Klein

Thank you for answers. The number 2 seems to be fixed by replacing the oxigen sensor. 1300 miles of roadtrip in NM since replacing it and no issues anymore (until proven different:))

Hi I need help with a good mechanic in Phoenix metro. I would travel anywhere within 300-400 miles for a good one. About our Sunrader: - 1986, 21ft, RD, 22RE EFI, bought in 2016 at around 97k miles in excellent condition from an old couple - put about 14k miles on it in about 2 months boondocking around Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona - washboards and side roads took a toll on it but still works (except it loosened some seals etc) - absolutely love it Help needed: - I am not a dyi in mechanical space unless is super easy with step by step instructions thus I need a good mechanic or shop that can help with following: (I have bad experience with dealers or shops in general on this subject, most are ridiculously useless, I have a funny one to tell) 1. Moved to Phoenix so running flat highway at over 100F at 55/60mph gets water to the first white line on the gauge. Trying to avoid trips in summer but I wonder if there is an upgrade to the engine cooling system 2. Several times in our 14k trip, when prolonged climbing was involved, at certain points the engine felt like loosing power for several seconds despite acceleration pedal kept the same and slope having steady grade. This while water was at about 60% so not high. A dillema I cannot solve and mechanics look at me clueless. (since it runs perfect and only behaves like that in certain conditions, it cannot be replicated easily). This is the most stress I have when travelling with it, I don't know if it is engine, transmission, cooling of transmission etc) 3. I would like to improve suspension due to the type of traveling we do which involves going on unimproved roads to find a good boondocking spot. No need for rock crawling but is annoying to have to turn just because the road ruts are 2 inches too high. Thinking of installing on board air for tires (to ease the washboard traveling), upgrade springs and shocks, lift the camper few inches (as much as the front suspension allows without compromising alignment) 4. Install air lock for differential for occasional loose terrain and improve transmission 5. Tires, nobody has 14" rims off road tires. Terrible. I would like to up to 15" rims to find off road tires easier. So if you have any recommendations for a mechanic that can do above within 300-400 miles of Phoenix, I would appreciate it. I don't want to buy an overland vehicle yet since we love this so much and I think with several improvements it would all it needs to do. Thank you for reading Klein

Thank you all for feedback. I guess with fall around the corner I have plenty of time to think this one. Issue is that is not hot anymore to test ? I am tempted to buy the smart tools yamaha 2000w clones, two pieces, total cost around 1100$, then when not planning to go tripping in excruciating heat, I can carry one inside in a tote for emergencies since it is small enough, then when I plan to use AC, I would mount the cargo rack and carry both units. 4000w combined ought to do it on the rare ocasions I need AC. I went to Oregon SE in Alvord desert, camped on the playa at 98F heat and survived staying in the shadow of the Sunrader. ? Anybody has feedback on these dual systems? I was told it is important they both work to actuall yield those 4000w Thank you (my AC cools like a champ, tested it in 100F the other day, with house connection of course, it would be a shame to replace especially if overall cost woul be higher) We live in NW so despite daytime highs being very high ? we don't need AC during night, almost anywhere in the west, including desert.

Thank you all for recommendations for my setup. Unfortunately still does not work. (the Duotherm dial does not let me go from fan directly to low cool, it has to go thru off position. Also the gen throttle screw seems so weird positioned that I could not easily reach with a screwdriver and I wont take apart the generator) - kept original start cap, turned off converter breaker (draws 3 amps and 60-70w), measured to ensure no other parasite draws any current, let predator run for >5 minutes, turned the thermostat to warm, turned dial to low cool, gen reved up, AC motor tries to start, gen overload - same as above with spp6 replacing original start cap, only difference the ac motor did not even budge - same as first bullet with spp6 piggy back on original start cap, ac did not budge - spp6 works with house connection, starts AC, I have the impression the original start cap is better than spp6 in my case - same as first bullet, with original cap, turned the thermostat to 2 (next position after low), darn ac starts :(....draws about 1400w when running at max cool and high fan; tried to repeat the process after 5 minutes....gen overload:( Gen voltage 120, amps about 12 through this process. O watched the killawat but did not see how much it drew to start. Not top of line measure tool anyway. Outside temp 85 at sea level. Since I am not expert, I would not replace AC myself with a more efficient unit. Price to replace by dealer over 1200$, add 500$ the gen, I get to $2000 for darn ac when drycamping. (I paid less than 8000 for the MH :):) Might try a champion 3100w, who knows...

