jleamont

Much better! Thank you for the explanation! Joe

The new site design search function is overwhelming. Before if you went into a specific section and searched it would only search that section. Now it searches all Forums and the list it provides is so overwhelming the search is not feasible to use. My fear is this could cause a person to create new topics when there is already an existing topic with their answer. Just wanted to throw this out there. Thank you

I concur with the two posts above, it really is personal preference, let me explain our situation maybe it will help, we use ours casually, not full time (14 weekends per year and 2-3 solid weeks per year, I am still employed full time). I just switched our over to all electric or Diesel. Originally our coach came with Aqua hot (electric heated, diesel fired heat and motor aid) Propane cook top and gas/electric refrigerator. The refrigerator died and tried to take us with it so I switched to residential refrigerator. Now the only thing I had for the large propane tank was the cook top, we didn't use it much as it heats up the interior of the coach and we primary use the coach in the summer months for long weekends and for vacations so that wasn't welcome. I switched out the cooktop to induction electric (which we love), and the next step is to remove the propane tank. I wanted a coach with two furnaces and a standard hot water heater so I could remove the HW heater and change it over to tankless propane (I swapped this out in our first coach and loved it). The coach we have now my DW located it used in May of 2014, since it had the Aqua Hot which can be run on electric or diesel and functions like a tankless (endless hot water) I was good with it but scared of it also (fear of the unknown). I was told years ago with the last coach "first cold shower I take this coach is out of here", she likes long hot showers! Since this is coach #2 and we have had it both ways here is what I perceive as pros and con Aqua Hot pros; I like when I arrive at a CG I have hot water/interior heat already if needed, same if cold outside and I am driving down the road, it has coolant lines from the engine routed through it so its always hot and ready to go. The heater registers are like little radiators with small computer type fans behind each, so while in operation they are very quiet, this works well for the DW she is a light sleeper. We do not run the coach often while it is cold, this is why a standard furnace wouldn't be a much of a problem, just use portable electric heaters. I would have had to switch over to a tankless HW heater if not for the Aqua Hot. We get heat and hot water from three sources with an Aqua Hot; 1, engine heat 2, electric heating element 3, diesel fired burner. Aqua Hot Cons; routine maintenance is much more often than a propane furnace or propane HW heater, authorized service facilities can be hard to find (none where I live). I do this myself so the annual maintenance is 1 hour a year and $35.00 in parts, this year it had a few minor problems discovered while apart for maintenance so it cost me an additional $300.00 in parts. We NEVER vacation without full hookups, so between the generator/inverter and Campgrounds we always have what is needed to run everything in the coach. I am not a fan of gas/electric refrigerators since the nearly avoided disaster in 2014 with ours. I didn't like the propane cooktop either, it stunk up the interior and produced excessive amounts of cabin heat the A/C units couldn't keep up with. Propane furnaces are fairly simple but they are noisy when the blower comes on in the middle of the night, I sleep through it my DW jumps up in bed, she didn't get much sleep in the last coach if it was cold out, I started to run portable electric heaters towards the end. The oven and microwave combination are already electric, so when it came to cooking I found myself running the generator anyway for that and the A/C units on the roof if we were between Point A and Point B along the road stopping for a meal, so all electric really had no impact. Due to the way we travel it works for us.

Jim, couldn't agree with you more, just installed the M&G system on my Jeep. No electronics and so simple to install. It works great! No holes to drill, no cables running under the rug, no switches. I am so happy with that decision, thanks to Herman. If I ever meet the owner of the company I want to shake his hand.

I have the similar set up as you. I can run everything including two hair dryers (no washer dryer, removed that last year) and no issues so far. Aqua Hot usually is very supportive but only to the consumer and their certified dealer network, CW of Harrisburg is not an authorized repair facility. That might have had something to do with the delay. Its not good when you have to write to the president of the company for help, just glad he assisted and not discarded your request. We are 50 miles southeast of you down 283 to 30 east, small world! Good luck and keep us posted! Joe

Try it on generator vs shore power, see if it makes a difference. It sounds like they took a shortcut on the wiring in that unit. I would ask to see the schematic while at the dealer and see if your suspicions are correct, it sounds like you are on the right track. You are about 30 minutes north of us! Unless you bought that coach from CW and you are taking it back to the selling dealer I would not go to CW for much beyond toilet paper. Given your location my guess is you are headed to the one in Harrisburg. We shopped for a coach there in 2014 while it was under construction just after CW bought them out, didn't purchase from them. We looked at used 2003 Newmar Dutch Star that had 80% of the interior roof covered in DARK Black mold and swollen cabinets, they told us it was common and it could be cleaned up, never been back. When I called to inquire about the unit I was told it was in perfect condition, low mileage one owner. I hope they take care of your concerns, service after the sale is important!

