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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Transfer switch
Did I suggest switching from Shore Power to Genset while under LOAD?
Or vice versa?
:h
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UltraKen
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05/23/12 07:19am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tires and clear coat for a 38 foot beaver contessa
Just got a 2001 beaver contessa. Great deal but in need of new tires and clear coat work. Inside is very good condition
The ties that are on the coach now are Goodyear g670, q265/75r -22.5. I called on these tires, $5120 installed with an alignment in temecula valley, ca. Is that a good deal?? Any other tires recommended or not recomended? They do have g rated Toyo tires for $3120 for a set. Please give me your thoughts. Thanks in advance!!
Another is clear coat, along the top edge and a couple areas on the slide out the clear coat is pealing, what would be the best solution?
Ouch!!!
Two years ago I put Toyo's on my coach for ~$2200 out the door. I'm sure it's up a bit now but I doubt that you need to pay $3100.
You might want to read my piece on Tire selection in my signature below.
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UltraKen
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05/23/12 07:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Back-up camera
I found a system on the internet that included a color camera and a 7" monitor for just over $90.
I did a write-up of the installation that is linked in my signature below.
I'm completely satisfied with the system.
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UltraKen
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05/23/12 06:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Making choices and plans
Thanks for responding everyone, DH and I have talked about a trip into the States to check things out at some of the bigger dealerships. Ultimately in our minds, we know as long as the engine is good, and all the systems are working, that we will be happy. There will be about one more trip to view before we make the decision. I did find out that an oven in a Motorhome, is a joke, how small does something have to be to fit in there. We had a good laugh about that...I know could care less about an oven and it heating up an RV.
BTW...If we have not mentioned it lately, we appreciate the people here, your experience, and assistance with any and all questions that we have. Thanks
Let me respectfully suggest that you use some sort of motor home checklist when looking at coaches. Either the one in my signature in my post above or one that you find through Google.
Also, when you make a purchase and are going through the operation of all of the systems use a cheap digital pocket recorder to get everything down. I transcribed my recording once I got my coach home. I used a $30 Radio Shack recorder. Money well spent.
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UltraKen
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05/23/12 06:38am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Making choices and plans
My Dh and I looked at a couple of Motorhomes, on two different locations, then viewed a few that we just ran across. We like the floorplan, the storage, just a lot about the Winnebagos that we looked at. When at the second site the salesman did everything he could to say that a Winnebago was the worse thing we could buy. (No Winnebago on his site) He also said a few other things that made me walk away from his dealership....we don't much like it when we say this is what we would like and are looking for, and a salesman says no that is not what you want and are looking for. Not to mention he called me the "little woman", and suggested I go check out the kitchen area. He is still alive, my Dh got me out of there....lol.
You're lucky, or perhaps he's lucky, that he didn't ask you to do the windows while he talked to the "man of the house".
:B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B
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UltraKen
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05/23/12 06:32am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Why do I feel like appoligizing....??
We started out tent camping, graduated to a full size van. In the van I took out the rear and middle seats, built a platform above the wheel wells, put a double mattress on top and supplies under the platform. One son slept along side the platform next to the sliding door, the other on a "bed" across the front two seats. We never felt deprived.
Later, in 1991, we bought a 1968 Corvair Powered Ultra Van. Boys were out of the nest and the UV was a great little 2 person Class A.
In 2007 we bought our current coach.
The essentials are the same. We travel. We sleep in our own beds at night. We eat some meals that we prepare and some restaurant meals. The creature comforts are a little :C better, but the basics are still the same.
I wish everyone had the option of traveling the way we do, but some really like "roughing it". Both my sons do, but they've asked to borrow the Safari. :B
I don't see a need to apologize for my camping choice and I don't apologize for not sleeping on a bed of nails at home. ;)
My advice to the OP is relax and enjoy it.
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UltraKen
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05/21/12 08:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Transfer switch
I got a 2000 fleetwood Flair and I was told it don't have a transfer switch-I was told to plug the 30 amp cord into the socket when I roll up the wire and then I can use the genny which so far works great-& there is no way to run the genny when hooked to shore power which is one thing that kills transfer switchs---Rich
:h
Why would running the genset while hooked up to shore power kill the transfer switch?
