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RE: My quest for a better ride
Holstein13, thank for relating you experience, it gives more food for thought.
I have no complaints with my 2000 F53 chassis ride or drivability, except when hitting rough pavement or bridge transitions. I am 80 lbs in all tires and have a rear track bar.
I am about 1200 pounds light on the front axle when loaded. I think just softer front springs would actually let the shocks do the job they are supposed to.
For 6,000 miles a year, I can't justify the Kelderman front system, but it would be cheaper that hanging a Harley on the front end.
It's a shame most shops only turn wrenches, instead of solve problems.
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ressless1
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11/01/11 11:30am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: To cover or not to cover a Harley
I trailer a bike once under a cover and learned a leason, big time. the cover and the bike, and I suffered:S
An enclosed trailer is definately better for the bike.
If I have to trailer it in the open, it is uncovered. If it looks like rain, I remove the seats and they travel with me in the vehicle.
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ressless1
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09/28/11 10:15am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: camber
Finally, the specific problem.
Joe, The small amount of camber you indicated will not cause a vehicle to pull either way.
What amount of caster does the truck have? It should probably be somewhere between 1 and 4 degrees, and the right side should have 0 to + 1/2 degree more than the left, to off set road crown.
If the front end is in specs, then look for other causes of the pull. The shop should have checked the king pins and tie rod before attempting any adjustment.
The most common causes, other than worn parts, are one of the rear axles out of alignment, and tire conicity.
Quick and dirty is to measure the distance between the drive axle hubs on both right and left side. It should be the same. If it is off by a noticable amount, look for loose or missing bolts in the rear suspension for both axles.
Tire conicity is the property of a tire to roll in one direction, like a cone. It has to do with the way the belts lay in the mold. Most manufactures mark the tire when it comes out of the mold, Michelin used to use yellow paint near the bead. When tires are mounted on the steer axle, both right and left should have that mark either on the outside, or the inside, so the conicity in each tire will off set each other. When you have front tires with the conicity going in the same direction, you will get a pull in that direction.
BUT, conicity is not near the problem that it was 20+ years ago, when truckers were just making the switch to radials, but it is a possibility. We cured many pulling problems just by remounting one front tire the opposite direction. The tire manufacturing process has advanced over the years.
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ressless1
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09/20/11 07:29am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: camber
Joe, if the shop set your toe correctly, you should be good to go.
You are talking about 1/4 degree, not enough to worry about, unless you are having a specific problem. My shop in a past life had a pair of 200 ton jacks, and we did bend axles to correct camber, but as I recall, only on a hand full, usually as the result of an accident.
As Wolfe said, todays radial tires are not as sensitive to small camber settings as the old bias ply tires were, but are more sensitive to toe setting. You want that toe maybe +1/16, plus or minus 1/16, which is about the tolerance of most machine operators.
That negative camber on the left side is good for drivers who like to run the left hand lane a lot, provided the right side is not excessive, but that's another discussion.
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ressless1
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09/19/11 03:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: camber
Need information on what vehicle.
Left tire will wear on the inside, assuming everything else is within specs.
Could pull to right
Unusual on any straight axle vehicle unless king pin bushings worn out.
If independent suspension, look for worn ball joint or A frame bushings.
In general, left side should be positive .5 to 1.5 degrees.
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ressless1
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09/17/11 07:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Headsets
She uses a hand held CB radio and I am on the CB in the coach.
We have to back down a hill, into a narrow driveway, with a telephone pole right beside the lower part of the drive:R
And I always tow either a 16 foot trailer, or the 20 foot pontoon:E
Patience, patience, patience, patience, patience:)
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ressless1
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09/08/11 07:33am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: I need to overnight in South Florida
A call to the Homestead Wal-Mart says I can park overnight, at the back out of the way.
The Pembroke Pines Wal-Mart looks like a nicer area on the satellite photos.
Miami Glades Campground looks really nice.
The Indian Casino says "come on down".
We will probably stop and shop at one of the Walmarts, and then maybe wander over to the casino and win enough to pay for the trip:B
Thanks
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ressless1
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08/25/11 03:29pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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I need to overnight in South Florida
Heading to the Keys in October and need to overnight in southern Florida somewhere around Homestead, or 25 miles either way.
I don't really care if it a rest area, WalMart or cheap campground.
We will probably get there about 9 pm and leave at 6:30am
Any suggestion appreciated.
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ressless1
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08/25/11 12:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: S.Florida TurnPike Automated
What is the current status of this?
We are headed to the keys in October. Towing a trailer, can I assume they will target the trailer licence plate?
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ressless1
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08/25/11 11:53am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Anyone set the "toe" themselves
Yes, what Wolfe said.
And while ya got it up, grease the king pins.
While it is on the ground, have someone rock the steering back and forth while you watch the tie rod ends, to make sure there is no play.
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ressless1
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08/25/11 09:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Where can I get an operating manual for 1999 Chieftain
Go the the Winnie website, they have more stuff than other manufactures. Get a copy of the brochure for your year and model. From that you can find out what equipment was standard and optional.
I remember the basic manual will refer to other manuals for the specific items, such as power steps, power, slides, stove, microwave, water heater and others. Almost all will be available online from the appliance manufacturer.
A lot of RV manufactures use the some components, from the same manufactures. For components problems, your best source of information is right here, this forum:)
The Ford F53 manual is also online, with information about your V10 and chassis lube points.
You may have to dig for it, but it is available.
