| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Retire?
I'd say Blaster Man has summed it up in the fewest words if you have to justify owning something.
Kenny I think you are trying to justify buying a Class A based on your previous posts. I also know they are where most of us who have been RVing for a long time end up and yes it's the nicest way to go down the road BUT it is often the most expensive way.
If it's an expensive Class A then hopefully you are atleast semi retired or can use it in your business... which I doubt you can. IMHO if you cannot use any expensive toy a lot, you better have a lot of money to throw away. For a expensive DP I beleive you need to use it more than 100 days/year if you want to justify the cost. Granted there are the 1-2% that do not have to justify anything... like the new Prevost next door that rarely goes anywhere (other than to the dealer for repairs) in the last four years and maybe 7K miles.
Not all Class As are expensive so they are not that different than a TT or a 5er as far as who use them.
If you have to get something else, I'd still suggest getting a 10-15 year old Airstream TT and use it until closer to retirement.
Here is an affordable Class A and a Airstream. Had a one of these a while back, very sweet machine.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/23/13 01:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Is Tucson Safe?
We spent two weeks there, a couple years back, loved the Pima Air Museum, rest of the scene not so much. However for the unparanoid a great place to stay warm.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/21/13 05:40pm |
Snowbirds
|
|
RE: Lance 1172 is at the Chicago RV Show
1172 with slides in, you can not enter camper. If you get inside with side slide in there is no room to get around.
Whoa, wish you could see my 'shocked' face.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/19/13 09:38am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: slide failure
Hard to beat the satisfaction of extending the service life of a basically useful RV. Excellent problem solving.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/19/13 09:31am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Removing Air Pump. Would like to remove A/C
another vintage coach,,,,,,butchered.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/16/13 08:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Lance 1172 is at the Chicago RV Show
Bought my special order 2010 1040 Lance from Kramers, decent price and their shop does good work.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/15/13 07:14am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Aluminum wheels
Or they can become an obsession as in my case.........new to me F-350 dually came with 4 alloys w/rear inner duals mounted on steel wheels. NOT allowed, had to find two more alloys make things correct.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
02/01/13 08:10am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: RV Class of Converted Bus
At best a skoolie is a converted camper, sort of in a way. Skoolies are most of the reason RV parks put age limits on admission. You can register it as a motor home with kitchen, bath, bunks and holding tanks but it's impossible to hide the look.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/28/13 09:15pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: 02 american dream vs 03 travel supreme
reconsider You might want to reconsider.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/28/13 07:18pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Riverside RV Manufacturer
I'd be suspecious of chip board used to excess anywhere in the IN/MI state line area. Bought race car trailers, towable RVs and truck campers by various mfrs. from that area over the years, I'd be dubious at best. Never ever again a wood frame camper for me.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/25/13 07:48pm |
Truck Campers
|
 |
RE: Thorley headers and new exhaust vs Complete Banks Systems
Ok Mike H and Daveinet, you guys have very curious about the transmission swap. Though I have little Trans knowledge I do have a relative in the trans business. Not sure how capable he might be w/custom stuff but it doesn't sound that complicated. Trans swap vs. GearVendors, now I'm really curious.
Mike H, sounds like you've had them both, was the trans swap that much better than the GV? Cost comparison? Thanks again to all of you guys for your input.
4L80 has a lockup converter so there's no comparison to a Gearvendors install from a driveability stand point in my world. Being a GV dealer didn't expect the improvement to be so profound, leave it in D and forget it, GV you are hitting the control button to change ranges. I suspect the GM trans will be 25% more money due to the ECU that's needed. I'd look for a speedo drive kit that runs off the back of the trans like the 400. 4L80 kits have normally needed a electric drive option to spin the speedo cable, but I've seen some aftermarket kits that drive the cable off the back of the trans. Don't forget you got that brake drum back there when considering the variables. As far as power absorbtion, my experience is only with carburated engines, didn't experience any sense of power loss. However we do all our own torque converters so that may have something to do with something or something.