It's function is to transfer your AC source from generator to shore or vice versa. I just exercised my generator yesterday and didn't bother to disconnect the shore line from the house. Switched right over, went through the normal delayed electrical start-up for the generator and worked fine. When I turned off the genset an hour later it switched back to shore power after a few seconds of no power.
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UltraKen
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05/21/12 07:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Battery water level
Should be filled just over plates.
This is what was suggested above. I have, and use, one. I always visually check to be sure it filled all the way.
Battery Filler Bottle
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UltraKen
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05/21/12 07:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: tire pressure
That nameplate was put there for the factory tires put on to sell the rig. It becomes meaningless when any other tire is put on. You need to get the chart of weight vs. air pressure for your tires. For example, I run Bridgestone tires so I would go to their web site and look up my model tire. They list various weights the tire will carry and how much air pressure should be in the tire for each listed weight.
Now all I need to know is how much weight will be on my tires as the rig is loaded for heading out on a trip. The best way to do that is to find some shop that will weigh my rig on both sides for each axle. It's not easy to find a shop with a portable scale to do that. On any axle (right and left side or a rig) you use the side with the most weight on it as the tire pressure for that axle. (In other words, on any one axle the tire pressure must be the same on all tires.)
If you can't find a shop to weigh both sides of your axle, they you just weigh front and rear weights on a scale and use that as a starting point of how much weight will be on the tires.
For example, if your front tires weigh out at 5000 pounds you can almost be sure that it is not divided exactly at 2500 pounds on the right and left tire. So for a bit of margin you would have to assume maybe that each tire was carrying maybe 2750 pounds.
Then go to the tire chart for your brand of tires and see what pressure they tell you to use for that weight. You might have to interpolate since the chart will only give certain weights. Then maybe carry 5 pounds more that that in each tire as a buffer so you are never below the recommenced tire pressure.
You also need to know the maximum cold air pressure that your rims are rated for. It should be stamped on them somewhere but likely only visible when the tires are off the rim. Would not worry about this too much, though.
For the rear tires you use the same idea but you are working with duals on each side and of course take that into consideration when figuring out how much air to put in each tire.
A bit long and messy but this is the general procedure you need to follow. The important thing to keep in mind is that the only thing that matters is how much weight will be on each tire. Not the model of rig you drive or anything else.
You should actually get a four-corner weighing. You can do this at many public scales, moving companies, or my favorite - a grain elevator. Pick a time when they are not crowded and tell them what you plan on doing.
You need a flat with the ground platform scale with room around it to maneuver. Position the coach so that only one corner is on the platform. Record the weights.
For each axle use the heavier side for your look-up on the manufacturer's weight/pressure table. Add 5 to 10lbs/psi for a safety margin.
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UltraKen
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05/21/12 08:09am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Can't pump fresh water tank dry - '02 Phaeton
Look under the coach to see the end of the drain tube, then look into the bay over the drain plug. Trace it back until you see the valve.
If the valve is open then shoot a little compressed air up the drain tube to free the clog.
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UltraKen
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05/20/12 04:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Coach Batteries
We have the Interstate U2200 batteries in our coach, BCI Grp# GC-2 Amp hrs.@ 20 hrs. 232 Reserve Capacity(min) 474@ 25amps 122@ 75amps Hrs @ Ampre load: 5amps-54.5 15amps-14.0 Dimensions(in): L-10-1/4, W-7-1/8, H-11-1/4
Hope this helps, good luck and safe travels
I have these and like them. Paid under $90 each from a local automotive electronics shop.
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UltraKen
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05/20/12 11:57am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A Tire Size Substitution
You need to calculate the load range needed and measure to find the correct or acceptable tire size.
See my note on replacing tires below in my signature.
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UltraKen
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04/22/12 07:29pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Just Priced New Tires ! OUCH!
There are several issues in selecting new tires.
First and most important is the weight of the coach. You really should do a 4 corner weighing to see what load capacity is needed at each axle.
Next you need to consider clearances if you are changing sizes from OEM. And you need to remember that not all coach manufacturers put the best choice tires on their coaches; in some cases the tires are over-loaded on an empty coach.