DJ, we have 18 Halogen lights in our coach that were converted to LED this year. Kay is correct, if they do not light, flip the bulb around, if you mean you were unable to locate bulbs you need to call Joe at cabinbright. The lights from cabinbright are made in the USA and are dimmable, as with Halogens the dimmable option was great news for us. We never turned them on because they got so hot, now we use them often. My entire interior is converted to LED purchased from Joe. I recently upgraded my turn and brake lamps also and wow are they bright. I have mentioned them before on other posts, great people to work with high quality products. And no I do not work for them , when you meet fellow motorhome people, with innovative high quality products and the owner remembers you the following year at the RV show (and I hadn't made a purchase at that time) you become impressed, or I did anyway. the link below is for the lights you are referring to; http://www.cabinbright.com/g-4-bi-pin-base-bulbs/

Tire pressures will definitely make it wander and provide a harsh ride when too much air for the weight is in them. I would have it checked, if no problems are observed (i.e. loose steering components or out of spec alignment) I would head into the aftermarket products for help. Have you considered adding something like this? I have installed one of these on a Dynamax Super C a few years ago, impressive device http://www.safe-t-plus.com

Blake, we are not members but I will look into it. Thank you

Wow, many great ideas! I had the same problem on our last coach with the heater and ac unit. I replaced both motors, tried to lube the ac still noisy, just couldn't get the oil in. I would have tried the drill approach, hadn't crossed my mind. 2 months after the compressor went, just my luck. I replaced the roof top unit with a higher BTU unit from PPL for around $500.

Bill, thanks for the links, will add those to the list. too bad I didn't know you in 2013, we went right past you that December, could have met up.

We looked at a Palazzo, new at the dealer before making the current purchase, since these are considered entry level DP's. I guess the old saying "you get what you pay for" really carries weight with the RV industry.The drivers side had a huge full wall slide, it was broken, there was a drop down electric bunk over the cab area seating, when I pressed the button for it to go down, jammed and broke off the wall, crashing onto the drivers seat. Needless to say we were shocked and walked away. Before that I really didn't like the lack of storage underneath it either. We have looked through several new coaches, I hate to say it but all of them were built like trailers with little to no quality, just shiny thing's to distract you from the truth. I would love to know what the OP did, how they made out in the end, what they purchased and why?

Bill, thanks for the input. You are correct its all about the people, after all that's why we are FMCA members. I usually get a wave when they see the goose egg on the front, that's comradery! I would prefer a local one, since I am still working full time closer to home rallies would be real benefit.

Carl, there is a few Monaco chapters, nothing I could locate for HR. The Monaco ones were not local

I hope that's not the case!

Gramps, that was a great depiction! Thank you for posting that. We often get asked questions about the return on your investment, MPG etc. I didn't purchase this or the last motorhome as an investment, we purchased it for our family, to escape the day to day and enjoy each others company and the company of our friends. Brett mentioned something a while back that has stuck with me with regards to "what MPG does your house or bed get"? Every time I think of that statement I smile that about sums it up! I can say without a doubt our motorhomes (2) we have had in the last 8 years have brought our family closer together, I can feel it and see it and I cannot put a price tag on that. Coming from a guy that worked full time and owned a small business there wasn't much time to enjoy life, the Coach changed all of that when I planned down time it made those moments much more enjoyable and connecting with our family. We have traveled to many places we would have never thought of or probably even knew they existed. DW is into scrapbooking, the photos taken with the Coach involved is 4 to 1 from before the coach, so it worked! Yea there is a cost associated with it but our vacations before RV's were 1-2 per year, now 12-15 at a minimum some long some short, none the less great times with family and friends. I will say that my 12-15 vacations where we meet up with old friends or met new friends (that wouldn't have happened in a hotel) are less money than the two previous trips before the RV, when you add the payment into it, fuel, insurance and repairs I think its a pretty close dollar value, we just get more trips with the coach. I never liked the to and from a vacation before the coaches, now a long drive is relaxing, I can feel the stress melt away when I sit in the drivers seat. Memories exceed any traditional vacation several times over. We are members of the Disney Vacation club, we use it often, sometimes stay at Fort Wilderness sometimes their hotels, we love it there also, takes you back to when you were a kid, the CG is still one of my favorites, looking forward to another trip there soon.

