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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: V10 oil consumption
We use Mobil 1 5w30 oil in our V10 and change it at least once a year and before each trip over 600 miles, and I check it before each leg of our trips. I last changed it before our recent trip to Florida, and after the trip (from Michigan and back)the dipstick still reads full.
Our former motor home with the 2000 V10 had the old style "T" handle dipstick (I didn't know about the dipstick issue until after we sold it), and it took 7 quarts of oil to reach the top mark on the dipstick. We never had any problems with the motor home, but it would use a quart of oil per 1000 miles. Perhaps it was burning off that "extra" quart of oil that was not supposed to be there.
Our current motor home (2001 V10) has the round topped dipstick and takes 6 quarts to fill.
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Ro646a
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04/28/13 11:06am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Buying first RV Class A, recommendation required length...
We bought our 2001 Fleetwood Southwind a year and a half ago and we love it. Prior to that we had a 2000 Newmar Dutch Star gasser for three years. Both motor homes have given us excellent service. Both motor homes were well maintained by their previous owners and were (and still are) in excellent condition when we got them. Of the two, the Southwind has been our favorite because it has more features than the Dutch Star had. We would most certainly consider buying either of those brands again.
Both these motor homes have the Ford chassis and we have had no problems with either.
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Ro646a
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04/24/13 03:54pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Tow Car
Chevy Trackers are not made anymore. The last year is 2004, but the 4WD models can be towed 4 down without modifications. The V6 weighs around 3200 pounds. I don't know what the 4 cylinder models weigh.
Chevy says you need to limit speed to 55 and stop every 200 miles to start it up for a couple of minutes and put it in gear to lubricate the transfer case.
We never limit our speed to 55 if the speed limit is higher. Our usual cruising speed is 62 to 65 and we never stop specifically to do the start-up routine. But it seems that we automatically stop within 200 miles anyway, either for driving breaks, meals, or to refuel. So each time we stop I simply go back and start the car, put it in gear, do a walk-around to check the rig, turn it off and take off. Takes about 3 minutes.
We have towed 40000 miles with no problems. I'd buy another Tracker in a minute. The only problem is that they are getting older and it is harder to find nice ones.
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Ro646a
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04/14/13 02:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Do I really want equal in my new tires
Our first motorhome had equall without the proper valves and had problems with the tires losing air.
I have had in my tires with the correct valves in our last 2 motor homes with no problems. I would not hessitate to use it again.
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Ro646a
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03/14/13 03:05pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: how old is your toad?
14 years old and 150,000 miles.
I'd suggest towing the old car so you don't worry about dinging it up.
Use the money that was for a new car on traveling.
I agree. I would never buy a new car to tow behind our motor home.
We have a 2002 Chevy Tracker V6 4X4 in excellent condition with 95,000 miles. We bought this car as an extra car for towing and have towed it about 20,000 miles so far, and we plan to keep this car as long as we have a motor home.
The 4X4 V6 Chevy Tracker from about 2000 to 2004 is the same car as a Suzuki Grand Vitara from the same years.
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Ro646a
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02/25/13 05:15pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Used motorhomes
We are on our 2nd 10+ year old motorhome and we have had no problem getting into nice campgrounds. Our latest trip was to Disney World, where we spent a week in one of their premium sites. We have only had this motor home for a year, but we plan to keep it for a long time.
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Ro646a
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02/24/13 02:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: car shipping...
Two weeks ago we bought a 60 Thunderbird while on our trip to Florida. We had it shipped home to the Detroit Michigan area using a company called "We will transport it".
If you are interested contact Don Meyer. His E-mail address is
don@wewilltransportit.com.
They gave me excellent, fast service, and the communication was excellent.
It cost me $1000 to have my car shipped in a closed truck from St. Petersburg to my home in Michigan. My car left Florida on a Thursday and arrived at my home on Sunday.
I would definitely use them again.
Roland
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Ro646a
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02/22/13 03:14pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Will my heater provide enough heat driving in cold weather?
I'm the OP on this thread and we just returned from our Florida trip.
As it turned out we had no problems at all with keeping warm. The morning we left Michigan it was in the 20s and last night when we returned it was 19 degrees.
The dash heater kept us nice and warm all the way through Michigan and Ohio both coming and going.
I have to say that I was afraid we might be making a mistake when we sold our 2000 Newmar Dutch Star gasser and bought this 2001 Southwind. We made the move because the Southwind has more features and an extra slide out, and had only 18,000 miles vs 44,000 on the DS. Both units have the same 2000 Ford chassis with the 310 hp V10.
Everything about the Southwind is equal, if not superior to that Newmar with only one exception. The DS had 50 amp service and the Southwind is 30 amp, however the load management system in the Southwind allows both a/C units to run at the same time by shedding loads as needed.
After 5000 miles are really pleased with the performance and quality of the Southwind. Now I'm talking about a gas powered Dutch Star, not a Diesel. I'm sure the diesel models are in a whole different world.
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Ro646a
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02/07/13 07:27am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Best Florida to Michigan Route?
We have been in Florida for the first time, for the past couple of weeks. At the moment we are in the Cape Canaveral area and trying to decide whether or not to go up to Savannah before we head home.
Can anyone offer any advice as to whether it is better to try to come home via I-75 vs I-77?