You might want to look at the notes on tires link in my signature below. I did a lot of research before selecting my tires for my coach. I'm no tire expert but I think I got this right.
I'd appreciate any suggestions from Topflite51 since he has real-life experience with tires...
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UltraKen
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04/21/12 06:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Finally, Scangauge D for Diesels
I need all that data constantly read out to me as badly as a 2lb box of 10 penny nails on the highway. I DRIVE my coach...I dont act like Im flying a jet liner
:B:B:B:B
I think you can manage to DRIVE your coach even with a lot of information available.
I like the speedometer on the VMSpc better than the coach gauge. It's nice to have the mpg available. The gauges I have for the most part are more accurate on the VMSpc than the dash gauges.
Just curious, do you ignore all of your gauges or just a few?
And before you ask, some of the gauges are there just for my amusement. It's kind of neat to see the engine load when you are going uphill and it's nice to keep a record of daily mileage, driving hours, miles, and mpg for each day, for the trip, and for the lifetime of the coach.
Your mileage may vary.
:b
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UltraKen
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04/21/12 03:39pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: water heater sacrificial anode
Just be sure you are turning the anode rod to the left to remove it...counter-clockwise.
Righty, Tighty; Lefty, Loosy
:b
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UltraKen
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04/18/12 09:50am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Finally, Scangauge D for Diesels
Sully
You just take the end of it, which has the proper connector to plug into your diognostic port, and plug it in, the power is supplied from the diogostic port.
The readout part of it you can mount anywhere visible to you on velcro.
The thin, 3/16 or so wire you just channel up anyway thats best, coil up whats not used under the dash. velcro and wire ties are ur best buddy.
Thats how I did the one on my Honda and they are identical.
I drive along and it gives my mpg 21mpg and I lift off the gas and it jumps to 80mpg for awhile as I coast.
Average for the tankful, average for the trip. coolant temp, etc, etc.
Its in digital readout, not big round gauges, and thats good, the numbers are constantly changing according to your driving.
Small amount of dash space taken, no big computer to deal with as in a silver leaf and half the price, plus you still have to buy a small computer to to operate a Silver leaf on, and it gives you the same data out of the same port .
I can see how this would appeal to some.
On the other hand I used an old laptop that was stored in a closet. WIN98. I like being able to design my own display with the VMSpc and use the gauges that I want.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~kwildman/v2a.jpg
http://home.roadrunner.com/~kwildman/v5a.jpg
To each his own.
:C
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UltraKen
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04/18/12 09:46am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: My New Throne .. .
Nice throne.......
Only one question.
Why did you put it in the closet?
There isn't enough room in there for me to turn around......I'd have to back in if I planned on sitting down :B
:B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B :B
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UltraKen
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04/18/12 09:36am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: tires
First. You can't just look at a coach and determine correct tire pressure. You need to do a 4 corner weighing and determine the correct pressure for each axle, based on the highes weight (left or right) for that axle.
Second, you should be sure that you have a tire that is adequate for those axle weights. Every tire manufacturer has wgt/load charts for each line and size of tire. Go to their website or call their support number.
Third, you need to pay attention to alignment and tire balancing on the front tires. You also need to be sure that you have either steering tires or all-position tires mounted on the front.
Finally, it might be useful to read my notes on tires in my sig line. I did a lot of research when I had to replace tires two years ago. I'm no expert but I think I got good information.
Good luck,
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UltraKen
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04/09/12 07:41am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2000 safari Zanzibar 39' diesel
Safari made high-quality coaches. Used solid wood cabinetry. With proper maintenance should be a good choice.
You should use a checklist, either the one in my signature or one googled. You also should have a mechanical inspection at a good diesel shop.
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UltraKen
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04/09/12 07:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Why is there a valve under the driver seat of my class A?
After burner fuel valve for when you feel the need for speed?
Seriously turn it. Let us know how it turns out.
:B
When my sons were little I used to reach up to the ceiling and yank on an imaginary handle while flooring the throttle to force a kick-down.
I think they figured it out by the time they were 10. Up until then they were deeply puzzled by Dad's "magic".
:W
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UltraKen
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03/23/12 06:22am |
Class A Motorhomes
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