We’ve Got MAJOR RV Problems! - No House Batteries & Our Camper Van Refrigerator Stops Working!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- VAN LIFE VLOG: Ep:75 → We've got multiple issues with our RV that HAVE to be fixed before we get to go boondocking again.
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Episode 75 | Filmed April 2023 | #arizona #rvproblems #classbissues #classbproblems
had a similar problem, HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY,( it runs the controls on fridge)
Good to know!
Omg Hillary your facial expression are priceless! Like you couldn’t even fake it if you tried! I’m not a wine drinker either..or beer. As for the rig…..speechless. Hoping it’s something simple.
Hahaha! I couldn’t fake it…I tried to like it 😂
Hillary your hair is on point in this video! 😊 Your's too Bob. 😂 hahaha
Hahahaha! Thank you Amy!
Update from Mexico on my Tellaro problems. I have replaced the Balmer alternator twice, both Relion batteries have been replaced, Truma control board failed and replaced, Go Power solar panel stopped charging and replaced. Sadly I watch your channel to forecast what my next problem might be. 😢
Oh no 🙈 so sorry about all your issues! We feel your pain! That’s crazy you’ve had to replace the alternator twice 😳
The upbeat and positive attitude continues - so refreshing! Thank you!
❤️❤️❤️
So sorry you’re experiencing this! But Hilary your hair is EVERYTHING in this video!! Beautiful! We don’t have lithium we still own our 18T. Still loving it!
Thank you! You are so sweet :) Love that you LOVE your 18t!!!
H&B don't beat yourselves up too much, I have a 2023 PW Ontour 2.2 on the Transit Chassis... build quality is great as most commenters point out, but its not immune from problems, still uses thrid party components from all over, so you have issues no matter what. Its an RV, fixing stuff is part of the story (albeit you have too many stories so far) You seem to take it in stride, at least on camera, and for that I appreciate you all. Come visit the Central Coast of CA and enjoy some wine, you'll like your trip.
If they’re lithium batteries it’s possible they fell below 10volts and the BMS kicked in basically put them to sleep. You’ll need a battery charger that will charge from 0 volts (most won’t ). That should wake them up. Sometimes a direct solar charge can do it. I bet the batteries are fine though
No way! This is great news. Will try this and report back. Thanks so much!
Now we travel with a small charger that will start from 0, just in case. Happened with the lithiums in our Airstream. Now we have a 2023 Sequence 20A (I blame you guys for that!😊). We watched all of your videos and went straight to work day one fixing and checking everything you guys found!
@@davidchrissypoulin6104 So smart!!! I love learning from this community. Thanks for sharing!
Agree. May not be the BMS in both batteries which is why I suggested checking the voltage on each battery. As I worked through my issues, one battery would still be at voltage, the other would be low. Disconnecting and then reconnecting would wake up the low voltage battery. This is when I learned to precharge the inverter to deal with the flakey BMS in the one battery.
@@grayandgrumpy Smart....makes sense!
And that is why I plan to build my own van…..so sorry for your troubles.
a great option if you have time to do that, for sure.
Yes! One day we want to also!
Oh, Vancaskeys! We feel your pain! ARGH!!!!! How frustrating. BEYOND frustrating! I'm afraid at this point that I might be inclined to push it off a cliff. :( (I told my husband that I wish we'd win the lottery, because after all you've been through, we could just buy you a nice, new top-o-the-line Class B and let you start over. But then again, even "new" (as you know,)can be fraught with issues.
I hope you know how encouraging and inspiring you are despite the setbacks and frustrations you have endured. You two depict the perfect example of "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". You always seem to find a reason to smile. (We also admire that you do such a great effort to "keeping the home fires burning" by making sure you can touch base with your family even when you are camping. That is important to us, too (even though our kids are grown and far away) its important for us that they be able to reach us.
And your trip to the vineyards was HILARIOUS! Hillary, my husband is more like Bob and Ted, but I share your opinions about most wines and prefer my wine to taste like Kool-aid. "Good" wine is wasted on my taste buds (or lack thereof).
Just this week my husband has been concerned with temperature fluctuations both here (at home) and in our rv, so he bought a refrigerator alarm/monitoring kit. No one needs food poisoning while on a road trip, now do we? The external, digital monitors tell you (without opening the refrigerator doors) what the high and low temps have been so you know if there has been a power outage or refrigerant failure. So that should help give us some peace of mind.
