RE: Perferred size of MH to full time in
We're beginning our fifth year of full timing. Currently we have a 40' DP with four slides. We started with a 37' model with two slides; it was adequate, but when we compared it to a 40' model we could appreciate the difference. Be aware, though, that size and slides can be deceiving. Our two-slide model had more interior cabinet space because slides reduce the room available for overhead cabinetry. A 40' model seems to us to be the right size; a 42' has less basement storage because of the tag axle and more components to wear out; a 45' would be nice but we like to stay at state parks and we'd be too restricted with that large a coach. When you look at models, you'll find that some 40' floorplans look much smaller than a 42', but some look as large or larger - it's all in how the builder uses the space.
I'd be leery about advice from the "RV Consumer Group" - the one-man staff seems to have a personal agenda about motorhomes. We've owned four 5th wheels and enjoyed them, but at this stage in our lives we enjoy the convenience and luxury of a motorhome.
RE: Home state?
A big selling point for South Dakota for us was the 3% excise tax on a new vehicle. In our case, we established residency, THEN bought our motorhome. We looked at Texas, but it would have cost over $3K more to buy a vehicle there or in our (then) home state of Ohio. Since we became residents, we purchased another motorhome and tow vehicle, and paid 3% of the trade-in difference. With all of the other advantages, SD was a clear winner for us.
RE: Mattress Replacement ??
Our coach came with a Sleep Number bed; we both disliked it for a number of reasons (ridge in the middle, cheap construction, hard to find replacement parts). We found the perfect solution; a 13" memory foam from Overstock.com. This particular model comes in four layers so that it's easy to get into the RV; you can change the top two layers to get the firmness you desire. It's incredibly comfortable and was reasonably priced at $329. Do a search at Overstock.com for RV memory foam mattresses, they have several models.
RE: A "new" online RV supplier? Camping World competitor?
I think of Camping World as the place of last resort - I also google what I need and select from a vendor. Better price and no sales tax are benefits; plus who knows how much longer Affinity will be in business?
RE: Being too cheap?
Not at all; there are just too many rigs on the market and the NADA price is pretty meaningless - stick to your guns. If not that coach, there are plenty more out there.
RE: Venetian Blinds vs Day/Night Shades
As full timers, we can tell you that there are only two types of day/night shades; those that are broken and those that will break. They simply can't stand the stress of daily use. We replaced ours with custom 1" wood miniblinds from an online supplier. They match the wood in our coach, allow for better ventilation, and don't rattle. We'd never go back to day/night shades.
RE: Newell 2007 for sale
I saw a bordello in Juarez years ago that looked just like the interior of this coach. (I was on a church tour and we took a wrong turn)
RE: Mistake???? What to do??
I agree with thegoodman, except that I'd visit the Nappanee, Indiana Newmar factory. They certainly can fix your problems, and do it right. It will cost, but not anywhere near as much as trading for another unit with a new set of problems. The Mountain Aire is a great coach, it's worth keeping.
RE: Water Softeners
We've had both the Travelsoft and On-the-Go portable softeners, and much prefer the On-the-Go (about $270). The recharging is pretty simple - pour in a container of table salt, let water run for 15 minutes, and you're done. We buy the salt at Wal-Mart for $.33 a container, but any table salt will do. It's pretty simple. The Travelsoft worked OK, but carrying a 40 lb bag of rock salt and forcing it into the too-small opening was a pain. You're smart to get a softener, aside from the improvement in water quality, you're appliances and plumbing will last longer.
RE: Picking out Full Timers
At my retirement party, the folks presented me with what they perceived a full timer should wear:
One-piece cotton/polyester jump suit w/embroidered lion on chest and elastic belt
Tennis shoes with velcro instead of laces
Visor cap
Big, wrap-around sun glasses (the kind that you wear over your glasses)
I am quite the spiffy full timer!
RE: Newmar North Star?
You're probably thinking of the "Northern Star" (I hope someday Newmar runs out of "Star" names), a model build around 2004-2006. We looked at one and liked the interior, high ceilings and a great floor plan; however, the basement storage was horrible, as they took the interior height out of the basement area. Probably OK for vacation use, but not enough room for full timing. If you google the Northern Star name you'll get some hits on units for sale. You should be able to get one cheap if you're really interested since it's a discontinue model.
