Community Forums

Tom13 · 04-17-2015, 01:18 PM

This is our first RV, so everything is new to us, including the sounds that the rig makes while driving. Our 2006 Southwind 32VS (Workhorse W22 chassis) has 37,000 miles on it. Everything works as advertised, but when driving the vehicle there is a noticeable mechanical whine that comes from the Allison 6 speed transmission when in gear. The tech that looked over our rig before we bought it didn't even bat an eye at it when he drove it around the parking lot. So is that just what low geared transmissions on RV's sound like all the time? I'm used to auto transmissions being very quiet or unremarkable...plus, I never really paid attention to it before, but now that we own one I'm hyper sensitive to all the creaks and groans that it makes under way. Is it because the W22 is a commercial chassis that the powertrain is loud?

I would love to hear your opinions and thoughts on this.

-Tom

vettenuts · 04-17-2015, 04:06 PM

Mine does the same. Gears are heavily loaded and the gear ratios are low. I don't think you have a problem but haven't heard your coach. The gear whine is normal though and I have had it in other HD vehicles.

galeran · 04-17-2015, 04:11 PM

If it didnt creak and groan I would be looking around wondering what happened to the motor home. I can't speak about the trany. You might take it to a trans specialist and see what he thinks. Did you buy an extended warranty? Tranies can get real expensive. Gale

TimLoon · 04-17-2015, 06:07 PM

But my power steering pump sure does. That is pretty common, are you sure that is not what you are hearing? I am switching my power steering fluid over to synthetic as there are some reports of that helping. Tranny was switched over the transynd some time ago.

Arch Hoagland · 04-17-2015, 11:04 PM

Mine has always had a bit of a whine back in the back of the coach while I'm driving. Not that noticeable but it's there.

70,000 miles so far and not a problem....well, not a whine related problem that is.

speed racer · 04-18-2015, 07:20 AM

The Allison trans has straight cut gears that are stronger but they make noise.

dieselclacker · 04-18-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimLoon

But my power steering pump sure does. That is pretty common, are you sure that is not what you are hearing? I am switching my power steering fluid over to synthetic as there are some reports of that helping. Tranny was switched over the transynd some time ago.

I agree with the above from TimLoon. Quiet transmission, noisy power steering.

Pretty normal for the rig you have.

Tom13 · 04-19-2015, 02:11 AM

Thank you all for the input, and TimLoon, dieselclacker thank you for the power steering pump idea. I didn't even think about that, its a good possibility thats what the noise is. I will cycle the steering to see if the pitch or sound changes, esp. at full lock. Its good to hear that the sound isn't that unusual. I will be taking it for a regular service this week anyway so I will ask about using synthetic in the pump. Good stuff guys, thanks again.

EasyPace · 04-19-2015, 06:38 AM

I have an 05 Pace Arrow on a W-22. I had the same noise. Part of it is transmission related, and the other is the power steering. I had a mechanic track it down using a stethoscope and isolated it to a power steering hose that was clamped to a vertical post on the chassis. I had the mechanic remove the clamp, and wrap the power steering hose in a couple of pieces of radiator hose, and then tie-wrap it back to the post instead of the direct connection. This reduced the noise by about 80%. It seems as though the whole chassis was a conduit for the noise. Now it is much better. I hope that this works for you.

**JohnRR** · 04-19-2015, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyPace

I had a mechanic track it down using a stethoscope and isolated it to a power steering hose that was clamped to a vertical post on the chassis. I had the mechanic remove the clamp, and wrap the power steering hose in a couple of pieces of radiator hose, and then tie-wrap it back to the post instead of the direct connection.

Can you post a picture of this?

wa8yxm · 04-19-2015, 11:37 AM

Wait till the Aux cooling fans kick in....

Arch Hoagland · 04-19-2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Wait till the Aux cooling fans kick in....

Yeah, you won't hear any other noises then!

TimLoon · 04-19-2015, 06:25 PM

Wait till the Aux cooling fans kick in....

I must have good insulation on my doghouse, I have little noise from the fans.

EasyPace · 04-19-2015, 07:54 PM

JohnRR The hose is on the backside of the vertical post. The mechanic crawled up inside the engine compartment by the wheel well to get to the hose. I'm not sure that a picture from the front will show very much, and I'm too fat to get behind it to shoot a pic. If you really want it I will try and get that pic. The mechanic that tracked it down was an older guy, and was pissed off at not being able to explain the noise. So he hunted for a long time, listening to all of the components until he stumbled on the hose, and the harmonic noise transmitted by the chassis.