bizsmith@yahoo.com

The old time tested "hit it with a hammer" sometimes works for a lot of things.

I don't have the 77 but missing Topsail is not the fault of the GPS. Most GPS units will miss Topsail because coordinates for Topsail are wrong as furnished to the manufacturers. This is true of many locations that are problems with a GPS. It's best to have your paper maps as a backup. You almost have to use the physical address or coordinates for some parks. I have run into a problem with using the name of a place many times. I don't care what GPS you have. I think many use the same data base.

If the auto controller malfunctions, you are just as likely to drive off with the steps out (I speak from experience). Manual works OK for us. Step out light on dash still works. We have a "preflight" checklist and my step controller wife is very vigilant and conscientious. It has worked for us for 2 years.

I gave up on the control unit and installed a toggle switch to operate the steps manually. Maybe not as convenient but in some ways better. Now the "step controller" is my wife. Much easier to pinpoint a malfunction ;-)

We have a weather radio and keep it on the alert mode if there is threatening weather. I would not advise trying to move the coach if a storm is imminent. I always check the bath house in the park we are in. Many are listed to be a storm shelter, some are not. In one storm the door on the bathroom was ripped right out of my hand when I cracked the door to see what was going on. Obviously you look for concrete block construction. Some times if you get caught you might end up laying in a ditch and hope for the best.

Kitchen and bath mastic does not work. The vibration and movement causes the tiles to let go.

What kind of mastic do you use for tile floors in a coach?

There are several topics regarding these issues in the forums. You might like to review some more of them. As for braking, I like the M&G, but only because that is what I have. Like the Air Force One, there is only an air line to connect and braking is proportional to the pressure you apply to the pedal in the motorhome. I have always been suspicious of the systems using momentum to apply the breaks and when you consider the amount of pressure you have to apply I can't believe a system pushing on the seat in the toad is any good. Just my opinion. Read thru the forums and make your own decision.

It would be very difficult. I have extensions and after a few problems they are working well. Go with what you are comfortable with.

Craig, I am envious but our '03 CRV is still going strong.

I believe the drive train is so similar to the CRV that it could be towed however Honda manuals are worded such that towing is allowed only in emergencies. Towing behind a motor home would be at your own risk. You would most likely be OK but you leave yourself open to the determination by Honda if they would honor the drive train warranty. I think tow bar manufacturers make baseplates so towing would be your decision.

I agree with the use of peppermint oil but be sure you go and get peppermint oil. Peppermint extract you find in spice racks in the grocery store will evaporate too quick to be effective. My dog cannot be in the motorhome for a while when I first put it out. He sneezes rather violently so I just imagine how the mice react. The fragrance lingers but at an acceptable level after an hour or so but I think it still repels the mice.

OK. We get your "joke" but some are not. You are not the only commenter.

We will just have agree to disagree. When I do use the interstates a large percentage of the 18 wheelers travel between 60-63 mph. I blend with those and if I am a speed bump then I am one of many very large ones regulated not only by speed laws but by company rules to conserve fuel. I10, I75, I95 it doesn't matter they don't all travel 70-80.

My point is, why use the interstate? We plan our trips for 150 to 200 miles per day. My motorhome's "sweet spot" is 60 mph. Everything works better, sounds better so we tend to stay off interstates and leave them to the people that seem to have to get there right now.

I would vote for before the xfer switch. I recently helped a person that because of a miswired shore power cord lost not only the microwave but the xfer switch was damaged also. A good surge protector will detect misconceptions like this and would have prevented this. Luckily the GFI breakers in the coach prevented damage to two thin screen TVs.

Interstates are wonderful. You can drive coast to coast and border to border and never see a thing (especially at 70-72 mph).

Putting FMCA on the bridge to nowhere.

It is most likely that you are using a digital voltmeter that doesn't like the modified square wave of the inverter. I saw the same results, an apparent 140+ volts from the inverter but a true RMS voltmeter read right. Look at the voltage output on your coach's power panel. Some times they will show the true RMS value. The volt meters that you get at camping world that plug in to a receptacle are fine for checking shore power voltage but they will almost certainly read 140 volts from inverters and the indicated frequency is likely to be wacky.

I have the TST system and at first I was having trouble with sensor failure. At the Madison show TST admitted they had had sensor failure problems and traded out my older sensors at no cost no questions asked. I am quite satisfied with the performance now.

We like Florida State Parks. There are a number of them that have full hookups and can accommodate big rigs (jonathan Dickinson, Lake Louisa, Rainbow Springs, Topsail Hill, etc). In general I find that state parks give you more elbow room than private parks. Granted you don't have club houses, activities that you would have in private grounds but I wouldn't use those any way. The most we have paid was $32 and that was at Topsail Hill that used to be a private resort. There you even have a tram that takes you to the beach, miles of bicycle or hiking.

I have tha TST system and while they have had issues with sensor failures, they exchanged my failed ones at the Madison convention no questions asked. TST may not be the best but it has saved my neck a few times. I would not be without a monitor of some brand. Do your research and choose one but do it.

My resolution was not to make any.

Other models could be towed but Honda will not honor the warranty. See my reply under towing the Accord.

Although the drive trains are essentially functionally identical on other models, only the CRV and Fit have the procedure for towing spelled out in the manual after 2005. I firmly believe any model Honda could be towed (Accord, Civic, Odyssey, etc.). The catch is Honda will not honor the warranty on others beside the CRV and Fit. So if you want to take the chance of towing the Accord and fighting Honda about the warranty, I say, tow away.