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RE: Class A & B questions.
There is a lot of confusion around this question.
There are class C motorhomes (van front end)
Then there are super C's (kodiak front end or M1 light truck)
My coach is a class 8 Truck Conversion...
There is a big difference between a super C and a class 8 truck conversion. Mine is built on a freightliner columbia chassis, some are built on Cascadia chassis or Peterbuilts or Volvo's.
The MPG question is YES they do get better mileage.
I had a new Vectra 40' with a 350 CAT and towing my jeep I got around 6.9-7.4 mpg....now with my Class 8 truck conversion with 14K miles (not broke in yet) I am getting about 9-9.5 mpg and others I know in our truck conversion group who have rigs with 30-40K on them are getting between 10-10.5 mpg. They are much more aerodynamic than the busses . Mine has an MBE 450 in it so more power and better MPG.
No hump between the cab and the coach like some and the ceilings above the drivers seat are full height, in my case 7' tall. Both chairs move to face the back as extra seating just like a class A. The one big difference is having the engine in the front with regard to noise. Although mine is very well insulated, you still hear the humm of the diesel....which I love but it doesn't interfere with conversation. Servicing them is cheaper and no one trapes thru the motorhome to work on the engine. I get service anywhere the big trucks go so literally hundreds of places along the freeway.
Last year I pulled off on the way to florida and had an oil service done just like you do your car.....pulled up, pulled in and 40 minutes later pulled out. I've had 3 class A coaches and I do like them but Dynamax really hit a home run with power AND luxury. We have quad slides, stone heated floors, huge shower and even with full tanks (140 gal fuel + 100 gallon water) I don't even come close to the weight rating and carry capacity of the coach. We live in ours 3-4 months a year so we pack it up and after weighing it last year fully loaded I had 7,000 lbs to spare and that was with the jeep.
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JTHarley
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06/18/13 05:05pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: L sofa
I am planning a renovation in the fall with Bradd & Hall who sells the flex steel extend a sofa and a company named Villa...(higher end and custom made to fit). My wife too likes the L shape to make a better conversation area in the salon. We are also adding a 2 person booth so basically doing the entire slide wall. Prices vary depending on materials $3,800-$9,000.
It sure beats getting a new coach so the DW will be happy.
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JTHarley
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06/17/13 07:24am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Surge Protectors
It only takes one power surge or storm to blow out 10K +++ in electronics. I can't imagine why people spend so much on their house on wheels then balk at a $250 surge protector...seems silly to me but that's just my opinion.
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JTHarley
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06/16/13 01:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Does Length Matter?
I went from a 28' to a 34' to a 36' to a 40' and now have a 45'. Backing in and tail swing was the only real difference but going down the road length really doesn't matter when it comes to driving. I think a lot of what people worry about is simply in their heads. Always take your time and don't be in such a rush that you won't get out of the coach and LOOK before you attempt a tight turn, backing in or pulling out. To many guys think it is a "MACHO" thing but you look pretty silly when you back into a tree or hit a pole with tail swing so put the macho aside and be smart.
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JTHarley
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06/16/13 01:28pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Where to Sell Motorhome?
I've even tried in the past to use my coach as a trade with some of the sites that "claim" they will buy your RV....problem is the coaches they have are consigned AND what they will give you for your coach is so far below wholesale value you've got to be nuts to even consider it. Try RVtrader.com and ignore all the calls you will get from brokers who want you to consign your coach.
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JTHarley
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06/12/13 01:20pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: rain water leak basement storage
Try placing a battery powered lantern or the like in the compartment and wait for night when it's dark. Sometimes you can see the light coming from any openings, bad gaskets, etc. I found one on our Minnie using this method...replaced the gasket and all was well.
Works Great! I did this WITH the dealer after they said they couldn't find a leak in my old Vectra. A 100 watt light bulb works great and the leak was plain as day....as long as you looked at it in the dark...LOL
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JTHarley
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06/12/13 10:28am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Lichtsinn RV, No Discount!
Not knowing what the msrp is makes it hard to comment on the pricing. Some dealers do "no haggle" pricing. MHSRV in Texas advertises that ALL the new coaches are a minimum of 24% off MSRP. After buying 6 new motorhomes I found out that the discount can be anywhere from 20% to 38% depending on the price of the RV. The more expensive the bigger the discount.
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JTHarley
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06/12/13 10:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Really -- $1,500 for PDI ! Seriously???
I think someone already said it......the only price that matters is the final price of the check YOU write. I've bought 6 motorhomes, all new from dealers and have never seen a PDI charge. All of them had a tech with me until I was ready to drive it off the lot. Answered questions, showed me how the systems worked ect...