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ressless1
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08/24/11 03:25pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Gasoline engines in Yellowstone
We made the trip last year and can't wait to go again. Our gasser did very well. A little slower pace gives more time for the scenery:)
I would leave the rig in the campground and sightsee from the toad, or in our case, motorcycles:)
They do the road maintenance in the summer, and last year there seemed to be a lot of it going on.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/40586_1492167898971_1077212909_31440779_7970754_n.jpg height=328 width=512
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ressless1
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08/18/11 08:02pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2001 Pace Aroow mystery leak
Can you tell if it is water or oil?
I have a drain tube for the refrigerator at the rear of the second compartment to the rear of the steps.
I had a slight water leak on one trip just to the rear of the steps, that was traced to me not getting the water filter under the sink put on correctly.
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ressless1
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07/29/11 08:15am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking at a 27' '03 Sightseer toad towing experience please
Dave, The Sightseer 27C was only made a couple years and has a really short wheelbase for the length of the coach.
Looking for my first class A, it was one of the models I researched. One good review of the 27C is here.
sightseer review
Any trailer tongue weight on the rear is not going to make things better on the interstate.
If you only do short trips and like state parks or locations with smaller sites, the short wheelbase can be an advantage.
If you like the Winnie 27C, I would suggest lookiing for a Sightseer 30B. It has a longer wheelbase and is only 3 feet longer. They were very popular in those years and a lot more of them around.
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ressless1
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07/21/11 10:16am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New Brake Controller
Check your chassis manual to see if you are pre-wired for a trailer.
My 2001 Fleetwood house manual said I was pre-wired, but my 2000 chassis manual said I was not. Ford chassis from 2001 forward are pre-wired for a trailer.
My coach was wired with a 4-way round connection for a car, and to convert it to a 7-way trailer connection I had to run the additional blue brake controller wire to the front driver area.
Its not hard. I bought everything from etrailer.com, and they have complete wiring diagrams.
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ressless1
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07/21/11 09:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford Triton v-10 gas mileage
The most I ever got was 7.83, on my first trip of 1100 miles meticulously doing 60-62 and towing a trailer.
Since then, I roll along at plus or minus 65 and generally get 6.7 -7.1.
For trip cost estimating I use 6.5 mpg.
I'm always towing something.
I never use cruise control.
I usually try to gently gain a few miles per hour before hitting a hill, enough so the tranny will not need to downshift to get over.
A scanguage reminds me to use a lesser throttle position if possible.
I don't even consider checking mpg in the mountains.
I have realized the trip is much more enjoyable if I pay more attention to the scenery, and less attention to miles per gallon:)
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ressless1
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07/19/11 11:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Kwikee Step Problem..
My steps would go in, but not come out.
You can very quickly check the motor by disconnecting the two motor wires and touching them directly to a car battery, one way goes out and reverse the wires to go in.
If you problem is the motor, you can order one from RockAuto for about $35 and repair the steps in about an hour. If I remember correctly, a window motor from a 1986-1996 ford Taurus fit mine. Search this site, someone has good pictures posted.
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ressless1
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07/15/11 09:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Spartan Chassis-ball joints
I know what they are but would really like to know where to get them.
You may try the folks at energy suspension. Give them a call.
Energy Suspension
I have used a short piece of rubber hose on tie rod ends before, like this: rubber hose boot
Ball joint and tie rod end boots don't carry a load, just protect the joint from moisture and dirt, and something to host the grease in. Any protection is better than none.
A piece of old inner tube, super glue and a couple zip ties would probably last a trip or two.
Any repair shop will want to replace the whole ball joint or tie rod end to make more money, and, to stay away from any litigation claims of faulty work, but mostly make more money.
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ressless1
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07/15/11 08:02am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: going to mount rushmore
As previously mentioned, the Sturgis Rally is “officially” the 8th through the 16th, and it will be thick with motorcycles anywhere within 50 miles of Sturgis. It is fantastic if you like motorcycles, and not so much if you don’t. The rally peaked about 2005-2006, but still draws 400,000+ bikers to the area.
Last year we got there the week before and saw no lines, but a lot of bikes, at Mt Rushmore, Chief Crazy Horse, Devils tower or Custer State Park. The Badlands were busy, but not crowded.
Campground prices are high for those two weeks because lots of riders travel a long way and plan a few extra days there. The campgrounds at Devils tower and the Badlands are far enough away and were not full and still reasonably priced.
Contrary to others opinion, we enjoyed Wall Drug and spend a couple hours wandering through the stores. It was easy off and on, and convenient parking, but it would not be high on the list for next visit.
I have seen fuel prices jacked up in the town of Sturgis as much as a dollar a gallon during this period, and as much as 20-40 cents a gallon in nearby areas, so plan fuel purchases at least a hundred miles away.
And random hail storms have hit the last several years in this period. 2009 had tennis ball size hail that did a lot of damage to cars, RV and motorcycles in two of the larger temporary campgrounds. Last year Spearfish canyon has several inches of hail and closed the road for a half a day.
I can’t wait to go back:B
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ressless1
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07/12/11 09:18am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Driving up hills in a gasser
A long hill gives you opportunity to try several gears, so play with the tow/haul mode and RPMs.
I have a 2000 chassis with the 310 HP V10.
I found a sweet spot with the tow/haul mode on and down shift one gear, that gives me 42-45 mph at 3000-3200 rpm. It is steady, not very noisy and the motor really seems like it.
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ressless1
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07/07/11 10:37am |
Class A Motorhomes
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