jleamont

I have the same problems on the top surfaces,my paint rolls up to the roof line. I was going to scuff it and reapply it with duplicolor spray can clear coat. I also have BASF paint on my Holiday Rambler, expensive paint that holds up well. I had a spot on the coach fixed just after we bought it and the body shop was annoyed that PPG and DuPont couldn't match it, they had to source the BASF product and spray it. They told me it was a similar BASF product used on aircraft and it was 3 times the cost of DuPont or PPG. 14 years later it shines like it is new. after it was done they told me the paint was the best they had ever sprayed, applied much easier than what they were used too.

I believe a transmission retarder is not common on an RV, I have only ever seen them on Fire apparatus used in conjunction with a compression engine brake for extreme stopping power. i am suprised how different these operate, I have to be honest my compression brake operation is pretty annoying and little to no thought was given in its set up. My high/low switch does not work (programmed that way per the original owners request) I have to get that fixed, I also have no braking in 1st gear, which is scary when you are approaching stopped traffic, when the transmission down shifts into 1st gear the coach jumps forward, if you are not expecting it it's like an amusement park ride. While the cruise is on if the brake power switch is on it will come on everytime the cruise is not throttling the engine, this works the same way when the cruise is off so you basically have two choices, speed up or eat seat belt, when it engauges your face will go pale if you forgot it was on. From driving other large vehicles with compression brakes they are programmed with several parameters to avoid the issues I have, some are set to only turn on when the driver steps on the brake pedal, I have driven some that will come on automatically with no brake pedal interaction but only if you coast over a pre programmed speed which would be nice if my low setting was set to operate. My plan is to bring the lone lap top home that has Cummins Insight on it and see what setting options I have to correct the current settings. i drive with it off unless I need it, I will turn it on, come to a stop and immediately flip it off once stopped. It will not hurt to leave it on while driving, in my case you will just loose your sanity. my boost gauge rises with the engine brake on, my thought was all of the compression from the compression brake is spooling up the turbo it will rise to 10 psi when in operation while the engine is at 2200 RPM.

Steve, we tow our Wrangler in Economy mode, its not a tow/haul function like some transmissions. Economy only really works on heavy throttle applications (or it only does on our coach). Just normal driving I notice no changes unless I stand on the accelerator, my downshifts are slight in economy and aggressive in regular, it also appears to upshift faster keeping my RPM's lower in Economy when the accelerator is on the floor.

Wandas1, I had never noticed this or given it any thought until you mentioned it...interesting. I can see how the use of "Class" could be taken out of context in todays world. Rich, I had the same problem on here a few years ago, I was trying to describe the drivers seating area like you would in an air plane xxxxpit, well it blocked me due to the slang term, I had to Google it, I thought I spelled it incorrectly . Well I didn't and after I reworded my post, thought about it I got to laughing. Tom, I concur with you, the term "politically correct" bothers me also, the people that require it and are the reason we have it bother me more.

Glad to hear you are all back in working order!

That is a two piece windshield correct? What Chassis in under the coach?

John, this may seem crazy but ask your local Police department if they would weigh your coach (assuming they have portable scales). Often times they will do it, you will have to make an appointment with the clerk. The link below is the inflation tables based off of what each wheel end weighs. I would recommend you load the coach like you would normally do and fill the fresh water tank prior to obtaining any weight ratings. Should you have any questions on what to set your pressures at post it on the "tires" tab on the forum. Here is a link from someone with a similar concern to yours. http://www.michelinrvtires.com/reference-materials/load-and-inflation-tables/#/ good luck, let us know how you make out.

thanks Wayne

I knew I read up on this subject before..... here is the link;

James, Welcome! You are around 2-3 hours east of us, depending on where in North Jersey you are located. I requested info from Jersey Gems and Penn Coachmen, they seemed like a good fit for us.

Dave, I requested information a month ago............still waiting......... busy time of the year up in this part of the USA. My guess is they are all prepping their coaches for the season. FMCA Admin, can you tell me if these two chapters are still active? When I looked up a few names they had not logged on in several years. Penn Coachmen Jersey Gems Thank you

John, I had a similar problem with our Class C we had. My driving was a white knuckle experience down the highway, I had a horrible side to side sway (felt like it was going to tip over) and when anything would pass me it would draw me into them and shoot me off the road onto the shoulder as they passed. I replaced my factory sway bars with a front and rear kit from Roadmaster, replaced all of the factory shocks with Bilstein and installed a Rear track bar. It eliminated my white knuckle experience and body sway but it did make it ride rough. I would weigh the unit first and adjust tire pressures accordingly like Rich mentioned first, then consider upgrading suspension component's if it still is uncomfortable to drive. The link below is where I purchased such items; you can also try an internet search to locate the best pricing for the items. With an F53 you will need to know your GVWR before you can shop. It is located on the chassis identification label in the coach. http://www.supersteerparts.com/products/motorhome--rv/class-a/f-53-chassis/index.html I has a friend that drove a 2016 Tiffin open road with and without Sumo springs, he told me it was a completely different drive from one to another, might be something to look into, I have no experience with them, here's the link; http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/sumo-springs/ford

Wayne, thank you for the information. its on my list of stuff to build, I was thinking about nails just the tips protruding out the bottom to be used a cleats and have the other wood above to protect the tires from the heads.

