I figured I'd start a thread to keep track of all the things I do on my Super Star. Fixes, upgrades, additions, etc. "Discoveries" as to how things were done. Even planned work. Maybe someone might find it useful when they're shopping for or having one built, even on a different year or floor plan. Maybe someone at Newmar might find it and do some quality-of-product improvements.
This might be a little disjointed or rough starting out, since I'm recapping past modifications as well as current thoughts.
So as far as past changes-
- I ditched the Rand McNally GPS in favor of wireless HDMI-fed navigation system to the XSG3NA dash screen.
- I added a Pepwave Max Transit to replace the WifiRanger/Winegard cellular system.
- I uprated the 8.9L Cummins powerplant to 380hp/1250tq
- I added a Tekonsha Prodigy 3 trailer brake controller. Freightliner only provides the 4 wires tied above the accelerator pedal, no connector, splicing required. Save yourself $30 on any harnesses.
- I ran a new dedicated CB antenna cable to the firewall behind gas pedal to bypass Freightliner's multiplex system. I have not yet installed the radio.
- I made an expensive 100' 7200 watt (10AWG/4) extension cord. Now 4 prong dryer outlets are in play from great distances.
So my change for today was self-diagnosing the HWH cascading steps. Mine would only come out 3 inches and stop unless overridden. I also had random leveling issues and the air suspension would randomly refill and lift me off the jacks. While diagnosing the steps, the HWH manual (it's all in one and confused me for a while before I found out) mentioned that the suspension systems, jack system and steps are all connected. If the steps hit something while leveling, the leveling system stops and pours air back into the airbags. This was a lightbulb moment because I was having to use the HWH master reset to get the leveling system to run after manually dumping the air suspension.
So some quick googling and numerous IRV2 threads tells me this is not a new problem, in fact, it dates back many years. The sensors in the steps go bad when rained on and it rained and blew mightily only a week ago. I was able to multimeter the curb sensors and found they were fine, but I couldn't get to the shin sensor connector. So I did what everyone else has done and pulled out the wire cutters. One snip, one removal of the shin sensor and ALL my random weird issues were fixed. The leveling jacks stay on the ground and the steps come out as intended. Ok, they might cut through a leg or two but that's what hospitals are for, right?
- Cut shin sensor on HWH steps 9/7/21
In the process of working on the steps, I removed another major annoyance related to the steps. Every time they opened, there was a loud crunching noise as the side panel impacted something behind it. That something was a large debris shield that was poorly custom cut and even worse mounted to the bottom of the steps with two self drilling screws. I removed it for now until I can correctly trim and remount with real screws. Did Newmar get a trunk slammer special on some Chinesium self drillers? They're broken off everywhere I look.
- Removed cascading steps underbody shield 9/7/21
- Beginning work to correct shield 9/7/21
Speaking of the Chinesium self drillers broken off everywhere... I had to rehang BOTH rear fenders. They were both holding on by 1 screw... 1. The coach is built like a fortress on the inside, why is the exterior so bad?
- Remounted BOTH rear fenders with real self drilling screws 9/7/21
Speaking of the inside, the HVAC ducting needs to be reconsidered. Each unit needs a transverse front/rear balance duct run to keep the AC loads relatively balanced. The rear unit currently has too little load while the front unit has too much load. Not only that, but the front HVAC ceiling plate needs to be fully foam insulated to keep condensation from forming when the door is opened for more than a moment.
- Sourcing begun for adhesive foam insulation
Other interior modification- the entertainment system. Newmar put 3 4K TVs into the coach then used the rinky dink 1080p(maybe)30 Riverpark HDMI distribution over CAT. In case you happened to wonder who the OEM is, it's Trinet, but this system is their previously discontinued version from 2014. The video will get jerky when the transmitters begin to overheat (they're glued together in an insulated cabinet) and the receivers were the best you could buy for $20. Newmar didn't even provide a 4K capable Bluray player.
- Upgraded HDMI distribution to 4K60 with OREI Extender Splitter UHD14-EX115-K. System uses POC receivers so no power needed at TVs. You will need to supply at least 2 12" HDMI cables. 9/7/21
- Added Oppo BDP-103D to media cabinet. Provides quality 4K upscaling with Darbee processing and 2 additional switchable HDMI inputs. 9/7/21
I am currently looking into adding an additional wireless HDMI feed from the front Xite to bring a "security camera" view to the bedroom TV. I haven't yet determined if the other outputs on the back of the Xite are really functional, though.