wolfe10

bbrigham, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. By far the biggest issue is to determine that it has had the proper "care and feeding" over the last 16 years. If you are not very familiar with both chassis and RV house systems, I strongly suggest you hire someone to do a mechanical inspection for you. Pay particular attention to the roof seams, signs of water leaks, age of tires, etc. All stuff anyone familiar with that vintage/brand would be familiar with.

Two different sources: NADA-- this is base retail with 330 HP engine: http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs/2002/Alpine-Coach/M-40FD-330hp/3001099/Values Search for those for sale right now-- be aware that these will be ASKING prices, and may not reflect real sales prices.

Jim S, Since you already have axle weights, you would need to check with any of the public scales to see if they are set up to allow side/individual wheel position weighing. Most are not, as the area around most scales is graded away from them and weighing on a slant is not really that accurate. DO contact the DPS and let us know if they will allow you to show up for individual wheel position weighing. Suspect that would be very doable-- probably happy that someone really cares enough about safety to ask for their help.

Yup, you are just fine.

edmck, That is a riddle with no repeatable answer. If the rear is enough higher that you need to raise the front until weight is off the suspension, YOU ARE LEVEL. If the rear is not enough higher that you need to raise the front until weight is off the suspension, YOU ARE LEVEL.

Thought it would be worthwhile to get the facts on this, so I e-mailed Chris Smith. This has nothing to do with "allowing towables" issue. Here is the answer: Yes, there is a towable here. He is a member. As you know, there are no national officers parked here currently. He owned a motorhome when he joined, sold it, and purchased a fifth wheel. He is an associate member!

Jim, Being in Texas (like we are), check with your local DPS office and talk with their truck enforcement guy. They use the same individual wheel position scales as RVSEF, Escapees, etc. You should be able to arrange to meet them at their HQ at beginning or end of shift to do the individual wheel weighing.

rknight, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. Unless wires from main 120 VAC breaker box are the limiting factor (unlikely) you should be fine. On high it will only draw approximately 1 amp more @120 VAC than the old one (8 vs 7).

Yup, Cat or Cummins, that is how they work. The tension is pre-determined by the spring. As long as you get the detent/dowel in the hole, tension is automatically set. Yes, they come with the detent in different positions/springs with different tensions.

Certainly if you have a single ride height valve for the tag axle, I would assume that would be a reasonable first cut at it. Yes, some floorplans such as galley slides where the weight of the slide, appliances, cabinets, pantry and cookware are on one side "offset" by a Eurolounger on the other side, one can exceed the 45/55 rule. In most cases, you can look at weight of heavy components and make a rough guess in terms of left/right distribution. The exception is on the axle with two ride height valves. If mis-adjusted, they can transfer a LOT of weight side to side. That is why checking ride height at least once a year is a good idea. Last point-- with a tag, on many chassis, it is possible to balance weight on each axle by adjusting weight on the tag. Ideal is to have the same PERCENT of each axle's GAWR on each axle.

Jim, Just do a search for "truck scales" and your location. Getting axle weights is easy-- lots of truck stops have them. Getting individual wheel weights (more accurate, as few motorhomes have perfect left/right weight distribution) is more difficult to find. With axle only weights assume 45/55 weight distribution and use the 55% side to go to your tire manufacturer's inflation table to determine the minimum PSI for all tires on that axle.

His engine has one "V" belt driving only the engine water pump and a serpentine belt driving everything else (alternator and A/C compressor). The V belt/water pump belt is on a MANUAL ADJUSTER, not automatic adjuster.

OK, those two statements MAY be similar, or may be well different. So, let's look at them: The sidewall of the tire indicates the PSI needed for the tire to carry its maximum designed weight. The GVWR sticker indicates the PSI needed for each axle when loaded to maximum GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). Unless you have information indicating that your coach has axles loaded to more than GAWR, I would start with the PSI recommendations on the GVWR sticker. There are very few towns in the country that do not have scales-- truck stops, dumps, moving companies. DO IT SOON, then you will know you have the correct PSI.

I am really surprised your MB-based coach is rated for that weight toad. Don't have info on the 2018, but the FMCA Towing guide shows the lightest 2017 Equinox at 3,764 pounds.

jsramback, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. No, MB does not list any of their vehicles as towable 4 wheels down. And, with rear wheel drive, a tow dolly is not an option.

Is the camera broken? Monitor broken?

What I would do is on a 60k mile 17 year old Ford E450: Check components for wear, particularly sway bar bushings, as they are a wear item-- upgrade to polyurethane if replacing them. Set tire pressure to that recommended by your tire manufacturer for your actual "going down the road" weight Install rear track bar Install caster bushing and set caster to high end of spec. THEN, re-evaluate.

So, what CONVERTER does your coach have? Have you confirmed 120 VAC to it? What is house battery voltage when plugged in?

Is the stove propane or 120 VAC? Are you operating the while driving?

As Herman suggested, please let's stick with the original subject. Thanks. Moderator

If this is a Ford E class, use after-market bushings to adjust CASTER to the high side of spec. And certainly, check shocks, sway bar bushings, steering components for wear. As Bill asked, please verify chassis. Also how many miles on it?

Jimmy, Does the water come out the faucets at normal volume but cold OR no volume?

Please tell us what brand and model levelers you have so we can help.

choodie1961, Welcome to the FMCA Forum. In many cases, changing from "only on when transmission is in reverse" to on full time is an easy modification. What system (make and model) do you have?

As I recall, the other programmable feature is battery bank size (in amp-hrs).