Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance
How does an awning deploy at 55 MPH? Was that electric or manual?
Also, when you say "black tank flushing" is that the same as black tank dumping? Was the problem flushing the toilet or emptying the black tank?
If covered already in other threads please point me in right direction. These seem like systems that should have incredibly low failure rates.
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The awning, three things came into play:
First, the manufacturer of the coach did not maintain the same caliber build sheet/component list that is maintained by Thor. The manufacturer, in this case Forest River, could not tell you what components, model numbers, or serial number were installed on the coach with the exception of major appliances (refrigerator, AC unit etc...)
Second, the awning manufacturer, Dometic, failed to include an important step in the installation steps for the motorized awning. In their recall notice they stated that improper installation and wiring connections could result in undesirable deployment of the awning and in rare circumstances the awning deploying when driving.
Third, Dometic notified Forest River who couldn't determine which coaches had the improperly installed awnings because, unlike Thor, they didn't track them by VIN so Forest River took no action to notify customers of potential problems.
Last year, while returning from a 4th of July trip my awning deployed at 55 mph on Interstate 95. Luckily I was close to my exit and only 6 miles from the house. After some research I found the recall, talked to Dometic and they verified my awning was one of the units under recall. It took 2 months (summer season) before the coach could get into a shop to have the awning replaced and the coach sidewall repaired. The awning deployed with such force that it ripped 3 of the 8 mounting bolts out of the side wall.
Challenge for today, try getting a 16 foot awning tube and motor (they do not bend) inside a class C motor home for transporting. Mine hung out the partially open door for 6 miles going down back roads.
Black tank flush. The black tank flush is used to flush the junk out of the black tank when draining. It attempts to clean the residue off of the tank sensors. Again on my Forest River the black tank flush stopped working 3 times due to a plugged nozzle. After the third failure I did some research and found the solution was to over drill the hole in the nozzle by 1/32 inch. I bought a new nozzle drilled it out, installed it and never again had a problem. Although not a major problem it was always one of those "not again" issues.
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