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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Michelin XZE vs XRV Tires
I switched to XZE tires after I had a sidewall blowout on an XRV. I don't read about blowouts on XRV now and would not hesitate to use them is XZE were not available. Using an XRV and an XZE on the same dual is not a good idea because they have a slightly different diameter. It will cause wear.
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J Walker
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02/04/12 03:02pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Engine noise or distortion in backup monitor
Another possibility is that the camera mount might allow it to vibrate.
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J Walker
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01/31/12 07:49am |
Tech Issues
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RE: tire gauges
I had two stick gauges fail this year. Air started escaping around the stick. It makes me think that there is an O ring that needs lubricating and I didn't lube it (didn't have any idea that it was necessary). I have several gauges (none digital) and if I get two to agree that is the correct reading.
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J Walker
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01/28/12 08:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 64 bit and 32 bit Computers
I would never buy a computer from someone on eBay. Much easier to take my money and burn it in the fireplace. I buy from HP or Lenovo direct or Tigerdirect or Newegg or other top tier resellers with excellent records and low prices.
I have bought five laptops on eBay, all IBM/Lenovo and have not had a problem. I buy only laptops with factory warranties and I have needed them. The problems have not been normal laptop failures and not the condition at the time of sale. Lenove has great warranty service.
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J Walker
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01/22/12 02:57pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: 64 bit and 32 bit Computers
Thanks to all who responded. The reason I must chose between a 32 and 64 bit computer is that I buy from eBay and both are available in new and used computers. I feel assured that a 64 bit computer won't be a problem with my software, flash drives, or peripherals after reading your replies. When buying I try to move toward the newest features withing a reasonable price range. Computers become dated soon enough anyway. Thanks again.
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J Walker
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01/22/12 08:35am |
Technology Corner
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64 bit and 32 bit Computers
I am looking at buying a new laptop with a 64 bit memory and OS. My other laptop is 32 bit. Will I be able to share data between the two computers using a flash drive? Will the flash drive work on one computer but not the other? Will my 32 bit programs like MS Office work on the 64 bit computer? Thanks. Progress can be two steps forward and one step backward.
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J Walker
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01/21/12 11:21am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Blue Ridge Parkway
I say don't do it especially in a MH or trailer. The Blue Ridge Parkway is suited for short trips not through trips. The speed limit is 35 MPH and especially in N Carolina there are many ups and downs. I would use the Blue Ridge Parkway for daytrips.
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J Walker
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01/20/12 08:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: A Parallel between flying and RVing.
Here is a parallel between flying and RVing I have thought about many times. At the end of the day I have to find a place to park my MH for the night, nearly always a campground. An airplane has to find an airport to land. There are not that many places to park my MH and not that many places to land an airplane, but in both cases you have got to find one. I admit that it is more important for the airplane to find it than the MH, but when I am tired I get a little apprehensive looking for that campground.
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J Walker
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01/17/12 07:19am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Cummins C8.3 Injection Timing
My usual response is to leave it alone and rely on the factory designers to provide performance and reliability. The requirement is to inject fuel into the cylinder in time for it to be compressed to the point of combustion. Moving the time earlier than the factory design might allow more fuel to be injected and mixed better. I don't see any harm in it. The cost of the mod might be a consideration.
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J Walker
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01/16/12 07:13am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Checking Propane Tank Level
The above suggestions about how to measure volume in a tank are ok, but the tank needs to be in use meaning propane actively being used. This is necessary for the tank (container) to reflect the difference in temperature between the liquid (lower portion) and gas (upper portion) of the tank contents. This will change the vapor effect on the outside of the tank.
Not true. I have checked propane level with the hot water method with no propane being used at the time.
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J Walker
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01/13/12 07:04am |
Tech Issues
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RE: The problem with leaf springs and shocks
Leaf springs is horse/buggy technology, and it's still around. That's how good it is. However, whenever it's used for motorhomes you end up with substandard ride quality. That's true.
It takes a significant amount of money to solve the problem. I believe we all know that.
Those are broad statements that don't apply to my 2000 Ultrasport DP with leaf spring and shock suspension (XCS chassis). Freightliner and Damon must have done something right because the ride is excellent. I don't feel the bumps in the road much and I have very little sway. I have heard some with airbags complain about sway. For some reason the spring and shock suspensions nearly disappeared as Class A MHs became ever larger and heavier after 2000. It is my impression that only airbag suspensions could handle the increased weight. My GVWR is 26000 lbs which seems to be the break point, and above that airbags are required. For example for the next longer and heavier 2000 Ultrasport an XC chassis was used with airbags.
