jfxg48

I've had the TST in service for a year. I think you'll find it very satisfactory. One tip... when initially setting up the unit, follow their suggestion and set your high and low parameter limits *before* configuring each individual wheel. If you set the wheels first, you'll have all sorts of alarm triggers going off *while* you're trying to set your parameters. Aggravating. And, if you do encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to call them. Incredibly friendly and cooperative folks! Good Luck

We left Raleigh a year ago, and our first planned destination was eastern MA and Cape Cod to visit family. Where in NC will you originate? That will, of course, determine your route and any advice. One caution I would make (right out of the gate) is to not set your daily distance expectations too high. Enjoy the trip, not only the destinations.

Thanks, Tireman... Apparently, aiming an IR gun at the sidewall is about the most useless thing you can do! Makes me feel smart! It looks like the inner rubber along the outer tread band is where the heat builds. So what are we to do? Is there any way to get a valid sense of critical tire temps? I recall a post of yours a while back mentioning 157 degrees as a critical point. At the time I was measuring sidewall temps of about 130 with an IR gun, thinking I was fine. Is there any reliable correlation? Another: when my TST system measures temperature, what is it measuring? Air temp of the air in the filler tube? Temp of the tube metal itself? And another: a few weeks ago I was climbing long grades (max elev change was about 4000 ft) in 95 degree heat. Tire pressure had been set at the low elevation. My high pressure trigger is set at +20lb, I was getting alarms on 3 or 4 tires. I'm presuming this was predominantly from the heat, since my brain tells me that the absolute pressure within the tire should be unchanged with elevation. Is my brain wrong? Thanks!

Just saw this today, and that was my first thought, too, when I saw the photo... they've not even finished the pour! Looks to me like all will be fine when the driveway's complete. The garage slab is already at finished grade, and should be sloping outward. I don't even see a drainage issue. Temporary ramps or fill should do the trick until the final pour. You can probably eliminate the low spot with the pour as well, if so desired. Am I missing something?

Oh, you were sweating alright..... you just didn't feel it because it evaporates so quickly. That's why and how dehydration is such a real and insidious problem in desert climates. Glad you enjoyed the trip!

I know its outside your target, but just for reference we were in western SD, Black Hills, and Mt. Rushmore last year in late October. Extremely pleasant; not crowded at all; cool brisk nights for sleeping, shirtsleeve or very light jacket weather in daytime.

I've been towing a Honda Element for a year now, with a Roadmaster Sterling and an RVi brake system. No problems, easy hookup, easy off. I pop two pins and the whole front assembly slides right off the car. If we're just overnight I'll leave it on going to the store or whatnot, and against all odds I've managed to walk around the front without bumping into my own car. ;-)

UTT.... Don't obsess too much on the driving. A little practice will teach you a lot. If you've ever transitioned from a VW to a full-sized SUV, then you've assimilated a major size shift. You just have to learn where your corners are. In addition the the RV related suggestions from others, check for commercial driver training in your area. If you can take training for an interstate charter bus , your motorhome won't seem much different. Regarding brands: as you shop you will learn the brand mames with the good reps and the respect of the industry. Tiffin is a very well respected name, and there are others. If you will be full-timing, I'd suggest selecting the highest quality you can reasonably target, then back off in age until you can afford it. I settled on this strategy shortly after we started looking, and it helped tremendously by narrowing the search early in the process. I also found the RV Consumer Group to be a very worthwhile investment. I would highly recommend a membership. They have developed a rating system based on quality and fitness for a particular usage, so you can promptly focus only on those models suitable for fulltiming. Check www.rv.org . Good Luck with it all, and keep us posted. I'm also former USAF-- the only branch with a perfect record: we've never yet left one up there! John & Diane 2002 Newmar Dutch Star 40DP

Thanks, Brett!

