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studebrucer

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Posts posted by studebrucer

  2. Posted · Report reply

    I have a 2014 Venatna LE, with Dometic slide toppers. the topper on my widest slide has loosened . it is noisy in the wind and I am worried about it tearing. I have contacted Dometc and they were no help.I have viewed videos on You Tube, but they cover replacement. Seems it should be easy enough to adjust the tension. Can anyone offer a "How To"

  4. Posted · Report reply

    We have a 2014 Newmar Ventana LE. the washer drips randomly when off. I checked the valves and hoses. Removed, cleaned and reinstalled.No sign of leakage at these points. last time we used it n the evening, i heard it begin dripping at 4:00 AM. the problem seems to be only on the cold water, side. Aside from the dripping sound. We have water in the catch pan, but no sign of  leak. if I turn off the cold water valve, the leak stops. Before I remove the machine and begin to disassemble ,then  hopefully find the problem. I thought I would check to see if anyone has had a similar problem.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    So, we just read the content previously posted on the question of caravan or not. Alaska is on my wife's bucket list, so we are going. We called fantasy tours yesterday, and was surprised by the $9800 00 price tag .Just this past March at the Perry convention it was offered for $6000.00. We are full timing, but only since this past October. We have heard of the challenges the terrain can put on your coach. So we thought the caravan would be best. We cannot discern a clear answer from the previous post. At $9800.00 do those who have made the trip, caravan or not ,believe it s worth the cost, or at that price , better to take the risk of going on your own?

  6. Posted · Report reply

    We purchased a Garmin 770 , to keep us out of trouble when traveling. Thus far we have not hit an overpass we could not pass under, and have not had to disconnect the toad, for the dreaded unexpected back up. However it is not perfect.

    we have a class A 12 ‘ 6 “ high, 35 long not including the toad. We are planning a trip from Athens Tennessee to Wilmington NC. The Garmin is taking us down to Columbia SC , then up to Wilmington. Seems like there should be a more direct route. Any suggestions?

  7. Posted · Report reply

    We have been on the road for two moths, 6 more to go. The coach is filthy on the outside. We have not stayed anywhere that will allow us to wash the coach. 

    Has anyone fond a nationally based Truck or RV wash they re satisfied with? Any ideas on a reasonable cost?  Is this a service you can pulling off the road, and have the coach cleaned while you wait?

    Thanks

  8. Posted · Report reply

    We bought our 2014 coach in April. We took several small trips , to test everything and begin to get our coach legs under us. All worked well. Beginning the first week of October, we started extended travels. We spent the entire month in the coach traveling New England. Sometime during these travels the drivers side bedroom slide, began not completely extending. The trouble seems to be the right top corner as your facing the slide. I watched as my wife extended the slide. The mechanism is all at the base of the slide, so I was not surprised to see the top of the slide at an angle as the slide extended. However the top right falls behind, by about 2 inches. I can push it out easily from the inside,once the slide is extended, to seal against the coach wall. I called Newmar, they tell me it is just an adjustment, but must be done by a dealer. If it is just an adjustment, I would prefer to do it myself. We are living in the coach now, and I do not want to be at a dealer for an extended time.

    Any solutions?

  9. Posted · Report reply

    We purchased a 2014 Honda CRV, because it is the last year before the CVT trans, which means it is the last year you can flat  tow. Our first trip was about 6 hours, car started with out a problem. Next tow was about 5 hours and the battery was dead. The battery is the original. I believe the problem is the battery. I'm hoping replacing with a deep cycle will do the trick. Before I spend the extra for a deep cycle, I wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience, and what their solution was.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, richard5933 said:

    There are several travel plazas on the Ohio Turnpike with RV services, including hookups and dump station. There is a fee to use and the hours for overnight are restricted. I believe that the Ohio sites are listed on their Turnpike website.

    Thanks, but I am lead to believe the interstates restops have them for no fee.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you all for your replies. My decision was actually made by happenstance. A friend, now of a widow, who had sold her coach, after her husband had passed. For some reason she had kept the towing package. I was able to buy the Roadmaster tow bar, even brake, and wireless lights for roughly half price. May have been used once or twice. I am having the base-plates installed on our Honda CRV  this week. Then we are ready to tow. Before we head off into the sunset, I still need a Kayak and bike carrier. My preference would be a combo roof system to mount to the CRV. Has anyone had any experience in this area?

