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Seneca/Greyhawk Exhaust Hanger TSB

Yahoo Message Number: 1133
I know this is old news to most everyone and by now it seems that about all of us Jayco folks have had the rework done on our coaches. However I just now received the official TSB from Jayco addressing this problem. So in the interest of ongoing communications I uploaded the a scan of the document to the photos section. Here's the link:
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/KodiakChassisClassC/photos/view/2eaf?b=33&m=f&o=0
Bill

Re: Seneca/Greyhawk Exhaust Hanger TSB

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1134
That reminds me, I sent Jayco photos of the 33DS for the propane line recall and have not had a word back (other than the auto reply). Hopefully they are investigating and realize the 32SS does not have a problem with the propane line.

Don



On 26-May-08, at 3:53 PM, berfle624 wrote:

Trip Update, checking in from the road

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1137
Hi all

This is the first chance I've had to check in and let you know how the
trip from NC to Denver, CO and beyond is going. We're in Denver now and
got here Sunday night after some VERY windy days of travel across I-70.
Fortunately our timing couldn't have been better because we missed all
the tornadoes, etc that crossed our path.

We left Wednesday night and drove about 5 hours to just south of
Charleston, WV and boondocked in a service area. That was my wife's
first experience at that and she handled it well, but was not impressed
with the noise level of the interstate and trucks coming and going :-)

We made it to St Louis the next day after a very long day of 600 miles.
Too long we've decided, but unfortunately we do have another one of
those in the plan before we get home unless we make some big changes.

We spent a day resting in St Louis, staying at the Casino Queen RV Park.
This is a very nice park in a very bad section of East St Louis, but
it's well protected and patrolled so there is no trouble there. If
you're a casino fan they will shuttle you from the park across the HUGE
parking lot where you can lose your money :-)

The next day we made it to Russell, KS and spent the night. The
following day it was on to Denver and the Dakota Ridge RV Park. We'll be
here visiting the oldest son and new grandbaby for the week before
heading on to Moab, UT, Monument Valley, San Antonio and home.

Now it's not all been perfect, but we averted disaster in spite of my
best efforts. I dragged the new Saturn Vue about two miles with the
parking brake partially on until a passerby waved me down and said they
smelled something burning. Sure enough they were hot has the dickens,
but no smoke and the fluid doesn't appear burnt or smell that way. The
car drives and stops fine so I suspect the only damage I did was wear
some brake pads down. I'm having the local Saturn dealer here check it
out. We we pulled of the interstate onto an exit in downtown St Louis to
check it out a guy stopped on the exit ramp and told me if I wasn't
already aware of it, I had stopped in possibly the worst part of St
Louis I could possibly find. We appreciated the tip and didn't stay any
longer :-)

The next problem came on I-70 about 70 miles east of Denver. We had been
fighting an incredible cross wind all day with big gusts, etc. We
suddenly heard a noise on the roof and when I looked in the rear view
mirror I could see the slideout awning on the driver side was partially
unrolled and flapping. I pulled off onto an exit and climbed up on the
roof. I was able to pull the awning out and have it roll back up on the
roller. No damage to be seen. I've never seen this happen on anything I
owned before so have no idea why it did it this time other than possibly
just catching hours and hours of wind just right to get into the end or
something.

I know there is a lot of talk about the road handling of the Kodiak and
mine is a 32SS. The steering is "light" and always has been, but I have
to say that without any modifications and fighting some extremely strong
wind over the last few days I'm not unhappy with it either. I've never
felt like we were in any sort of danger or there was an urgent need for
some upgrading. I would like the steering to be a bit stiffer. Having
driven commercial trucks that had much worse handling may skew my
perspective, but it's been years since I've driven them too.

I'll try to check in again when we get some decent wifi and I'll try to
get a photo or two posted some time too.

Any suggestions on how to feel confident the slide out awning won't
unroll again would be welcome.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Trip Update, checking in from the road

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1139
Oh boy. Been there and done both of them Greg.

When we got our new 2004 Colorado to tow behind our new 2004 Journey, the trip home from the dealer who installed the tow system was fine. First trip out after that we got about 1.5 miles from home and lights came on in my head - the parking brake was still on. Thankfully no damage.

Caution. I was just thinking of other mistakes we've made and let me provide this one for you and others Greg. When we pull away after hooking up the toad DW has the job of walking next to the toad and making sure of two things. First that the tow bar arms LOCK properly when pulled all the way out. Second, that the wheels turn properly when I go around a corner (pulling out of the driveway, campsite, or whatever). On one occasion she didn't pay attention to the arms and one did not lock. I watched the toad in the camera and it seemed strange. After about 5 miles I pulled over because something had to be wrong as the toad was moving from side to side (other than the trip home from the dealer it was our first time out towing). Well, the pin that locks the arm to the baseplate was bent and the tow bracket connector on the baseplate was bent but not enough to cause problems.

