fagnaml

I know this is an old "string" of comments, but I wanted to share that this past Saturday afternoon, 5/19/18, I experienced the same overheating / small fire incident with my Iota ITS-50R transfer switch in my motorhome (see attached photos). This past Saturday evening my son and in-laws hosted a surprise 30th birthday celebration for his wife (who is a great daughter-in-law!) in Lake Charles, LA. My wife and I took our motorhome to keep the party a surprise (staying with my son in his home would have ruined the surprise). While getting ready for the party, all power inside the motorhome suddenly went out. First I walked outside to see if the A+ RV Park near Sulphur, LA had experienced a power failure. Hearing lots of RV A/Cs humming, I next checked the power pedestal to see if the 50 amp breaker had tripped (answer was no). Next I checked 50 amp breaker inside the motorhome -- it was OK. So next I opened the left rear compartment where the shore power cable is stored and was stunned to see the burned power selector box!! My first thought was "what the **** did I screw up now ?!". My second thought was to say a prayer of thanks to God and my guardian angel that "only" the selector switch caught fire! After safely returning home yesterday, my Goggling yesterday evening found a lot of information including safety recalls for the Iota transfer switch. Thor Industries issued safety recalls for Iota switches used in their Keystone RVs which has me very disappointed, even angry, that Thor has not issued a safety recall for Iota transfer switches used in their Damon motorhomes! Earlier this morning I submitted my incident to Thor Customer Service requesting that Thor pay all costs for a new switch. I'll let the forum know how Thor responds. All I can say is if fellow forum members still have an Iota ITS-50R power transfer switch to get it inspected / replaced "now". Also, I had nothing stored in the compartment where the Iota switch resides except for two small rolls of coaxial cable and a 150 foot extension cord. That would be a good practice for everyone -- don't store stuff in electrical equipment compartments! Since this thread is years old, should I start a new post sharing my experience? The smell of burned electrical wires and burned plastic will stay with me for a long time....

I have Progressive insurance for my motorhome and vehicles and have been pleased with service and cost. My motorhome insurance cost is $1,375 per year in Houston. The value of your motorhome home ($235,000 on rvt.com) is three times the value of my motorhome ($70,000 on rvt.com) thus I would have guessed the "ball park" cost of your insurance would be about three times the cost of my insurance (your cost is actually 2.3 times my cost). From this simple comparison, your insurance cost from Progressive looks reasonable. Having said that, it is always worth shopping for the "best value" insurance available. "Best value" for me is not always the lowest price insurance. I have high appreciation for superb customer service and thus I when I do shop for insurance, I usually only look at insurance providers that have a good track record of exceptional customer service. I expect to pay a bit more to get that level of customer service.

Here's a quick response from me the "Refining" guy. The "base oil" used in transmission fluids and gasoline engine oils (think 5W-30, 10W-30) is the same base oil know as 100 Neutral Oil but that is where the similarity ends. The additive packages are drastically different in that transmission fluids do not have "viscosity index improvers" to give protection at high engine operating temperatures. It would be OK to drive your motorhome a short distance (5 - 10 miles) to your favorite service center for an oil and filter change. There is no need to flush the small amount of "mixed oils" you now have in the engine after the oil is drained. That residual amount won't impact the 4+ gallons of new oil.

Herman - I had the same thought about the Teflon plumber's tape but chose not to use it. My luck is a piece of the tape would break off and plug a small oil injection port for the crank shaft and wreck the generator. My level of luck is also why I don't visit casino's......

The OEM plug is a 1/4" NPT plug. Here is an OEM plug from eBay --> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Onan-Genuine-Factory-RV-Generator-Oil-Drain-Plug-181-9227-HDKAJ-Spec-J-Newer/292557041724?epid=1140350417&hash=item441dc2303c:g:-zgAAOSwJ7RYWYTf&vxp=mtr The OEM plug fit nicely into a 1/4" pipe elbow at the ACE Hardware store to confirm it had pipe (not bolt) threads. Also, in my posting about the EZ Oil Drain valve, their website also shows 1/4" and 3/8" NPT pipe threading for the drain valves they manufacture for Onan generators. I don't think the new brass plug will "gall" in place as the oil temp should be ~220 F and the brass should not corrode -- Agree??

