New 2018 Axis owner

[NewAxisOwner]

Hello everyone,

Just picked up the Axis and love the idea, but the execution disturbs me. I've been repairing serious stuff since my Saturday pick up (water intrusion etc...). I was a former GM Certified ASE dealer mechanic (and being OCD/anal doesn't help when it comes to rvs) and I expect others to take pride in their work, as I do. But, it's obvious to me that THOR is more concerned about volume selling, rather than having volume AND quality. I will detail recent fixes in the proper forum sections.

I've also advised THOR to actually READ these forums. EVERYONE should be replacing those rear tail light lense (so-called) triple gaskets (cheap foam) from Command Electronics (will detail in repair forum, as my fix will last 50 years and is the cleanest way to seal the lenses). If not, I would have delamination in the rear section. I also have a 1/4 inch gap in a foam gasket used on the exterior AC receptacle. No doubt this is leaking as well. I will be addressing that today, along with why my house batteries that aren't being charged while the engine is running (poss bad solenoid I'm assuming).

Yesterday, my generator wouldn't start (breaker was tripped). Now, I have to find out why it tripped in the first place. Haven't even used the RV yet. Just the AC unit.

This week I will also be adding pre-ordered front/rear Hellwig anti-sway bars, Bilsteins all around and a Bilstein steering stabilyzer. I read on this forum about the Axis being all over the road. Sure enough, it was. White knuckle driving the whole way. THOR has refused to align my AXIS per this forum's specs, so I will do it myself. The E-series steering box has always been loose over the years, so proper suspension and steering geometry is paramount. THOR says they aligned the AXIS per Ford specs. Funny, I didn't know Ford had specs specifically for RVs.

Anyway, I wanted to say Hi, and be a resource for anyone having similar problems. This forum is awesome!

AJ

[chad523]

Congrads on your new RV...alot of what u list is the norm unfortunately, I am not much of a mechanic so have to take mine in, took me about a year to get everything fixed an the upgrades completed, now I have convinced that I am good to go anywhere.

[safari]

Originally Posted by NewAxisOwner

Hello everyone,

Just picked up the Axis and love the idea, but the execution disturbs me. I've been repairing serious stuff since my Saturday pick up (water intrusion etc...). I was a former GM Certified ASE dealer mechanic (and being OCD/anal doesn't help when it comes to rvs) and I expect others to take pride in their work, as I do. But, it's obvious to me that THOR is more concerned about volume selling, rather than having volume AND quality. I will detail recent fixes in the proper forum sections.

I've also advised THOR to actually READ these forums. EVERYONE should be replacing those rear tail light lense (so-called) triple gaskets (cheap foam) from Command Electronics (will detail in repair forum, as my fix will last 50 years and is the cleanest way to seal the lenses). If not, I would have delamination in the rear section. I also have a 1/4 inch gap in a foam gasket used on the exterior AC receptacle. No doubt this is leaking as well. I will be addressing that today, along with why my house batteries that aren't being charged while the engine is running (poss bad solenoid I'm assuming).

Yesterday, my generator wouldn't start (breaker was tripped). Now, I have to find out why it tripped in the first place. Haven't even used the RV yet. Just the AC unit.

This week I will also be adding pre-ordered front/rear Hellwig anti-sway bars, Bilsteins all around and a Bilstein steering stabilyzer. I read on this forum about the Axis being all over the road. Sure enough, it was. White knuckle driving the whole way. THOR has refused to align my AXIS per this forum's specs, so I will do it myself. The E-series steering box has always been loose over the years, so proper suspension and steering geometry is paramount. THOR says they aligned the AXIS per Ford specs. Funny, I didn't know Ford had specs specifically for RVs.

Anyway, I wanted to say Hi, and be a resource for anyone having similar problems. This forum is awesome!

AJ

Welcome, and We will look forward for your thoughts .
Regards
Mike

[gnach]

Welcome aboard AJ! As someone wisely said, today's RV isn't so much a product but a kit. You're way ahead of the curve.

[JamieGeek]

Congratulations and welcome.

Sounds like you did a lot of research (including browsing the forums) and thus you've likely found Ed's excellent crowd sourced Axis/Vegas owner's manual (here: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f10...nual-4961.html ). If you haven't then here it is, download and read it LOL.

[NewAxisOwner]

You know it. That sourced PDI list was very helpful.

[bevedfelker]

send me your tail light repair and pix and I'll add it to the manual. Bevedfelker@live.com

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to our side of the Campgrounds!
It sounds as if you've got a handle on getting your "RV Kit" completed!

[NewAxisOwner]

I did a write-up repair section, earlier. Thanks for your PDI insight. For some reason, it hasn't been posted.

[Long & Winding road]

Welcome. Once you get the bugs worked out and a few of your handling mods complete Im sure you will love your Axis as much as I love mine.

Your already ahead of the curve since you found this awesome forum and have the mechanical background already. Both are needed IMO to have a happy and safe RV experience.

Send us some pic's of your mods as you get them complete.

[NewAxisOwner]

Thanks... Yes, we do love the design and concept. Having the rear slide and not the side slides was what needed for a 4-foot long German Shepherd K9. Can't turn around otherwise. lol

Here's my updated LED lense result. It's so clean, you can barely see a seam change

[Bob Denman]

It's looking pretty darn great!