best of luck. Also you should get upwards of 15 mph if you work at it with the cruise control.
Mm

[Epiphany]

Well update on my chassis AC issue. It appears the blower is not working. I attempted to contact the dealer (left 3 messages yesterday and 2 today) but while waiting thought I would check the fuse. Once opened the hood decided not and drove to the dealer and spoke to a service rep who told me that I needed to contact Ford for a fix and they didn't have a referral source. Called Thor and they directed me to search online but to advance search for commercial. After calling the 3 listed and none that works on motor homes I am a bit exasperated. Does anyone know of a Ford service center in the Fort Worth, TX area? TIA

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

Well update on my chassis AC issue. It appears the blower is not working. I attempted to contact the dealer (left 3 messages yesterday and 2 today) but while waiting thought I would check the fuse. Once opened the hood decided not and drove to the dealer and spoke to a service rep who told me that I needed to contact Ford for a fix and they didn't have a referral source. Called Thor and they directed me to search online but to advance search for commercial. After calling the 3 listed and none that works on motor homes I am a bit exasperated. Does anyone know of a Ford service center in the Fort Worth, TX area? TIA

You have an AXIS. The entire dash including any and all HVAC components are THOR installed and likely are supplied by a third party manufacturer.

[ducksface]

It might be worth going to an ac shop, paying the diagnosis out of pocket and getting your air fixed.

You might ask Thor first if they'll refund.
If they won't,
Pay out of pocket and put this all behind you.

Some things are more important than warranty.

[AlanH]

We had a similar problem with our 2021 Axis. We had a Ford dealer diagnose and repair the problem. In our case, Thor had not charged the system with refrigerant. We sent a copy of the Ford invoice to Thor and they reimbursed us for the cost of the repairs.

We found that the Ford Motorhome Hotline was very helpful in finding a Ford dealer that works on the chassis portion of the Axis. If you search the forum, you should be able to find the telephone number

[AlanH]

Here is the phone number for Ford's Motorhome Assistance Center
800-444-3311

When I called them, they found a dealer that works on motorhomes very quickly.

[AlanH]

We have found the chassis A/C to be undersized. It works well enough for us, as we live in Michigan. Mid-80's is a heat wave for us! In the South, you will probably need to run the house A/C as well when driving in hot weather.

[ducksface]

Maybe it's a fluke
But
Our 24.1 blows cold in an Arizona/New Mexico summer just fine.
It's a big windshield but the ac does just fine against that obstacle.

We had our windshield(and all other windows) ceramic tinted.
Supposed to help with heat.
Oddly, it also helped a bit with the noise.
The noise is all still there, but it's flatter with less depth.

We also always run the coach roof a.c. all the time.
If we Go into a store, we leave both of them running.

[chinabikerguy@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

Good morning from the hot DFW Texas. I completed my maiden voyage in my Axis this week. My husband & I had a fifth wheel for many years and after he passed away I needed something I felt comfortable driving, setting up, etc. and feel I did very well considering in the past I only followed his instructions in leveling which was my biggest challenge but I did it!



The difference in driving a F-250 and pulling a trailer to being inside your rig will take some getting used to. I don't know if I need to take it back to the dealer or if this is standard with the Axis. The cab air conditioning only seems to blow air when driving and then it doesn't seem to have much output. I drive with generator running so the living area is cooled but my dog and I were not comfortable.


Other than this one issue I love the Axis. It was very comfortable and I even was able to maneuver around the small shower. I read somewhere about using pool noodles so will look into that. Also I read somewhere about putting up sunblocking curtains between the cab and coach so will look into that but the reflectix seemed to keep a lot of heat out while camping.


Just wanted to introduce myself and if you have any suggestions for this old woman solo anytime camper I would appreciate it!!!

I have a Thor Chateau and I got thick self adhesive insulation material that I put on the inside of the engine cover. I covered the entire surface and sealed the edges on the top to keep hot engine heat from entering the cab. It made a world of difference and I encourage others to do the same.
Paul

[Pabs4]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

Well update on my chassis AC issue. It appears the blower is not working. I attempted to contact the dealer (left 3 messages yesterday and 2 today) but while waiting thought I would check the fuse. Once opened the hood decided not and drove to the dealer and spoke to a service rep who told me that I needed to contact Ford for a fix and they didn't have a referral source. Called Thor and they directed me to search online but to advance search for commercial. After calling the 3 listed and none that works on motor homes I am a bit exasperated. Does anyone know of a Ford service center in the Fort Worth, TX area? TIA

Ford provides the chassis. The AC system is provided by Thor. Did you receive any contact from Thor regarding a concierge service phone contact? Keep calling Thor until you get someone who will acknowledge that Thor needs to help you with this problem. Congratulations and Good Luck!

Pam

[Rigsbya5458]

I had the same issue last summer with my 2017 Vegas 24.1. it ended up being the Air Conditioner control board in mounted in the dash. I ordered one from Thor and replaced myself after being diagnosed at a Ford Dealership that works on motorhomes. A pretty simple fix after watching a YouTube video. The Ford dealership estimate was $600 labor for 3 hours. It took me 15 minutes to swap the part.

[push toy]

i had the same issue with my 2022 vegas 25.6.
in the front out side under the dash there was a lot of air leaks where the dash meets the body buy the defroster vents. i worked very hard at pluging the leaks couldnt get them all so i covered the defrost vents with a heavy towel and inslated the dog house that seemed to help a lot even when we were not moving.
good luck and happy trails

[SGilbert]

Originally Posted by Rigsbya5458

I had the same issue last summer with my 2017 Vegas 24.1. it ended up being the Air Conditioner control board in mounted in the dash. I ordered one from Thor and replaced myself after being diagnosed at a Ford Dealership that works on motorhomes. A pretty simple fix after watching a YouTube video. The Ford dealership estimate was $600 labor for 3 hours. It took me 15 minutes to swap the part.

Hopefully I'll never need it, but could you provide the part number and the YouTube link please? It may be of help to others too.

[Epiphany]

Thor provided limit assistance; however, I did call them on Friday afternoon. I was able to locate a Ford dealership that was willing to help. In the meantime I was discussing with my neighbor who retired from a Ford dealership where he was employed as a service tech. He volunteered to look at it and found a wire under the dash that had disconnected. He reconnected which fixed the issue. I have been a long time owner of Ford vehicles so hoping this will be the last concerning the cab. I plan to enjoy my adventures and pray all goes well going forward!!!

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Epiphany

Thor provided limit assistance; however, I did call them on Friday afternoon. I was able to locate a Ford dealership that was willing to help. In the meantime I was discussing with my neighbor who retired from a Ford dealership where he was employed as a service tech. He volunteered to look at it and found a wire under the dash that had disconnected. He reconnected which fixed the issue. I have been a long time owner of Ford vehicles so hoping this will be the last concerning the cab. I plan to enjoy my adventures and pray all goes well going forward!!!

Sooo, not a Ford problem then......

[Beau388]

The dash A/C in all Ford stripped chassis is supplied by Evans Tempcon and install by Thor MC at the house factory (Thor MC plant 750 or 850). Detroit Chassis installs a Ford A/C compressor when assembling the chassis. Pro Air can supply all the Evans Tempcon parts. Been that way for 28 years or so.
FOMOCO Truck Division designs the stripped chassis, but the assembly and marketing is handled by Detroit Chassis in Detroit, MI and Avon, OH.