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JTHarley
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06/12/13 05:17am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Used a Macerator Pump for the first time...Cool Tool
I too thought they where cool when I got my new coach......a bit of advice though. Every year you should take it apart and clean the blade. While in Florida this year, the macerator "crapped" out so to speak. I ended up taking it apart, a bit of a messy job and tried to clean it. The unit is 2 years old so I thought that would do it...nope! Back to the keep it simple stinky slinky for me. The "wow" factor wore off the first time I dumped the old style way(20 seconds and done) vs. the macerator which took about 2-3 minutes to dump the tank. If you have to pump up hill or long distances it is certainly a must have item.
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JTHarley
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06/10/13 11:46am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
Sounds like someone smelling a class action possibility and looking to build up a class.
I don't see any really convincing financial damages, so about all there would be to get out of it, if successful, would be the attorney's fee.
I agree, what this REALLY is, is one ticked off guy who didn't check the rules before showing up, thought his rig should have been let in, probably based on the price of the coach and wanted to create some waves. There certainly are NO financial damages. I don't even know if a Renegade (Ikon) title states the type of coach it is like mine does.
I do know in talking with the folks at Dynamax that there is a push in the truck conversion industry to get the coaches classified as class A's. That has been going on for more than 5 years now and is old news for those of us who own and follow the truck conversion community. This is a hot topic on the TC sites and forums. Bottom line is that a privately owned resort can just about make any rules they want and if you don't like them don't stay there. I've found that my money is welcomed at so many places that the few that don't want it are ok with me and most likely their owners.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 02:22pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
I do wish we could return to Riverbend.....we met a bunch of great friends over the years and though we don't miss the resort we do miss doing things with them and all the activities that we enjoyed.
Boy THAT does put a different spin on it.
You had an A and stayed at a Class A resort and made friends over the years when staying there. You buy a different type of MH and now you are locked out of ever seeing your RV friends. Now that's a Bummer.:(
Yes, many of those friends where RV pals only coming from various locations with that campground in common. I've stayed in touch with a few and some have joined us at Bryn Mawr in St. Augustine so all is not lost but we knew when we bought our coach that Riverbend was no longer an option because I discussed it and showed a picture of my new coach to a member of the board......no big deal though, we just miss some of them especially the Hold 'em games we played many nights by the pool. I used to win some extra lunch money from those old buggers. If however any of you are thinking of going to Riverbend it is a FABULOUS resort, great people, pristine facilities and some of the most beautiful mature grounds we have ever seen in an RV park.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 01:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
Pardon my gruffness but my opinions of resorts are skaru them... and my coach qualifies to stay there... the resorts don't measure up to my requirements with their snooty, nose turned up attitudes... Just because I can buy a resort out I try to have more class than to act like it.
That's the beauty of living here. No one is FORCING you to stay at those type of resorts!
Your unsubstantiated opinion of what EVERY single 'person' is like that stays in one....well that's just sad.
There are wonderful people at class A only resorts and there are wonderful people at the "anything is welcome" campgrounds. The opposite is also true for both. I believe when many of these RESORTS where developed, the surge in class 8 trucks or super C's just wasn't there and hence the by-laws where written to be guidelines. Who would have thought someone would parse words to try and get in.
After getting more about the original story, the guy with the Ikon who tried to get in had other family and friends booked at the resort and was mad because he was not allowed to stay even though his coach was, in his words or what my friend told me, the most expensive of all his family members and a whole lot nicer. While staying at Bay Harbor last year, I can't tell you how many higher end coach owners came to my coach to sneak a peak. They where wonderful and asked a bunch of questions about how it drove ect......and none, not one complained to me or the resort because I asked, that I was allowed in.
I do wish we could return to Riverbend.....we met a bunch of great friends over the years and though we don't miss the resort we do miss doing things with them and all the activities that we enjoyed.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 12:42pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
Guys....and Gals, don't flame me......but I'm more apt to stay at a Class A resort or a CG with the 10 year rule. I like to somewhat control my environment to keep away from the "undesirables" as much as possible.
Hhg
I read this entire topic with interest. You see, I simply drive us from point A to point B. I am not involved in the decision making process of where to go or where to stay. Generally, I might say "east coast" or "west coast", but really I am just responsible for getting us there safe and sound and keeping the coach working and clean, etc. It is just how we divide responsibilities.
So.....a number of months ago we pulled into a resort for a 10 day stay. Turned out to be a Class A only resort with a size and age requirement. We had never stayed at such a park before. The reservation was not made for that reason, but the park just happened to be in the area we wanted to stay in and looked nice online. Well, we fell in love with the city, the people in the city, the employees at the resort ~ everything about the area. We actually ended up buying a lot there, which we thought would be years down the road. I LOVE FW (cook all the time and love the great kitchens) and grew up owning and loving TT and Class C motorhomes. It just so happens to be one of "those" resorts, but had absolutely nothing to do with why we fell in love with it. Just my two cents!