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Still rookies, so continue to forgive the ignorance. We are going to purchase a 2014 Honda CRV to flat tow. Last year before the CVT trans. We own a 3433 Ventana LE. I have narrowed down our choices to Blue OX or Road Master. Looking at the choices, you can pick either RV mount bars or car mount. RV bars are significantly more expensive. Can anyone explain the practical differences? Any recommendations on which style to go with and why?

  15. Posted · Report reply

    We are new owners of a 2014, 3433 Newmar Ventana LE. We cannot connect the stinky slinky, through the whole in the bottom of the bay to the coach connection. I have tried a 45, and 90 degree elbow, but they do not solve the problem. Not an earth shattering issue, we can always connect before we dump, but I would like to be able to connect and close the bay door. Nothing special or modified about our coach, so we cannot be the only coach with this challenge. Hoping for a solution.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    So ,we are new to the RV scene. We have just purchased a 3433 Newmar Ventana LE. I have learned from research that the brakes on our all but 35  footer are the same up to 40 feet. We are going to tow a Prius, on a tow dolly. I thought I would get a dolly with out brakes. Less expensive and less to maintenance and repair.  My logic, if the brakes are good for a 40 footer, they should be good for our 35 and Prius. When I was speaking with a salesperson, he told me that many states require brakes on tow dolly's.   So question 1- What do you think of my logic? Question 2- Is it true that many states require brakes? The answer to 2 may dictate my choice.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    We recently purchased a 2015 Newmar Ventana LE. I was dissappointed the in dash stereo, does not have GPS or Bluetooth.  I have read the forum, and do not see anyone identifying a good solution for all three. We would like the GPS to be able to input our size and weight to avoid those frustrating turnarounds at low crossings. Is there such a unit?  I would prefer not to add an additional screen to the dash or a sit on top of dash, if possible.

     

  18. Posted · Report reply

    59 minutes ago, jleamont said:

    I have the same model Surgeguard, no issues with the unit, its 4 years old and has saved us several times. 

    I run EEZtire system. Had a Tire Minder, tossed the entire system into the trash last year. I have heard their later model is better, after my experience it wouldn't make a difference, their customer support was also terrible.

    TPMS is a great investment, but more importantly it has to operate in a way it makes sense, the older tire minder I had didn't do that. I had such a bad experience with Tire Minder I called EEZ Tire and spoke to their engineer, interrogated him for a good 15 minutes, he assured me I would not have those problems gave me his cell phone number if I did :o. Never called him, system is a year old now and works great!

    This is our 3rd TPMS in 10 years, I had Pressure Pro 1st, great system but the sensors were expensive when they needed batteries. 

    https://www.eezrvproducts.com/

    Thanks for the link

  19. Posted · Report reply

    18 hours ago, WILDEBILL308 said:

    Congratulations on the new coach. I use and recommend the Surge Guard 34850 Portable Model with LCD Display - 50 Amp. I like being able to test the power in a spot before parking or testing outher sites if the power is bad where you are without moving the coach.

    I would talk to Tire Man about the Tire Minder. 

    I use a Camco set up like this. I have 4 sections of hose and have needed all of it at some places. Never buy the cheap ones where you have to screw the ends on the hose or use clamps.

    https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Revolution-Swivel-Fittings-Adapter/dp/B0024E6W02

    Bill

     

    Bill, Thanks for the link.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    We are now first time coach owners. We made our purchase while in Perry. We will be picking up our coach next week, 2014 Newmar Ventana LE. Perry was quite an education for us. I left Perry believing there are a few must have accessories. Surge Protectors is one. We looked at a few in the vendor's area. One that stood out for me was Techno RV Surge Guard 34950.  Has anybody  had any experience with their products? They also have a Tire monitoring System, TST TPMS. Same question, any experience?

    Another Tire Monitoring system which seemed good was from Tire Minder, any experience with this one?

    RVI had a nice Tire monitoring system , it creates it's own WiFi, so you do not need to mount a remote booster. It seemed, simple straight forward. Two possible down sides. You have to send the screw on sensors back to RVI to replace the batteries, every 2 to 3 years. The monitoring screen is actually a mini IPad device. Clearly identifies the tires and can be used to create a checklist. however, do I want a screen of this size in the cockpit? Unfortunately , it cannot function as GPS.

