kaypsmith

Maybe a cargo rack on the roof? I think it is a portable boat of some sort.

Mark, down load this page and look under Ford, http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/downloads/2013TOADTOWGUIDE.pdf it has instructions for your car.

Really need more info on your shades. What brand, remote controlled, or switch operated? If they are remote controlled, you can start with the battery in the remote. If this doesn't work use a volt ohm meter to determine the voltage going to the shades. Many more questions, has it ever performed correctly? Kay

I have Direct TV, and I have a Direct DVR in my coach. Works well!! It is the same unit as used in my home.

One more suggestion, you can purchase a ups (uninteruptable power supply), disable the alarm, plug it in to the already there 120 supply. This way there is no worry about running down your batteries.

As Rich warned, those springs can be dangerous!!!!!!!!!! I use two pairs of visegrips to wind or unwind, also, there is a place to put a pin in, that will be removed when winding or unwinding, put that pin back in between bites of the pliers. Think safety. Good luck, Kay

If you wind up using an inverter, the 65 watt is very good for this use. I would recomend at least a 300 watt inverter, this is nearly 5 times the usage of your tv, but as Bill said, the ineffiency of an inverter if using anything less could cause a shortened life for the tv. The newer tv's that are led lighted are very forgiving of small inequitys, and will work just fine on a msw (modified sine wave), because the first thing that happens with 120 ac entering the tv, it converts back to 12 volt dc. The power supply's don't mind the supposed square wave provided by the inverter. 65 watts, if that is all that will be pulled through the inverter, should draw approximately 2.25 amps from your battery source, but please remember that there are other appliances drawing from that same source, such as the lighting in the coach, the refrigerator, if using the standard camper fridge, etc. Sorry to be getting so technical, but thats how it is. Kay

Not really related to the post, but Bill's comment reminded me that I have a Goog Sam ER Plan that will send a driver to move the coach home, or to a spot close if needed. I have seen and met many ladies, or "women," who were some of the best drivers, and some of the worst, at driving big rigs. I wish that my Dw would learn, but just can't up the nerve. Good luck on your DW, bet she can make just fine. Kay

Welcome to FMCA, Cathy & Denny, I also enjoy this forum, have participated in several over the years, and still believe this to be the best. Happy trails on the trips, hope there are many, and enyoyable ones. Kay

What is the transmission out of? I have seen many HT740's over time, with many confiurations, it was used by MCI in coaches, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and hundreds of other applications. It probably is not a cooler system, but could be used by some type of shifter mechanism, or almost any other add on, such as, but probably not a banks system.

Allison HT740 Transmission, is a four speed. Kay

I went from 235 80 X 22.5 Michelin to 245 75 X 22.5 Sumitomo on my previous Sportscoach, and could not tell any difference. The supplier put them side by side to show they were the same height, and pulled a tape around the circumference, after inflation, the Sumitomo was within a quarter inch difference from the not very worn Michelin tires that I replaced due to age.

Another consideration is whether is it a diesel genset, or gas, or propane generator. If it is a gasoline or propane generator, is it an 1800 rpm, or 3600, and some are 2500 rpm, which use a belt to drive the generator head at 3600 rpm. 3600 rpm have two sets of windings, 1800 have 4 sets of windings. You can expect a least 4 times of life expectancy from an 1800 generator, due to the fact that it turns half the rpm, and 4 windings can withstand heavier loads than 3600 rpm. With all this in mind, one would have to know a lot more than has been stated in the op's post to give an educated answer.

Never used that brand, but I have an Emerson brand that I bought at K-MART on sale for $99.00, 5 years ago, it still works great. In this age, I would almost bet that they are made by the same parent company, just painted another color and branded differently. Kay

I looked at the brochure that Rich mentioned, and the inverter that is listed in same, is only 2000 watts. 2000 watts divided by 120 volts = less than 17 amps. The sum total may be poorly distributed, but it is not capable of being spread over the entire coach without causing damage to the inverter and or the appliances that is designed to serve. You could consider adding another inverter to the system to power the other outlets. An electrician could easily add one, but there is another question of how much you want to spend. There are several ways to do this, but you will probably have to add batteries, as the design is for the one inverter. As Brett said, the solution could simple or complex, but good news, there are fixes for you. Kay

Some of them will deliver to the RV park, mostly in the high tourist locations, like Pigeon Forge and others. When calling for reservations, is the time to negotiate this. Kay

