jleamont

Roland, I agree with Bill A. New is better in something's in my opinion RV's in todays world isn't one of them. Especially after the economy crash a few years ago, the quality hasn't bounced back.

Herman out of curiosity; How often do they fill and empty tanks? Do you have to be present for this? What's the average cost for a drain and fill? For us this would be a daily occurrence, maybe to stretch it to every other day but defiantly no longer than that.

Herman, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Honestly, I am on the fence over the entire proposal. I see and understand where they are coming from but I also see room for improvement with the current layout that might help the current situation before we jump off the cliff. We also joined FMCA for the same reason Mike did, I am a Good Sam life member and I use it for Campground discounts and Toilet paper purchases at Camping World . To me that's about all its good for. Beyond the rally and FMCA assist (for the older folks) I'm not sure FMCA would have an appeal to trailer folks, as I posted in other threads, tires are off the table as Michelin and Continental do not offer tires that small. FMCA membership is expensive when compared to GS (I paid $199.00 for a lifetime subscription at GS). We also travel with a few families that have trailers on occasion, they have NO desire to renew their GS that they got for free when they bought their trailers let alone sign up for membership here. The friends we have with Motorhomes also have little to NO desire to sign up for FMCA, they don't see value for their dollar at the age of 45. If you know me and my sense of humor I make sure to wear my FMCA shirts around them when we all meet up (motorhome friends) just to plant the seed . I enjoy the comradery of this group and we all have something in common. Amongst our trailer friends, you can see a huge difference in the way they travel, same but so different and divided amongst their own type of travel.

Herman, sounds like Mike just did voice his concerns . Is there a list of "National Directors" that we can write to? Are the concerns on the forum being seen and taken into consideration?

I agree, if its leaking its DONE! Depending on the size of the existing refrigerator your options can be slim. If you dry camp often a residential unit or absorption unit would work, depending on your battery/solar capabilities. When we dry camp (not often) I run the generator in the AM and PM for meal prep, it satisfies my batteries for the remainder of the day and night, I have no solar either. The Amish type of cooling units are an option but very expensive. In the end you will have to make a decision that works best for you. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

I'm betting the floor plan selection would help or hurt the interior when closed up on any make, just look at them closed up carefully. We toured a new Dutchstar (I believe it was a 4369) at a campground last August. New found FMCA friends.... I was impressed at the quality and the fact they had the unit for a month and just returned from a month long trip, not a single problem with the unit, in todays market that in of itself was IMPRESSIVE! The other item that my jaw dropped on was the engine compartment layout, it was huge and plenty of room for servicing, the rear hatches opened up with more than adequate space inside and outside. One thing to keep in mind while shopping, it will need maintenance and repairs, if its not accessible its going to cost you a fortune to repair and maintain. Overall it was a very nice coach, not built as solid as they once were but overall seemed like a good choice to me. I have nothing good to say about the other two especially the T one, I will leave it at that.

John, you are correct, they also don't consider vehicles that don't run the highways often enough to build heat i.e. Emergency Vehicles and Utility vehicles, that will tend to be sitting at an elevated idle for a portion of the day, making a mess of the new emissions systems. Those tend to breakdown more frequently. They (all diesels) started without DEF, then the Govt stepped up the game in the next tier of requirements. I will say the engines with it run better than the ones without it (Pre DEF years, not pre emissions years). Makes you wonder where the future is headed.

Correct, that is how I would do it based off what we have experienced at work. I'm with you SO glad I don't have it....

Roland, do a web search for RV inspection video. A few popped up that could give you a baseline on what's covered. Having little faith in dealers IS A GOOD THOUGHT! While I want to believe there are some good ones out there somewhere when you do a lot of reading it tells a different story. Coming from the automobile business I can remember recommending work to a used car manager, critical items long past due for maintenance and them telling me only do the minimum. I'm certain its the same other than I believe the mechanic's probably miss 50% of it on top of what's declined by management. Technician quality has severely dropped in the last 10 years. One thing to remember about sales people, (speaking from experience) 50% have no idea what they are selling (in detail) and the vast majority of them are good talkers not product specialists. I actually sold cars for two years, I was the only guy that read our Source books front to back, I wanted the knowledge so when asked I didn't feel lost, or worse the customer knew more than me would be an embarrassment. We joked about it when I worked for a national truck leasing co....he scooped ice cream yesterday, sells Freightliner tractors today, if you ever were on the other side of the fence and had an opportunity to speak to them with their sales hat off....well lets just say they probably couldn't scoop ice cream very well either....... its scary. I am sure there are good ones, but they are far and few between, they just want you in something, not what you want or need.