    Lastly,

    I attended a couple of seminar's by the RV Doctor. He strongly recommended , replacing the stinky slinky with the Waste Master Sewer Hose by Lippert. I checked Amazon, it is around $130.  Looking at reviews on Amazon, it gets mixed reviews. Seems as tough it might be more easily installed in a fiver or trailer than in the bay of a class A. Thoughts, Experience?

  21. Posted · Report reply

    So while in Perry , I went to a seminar on extended warranty. The presenter thought an "exclusion policy" was a better policy.  Any body have any experience with this type of warranty?

    When I think about slide issues and leveling jacks on an a class a, I would think the warranty could pay for itself quickly. We are about to pick up our first coach first week of April , 2014 Newmar Ventana LE. they of course want to speak with us about an extended warranty , as we finalize the paperwork.

     

  22. Posted · Report reply

    I had not hard of Jeanie before, my wife had. she was most enjoyable.  we are in the midst of getting our home ready to sell, te transition to full time, is intense. we will probably not begin RV life until August. we will take at least a couple get to know the coach weekend trips. look forward to meeting you.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Well, we just completed our first rally in Perry. We are so incredibly glad we went! My wife and I split up to cover as many of the seminars as possible. We learned things about RVs that we would never have thought to ask.We feel this experience has better prepared us for our first coach. 

    The week before the event we went shopping at the majors in Florida. I am pleased to say we put a deposit on a coach. There was definitely comprising involved. I got to buy a newer budget busting coach, and my wife got a smaller coach. We bought a 2014 Newmar Ventana LE, 3433. It only has 17000 miles on it. We spoke with the former owners, they full timed in the coach for 2 years. We are heading back to FT Meyer FL first week of April to pick it up.

    While at a rest stop on the way to Perry we ran into a couple who have been full timing for 7 years, they have a 3412 Ventana. Between the former owners and this couple, plus our comfort level with the size and floor plan, we feel we made the right choice for us.

    We joined FMCA because many of the coach owners we spoke with recommended FMCA as a good resource for our learning curve. Prior to Perry, I agreed, now having been at Perry, I am a believer!

  24. Posted · Report reply

    21 hours ago, RedandSilver said:

    I understand some people like State and National parks, But is that ALL your planning to stay at?  There are a lot of other places that are really nice too.

    Some of those S & N Parks will be booked a year or more in advance so you may not be able to get in no matter what size RV you have.  So staying at a campground just outside the park will likely be able to handle a 40' RV with a toad without any problem. 

    I can tell you this, I have a 40' unit and I'm alone and wouldn't want anything smaller.  The unit I have I bought from a couple that were going to buy a 45' RV so they could full time in.  So my point is, get the bigger unit now.  It will save you from having to upgrade again, if ever. 

    A few things to think about are:

    Do you want a washer/dryer in the RV?  These are more commonly found in the larger units since there is more room for them.  Larger tanks on larger units is normal.

    There is a huge difference between 30amp and 50amp and most larger RV's will have the 50 but smaller one's (like 32 -34ft) might not and only have the 30amp setup.

    It's good you plan on talking to people at the FMCA rally - but if you have any parks near you - go visit them in your car and talk to campers that are there now (for advice) and see if there are any spots that could hold a 40' RV.  Just remember if you only visit one park that won't tell you too much.

    Good luck with what ever you decide on.   PLEASE post what you decided on and why so others can learn from you.

     

     

     

    Thanks for the follow up to all. This info has been very helpful. My wife is now open to larger coaches. We are very excited about  Perry .

    I'm hoping after Perry we can make our purchase. All depends on what is in stock.

    I have seen attractive coaches and pricing in Texas and Arizona. Have any of you traveled that far to make a purchase? ( we live in Maryland)  I do not mind the travel, I worry that once seeing the coach in person, it may not be in the kind of condition as represented.  Even a Big Mac looks good in commercials :)

  25. Posted · Report reply

    On 9/23/2017 at 6:29 AM, manholt said:

    Thank you, for staying in touch !  :)

    If you come across a coach that you and your wife (especially wife) want, then please list the make, year, model and VIN#.  We have members that can do a background check on any problems, like a accident in the past or engine problems, and give you a feed back.

    Good hunting!

    Can you share how long this process takes, and what this research reveals?

    Thanks

    B

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