One of my absolute favorite campgrounds is Riverbend in florida....when I had my journey and then my vectra we went every year for several weeks to a month. Great place!!! I can't go there anymore but oh well, not loosing any sleep over it. When we go to south florida we stay at the Signature resort (class A only) but they have no problem letting in my type of coach.....same goes for Signature resort in Bay Harbor....stated class A resort. I didn't want to turn this into a bashing of class A resorts because I too like them and used to frequent them a lot. I just got a chuckle out of the fact that a prevost coach is TECHNICALLY not a class A. Again, TECHNICALLY!!
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 07:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
I know my coach is categorized as a class 8 truck conversion......that however is not on my title...my title says Class A coach? Go figure.
Hey, did you know that if you google images of Dynamax Ultra 450UL
that your sig picture comes up no. 1 ??
No, I had no idea....that's funny. That picture was taken at the factory on the day I picked it up in 2010 and I use it with my signature probably because that was the cleanest the coach has ever been.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 07:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
Guys....and Gals, don't flame me......but I'm more apt to stay at a Class A resort or a CG with the 10 year rule. I like to somewhat control my environment to keep away from the "undesirables" as much as possible.
Hhg
And you have every right to do so!!! No one should flame you for that.
Again, how many of us use every loop hole we can to pay less taxes.......so I also see nothing wrong with someone pointing out a loophole that might allow them to camp in a nice park. Personally, If they don't want me there I don't want to be there BUT just as you have a right to pick a park someone also has a right to use the "rules" to their advantage if they wish. Let face it.......a class 8 truck conversion are motorhomes that start around $250 and go up to about $750K so we're not talking about some garage made old semi....LOL
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 07:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A only resorts
My favorite campground is Bryn Mawr in St. Augustine....they let in class A, B, C, fifth wheels, travel trailers and even pop ups....It's a great place. Every now and then I like a more "resort" feel when we are traveling around for 3-4 months. I've been turned away at many campgrounds because of the "type" of rig I have and that's just fine. I believe an owner of a private business can do WHATEVER they want and we can choose to support them or not.
I do think it is a bit funny though that by the letter of the law, a prevost is not a class A. Now we all know it is but in this litigious society every "t" needs to be crossed and "i" dotted or someone will sue you for it.
I know my coach is categorized as a class 8 truck conversion......that however is not on my title...my title says Class A coach? Go figure.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 07:06am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Class A only resorts
I was just told an interesting story from an attorney in Florida about class A only resorts.
Apparently, Prevost coaches are NOT class A coaches......hmmmmmm. He said that if you look at the title, it says "bus conversion". He is working with one of the class A resorts that had a suite filed because someone came with a big class 8 truck conversion like mine and also like my coach the title states "CLASS A" ON IT. Apparently he was turned away once he showed up with his new IKON, a $450K ++ coach.
Ends up the resort has to change the by-laws to include class A coaches and Bus Conversions. He also informed them that if a title states class A they must accept it or clearly state in the by-laws that it is restricted.
Fun fact I thought.
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JTHarley
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05/30/13 06:10am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Maiden Voyage long trip ?
When I bought my first diesel pusher we literally picked it up at the dealer in Michigan and headed to Myrtle beach for the break in cruise. After reading all the posts of initial problems I was hesitant but knowing I had a new warranty and many places along the way to service it we went for it.
I ended up going to gaffney on the way home to have freightliner replace an airbag and a computer module that went wacky. We where not on any type of time constraint so we just took our time and enjoyed the journey.
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JTHarley
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05/29/13 07:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Buying an RV from Dealer vs Private Owner
I've sold a couple of my old DP over the years and in both instances it was my maintenance log that closed the sale. That is an advantage over dealerships I believe. When I sold my 2006 Vectra, I had 4 years of maintenance and every repair done at the dealership in a nice binder for the prospective buyer to browse thru. Print outs from the freightliner dealer showing average speed, hours ect......really makes a difference.
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JTHarley
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05/27/13 01:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Travel Channel RV Show
I agree with what others said about the first RV......paint $20K, slide room, at least 5K each ++, floors, cabinets, fridge, seating ect.....my guess is that they had at least 60-70K in improvements. My DW and I said the same thing, trade it in and buy a nice used DP, 40' with 2-3 slides for 80-100K. I also commented on the weight of the coach and the old suspension. Nice try and would love to see more RV shows but this one just wasn't what we expected.
How about a show that travels to various campgrounds and does a review of the facility and then interviews folks who own various coaches, entry level to the top of the line coaches, and why they like them, pro's and con's.
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JTHarley
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05/27/13 12:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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