kaypsmith

I currently have aluminum also, but that is the way a bus is built, and I love it, but probably not available on regular motorhome. I have owned two motorhomes with rubber roof's, and there is upkeep to them, but the recoat every six months is a stretch. It will last a lot longer as any kind will if cleaned regularly. It will need resealing eventually. I prefer fiberglass myself, but proper cleaning and regular visual inspections are necessary with them also. Just my opinions, there will be many. Kay

Only time that I have seen a frame crack was when someone had welded something onto the frame, or had drilled the frame. Overloading, or wreck normally will only bend the frame.

If the above posts do not find what you need, Bobs RV Salvage in High Springs Fla., has a huge yard of salvage RV's. This a big dumping ground as many RV's die on I75 in the area. Google the name, and you will find the phone number, they do not have a web site.

Check under the benches for plumbing, ducting, and electrical, if none, simply start by removing the items that you want to remove. If there is any or all of these items, then you need to address this and either reroute the working items, or plan to build, or have built as DD69 suggested. I used the same space with two chairs facing the wall with a fold down table attached to the wall that we use as a table, or desk, then if the space is needed for extra bedding, an air mattress can be placed there. Yes I have done this in a previous motorhome.

The trailer looks good, but when I was looking at the Smart 4-2 two years ago, the Smart was very user friendly for towing 4 down, if yours is I would bet the towbar for it would be much less than the trailer. There is an ultra lite towbar made for the smart, and no base plate was needed for the 2014 model. There is tow points made behind the front fenders, that the towbar is made to attach to. There have been several post about the Smart, simply go the search bar from the main forum page and enter Smart car to find other post about this. Welcome to the forum, Kay.

Brett was responding while I was posting. He is correct. Kay

Diodes failing, or possibly a faulty wiring hookup could certainly cause a backfeed to the RV brakelights, and possibility of causing a short situation which I can foresee a problem that could lead to your situation. I recently posted about not altering wiring the electrical harness due to the modification could lead to a warranty denial on a KIA Soul. I was chastised and told that a claim could not be denied for this reason due to the (Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act). I read the act thoroughly, which you can do online also. After carefully reading the law, I believe that the dealer is in his rights to deny a claim. Although it may be worth your reading the law as well for a better understanding. Good luck on getting these problems resolved, Kay

The general rule of thumb on mountain driving back when I was learning, is to descend in the same gear that you would ascend the same slope.

Well son in law was not successful with the key in the key slot for unlocking. Sorry for the bad news, and the present one is 2014 model anyway. I don't know how far the travel is so can't tell how much the rent is, although I checked online and the per day rate is about 45.00 plus tax, if not too far, too long to stay, local would not be too bad. Maybe have a loved one or friend drive it there, and ride back with you. Good luck in any circumstance.

There you have it in a nutshell, Tireman9 is the person to address, and he has addressed it well.

How far is the need for the tow? The key fob has a key inserted in it, the key can be removed and inserted into a key switch located under the dash for emergencies such as a dead battery. Not sure yet if it will unlock the steering wheel, my son in law will test that tonight for you, daughter is on third Nissan Altima with the keyless start. Also, you might want to check Uhaul or other tow rental places, they have dollies that swivel for a fee. Would be glad to trade my tow dolly for yours. LOL, Kay

Adding vinegar to a water heater, will help clean any buildup of minerals and make the water better smelling, and tastes better. I clean the filter screen, and wipe a vinegar soaked rag back as far as possible into the sink faucet monthly for removing that musty taste from the faucet.

I was thinking the same thing, also Monaco seemed to think that Goodyear was good enough, have lasted 7 plus years?

As Herman suggest, I use epoxy resin, with an extra layer of fiberglass mesh/cloth.

Tom has laid it out very well for you, there is no way that anyone can put it in a nutshell what anyone needs, or likes. I highly recommend starting out with a good used coach at first to find out what your needs are. One thing that I do recommend on a used coach is plan to buy a new mattress, my wife is a clean freak, so before anything else happens, she will sanitize every inch of the coach prior to starting use of it. Happy trails, Kay

Fed is actually 24.3 with an excise fee of 0.1, for a total of 24.4 added to 64.2 = 86.6. And some people think the oil companies are monsters. Taxing authorities do nothing except collect it, and call themselves making sure the stations give honest measurement, LOL.

Beautiful restoration! Kay

This is why I would always recommend installing a 50 amp when doing the initial wiring at home. Hope you find the culprit soon.

"Only vehicles that are operating in commerce may be subject to a safety inspection." The above quote is probably the key, some bus companies have let their equipment become outdated, and have become a hazard to the persons they are carrying onboard. Also illegal drugs are known to be transported in vehicles of this size, if they have to stop for weighing, makes them easier to catch.

One of my two awnings did the same way as described above. I called the supplier, they shipped another motor assembly. While waiting for the replacement, I took the motor assembly apart and found the unit had gotten away from the assembly plant without the axles installed in the planetary gears. I made a set out of nickel welding rod and put it together. Been working fine for three years, and I have a spare motor assembly.

When was the last time you pulled the drain plug from the water heater? Sediment build up can cause the problem described. This may or may not be the problem, but it is the least expensive to try first. If it doesn't work, then the control board is the next item to look at, assuming that you have already checked the thermostat for proper setting, or just try moving to a higher setting.

Sad event, I too am sorry for the loss, and loss of time for you. Someone stole our almost new 2012 KIA in 2012, over $7000.00 of equipment was in the car. 29 days later, the police called to say it had been located. Over $9000.00 damage to a six month old car, bullet holes included. Of course the insurance co., fixed the car, but would not replace any of my equipment. I did file with my homeowner policy, and got all that was inventoried. If you still own a home, you may want to check with them. Good luck with insurance, and hope the police find the low life's.

I didn't mention, the coolant lines from your coach system, be sure to not loose any more water/coolant than necessary. When you disconnect them, be sure to plug if possible, or at least be prepared to raise them as high as possible and have a bungy or rope to hold them up if possible. Be sure to replenish your system with the proper antifreeze. Yes swap all as suspected and hopefully the new tank will have fittings that will match perfectly.

I checked the Internet for a picture of your model coach, found a 2002 model. The picture that I found shows a window just behind the entrance door. That window would my prime suspect, as these type windows can leak. On the outside, look downward at the top of the metal frame and check it closely, you may see some separation between the frame and the fiberglass, if you do not I would still use a caulking gun with a silicone sealant and run a nice bead of the sealant all the way around that metal frame. Your coach is approaching the age that these things happen to. Not a bad idea to do this to all the windows, just a little insurance. Hope this helps, Kay

If you are on shore water, just turn it on, open a hot water faucet in the coach, bleed of all the air, when the water is running at a normal stream, turn off the faucet. When all this is done, you can turn the power back on. Shore water will run without power if it is hooked up and turned on. Good luck with the change out.