We have a few more outdoor chores to accomplish here in northern Minnesota (once the snow finally melts) and then we will be loaded up and road tripping. Its been a long winter, we can't wait, and thanks to you two, I think we might be ready for whatever lies ahead (knock on MDF. ;))
Thank you for taking the time to encourage us! We did buy a refrigerator temperature gauge yesterday. LOL. We used to live in Minnesota...brutal winters. But beautiful summers. Happy Travels to you guys! You'll have to let us know where you plan to go on your first trip :)
@@Vancaskeys We are up in Crosslake - and while it is absolutely beautiful here, we are ready for a little roadtrippin'! Will let you know where we head to! And now (thanks to your trip), Lambeau is on my list!
"Batman is usually angry, too." I literally spit my coffee out. Glad the fridge was an easy fix and hopefully those batteries are still under warranty! I do agree with you though, the main reason to purchase new is to avoid all the things you guys have gone through.
😂😂😂
You did something that we could never do here in Wyoming….you left camp with your awning down…
Of course, we don’t get to use it often anyway, it’s too windy here.
Love the beautiful places you visited!
Oh funny! Your right. We only left it down because it was a protected spot and we had no wind.
Admire your patience and determination!
Haha! Thanks!
I love watching your videos and feel bad for your many issues since your purchase. I feel Bob should get his wish ..... a Storyteller Overland! Sorry Hillary .... lol. :-)
😂😂😂
We bought a 4 month old Tellaro, the batteries were not holding a charge at pick-up. Took back to La Mesa RV a week later, batteries were still under warranty so Thor approved two brand new batteries. So far good.
That’s great! Glad you got two new batteries!
Hi Bob and Hillary 🤗
What a beautiful place to visit... Nice.. to see you guys and your friends together again ..
having fun!!!!
Great video you all !!! 👍😊😁❤️
Good night 😴
Hi Diane! How have you guys been? How's the Van doing?
I had both batteries go totally dead, they wouldn’t hold a charge. They recharged the lithium batteries, and then the chassis battery went dead they replaced it. But one was with the camping co, the other was Dodge. So 2 visits to fix them, frustrating. I have the same van as you, but mine has a pop top. I am following you closely because everything you have had on your van I have had on mine and more…… but I have to say I love my van, just wish there were less problems.
Oh wow 😳 it can be so frustrating. We agree we love our Van but just wish it didn’t have so many issues.
I loved Hillary’s wine reviews! I haven’t laughed so hard in a while. I sort of expected to see you guys come up with a recipe for everything in the fridge cooked all at once 🤣🤣. Hillary, is it my imagination or did your hair grow 12 inches since the last video? It looks great 👍. There are some great suggestions on your battery problems. I hope you figure it out while waiting for your repair appointment.
I was gonna mention Hillary's hair, too, but was afraid to sound like a creeper. :) (It looked great, but it aways does, even in a messy bun for her morning coffee, but it looked especially great in this episode - very fancy!)
Thank you! Love that you enjoyed it! You know we always just keep it real around here 😂😂😂 I think I need to wear my hair down more...hehehe...Thanks!
@TexasChance58 haha! You are too kind!
If your problem was because the lithium batteries were completely discharged then in order to get battery management system reset is to connect a 12 volt jump start using a power bank for example and that should reset the system.
My grandpa use to say “you get what you pay for” The brand RV you have is low quality. Some times its better to pay a little more to get the good quality. I enjoy your videos, which get better with each new adventure. You guys are so cool, keep up the great content.
Thanks so much! Yeah…we didn’t know it was low quality when we bought it. We have learned so much now 😂
Not 💯 accurate. The only two brands with the least quality issues is Pleasure Way and GrechRV… with Roadtrek in a very close 3rd.
Thor actually produces a good compromise between cost, availability, and functionality: with price having an affect for sure. But once issues are fixed they typically don’t show up again.
I’m not sure spending an extra 25-30k on a Winnebago is smart.
Having followed them down the same rabbit-hole (even after watching their videos) by purchasing a 2023 Thor Sequence, I don't disagree with you. My take is that the components (including the van itself) are all good stuff. However (and this is a big thing to note) there was absolutely no care taken in assembling these components. I went into the purchase knowing this. We successfully negotiated a price on a 2023 that was so far below other units, it is worth it to me to take my time and address things before hitting the road. Not something I would recommend to everyone, but it works for us.
Hi Bob and Hilary I understand your frustration I have a Thor Gemini and for every 5 items I have fixed via my warranty 3 more items break so that’s where I’m at now. I’ll be on travel next month so those 3 items don’t prevent me from traveling but it is a pain in the butt so I have found a work around for the items that still need to fixed. The repair parts should arrive at the end of May at San Diego La Mesa RV but I’ll still be on the road so have made a tentative appointment in September to repair those items. So let’s hope nothing else breaks while I’m on travel. 😬
Excellent...way to find a work around. We hope you have no issues when you travel!
