Butch39

Just a short note; we used two small nylon w/velcro straps, and placed them around the awning arms when the awning is closed. Never had a problem but sure did feel safer traveling under any highway conditions. For us it was just a safety precaution..........

Hi Tim, Have to agree with you, have used the spray bottle w/bleach for years, after observing a camper wash his sewer hose out under the spigot. One has to be prepared to protect oneself and family from the posibilty of contracting a serious disease due to someone elses, less than safe, actions. Have read forums about "pros & cons" about the using of the bleach.........but we would rather be safe than sorry.........to each his own.

Will relate my experience with obtaining an extension 50 amp cord. While at the local RV dealer, there was a sale table with all kinds of RV parts that were at discounted prices. Within that area was two new 50 amp electrical cords that was for either a towable or for a motorhome. They were new replacement parts. The price was right, 30 dollars each. As there was a male end on the cord, I had to purchase the female end, at CW, and install........now we have a 50 amp extension cord......and only cost about 55 dollars. Far cheaper than CW or elsewhere................note: now that we have it, have never had a situation where it was needed.....o'well............

Just a point of information, "Harbor Freight" has inspection cameras and they are not bad in price, also "Camping World" has one listed at a higher price.

Have registered the motor home with Monaco under our name, have contacted Monaco as to inquiries about a few concerns and was promptly given requested info. We have all the owners manuals, have read all, and in fact, have purchased and read fully a new owners manual more than once. Have rec'd all required schedules as to motor home, generator, engine, and trans(Allison) from related websites....have a large three ringed binder with over fifty pages of schedules, and "know how to do" info. I think we have covered almost all the bases.......... We are not new to motorhoming, but we are new to the "DP concept". Thanks for your response, all info is appreciated.

Brett, I had all info necessary to obtain the service records but I think that some services could have been done elsewhere. The dealership removes all references to the previous owner before sale. But we knew who the PO was as we had found some past insurance papers. The service person was not to helpful and was not willing to give any info another than what was directly asked for. Something about company policy; to protect the private matters of the PO. So again, I believe that a complete service is the only answer......that at least we will know what and when the services were performed. Gives us a starting point for any future services. Brett, the service mgr and I do not see eye to eye. He is less than honorable, and I told him and the General Mgr. in a face to face conversation. I'm a retired auto/truck/bus mechanic and finished working as a parts mgr within the Ford dealership system. Know all to well about the "no ticky, no laundry(parts)"....must be charged somewhere, to someone. At my age, it's not my first rodeo.....was born at night...but not last night. Hope you get my drift.....

With our 2007 Monaco Diplomat, I was totally confused as to what fluid was used within the system. The owners manual was not clear when you service the hydraulic system. As per the manual, it spoke of using 15w40 motor oil then two paragraphs later speaks of using dexron 3 only. I then e-mail Monaco and rec'd a reply which stated,"if the oil is red it's dexron, if yellow(amber) its motor oil, if it's clear it is AW 46 hydraulic oil", but have to know what was in it before your change. My manual does not mention using AW 46. Mine was filled with 15w40 motor oil. NOTE: As we purchased this rig as pre-owned, last July 2011, we are in the dark as to what maintenences have been done and when. Contacted dealer where purchased, and was very vague as to what was done and when. So when the rig comes out of winter storage this spring a complete total service will be done on the motor home and the generator. This will give us a starting point for services in the future.

BRETT, We have an "ONAN 8000 diesel generator", in a 2007 Monaco Diplomat, and according to it's manual and it's data plate, is rated at 66.7 amps, and 120 AC voltage. Butch

May God bless all who have served, and may God bless & watch over all those who are currently serving.

We could not agree more with your observations, and feel likewise. When we were looking to upgrade, would always inquired as to the interior fabric colors and wood color. If it was dark, we would move on and continue our quest to find something else to satisfy our requirements. We now have a unit that fills the bill 100%.

Roy, Yes they did replace all valve stems, but I do not believe they were equipted with filters, nor personally knew about stems with filters ?????? Don't have this problem now as we have just traded up to a "new to us" unit at the end of July. One way to solve a problem(s).....

This works for me as an answer to the position of the MH in the highway lane. I personally made a notation, on the windshield, with a piece of red tape indicating the right edge of your center line when the MH is within inches of the line on your side. Now you know where you are in the lane. Other drivers may have other indicators, but this mine.

Just for information, we purchased a 2009 Ford Escape in May of 2009, a 4x4 XLT w/4cylinder, 6speed trans, and have towed the vehicle since new, mileage travelled not noted, but as of this date we have over 23,000 driven miles. We purchaced this vehicle solely to be towed, but we use the vehicle for winter travel needs, but only towed it after about a thousand miles were on the odmeter. Knock on wood, we have not had a problem with it, but we follow the Ford instructions to the letter. Have followed other purchasers, on this forum, who are not so lucky and have had nothing but problems. Having been in the Ford dealership system for over twenty years, now retired, I personally do not have an answer as to why some have a problem and others do not. We wish you luck with your purchase, and hope you will enjoy your vehicle as much as we enjoy ours.

We had new tires installed and they used equal to balance, they are a truck tire store and they told me that is all they use. The balance part is a'okay, BUT, one has to be careful when checking the air pressures as to the position of tire valve. If in the lower quadrant, the equal powder will enter the valve, and after taking the pressure reading, will give you a very slow air leak. When in the upper quadrant, you have to release just a very small amount of air, to clear the valve before taking the tire pressure reading. At least that is how I have had to check pressures. I personally would not recommend "equal", just my two cents and experience......