WME, thanks but already did except the voltage measures - w/spp6 only w/generator - gen reved up, ac was trying to start (fan worked only), gen overload, ac unit stopped - w/spp6 only w/house electricity- ac worked fine - w/original start cap only w/generator - gen reved up, ac trying to start (fan worked only), gen overload, ac unit stopped - w/original start cap only w/house electricity- ac worked fine No other consumers turned on in MH in all scenarios but its own electric system that I assume draws some power (Since I notice the generator revs up when I plug in the main power cord)

Posting my experience with trying to run AC since I mainly plan to drycamp. This post is not to discredit the generatir I tried, it is more to save you some time (and try something else) if you have exact setup that I have. Toyota 1987 Sunrader 210 RD, no mods on electrical (owners gave me every single manual and receipt !) Duotherm AC 600312-001, 11000BTU, 1.5kw runnig, 2.5kw starting (per manual recommendations at least) HT Predator 2500w starting, 2200w running Supco SPP6 Hard Start Kit - installed supco spp6 into the start relay per diagram (the black capacitor is the start capacitor for this AC) - generator overload and no start after several tries (with breaks in between) at 80F sea level - AC start normal with SPP6 kit while under power from my house NOTE: the two capacitors tied together (see photo) are one (smaler) for fan and one (bigger) for running; they are close to motor; the start capacitor is in another area on the side where the start relay is; dont mix them up; see diagram (I have high resolution photos and full instal manual for this unit if interested) GENERATOR: excellent price, low noise, starts smoothly, lighter and relativ compact for what it does; only negative is it does not start my AC SUMMARY: if you have exact model of AC and MH I have, do not try this setup, look for something else Other: Unfortunately for me buying a new AC makes no sense. I would need a small generator for emergencies only that I can carry in a tote inside the rv(no point of carrying a cargo rack for a gen I don't use). A bigger generator for AC would be nice but the bulk and price ouch In my case, a small Yamaha would make sense for emergencies and a bigger gen for ocasional need of ac. Unfortunately the combo will get to several thousands $ so I am back to square one on the generator dilema. Predator 2500 is excellent but a tad too bulky to store inside for transportation. Else it is ideal, it is on sale at $369. Good luck in your quest, it seems it is not the generator that is the problem (not too many options anyway) , the darn AC units and electrical setups are the ones that make this quest a nightmare. Generators seem to be relatively the constant while the type, brand of AC and setup seem to be the real make it or brake it variables.

Thank you all for recommendations. Very much appreciated. My wife loves the desert so it is very likely we would use a generator when off grid to power the AC. Problem I have is in area I live very few used inverters are available for sale and not real discount. So I may have to go for new. At least they have some waranty for rookies like me ?

Thank you for feedback. I am getting the predator new for $400. If the logistics of setting it up get to a nuisance status, would definitely look into an onan generator. My Sunrader has 100k miles thus I expect some $$ to go towards ensuring it travels safe to and from a destination.?

Totem, I just bought an 87 Sunrader. The generator choosing is killing me this week. Only reason I would buy a generator would be for my AC (11000btu). To be more specific about my AC. Reading from the instruction manual: Duo Therm 600312-001; 11000BTU; 1.5kw; FL amps (comp/motor) 10.1/3.1; LR amps 56.6/8.3 Their 'normal' recommended generator is 2.5kw based on 'user experience'. I found a Predator 2500 at $450 new. Since they are noisy beasts anyway (AC and generators are noisy in general) I would mainly use the combo for dry camping. I could spend 1000 for a honda if it would guarantee to do the job in harder conditions. No 2000w generator would fit in my compartment so it does not matter the size if I need to carry it inside or on a hitch cargo (the 500$ extra would buy me a nice hitch cargo box). Also not in the mood to spend $3000 to put an onan in the generator compartment. (how did they chose 'Onan' for a product name, one can only laugh at their marketing department choices :)) Questions: - how long of a cord can I use with this predator and still be able to run it (trying to reduce noise)? - would it start and run my AC without any other fancy electrical mods? Note: I totally understand there are fancy hondas etc but in the end the biggest bang for buck matters. Extras $ can be put at other uses. Thank you