bobbyks

I had a Cat 350 in a 40' Damon, now own a 45 ' Mandalay with 425 Cummins towed 4 WD Jeep Wrangler with both, the Cummins was much better in Mtns. and flat land travel and performed better. I never had any problem with the Cat engine but I like the Cummins better.

I have been towing Jeep Wranglers 4 WD for about 10 years, I feel the Wrangler and Cherokee have same procedure. I had the same problem you have when I traded for the recent Jeep with all elecronic equipment,there was an added step, disconnect battery, contacted dealer, he didn't know, referred me to their tech support group, I reached a person who had no idea what I was talking about, kept telling me if broke take back to dealer after about 30 min I found out he was in India. I installed a battery disconnect switch, this keeps from draining the battery if you are towing for more than two hours, I do have to reset everything. I follow the procedure in manual and disconnect the battery.

We previously towed a chevy 4 WD trailblaser and now on our second 4 Door Jeep Wrangler, I am 6'3 and have lots of room along with storage. Very easy to hook and unhook, the Jeep is ideal for off side road touring. We have a 45' coach and sometimes forget its behind us (camera keeps me informed). The Wrangler is our second car , we use it more than my wife's Expidition.

Rich, I am little fuzzy on the inverter/charger system, some things come a little slow in South La., if I understand you when I am connected to shore power I can turn the inverter off , leave the charger on, the batteries will charge as needed. Should I turn the inverter on at any time while on shore power?

Are you saying the inverter should not be on when connected to shore power?

****, do the settings look norm on the chsrger/inv?

I own a 2008 Mandalay 43-C with a Magnun 2012 charger/inverter, I replaced the 4- 6 volt batteries in November 2012 and since having problems with volt drop and shedding in the am when we start turning on power( lights, coffee pot, micro, heat pump and others. Start out with 12.3 V and drops to around 11 or below, I reduce load and select items in order not to drain batteries, at night when load is at min the system will come back to 12.0 to 12.5, after 24 hours with min draw the system levels out at 13.5 to 13.8 on float charge.I maintain sufficient water levels in the batteries. The system is set as follows: Search watts 30 W, low battery cut out 120 VDC,Batt Amp HRS 200, Batt Type Flooded, Rate charge 10%, VAC Dropout 60 VAC. The settings I assume were set be Dealer when they installed new batteries. Any feed back or suggestions will be great.

Steve, Vesta is not an RV park, it is a trailer park, Gonzales, La is approx. 15 miles south of Baton Rouge . There is a site owned by the Parish Gov. called Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, not much, has full hook up, close to Tanger Mall and Cabela's, easy excess off I-10. I would recommend Lakeside RV park off I-12 between Hammond and Baton Rouge, 15 miles from Gonzales (backway). There is another called Porche Plantation , 15 miles from Gonzales this off I-10.Lakeside is listed on Woodall in Livingston, La a lot of Big Rigs stay there and stays full. Porche is listed in Gonzales and located along Miss River. Sorry, not much to offer in RV parks but do have good Cajun Food. I will be glad to get more info if needed. Bobby Shackelford Gonzales, La

We have a dishwasher in our 2008 MH, never used it, won't wash paper plates.It was part of the purchase, we would rather have the cabinet space.

You are making a wise decision to go to Ark.for the time or until Isaac clears the area and then not sure what effects the storm will leave. We live about 40 miles north west of New Orleans and are prepared. If at a later date you decide to come south, Lamberts in Foley is open, Gulf Shores State Park is a great place to camp. We have stayed here in a 45'. If you go to Ark. you need to check out Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Ark, its worth a stay and car trip to Mt. Nebo and Mt. Magazine State Park.

With the Miss River level as low as it is I would be afraid to put my rig on a barge in the river. Ship traffic from Baton Rouge to New Orleans is very congested as well as the Ports in the area.

Lone Star, welcome to the SEC. There is not much to find in camp sites and less to see and do, however beautifully little town of Oxford and pretty rolling hill country. I suggest you look at Trace State Park near Pontotoc, MS-- lake side full hook up with 50A. Easy excess off I- 55 and good roads. Google Trace Park Ms they have a good web site which you can see if sites are available on your date. Good, Geaux Tigers

Pat 60, I have found car dealers and their sales people have little knowledge when it comes to towing. I towed a 2005 Jeep Wrangler for years, very simple procedure setting up. I traded the 2005 for a 2008 I found there was another step added, disconnect battery. I did not realize the 2008 had electric equipment. I inquired to the dealer what would effect the towing other than draining the battery on a long trip, no one at the dealer could answer my question, they gave me a 800 number to call and was told the service tech could answer all my questions, this is when I realized how much info services are farmed out.I made the call and was ask how I could helped, I explained--the answer was BROKE TAKE BACK TO DEALER--after about 30 min trying to explained my question I realized I was going no where I ask him where he was, he stated India. I corrected the concerned whith a battery disconnect switch. More and more this type services are being sent overseas.

