RE: Alfa See Ya
Well....... Lot's of negative comments, but IMHO, all is not lost. If you find a 10 year old Alpha that does not have problems, you are probably pretty safe in grabbing it. The most important advice I would give is to have the coach THOROUGHLY inspected by a qualified RV tech first, making sure to point out the concerns noted in this thread.
There are a couple of Alpha's that frequent the CG where we stay. They look to be in good shape and the owners love them. So, I wouldn't simply discount getting one. You'll probably get a GREAT deal on one, if you perform your due diligence.......
RE: Trouble Free Motorhome Owner?
Trouble free? Not likely. Maybe close with a newer model, once the initial "hit list" is worked out after a shakedown run. There's always something that needs attention, but in our case with a 10yr old coach, we have been very fortunate.
In 2+ years:
LR slide topper tension spring
Alternator - weakening output, didn't strand us anywhere.
City water check-valve failure
Aquahot Control Box
RE: diferent smart phones
This question (iOS vs Droid) is fast becoming a moot point. Both systems are developing into very user friendly OS's. That said, APPLE does maintain much tighter control over iOS. For those who are less technology savvy, this can be a real help. When a firmware update becomes available from APPLE, everyone gets it and it's simple to install.
APPLE products are more expensive without a doubt, but Build quality and materials far exceed the competition. Galaxy S4 is a terrific phone, but it's plastic and "feels" cheap. iPhone 5 feels totally different, and is.
In the end, it comes down to what you want in a phone and how tech savvy you are. Either phone can be a great choice.
In my case, I like iTunes and the fact that everything seamlessly syncs between my iPhone, DW's iPhone, our iPAD and Mac-Book....... All hands-off. It just works! ;-)
RE: what would you get?
$500 million?
1. DW would design a Prevost conversion interior that is not as "glitzy" as most we see. Tasteful and home-like. Then we'd pay the premium to expedite the build.
2. No TOAD required. I would rent a luxury car or limo service wherever we were staying.
3. Hire a coach driver, for those trips you don't care to drive to.
4. Join an executive jet program (e.g. Net-Jets)to go along with #3.
5. Buy a site @ Bluewater Key, FL for wintering.
6. Consider buying Beach-front property on Cape Cod and add a pad with hookups for summering. Once we are done touring the country of course!!!
RE: which tablet?
I'm with you 100% FI. Lot's of people bash APPLE because they maintain tight control over their software and OS. But I'm not one who wants to do battle with my technology. APPLE products simply work. We have 2 iPhones, 2 iPAD's and a MAC-BOOK Pro. EVERYTHING syncs, backs-up and updates with no need for me to be doing battle with the devices. I pick it up, turn it on and use it. Yeah, we paid a premium for that luxury, but to me it's worth it.
BTW... My Mac-Book Pro is from 2008 and runs as good as new, even with all of the updates and enhancements to OS-X over those 5 years. A Windows PC would have reached it's end of life by now.......
In the last 8 months, I've COMPLETELY switched over to Apple/Mac and the iCloud. Now have a MacBook Air, an iPad Mini, and an iPhone5. Couldn't be happier with them. Dumped the Dell laptop, and the Android phone.... I'll never have to deal with Dell's off-shore excuse for a "customer service center" again!!!!
RE: Recommendation for Internet Cellular Connection
IMPORTANT --- How much data will you need each month? Makes a huge difference in options and/or cost.
MORE IMPORTANT --- Before buying into any service, check coverage in the areas you plan to frequent. Nothing will be more disappointing than setting up a nice 20gb service and finding you have no signal at your favorite camping spot!
If Mellenicom will work where you're going, its a terrific option. If 20gb will suffice (little or no video streaming), a Mellenicom hotspot and plan is your best bet. Simple and effective.
If you want the ability to select between several internet sources, like aircards, multiple hotspots, campground wifi, etc...., then investing a Wifi Ranger type setup may make sense for you. All of your devices can be set up to connect to the WFR and you can select which source the WFR is then connected to. Very flexible, but still a bit of a work in progress.
RE: Cradlepoint MB1400?
But to my original question....... Does the MB1400 play well with filtered wifi connections, which require a splash screen login????
We currently have one and it replaced a MBR95. Both have WiFi as Wan capability so a mifi can be used as an internet gateway access device. The 1400 has greater range than the MBR95 which helps with our house setup with computers and printers and a bridge scattered in various rooms. On the road the mifi provides more than enough range for our laptops. Only reason for a router would be if we wanted to hook in a non-wireless printer and we do not print while traveling and if we did we would take a printer with 802.11 connectivity.
We do use a signal booster and external antenna to get the best possible signal strength to the Novatel 4620LE mifi and often it means the difference between having a usable signal and connecting or not.
RE: flat towing rubicon
2011 Wrangler Unlimited with AUTO TRANS here.......
1. Transfer Case in N
2. Transmission in P
Towing many thousands of miles with no problems.
RE: 2008 American Coach Tradition Zone Air
Our selector switch is right in the bank of switches under our kitchen counter. It is clearly marked W/D --- Center AC.
Do you have a switch somewhere that might switch between the washer/dryer and the center A/C unit? Our Executive has such a setup. We cannot run all 3 A/C units AND the washer/dryer at the same time.
