wigginsjsr

It's my understanding that USAA doesn't write MH insurance. They have a connection with Progressive.

I am confused. Your original post stated that you had taken the coach to the International dealer not the Cummins dealer. Some of the 2012 HR/Monaco coaches have an International MaxForce 350 HP engine. My Monaco Knight has the International (Navistar). Are you sure you have a Cummins? I have read, on this and other forums, about some surges with the Allison/Navistar combination. I don't remember the details.

We have been using a set made for RVers that is supposed to save your marriage! They work great. See them at www.rvheadsets.com. Very simple to use, no wires, tranmitters, etc. Main thing is they permit duplex conversation, which you don't get with a walkie-talkie.

I didn't see any discussion about the best place to install a surge/voltage protection device. A faulty generator can do as much damage as a faulty power pole. If you want the best protection, the device should be installed on the output side of the transfer switch. This protects you from both the generator and the power pole. If you are going to spend some money on one of these devices, it seems to make sense to spend enough money and time to get the best protection. We are not talking megabucks here, especially when the consequencies can be very expensive. In many cases, the transfer switch is located where you can do the installation yourself. If not, an hours labor to a shop can be money well spent.

We have had Dish for 3 years with no problems. When we are not traveling, we just don't pay the bill. When we are ready to go on the road, we pay the bill and the service is restored. No phone calls or dealing with the customer service area. I usually pay the bill, and wait 24 hours, service always seems to be there. I do have to send in new paperwork each time I renew the license for the coach, but not a big hassel. We also get remote off-air stations from New York and LA for $5 per month. This enables us to follow our regular network programming when traveling. We use our regular antenna for local off-air where we are located.

We have a 2011 Monaco Knight purchased new. Monaco's service has been very satisfactory. I think to predict what will happen with Navistar and its various divisions is a waste of time. Navistar, or International, has been making trucks for many, many years, and have many happy users. My take is that they are more likely to survive a downturn in the RV market that those whose only line is RVs. Just my two-bits worth.

The main consideration when we selected the Winegard was the desire to have two TVs each watching the channel they desired. This is impossible, or very complicated, to do with the dome type antenna as they can only tune to one satellite at a time. The Winegard also gives you the opportunity to have full HD from either Dish or Direct. I think you indicated that you may want to add an additional TV and receiver in the future. The Winegard is the only one that will permit that without an upgrade. We have never had a weather issue with our Winegard in three years of use. I'm not sure of the model number of the Winegard, but there is a model for either Direct or Dish with full HD. Either one can be retrofitted to receive the other for around $200 if you become unhappy with the provider. Motosat will tell you they are the only one that will allow you to switch; that is not true. My suggestion is that you work directly with Winegard. They have a phone number to deal directly with the user.

As someone mentioned earlier, the best option is to contact Winegard and determine what your current antenna is capable of receiving. You can buy the programming from Winegard or direct from the supplier. I am not sure where you got the $399 installation for Dish. With my own antenna, a Winegard, I just purchased a receiver from Amazon, called Dish and had the programming activated. The Winegard automatic antenna (It is a Trav'ler SK-3005) can be reconfigured for either Dish or Direct with a kit from Winegard, apx $200; so, don't let anyone tell you that you are stuck with either one due to the current configuration of your antenna, if it is a Trav'ler SK-3005. We use Dish because we can deactivate when we are home, but being full-time that won't matter to you. The biggest issue for you may be whether you want HD or not. It's a little more difficult with Direct. As far as NFL programming they both now have a service that permits you to see all the games each week.

We use The Hartford through AARP. We have been very pleased with both the rates and the service.

I have one of the 5 inch units. I really like the ease of use. Using the device is more logical than most. I haven't found it necessary to use the owner's manual. There is an issue with glare under certain conditions, but it is by no means "dangerous." Which ever unit you decide upon, make sure you get lifetime map updates for free; otherwise, you will be out some extra cash soon.

I've had the SMI system for three years now. Works great, and requires no work to hook-up other that normal connections to the Toad. Has a 5 year warranty, and good people to work with.