We got lucky coming down here and had clear sunny weather and dry roads all the way from Detroit. The only exception was about a 10 mile stretch of slush left over from the prior day in Knoxville, but even then we had bright sunshine. I'm afraid we won't be that lucky going home.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks :)
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Ro646a
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02/01/13 06:23am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Disney Fort Wilderness Campsites Full Hookup vs Premium
We are at Disney right now, in a premium site. The site number is 856. On the awning side we have about 50 feet of woods between us and our next neighbor. The campground is very nice and they make it really easy to get around in the parks without having to use your toad, if you have one.
At the site we are in WIFI is not available at the site. They will give you a cable modem that you can use to receive internet access at these sites. It works very well, and is much faster than WIFI at any of the other parks we have been in. There is a $125 refundable deposit for the modem.
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Ro646a
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01/26/13 07:15am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Is 2 weeks enough time?
It took me a week to drive to Yellowstone from Detroit, driving daily from around 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We spent the weekend there and it took me another week to drive home.
Now that I'm retired we plan to go back next summer and spend more time there. You need a good week or more there to really enjoy it.
Don't make the mistake I did. We went in through the Northeast entrance
(Beartooth Highway). It was the best part of the trip, but no place to take a motorhome. We made it, but it was scary. Next time we will take a side trip up there with our toad.
Whatever you do, enjoy it. We can't wait to go back! :)
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Ro646a
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01/21/13 08:02am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Ready Brake cable
We have the Ready Brake installed on our Chevy Tracker. The cable loop is always exposed on the front of our car (If this was my every day car I would want the cable concealed). When the car is not connected for towing and the brake is applied, the cable loop on the front of the car extends forward, sliding from inside the cable conduit, about 2 inches.
We bought our Tracker to be primarily used as a tow car and occasional utility vehicle, so the exposed cable loop is not an issue for us. I wouldn't want to subject one of our nicer cars to the trauma the Tracker is subjected to while being towed.
I hope this helps.
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Ro646a
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01/17/13 06:11pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Can I refill my propane along I-75 south?
I can't remember the exit #. Flying J about 40 miles south of Chatt. Tenn. Hwy 136 exit. Exit 306 Adairsville @ Harvest Moon CG.
Thanks! :)
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Ro646a
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01/16/13 12:53pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Can I refill my propane along I-75 south?
Thank you all for the information and advice on getting propane. Although we have been on 27 trips over 35,000 miles in 3 different motor homes in the past 6 years, this will be our first trip in cold weather. Up until now I was able to fill up with propane a mile from home and it lasted all summer, so I had never noticed what propane facilities were available.
Thank you all once again.
Roland
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Ro646a
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01/16/13 10:51am |
General RVing Issues
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Can I refill my propane along I-75 south?
We are leaving Wednesday to go to Florida, planning to stop in Kentucky and Georgia on the way. Can anyone offer advice on where to get my on- board propane tank refilled along I- 75? I like to keep it warm, even if I have to run both furnaces. So I expect to have to refill along the way.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Ro646a
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01/15/13 07:05pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Should I have been concerned?
Doc Brown,
The levels you have in the cockpit: is that something you added or was it a feature with your coach? That sounds like an excellent idea.
Bought two about 2" bubble levels and mounted one on the dash in front of me (to show right/left) and one to my left (to show front/back). Cheap, easy, informative and I love gadgets!
I did the same thing. Best ten bucks I ever spent. :)
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Ro646a
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01/15/13 06:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford tranny
The 4-speed 4R100 used behind the 2 valve V10's (1999 chassis) and the 5R200 behind the 3 valve V10's (introduced in 2006 CHASSIS model year) are both excellent tranny's.
While I would love to have the extra hp and the 5 speed of the newer Ford chassis, I get along quite well with the 310 hp and 4 speeds of my "old" MH. My MH has a feature that a new one wouldn't-------------------------it's paid for!!!
I agree! :)
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Ro646a
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01/15/13 03:37pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Braking System for Toad
Ready Brake!
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Ro646a
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01/09/13 07:51am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Will my heater provide enough heat driving in cold weather?
WOW! Thank you for all the quick responses! I'm the OP on this thread and I appreciate the help. You all have given me good ideas to help me to be prepared. Since I'm retired now we plan to allow 6 days to get there from near Detroit, Michigan. That will allow us some flexibility. Hopefully we can leave on a sunny dry day (perhaps I'm dreaming). If the sun is shining it should help to warm the front of the MH through the big front glass areas. I also plan to run the furnace the night before we leave so we can start out with a warm interior.
The shower curtain rod idea sounds good too. If my wife gets cold in the passenger seat I'll start up the generator and place our space heater up front under the dash for her.
Thanks again for all the great advice!
Happy New Year to all of you.
:)
Roland
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Ro646a
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12/31/12 08:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Will my heater provide enough heat driving in cold weather?
We are planning our first ever winter RV trip to Florida in a couple of weeks. Although we have had three motor homes we have never driven them in cold weather (Michigan).
Can anyone give me any suggestions or advice relative to keeping warm while driving the RV in my signature? Is the heater likely to provide enough heat while driving for us to be comfortable in the front seats, or is it likely that we will need to run the furnaces? We will not have any passengers with us. It will be just my wife and me.
Thanks,
Roland
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Ro646a
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12/30/12 07:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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