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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: What is the etiquette??
11 P M is late. But backing in may take a few min. Visibility is limited at night. Leveling is important. Up to there is OK; turning on music or loud talking is not.
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thataway
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03/21/12 01:22am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: 4 down dinghy SUV which will tow 5000 lbs
Just a follow up--we did feel that towing the 4500 lb boat was going to be pushing the Honda Pilot. We looked at the Traverse (Acadia/Enclave) and Grand Cherokee--and none really had what we felt was enough "truck"
We settled on a Yukon SL (Suburban type) with the two speed/neutral transfer case, to allow us to dinghy tow (these are getting to be really hard to find!).
Now I have to read up on the best way to sell the 2003 Honda Pilot toad. It has been a great vehicle and hate to part with it!
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thataway
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03/16/12 01:57pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: 2003 Honda Odyssey is towable behind motorhome?
I have towed a 2003 Honda Pilot--same transmission--over 80,000 miles. First behind a 30 foot gasser V10. Now a 8.3L diesel. Weight is not a problem with these vehicles for most RV's. Many gassers are rated to tow 5,000 lbs, our pusher is rated for 10,000 lbs.
The 2003 Odyssey weight is about 4,400 lbs.
You want a brake supplement. We use a bake buddy.
The lights have to be hooked up. We had this done professionally.
Run the engine thru the gears--but never go reverse to neutral for tow--go low gears to drive to neutral. 5 minutes at start and every 300 miles is fine. We did put in a charging circuit because of battery drain by brake buddy.
Tow in neutral, key in first off position--turn all radios etc off. Check to be sure that the wheel is free to turn. Check in re view mirror on your first turn. Be sure that tow bar is level (we have a 4" step up adaptor to our hitch.
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thataway
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03/06/12 04:43pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: 4 down dinghy SUV which will tow 5000 lbs
Marv,
That might be the best adivice I have received. A few dents and dings, but the engine and running gear is fine. I might put air bags in the rear, but as I look at "new" they are over 40K--and if this does it for a couple of years for an old man--that is fine.
Thanks to all!
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thataway
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03/03/12 09:55pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Towing a 2005 Tahoe with a V10
I had a 30 foot H R with the V10. We put a clss 1V hitch on and upgraded the transmission, Towed 7500 lb boat ( electric over hydraulic brakes)--no problems over both American and Canadian Rockies to SE AK. But you have to do the appropriate mods, and have someone who know what they are doing. The engine was fine. Enough power--not like a diesel'
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thataway
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03/03/12 09:42pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: 4 down dinghy SUV which will tow 5000 lbs
Thanks for the responses. The current Honda Pilot is still not rated to be towed 4 down. You are correct--no problems with 85,000 miles driving and a about 70,000 miles being towed.
We did notice that the Jeep Grand Cherokee came out #9 in the Robb report, ahead of the Jag XKRS and behind the Nissan GTR! We will look at that, and the Arcadia/Traverse.
We have towed the 4500 lbs with the pilot even over Western grades, but it is probably at the limit--the Pilot is rated for 3500 "house trailer" and 4500 boat--the difference being the tongue weight, and perhaps some of the aerodynamics.
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thataway
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02/19/12 09:49am |
Dinghy Towing
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4 down dinghy SUV which will tow 5000 lbs
Our current Toad is getting long in the tooth (2003 Honda Pilot) and we are looking for a new SUV type, which can be towed 4 down, and have a towing capacity of 5000 lbs (we tow a 4500 lb C Dory on occasion). We don't want a truck and have reservations about "jeeps". Any suggestions?
Thanks!
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thataway
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02/13/12 02:45pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Driving Snow - Ok or no way?
We used to take the kids skiing in the RV, and did lots of Western Mountain driving. However, we always had chains, even for a diesel. Second--you do not want to be caught in a "white out"--
If any question pull off the road and wait it out--preferably in an RV park, if you can find one open. Be sure to have plenty of fuel for the generator, and if you are off the highway be sure that a snow plow can get around you--and yet not pile up snow making it difficult for your to get out, when conditions improve.
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thataway
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12/10/11 09:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Camp Ground on St. John's River FL
Thank you--and some good places to do my research on!