Aww I just love you guys...
Fingers crossed i can get the old toyota motorhome ive been looking at and start my adventures
After watching your videos and the problems you all had with the vans, we did what your friends did and bought a tear drop. We got the Aliner Ascape. We choose that one as it allows me to stand up without bending where the tab320, required me to bend down. We love our tear drop as we setup, disconnect the tow vehicle and gives us the freedom to go places without taking everything with us. Love your videos
Absolutely love this! Congrats! Happy Travels!
I’m there with you Hillary!! I can’t stand wine!!
Haha! Glad I’m not alone!
Thor motor coach has a video on housing systems. I think a wire cable to the display. I wouldn't let that stop you. Used/new rvs are going to have problems. Sometimes dirt dust gets into the systems. Dynastic reading by a reputable rv mechanic. Happy trails.
Thanks! So true!
If you didn’t buy the Thor, what would’ve been your second choice?
Winnebago Travoto 59kl 😃
@@Vancaskeys hang out in the Travato groups. The Volta system is problematic if you have a funky unit. And the build quality isn’t much better.
I was parked in your exact same spot about 10 years ago, the restaurant up on the hill is where Senator McCain used to hang out. Don't forget to check out the trout farm just down the road, and there's a nice Park for bird watching right next to that. Also there's a very nice swimming hole not far from your location
This is so cool! Thanks for sharing!
We have a 2022 Thor Tellaro. Although you have probably figured out your issue( Im watching all your videos) pur batteries wint charge on the way south when they get too cold and then when we get to NV and AZ they won't charge when they are too warm. Putting them outside the van was probably to make space inside but. A terrible place for them.
Agree with David and Chrissy. Grab a lithium battery charger. I'd be surprised if the batteries were bad. You guys rock :)
We are going too! Hope it’s the answer!
yes. hold down on emergency button at the left of drivers seat for about 6 sec. should restart house solenoid
Ok…will try this. Thanks!
Love your videos. I’ve thought that several times myself about, if I’d been better off buying a used one! I’m still enjoying my Rize 18M. I love your patience. And Hillary, I agree with you on most wines (especially red) 😊. You also have glamorous hair!
Thank you!!! Glad your still enjoying your 18m! That’s what’s important !
It's not the batteries! There is a shunt that connects your coach ground, batteries, and the inverter/charger with 2 posts. Find the shunt and make sure both bolts on each post are tight and nothing interfering the contact. If either bolt on post is lossened just a bit, your batteries will never charge. After you do this, plug your van in overnight while turning everything off. Then in the morning reset your battery monitor to 100%. You will be good to go.
Ok. Bob is currently following this advice trying to figure it out! Thanks!
Arizona has some serious wine tasting pours (compared to ours in Canada). I'm not sure I've ever tried Arizonian wine...can't say you've sold me on it! :)
Hahaha! Yeah we didn’t do a good job selling it 😂😂😂
We’ve been on that swing at the last winery you went to!
That's so fun!!!
More Hillary wine reviews in the future? I think yes!
Hahaha!!! Yes! As long as you are there too!
Hi! I have seen most of your videos. Very enjoyable, especially your reporting on the Thor rv. We have a Scope and have our fingers crossed with regards to possible problems. So far so good. You have a storage box attached to the back of the van. Could you tell me where you got it or the make? We can’t seem to find anything the right size. Thank you! Brian from Canada.
I wish you guys would stop having these problems because when you do, we do. it's your fault.😉
Seriously, our dc to dc alternator kicked the bucket and the arm that opens the skylight broke. We too had to stay in campgrounds till we got home. Fortunately, we do have two service dealerships that have been good to us, but the troubles just don't stop.
Oh no 😂😂😂 glad you have good service dealerships!
Sorry for your recent problems but Hillary mentioned that your refrigerator was completely full. Could it have been that you overloaded it with food so there was no air in between to cool the refrigerator. It may have been working to hard to keep cool. Once you emptied it it seemed to work again.
Thanks Brian. Yeah the fridge was full but not crammed full. But that’s a good point for the future. Something to always be aware of. Thanks!
You really need a thermostat in the fridge. You don’t want to get sick eating bad food guessing temps..
Bought one! Agreed!
I have to ask where are you camping.? It looks like a beautiful place and winery.