Tom, somehow I do not remember that post but it was fantastic! Many good points on there from everyone, Kay made a good point, my routine maintenance cost would not increase even if I doubled my miles traveled, it's just not due for any in that narrow window. DW and I often have this conversation, she grew up traveling by air and 5 star hotels, I didn't. When I run the numbers this is still more cost effective, or it is the way we did it. You can't put a price on family memories, we make much much more now than before. At the end of the day that is all that matters to us, making new friends along the way is a bonus. One thing I am sure of, none of our figures will match, too many variables.

I am challenged with this task often at work for maintenance costs for the fleet and report out on it. I am not sure what to include in the number, here is what just comes to mind; monthly payment fuel insurance maintenance/repairs I can say average cost per mile on maintenance for me will be different for others, year of coach, condition, manufacture, maintenance provider, average mileage estimate, MPG...etc...all will play a part on the calculation. For us average maintenance would be .12 per mile for maintenance (total so far with this coach) (national fleet average is .16 plus tires), if you added all of the above into the equation it would be somewhere around $1.60 per mile (we average 7000 miles per year, CG charges not included above). $13200.00 per year average out of pocket (including CG charges, fuel insurance, maintenance, coach payment) or $1.88 per mile. If you think about how many days we spend in the motorhome throughout the year my guess would be somewhere around $165.00 per day of use (in total). Still a little cheaper than a nice hotel per night (depending on where you are traveling). We will save on meals and you still have to get there somehow which is not figured into the $165.00 per day (that's just an average nightly average hotel rate) so if we took our SUV and stayed in a hotel, bought food out.... my guess with rough math would be $25,300 per year or $3.61 per mile or $316.25 per day of travel by car. It wasn't that long ago we traveled by car/plane everywhere. Being able to pull over at a rest stop, not get out, take a shower and go to sleep in your own bed is priceless when traveling assuming you can locate a vacant hotel room while traveling we spent many nights catching few hours of shut eye with the seat reclined back in a rest area since all of the hotels we called were booked, that is no fun and not a nice way to start or end a vacation. Wow, my head hurts hope that helps.

Wow, I see that trailer situation often up here, best when they pass me like they are trying to prove something and my wind blows them all over the road . I love the optional slide securement devices . Real class act there! Never thought of washing my undercarriage that way, learn something new every day .

You do not have buttons on your wheel for cruise control, wipers etc?

Wayne, I was considering making something like that. How do you back up onto them without the wood dragging along the ground?

Send me a PM.

Mtroise46, did they require you to bring a designated driver to the test? Curious what time of day is your test appointment?

Old post and I wanted to update it; We just returned from a long weekend to New York City. We stayed at Liberty Harbor RV park which is located across the Hudson from NYC (in Jersey City NJ) but next to the Statue of Liberty and a large marina. The CG is just a Parking lot with Water, 30/50 Amp electric and honey wagon service ($20.00 per day up charge for honey wagon). No issues getting into the area with a 41' 6" coach (no toad). 10 minutes from I-78 easy on and off. The area is under a revitalization project which is raising the bar for the area, many upscale restaurants in the area. The people were very nice. The CG has a restaurant on the water at the marina (it wasn't open yet for the season but looked nice). They have 24hr security and at no point in time felt uncomfortable or unsafe. The local Police patrol the marina often (must be the high dollar yachts and sail boats docked there?). They have a ferry dock at the marina which is about 1000 feet from the sites, the boat will take you to NYC with a rate of $7.00 per person. If you want to see NYC I recommend giving this place a try, it is as close as you can get, honestly it felt odd sitting outside and looking at the NYC skyline at night which was neat...just different. I prepaid for the honey wagon service and I just left that basement door unlocked for them to handle it while we were out for the day, no issues and they left me a note on the door to let me know the tanks were empty. Defiantly would return to this place. It could use some sprucing up but for what it is it just works. web site http://www.libertyharborrv.com/

Roy, we have similar coverage. I have a mileage cap per year I can run which will dictate my rates, otherwise it is assumed its parked and it is covered in case of storm damage etc. I plan our trips every year, total up the mileage estimate and contact our agent, I add some fluff into it just to be safe. I also let them know it sits from November to March at home, if in storage it was more $$, since its at our house it was a little cheaper. We have Erie Insurance for everything.

This is where a "like button" would come handy . shorbus, you will find a lot of good information on here from mostly friendly people.

ObedB, you would hope they wouldn't but just take a look around, name brands with low quality, It's everywhere these days.