If I do I can't find one.
RE: 2008 American Coach Tradition Zone Air
Do you have a switch somewhere that might switch between the washer/dryer and the center A/C unit? Our Executive has such a setup. We cannot run all 3 A/C units AND the washer/dryer at the same time.
RE: Extended Warranty
Perfect advice! An EW can be a life saver, but the onus is on YOU to be certain the policy you get offers the coverage you think it does. Research fully. Understand the odds are you won't recoup what you paid in. Understand that this is insurance against a breakdown and that the insurance companies make healthy profits. Then decide if an EW is for you, or not. Don't let others tell you it's good for you, or it's not......
Check around prices and coverage vary. The sales commission could be 50% of the policy purchase price. They will come down in price you can wait till later and shop around. They are a gamble. Mine has paid off. Some never recoop the money they spent on them. It is also a piece of mind thing. Don't go by what the salesman tells you. Take a couple nights to look over and understand the coverage before you lay your money down. It is not all roses as the salesman wants you to believe.
Cradlepoint MB1400?
Is anyone out there using a Cradlepoint MB1400 in their RV?
I'm looking for something to replace my Wifi Ranger that actually works! I've been with WFR from the beginning, but performance and lack of regular progress in development has run me out of patience. Right now, my laptop connects to the WFR just fine, but none of my 4 iOS devices will transfer data when connected, even though it shows them connected fine.
My big question regarding the MB1400 is will it connect to a filtered internet connection, such as Tengointernet? My old CTR35 would not, but that was many moons ago.
I know the MB1400 is pricey, but reviews have been stellar and I'm ready to spend more to have something I can count on!
Thanks for any feedback in advance!
RE: Long Hot Showers in an RV?
The generator is noisy. Using battery power allows you to camp quietly, which is much nicer for you AND your neighbors!
I hear about RV'ers boondocking at WalMart all the time. How do they run everything without hookups ?
A modern class A is a self contained unit. The on board generator will provide electricity just the same as plugging into shore power will.
It will also have a bank of "house batteries" that provide 12 volt power, and usually an inverter that will take the 12 volt battery power and change it into 120 volt AC. With enough battery capacity you can run everything that you need, Except air conditioning, overnight from the batteries. If air conditioning is needed you must run the generator. The batteries can be recharged by running the generator as needed.
Okay, so the generator supplies all the electric. So when would the batteries be used, and why even use the batteries if the generator supplies all needed electricity?
RE: Toyo vs Hankook Tires
Both brands have received excellent reviews. I have Hankooks on our coach and love them. I would have no concerns about buying Toyos either. My advice would be to take the better deal between the two.
RE: opinions on after market holding tank monitoring system
It's not that you don't or shouldn't need working level indicators. It is, however, a LOT easier to do without waste tank level indicators than it is a fuel gauge! :E
My opinion is that the amount of time and effort required to keep the level indicators working properly is both a waste of my time and my money.
We use plenty of water when flushing.
We use the cheap campa-chem tank deodorizer from Wally world after each dump.
We don't put junk down the sink drains.
I use the tank flush, every 3rd or 4th dump.
I cannot remember the last time I even checked my level gauges and we live in the coach for 7 months of the year.
When the toilet "burps", it's nearly full and time to dump. Ususally, once per week. When the grandkids stop in for a few days, it's every 4-5 days.
I refuse to agonize over such a simple system. Life is way too short to be fussing with tank level indicators and cleaning out tanks........
These gauges DO work. It's a matter of how well you clean and maintain your tanks. People seem to think they don't have to put any effort into a black and gray tank other than pulling a lever to dump it!
Use plenty of water in the black tank when flushing. Not enough water and everything WILL stick to the sensors. After EVERY dump fill black tank with water and dump again. Then open gray and dump.
Gray tanks - this is not your home kitchen sink that goes out to a sewer, it's a holding tank. Do NOT put food solids or grease down an RV sink. After 3 or 4 dumps pour a lemon cleaner down the sink fill with water and dump again. Or add the lemon cleaner before each dump. I've watched my friends pour bacon grease right down the drain and then wonder why their gauges don't work. :S
IMHO, JMHO before you think a 'different' brand of gauges will solve the problem, fill both your tanks with water several times and dump. Buy a bottle of Thetford Sensor Cleaner and throw that in both tanks let it sit and dump. Now fill you tanks up with water and be amazed how all the pretty colors of your gauges light up! Then 'maintain' your tanks. :C I do maintain my tanks. I have been rving for over thirty years. Never had a problem with any of the gauges in the other five trailers. These gauges in this new rv didn't work from the get go. My question was about aftermarket holding tank gauges. One fellow said he doesn't need them and infers that I shouldn't need them. If your fuel gauge in your vehicles don't work you get them fixed. How is this any different? Why do people respond to a post if they can't answer the question?
RE: Long Hot Showers in an RV?
An AquaHot system will get you all the hot water you'll ever want. HOWEVER, long showers and Boondocking are not something that can happen together. Where will you store the used shower water? After 50-60 gallons or so, you've reached the limit of most RV's onboard gray water capacity. Maybe a top of the line Prevost Conversion will hold more gray water, but not a heck of a lot more.......