As a follow-up to my oil drain plug woes on my Onan 7500 Quiet Diesel generator, I "googled" oil drain plugs and discovered a company named "EZ Oil Drain Valve" which manufactures oil drain valves for Onan generators and several large diesel engines --> http://ezoildrainvalve.com/rv--motorhome.html Does the forum have knowledge / experience with "permanently installed" oil drain valves on Onan generators? Having a permanent oil drain valve would be very convenient if it always works.

This past Saturday (May 14, 2018) and last October, I struggled mightily to remove the 1/4" NPT oil drain plug from the bottom of my Onan 7500 Quiet Diesel generator. The small hex head on the plug had been somewhat "rounded" by the previous owner or whomever changed oil before I bought the motorhome (see attached photo). Knowing I had the chance of really "mucking-up" the small 1/4" hex head on the plug (which happened), I purchased a new 1/4" NPT brass pipe plug from my local ACE Hardware store that has a larger hex head --> http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=52439446&cp=2568443.2568452.2631237.2631262.2631279.2631288 This new brass plug is now in place on my generator. The larger hex head should make it easier to remove. The OEM drain plug has considerable hard "carbon" build-up in the threads which probably contributed to making the plug difficult to remove. I presume the build-up came from carbon in the generator oil or thread dope used by the previous owner. Any thoughts / concerns from the forum about using a brass plug as the oil drain plug?

jleamont -- For a summer 2019 visit with your family, Jamaica Beach RV Resort is fantastic for kids of all ages (including parents as kids !!!) --> https://www.jbrv.net/ It is located on Galveston Island ~12 miles southwest of the City of Galveston on the "Blue Water Highway". Jamaica Beach RV Resort has lots of family amenities - pools, lazy river, splash pad, miniature golf, etc. Bathrooms & showers are clean and spacious. The beach is a very short drive across the highway from the RV resort. The summer rate for an RV spot is a reasonable cost. Weekend rates are quite high (but every lodging rate doubles or triples for summer weekends in Galveston !!). My grandkids ages 3 - 10 years old love Jamaica Beach RV Resort and the nearby beach itself and can spend their entire time at the RV resort or at the beach. An excursion to see the sites of the city of Galveston is a 15-20 minute away. If next summer will be your first time to visit Galveston take your family to Moody Gardens and the Pleasure Pier as they are quite good for the entire family. If you choose to stay at Jamaica Beach RV Resort, reserve one of the new, more spacious spots in the 900 numbered series of spots --> https://nebula.wsimg.com/c621eb08628739c0738dbdde2fd195d1?AccessKeyId=C7A122A8A63431C77D16&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 Reservations fill months ahead of the summer vacation season so don't hesitate reserving a site this coming winter. Hope this info helps!

Diesel (and gasoline) prices crept upwards a couple of cents per gallon during the last week and will increase again with crude prices near $70/bbl --> https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/ Here's a question for the forum. Gas Buddy (https://www.gasbuddy.com/) and Gas Price Watch (http://www.gaspricewatch.com/) are good "tools" to use to find the lowest gasoline prices in a huge number of locations across the U.S. I haven't found a similar website (or app) that provides similar "cheapest price" information for diesel fuel. Does anyone know of a "Gas Buddy" type site for diesel fuel?

The attached image shows the "components" of the average pump price for a gallon of diesel. The 'tax amount" at the top pump is the "slice" that varies by sate. The price of other "slices" stays relatively consistent. The crude oil portion of the pump price of course varies with crude oil prices.

And for those with gasoline engine powered motorhomes, here is the API map of gasoline taxes by state --> http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Statistics/Gasoline-Tax-Map.pdf

Here is another link to weekly diesel and gasoline prices --> http://fuelsmarketnews.com/eia-gasoline-and-diesel-retail-prices-update-may-1-2018/ Diesel now costs $3.00/gallon or more across the entire U.S. The West Coast, with all of its fuel quality restrictions and higher taxes, has the highest diesel price at $3.64/gallon this past week. I don't know if the forum is aware of the taxes imposed on diesel fuel by state. This chart from the American Petroleum Institute (API) is very eye opening --> http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Statistics/Diesel-Tax-Map.pdf For my summer long weekend excursions, I'll stay in Texas and Louisiana where diesel taxes are low at 45 cents/gallon and avoid the west and east coasts where diesel taxes are $1.00/gallon or higher !!