Places close by: 1) Vermont Teddy Bear factory 2) Shelburne Mus. 3) Shelburne farm 4) City of Burlington 5) many other points of interest Note: while at Alexandria Bay, Boldt Castle is a must see. Stay away from a campground named,"Seaway Island Resort" @ Fineview....on Wellesley Island, not good, amenities are poor to non-existant, and the hookups are very poor. A resort it is NOT !!!! There is another Cg on the island named Wellesley Island State Park and has full hookups. Most other cg are small and also leave a lot to be desired. Not much to choose from that will meet your expectations. The State Park is about the best.

Tom, If you want a response from a board member(s), did you forward a copy to the board, or e-mail the board directly ? If you feel you were misinformed during the time of becoming a member, what are you looking for ??? Refund of membership fees, recourse, etc. We belonged to Holiday Ramber for a number of years, about 7, and after numerous problems with the National HQs personell and chapter(s) issues, which at this time will not get into, we pulled the plug on HRRVC, and we do not miss it one bit. We mainly go out on our own, but will go to our first FMCA outing in July 2011, will be interesting to see if FMCA, and their chapters, handle their outings any differently than HRRVC. If you have a problem with the Cgs in Florida renting to snowbirds, during the winter months, and taking up all the sites, your complaint is with campgrounds...not FMCA. But you have to remember it's all about money, profits,etc. If those snowbirds went elsewhere, outside of Florida, someone would be required to make up those lost monies, the everyday residents through taxes and fees. We live in New York State, the "land of taxes and fees", you do not want to go there. Just my two cents, and it may not be worth that, but just my opinion. thanks for this opportunity to express my thoughts, Butch

Just a little note that most campgrounds in the northeastern states will not be open that early. We, at times, will have snow/cold weather in April, and may carry over into the first week in May. Generally they do not turn the water on until the second or third week in May. A word to the wise, better check first.... Won't be much to see this early, most seasonal amenities open around Memorial Day....

Just a word about the Maritime Provinces, you may want to check your timing for your trip as we went to PEI the last week in August/1st week in September and believe it or not some summer business were closed for the season. We enjoyed PEI, clean, pretty province and friendly folks. Compared to the USA, the prices for whatever are higher. Note: We entered Canada at Calis Maine and we and our motorhome was put through the "border inspection" for over an hour....of course they found nothing...we will not go back to Canada for another 15 years......

Over many years, and afew different Rvs, we have used, "dried blood". Dried blood is a fertilizer, and mice do not like the smell of it. Normally we can not smell it...but do not allow it to get wet......at that point; you will smell it.......not good. Must admit that the mice will enter, evidenced by a few droppings , but they will not stay. We place a small amount in the plastic yogurt caps and place them throughout the interior and exterior compartments of the motorhome. In number, 12+ inside, and another 12+ outside. Of course during winter storage, we remove all food stuffs, maybe without food they choose to leave. Knock on wood, we have not had any damage of any kind, and this is all we use. We purchased a used Jayco Designer 36' foot 5er, a few years ago, and they had placed dryer sheets in it to protect it against mice, and we never did get the odor of those sheets out of it in the three years we had it....they may have keep the mice out, we do know the the sheets kept us out. The odor was sickening....

Thanks for the suggestion on the sewing machine oil, never thought of that, I'll have to borrow some from the wife for the next bearing lube job. Thanks again Brett.

Just an update about the a/c, heater motor problem. After some testing, I found that the problem was the motor, infact it was the end bearing. As the bearing is oilite, (impregnated oil/bronze type), I slowly added 3in1 oil to bearing while the motor was running. The oil was absorbed by the bearing material and have not had a problem with it since early summer. My only regret is that I did not drill a small lubrication hole in the motor case, while it was removed, so that I may add a drop or two of oil now and then. Can not be drilled in place and is a real pain to remove. Atleast at 71, it's tough.......

Just a question..........when we were in Atlantic Canada, namely, Prince Edward Island last year, I asked about dgital tv..........they did not know what I was talking about. Kind of makes one wonder what kind of bill of goods we have been sold................digital tv .........indeed.

When you state,"you lost the passenger side wiper," just what is the problem? Wiper blade, linkage, and or wiper transmission? Just a thought, but maybe you could try a heavy-duty truck dealer/shop if it's a wiper blade.

We replaced all the tires on our motor home, Workhorse W-22 chassis, in June 2009 and the balance was by Balance Master and can state that the balancing does a very good job. The only draw back, that we have experienced, is that when you check the air pressures, try to have the tire valve at the top of it's travel. The reason being that when checking air pressure, with the valve in the bottom or lower position of the tire, the balance powder will hold the valve core open thus allowing a very slow air leak. Personally, after checking tire pressure, I depress the center of the tire valve and release very quickly to relieve any of the powder if present. Otherwise, the balancing is "A" okay............

There are numerous routes to get to Bar Harbor Maine, and one of which is a toll road. Would need to know which you prefer. Gary's route is about 80% correct. We live north of the Albany, NY area and of course know the area and it's routes. Have spent our annual vacations in Maine for the last twenty+ years, and have used different routes over the years. State your preference(s), and maybe we can head you toward Bar Harbor.