New Member 33 ft 1982 Holiday Rambler

[dspowers]

I just purchased 1982 imperial class A, I have a switch on the dash panel that reads left/right/up/down that I think is for the leveling jacks, however it does nothing. looking under the front I notice the there are stems for air on the front springs, do I add air to these? how does the leveling jacks work? Help somebody please!! Also I cant seem to get the water heater to work the auto igniter works but no pilot light seems like no gas is there a valve for the gas to the water heater?

[Senior Chief]

First, check your LP gas detector.

There should be a gas detector somewhere in the center of your coach- ours is low on the wall leading to the rear bedroom.

Make sure the gas detector is reset (a button to push, probably). The detector, if tripped, will prevent any gas to flow to the W/H.

[dspowers]

Thanks I have searched for the reset button and the only one I see is on the water heater itself that I have pushed. My systems monitor reads water heater on/reset so there mst be another reset button, Thank you.

[leadman]

Do you have other propane appliances that work? If the tank valve has been off for a long time you may have to light the stove to get the air out.

The air bags do need to have air just like a tire. Most have lines that run to an easily accesible area, but they could have been removed. Use caution inflating them as they fill fast and if old can blow.

[QuietWater]

I believe the dash switch is for the spotlight on top of the MH. (See the lower right corner of dash) The leveler should be behind the driver seat. The key has to be on (not the motor) in order for mine to work. If other appliances are lighting and the water heater is not, It could be because there is a long run to the heater and there is still air in the line. Keep trying for awhile and if it still does not work, I would suggest there is something wrong with the heater.

[ditzygrammy]

I, too, am new to the rv world. Never even been in one before...now I live in one.

Mine is a 1991 Pace Arrow. I had problems with my hot water heater until we checked all the wires attached and found one was shorting out. Cut, crimped and re-attached. No problem since except it is so loud when it comes on that it wakes me up at night.

Originally didn't have too much trouble with the levelers, but recently the board under one of the jacks cracked and it caused the coach to roll back a few inches, putting the jack in a bind. We had to put a manual jack under to take the pressure off, then couldn't get it to function. Finally called a friend who knows electrical, and he found that the wiring was so old it was crumbling. Cleaned up the wiring, put on a new toggle switch, and we have a level MH.

For me, it's been one thing after another, causing some questioning of my decision...but I am gaining some confidence in my ability to troubleshoot and even repair some things. I've never had to do this before as my husband took care of all such things, maintenance, repairs, etc.

People tell me it takes awhile to get all the bugs worked out and get things going the way you want. Four months into this, I'm inclined to agree. It seems like there is always something!!! If I were a fixer upper person this would be a great opportunity.

Welcome to the RV world, whether you are traveling or hunkered down, it's certainly different!

[Senior Chief]

Lordy, yes it takes a while to straighten out an new(to you) coach, but wow it seems to me you're doing great! If anybody is a fix-it person, you are. Hang in there! You'll be fine.
Remember, there will be on going problems that crop up, but compare them to the $$$$ ones you'd have with a brick&mortar home, and rejoice.
Take care an God bless.

[dspowers]

Thank you for the inspiration this is As Good As It Gets too own my 33ft RV the fixin will continue and this community is very helpful, I live in the windy desert so when the wind permits I will get the water heater lit and the leveling jacks working. Everything else works and we look forward to some great camping this summer.