bmccann and others..... I have a weight disparity similar to the OP that I've been pondering for a while now. When I got corner weighed at the FMCA Eastern Rally last Oct in York I was actually quite pleased. The coach was 590lb under gross (30410/31000). Weighing was done with full fuel, propane; half-full fresh, gray, and black. Front axle was 250lb under (11750/12000), and the front tires were even within 30 lbs. Rear axle was 340lb under max (18660//19000) but my right rear dual was about 540lb heavier than the left (L9060 / R9600). I aired up per Michelin's chart for the heavier side, and have had no problem for the ensuing 3000 miles as we made our way to Puget Sound for the winter. With the rear air balanced at the inflation for the heavier right side my left dual is running slightly underloaded, so that's OK. According to my tpms the pressures stayed balanced and the temps were all consistent and well below any problem areas. I had no handling problems, no drifting, no lean, no scary moments with trucks. But I keep thinking about that. I don't think there's any way I could shift or compensate for that much weight, because a) there's no place on the left rear to store much, and I have about 400lb of battery and rack-2 engine and 6 house- mounted right there at the right rear. Some of that ought to have been balanced by the left-side bedroom slide mechanism, but apart from that the only left rear bays are the electric and water service bays. I've pretty much concluded that this is something I'll just have to live with. Sooo...... What am I missing? Thanks.

You've probably read what I posted just last night in another thread, but I'll repeat: "...I've towed our 2004 Element ( AWD / auto trans) about 5000 miles so far with no problem. In the 2004 Owners Manual there is a procedure outlined to prep for flat towing. Its my understanding that in about 2005 or 2006, Honda stopped including this procedure in Element manuals, tacitly prohibiting the flat tow without a specific prohibition. But there was no technical change to the vehicle that would warrant such a policy change. It is the opinion of many owners that this was simply a move by the Honda USA legal department to try to sidestep any future potential liability. I know of several post-2005 owners who flat tow Elements with no problems, following the pre-2005 procedure..."

UPDATE ON THE RVi SYSTEM We've now been using the RVi system for about four months. We left Raleigh, went to Cape Cod, and we're now in Everett, WA. We've put about 5000 miles on our coach, and the toad has been attached for about 4800 of them. I've developed a startup routine, so the daily trip start is now even simpler and easier. We have had not one lick of difficulty from the RVi. I know its working, as there have been a few braking events where I could feel the toad resistance kick in. I would recommend this system, or purchase another, in a heartbeat.

I bought the TST system with 10 flow-through sensors last July. The first monitor panel wouldn't accept programming, and the folks at TST had a new one in my hands gratis within two days. About a couple of months later one of my sensors developed an air leak. A TST distributor at the FMCA rally at York swapped it no problem. The system works well, and I'm quite pleased. I purchased a signal booster with my initial order, but have never needed it. Good strength from toad wheels behind our 40 ft coach. The only thing I've noticed that I might call a negative is that adding/subtracting air through the sensors is a bit slower than through a straight valve.

Not me..... 2004. can I help?

I've towed our 2004 Element ( AWD / auto trans) about 5000 miles so far with no problem. In the 2004 Owners Manual there is a procedure outlined to prep for flat towing. Its my understanding that in about 2005 or 2006, Honda stopped including this procedure in Element manuals, tacitly prohibiting the flat tow without a specific prohibition. But there was no technical change to the vehicle that would warrant such a policy change. It is the opinion of many owners that this was simply a move by the Honda USA legal department to try to sidestep any future potential liability. I know of several post-2005 owners who flat tow Elements with no problems, following the pre-2005 procedure.

About 5 days ago I noticed a problem that I have not yet had time to jump on. The dashboard mounted AC/heat console on my '02 DutchStar is pretty standard, I presume; four-speed fan selector, variable temp selector, and multiple modes of heat, a/c, or vent. (I tried to include a pic but the forum wouldn't take it) The problem is that when I select any operating mode other than "vent", the blower motor cycles on and off rythmically. The cycling rate depends on the fan speed selected; slow blower will cycle at about 8 seconds on, 8 seconds off, while high speed blower cycles at 3 seconds on, 3 seconds off. As far as I can tell, the unit still seems to produce warm or cold air respectively, only the fan speed cycles. In the vent mode, the blower fan runs continuously at the selected speed, and the temperature is variable. Has anyone encountered this sort of thing before? The cycling is so precise I'm thinking it is some kind of preset behavior to highlight a failure somewhere in the system. As always, thanks in advance. John

