Roadmaster Chassis Drag Link & Fuel Gauge Questions

[MDMiller3]

I have a 2005 Navigator 45ft, I want to know is there any different in the Chassis from the Dynasty, Executive, and the Signature for a Drag Link.  Also, is there a different in the wiring behind the dash to the gauges.  I was thinking of having the gauges updated because my gas gauge does not work. Just inquiring about it in the forum. I was wondering how come no one talks about the Navigator? 

[MHRookie]

I doubt your fuel gauge issue is from behind the dash… unless you’ve already replaced the in tank “centroid” sending unit.

as for your wiring question, I cannot answer that except my Dynasty coach wiring book also has pages for executive & signature (those coaches had more add options).

I would assume drag links would be slightly different in lengths also (sorry I couldn’t  be of more help).

 

[Tom Cherry]

19 hours ago, MDMiller3 said:

I have a 2005 Navigator 45ft, I want to know is there any different in the Chassis from the Dynasty, Executive, and the Signature for a Drag Link.  Also, is there a different in the wiring behind the dash to the gauges.  I was thinking of having the gauges updated because my gas gauge does not work. Just inquiring about it in the forum. I was wondering how come no one talks about the Navigator? 

This topic is a mixed section.  It gets confusing when there is a post about a mechanical chassis issue and an electrical one as they belong in different sections.  However, folks have commented.

The reason that you never see much about a Navigator is pure numbers.  The Monaco Executive was the more popular model. Don't take offense that that.  When folks wanted or were looking at MH's with that MSRP, there was a "PERCEIVED" notion that the Executive, since it carried the Monaco Badge was "Superior".  Now that bit of marketing insight came from an Ex GM of a very large HR dealership.  He chose the HR brand due to the demographics (and geographic) boundaries of his dealership.  He was the ONLY HR dealer in the eastern end of the state.  He had several cities with some folks that could afford a MH carrying to price of the Executive and Navigator MSRP.  BUT, he knew his bread and butter would be in the lower end MH as well as the towables.  Thus, he chose HR rather than Monaco.  I caravanned with he and his wife for many years and we had some interesting campfire discussions.

For all practical purposes.....your Navigator is identical to the the Executive.  The only difference is the "Paint and Pillows".  He told me that Monaco's "designers" tried for a more "oppulent and upscale" look.  Hope no one takes offense, but this is straight from a guy on the "Monaco" dealer's council which included HR and Monaco and Beaver.....

SO.....when you see an issue...you MIGHT want to put a NOTE that you assume, functionally, that your Navigator is a twin to the Executive.  MOST know this.  if you look at all the wiring diagrams, they are USUALLY released for Patriot, Navigator, Executive.....and more than 75% of them also say Signature and Dynasty and Imperial.

There probably ARE some features or options that might have been BRAND specific.

FUNNY STORY.  This dealer sold a customized Navigator to an up and coming NASCAR driver.  He just got a big bonus and wanted to be "upscale".  He was superstitious.  He had the LED's changed out from the "Orange" to BLUE or maybe GREEN.  Whatever the color, I forget.  BUT, he said that every time he looked at a light switch, the color was his BAD LUCK COLOR (maybe ORANGE or YELLOW as in CAUTION).  He also added 50% to it.  It was, circa 2006, the most expensive Navigator every made.  He had upgraded controls and all wireless on the shades and whatever and a custom TV and Stereo area with video game inputs.  I don't know what all was included....but it probably had some of the SIG's "unique" devices as well.  

Now you KNOW.  

As to the GAUGE.  Do some RESEARCH before you start to go down a path of high $$'s.  You can search here for Gages or Gauges.  There are at least THREE brands in use.  In the latter years, it was Medallion and they STILL, I think, support their gauges.  I have a friend with the ACTI (Memory) and they have issues with some components and their air pressure transducers are PCB mounted and no one can fix them.  There is another brand that escapes me.  The Gauges are, how shall we say, a unique "mess" of a central Processing unit.  ALL the inputs from the sensors and such come into that bran.  THEN there are custom output plugs for each separate cluster.  SO, if you have a fuel issue.....then i would suggest trouble shooting the SENDING UNIT first.  There are files and topics here on that.  If it is BAD, replace it...

BUT, if the output, after you test and verify it, is OK, then it goes into a cluster.  If there is an issue on the Chip or "Brain", controlling the output from the main to the remote cluster that has the gauge as part of that "package", then you have to find someone that will or can fix that.  Likewise, you typically need the Manufacturer's prints to see the output and work and test the fuel gauge output.  IF it is in the Gauge, then you will need someone to work on that cluster and be able to fix the "digital" signal to the fuel Gauge.

You may already know this and more....but many folks have abandoned a faulty gauge as they can NOT get it fixed and the Vendor says.  SORRY....we don't fix or have parts.  One was the Air Pressure...but the fuel is the same way.  SO, a secondary Fuel Gauge being fed directly from the Centroid sender would be a much cheaper, and perhaps the ONLY way.

Just passing this along as the issue, as well as gauges, is becoming more prevalent...