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BSFocht · 01-30-2008, 03:50 PM

We are driving in WA. It is raining. We are towing a trailer. It is in economy mode. The RV is lurching. Any ideas if we should be concerned?

BSFocht · 01-30-2008, 03:50 PM

We are driving in WA. It is raining. We are towing a trailer. It is in economy mode. The RV is lurching. Any ideas if we should be concerned?

GaryKD · 01-30-2008, 04:21 PM

Hi Bonnie,
There should be no lurching no matter what. Consider trying:
1. turn off enconomy mode
2. keep the RPM at 1800-2000

Write down all that happens and the circumstances. The service tech may find the information handy.

How is the engine temp?
You going up or down or flat?
What is your speed?

Ecker · 01-30-2008, 04:35 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BSFocht:
We are driving in WA. It is raining. We are towing a trailer. It is in economy mode. The RV is lurching. Any ideas if we should be concerned? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you by any chance have the exhaust brake ON? It would cause lurching as you roll over hills and dales.

The economy mode should not have any effect- it simply changes the TCM to hold in gear longer. I'd turn it off its really of little or no value.

Next I would try manually setting a gear - say 4th and see if this makes any difference.

Finally, see if the system is throwing up any codes after it occurs i.e. pull into safe place or drive to campground and check- do not turn engine off or you'll lose them.

JerryKelly · 01-30-2008, 04:53 PM

I experienced the same problem prior to a fuel pump failure in my 03 Revolution. The condition changed for the worse very quickly.

BSFocht · 01-30-2008, 06:43 PM

I hope something isn't about to fail. We have been on the road since August and have had three failures that have taken us off the road already. We had a fuel line break, blew the engine (recall issue) and blew the turbo a couple of weeks ago. I personally believe that all of the issues have been because of the bad engine. We had the block replaced but still have original hoses. We are hoping it has something to do with the heavy rain and the towing up hills. It only seems to lurch going up the hills.

Nathan Focht · 01-30-2008, 08:26 PM

We just stopped for the night. Let me give a few more details.

1. Engine Brake is OFF
2. Economy Mode is ON
3. Cruise Control on 60
4. Engine Temp is 200 (typical)
5. RPMs at 1700-1800 (typical)
6. MPG is about 6.0 (6.5 typical)

The word LURKING is a bit extreme. As it is pulling up a grade of any size, you can feel little tugs or pauses. It feels like the tires are slipping and you get the second of no pulling. Everything seems in line and normal. The rain in pouring and the wind is very strong.

I would have guessed that it was either a small tire slip or a clutch plate slipping. We have never noticed the feeling to date (15,000+ miles) but this is our first hard rain.

RVDude · 01-30-2008, 08:31 PM

Transmission fluid level?

Nathan Focht · 01-30-2008, 08:36 PM

That was my first thought! I stopped and on a hot engine it showed "OK". After sitting during dinner I again checked and it showed "70". So, I think that the fluid is good.

soricobob · 01-31-2008, 04:55 AM

Are you towing, and is that connection solid?

RVDude · 01-31-2008, 05:31 AM

For the simple guesses, I'd guess back to the fuel filter. It seems to happen "under load" and that is when fuel is needed most. A clogging filter can cause an engine lurch/surge.

Joe-K · 01-31-2008, 05:53 AM

I agree with the fuel filter suggestion.

If you;ve got 15,000 miles on the filter and havn't changed it, it's overdue. We ran into a similiar feeling with our Journey a couple years ago. At increased throttle positions, the motorhome shudderd as you described. Felt like a miss under load which was clearly a fuel delivery issue with the diesel.

Changed the fuel filter and all was well.

Ecker · 01-31-2008, 06:08 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nathan Focht:
That was my first thought! I stopped and on a hot engine it showed "OK". After sitting during dinner I again checked and it showed "70". So, I think that the fluid is good. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Maybe it is just tire slip - how heavy is that 25 ft trailer loaded and/or High winds may be pushing and shoving causing some jerking.

GaryKD · 01-31-2008, 06:55 AM

My vote is for the fuel filter and/or the fuel water separator. Before changing the fuel water separator, check to see if there is water in the separator.