wayne77590

Thanks for that write up - I'm going to be looking for an installer in this area.

I had a 2007 Montana RL 5th wheel (39' 8") and I pulled it with a 2005 F350 King Ranch, Crew Cab, Long Bed, Dually. Probably the biggest over the counter 1 ton's one can buy. I had to make a few pivot turns in parking lots when shopping but the end results was, if a car can fit in it the dually could fit in it. There is always the next spot over. I found the 5th wheel easy to back up, but like the MH I always use a ground guide (DW). If I was in a level site side to side, then hook up and tear down was no different than the MH with the exception of backing the truck to the MH and connecting for departure. I even had that down to a "science." Today, I would purchase a 5th wheel with the newer automatic leveling system. Dumping and flushing tanks takes no longer on a 5th wheel then it does on a MH. Pulling over in a safe spot to empty the bladder takes just about 30 seconds more in the 5th wheel as you have to get out and walk back to the 5th wheel. Weather be darned. DW prefers the MH because she can just walk back in the MH, as for me, well, I can last 2 to 3 times longer than her. Besides, as we grow older we should stop every 2 hours and stretch to prevent Thrombosis - it can happen - and to shake the cobwebs out. The 5'er has more living space in a 40' length than a MH. From the front seats to the windshield is just gadget space in a MH. Yes, the seats can turn around for seating but there is still that unused void. We travel only 3-5 continuous months out of the year and the rest of the time take short trips of a week or so around the state, so for us a MH seems to be working out. Insurance is higher on the MH than on a 1 ton and 5'er. Maintenance is higher on the MH. I believe the day to day, rolling earthquake going down the highway, has a higher toll on the MH than a 1 ton and a 5'er. If we were going to stay put for a month at a time or longer I would prefer the 5th wheel, but moving like we do the MH is a better option. Really comes down to what one is comfortable with and meets their desires. IMHO

On electric slides there is a "brake," and usually just a little lever on the motor. Since we are rolling earthquakes going down the highway those have a slight tendency to move themselves a little to the "off" side. Check to see which way the lever is to be set for the brake (think manual) flip it once the other way and back to the brake setting. Fixed it for me.

M.W., For the sticks & bricks I purchased an HDMI RF transmitter/receiver. Nice small little unit and it works fine for sending HD to the back bedroom TV. As for the HDMI connector, they make a 90˚ adapter that may solve your problem. Good luck.

I'm with the connector being loose. The radio is "Sirius Ready" and that being by itself the radio does not receive satellite signals. As stated, there is a module between the antenna and the radio so check those connections also. Since we are a rolling earthquake going do the highway connections can wobble loose. You will need the tool to push the release buttons on the radio to be able to pull it out. If you do not have the tool a metal coat hanger that will fit into the holes can be used, or any thing stiff that will fit in the hole, like an awl. The radio slides out easily once the catches are released but do pull it out slowly and if there is any resistance it could be any of the wires on the back including the antenna connectors. If you include your MH in your signature line there may be others that have had experience with that configuration.

I have had Good Sam since 2008 and trust me, Citrus (name of motorhome) has been in the shop more times than in storage. Good Sam has come across every time and there have been some major repairs. I do have seals and gasket coverage. GS has paid for itself in the 7 years I have had it. It's all in how the repair facility writes it up.

Very carefully depending on your data plan. One movie stream is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 Gigabytes. That, along with any other internet use can use up your data pretty fast. Now, if you have unlimited, then you can stream through DVD players that have the APP built in, use Apple TV, or ROKU and even some TV's have built in applications.

Jay, I do exactly as you have stated you wish to do. I have the VIP-722 receiver. I do not have a satellite antenna on the roof so I use the portable Carryout antenna. The antenna input is only to Sat-1 input. I use HDMI out to the primary receiver in the living area and the "Distribution Out," connector to feed the bedroom TV. I use the BOMB (Box Of Many Buttons) as my distribution center. I did have to add a couple splitters but it is all working well for us as we watch the same channels. If you have a dome antenna and hook up two leads, one to Sat-1 and one to Sat-2 you will have more functionality but you will still only be able to watch one channel - unless, like in my case, I hook the bat-wing antenna up to the antenna in on the 722 and scan for local channels. Then I can record either one satellite program and watch an over-the-air program or vice versa. The dome antenna's can only received one satellite bird at a time and Dish has 3 birds and can provide HD. If you need any clarification PM or email me your phone number and I'll give you a call.