Before I contact insurance carriers, is there anyone who has storage option coverage when your coach is in storage. A friend told me he inquired and was told in order to qualify you have pull your tag and turn into the Dept. of Safety in which you live. I do not think this will work in La. I like the savings which GMAC claims to offer but I am concern about the long term cost if this is the procedure.

I agree with Herman. Living in the south and subject to unknown weather conditions in my area which develop in the Gulf, I have found my i-phone is the best tool I have found. I have several app's which gives me pinpoint locations and also alerts me about severe weather conditions. I also have a eton FR-300 am/fm battery operated radio with 7-weather channels, this radio is supported by the American Red Cross and can be found at Lowes. We have learned in our area on a sunny day not to leave your windows down on your car when parked in 15 minute parking area.

Not me, we have been there. I will stay with my 45' Mandalay, 425-HP cummins, We travel mountain areas which could not have gone otherwise. No trouble getting in campgrounds. My toad 2008 4-door Jeep wrangler, just tags along without a problem.

When I purchased a 40 foot 2005 Damon it had room to store a spare, I purchased a new 275/80-22.5 R and carried it with me until I purchased a 45 ft. Mandalay, tire size same as the Damon, the storage has slide out trays and not room for the tire it sits in my storage shed . I am told by friends they do not carry spares and you would have to have road service to have a tire changed anyway most professional road service are able to get a spare for you, may cost a little more but it will be fresh.

I have long been concerned about my wife and I in our motorhome when a tornado is in the area or bad weather known. A concern I have a lot of parks we have visited do not have emergency procedures, warning systems or safe heavens for its guest. We always carry a weather band radio with us, but our first attempt would get out of our MH, but where to go is another concern. We live in hurricane alley and always stay prepared and have a game plan, tornadoes are another thing. I guess yesterdays storms in the Texas area re-opened my eyes, when I saw what force those storms impact have. I would like to hear from others about their plans.

I have solved the problem with my camera. I found a cd which came with the system, installed it and this allowed me to re-program the system. All is fine. Thanks to all who responded. RV Cams in Baton Rouge was the next step on my list.

TLazaroe, all three cameras go to the Pioneer, there is a seperate switch with modes listed, OFF, L/T, B/U, R/T, SPLIT. I keep this switch in B/U all the time. the camera problem only occurs after I have had the coach in the shop and they shut off all power, I have had no problems in the past but this time cannot get camera to function in drive mode. I have several other checks to make, if still have problem I will follow Wolfe and Hermans suggestions as RV Cam is only minutes from my home.

I own a 2008 43-C Mandalay with a Pioneer Multimedia AV Navigation System AVIC-D3. I have experienced problems with the camera after having the coach in shop for repairs and they shut off all power. The camera will allow me to view back up mode when putting the coach in reverse, when I go to drive a message will appear on screen--not allowed to view camera while in driver seat however the turn signals will allow vision. I have always been able to see my toad while driving. The dealer claims power disconnect has nothing to do with camera function.The radio and navigation functions work without problems. The Pioneer operation manual offers little help, I have sent e-mails to Pioneer web site and no response. I have been able to get all modes in service in the past but not this time.

I tow a 2008 Jeep Wrangler with a battery disconnect key, do not have a braking system. If you have power windows and other electrical extras you will need to disconnected the battery if you plan on towing over a period of time. If not your battery will die. This happen to me-- had someone jump me off. If you do not have power from the battery you will not be able to transfer jeep back into driving mode. You can find the disconnect switch at most auto parts, very simple the local truck supply installed mine. Lot of farmers in the area install them as a anti-thief device. The red key is turned off, removed and placed in a safe place, make sure it comes with two keys. I have a friend who has a brake system and ran power from his motorhome.

Just checked system--float charging @ + - 13.3 V

Thanks everyone for your information. I may have solved the problem with my battery boilover. I reset the Mangnum inverter/charger to conform with the system. (amps,watts, charge rate and ect). The batteries are now maintaining around 12.5 to 13 volts while plugged into shore power. I may have damaged two of the four batteries due to the overcharging, however the voltage is holding. The batteries are four years old. I have only been a member less than 6 month ,the information I have gained is more than expected and more than any dealer has offered.

I agree with Herman. My son and I owned two major brand convenience stores, one we built new, lot of $ went into both with .10-.15 cents gal. made at the pump. A lot of hard work,employee stealing, govt. regulations and a lot of others convinced us to get out. Most rest areas where we travel have dump stations. I don't mind paying a min. amount to dump a take on fresh water.