garykd

Hi reid9439, My assumption is the leak is present when the engine is at operating temperature and when cold. This may be a dumb question but what is the coach parked on? I ask because a small coolant leak may drain quite a bit of coolant, over time. If the coach is parked on dirt, gravel or grass,how would you know if there was a small leak? Next on the list is to determine where the low coolant sensor is located. If there is a leak, it will be at a level below this sensor. I do not feel the radiator cap is to blame. If the radiator cap is to blame, the coolant would need to have been lost on your recent trip. If one was to take off the radiator cap and run the engine, I doubt 15 gallons of coolant could be lost.

Hi petermartinu270, Consider Googling "motor coach bra" There will be choices for you to contact.

Hi lebjdixon, I have the product mentioned in Shields' post. I would not purchase the product again. They use an AM frequency. This means automotive interference is high. In our set, there is buzzing in the background anytime the engine is running. My grandson and I use them and it is difficult to hear the person in the back. The bottom line is I started using the same hand signals airlines use when they park a jet liner at the gate. They are simple to learn and provide very clear direction to the driver.

Hi everyone, I've been informed that for those Loyalty Program members registered as an RVer for the pump start feature, the requirement to pump 500 gallons before the pump start feature is activated is being eliminated! Yea for the Pilot/J. This will happen no later than the end of February (that is the plan). Getting the per gallon discount at the truck pumps is now in programming test. They have run into a few problems with the programming. No date on this feature, but they are working on it.

Hi cpenn, Thanks for the thanks. Over a year later the HWH continues to work like new. I agree with you, my feeling is Newmar has a bad process.

Hi kevinpvb, There has been a considerable number of posts about J prices. I was just at the Tampa Super Show. The prices at the J in Seffner were much higher than other stations in the area. They were competitive with the TA across the street from the J. That being said, I think a local resident can almost always find a lower price than the major truck stop located at an interstate exit. This past summer (summer is when the majority of my fuel is burned) I found the J to be competitive at the exit they are located at. TA, Pilot, Loves, etc. where I needed fuel were all within a nickel of each other on cash price. The J is the only place I can get the cash price. At the other fueling stations I would be paying the credit price. In addition, the J does offer an additional discount for being in their loyalty program. The bottom line, for me, is the J's pricing is not out of line based on where I have stopped. When looking at the net cost, to me, the J is competitive. When looking at the entire package the J offers, they are very competitive. When I mention the entire package I refer to when the loyalty benefits are extended to the truck pumps. I am not comfortable using the RV pumps due to my overall length. The entire J package includes: 1. located at the interstate exit 2. easy in/out 3. easy parking if I want to have a meal (in the coach or their restaurant) 4. on-site restaurant 5. on-site store 6. free overnight parking 7. cash price using the credit card of my choice 8. loyalty program discount 9. consistent fueling/payment process If only the sign posted cost of fuel is what one needs, a fueling location other than the J might be best.

Hi ccmsm, I have the same awning as you. I clean it once a year with 303 and a brush on a pole. I'm up on the roof to get the top. Then underneath to get the bottom. This is about the only time I would like a manual awning. The automatic really has no way to lower it so one can clean it easily. Mine is grey in color. I've never gotten much dirt from it. This is by looking at the soapy water in the bucket.

When I purchased my first coach in 1978, I knew I was buying into a lifestyle. The memories created have already come back to please me many times over. Took our kids across the USA in ten years (before they went to college). In 3 years we will complete the same commitment with the Gkids. I admit it is 9 weeks of chaos every summer, but the memories make it all worth while. Cost? There is no cost. Without this lifestyle to enjoy, I'd be dead. The continuing stress of my career would surely have killed me.

Hi marchbanks, Welcome to the FMCA forum. Do you know any "Winter Texans"? Last week I was talking with some and they have no problem. There are even some towns, in Mexico, they travel to quite frequently for a variety of needs. It all depends on knowing where to stay and where to go or more importantly where not to go. This means one needs to know folks who stay/have been staying in this area and take their recommendations. I have no personal knowledge of this area. I do know the people I talked to are very conservative and concerned about their safety. If it was unsafe on the USA side of the border, I'm pretty sure they would not spend the winter there.

Hi dbik86i, Welcome to the FMCA forum. All other things being equal, there is no down side. Consider going to the tire manufacturer's web site and get the specs of the "F" rated tires you now have. Compare them to the "G" rated tires you want to purchase. If the clearance on the steer axle and between the rear duals remains okay, you should be good to go. Notice the RPMs per mile, if different, it may affect the speedometer reading accuracy.

Hi Brett, That is why I asked the question. Sometimes one can be surprised at the answer. Maybe we can stop what might be an unsafe situation.

Hi Bill, You may have misread Shield's post. He said the "existing genset". I take this to mean the 8K generator that came with the coach. If I'm wrong, he can correct me.

Hi ramblinboy, Why are you considering doing this?

