Wiring To Tow
Q: I have a 2008 Four Winds Freedom Elite on a Sprinter chassis, and I want to flat tow a 2008 Suzuki SX4. There is a six-way connection on the Sprinter chassis. I need to know what wiring harness I should buy for towing.
Leonard Wood
Salisbury, North Carolina
All you need is the standard four-strand strip (two turn signals, taillights, and a ground), unless you wish to include a “hot” line to keep your Suzuki’s battery charged. Just follow the instructions that come with the connectors. If you wish to keep your Suzuki’s battery charged, you need to run a hot line from the coach’s battery to the Suzuki’s battery, and you’ll need to insert an in-line 20-amp fuse at each end of the hot line to avoid a short. In this case, you’ll need a length of six-wire cable for the connection.
Foggy Windows
Q: I live in New Jersey and have some foggy windows. Do you know where I can get them fixed?
Craig Geiler, F424924
Pittstown, New Jersey
A: The companies I am most familiar with that specialize in this work are Suncoast Designers in Florida (727-868-2773; www.suncoastdesigners.com) and RV Fog Doctor in Arkansas (501-278-3015; www.rvfogdr.com). Both would require you to make a trip south from New Jersey. I noted while doing some online searching that RV Glass Solutions (888-777-6778; www.rvglasssolutions.com) indicates on their Web site that they repair side windows at locations in Arizona and Oregon. I also saw references to Dave Root RV Glass Repair (www.daverootrvglassrepair.com) in Oregon and Duncan Systems (800-551-9149; www.duncansys.com) in Indiana. You can find a discussion about this topic on FMCA’s Forums (http://community.fmca.com/topic/289-fogged-double-pane-windows/?hl=foggy) with a list of sources compiled by one of the participants. Hope this information helps.
Valve Difficulty
Q: The gate valve for the black water tank on my 1995 Pace Arrow is becoming very difficult to open and close. It was replaced about five years ago and worked fine until last year. A friend of mine suggested using WD-40 on the stem of the valve and/or putting antifreeze into the holding tank (apparently, the glycerin in the antifreeze would lubricate the problem area). I’m not sure exactly what to do.
Don Ashley, F410249
Waldport, Oregon
A: If you don’t wish to replace the valve again — it isn’t too difficult, just a little messy — I suggest you lube it with clear silicone spray instead of the WD-40. While WD-40 is a great product, it attracts dirt, and the location of the valves makes them more susceptible to collecting debris, which would result in them becoming even harder to operate. Silicone spray, while it will need to be applied more often, does not attract dust and dirt.
Remember to empty the holding tanks in sequence. Keep both holding tank valves closed until the tanks are full and then empty them — the black water tank first, followed by the gray water tank to flush the system and hose.
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