Chinook RV

I have a 2003 Chinook Cascade LE on a Chevy chassis. I need to change the rear light bulbs, but cannot find an access point. On the driver side it might be behind the tire changing door, but on the pass. side, there is only carpet in the closet. Any advice?
Alan F

Welcome.
A picture might help. I believe the ford based models, you have to push up really hard on the outside cover and then the bottom can come out. This removing the lens cover all together. I haven't done it though and could simply be wrong. (Even that may be of little help to your Chevy based model)

Thanks. I was thinking of trying to remove the lens, but of course was afraid of cracking it.

Any outside screws visible? If so, that's a usual way to pull out the entire lamp assembly do you can reach the bulbs.

If not, check the bottom of the closet for a pull tab. Some models let you remove the closet floor to access the wiring.

AlanF wrote:I have a 2003 Chinook Cascade LE on a Chevy chassis. I need to change the rear light bulbs, but cannot find an access point. On the driver side it might be behind the tire changing door, but on the pass. side, there is only carpet in the closet. Any advice?
Alan F

Hi Alan,

I would guess that all of the Chinooks of a certain vintage would have the same tail light covers, as they fit into the Chinook fiberglass shell, rather than the stock chassis, whether it is Ford or Chevy. In my case, 2001 Concourse, they are Ford Expedition lights, with no visible means of removal. However, it turned out, they can be pried off starting with the bottom, as they are held on by friction pins. Here is a quote from an old Chinook RV Owner's enttry from the Yahoo forum:

"On the 2001 and later Concourse, the tail lights are from an Expedition!. If yours have 3 bulges, that what they are. There are 2 button pins near the bottom. BE CAREFUL! Gently pry out from the bottom, because there is a tab at the top that goes into a slot there.. Bulbs are accessed from the back. To replace the lens, Slip the lens up to get that tab into the slot, then you will be able to pop the bottom in."

It was a little scary the first time, but all it took was pulling on the side of the tail light cover and it just pulled off, allowing access to the bulbs behind.

Hope this will solve your problem,
Clay

This is the correct solution to this problem. I had to go there today. I went online to find this post and followed it to a T. It works. Take your time. It’s easier than it looks.

You just have to get used to that cracking sound when it finally gives way Then you look at your lens and all is well and you feel an incredible relief thinking it broke but it didn't...