Our coach (see signature) has seating room for 10 to socialize and we have had 10 in here sitting comfortably, sipping favorite drinks. However, as Brett stated, drinks for 6, dinner for 4 and sleeps 2 (with exception of two grandchildren on occasion). Actual configuration is sleeps 6, but we never give anyone that information. (Shhhh!)

As Brett stated in Texas City, TX (My home town). I was the designated driver for an individual taking their test and the very first thing the inspector asked them to do was to parallel park - failed after 3 tries - test over.

Ask the inspector for a demonstration of his abilities of how it is done.

Ray, sorry to hear of your wife's health. Prayers her way.

Yep! Found that out. Just don't know why there is no text next to the marketplace box other than the "Search" button. No problem. My feeble brain now understands to go to the bottom of the page. Thanks.

Todd, I could get to the directory but when I put in any information and clicked on "search" (THE blue box out to the right of the info request) it took me to the market place. I just subsequently found that I have to go all the way to the bottom of the page and use that search button. What the heck is the other search feature on that page? It's not labeled. My bad!

I have not been able to get to the members directory for some time now. when I try I get redirected to this link: http://familymotorcoachrvmarketplace.com/

I cannot express how important it is to have a good anti-virus/firewall installed on any computer. The anti-virus programs with heuristic capability are the best. My personal preference is Norton's Internet Security. Do a Wiki search for information. In any case, any anti-virus/Firewall suite is better than none at all.

....and if you need a motor don't sent the $200 plus on one from a dealer. I got mine here for $73. Step Motor MAKE SURE that you get the correct one. The link above is a right hand (RH) motor. They make LH ones also.

Toney, Don't use duct tape, get some AC tape. It's the silver stuff that is use in all AC work around plenums. It lasts years before peeling, if ever.

For those traveling and are thinking of using the Houston Ship Channel Bridge you will need an EZ Tag (TX style). No more cash booths. Houston Ship Channel Bridge EZ Tag Only

Toney, Under the front hood is a device that controls the damper door via vacuum. The ends tend to crack and leak, dry out, slip off and who knows what else. It will keep the damper door from switching over to hot/cold etc. It looks like a little silver ball but can be of any shape. there will be one line going to it. That line is controlled from inside when you turn the control knob from blue (cold) to red (hot), it provides the vacuum to open and close the damper door. The line COULD leak or have a problem behind the control knob. Give it a check. Thank you for your service also. Hey, you were trained on the C-130, but did you get training on the MH.

I have had all the above checked as my dash AC would start out cold and rapidly increase to warm. Had it checked at Freightliner this past Summer and they found two service valves leaking and a condenser valve leaking. I did not have time for them to repair it right then as they had to order parts. Recently (like last week) it went to an automotive repair facility that also works on RV engines (Taylor Automotive, Dickinson, TX) and they not only found the valves leaking but there was something else wrong. I have not had the full report back yet. We lived with the problem for a few years and just ran the house AC while going down the road. I'm mentioning all this to indicate that a full service center should do a leak test to preclude that problem, after all else is checked.

I get confused sometimes. I don't know if it is 2/3 full or 1/3 empty. Confusion, confusion. Thanks for the Dawn info. They say never use it for washing the vehicle as it's to strong.

As stated above regarding the 5th wheel hitch release it has also been a concern regarding the 4 corner pins holding the entire hitch on to the truck. I heard of one incident where the pins were pulled while the owners were in the truck stop. The results can end up with the 5th wheel landing on the ground. Good information on checking when stopping. Thanks for bringing it up.

Besides the current draw, does the speedometer register if the fuse is not pulled? Some vehicles are like that.

Weather on I-20 is unpredictable. Abilene is expecting a blizzard this weekend. Even El Paso is getting snow. I'm lucky as I can take I-10 across but then there is still that possibility of bad weather. Even NM is having bad weather and it is snowing in Deming NM right now. I'm sitting here in Texas City, TX with 74˚ temperatures but in a few days it will be going down to the high 50's and low 60's. Amarillo for the next week it is gong to be below freezing so as suggested - keep you eye on the weather at the end of January and make a wise decision on where and when to go.