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Thor Motor Coach Challenger Manual

The Thor Motor Coach Challenger is a Class A motorhome built by Thor Motor Coach. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2003 to 2023. This page shows how its systems work, every recall on file for it, and where to find the official owner's manual.

Built byThor Motor Coach
KindClass A motorhome
Model years on record2003 to 2023
Recalls on file6

The official owner's manual

Thor Motor Coach keeps owner's manuals online, free to read. Pick the model year of your rig. It is on the sticker by the entry door.

Thor Motor Coach owner's manuals

Component manuals

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a Class A motorhome. The ones its recalls touched come first.

Free manualFresh water and the water heaterCity water, the fresh tank, the pump and the water heater. How to fill it, turn it on and keep it clean.Free manualThe water heaterGas, electric or both. How to fill it, light it, drain it and care for the anode rod, plus what to do when there is no hot water.Free manualBlack and gray tanksThe order, the hose, the valves and what to put down the toilet. Dumping your tanks the right way, step by step.Free manualThe toiletHow to flush, what paper to use and how to keep the black tank from clogging or smelling.Free manualShore power and batteries30 amp and 50 amp shore power, the 12 volt battery side and the inverter. What runs on what, and how not to trip a breaker.Free manualSolar and lithium batteriesHow solar charges your batteries, what lithium changes, and how to tell how much power you really have left.Free manualPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.Free manualPropane, smoke and CO alarmsWhere each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.Free manualThe refrigeratorGas and electric absorption fridges, 12 volt compressor fridges, how long they take to cool and how to keep food cold on the road.Free manualThe furnaceA propane furnace with a 12 volt fan. How it starts, why it drains the battery and what to check when it blows cold air.Free manualThe roof air conditionerHow much power it needs, why it freezes up, how to clean the filters and what to try before you call for help.Free manualRoof and sealsWater is the biggest enemy of an RV. How to check the roof and seams, which sealant to use and the signs of a leak.Free manualSlide outsWhen to open them, when not to, and what to check first. Slide outs are the most common repair on a rental, and most of it is avoidable.Free manualAwningsPower and manual awnings, how to set them, and why wind is the thing that breaks them.Free manualLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.Free manualWinterizing and spring start upDrain it, bypass the water heater and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Then how to undo it all in spring.Free manualGeneratorsStarting it, loading it, keeping it healthy, and staying safe from exhaust.Free manualTowing a car behind a motorhomeWhich cars can be towed four down, the gear you need, and the steps before and after every tow.Free manualTires, wheels and bearingsTire age, pressure and load, lug nut torque and when to service trailer wheel bearings. The parts that cause the most trouble on the road.Free manualWeight and payloadWhat GVWR, cargo capacity and tongue weight mean, how to weigh your rig, and why sway almost always starts with weight.

Recalls on file

NHTSA has 6 recalls on file for the Thor Motor Coach Challenger. The most common areas are structure (1), visibility (1) and labels (1). Each one is listed below as filed. A recall is fixed free at a dealer, even on a used rig, and even years later.

Recalls on the engine, brakes and chassis of a motorhome are often filed under the chassis maker, such as Ford, Freightliner or Mercedes, not under the coach. A VIN check shows both.

Structure · model year 2019 · 21V522000, filed July 8, 2021

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2019 Challenger, Palazzo, Tuscany, 2019-2020 Miramar, 2019-2021 Aria, Outlaw, and Venetian recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.

What can happen. Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix. Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2021. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000232.

Campaign 21V522000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2019 to 2020 · 19V504000, filed June 30, 2019

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Challenger, Miramar, Magnitude, Outlaw, Omni, and Palazzo motorhomes. The vehicle control system software may cause the slide-out room to move unexpectedly.

What can happen. Unexpected movement of the slide-out room can increase the risk of a injury.

The fix. TMC will notify owners, and dealers will update the affected software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 28, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000170.

Campaign 19V504000. See it on NHTSA

Visibility · model years 2017 to 2019 · 18V812000, filed November 16, 2018

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thor Challenger, Miramar, and Outlaw motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.

What can happen. If the windshield roller shade unrolls while driving, it could block the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000165.

Campaign 18V812000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2003 to 2018 · 17V758000, filed November 22, 2017

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

What can happen. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

Campaign 17V758000. See it on NHTSA

Labels · model years 2017 to 2018 · 17V634000, filed October 9, 2017

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."

What can happen. If the water capacity information is incorrect and it causes the vehicle to be over loaded, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

The fix. TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.

Campaign 17V634000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2011 to 2016 · 15V745000, filed November 10, 2015

What is wrong. Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

What can happen. Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.

Campaign 15V745000. See it on NHTSA

Check your own rig. Put your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows any open recall on that exact rig, including the chassis.

Questions owners ask

Where can I find the Thor Motor Coach Challenger owner's manual?

Thor Motor Coach keeps its owner's manuals online. Look up your model year there. Our free manuals on this page explain how each system works.

Does the Thor Motor Coach Challenger have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for it. The most common area is structure. Check your own VIN on the NHTSA site to see if yours was fixed.

Is a recall repair free on a used RV?

Yes. A safety recall is fixed free by the maker's dealers no matter who owns the rig now or how old it is. Call the maker or any dealer for that brand with your VIN.

Where is the VIN on an RV?

Look for a sticker by the entry door, inside a cabinet near the door, or on the tongue or front frame of a trailer. The title and registration show it too.

Renting one from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

Other Thor Motor Coach manuals

Thor Motor CoachFour WindsClass C motorhome, model years 2003 to 202625 recalls on fileThor Motor CoachChateauClass C motorhome, model years 2003 to 202622 recalls on fileThor Motor CoachWindsportClass A motorhome, model years 2003 to 202212 recalls on fileThor Motor CoachHurricaneClass A motorhome, model years 2003 to 202411 recalls on fileThor Motor CoachTuscanyClass A motorhome, model years 2005 to 202125 recalls on fileThor Motor CoachOutlawClass A motorhome and Class C motorhome, model years 2007 to 202614 recalls on file

Every Thor Motor Coach line we cover

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