Community Forums

Don and Dale · 11-27-2014, 07:52 AM

Whoever Phil Houser is, he's obviously not the person who replied to me over my issues with the genset. I absolutely got the cold shoulder and "good luck sucker" response from Thor. I am STILL trying to figure out how to correct an issue that should have never, ever been my problem...and certainly should have never gone on this long. I wasn't even offered a "have you tried this, or tried that" as a possible fix. Just a simple, direct reply of it's not our problem, it's an onan problem. No help in offering a contact name at onan or anything. I can hear the customer service/techs sitting at the Thor lunch table..."HA...I threw another owner to the wolves today".

sanfordturbo · 11-30-2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gormleys

Just thought I would ask if anyone has any problems with the push pump since it was first introduced as the solution last year? Does it really fix the "36" cut-off of the generator?

Read my post about my Beach trip in 100+ temps with a push pump. It really works, but I also have done the vented door and heat shield sound proofing too!

sanfordturbo · 11-30-2014, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvpapaw

I've been following this thread since July, when I purchased a new 2014 Thor A.C.E. 30.1, and began almost immediately experiencing the generator issues. I've been in communication with Thor's Warranty Services since August 2nd. My coach has been in the shop since August 23 (6 weeks), for the generator issues, slide out issues, awning problems, and 14 more issues, most minor. Just want to let everyone know that Thor is covering all of the following repairs/modifications to my ACE:
- electric push pump with dash switch
- cut generator bay door and added vent with seal at generator air intake
- heat shield around full perimeter of generator bay
- heat shield around fuel line from tank to generator

These are all modifications that I read about in these forums, on this thread. Regardless of the model (29.2; 30.1, etc.), Thor is more than aware of the issue, but hasn't, in 3 model years, made any design changes. DON'T make these repairs at your own expense. Thor can and will pay for them. Don't have my coach back as of now, so not sure of whether the mods will work, but based on what I've read here, they should. Unfortunately, I had to point my Warranty Rep to this forum to explain what I was describing as my desired fix. Many thanks to all those who posted their successful mods so that we "newbies" (to ACE, anyway) could follow suit.

This makes me happy and proud to be a member of this forum. Glad I started this amazing thread!

FredKate · 12-04-2014, 12:56 PM

While the genset problems that some ACE owners have experienced are certainly unfortunate, I think any potential ACE owners should be aware that this issue is not necessarily a showstopper. The previous comment that THOR has done nothing to fix this problem over 3 model years is untrue, since the genset on the 29.2 has been moved to the rear of the coach, away from the engine and its heat.

On my 2012 29.2 (which has the genset up front behind the driver side wheel, and the LP tank behind it), I have just completed a ten month journey which took me from NJ to the Everglades to Big Bend and then to Alaska...30 states, 20 National Parks, and 32,000 miles. We have stayed in the RV nearly 500 nights since we purchased it and have never had a genset failure in about 300 hours of runtime. I have NOT driven it with the genset running for more than 30 minutes so I cannot say that it would not fail if I had to run it longer while driving on a very hot day. In Big Bend NP when it was 102 degrees in the shade, it ran all day in the campground and purred like a kitten.

Personally, on the road the chassis AC works fine for me and if were hot enough that I needed the coach AC also, I would immediately change directions and head for the mountains, or North...

divingdoc · 12-07-2014, 11:49 PM

sanfordturbo can you tell me who the point of contact is at Thor. I have talked to a few reps and of course they say that they have never heard of vented doors etc and have referred me to ONAN

Arizona Lizards · 12-08-2014, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingdoc

sanfordturbo can you tell me who the point of contact is at Thor. I have talked to a few reps and of course they say that they have never heard of vented doors etc and have referred me to ONAN

Divingdoc, you can really elevate this by sending an email to David Mihalick, Corporate Standards Compliance Manager, dmihalick@thorindustries.com
He became involved in the summer of 2013 when they put an oil cooler in front of the radiator in order to cool the gas. NHTSB got involved and told Mihalick to have them removed. He is at Thor Motorhomes higher headquarters.

divingdoc · 12-09-2014, 06:24 PM

Arizonza Lizard thks for the input What part of the Mecca do you live in. I am In the very liberal So Cal lol If I didn't have grandkids here I would be in AZ. Just got back from our place in Sedona. Beautiful

Arizona Lizards · 12-09-2014, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingdoc

Arizonza Lizard thks for the input What part of the Mecca do you live in. I am In the very liberal So Cal lol If I didn't have grandkids here I would be in AZ. Just got back from our place in Sedona. Beautiful

Divingdoc, we currently live near Bisbee, hoping to get the house cleared out, on the market and get to full timing by April. Sedona is a fantastic area, love it up there.

Gormleys · 12-29-2014, 02:46 PM

I just had an additional fuel pump installed per the recommendations of this blog. Of course, the low tonight is supposed to be -7 so I don't think I'll get it checked out soon. Oh well. At least we'll be ready for the summer!

Don and Dale · 02-05-2015, 10:31 AM

Question to all that have/are experiencing this issue? Has anyone had the genset swapped with the propane tank where the propane tank is now under the driver seat? I was curious as to whether the extra heat from the engine would be dangerous around the tank? I never travel with the tank open.

Thanks

Moonshine94 · 02-06-2015, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don and Dale

Question to all that have/are experiencing this issue? Has anyone had the genset swapped with the propane tank where the propane tank is now under the driver seat?

Yes, several of us. I believe there are some threads directly on point.

Don and Dale · 02-06-2015, 06:03 AM

Thanks, Moonshine.
I'll try another search to see if I can land on topic.

usinvestment · 02-07-2015, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanfordturbo

This makes me happy and proud to be a member of this forum. Glad I started this amazing thread!

And a big thank you from me. I had been looking, researching and reading which model and manufacturer to purchase from two 1/2 years ago. I followed this thread for over a year. I'm so glad I didn't purchase a Thor ACE. I even took Thor off my list to consider, and for any future purchases.

A big thank you, I would have wanted to drive the ACE through the front door of Thor, climbed out and handed them the keys. I do spread the word about Thor, as they deserve every bit of credit for their failures.

divingdoc · 02-08-2015, 08:56 AM

About my 27 ft ACE. I finally got someone at Thor to take care of problems even though it is out of warrantee. They have agreed to move the generator and replace my privacy doors that I have been having from day one. So maybe they are beginning to come around. Those are really the only major items that I have had trouble with