richard5933

So all this information still leaves a question... If I'm reading all this correctly, the inner duals had a different size valve stem than the other tires. Why? Just doesn't make sense for only two tires to have these larger valve stems. Did they expect the user to carry two sets of everything needed to maintain them (tire gauge, etc.)?

Quote put the text of what you're replying to in your response, like I just did with your post. The + symbol, I believe, allows you to do the same with quotes from multiple posts so that you can respond to the in the same response. When get into your response there will be a little popup in the lower right corner where you can select to insert the quoted material. You can also highlight text in someone's post and you'll see a popup where you can choose to insert that text as a quote in your response.

That's (I believe) built similar to the one I have, the dezl 785. I think I have 'avoid traffic' enabled, and maybe that's why mine keeps wanting to change things on my while on the road. I'll look into if further to confirm.

Which GPS did you end up with? I've got a newer Garmin, but I'm not sure that it has a route lock feature.

Curious if you checked out the route before following the GPS? There are a few good resources for finding out about the grades before heading into the hill/mountains. I've been on a thread over on iRV2 recently discussing GPS units, and I was reminded over there that a lot of people just plop the destination into the GPS and follow. Not always a good plan unless you do a bit of further research, as you seem to have discovered.

You are correct Carl - snail's pace it is. Too bad though, as it really seems that when we opened up to trailers a couple of years ago there was going to be a push to get the younger RV owners involved. It looks like we get lots of new people joining the FMCA Forum every week, but very few of them stick around or post very much, if at all. If I were in a leadership role I'd be trying to figure out why all these new forum members are not posting and why they're not sticking around or becoming FMCA members. One of the places I'd be investigating is if the lack of technology which will bring the younger people to the forum. Technology in these areas moves very quickly, and if you stick with a web-based platform and not one well-suited to smartphones you'll get left in the dust.

Congrats on planning your first cross-country trip. Be aware that if you take the northern route going west in May you will likely encounter places which are still below freezing at night. I'd agree with the others that going west via the southern route and then returning via the northern route makes more sense.

The only piece that's not a typical hardware store item is the bit that gets connected to the city water inlet. It has an extended end on it to release the check valve inside the inlet so that the air can flow. Those can sell for about $15 to nearly $100, depending on where you buy it, so the $20 for the kit seemed pretty reasonable. If you have all the parts then it would be a handy piece for the tool kit.

The price was so good on the test kit I linked to I decided to order one myself. Some assembly required, but only 5 minutes worth.

I joined about 4-5 years ago when the previous vendor was supplying the plaques. The one I was sent was a flat plastic plaque with a vinyl sticker applied to it, but there was an order form if I wanted to order a molded plastic one which looked just like the older aluminum ones. I did that and still have the molded one on the rear of the coach. On the front I had them make another vinyl sticker without the plastic backing, and then just stuck it on the front in the spot for a second license plate. Can't figure out why we went to a new vendor if they cannot supply what members want with good quality.

I've clicked the 'report post' button a bunch of times lately about these troll posts, so hopefully it's going somewhere. Always assumed that the reports go to the moderator(s) of the forum. If an FMCA membership is not needed to join the Forum, then why would they even need to fake a membership number? I don't know what the problem is exactly which has led to the recent increase in problem posting, but there is certainly a problem.

There is already a 'report' button. It's located in the upper-right hand corner of each post. Just hover your mouse cursor over the shadow icon and the words "Report Post" pop up. Maybe it needs to be made more prominent.

From what I understand the vendor did change a couple of years ago from the long-time vendor to someone new.

Looks like they're at it again. Is there anything that can be done?

Signing into the forum is not the same as signing into the membership portal. Different login credentials for both, at least for me. Most of the time I'm not logged into the FMCA membership portal but am still able to log into the FMCA Forums. Of course if I sign out of the forum I won't be able to post, that's not the question. The question is does someone need to be a paid FMCA member to sign up for the forum.

If this is true, then are people joining FMCA just so they can post junk on the forum? Doesn't seem logical. I thought that non-members could join the forums, but I don't know for certain.

Quick followup on this project as it finally nears completion. I filled the NOS airline oiler/filter with the Shutterstat fluid today and got it installed, and then was able to confirm that the shutters themselves now open and close smoothly on their own with air. Guess oiling those shutters over the past few years even though I couldn't use them paid off, as they worked great. Only one piece left to test, the Shutterstat itself. I'll need to get the engine to full temp, and then I'll be able to check to make sure that it closes the air supply to the shutters as it should, and I hope to do that this weekend when I get the coach out for its first run for the season.

Is any type of screening or verification done when new forum members sign up?

It seems to me that there has been an increase in the number of way off-topic, cryptic postings on the FMCA Forums. Has something changed with the sign-up process which has made this easier or are we just having a spat of bad luck? Is there anything that can be done on the back end to help filter these out?

Lots of good top-tier brands out there with competitive pricing on 19.5" tires. I'd feel much more comfortable driving on tires with a reputation behind them.

I've read so many reviews in the past few years and to be honest they don't hold as much weight for me as they used to. Seems like a fairly new player on the US market, at least in this part of the country. Better than user reviews, I tend to look for longevity and track record of performance, number of recalls, etc.

What's a Wanli?

I must have been reading too many safety threads recently. On first glance I thought this thread was about a coach that slide off the jacks and killed someone. Glad to find out it's 'just' an issue with the electrical system. In my experience, the vast majority of electrical problems wind up being related to ground connections. They have an amazing way of looking great but being electrically horrible.

Asking for tire brand recommendations is kind of like asking for oil brand suggestions - one of those things that are very subjective. To me, any of the top-tier tire brands are going to serve you well. Personally I prefer the Firestone offerings, but there are others who will never buy Firestone. Michelin remains popular, but they are pricey. Goodyear, Hankook, and a few other top-tier brands make tires in your size. I've been using the TireMinder TPMS system and like it. They have good customer support in my experience and so far I have not had difficulties.

Thanks for the followup. Looks like they did nice work. Lots easier and cheaper than having to replace the tank, that's for certain.