jleamont

Bob, I also considered fabricating one from aluminum diamond plate or wood and staining it to match the cabinets in the coach.

Bob, I had the same problem with my HR/Monaco coach. I pressed the engine brake button one day and it fell through the panel . I was able to locate them from this RV supplier. http://www.nwrvsupply.com/category/07.html I bought my instrument trim from them from a different year coach (in wood grain) and trimmed it to fit my layout, (I really hated the gray dull plastic dash trim that much). You will have to match it up by appearance, they do not have a way to look them up by application. I didn't care much for the original gray trim my coach came with so I had one made at a local plastics shop in wood grain, I removed my old one and they used it as a template to make me a replacement in wood grain plastic. My wiring was all labeled from Monaco and had block plugs not individual wires so that part was easy (I too am color blind) Here is the link of the finished product, if you scroll through the photos you will see the original design from Monaco.

Good choice! Safe travels

ObedB, I was actually hoping you would see this and respond with your experience. I have never been into WV with an RV or large vehicle for that matter, but I have never heard anyone say its a nice state to drive through. Large hills, tight turns and narrow roads is the only thing I have ever heard. I-78 to I-81 and south I have driven before, not bad, once they are off of I-81 I have no idea. Carl has been on I-68 and from the sounds of his post it wasn't bad. Google maps recommends I-78 to I-81 to I-64 into Lexington, since its all interstates is it still that bad? I do not worry about hills now like I did before with the old coach, but the RV they have will most likely dictate the route also.

A few things to add: Diesel Exhaust Fluid goes into the DEF tank only if equipped. If not equipped you do not need it at all. Countless times I have read where people in coaches were trying to be more "green" and were adding DEF to their Diesel FUEL tanks, this mistake will cost you thousands $$. If you do purchase a Diesel Motorhome requiring DEF make sure you do not mistake the tank for the washer fluid reservoir. They both have BLUE caps, normally the windshield washer reservoir is in the front and DEF tank is on the side closer to the engine if its a Diesel Pusher (toward the rear)......it happens. I recommend reading the manual and familiarizing yourself with your coach, I do NOT recommend asking the sales person to explain it and where to add it. We had a driver fill a DEF tank at work with Diesel fuel, that didn't go well either.

bkretvix, worse case scenario, stop and pick up some orange cones, find a local parking lot in FL and teach yourself. I found this video that also might help. this one on how to set your mirrors; This one on how your RV turns vs a car; Hop onto You tube, and watch the videos, there is a bunch of them.

I stumbled upon this website and wanted to share with everyone. It looks like a good website to locate campgrounds that can handle larger 50 amp coaches. http://www.bigrigresorts.com/index.php

Bill, to answer your question, yes. Very common in the trucking industry. The concern is exactly what you mentioned, when one has a leak they both have a leak . I would much rather have one flat than two flats, plus it takes longer to figure out which tire is the leaker also.

Carl, when we meet up this summer I will give you a tutorial . The child song "three blind mice" comes to mind, we just need another person, maybe ObedB since he managed to post photos to his that he has never seen before . That will give me time to digest the new gallery section so I can reteach myself how to use it.

Capkelly, you are correct. I have gotten better information from here than any RV dealer/tech line I have ever reached out to so far. Its scary but most only want to hire what saves them money rather than what is the best person to handle their customers, which in the end makes them loose customers. Unfortunately the bean counters don't see it and don't care. Corporate today never sees the big picture only what's in front of them.

Capkelly, I called GE before we purchased our residential fridge, they were no help in telling me if it would run on MSW or not. I called Xantrex for specs on the Inverter in our coach, they were a huge help. I was told there are different output quality levels of an MSW inverter also. Xantrex also explained that modern electronics do not like MSW, with that being said they advised me to either replace the MSW with PSW or select a more basic refrigerator without all of the electronics and gadgets. To keep my costs down we selected a energy efficient fridge with noting more than a knob inside to select for colder or warmer. I was told to compare the compressor sound when on shore power to inverter, if it louder while on inverter it will not last as long and the unit does not like the MSW inverter. I got lucky no sound difference (that I can tell) and works prefect. When the current invertor does wear out I will replace it with a PSW.

marina53. My opinion; Dicor products work the best. (link below) every RV store I have ever been to has a rack of their products. I am assuming your roof is fiberglass? Either way you will need to clean off the old cracked product, clean the surface and reapply new sealant. It sounds harder than it is. I also use a tape product called Eternabond, which works great on flat surfaces like a seam. http://dicorproducts.com/catalog/roof-products/replace/epdm-lap-sealants/ Here is a simple video link that show the basics. There is a video after that shows the tape installation. you will want to fix that ASAP before the water destroys the coach.

Thanks Rich! its worth a try.

Rich, you have brought up a very good point, not to say this manufacture doesn't have a quality issue. With plastic parts inside what to lube it with also comes into question. After reading this there is defiantly something wrong with me . I lube the door hinges, latches in the motorhome and house at least 2 times a year. I cant stand when doors squeak, knobs and deadbolts are hard to turn or you go to close a kitchen cabinet and it will not fully seat. We have saloon doors to the basement staircase at the house, nothing will stop them from squeaking, I am about to toss them in the trash

I have run I81 many times, no issues, Once you are off of I-81 to I-68 I cannot help after that. 81 has a few hills but not horrible. It will also depend on your coach and toad (weight). I have heard the Interstates in WV have steep hills. Perhaps someone else could chime in. I always run with the mind set if its an interstate how bad could it be, so far we have been OK. But we are defiantly not the most experienced.

I use Lexol (can be purchased at most automotive parts stores) My seats look like I got to them to late. Some cracking etc. Not sure if anyone has more experience with a better product. This did a good job of cleaning them up but they do not feel softer to me. Saddle soap I had never thought of. http://www.lexol.com/

Bob, if you need more help sign up on this Forum http://forum.rvhydronicheaterrepair.com/forum.php Very helpful information on there with Hydronic heater repairs and maintenance.

Allied contact phone number; 1-877-466-6226. They will email you photos of the different seals used in your years, you just pick one tell them how long you need it and they will price it accordingly.

I was trying to ascertain if the unit in fact was Navistar Powered or Cummins powered. No engine make was referenced, just the coach make. I am not familiar with the HR/Monaco products in those years, I know they were owned by Navistar back then but that doesn't always mean they didn't offer a Cummins as an option. I do agree with the product they produced being not being dependable. Here is a link from a previous discussion. Few owners on here didn't mind them. The last time I brought up that product I made someone unhappy.

http://www.cabinbright.com/x-factor-fluorescent-tube-replacements/ I installed led these throughout my entire interior. You only need one per fixture (removing both tubes and replace with one LED). photos in this link fantastic company to deal with, great customer service. I met the owner at an RV show a few years ago, nice guy.

Sunny, 45. I think if we had that two days in a row I would have been knocking on your door. Snows all gone! Hopefully it stays that way.

Winegardc, welcome to the Forum! Sorry to hear your list of troublesome problems. The new Diesel engine technology is very advanced with all sorts of electronic components all over them which have been prone to headaches like you have described above. Some engine manufacturers are prone to more headaches than others. You have indicated Monaco built by Navistar is the coach powered by a Maxxforce engine (Navistar) or Cummins?