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lmsooter

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Posts posted by lmsooter

  1. Posted · Report reply

    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?

  2. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    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 B) 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.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks to everyone for all the information. We don't know what we're going to tow. We have a 2011 Chevy Equinox and a 98 Blazer (that is near and dear to my heart). My first brand new vehicle that was all mine. :wub: I guess we'll need to decide what we are going to do, and then save up for the equipment it takes to pull something. Our coach has a Reese hitch on the back and will pull 5,000lbs from what I've read so far. There goes the gas mileage. :mellow:

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

  13. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Is any one in the Hurricane running the triton v10? if so what should one expext to have for gas millage at posted speed limits?

    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.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    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.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    I hope I am in the correct forum.

    We own a 2003 Monaco Monarch SE. Today we took it to have it weighed (this is a new rig to us). We wanted to make sure we were running correct tires and correct pressure in tires.

    Here are the figures we received: in lbs

    left side - front axle 4160, rear axle 7420

    right side - front axle 3620, rear axle 6620

    total front axle weight - 7780

    total rear axle weight - 14040

    combined axle weight left side - 11,580

    combined axle weight right side - 21820

    Then it says...my coach is heavy on which side? left side By how much? 1340 lbs.

    Is at least 1/3 of the total weight of my coach on the front axle? yes

    So now we have this data and are clueless what to do with it. We were told to run tire pressure of 100 in each tire in the front and 95 in each in the rear.

    What concerns us is being overweight? Is that what that really means? by 1340 lbs? Wow! This floor plan has both slides on that left side, plus the kitchen is on that left side.

    We have looked for the weight tag in this coach but can't locate it, does anyone know where to look for it so we can see what the actual weight was at manufacture date?

    Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

    Charles

    Charles,

    I don't know where your weight tag might be but mine was behind the step well cover in front of the passenger seat. Our previous coach the label was on the back wall in the bedroom closet. Below are some links that might help you. One is for the 2003 Monarch SE brochure. It will give you specs for various models. The other is a 4 point weight addendum from Monaco website.

    http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFiles/monaco/manualaddendums/2003/4pt_weight.pdf

    http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFiles/monaco/brochures/2003/03Monarchse.pdf

  21. Posted · Report reply

    The FMCA trip routing does not require you to wait to receive your route. I personally have used it several times and received my route within 5 minutes through email. I consider the magazine to be an excellent benefit, as well as just associating with a group through one or more of the chapters. The national and area rallies are well worth the effort to attend for seminars, vendors and new coaches to tour. I have not used the Michelin tire program but have talked to others who believe that they received their tires at a substantial savings.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    If you have a built-in dinette you probably have belts under the seats. My coach has 3 belts under the couch if we ever need them. They are bolted through flanges on the couch frame with the bolts that hold the couch to the floor. It is in a slide out so the bolts go all the way through the floor to the outside.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Matt,

    Welcome to the FMCA forum. If you have any questions, all you have to do is ask and someone on the forum will probably have an answer for you. In fact, you will probably receive several options with the answers. Many knowledgeable people on this forum!!

  25. Posted · Report reply

    I have had very good performance with my MaxxForce 10. Just turned 18,000 miles, most of which were in the western U.S. mountains. Lots of power, doesn't need DEF. The emission problem has been with their larger engines for heavy trucks. There are a significant number of International trucks on the road as you drive around. They don't seem to have a problem getting service. I agree there are more places that service Cummins, although I don't know if they do warranty work on Cummins. There are a lot of International truck dealers who service these engines. I would think the availability in Alaska might be a problem for all brands.

    Parts may be more readily available in Alaska for the MaxxForce as we were there a year ago. For Cummins and Cat if parts were not available in small towns they got them from Fairbanks or Anchorage and, of course, there were Freightliner shops in those cities.

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