Tom, thanks for this article. We've only been fulltiming for about 4 months now, but we've covered some 5000 miles from Raleigh to Cape Cod, and thence westward to Seattle (present location), and shortly on to Port Townsend, where we shall winter. I've been keeping careful fuel records, by habit, but have lately come to realize, like you, the value of more comprehensive notes. Thanks again. John

Circumstances, as they often do, have dictated a change in plans. We're now going to be heading west from northern IL to Seattle, starting in late October. We figure to follow the I-90 corridor. Has anyone crossed the northern tier at this time of year? Advice on possible weather, the nature of the mountains through MT, ID, and WA, and any really interesting places to stay would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Here's a quick report on a few places we've stayed in the past month. Perhaps this will be useful to someone. We left Raleigh about a month ago. First stop we spent two nights at the Bull Run Regional Park in Manassas VA. We had originally planned to stay 5 nights, but delays leaving Raleigh had us changing plans day after day. The folks at this camp were unbelievably friendly and cooperative with all our delays, and when we finally arrived they could well have charged us for a couple of short-notice changes, but they just shrugged it off. The campground itself was very pleasant, clean and well kept, and we met a couple of other travellers who stopped to say hello. I'd stay there again, and would recommend it. Leaving Manassas, we headed north on US 15, a beautiful ride up through the VA, MD, and PA country. Then I-81 and I-78, and we spent a night at the Walmart just off I-287 on Ridgedale Ave in Cedar Knoll (Morristown) NJ. The store GM was gone when we arrived, but I went in the next morning, stocked up on some things, and tracked her down right in the middle of her stand-up morning staff meeting to say thanks. That made a big hit with her, and she worked it into her talk to the staff, so that worked out well. We next spent a week at the Boston Minuteman Campground in Littleton, MA. This is about as close to Boston as you can find a spot for a motorhome, but we chose it simply because it is close to the town where our daughter lives. Its a cozy place, but they've kept a lot of trees and shrubs so it still feels comfortable. And although the roads seem snaky, there were a lot of big rigs, and nobody seemed to have any problem. The campground is family run, clean and neat, and they're all very friendly and real hustlers. We really enjoyed staying there, and plan to come back. I would recommend it in a heartbeat! We're now on Cape Cod, in Sandwich, at a place called Peter's Pond RV Resort. Its a big place, with about 400 spots, but of course once we're past Labor Day things are very quiet, which is fine with us. From what we can tell, about half or more of the spots are "seasonal", so even in season there's not much in and out. We like it because its nice and quiet, but in season there are also a pond with a beach, athletic fields, game rooms, and Bingo under a tent three nights a week! So its a family destination as well. Next is a week in CT, then York, PA, for the GEAR, followed by Cincinatti, a Newmar visit, IL farm country, then wending our way to Seattle for Thanksgiving at our son's new house. We're planning to winter in the PNW. I think we'll need the rest.

There are two State Parks only a short distance from Raleigh proper: Jordan Lake to the southwest, and Falls Lake to the north. Both are conveniently located for sightseeing- that is, not more than about 15 miles outside Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill. Both have multiple camping areas, and both can accomodate larger units in some areas. Rates are very reasonable, lots of lakeside views, and most of the campsites are well treed and shaded. We lived in the area until very recently and have camped at both often. You can reserve online, or call ahead. www.ncparks.gov Enjoy!

Folks..... We are starting out as fulltimers. We have an investment account with Fidelity, and have been told that our brokerage account MUST have a geographic s/b address. They will not accept a mail drop account. Their software seems able to recognize street addresses as commercial vs residential, with or without a PMB in it. They claim this is an SEC requirement. Has anyone else encountered this, and how was it resolved? Thanks.