I really would rather that be a personal choice. I have driven large vehicles in excess of 50 years. My current coach is 41 feet, and I would feel comfortable driving to Walmart in most any location, or in many cases grocery stores that have ample parking. I would surely feel OK in a 24 foot for most any event provided that I don't have to go into a parking deck, especially since most B class have the AC on the roof, although I have seen some of these with what appears to be a glorified window unit. You could go to a rental office, such as u-haul and actually try driving as large a unit as you feel comfortable with. This way, you can put an actual size unit to your own test. Hope this helps. Kay

Largest concern in any motorhome that you do not want use a toad, is parking. Where will I park this vehicle when I go to a show, to dine, or anything else. Twenty four feet can even present a problem if you are going to a large city especially. There are many places that you can go that are friendly with larger class B, or a smaller class C. So with this in mind, if you just don't want to tow a second vehicle, you might want to think about car rental when you get where you are going. Especially if you are not using the rental more than you described. I have used this method on occasions and find it to pretty reasonable, if I shopped around. If you decide to go this route, just prearrange for the rental, as many times, you may find none available if you get where you are going first. With this in mind, you may find your decision to be a little easier. Whether it be A, B, B+, or C class. Good luck with your decision and welcome to FMCA. Kay

I dont know if HarborFreight is anywhere close to you, but they have an online facility. I have a 45 watt system, thats just a little short of 4 amps. Was pretty reasonable when I purchased mine, and they have sales pretty often. You can use them parallelled for more output. Also you can google solar power, and find many offerings. You need to figure how many amps that is needed to supply the minimum charge to maintain your system over a 24 hour period, then I usually divide by three, this represents an 8 hour period of sunlight per day. Remember that 12 watts at 12 volts converts to 1 amp for conversion purposes. If all you want to do is to maintain your batteries, and not power anything else, then it doesn't require a large charge at all. Solar is very easy to set up, just follow the simple instructions. Ask for help if needed, there plenty of sharp minds on this forum. Also welcome to FMCA. Kay

I personally like the drive and ride comfort of a coach with "Tag Axle". I average 8 plus with my MCI, which is called 40 ft, but a tape pulled stem to stern shows 41.5.

Here is what I found from another web site, when I searched for Fordflex fwd. Hope it helps. Kay pg 249 RECREATIONAL TOWING Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow your vehicle for personal travel (such as behind a motor home or a truck). In case of roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, please refer to Wrecker towing in the Roadside Emergencies chapter. These guidelines are designed to prevent damage to your vehicle. Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles: Tow your Front Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If you are using a tow dolly follow the instructions specified by the equipment provider. All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles: Tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport trailer. Do not tow your All Wheel Drive vehicle with the front wheels off the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground. This will cause damage to your AWD system. If you are using a vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the equipment provider. Note: If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, follow these instructions: • Tow only in the forward direction. • Release the parking brake. • Place the transmission shift lever in (N) Neutral. • Place the ignition in the accessory position (refer to Starting in the Driving chapter). • Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) • Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop. 2009 Flex

Did not stay there, but we have property forty miles away. My wife and I did visit the park two years ago, and found it to be a very pretty and well maintained park. Lots of amenities and plenty of activity, and children were having a ball. July 4, is a pretty big weekend in Destin, and normally very hot, we go to the mountains for that weekend, and it's hot there also, but lots more shade. Enjoy your stay, lots of good restaurants are close by, and outlet mall is just blocks away. Be sure to thoroughly wash your coach and toad, especially the underside, soon after leaving , as the salt in the air, is murder on the vehicles in this area. Happy travels, Kay

I did not say that it would triple the value, I said "LOOK WISE", it will triple the "LOOK", value of the coach. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No I don't think that it will make a $30,000 coach be worth $90,000, but certainly will increase the value some. I have seen 1999 model coaches when repainted, look as good as many of the 2010 or later coaches. Kay

Brett just about covered it all, but I have one note. 50,000 miles on a diesel pusher is very low miles, especially when you are the owner, and have done all the routine maintenance and know that has been done. If you buy another used one, you would not have this assurance. I, like Brett, go to every RV show that I get a chance, and build on the same ideas. 50,000 is just barely broken in. A full body paint job, depending on who does it, cost about $8000.00 to $14,000.00, and look wise will triple a coaches value. Good luck, Kay

I agree Herman, they do need to match, but in a pinch, I would never agree to put mismatched tires on the steer axle. Of course, if there is a tag axle, that is actually the only place where I would agree for mismatched tires. If no tag axle, the Goodyear will make a good spare. LOL.