lmsooter

Ours is located in the compartment where our power cable first enters the coach. I had to replace ours but I purchased one online - Amazon or eBay - because I got a better price than Camping World. Not difficult to install if you are familiar with electric wiring. Right now the Camping World catalog shows a $39 installation charge for members. If you are not comfortable with wiring, that would probably be the way to go.

We have been full time since late 2011 and Edward Jones or Vanguard do not have a problem with our address through Escapees. No problems with our insurance, driver license, voting, vehicle registration, etc.

I don't have any other suggestions for the label location. Brett has already mentioned the area near the drivers seat. I looked at the literature on the Thor website: http://thormotorcoach.com/media/documents/2003_escaper_view.pdf According to the literature, you have either a Freightliner or Spartan chassis. It appears that the Freightliner chassis has a Caterpillar engine while the Spartan chassis has a Cummins engine. If it is Freightliner, then this link will give more information (GVWR, tire size, front and rear axle GAWR, etc.) http://freightlinerchassis.com/images/pdf/Damon/XC0904-2003.pdf There is a spec sheet listed on the Thor website for the Spartan chassis. It is listed with the literature for the 2004 Escaper. Hopefully this information will help.

Welcome to the FMCA forums. You might contact RV Cams: http://www.rvcams.com They helped me when I was having a camera problem.

We had a Four Winds Hurricane made by the same company as Damon. Label was on the back wall of the bedroom closet.

We tow a 2005 Jeep Liberty. Very easy to setup for towing and disconnect is just as easy. Then we can do some mild off-roading if we like.

I think I finally found the brochure for the motorhome. Monaco shows brochures for a 2006 and 2007 LaPalma Diesel. http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFiles/monaco/brochures/2006/06Lapalmadiesel.pdf http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFiles/monaco/brochures/2007/07Lapalmadiesel.pdf This is under the Monaco brand. Specs are Roadmaster RSR Rails Chassis Cummins ISB-AD 300 HP or 325 HP Allison 1000 MH Transmission Leaf Spring Suspension Diesel Pusher The Holiday Rambler site lists a 2006 and 2007 Vacationer Diesel which appears to be the equivalent of the LaPalma. http://www.holidayrambler.com/holidayrambler/brochures.html On my coach, when a light on the dash comes on, it backlights a description. Could that be the case with the LaPalma?

You might get more responses by posting the make and model of the RV. Is the light on with just the ignition on? Is the light on while trying to start? Does it stay on after starting and not go off at all? Hopefully Brett will see this post soon and have some specific ideas and questions.

This is the link to the Escapees weighing program: http://www.escapees.com/smartweigh

We went to Alaska in 2012 with Adventure Caravans and had a great experience. Probably 70% of the couples on that trip still communicate with each other. After we returned, we have talked with three couples who had used Fantasy and they were pleased with their experience. Our caravan traveled in groups of 3 or 4 rigs (we had a total of 21 rigs) and we communicated within our group with CB radios and walkie talkies. Several rigs had mechanical problems throughout the trip but the TG was always able to contact the necessary service provider. While a small number of events were of the Disney style - gold panning at the dredge in Fairbanks - they were still fun and different. We were very pleased with out WM and TG. They went all out to bring us together as a group and to arrange later events for those affected by mechanical breakdowns. We were pleased to get a tour of the gold dredge at Dawson City - part of history. As I understand it, the tours were to be discontinued due to funding cuts. I hate to see that someone had a bad experience there because there is so much to see and enjoy. Hopefully any trips you might make in the future will be better.

Welcome to the FMCA forums. Check this website http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/incode/6/6/5.1 It will give you information on determining the value of RVs, the classification and tax rate. It is an excise tax and decreases each year.

We have used Escapees since 2011. It was good for us because we already were Texas residents and allowed us to maintain a Texas address for driver license, etc. Of course, we also spend our winters here. We went to Canada and Alaska during the summer of 2012. We had our itinerary already planned so we gave Escapees the dates we wanted mail forwarded to specific locations along our route and everything went well. You can specify how often you want your mail forwarded and can change that with a phone call or email. You have several levels of service to choose from.

You don't say what problems you have had with your current coach or what specifically you want in a new coach. Was the A.C.E. purchased new? As desertdeals69 said, full timing is a personal thing. You are aware that the Hurricane and Miramar are also made by Thor? We had a 2009 Hurricane 31H and really enjoyed it but when we went full time we wanted something bigger - specifically basement storage, interior storage and full length closet space.