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J Walker
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01/12/12 11:07am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Checking Propane Tank Level
You can pour hot water, near boiling temperature, on the tank and find the propane level. The portion of the tank that has propane inside will be noticeably cooler than the portion above the propane level. Kits are sold to do this. You adhere a strip of plastic to the tank and the temperature is indicated by the color of the strip. I have used a kit, but found that I can accomplish the same thing by just sensing the temperature with my hand. An IR thermometer could also be used.
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J Walker
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01/10/12 11:12am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Chassis (Lube)
I lube the chassis once a year and have had no problems for 11 years. I drive between 1,000 and 6,000 miles. If I drove a lot more miles I would lube more.
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J Walker
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01/06/12 08:05am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Squeeky front springs on DP - XCS Chassis
I think that would be Glenn Hoops at Gaffney. He made the arrangements for getting the Chassis Service updates done on my XCS chassis.
That is the guy. Thanks
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J Walker
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01/06/12 07:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Squeeky front springs on DP - XCS Chassis
There is a possibility that we are not all talking about the same spacers. The one I am talking about is at the end of the leaf spring where it comes in contact with the frame. I had rubber spacers between the spring and the body originally. They wore and worked their way out. Freightliner sent me free plastic replacements that I installed and indeed the irritating squeaking went away. I can describe the plastic spacers as black and stiff. They have a concave shape which keeps them in place at the eye of the leaf spring. Any good durable plastic should work but keeping it in place without the concave property might be an issue. A spring shop should not have any trouble coming up with the spacer. They could install them at a low cost, but you can do it if you have a big pry bar. If you call Freightliner again you could ask for the tech who designed the XCS chassis. I believe his first name is Glen.
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J Walker
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01/05/12 02:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Squeeky front springs on DP - XCS Chassis
Hershey, I have the same chassis and had the same problem. I went to a Freightliner Club rally in Wyoming and chatted with the techs. One of the techs designed the XCS chassis. I learned that the initial spacer was rubber and a plastic replacement was available. He had a box of them under his desk and agreed to mail me some which he did. I installed them by using a pry bar and sliding them in. I raised the MH using the levelers. No more squeaks for about seven years. All for free. There is nothing like Freightliner support. I wish I remembered the tech's name but I don't
Thanks for that information. I'll check at the Freightliner shops along the way to see if they have the spacers available.
I feel sure that only a call to Gaffney customer service will lead you to the plastic spacer.
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J Walker
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01/04/12 10:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Filling your tires, with air of course :B
The place to look for an air fitting is on the front firewall. Some MHs come with an air chuck and some just have a plug that you can remove and install a chuck. I had the plug and installed a chuck on my DP. I bought a 50' air hose and love the convenience of built in air pressure. Many portable air compressors don't provide enough pressure for my tires.
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J Walker
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01/04/12 09:45am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Squeeky front springs on DP - XCS Chassis
Hershey, I have the same chassis and had the same problem. I went to a Freightliner Club rally in Wyoming and chatted with the techs. One of the techs designed the XCS chassis. I learned that the initial spacer was rubber and a plastic replacement was available. He had a box of them under his desk and agreed to mail me some which he did. I installed them by using a pry bar and sliding them in. I raised the MH using the levelers. No more squeaks for about seven years. All for free. There is nothing like Freightliner support. I wish I remembered the tech's name but I don't
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J Walker
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01/04/12 09:32am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: MH steps stayed down in transit!
Your troubleshooting might be correct but unless you have more info than in your post there may be more to the problem. I can't see how you could have low voltage with the engine running. I have always seen the battery voltage jump to near normal once the alternator starts charging. Two other things to check are the magnetic door switch and a loose power connector. The magnetic door switches do go bad. You can test it by shorting the two wires connected to the door frame side. A poor power connector might take longer to find.
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J Walker
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12/24/11 11:00am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Mid 90s Damon
AS you can see from my signature I have a 2000 Damon Ultrasport. I have known some who have had major problems with Damon and have read about others. Their problems were major and real. My Ultrasport has been ideal. Its cost was much lower than other brands and the quality and reliability has been superior. I have owned it since it was new. I consider my experience to be mainly good luck. For a used Damon any problems should have appeared and been fixed so that is a different situation. So for a used one look it over very carefully and if it is ok negotiate a price and enjoy. BTW the current Damons are no longer called Damons. They are called Thor Motor Homes. Thor bought Damon in 2001 and by now they have cleaned house and to the best of my knowledge have raised the level of quality and reliability. In the past you found some good Damons and some bad Damons.
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J Walker
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12/23/11 10:48am |
Class A Motorhomes
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