This is an old thread, but interesting to read. Does anyone know if the rules were revised? The issue may have been resolved, but what caught my eye were a couple of things that make me think all the hoorah was pointless, and not aimed at RVers at all. Consider: ********************************************************************************** 12.12.030, Section B-2 - Definitions. [emphasis mine] B. The term "camp" means to use a public area for living accommodation purposes for a period of time in excess of four (4) consecutive hours, for activities such as, but not limited to, the following: So... you have to be there over four hours to be in violation of anything, no matter who you are. 1. Sleeping, or making preparations to sleep, including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping; It is significant that they included this wording about preparing bedding. 2. Parking of a motor vehicle, motor home, or trailer for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy; NOTE: "motor vehicle". This wording establishes both RVers and truckers as equally vulnerable to citation. 12.12.040, Section A - Regulations and restrictions on camping. A. Except in designated areas or in areas in which prior written permission has been granted by the owner or agent in charge of the real property, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp within the city limits of the town of Van Horn, Texas. If you have the permission (written) of the truck stop manager, then you are exempt from citation. 12.12.040, Section B Remove the repetitious references and superfluous legalese, and what you have is: B. The activities... shall constitute camping when it reasonably appears... that the participants... are in fact using the area for... accommodation purposes regardless of ... any other activities.... In other word, if it looks like you're "camping", then you're camping, regardless of what else may be going on. *************************************************************************************** I think this ordinance was written to make it easy for the local LEOs to keep Lot Lizards and drug dealers out of their rest areas and truck stops. It doesn't sound like anyone's singling out RVers.

I've been looking around for a couple months, looking for a supplementary brake system for my toad-to-be (2004 Honda Element). I've become quite interested in the RVi system, but found not much current information. There was a lot of traffic a year ago when it was first introduced. There were happy users, but a lot of negative because of early supplier and production problems. Well, this past Monday was the day we picked up our coach ('02 Dutch Star DP40), so I had to make a decision. Through the winter and spring on a few different forums there were a growing number of happy users-- not too many, but they all seemed pleased, so I went ahead and ordered an RVi from an online source (not RVi) a week ago last Saturday- $995, free shipping. I called the company on Monday 16th to confirm shipping because I wanted it by this past Saturday so I could check it out. No problem, he said, it'll go out today. Called again on Friday. No problem, he said, it's shipping today. Cancel, says I. I called the shop at the SC dealer where we're buying the coach, who said 'yessir, we have a couple left..... no sir, the computer won't let me sell it for $995. Computer says I have to sell it for $950...... yessir, we'll hold that for you. See you Monday'. So here I was about 2PM Monday, done with the paperwork, coach - check, towbar - check, Element transmission pre-tow configuration - check, ready to roll. Popped the RVi box onto the tailgate of the Element and slit it open. Pushed aside the packing, slid off the plastic bag, and six seconds from box to floor of car. Clipped onto the pedal, plugged it in and hit the green button. Buzz, hiss, burp, snort, red lights on and we're ready to go. Checked the settings for small SUV, medium sensitivity. Honest to goodness, less than a minute and a half, two minutes tops from box slit to ready to rock. I stood back and checked the instruction sheet, sure I had missed something. Nope, good to go. Diane and I got in the coach, plugged the remote panel in. Came to life instantly, said the right words. We smiled again, did a brake check crossing the parking lot, and hit the road. We stopped a couple of times on the way home, 250 miles +/-. The unit seemed to behave flawlessly. Now, admittedly this was a fairly short trip, and the machine only did what it was supposed to do, but still I was impressed. This is supposedly a good company, and what I hear of their customer service is very good. I hear their top people were the Brake Buddy people. You can check all that out online. I'll keep an eye on it, but the point is this: light weight, easy carry, no setup, no calibration, no installation hassle, and it works. Flat on the floor and press a button. Haven't had anything this simple and worthwhile since years ago we'd steam fresh-caught lobsters right on the dock, right off the boat. But even the lobsters you had to work for. Anyone considering a brake system ought to seriously consider this one.

Darbone, I agree, you've made a good choice! And I know what you mean about the day before Christmas--- we bought a 2002 Dutch Star/ Freightliner/ 3126 Cat/ Allison, and just drove it home today, smiling all the way! Good Luck with yours!

bairman, What is the age and model of your coach, and the level of coverage? I ask because Wholesale Warranties quoted me about $4400 for 4 years at $100 ded on a 2002 DutchStar DP40, which seems very high by comparison. Thanks.