RE: Woodalls or Trailer Life??
We prefer Trailer Life, especially since the Good Sam discount parks are in boldface. Saves us a little time in finding a park. BTW, we pay no attention to their ratings and instead use rvParkreviews.com
RE: Tire Pressure ?
By just inflating the tire pressure to the maximum printed on the sidewall you're running the risk of over inflating and causing unnecessary tire wear, and at least making the ride more harsh than necessary. As others have said, weighing the vehicle is the most important factor; after that it's an easy task of checking your particular tire's inflation tires and inflating the tires of each axle to the recommended weight. You need to check the pressure in the morning when the tires are cool & your task will be a lot easier if you buy a suitable compressor and carry it with you.
RE: Old Question Diesel or Gas, not a preformance issue?
The new Adventurers, Allegro/Allegro Bay, and Newmar (they change names so fast I can't keep up) are all good choices. We full timed for two years in a 2006 37' Allegro Bay WH w/2 slides and a CCC of 2900 lbs. It had ample storage room, drove and climbed hills just fine, and was very cheap to maintain. You're right - you can get a very nicely furnished gas model for a lot less than a diesel. And your wife will be able to enjoy the view going down the road (my wife hates the front entry and partially blocked side view). A diesel has it's advantages, but more money in the pocket is an advantage, too. Of course, there will be suggestions to get a used diesel, but if you're set on a new one, go for the gas.
RE: Gas vs Diesel Class A
I've full timed in both a 2006 gasser (Tiffin) and 2006 DP (Itasca) and both have been great motorhomes. The difference is primarily the size and weight advantage of the DP. The Tiffin, with a CCC of 2900lbs, handled OK, went up hills just as fast as the DP, and required minimal maintenance. The DP, with a CCC of 4000lbs, handles better, is generally more quiet, and because of it's weight, much better when driving in wind. It gets better mileage than the gasser, but the cost of diesel fuel usually makes the difference negligible. The quality of construction and interior furnishing aren't much different; mostly glitz and furnishing that are heavier (and more expensive). The only significant difference is annual maintenance costs. The one poster who continually disagrees has a 93 model, and his costs may be less. But if you have a late model DP, with four slides, emission control systems, and sophisticated air/fuel filtering systems, maintenance will cost you more. It's a simple equation: fuel and electrical systems on a gasser vs fuel, electrical, air and hydraulic systems on a DP. Plus, SCAs, fuel additives, and multiple filters (compare the cost of an air filter between Workhorse 8.1 and Cat C7). The bottom line is what you want to do with it. If you're only going to use it for vacations, buy a good quality (Tiffin, Newmar, or Winnebago) gasser; they'll have all of the quality and bells and whistles of a DP and you'll save a lot of money. Find the floorplan you like, a price you can afford, and the time to use it; whatever you end up with, enjoy.
Blocking Function Working?
I've tried to use the blocking function (going to user profile and clicking the "block member" link), without success. I get the next window (block posts/email) but after that I get an error message that there's a forum technical error. I've tried in both Firefox and IE, same result. Any help?
RE: Storage compartments come out with the slide out.
Regarding the OP's question, I also don't see any way that the slides can be converted; slide-out trays seem to be the only option. Personally, one of the main reasons I bought my coach was because both big slides have the compartments attached. True, it doesn't have the storage capacity of a pass-through, but it's adequate (and we're full timers), and the middle compartment has a large slide out tray w/refer. For Winnebago, the compartment weight isn't much of an issue; the assembly is massive and the company techs say that each compartment (three per slide) are rated at 300 lbs each. Unfortunately, Winnebago no longer offers the "Store More" system - too bad, it was a major selling point for many of us.
RE: Damon vs. Winnebago
The Winnebago is the superior product, and the cost will probably reflect that fact. Damon was bought by Thor industries, and while a stable company, is not in the same league with Winnegabo, which celebrated it's 50th year as a motor home manufacturer. The Winnebago has a great Energy Management System (EMS) as a standard feature, residential a/c, and great customer support. Damon is not a bad coach, but if you look close at both coaches, you'll see the difference.