Roads around Mountain View aren't great. We were there in June. We cut over from Mountain View to 65 and went up thru Branson to Springfield to St. Louis. Road from Mountain View to 65 is narrow, up and down, two lane, but good enough. 65 has some great views between Harrison and Branson. Lots of truck traffic on the interstate from Springfield to St. Louis.

If your going to be in the Alpine area, that is a great location for the test. Young lady is very helpful and familiar with motorhomes. I took my written test is the morning and driving test in the afternoon. Did this in March, 2012. They do a lot of the overflow testing from some of the larger offices in the area. I happened to be scheduled to visit Big Bend and Alpine is on the way. In addition to Big Bend the McDonald Observatory is close to Alpine. Really nice place to visit.

We have been using a TravelSoft for three years now. While recharging can be a bit of a pain, I eventually got the hang of it. Now it takes about 30 minutes, 15 of which are simply letting the water flow through to backwash and charge the unit. We use the unit everywhere. It is particularly useful if your unit is equipped with a washer. We have put the unit in a small roller basket, and load it in the Toad when changing locations. Weight is not a problem if you drain the water before lifting.

You only use the adjustment when you need it. Every crosswind is not strong enough nor lasts long enough to need adjustment. The thing to keep in mind is that it is exerting 270 lbs. of pressure to keep your steering constant without any adjustment. This is basically what the other units do, only the TruCenter is stronger. Therefore, the only time you need to make an adjustment is when the wind or ruts are strong enough to override the normal 270 lb. constant load. I don't find the need to adjust a problem, and in most cases the normal pressure solves the problem.

I have had the Blue Ox TruCenter since last December. It has made a tremendous difference in the driving pleasure of my 2011 Monaco Knight. It's a bit pricey, but well worth the money in my opinion. There are also two models of the TruCenter. My installation is of the 270 lb. of pressure model. I think that is the right number. I haven't had any experience with the other. Although on my previous coach I had the Safe-T-Plus installed, and didn't really see that it helped much.

Sounds like it will work sometime and not always. I would notify the CG if I were to use this method, but I certainly don't consider it "cheating." The CGs have the option to upgrade to current standards to maintain their business. I don't stay where there is only 30 amps unless there are no reasonable options.

Has anyone had experience with the electrical device which claims to provide 50 amps by connecting it to a 30 amp plus a 20 amp circuit or by connecting to two 30 amp circuits? It is just too hot to use only 30 amps, but some campgrounds only offer 30 amp service, particularly up north. Is this device a practical solution? Thanks for your input.

I also suggest you look at the design of the transmissions used by Saturn. I have been towing a Saturn for 3 years now (apx. 30,000 miles). It is so simple and reliable.

I used Mop & Glow. Easy to apply, and seems to work. Doesn't make the surface very slippery. Tried this after seeing it on some other forums.

Sounds like a commercial for Cummins. While certainly not a scientific study, my conversations with owners of Monaco Knights with Cummins get about the same mileage as my MaxxForce. The torque rating for the MaxxForce is equal to or greater than the same horsepower Cummins and Cats that I've read about. Certainly the design of the engines are different, but I'm not convinced that this fact means that there is a significant loss of efficency as a result.

The best thing is a DP that doesn't require DEF. Our 2011 Monaco has the MaxxForce 10 by International that does not require DEF.

SMI makes two systems, one for RVs with hydraulic brakes and one for RVs with air brakes. I have been using an SMI system for three years with absolutely no problems. It is so simple to use once it is installed. I did a lot of research before I selected this system, and have been very pleased with the additional features offered. It also can be moved to a new toad if you trade.

Thanks for the information! I will shorten mine in the morning as I will be traveling. I'll post the results.

We have the Winegard system, and it really works well. Motosat will tell you that you can not convert the Winegard from Direct to Dish, but that is wrong. My unit had the antenna for Direct. I called Winegard and received the equipment to convert for a little over $200. Took about 30 minuntes to install. We are taking delivery of a new Monaco Knight in a few days, and Monaco is offering a KVH 5 dome antenna for free. I have traded the KVH back to them for the labor to move my Winegard from the old to new coach.