Philc, what chassis do you have? Often the DEF tank is supplied by the chassis manufacture. If Freightliner call them for the part number.

good idea!!

Any recommendations for a HD 12v Constant duty relay? My salesman switch relay is bypassed and I would like it to function for winter storage. At the moment I have a Trombetta 114-1211-020 which looks like it has been replaced before. Hoping for a better one that will last longer. thoughts?

Herman, that would be an option to test before and after storage. The other part of storing it low or empty is a dangerous gamble, here is why I wouldn't do it; if the DEF is low the tank will condensate and what remaining DEF will Crystalize and dry up, there is a DEF tank filter in the bottom of the tank that requires maintenance (we change them annually, in a coach every other year would be a good practice) these are cheap from the dealer and simple to change if you can access the top of the tank. DEF is like concrete when it dries, not to say more on top wouldn't break it down but not worth the risk for $15.00 in DEF. here is what it looks like in 36 hours.

I wouldn't get too concerned over the Intellitec not reading 50 amps. Mine never has even though I have been pulling up to 46 amps already. Its an installation concern with lacking a jumper wire when it was installed to the display. I called them on this two years ago, one of those item's I will get to someday.

Roland, walk the roof of the Newmar (and for that matter any coach and look at) for soft spots. If the interior has a vinyl ceiling water damage can be hard to spot. Newmar uses or used a proprietary roof compound that was fiberglass and Kevlar layers that is bonded somehow....anyway we looked at a few while we were shopping and two had problems with the bonding separating. The roof has soft spots and if you stood on the ladder and looked down toward the front of the coach it was wavy. I have no idea how it happened but it was a concern, I called Newmar inquiring about it since we loved the unit so much. It was a 2003 Dutch Star and they were aware of the problem and told me the roof needed to be replaced, they have a staff that was familiar with the concern and could fix it for $12,000 if we brought the coach to them in Indiana. While the dealer knocked $30,000 off the selling price we decided to walk from it.

Phil, if it were me I would fill it before storing, when you start the season, drain it and refill it. That way no condensation forms in the tank and with DEF when it contacts air it crystalizes and you DONT want that in your tank. When I say "fill it" I mean to the recommended level, there needs to be room for expansion due to it freezing if you are in a cold climate. I would suggest purchasing a DEF hydrometer and test it in the spring, you might only have to drain half out and top it off, they are not expensive, just make sure you don't get any DEF on the paint and rinse the hydrometer after use. here is one that is cost effective; http://www.tooltopia.com/thexton-108.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplpTHX108&sc_intid=THX108&gclid=CMC79ZmL-dICFQaBswodQxcOIg

Carl, I AM NOT THAT GUY Only you....Only you At the rate I'm going I'm also not the guy from the photo last September Thanks Blake!

I wonder if people calculate the DEF into their fuel equation i.e. MPG. DEF drives your fuel cost per mile up...UP...UP

What's interesting to me in the automobile industry the manufacture sets the guidelines that the dealer support MUST follow. The level of support they provide and surveys provide the dealer with special benefits. The RV industry works backwards, the manufacture is happy you sell their product and could care less if you take care of that manufactures customers after the sale. After all they didn't put much care in building it right and allowed it to leave so..... Also quality control is lacking and has been since the economy crash in 2007-2008, as long as they are selling them all is well... Sorry, this subject sours me every time I read it, its just not right!

Roland, Blake hit the nail on the head! Great advice!!

That crust formed while in storage since November and my box is behind the right drive tire, there is no way to keep them clean without altering the air circulation around them. When the coach is in storage that side up to the front door is 10" from my garage wall, once its parked there is no access to the batteries or that side of the coach, ANOTHER reason for the AGM swap I cannot check the fluid level while in storage.

Old photo of what it looked like with the rubber tiles last year. From the factory there were Beveled Mirrors here. I removed them two years ago. DW don't like mirrored interior.

Work in progress

All of the pre grout work is done. Here are some before and after photos. Now keep in mind the installed tile is grouted within each section only, once complete I have to grout between each tile section. before