Now, the slide topper awning. When we traded our gasser Class A for the Journey they agreed to a price subject to seeing the Triple E and confirming its condition. The original owner bought it at this dealer and they maintained it. We kept it golden so there was no problem. Anyway, on the day it was to be inspected (a few weeks before delivery of the Journey) the winds were fierce. DW suggested we not go that day. YT of course didn't buy that. Away we went and with 30 mph+ winds got blown around a lot. The curb side main awning had started to come lose when we near the dealer's lot. The dealer fixed it no charge (now a four year old unit) and we figured there must have been a recall as they put in a new main spring. While there, a 2002 Journey that had left just as we arrived came back with the main awning torn to shreds and most of it gone and the awning arms were bent over the roof of the MH. It had opened up and blown right over the top of the MH. A real mess (covered by insurance - awnings are the largest source of claims by the way according to a note from one of the insurers).

Anyway, they agreed on the trade value allowed (more than we had paid a year earlier and they had several people bidding on it when it hit the lot) and we set out home after they fixed the awning. We were only a few miles down the road when we heard a loud noise up top. Pulled over and looked up on the roof - nothing. then noticed the awning on the road side slide (only had one slide) had unfurled and we didn't know what to do. Lucky for us along comes the service manager (and son of the owner of the dealership) and he phoned back to the dealer (our cell phone was in a black hole when we tried to call them) and he told his staff that we would be returning for another fix. The particular awning had a plate that was screwed into the side of the MH that would block the unfurling. It had been put on backwards and thus didn't do its job. Since the slide topper awning had been installed by the dealer they simply fixed it no charge and said nothing. So, you should look to see if there is some kind of plate that does the same on this awning. I'm going to go out and look at mine right now. OH OH. The awning on the Triple E was attached to the side of the MH and the leading edge pulled out as the slide went out. On the Jayco it is attached to the slide and unrolls as it is pulled out. I sure hope they have some protective mechanism in it (but given yours opened it doesn't sound like it).

Please keep us updated on the awning and whether or not it causes further problems. Has anyone else experienced this with a Greyhawk or Seneca?

Enjoy the rest of your trip and keep us posted.

Don

ps. We have done 600+ miles a few times (in our Class A's) and concluded that is not why I retired. We now shoot for 300 to 400 miles per day - preferably 300 if possible. The best days are leisurely 5 to 6 hour trips and a nice early afternoon and evening relaxing in an RV park. Our longest journey is usually to Florida and we stop 3 nights (one night only when driving back and forth in a car, van or SUV).

When we planned for our return from FLA via Tx, NM, AZ, UT, CO, etc, in 2007, 300 mile days meant the trip would require 16 driving days alone, and we'd also be staying for a week in one location (at a small rally south of Flagstaff) and would have several two to three night stays. We figured we'd need at least 45 days for the entire trip. Not sure what we will do when we eventually take the trip so we will are certainly interested in your experience during this trip. We had to cancel attendance at the AZ rally in 2007 as we traded in the Ambassador for the Jayco and had to be back to make the swap.




On 26-May-08, at 11:48 PM, Greg Gimlick wrote:

Re: Trip Update, checking in from the road

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1140
Quote
ps. We have done 600+ miles a few times (in our Class A's) and
concluded that is not why I retired. We now shoot for 300 to 400
miles per day - preferably 300 if possible. The best days are
leisurely 5 to 6 hour trips and a nice early afternoon and evening
relaxing in an RV park.

Amen to the 300 or so mile days! To each his/her own of course but for
us anyway, this turned out to be the most rewarding way to travel. One
other rule... unless it's unavoidable, NEVER "plan" to arrive at the
camp ground/spot after dark.

Bill

Re: Trip Update, checking in from the road

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1144
Don wrote:

Quote
Oh boy. Been there and done both of them Greg.

Oh good, so I'm not alone :-) Not sure that makes me feel better, but at
least I'm not alone.

I'm at a Saturn dealer in Denver now having the Vue checked out,
hopefully all if fine. It drives and stops fine, but there is a hot
smell lingering after I run it a while. Best to have it checked for
peace of mind.

Quote
hooking up the toad DW has the job of walking next to the toad and
making sure of two things. First that the tow bar arms LOCK properly
when pulled all the way out.

This is a great idea. I thought they weren't locked once and yet they
seemed to be. I read in the literature that the handles can appear to be
unlocked but the arms are. This was the case when I checked into it further.

Quote
On the Jayco it is attached to the
slide and unrolls as it is pulled out. I sure hope they have some
protective mechanism in it (but given yours opened it doesn't sound like
it).