Blake, Wayne and Kay, thanks for the information. I might do the horse and buggy trip back to the park, everyone will get a kick out of that. Good to know about the park, I get nervous traveling to parks I am unfamiliar with due to the size and weight of our DP. I have to be cautious of bridge weight limits and overhead clearances. Turns I do not get to worried about often, unless they are beyond 90 degrees, then it can get interesting especially when you take up the intersection to avoid curbs. Being an old city I was concerned the roads were full of tight turns and narrow roads, from Google earth they do not look that bad. Then there is the age old question that you hear often, what are the roads like in route? Kay answered that, no too bad some under construction etc. Its a short trip to the city, just enough for a cram session to take it in (kids have been asking to go), if we like it maybe add it for a later date return trip, who knows. DW and I went there in 1999 for Mardi Gras (before kids) and we had fun, after Katrina I have heard its not the same. I guess this short trip will tell. Afterwards we will be headed to TN to unwind. Thanks Guys!

winnbarrows, One thing I just remembered, when I would turn on my ignition, I could hear the pump buzzing in the rear, which was new, before I had not noticed that. That was the sign it was starving for fuel, unfortunately I heard it and ignored it, we had only had owned the coach for a month at this point, I just thought I didn't notice it before, since I had a problem I was more sensitive. The dealer wanted $4000.00 to replace them, it took me 3 hours and cost me $600.00 in materials. Plus the tow to the Cummins dealer was an additional $1000.00

Yup, that's it thanks Brett! Good, we will not be traveling over that, I guess the DP we have now would handle it better but....DW won't!

Wayne, good info, hopefully someone will chime in. Last trip down there was in 2013 we came from California all the way down I-10 through Texas. Stopped in San Antonio KOA and Baton Rouge KOA and ran I-10 to I-12 back to I-10 to I-65 and up from there, it was December and I was trying to get home between snow storms so I didn't have to drive the old motorhome in the snow. I do not recall the roads being bad, I do remember a long bridge along the way I believe it was closer to Texas for a long while being just over the swamps. DW hated that bridge, it was like riding a horse in the gasser coach back then.

Kay, planning on heading down I-81S from PA, I-40, I-59, I-20 back to I-59, I-10 to exit 235A in New Orleans, CG looks close to the exit. Unsure of the roads down in the city. Early August I believe is the plan.

Anyone have anything else to add on this RV park? We are traveling there this summer and I had some concerns about the route in and out with a 42' motorhome not being familiar with the area. We plan on walking to the French Quarter to check out some sights during the day, the usual tourist stuff.

Just requested information on two chapters. Penn Coachmen and Jersey Gems, not sure what to expect from them or what they are about. Sit back and wait and see I guess.

SMARKSEL, yes each zone has a pump to circulate that zone, or shall I say that is the way ours is set up with an Aqua Hot system, I have no experience with an Hydro Hot unit. Exercise each zone individually to try and narrow down the leak. If you are seeing it on the ground look around the unit itself. My plumbing immediately goes out of the unit to above the floor level, if you are seeing it outside I would start in the heater bay, maybe pull the covers off of the heater itself, it could be leaking inside, there is a bunch of plumbing in the actual unit along with valves for each zone. I have photos of the inside in the gallery attached below. There is a forum for these systems if you sign up you can ask on there. http://forum.rvhydronicheaterrepair.com/forum.php

I had ours open and it had a Pex type tubing that switched to rubber at the register. Ours has spring clamps, two on the Pex side and one at the register. I'm sure there is a shark bite type of connection you could source. Just be sure to put the correct fluid back into the system. Fluid types: Pink is Camco boiler antifreeze. Green Traditional automotive antifreeze. Regular pre mixed Prestone is fine. Do not mix them.