Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Leeann on 12/29/09 07:41pm

You will love the memory foam topper.

We went with Monroe RV shocks and haven't regretted it yet.

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: eyeteeth on 12/29/09 08:17pm

Well cool... Looks like Rock Auto has them pretty darn cheap. I'm going to have to search for some comparison reviews. They're so much less then the other options... I have to wonder why.

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 12/29/09 08:31pm

eyeteeth, I put RV Monroe's on mine too back in 2001 and have been very happy too.

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: eyeteeth on 12/29/09 09:31pm

Interesting...

Did some net research...

in order of recommendation... Koni - Bilstein - Monroe.

and price....

Most like and recommend the Bilstein, with the note that they are stiff, tending to shake things loose over time. There was mention they were overkill up to 24'. But they, and the Koni's have lifetime warranties. The Monroes are softer, and apparently tend to wear out after 10,000 - 20,000 miles. One instructor claiming the Monroes are inadequate.

One article here: http://www.rversonline.org/97ConfSuspension.html

That said... I'll probably go with Monroes at this point anyway. Looks like I can get a set for $150, vs $400.

Posted By: overdrive75 on 12/30/09 07:40pm

Monroe Gas Magnums on the '78 22 footer and on this newer 27 footer. These seem to be the best.

Posted By: eyeteeth on 01/01/10 07:10pm

Spent some time out in the RV today. Got the new mattress semi setup.

Good news. Yea... I like it. New Foam is an improvement over the old foam.
Bad News. Now the Kids want the same thing...

Oh... and I spent half an hour trying to get the furnace to light before I remembered to turn on the LP. [emoticon]

Posted By: Leeann on 01/01/10 07:18pm

^ heehe

Posted By: acchan on 01/05/10 02:12pm

hey guys,

i've just bought a 1977 dodge establishment and it is my first RV.
i don't have a manual and the old dear i bought it from didn't know how to work anything as her husband always did it and he has since died...
so i've got all the gas things working but need some help with the water and electric.
basically i'm a complete rookie, can anyone please help me with these questions:

where do i connect the water??? (i know that sounds stupid, but i don't want to connect to the wrong fixture and flood everything)
how do i drain the waste tanks? (i know where they are, am able to connect the drain hose, but need help on the rest)
can i run the inside electric from the car battery temporarily? (with or without the car on)

well i probably have more questions, but if anyone can help me out with these right away it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

adam.

Posted By: eyeteeth on 01/05/10 02:54pm

acchan wrote:

First Welcome...

acchan wrote:

so i've got all the gas things working but need some help with the water and electric.
basically i'm a complete rookie, can anyone please help me with these questions:

where do i connect the water??? (i know that sounds stupid, but i don't want to connect to the wrong fixture and flood everything)

There should be two places you can put water into the RV, only one you can screw a hose onto, and neither should flood anything. (If they're connected properly and have no leaks.

We can start with the fresh water tank. Typically and inlet of some sort that will have a sticker near by stating it is for "potable water only." You cannot connect a hose to this inlet, it will pull out, or fold open. You use your hose to fill it with water, and when it starts pouring down the side and not going in... it's full. use this when you won't have a water connection available when camping, or to keep some water handy for flushing toilets, and washing hands while traveling. This tank is connected to a water pump to provide pressure, the pump can be turned on and off as needed with a switch somewhere. Typically somewhere in the vicinity of the fresh water fill is going to be a connection you can screw a hose into. This will be your city water connection. When at a campground you have water available, connect your hose here. this is pressurized, and you will NOT need to turn on the water pump, and it will not pull water from... or fill... your fresh water tank.

acchan wrote:

how do i drain the waste tanks? (i know where they are, am able to connect the drain hose, but need help on the rest)
can i run the inside electric from the car battery temporarily? (with or without the car on)

Find a dump station, connect your hose to the RV drain, put the other end into whatever hole the dump station provides. If you have separate tanks, you will have two valves, typically somewhere near the hose connection. The smaller diameter pipe/valve is for the grey tank, the larger (3") pipe/valve is for the black. (septic waste) Pull the larger lever, and let it drain. When complete, pull the smaller lever and let it drain... also 'semi' flushing the hose from the septic waste. Some people will also use a wand to rinse out the septic tank. If you use the septic chemicals, use plenty of water when flushing the toilet, and let the tank get 3/4 before dumping, you shouldn't have much residue or buildup and it should all empty nicely. There is however no telling what the PO may have done. For my family, we will often empty the grey tank 2-3 times before having to drain the black.

Close the valves, and put everything away.

acchan wrote:

well i probably have more questions, but if anyone can help me out with these right away it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

adam.

There's a start... hopefully that was clearer than mud... and ask away.

Posted By: eyeteeth on 01/05/10 03:00pm

Opps realized I missed a question.

The unit should have two batteries. One for the "car" and one for the "house". They may look similar, but are two different designs so it's not good to swap them unless an emergency. The car batter in the engine compartment is designed to give a lot of power, in a short period of time. The House batter located somewhere in the coach portion of the RV, is a deep cycle battery. Designed to provide power over a long period of time. SOME RVs were set up so running the engine charges the house battery, and or, you can use the house battery to start the RV in an emergency. I don't know of situations that allow you to use the car battery to power the house. Its not typically a good idea, as needless to say, you can easily drain the engine battery enough that it won't start the engine. Then you're in trouble.

Typically plugging the RV into "shore" power will send a charge to the house battery if needed, but not the engine battery. To charge that you need to hook it up just like your typical car.

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