As the summer RV season nears, folks may be interested in gasoline and diesel prices when planning "how far to travel" for their weekend or week long outings. Each week the Energy Information Administration publishes its "This Week in Petroleum" report which provides average retail gasoline and diesel prices by region across the U.S. As usual, prices are expected to increase during summer vacation season. Ultra-low sulfur diesel prices are already up to $3.50 / gallon on the West Coast and are at or nearing $3.00 / gallon in other areas of the U.S (an increase of 40-50 cents/gallon compared to this time last year) -->https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/weekly/distillate.php Most of the price increase is related to crude oil price which is around $67/barrel this year compared to $50/barrel a year ago --> https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/weekly/crude.php Every $1/bbl increase in crude oil price translates to a 2.5 cents/gallon increase in gasoline and diesel prices. At what diesel price do diesel pusher motorhomes become a family toy that is too expensive to use?

Timetraveler -- My father (who passed away two years ago at the age of 93) was a staff sergeant in WWII and the Korean War and also like "Army Coffee". For many years following the Korean War, he brewed Folgers or Maxwell House coffee as in the 1960's and 1970's that was all that was available in Wyoming. My career with Conoco (now Phillips 66) took me to Lake Charles, LA for a few years where I had him try Community Coffee with Chicory and Community Between Roast (a medium-dark roast coffee). He loved them both! Every few months I would send him several one pound bags. Community has three medium-dark roasts coffees I love -- Between Roast, Café Special and House Blend. Community was late getting into the Keurig arena as they wanted full assurance that packaging their coffee into K-Cups would provide the same quality hot coffee drink their customers have enjoyed for decades. Just a couple of year ago, Community began selling their coffee in K-Cups. Their is no difference in a cup of Community Coffee brewed from a K-cup or from a ten cup coffee maker. Community Coffee K-Cups and one pound bags are available in stores from Houston to New Orleans or can be ordered from the Community Coffee website --> https://www.communitycoffee.com/ Give Community Coffee a try and enjoy some southern comfort ! I make a cup each morning in my Keurig to enjoy during my drive to work at Phillips 66 HQ.

For a "motorhome owner with career" like me, a four day summer weekend adventure is more environmentally friendly than staying at home -- a 300-400 mile round trip to a nice RV resort or state park, only cool 350 square feet of living area, heat a 10 gallon hot water tank instead of heating a 50 gallon tank, wash pots and dishes by hand than by dish washer, etc. During a summer weekend at home in Houston, I would probably drive 200 miles doing errands or shopping, keep a 3800 square feet home cool and comfortable, etc. and "burn" more energy during a stay at home weekend.

It's not a county or state fair, but a fantastic event each year in Wyoming is the ten day long Cheyenne Frontier Days. This year's Cheyenne Frontier Days is July 20-29, 2018 which aligns nicely with the FMCA International Convention in Gillette, Wyoming July 18 - 21, 2018. As a native Wyomingite, I spent time at several Frontier Days performing in the big Frontier Days Parade with high school and U of Wyoming marching bands and enjoying rodeos events concerts and other stuff with then girlfriend and now wife of 37 years. More info about Cheyenne Frontier Days is available at the "official" website --> http://www.cfdrodeo.com/ Then after Frontier Days, head west 175 miles and spend time in Saratoga, Wyoming and the Snowy Range (Medicine Bow National Forest) to enjoy the great camping, fly fishing, hiking and hot springs in the area. Someday I'll reach retirement and will have time for a two - three week adventure to my native Wyoming. Now I'm homesick.....

Punxsyjumper -- I think you are the first fellow Damon Astoria owner I've seen on the forum! I don't think there are any major differences between my 2007 version and your 2011 so perhaps we can share both good (and not so good) stories and experiences with our Astorias. That dang thing called a career got in the way of the wife and I becoming "first timers" at Perry, GA. The job will also get in the way of us going to Gillette which is very disappointing as we both grew up in Wyoming and are UW alums. The next five years until retirement can't go fast enough! The 401k should be large enough by then.....

I read through my Progressive policy which has the following Exclusions language "Coverage under this Part IV (Vehicle Damage) will not apply for loss to any vehicle that is due and confined to road damage to tires". I contacted Progressive and the rep I talked to said that Progressive won't replace tires that are damaged by a pot hole. If the motorhome is damaged by a tire going flat / blow-out, Progressive will pay for body and/or frame repairs but will not pay for a new tire....