Hi Alex, If you have a 5 button T'Stat, Duo Therm Heap Pumps, Suburban furnace and the coach manufacturer set the dip switches on the front heat pump correctly, this decision gets real easy. Set the T'stat for the heat pumps (front and rear). The heat pumps will do a good job and use CG electric, not your propane. When the outside temp gets into the low 40's you may hear the heat pump running, but no fan. This is a defrost cycle and will last about 5 minutes. Do not worry this is normal and allow the heat pump to operate down to the low 30's. When the outside temp gets to the low 30's the 5 button Comfort Control T'stat will automatically switch to the furnace. Once the outside reaches the high 30's (around 38 degrees) it will automatically switch back to heat pump. All the above is done without you doing anything. Look in your Comfort Control Operating Instructions. This feature is toward the back, in or around page 7. The above is how my coach is wired. It works as advertised and it is a nice feature.

I'll sell the stick house before I change my RV travel plans. Been doing this since 1978 and it is in my blood. I travel 5+ months of the year and do not plan to change. 2 months of touring and 3 months extended stay (for up to a month at a time) where ever we are please to stay. It's been this way in the past and it will be that way in the future.

Hi letswent2, Welcome to the FMCA forum. I live about 7 miles from the Fair Grounds. I have never seen a coach parked overnight in the attendee parking lot. Consider contacting them at (561) 793-0333 and ask the question. There are two other choices. There is a WalMart about 2 miles from the Fair Grounds. It is at the corner of Belvedere Road and State Route 7. There is a Lion Country Safari CG about 9 miles to the West along Southern Blvd. ( route 441). This is the same road the Fair Grounds is on.

Hi BarbRN, Is the coach connected to shore power? If not, the TVs may need the inverter to be on. I do not know the details of where these things are on your coach. Turn on the inverter and see if that makes a difference.

Hi BarbRN, I'm not going to start a flame war as to which is the better coach. That would take the thread off topic and not accomplish what this thread is all about. If you have never been in a Newmar Mountain Aire consider doing that before you make a purchase. The Newmar Mountain Aire interior is very well appointed. When Newmar made the gas engine version of the coach the interior was kept the same as the diesel. The Mountain Aire is part of Newmar's luxury line of motor coaches. The worst thing you can do is make a purchase and a few months later determine you could have done better. There are differences in how the two companies make their coaches. The features provided as standard and options. The interior decor, the materials used and the feeling one gets when in the coach. The capacity of the water tanks (fresh and holding). These are some of the differences between a standard and a luxury coach. Consider getting additional information on this or any other luxury coach. You may be surprised as to what is available. The OP mentions about holding value over time. If you check with dealers, they will tell you when a pre owned Newmar comes to their lot, many times it is sold before it arrives or very shortly there after. PM me if you want additional information on this Newmar coach.

Hi BarbRN, Welcome to the FMCA forum. The 2005 price is way too high for a gas coach. I know of a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire Gas, low mileage, 3 slides , all maintenance records, professionally maintained and in excellent condition for sale and the price is less than $60K. It is a Florida coach and being sold due to the owner's deteriorating health. On this point, would one want the Winnie or a Newmar Mountain Aire? If you want to contact the owner, let me know. PM me would be best. More importantly is the view of buy it, use it and sell it. Some of the posts mention about RVing being an investment in a lifestyle. That is what RVing is all about. Consider buying the floor plan that best meets how you'll use the coach. You'll remember the coach's livability long after the $s have been spent. If you purchase the right coach, it will grow on you. Soon it will be a member of the family. All too soon, selling it will be out of the question. If you ever did sell it, it would be one of the hardest things you've ever done.

Hi DreamBelievers, I've had the USGEAR system on my coach and toad for 6 years. It works as advertised and I would make the same purchase again.

This is more than attending rallies in a towable or self powered coach. If FMCA is contemplating expanding their target market the executives need to be prepared to have activities that interest the new target market. A couple of examples might be: 1. Toy haulers - What activities would interest those who own a toy hauler? Who could FMCA partner with to help launch these activities? 2. Families where both parents work. What kinds of events/rallies would these families attend? What actives are needed to draw them to FMCA events? Expanding the target market without the support structure in place and continuing to hold rallies that are cookie cutter agendas for the current target market may not provide a meaningful experience to those who FMCA is soliciting.

Hi deenalholmes, Welcome to the FMCA forum. I doubt anyone can waste anybodies time on an RV forum. I have the Sani-Con macerator with the grey water bypass. It was very easy to install. It hasn't been off the coach in over 2 years. For me, I will not go back to the 3" hose. The SaniCon works as advertised and I would make the same purchase again. Once mounted it is pretty much a closed system. There is one small cap to be remove and replaced when in travel mode. I did purchase an extra length of hose. I have had to use it only once or twice. The grey water bypass is a must feature, for me. It allows one to leave the grey tank valve open, while the black tank fills.

Hi Jay, Newmar executives made this comment at a session held at one of their rallies. This is why all Newmar coaches at 40' now have a tag axle. The components are not over the rear axle. They hang off the coach some distance from the rear axle. This increases the load on the rear axle to be much more than the weight of the components themselves. The statement includes all the components of the DEF system.

Hi Don, Thanks for the recommendation on the battery load tester. Am going to order one this next week.

About the only negative I've read about the DEF system is that is adds considerable weight (about 1K lbs) to the rear axle. If considering a coach with DEF, take a look at the legal NCC before buying. Know how much rear axle weight is left for your stuff.