I just looked at the ad in the FMCA magazine. I tried the website listed www.fuelsaverdevice.com but at the bottom of the page it says, "This Domain May Be For Sale." I then tried www.fuelsaverdevice.net and found the device. They give two examples and then the usual disclaimer: "Each example depends on driver habits and environments. Results will vary." It supposedly works by increasing fuel vapor density. Now if someone can explain that it might mean something. I am not anywhere an expert on engines but I would think the only way to increase vapor density would be more fuel or less air.

Welcome to the FMCA forum. We put on a set of Toyo M154 tires in 2012 just before a trip to Canada & Alaska. We have put about 15,000 miles on them and they are holding up well. They were substantially cheaper than Michelins (from the same dealer) through the FMCA program so I decided to give them a try. I don't regret the decision.

Thanks for this information. I am looking forward to the next lesson. Maybe someday I will be a photographer instead of just taking snapshots.

Shopper, You should be aware that no RV is going to be absolutely, positively immune to need for repair. Just as things fail on cars all the time. We toured Canada and Alaska in 2012 with a caravan which included 5th wheelers, travel trailers and Class A,B & C. One class C had an overheating problem due to water pump failure. A 5th wheeler had a problem with the electric brakes not releasing on one wheel. A Roadtrek (class had a water system pump failure and leveling jack problem with broken retract springs. One class A had an electrical problem due to a loose wire getting caught in the engine fan. Another class A had a problem with a ruptured turbo hose. One travel trailer had a propane furnace failure. What I am saying is that all types of RVs will have problems at sometime. There is no way I am going to believe that any RV has traveled over 100,000 miles without some type of repair. I have never had that experience with any car or truck I have ever owned and I am a preventive maintenance fanatic. Just go into this with your eyes open to the fact that some type of failure is always a possibility.

If you haven't already looked at the FMCA towing information, use this link to get there http://www.fmca.com/motorhome/towing.

Tilldee, We also have a pretrip checklist we use each time we travel. If you would like a copy, PM (Private Message) me your email address and I will send it to you.

Just my opinion but have you thought about spending more now for a coach you could do some improvements and would work for the future when you retire? If you buy from an individual, be sure to have it checked out by a competent RV technician. Diesel or gas is a question asked by many. Test drive several and decide what you like best. We had a gas coach first and loved it but our diesel pusher rides much better with the air bags. Try rvtrader.com to look at coaches. It will give a good overview of asking prices and you can choose units in your area. Good luck in your search.

Welcome to the FMCA forum. If I remember correctly, the best mileage we got with our Hurricane was about 9.5 and that was on an flat Interstate, not towing and 55 mph. We usually averaged between 7 and 8.5 just according to the terrain and whether we were towing the Jeep. I usually set the cruise control around 60 but your mileage will decrease at higher speeds.

Welcome to the forum. We had a 2009 Hurricane 31H and really enjoyed it. Our longest trip was from our home in Kerrville, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the FMCA convention. If you have an opportunity to attend one of these, please do. You will learn so much in the seminars and from people you meet. If you want more information on your new coach, visit the Thor website - http://thormotorcoach.com/document-archive.php?type=literature After you get it loaded the way you want it, find a place to get it weighed. They will weigh each wheel location individually. Escapees provides this service as well as others. Enjoy your new coach and take some time to get to know it.

We purchased a small 33 foot gasoline model in 2009 for weekend use and to test the waters. We enjoyed it so much we spent the next 2 years learning as much as we could about the RV lifestyle and looking at larger units. We attended an FMCA convention to take advantage of excellent seminars and to look at motorhomes. Every opportunity we had was used to look at units to develop our list of wants and needs. Finally in June 2011 we made our decision of the coach that most met our requirements. In November 2011 we sold the house and drove away. We went to Canada and Alaska in 2012 and spent about 4 months on the road going up and coming back. We have never regretted our decision. As the old saying goes "try it before you buy it". We went from around 3000 square feet to a little less than 400 but it works for us. Try renting a unit for a weekend or two to see if you really are interested in RVing. If you like it, rent for a week or two and try a longer trip. Talk to people you meet in the campgrounds - RVers are a very friendly group. Make a list of places you would like to see if you do decide to full-time. What do you really want to do when you retire? Just take your time and take advantage of the information that is out there.

Thanks for the information. I had to replace the bulb on my Liberty not long ago. I will take a look to see if I have the same problem.

I have 2 gallons of FleetCharge coolant and 2 pints of Pencool 3000 that I don't need. For anyone in the Lubbock, Texas area that still has this coolant you can have it free.