Lyle -- I need to divert the discussion to the loss of your Damon motorhome and Norcold 1200 refrigerator. I have a 2007 Damon Astoria 3774 in which a new Norcold NX641 refrigerator (which is a single door model) was installed when I purchased the motorhome. I'd like to know how your Norcold 1200 frig caused a fire and concerns I should have with my NX641 frig. On a LSU football weekend, I pack my Norcold before I leave the Houston area and operate the frig on propane during the 300 mile, six to eight hour journey (depending on traffic) to Baton Rouge rather that run the generator. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

Skyking -- I'll just echo everything said about a Jeep Wrangler with an automatic transmission. My 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara has had zero problems on my 600 mile round trips (about once per month) from Houston to many places of enjoyment (i.e. long weekend adventures). Per the owner's manual the transfer case goes into neutral and the transmission goes into park all in 20 seconds or less. Jim S. -- I have to laugh at the "Mall Crawler" designation for your 2016 Wrangler! My Wrangler is my everyday drive to/from work vehicle (in addition to being my toad). In the horrendously slow Houston traffic, I guess I need to name my Wrangler the "Creepy Crawler" as I creep along I-10 at 5:30 p.m. after work each day at a top speed of 10 mph !

As a kid growing up in Wyoming during the 1970's/80's I can sympathize with you folks still fighting snow and cold during what is "Spring" on the calendar! Folks around the greater Houston area this morning had to "struggle" with abnormally "cold" temps in the mid 40's and an abnormally dry afternoon with humidity only at 30% with a bright, sunny sky and 65 F temp. It' much too gorgeous of a day to have to sit behind a desk! I'd rather be with the motorhome at a Texas State Park enjoying this terrific weather!

In Lake Charles, LA where my kids and grandkids live, fried fish (heck fried everything) is an everyday meal ! Fried catfish. Fried crawfish. Fried shrimp. Fried blue crabs. Fried crab fingers. Fried oysters. Pistolettes stuffed with crawfish followed by a quick dip in the fryer to crispen the bread. During Lenten season the Knights of Columbus at Catholic Churches in Lake Charles and the Houston area "fish fry Fridays". I've yet to meet a group of Knights that were not great cooks! If anyone is ever in Lake Charles my favorite meal is 1/2 & 1/2 Crawfish -- 1/2 plate of fried crawfish plus 1/2 plate of crawfish etoufffe at Pat's of Henderson restaurant. Pat's also has great tasting fried alligator which is kind of a fish??

The weekend weather in Katy / Houston area is starting to frustrate a lot of folks. This coming weekend, March 10 & 11, will be the EIGHT consecutive weekend with rain!!. All of the nice sunny weather is happening in the middle of the week. Not much incentive to take the motorhome for a weekend adventure to do nothing but count raindrops! Someday this thing called a career will pass and then the wife and I can enjoy any day of the week in a nice RV resort somewhere. And now I have upset grandchildren because career demands made me forget to get a reservation in a Texas State Park near Houston for Memorial Day weekend. All of the spots for a 40 foot motorhome are now gone! I'm in the family dog house for a while....

That cold front in Burnet, TX several hours has brought some great weather to the Houston area today and through the weekend -- sunny with highs in the mid-70's and lows around 60 F. Saturday looks like a good day to give my motorhome a much needed bath to clean it of the wet road grime from my rainy, cold Wine Lover's Festival trip three weeks ago the Hill Country. Those headed to Louisiana the next few days should have a lot of fun and "patio season" weather. For the folks in the northeast all I can say from Houston is "I'm sorry". You'll get current Houston weather sometime in June

"Skeeters" in southern Louisiana are a way of life. At dusk and dawn during the spring, summer and fall, it's humans vs. skeeters and only the strongest will win! Deep Woods Off usually gives the humans a fighting chance! The Lafayette / Breaux Bridge / Henderson area of south Louisiana are great for activities, sight seeing and especially dining. The wife and I have stayed at Cajun Palms RV Resort which is located near Henderson. It is a great place to stay. We'll have to try Poche's RV Park during our next visit to the Lafayette area. And now on this Tuesday morning I'm hungry for a Cajun omelet, a beignet and a cup of dark roast Community coffee at Chez Jacqualine's in Breaux Bridge.