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thataway
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10/11/11 01:45pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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Camp Ground on St. John's River FL
We are looking for a good campground on the St. John's River; area between Palatka and outside of Jacksonville. I noted "Half Shell" advertised. Any experience or suggestions in this area? This is an "exploratory" trip, and only taking an inflatable, rather than a larger boat. Thanks.
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thataway
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10/10/11 11:34pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Alaska
We took about 4 months--and still didn't have enough time (started in May, returned in Sept)
Definitely spend a week in Denali-- we did not have reservations--but dry camped nearby (no hook ups in the park either)--and got a permit in several days. We were able to get a second week in the campground once we were there. We took the bus every day and hiked different places. Great wild life.
Get the "Milepost" before the trip and look up places to visit.
We did not tow our "Toad" but took a motor cycle on a rack--and found that was an excellent solution to "dinghy". We also took a 10 1/2 foot inflatable, and a couple of inflatable kayaks--lots of good water sports places (as well as fishing).
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thataway
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10/01/11 07:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Travelling in Europe
We RVed in a VW van in Europe a few years ago. The VW van was fine size wise, but there are few RV's the size of our class A RV's in Europe. Many towns will have narrow streets which may be an issue if you have a large class A.
Also there are not as many fuel stops which are as convent as we have in the US for large class A RV's.
Great place to visit however...
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thataway
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10/01/11 07:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Driver's seat comfort--How best to avoid the "sweaty back"?
We have "artificial Sheepskin" covers which fit over the Flex steel seats. I also use a back support which which has a mesh which allows good air circulation--about 4" off of the seat.
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thataway
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08/23/11 03:45pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New House batteries
I had new batteries when I purchased my coach a year ago. (Interstate 6 volt golf carts are what were provided by the dealer) One of the cases is already leaking. I am told that full replacement is only for one year--and that prorated Interstates are going to cost me $115 each (all four), and $57 each labor to replace. I am not a fan of Interstate batteries. I will replace with Trojans.
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thataway
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08/23/11 03:33pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: To make the leap or not?
I have owned motorized RV's for 50 years. We used them during our working years, as well as retirement.
I would disagree with your idea of buying new--especially in that price range. You will get bottom of the line gas unit. Big depreciation.
If you buy a 10 year old diesel unit, for the same price--and it will keep its value far better, be more comfortable to live in and drive, as well as being a much higher end unit.
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thataway
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08/23/11 03:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: a/c units
Probably two 15,000 BTU units will work on a 40 foot Bus if you have excellent insullation. --but why re-invent the wheel. RV AC units are not that expensive, and work very well. I use them on boats as well as RV's--and I have been running one unit nearly continously for the last 6 years--still works fine.
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thataway
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08/23/11 03:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2010 Winnebago 40L. . .from Hell !
We had the following problems with a 1991 Winnebago 38' diesel pusher: Service brakes failed--bad master cylinder after multiple trips to various service agencies. (electric over hydraulic brakes--not air) That unit had no "parking break--just an Allison transmission which you could crash into "Park" one time. The 100 gallon water tank fell out of the bottom of the coach and wedged against the rear wheels. The accellorator jammed wide open (cable jacket wore thru, and ice formed to freeze the cable.) Someone put a gasoline filter in the diesel line--and engine lost power due to disintregration of the filter and plugging of the line. Those were the major items--there were many other minor problems. We were also faced with "we can not get to it for several months". We threatened to take the unit to FMCA annual meeting and park it with cardboard lemons on the sides over the phone in a conference call with the dealer, service center and Winnebago. The factory did get us into a service center the next day. We found out later that the unit had actually been sold, and then returned as a "Lemon"--we were told it was a Demo! I have not owned a Winnebago since. I am sure that there are a number of good units built by Winnebago, but they will never get my money again.
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thataway
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08/23/11 03:12pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Buying a used or new Class "A"
Just a warning; some California state parks are as much as $65 a night in season. Shop around and stay for a month--use the "Toad" for exploration. Make a plan where you want to go and stay ahead of time.
Also factor in repairs--if you are DIY or have to have professional help in maintance can make a difference. I have had good luck buying a coach several years old, rather than new, and not take the initial "hit". Watch out for some of the membership camp grounds--investigate what is available and how long you can stay, as well as other yearly fees.
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thataway
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08/14/11 06:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How do I retract one side at a time?
I have the same unit--not possible to retract one at a time.
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thataway
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08/14/11 05:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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