Web site
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/25/13 10:33am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Thorley headers and new exhaust vs Complete Banks Systems
Go with the Banks kit, long primaries do a fine job. On to the transmission: Once upon a time I owned a P-30 Airstream Classic 34.5, restored it mechanically, upgraded to a 4L80 over drive transmission with a stand alone computer that was required as the 4L80 is a ECU driven unit. Not a cheap upgrade but improvement in drivability was amazing. This was going from a T-400 w/GearVendors to the 4L80, no other changes. Much quieter cruising due to the lock up converter, sold that coach for pretty good money. I really like Imperials and understand your enjoyment of keeping a vintage machine top notch.I would assume you had to shorten the drive shaft and move the trans mount back ~2 inches. The 4L80E is slightly longer than the TH400. Otherwise it should bolt in. The controller runs about 500 bucks from Summit Racing. If anyone is going to do this, make sure it is the later 4L80E, or try to get a 4L85E. The easy way to tell the difference is the later models moved one of the cooling lines to the rear of the trans. The early models have the cooling lines in the same place as the TH400. I found the 4L85E acts a little heavier - meaning it seemed to make the engine less efficient in anything other than TC lockup. Yes, it did improve mileage, but I seemed to loose just a very, very small amount off the acceleration. Maybe just my imagination.
The truth of the matter is the early unit's with the forward cooler line fitting points are superior to the later center lube style. Been remanufacturing transmissions for 30 years, and we NEVER had hardware or bushing wear problems with 400's or early 4L80's. After the center lubes were in service long enough to require attention, the new fangled, improved lube circuitry effects showed them selves. NOW it's normal to replace ALL the bushings and frequently the rear planetary unit. Made the expense of overhaul twice what it used to be. If you can figure out why Hydramatic thought this was a good plan be sure to let me know. I have always used the TCI stand alone controller, can't comment on any other brand or supplier. I reiterate, the 4L80 was the best upgrade I've ever thrown @ a P-30 and that's based on several different rigs I've owned/worked on over the years.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/25/13 09:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Thorley headers and new exhaust vs Complete Banks Systems
Go with the Banks kit, long primaries do a fine job. On to the transmission: Once upon a time I owned a P-30 Airstream Classic 34.5, restored it mechanically, upgraded to a 4L80 over drive transmission with a stand alone computer that was required as the 4L80 is a ECU driven unit. Not a cheap upgrade but improvement in drivability was amazing. This was going from a T-400 w/GearVendors to the 4L80, no other changes. Much quieter cruising due to the lock up converter, sold that coach for pretty good money. I really like Imperials and understand your enjoyment of keeping a vintage machine top notch.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/24/13 08:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Is this doable? Crazy idea?? Class A home
Interesting concept. I did exactly what you propose.........in Idaho, east of Lewiston on the Clearwater river. 1 ac. on the river bank, Cabana, Fiver w/deck, well/septic and 200a to the cabana. However, being close to family after years apart can be very stressful, I'd try it out for a while before investing in land.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/24/13 07:55am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Looking at 89 newell coach
Yes, going to need a little more information. If it has a Detroit 2 stroke they get 5.5 mpg on average. YES they do.I gotten 7 mpg running a DD silver 92 pulling a tank and 8700 gallons of gasoline. The later DD silver 92 were really good pullers. There are many Wanderlodge owners who would find your remarks fanciful. Milage reports are like fishing stories. A truck with a manual transmission will do better than a 40k bus with a mechanical Allison 4 or 5 speed.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/21/13 09:08am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Looking at 89 newell coach
Yes, going to need a little more information. If it has a Detroit 2 stroke they get 5.5 mpg on average. YES they do.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/20/13 08:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: 26 Foot Box Trailer
Hereis a solution. The 8.1/Allison is plenty muscular for what you have in mind. I wouldn't sweat the over length deal too much. Been many places, even NY and CT 70' long and never curbed for it yet.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/20/13 08:21pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Diesel or Gas- Which Way Should I Go?
This economy? This environment? A fiver for sure for F/T.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/18/13 09:47am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Lance 9000 Project
I like the tarp house, did something similar off the front of my Wanderlodge when changing the engine.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/13/13 10:21pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 1919 Speedwagon House Car
wood spokes on the front wheels, kind of disturbing but still holding up the front end.
|
Mike Hohnstein
|
01/13/13 10:00pm |
Truck Campers
|
