Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July

[Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July]

1 hour ago, nitehawk said:

Sometimes "Bigger isn't always better". Reminds me of that old joke about Two guys from Northern Wisconsin. They bought a truck, drove to Chicago and bought a load of chickens at $4.00 apiece. They drove home and sold the chickens for $3.00 apiece. After three trips one guy said they were losing money. The other guy replied that he was way ahead of him. His answer was: "We'll get a bigger truck!"

For a business to survive it must remain current with product, efficient with operations, and willing to accept that merely getting bigger doesn't guarantee success.

Good analogy.  Some years ago at Perry, when I was the crew leader for family electric, I parked about 15 trailers across the road from my section.  There were a couple of them that wanted to be close to their friends who had motorhomes.  They were harder to park, partly because most of them don't know how to backup.  I guess that is why many campgrounds advertise pull throughs.  After they were all parked the big wigs came to see how they looked.

[2017 Thor 35SD]

I would not consider that class c.  When I changed engines on my last coach, which was a diesel pusher, all I had to do to fully access the engine and trans was to remove the rear door.  That was a easy as removing the hood from a regular truck.  Everything slid out the back.  I replaced the mechanical Cummins for a electronic ISB and 4 speed Allison to a 6 speed.

[Jayco Alante 26Y Driveability]

On 5/15/2017 at 1:32 PM, desertdeals69 said:

One should do research on handling before considering buying a coach.  Very important is the WB/OL which should be more than 54%.  When I had my coach weighed mine was just at that point and I have a 36 ft diesel pusher.  My coach tracks very good and is easy to drive.

This was intended for prospective buyers not criticism of the current owner.

[Surge Protector Recommendations]

Mine is hard wired and then goes to the Hughes Autoformer  then to the breaker panel, all inside the compartment, no weather or theft concerns.

[Surge Protector Recommendations]

I use Surge Guard hard wired with remote readout.

[Door Squeaking While Traveling]

I found ours was squeaking from the weather seal.  I sprayed it with dry silicone and it quit.

[Air Force 1 vs Roadmaster Brakemaster Systems]

5 hours ago, fagnaml said:

For my Jeep Wrangler I have the Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain tow bar and the Roadmaster Invisibrake supplemental brake system.   My "refinery operations manager" experience didn't like the idea of tapping into my motorhome's air system for the M&G and AF-1 systems and have more connections where an air leak could occur.  During the two years I've had the Invisibrake system it has worked flawlessly.

Here's a link to info about the Invisibrake system --> http://roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/invisibrake/index.html

Nice to converse with a fellow Damon Astoria owner!!

 

If you hook your air correctly you do not effect the stock air brake system.  There is an air relay valve and a pressure tank which is totally independent of the rear air brake system.  With this system if the brake air line going to the toad is severed it has no effect on the coach braking system.  The air pressure going to the toad is fully proportional.

[Noisy Roof A/C-Heat Pump]

I have used the screwdriver many times.  Place your palm over the end of the handle and put your ear on the back of your hand.  If the sound is coming from the compressor itself, probably the complete unit needs replacing.  Replacing just the compressor is cost prohibitive.

[Noisy Roof A/C-Heat Pump]

I would take the shroud off and have it running and listen to the compressor with a stethoscope that mechanics use to determine where the noise is coming from.  It may be something like a loose mount on the compressor or something else loose and rattling.

[Kwikkee Steps Not Working]

3 hours ago, QuiGonJohn said:

Herman, did Blues2go take you up on that?  If not, I could use them.  Have my RV at the shop and they say motor is bad, but since it works sometimes, I think it might also be a gear and not the actual motor.  When I get the RV back I will be pulling the motor and checking it out.

Also, I thought when I first started this thread I had come across a link for the motor, I think it was about $67.  Well I cannot find that and once again I tried using the SEARCH.  I went to the MAIN PAGE for the FORUM, I did a SEARCH of ALL CONTENT on both "steps" and then also on "kwikkee".  I did not come up with any other related thread, except this thread, (and when I put in "step" a whole bunch of others, "the first step is to ...").

Can someone help with a link?

Also, how can I tell if my motor is right hand or left hand, as mentioned in Wayne's post.  Looking at it, I suppose it depends on the angle you view it from.

Go to an auto parts store like Auto Zone and get a 89 Ford LTD drivers door window motor (If I remember correctly).  They have the picture of it so you can match it up and it comes with the gear box.  It was about $46.

[Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July]

Very good points.

[Air Force 1 vs Roadmaster Brakemaster Systems]

On 6/4/2017 at 8:12 AM, WILDEBILL308 said:

Interesting that on page 4 of your owners manuel it says.

Always release the stored vacuum in the towed
vehicle’s power brake system before towing — pump
the brake pedal several times.
Depending on the make and model of the towed
vehicle, it may be necessary to pump the brake pedal
repeatedly to release the vacuum.
If the vacuum is not released, the supplemental
braking system will apply excessive braking force
when it is activated, which will cause severe tire and/
or brake system damage to the towed vehicle.

Bill

By the time you check the brake lights you have bled the the small amount of vacuum in the chamber and everything is ok.

[Allowing Towables Vote At Indianapolis In July]

3 hours ago, Tomas24 said:

Other thoughts about towables, if FMCA changes itself to allow towables, it can never go back to a motorcoach only club. There are clubs for towables now; Airstream has several, Coachmen Owners Association even Good Sam. FMCA would still have to compete with these clubs and what would FMCA offer that would be unique and what would draw people with towables in? All clubs are shrinking for many reasons. FMCA will have the same membership problems with or without towables. The unique feature FMCA offers it's membership is it's long history as a motorcoach club. Having a motorcoach is the common thread.  Without that it is just another camping club.

If the powers that be are dead set about inviting towables, why not stick to the original plan of having a separate club? That way we'll see if we can attract and sustain significant towable membership before changing the core FMCA and its history forever?

I totally agree.

[Slideout Problem-- Blowing Fuse]

I would disconnect the wire at the motor and see if there is current draw at the fuse when the switch is closed.  Then check the current draw with an amp meter at the motor.  Too high amps could be defective motor or overloaded.  Also check the voltage, low voltage increases the amp draw.

[Air Conditioning Comparison]

I live in the Arizona desert and it seems that everyone that has basement air complains but also those with inadequate roof airs also complain.  The coach must be well insulated and dual pane windows and large enough roof ac units.

[Big Slide Will Not Retract & Is Cocked Slightly]

Is your coach perfectly level?  Mine hangs up if body is tweaked a little.

[Do I Need A Progressive Surge Protector]

Unless you know for sure which protector they installed new I would go with a known good one.  When building a new coach its a question of who has more authority, the engineer or the bean counter.

[Tire Shelf-Life and Life-Cycle Concerns]

I will not accept a new tire older than 4 months.  When I order tires from my supplier I make it known that if they are older than 4 months I won't take them off their truck.  Just got 4 tires in April and they were 2 months old.

[New Tire Shelf Life]

I bought 4 new tires for my rear axle and I told my supplier that they must be current.  This was the middle of April and I got tires that were made in Feb. 2017.  I don't think anyone should accept tires that are older than about 4 months.

[Forum Get Together In Indianapolis]

I'm looking forward to the get together.

[Power Lift For Mobility Scooter]

You need 8-10 gauge wire for 40 amp circuit.  The larger the wire the lower the voltage drop,  and the motor runs more efficiently on higher voltage.

[Power Lift For Mobility Scooter]

How much current does your lift draw?  My guess is that the trailer connector is fused at somewhere around 10-20 amps and a power lift could draw 10 times that much.  If thats the case you need to wire a heavy cable (8-10 gauge wire} and fused appropriately.  

[Four Wheels Down Towing with E450 V10]

7 hours ago, DP26 said:

Prob is correct with possible 7500. My e450 has 22k gcvw and an appropriate hitch setup.

The hitch may handle 7500 pounds but that doesn't guarantee that the coach will pull it and stop it.

[Monaco Replacement Air Bags]

I don't know the life span of the air bags but you don't hear of them failing.  I remember back in the 70s the GMC mh air bag would blow just sitting still.  About 1978 I was at FMCA convention and I heard a bag blow.  The owners of those coaches always carried at least one extra air bag and sometimes two.

[Cross Country Trip, Reservations Yes/No]

6 hours ago, jleamont said:

DD, where in VA? PM me if you want. There are a few along the beach areas to avoid. Just trying to save you as headache..... Unless you want to be a fill bystander on an episode of C.O.P.S

My advancing years caused my memory to have a malfunction.  The campground is in South Carolina.  It is a Thousand Trails, Carolina Landing in Fairplay, SC.  Thanks for the concern.