wolfe10

Trailer YES-- tongue weight must be taken into account and will apply well more than its actual weight to the rear axle and subtract some from the front axle. Toad pulled 4 wheels down NO effect on coach weight (other than weight of tow bar).

It may be that this because of a "larger enclosed trailer". Agree, a toad that is towed 4 down only adds a few pounds to coach weight (the weight of the hitch that actually rests on the coach).

Mike, Let us know how the update/upgrade work in the "real world".

Absolutely true.

Correct-- together loose connections and switching under load account for probably 90% of ATS failures. And, both are easily preventable.

With the 2006, you have Vansco MULTIPLEX WIRING. "Computer front and back". I have no experience with these-- our 2003 had conventional wiring. Always to hate to have someone come to one Forum and be referred to another, but this is where you need to post that question along with exactly what does and doesn't work. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/

Thanks for the detailed description. And GOOD JOB on annually tightening all the connections. Loose connections is the #1 killer of ATS's.

If OE, it is definitely time. Though it is somewhat dependent on where you operate the coach (say desert SW vs hot, humid Gulf coast) 3 years is a reasonable interval. And, my strong suggestion is to just replace it with a FACTORY REMAN. Factory as in the factory that made it not a "made to replace" one of unknown quality. That not only replaces the filters (two filters in most), but also the heater, valves, etc. With the price of labor, about the same price as a complete rebuilt and you will have all new "internals". And, not a difficult DIY job.

drdively, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. First question: what is their age from the DOT code (last 4 digits are the WEEK and YEAR). That full date code is only molded into one sidewall, and may not be facing out.

Yes, a copy of an e-mail from Jon Walker sent yesterday 11/1/19: SUMMER 2020 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & RV EXPO Dear FMCA Member, FMCA’s Executive Board has voted to withdraw from contract negotiations to stage the association’s 102nd International Convention & RV Expo at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, July 29 through August 1, 2020. After many months of waiting to receive a contract for signature, the Executive Board determined that the time had come for FMCA to look for another location to stage this event. FMCA officials are currently busy vetting other sites for the association’s 2020 summer convention and hope to have an announcement about a selected location in the coming weeks. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause members. I hope to see you at a future FMCA event. Remember — registration is underway now for our 101st convention in Tucson, Arizona, March 26 through 29, 2020. Sincerely, Jon Walker, F268778 National President

Please don't misunderstand, I agree with you-- a great idea. But, probably very difficult to sell with the huge disparity in what different states collect and spend on supporting fishing in their state.

Yes, reciprocity would be another avenue of achieving this. But, I can see states with a lot of fishing and high fishing license fees not wanting to allow those from states with few fishing resources/low fishing license fees a free hand in fishing in their state. https://lakerecord.net/2018/12/20/fishing-license-options-and-fees-a-state-by-state-breakdown/ For example, annual fees for non-residents: Delaware $22.50 Illinois $31.59 And, at the other extreme: Alaska $145 California $135

Guys/Gals, If this thread is to stay open, politics MUST stay out of it. Focusing on the single subject of a national fishing license will do that. Thanks. Moderator

Yes, with RARE exception most DP's have 3 ride height valves. Most with solid front axle have two in back, one in front. With IFS, often two in front, one in back. The exception is the Gary Jones designed chassis such as he did for Alpine (called Peak chassis) which have 4 ride height valves-- one for each wheel position.

To add to Bill's point about low voltage being harmful: Good to check before plugging in. MUCH more important to monitor voltage as you turn on loads. Not uncommon for voltage to read OK with no load, and because of small-gauge wire and/or poor connections, as soon as you turn on large loads such as a roof A/C for voltage to from to dangerous levels (108VAC or lower). Something like this, plugged into any handy "house-type" outlet in your RV works fine: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prime-Products-12-4058-Digital-Display-AC-Line-Meter/55150277

Yes, there are surge protectors that will give you SOME protection against power surges due to lightening strikes. But, all have their limit. Heck, lightening has just traveled thousands of feet through AIR which is a great insulator. Proximity to the strike and whether it strikes the power source you are plugged into help determine how severe the strike surge is. If you are in the coach when a lightening storm is forecast, by far the best advice is to UNPLUG from the shore power. Far better than hoping a surge protector will protect you.

Should not be a problem. Picture 50 collage-age girls and boys. Does that make it easier???

billbarr, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Do you mean you have NO power with the ignition key is turned on? So, Allison shift pad does not illuminate, dash HVAC fan does not work, etc? If so the IGNITION SOLENOID is the first suspect. My memory is a little vague, but start by pulling the panel in front of the passenger's side. At least on our 2003 Alpine, it was held in with velcro. Should be able to locate the ignition solenoid. Let us know if you find it and have a voltmeter. VERY easy to diagnose-- we can give the step by step if you need it.

Actually, Hippy Hollow was at its heyday in the late 1960's/early 1970's. Parked along Comanche Trail and hiked down a rough limestone trail to the lake. Have heard rumors that people even wear bathing suits there in later years. Google earth shows a large paved parking lot there now: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Austin,+TX/@30.4134951,-97.8860913,348m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8644b599a0cc032f:0x5d9b464bd469d57a!8m2!3d30.267153!4d-97.7430608 And an entrance gate/entrance fee: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.4146114,-97.8863137,3a,15y,229.45h,78.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suMcPojhTwQ2IDdGU2UqTLA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 As we say in Texas: "that just ain't rite". Haven't been back in years-- OK, many decades. But a favorite while at UT Austin.

If within the U.S. they would be discussed here: https://community.fmca.com/forum/39-destinationsattractions/ If outside the U.S. they would be discussed here: https://community.fmca.com/forum/45-outside-the-usa/

OldBeaver, The original tire size will be noted on a plaque usually located near the driver's area. If they have access to your coach, should be an easy confirmation. OR, you could include exactly what coach you have (in your signature would be great and help with answers to any of your questions) and perhaps another owner could look it up for you. If the OE tires have limited safety reserve (they are loaded near capacity) getting tires with a higher load range is a good thing. No, it will not raise you carrying capacity, but will give you a safety reserve on your tires. And, this part of the answer you posted above sure scares me: " .....the Firestone rap who said it spuld be fine....because it's on an RV and not a truck thst will be going through scales, port of entry and inspections. " Does that mean it would not be deemed legal by DOT inspectors, but the rep "Feels" it should be fine. WOW.

Please let us know what you find-- either by hydrometer or load testing. More fixes will depend on WHAT you find. Please let us know what you find-- either by hydrometer or load testing. More fixes will depend on WHAT you find.

carlsamuels, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. If one cell in a battery, it will "fool" a perfectly good charger or inverter/charger into OVER-charging the batteries. Think of it as trying to charge a 10 VDC battery as if it were a 12 VDC battery! If wet cell batteries, the place to start is with a HYDROMETER. Less than $10 an any auto parts house/Walmart. If sealed, you will need to fully charger, disconnect them a then load test them. As long as voltage at the batteries is not over 13.5 VDC in float mode or 14.3 in bulk mode, I would not start by pointing a finger at the charger or inverter/charger.

EXCELLENT. Thanks, Richard.

Yes, as long as you do not exceed the exceed the GVWR and GCWR AND THE COACH TOWING LIMIT AND HITCH LIMIT you will be OK.