I don't see any and the local Camping World suggested I call Carefree
and talk to them. I haven't done that yet. You can walk up on the roof
and just grab the awning and unroll it so it appears it's only the
spring that is holding it. We were hitting some 30 and 40 mph cross
winds and quartering headwinds with gusts so at highway speed it was
pretty severe conditions.

Just got word from the Saturn service rep that the car checked out okay
and the mechanic said the hot odor was partially because of new exhaust
steel, etc since it only has 1200 miles on it. The brakes showed no hot
spots and all fluids are good. He even checked the transmission to be
sure all was okay there. They're washing it up now and I'm out the door
with no charge. Gee I like dealing with Saturn.

Quote
Enjoy the rest of your trip and keep us posted.

Thanks, we'll try. You're absolutely right about the long driving days.
I'm getting beyond the days of seeing 12 hours as fun. We're looking at
the second half of our trip when we leave here and seeing how we can
adjust to make like a bit easier. It will mean passing some things by,
but we need to enjoy it more without the fatigue.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Trip Update, checking in from the road

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1146
Greg,

Remember if y'all have sweet-tea withdrawal just pull into any Cracker
Barrel for a fix. :-)

Bill

Re: Seneca/Greyhawk Exhaust Hanger TSB

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1233
Kind of late replying to this thread. I looked at your exhaust
pictures. I wonder why Jayco ran the exhaust pipe over the drive shaft
and out drivers side of MH. GM's stock exhaust comes out the passenger
side of MH. All the GS that I have seen come out the same side.

, "berfle624"
wrote:
Quote
I know this is old news to most everyone and by now it seems that about
all of us Jayco folks have had the rework done on our coaches. However I
just now received the official TSB from Jayco addressing this problem.
So in the interest of ongoing communications I uploaded the a scan of
the document to the photos section. Here's the link:

http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/KodiakChassisClassC/photos/view/2\
Quote
eaf?b=33&m=f&o=0

http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/KodiakChassisClassC/photos/view/\

Re: Exhaust hanger

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1166
Attachments :

    I actually went out and had a custom exhaust built by Bob's Muffler in Fresno, Ca. They custom mandrel bent the whole exhaust and used some of beefiest hangers I've seen. I went from the turbo back leaving the catalytic in tack and changing out the muffler to a free flowing one. I have a pyrometer on my Seneca and I've noticed about a 150 degree drop in my EGT's. Just a side note...my last hanger did break on the Seneca, the one that holds the tip.

    From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of grandriver125@...
    Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:35 AM
    To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Exhaust hanger

    From RV.net

    Re: Exhaust hanger

    Reply #11 –
    Yahoo Message Number: 1168
    What muffler did you go with?
    Did it increase the noise level in the cab much?
    Thanks,
    Bill

    , "Alan Numoto"
    wrote:
    Quote
    I actually went out and had a custom exhaust built by Bob's Muffler
    in Fresno, Ca. They custom mandrel bent the whole exhaust and used
    some of

    Quote
    beefiest hangers I've seen. I went from the turbo back leaving the
    catalytic in tack and changing out the muffler to a free flowing one. I have a
    pyrometer on my Seneca and I've noticed about a 150 degree drop in
    my EGT's.

    Quote
    Just a side note.my last hanger did break on the Seneca, the one
    that holds

    Quote
    the tip.

    From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
    [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
    grandriver125@...
    Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 10:35 AM
    To: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Exhaust hanger

    From RV.net

    MotherTucker wrote:

    I had the same recurring problem on my Kodiak based MH. It's not a
    Jayco,

    Quote
    it's a Pony Xpress. It's frame is also stretched, which I think is
    a good

    Quote
    thing since it has a lot less rear overhang than the Jayco does so
    it's more

    Quote
    stable and has less overswing when turning.

    They used a standard automotive exhaust hanger which can't handle
    the load

    Quote
    of that massive pipe, it snapped every few thousand miles, even
    after I

    Quote
    heavily welded it.

    I searched a bunch of auto parts stores, and found a rubberized
    hanger that

    Quote
    really did the trick. It's got a steel mesh layer that is strong
    but it's

    Quote
    flexible and it doesn't transmit sound vibrations from the exhaust
    to the

    Quote
    frame. It works very well. Here's a pic.

    mt

    AH HA. Thank you. I think the approach I used IS sending the
    vibration to

    Quote
    the frame. Now I've got to relook at my chain link approach as I
    also secured it with a pretty strong steel cable. Going to have to
    rework it and

    Quote
    see what happens to what I thought was drive shaft whine - which
    disappeared whenever I took my foot off the gas.

    BTW, I would have preferred that Jayco had bought a longer wheel
    base unit

    Quote
    for mine rather than stretching it with the result that the
    warranty on the

    Quote
    driveshaft, frame and maybe even the transmission and rear end
    disappear and