WinMinnie02
NJ
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Joined: 11/26/2012
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I believe buying used is asking for trouble, just my opinion. I bought new and I still have the Minnie since 2002. V10 triton is fine. Simple maintenance - change the oil, change the generator oil, look for leaks and repair, and change tires with good ones (not cheap ones), and brakes. My family and I have enjoyed the Minnie and the RV life for the last 13 years.
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Seniorfirsttimer
United States
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Joined: 05/25/2015
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I guess you would consider us in big trouble :-), but that's allright. Our rig (a 2004 26 foot Fleetwood Jamboree) is 10 years old with 104,500 miles on it. It was a rental for most of its life but apparently well taken care of and maintained. We were able to negotiate a price of $19,500 which is probably $50,000 less that a new one. Everything in the unit works and after upgrading the chassis and cabin with new tires, shocks, steering damper, tie rods, u-joints, drive line support, none of which needed replacing, and all new fluids, we should be in pretty good shape, all for under $22,500. At 75 and 73 we wouldn't be able to get $70,000 use out of a new one.
Anyway, glad you were able to purchase new and enjoy it. Happy camping.
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ol' yeller
Redmond, WA
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Joined: 01/09/2003
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Just to clarify, it is very unusual for any Ford V10 made after 2000 to "spit spark plugs". Earlier V10s did have fewer plug threads which did lead to some plugs coming out but this was rectified in 2000. Your friend's problem on a 2003 is very unusual, in fact, it is the first time I have heard of a newer one doing that.
I am NOT a mechanic although I do play one in my garage!
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themotoviking
United States
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Joined: 08/10/2015
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Yea like I said its not a big enough issue that ford even recognizes or at least refuses to recognize it. I was just at my friends shop yesterday going over the fine print warranty and he mention the shop down the way had one with a seized plug and one with a spit plug and he believed that was an '04. He had looked it up on his mechanics program (cant remember name of it) and it had TBs up to 2007 in regards to this issue. Lisle tool company even makes a specialized tool for the fix.
Anyways just something I thought I would mention see if anyone had experiences with it but it looks like not. This was what I just came across during my research. Here is the other thing. I've never heard about it happening in a RV.
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BoxinTheCompass
Florida
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Joined: 06/16/2014
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ol' yeller wrote:Just to clarify, it is very unusual for any Ford V10 made after 2000 to "spit spark plugs". Earlier V10s did have fewer plug threads which did lead to some plugs coming out but this was rectified in 2000. Your friend's problem on a 2003 is very unusual, in fact, it is the first time I have heard of a newer one doing that.
Thats a relief it is rare. Now per my luck and chances (which for some reason I dont get with the lottery) I would get a Ford with spittin' spark plugs. Just sayin' LOL
Good to know they have a kit... sad that they have to have a kit. But I think it is rare on newer models cause I couldnt find any hits for later ones which is what CA seems to be selling now.
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themotoviking
United States
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I would like to know form the people who have purchase a CA Four Winds 28A
what do you think of as far as power goes even with pulling a small trailer?
Have you wired a TV and antenna in and what was all involved?
Are the coach batteries JUST for the coach lights?