Paige springs RV resort 😃
My batteries don’t normally last more than about a year the one on the motor they’re not lithium batteries are just lead acid batteries the ones in my coach they’re interstate batteries they’ve lasted a couple of years now but what I do is I use a solar charger to charge them up and they won’t run the icebox what you can do is put ice in your icebox
A suggestion, travel with a small 12v/110 fridge the size of a cooler that can plug into a battery bank. Ask me how I know. 😣
Haha! So smart!
What brand are your batteries? Contact the manufacturer’s support line directly and they most likely will have a solution for you. As others have said, this sounds like batteries drained below safe threshold and shut down by the battery management system. Maybe somewhere there is a parasitic drain you’re no aware of.
Yeah...there totally might be. We are taking everyone's advice! This community is amazing!
In the future,you might want to invest in a battery /12v freigerator cooler. Bob wells TH-cam channel cheap rv living has a video on them.
Great idea!
@@Vancaskeys Had a 12 volt Norcold in my camping van and it worked great. They cool down very fast and it does not matter if the van is dead level, as with absorption units.
Hint: I had a new lithium in my motorcycle…issue heat destroys/drains these batteries. I replaced the battery 4 times within 2 years after I moved here. I replaced with a regular battery. Other motorcycle folks & EV same issue. Lithium does not do well in extreme temps hot or cold. Regular battery still works. 😊
Where exactly are you guys in this video? Campground? Wineries? I live in NW Phoenix area and would like to check that area out..
How do you resolve limited water tanks when boondocking?
FYI we bought a refrigerator thermometer so we know how old the frig gets.
Brillant. Buying now. Thanks!
I ran into a similar problem with my build. Too long of a story to tell here. If you can, test the voltage of each battery independently. In my case, I needed to precharge my inverter capacitors before connecting the batteries to avoid the issue.
Thanks! This is very good to know. Will try this.
LOve your name! My husband and I can identify!
Hi, what RV park are you staying at on this video?
Used is always better with RV's, however, with Motor Homes or Class B and C's, having new means that you know you have never pushed the Chassis too hard. I have had many RV's, now I have done a no build Cargo Van because I am just tired of systems that never work. Would rather know I do not have it than to have it not work when I need it to.
So true! Great points!
Hey! Does Bob have any single brothers!?!? 😂
Gracias por todo lo que nos enceñas pero la verdad me pone a pensar creía que era una de las mejores vans que tristeza
Guys hate to be negative here but it’s time for you to trade your van in on a road trek or pleasure way. Much better quality ratings. But good luck with your situation.
I mean...your not wrong 😂
@@Vancaskeys 😂. I feel for you guys. Love the videos though.
Hillary I thought you social media moguls were supposed to pretend that you like everything so you can get sponsorships! Your wine reviews are hillarious. “I don’t like it.” LOL.
Hahaha! We gotta keep it real here!
What did Bob cook for breakfast the first morning? Looked like spam, rice, peas, and carrots?
Haha! No it was potatoes, ham, eggs, spinach, red bell pepper, onion.
Do you sell Vancaskeys merchandise? Because we want to sport it in northern Michigan
Not yet…we will be soon. Just finalizing a few details! ❤️
I buy. Sprinter Thor Tranquility 2022 I had it for only three months to realize that everything was rubbish I sold it immediately. Lucky me. Now I have Roadtrek Agile SS .
He doesn't shore power have a separate inverter?
HIllary here...I will ask Bob and report back 😂
Just started bingeing your channel and really enjoying you. Just came to say 1. Bob should stop “fixing” things because it seems to make things worse and Thor is gonna end up using your videos to not honor your warranty. And 2 Halley you have a beautiful smile
No! We don’t have those problems. Its disgusting what RV manufacturers pawn off on buyers. We visited an RV show recently and the manufactured van models (mostly Winnebagos) were awful. Expensive with cheap components and finishes, cramped, poor layouts. Sad! We’re on our third year with no problems. Home-built is the only way.
And this is when we learned, next ever purchase an RV without a generator!
So I just started watching you and I am thinking I will not be buying a Thor….
*Heavy sigh...We haven't had the best of luck with a Thor up to this point.
I’ve heard from several people that Thor is not reliable
Why are the batteries outside the van? Red Flag. Should be inside. Probably BMS issue. Maybe contact battery manufacturer.
I’m not sure why…we are trying all the things 😂
If I ever get a van it WILL have a generator
Yep! Regret not getting a generator.
La Mesa will stall you....call Thor direct...this is BS.
Good idea!
You are clueless, lithium batterys have 5-10 year warrantees for a reason.
My battleborns are going on 5 years now.
Sounds like your batteries have gone into sleep mode. Google 'lithium battery sleep mode' and there are a number of articles on how to wake them up. Just charging them with your regular charger doesn't do it.
Thank you!