oldgrape

So as time passes with RV ownership I find it really is like a house, projects never end. We have barely owned our 06 Tour for two years and the wife's list has not gotten any smaller. So far we have had the flooring replaced with laminate, both dash and outside radios replaced, 2 of the 3 TVs replaced with LCD/LED TVs, replace cloth couch with leather one, and found a remnant piece of Corian for the table that matched the counter top exactly. I installed a WIFI antenna on my TV antenna and had the front end, front cap, and the side gutter areas repainted due to the clear coat peeling off. I just finished installing a LED flat rope light on slide awning cover on the passenger side. Snaked the wires through the Microwave vent opening. Also slowly replacing all of my interior and porch lights with LEDs. The next items on the list are replacing the Norcold with a residential refrigerator (this week) and two new captain's chairs for the front. We'll be doing that in 2 or 3 weeks. We also want to re-upholster the window trim boxes. I can't remember what they are called . We plan to move the TV in the bedroom and use the space to add a separate, stacked, washer and dryer.

Our RV lifestyle began just about 2 years ago. For a few years my wife and I would see RVs pass us on the roads and we'd both say that we ill do that when I retire. Then about two and a half years ago we went to an RV show in Hampton, VA. That put a bug in our ears that we could not shake. Also the more we thought about it we realized waiting till I retired was not a very good plan. My Dad's health deteriorated very quickly after he retired when he was 65. He was a heavy smoker, drinker, and pretty much that is what really got him. But you just don't know what will happen and waiting for a pie in the eventual sky was not a plan the wife and I wanted to follow any longer. So we started looking. We test drove a class C and A. We decide a class A was for us. So I scoured the internet. Came close to a deal a couple times but just did not close the deal. I searched many dealers' websites, EBAY, and Craig's List. We finally saw something down in Florida at Lazy Days. After a week or so of phone calls and emails we hit the road to Florida and to buy a RV. The RV was a Class A 2005 Damon Day Break 35 footer with a gas engine. The interior was immaculate. They showed us how to work everything, The deal was done and we hit the road. Now that coach was an "As is" coach and my salesman (sold insurance previously) was almost as new to the industry as we were. So we made it back to VA with no problems. Took it into the local RV dealer to get the safety inspection and a complete once over. That is when the other shoe hit the ground. The frame under the coach was severely rusted. The leveling jacks were barely still attached. The generator mounting frame was so rusted that the mechanic warned us to not use the generator cause the vibration would probably cause it to fall off the coach. The coach did not pass the safety inspection. Technically there was no one to blame but myself for not requiring a complete check out by a third party down in Florida before I actually signed on the dotted line. To say the least we were heart broken and very upset. I contacted the dealer in Florida and informed them of the issues. We were greatly surprised when Lazy Days told us to bring it back and they would basically cancel the deal. They would also help us to find another coach in better condition. So the end result was we ended up with our 2006 Winnebago Tour 40KD diesel pusher. We love it. And that is how we began. We have been down to Kitty Hawk and the NC Outer Banks, Lake Gaston, a couple camp grounds in Florida, and a couple here in VA with our granddaughters. That has been worth all the ups and downs. They are both at the age that they may want to go with us one or two more times but not sure. But we have the last two years of them going with us that they will remember and so will we!

Howdy All. Thanks for the great information. I will take the advice of "wait and see" if it handles it or not. We basically do about the same as jleamont stated that they do.

Thanks all for the great possible solutions. I did scrub it and cleaned of all the grime. It appears that the soft touch coating is what has worn off. It is right at the spot that would be the logical place for your hand as you enter or exit the coach. I tried soap and water and spray cleaners. Did not work much. I used Soft Scup with bleach and that made a good dent. Then I use WD40 and that cleaned the grime and stickiness off in seconds. I let it air dry, used the soft scrub again and put it back in the coach. You can still feel the slight line of separation where the worn area starts and the soft touch ends but there is no more discoloration. I'll see how long that lasts.:)

Howdy All, I'm replacing my Norcold with a 22 cu ft residential Whirlpool Side By Side refrigerator. I currently have a 2000 watt pure sine inverter that runs parts of my coach when not connected to shore or generator. Should I consider adding a second pure sine inverter (600 watt or so) just for the fridge? Don't boondock but do spend the night occasionally at rest stops during our trips. If it is recommended what is a recommended inverter?

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the replies. I contacted Winnebago and they no longer have the dash pieces for my Tour. I have read on a few websites that the problem may just be built up Armor ALL or other protectant that is coming off. I attached a few pictures. Does that look like a possible answer?

Howdy All, We are planning a trip up to Elkhart to look around for new Captains Chairs and maybe a new recliner type couch for our 06 Winnebago Tour. Previous owners were a little rough on the furniture. I previously bought a new couch from http://shop4seats.com/ and are very pleased with the quality and price but can't try out the chairs from an on-line source. With that in mind we are combining a one week jaunt to get away with a trip to Elkhart. I have read that some places there have "Take-Out" furniture from new coaches. Can any one provide some recommendations of where to look there?

Hi All. The hard plastic dash parts in my 06 Tour have been worn down by previous owners. The top layer or two has been rubbed off in several places. It looks as if they may have used it to brace themselves going in and out of the coach. Does anyone know how that can be fixed?

Update. Everything installed, works great. There may be ones that are more user friendly. I do have to go through the set up process at each new location but works pretty good.

Howdy All. I'm not much of a handy man so I had FLOORITMOTORCOACH in North Carolina do the work on my 2006 Winnebago Tour. I had them replace the carpet and tile, front to back with laminate. They also put in a new flip couch and a new outside TV and stereo. They did a great job. Wife loves it! :)

Howdy all. I'm trying to find a reputable repair center that can do upgrades like flooring replacement. Live in Virginia Beach, VA and would like to find someplace within a few hundred miles.

Just installed a new WIFI Antenna and Amplifier. I attached it to my Batwing mast. Still have to run the cables through some cabinets. Also installed a Cell phone booster and antenna. Have to run that cable too. Just hope the effort pays off in improved reception. WiFi 8dBi Fibeglass High Power Antenna.pdf