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w3ozwizard
Lacey, Washington
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Joined: 03/17/2015
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I have had a Four Winds 28A, Majestic is what they call the ones sold via CA, just from May of this year. Mine has been out camping a few times and so far it is flawless. I do not pull anything but going up mountain passes here it just zips along just fine seem to have excessive power. Be aware of the Tow Haul feature. When it goes into that mode the engine seems to be over revving, but from what everyone says that is normal and nothing to worry about as the engine is designed for high RPM but it scared me the first time as I thought something was wrong. I have added many features to it. A great GPS the RV760MLY which is the best GPS I have ever seen and is designed for RVs. I put in a backup/Rear View camera. A TPMS system. I have put blinds in all windows as I did not like the curtains it came with. The black tank hose was old and just about warn out so I replaced that and got new water hoses all around so that I know what they have been used for. I have installed a flat screen TV and DVR. Be aware that there is a cable connection,( at lest on mine) on the bulkhead just behind the drivers seat next to an AC outlet. I had a hard time finding where you would connect a cable from a campground cable system to the couch. Look for it in the same compartment where the power cord is that you connect to campground AC power. I have not installed an outside antenna system yet but plan on doing so soon. Look on UTUBE as there are many videos showing in detail just how to do it. I just love my CA rental unit. I got it with just a little over 100,000 miles on it and I told everyone that if I found anything wrong with it I would say so and after making many changes and installing other devices the only small thing I have found so far is that the passenger side rear storage compartment door must have been hit or damaged as the tag on the inside says it was manufactured 2 years ago. But I see no damage to anything else. For those who hesitate buying a remanufactured unit from CA, and I call the remanufactured because the process they go through in Arizona is close to that, all I can say is that I think I saved myself at least $20,000 from what a comparable 28 foot motorhome off a lot here would have cost me. And as I have owned 19 brand new cars in my life and many used ones. I can say with authority that buying new can be just as much of a **** shoot as a used one. Got a brand new Cadillac for my wife and it had many problems and got a Camaro for myself new and it was a basket case. But if you are not handy with tools buying with a long factory warranty may be your best bet. I have one year on my CA and I am going to put many miles on it this coming year and I will see if I need it or not. I am lucky that I can fix just about anything that could go wrong with it, and feel sure it would not cost me the amount I saved buying new or off a lot here even used. If you do not feel capable of crawling under and over the unit before you buy it hire that done. Make them prove to you that every system works as it should. That would be the water systems, the propane, and electrical systems both AC and DC. I found that the couch battery was not very good so I had the replace it which they did free. Found a few other small things on inspection and they fixed them all without complaining at all. I spent two days...full days doing the inspection and driving it on various places on the freeway at speed, up hills, and in the city. Put the breaks on hard and often to see if there was pull or fade. Took a heat measuring device and measured to make sure that the brakes were of similar heat so that one was not out of adjustment and doing more work than the others. Also checked the heat on the tires which could indicate miss alignment sometimes. Check all engine and transmission fluids to make sure they are as clear as they should be and smell them to see if there is any smell of burning. Check the radiator for pressure if you can and make sure the is not indication of any oily residue. Have the people at CA fill the gray and black tank to the limit to make sure that the in couch indicator system indicates that the tanks are full even if with only water. Do the same for the water holding tank that is under the bed. Put the pump on and make sure it does not pump when you do not have any water valves open. Turn on the facets and see if there is any leakage around the fittings. Two of mine leaked onto the counter tops and I had them fix that. Also check the returns under the sinks to make sure there is no leak there. Flush the toilet to make sure the seal holds a little water and does not leak as you should always leave a little in the bottom of the bowel at all times. That kind of checking is just the beginning. I had developed a check list from things I knew I wanted to check and form many other I found on the Internet and combined into a 15 page check off list. Many have asked me for it so they could use it, but after I did my test. I did not keep it and do not have it any more, but there are many others out there and by going to any of the motorhome forums including this one there are other check lists that you can use. I hope this has helped you in some way and I hope you end up with a good unit. I am very happy with mine and CA has been great to let me check everything out and letting me use some of their personnel on the lot to accommodate me and provide resources I needed to feel comfortable doing the inspection.
2009 Four Winds Majestic 28A
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themotoviking
United States
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w3ozwizard, so you CA 28A already have internal wiring already for TV cable?
* This post was
edited 08/12/15 05:10pm by themotoviking *
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Seniorfirsttimer
United States
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What does CA2 8A mean?
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Mich F
Plantation, Fl
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Joined: 04/18/2004
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Seniorfirsttimer wrote:What does CA2 8A mean?
I believe he is referring to a Cruise America Four Winds 28A Majestic Class C motor home.
2014 Itasca Spirit 31K Class C
2016 Mazda CX5 on Acme tow dolly- 4 trips ~ 5,800 mi
Now 2017 RWD F150 with a drive shaft disconnect
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