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RE: Allegro opinions needed
Just remember in retirement you will use it more - might want to get a bigger unit
A whole different subject, but why would they want a "bigger unit"? We went the other way - a smaller unit that has ready access to many parks and camp areas larger units can't reasonably utilize. Seems each time we look at "bigger units" we primarily find longer untis with a little more 'common area' but pretty much the same amenities as our shorter unit. We've been retired for a good many years and travel extensively - always entertaining to see the guy with the 'big' unit first walk into the campground and measure potential parking spots to see if he'll fit.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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05/24/13 11:08pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: I-5 or CA99?
We travel I-5 a whole lot and the 99 every now and then. The I-5 is smoother and easier to drive, but has more traffic. The I-5 is not smooth at all in Stockton, it is downright rough.
A major understatement! Having driven the Alaska Highway a couple of times, I always tell people contemplating driving to Alaska that this piece of I-5 is worse than almost anything they'll find along that route - or any other I've driven anywhere in the western U.S. Drove thru there once again a couple of months ago (only to avoid snow on other routes!) and once again swore never again.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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05/15/13 09:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Visiting Yellowstone NP, Late Luly
Beyond visiting Yellowstone, this thread is interesting as it really illustrates the philosophical differences between types of motor home owners. Some advocating an in-town RV park and organized tour which always leaves me wondering why they travel by motor home? Might as well stay in a hotel/motel - many available in West yellowstone. We travel by motor home because we don't have to stay 'in town' - when purchasing a motor home we look for self containment - generator, large water and holding tanks, etc. Gives us the ability to comfortably camp within these many wonderful national Parks (and Yellowstone has several really nice campgrounds). Last year - in Fishing Bridge (because all the regular parks were full!) with two small grandsons, we experienced a buffalo stampede right thru our camp spot. You won't find that in town! BTW - have stayed several times in motels in West Yellowstone - most recently in winter time so we could snowmobile thru the park. Several years ago on our own, most recently only on rented machines in a tour group as that's all that is allowed. Still fun and the granddaughters enjoyed it. This is a wonderful park that we'll probably avoid this summer because of too many tourists.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/30/13 09:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Visiting Yellowstone NP, Late Luly
Stay in one of the many campgrounds inside the park and tour on your own (assuming you have a toad). Or - stay in the Grand Tetons - beautiful camping - and visit Yellowstone from there. The singular problem with Yellowstone is that it's over loved - too many tourists. As recently as 1981 we drove to Old Faithful Lodge w/o reservations and secured a room for the night. Now you'd better reserve months ahead. Have visited many, many times over the past 45 years - summer and by snowmobile in the winter. Never make reservations - last summer was the first time we experienced problems as all the campgrounds were full - EXCEPT for the RV park which is almost always booked way in advance. Go figure. BTW - too many tourists equates to drastically reduced wildlife sightings. Still a beautiful and must see park, however.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/29/13 10:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: NW US trip planning
Live in Oregon but have RV'd from north to south - 11k miles thru Mexico to Alaska - and east to west - Oregon thru Nova Scotia. Never thought it necessary to prepare differently for each 'region'. Put in a variety of clothing, fill the tank and refrigerator and go! Nothing to worry about!!
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/28/13 08:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford vs Workhorse as far as Ride?
Have owned and driven both. Currently have the Ford. Many problems with the Chevy not experienced with the Ford. Most importantly - Ford is still in business - Workhorse isn't.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/26/13 11:41pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Gas prices are down
As an engineer at Gulf General Atomic (more than a few years ago) we had an on-site gas station. Typical price $0.299/gallon - with a 10% rebate at month end for employees. Then drove a Chevrolet Blazer that never got more than 10mpg and stressed over the nearly 3 cents per mile it cost me to drive that gas hog. Makes it truly stressful when filling an 80 gallon tank with $3.70+ gasoline for those of us who remember 'the good old days'!:)
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/24/13 08:37pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: California Vacation this summer
Judy,
Campland by the Bay and, Chula Vista RV Park and Marina. Both are neatly kept, nice places. A bit on the pricey side for us but, nice places.
Wow! Stayed 3 nights at Campland a few years ago with grandchildren. This is the one campground we'll likely never forget! Spouse made reservations at $150/night!! $450 for the 3 nights. The park was full & overcrowded - the camp spots are tiny - our awning literally reached the next campsite. The picnic table was falling apart. In general a crowded & very poorly maintained campground. And - to add insult to injury - signs were posted warning of a contaminated bay!!! BTW - we lived in San Diego for several years in the early 70's and really looked forward to showing the grandchildren what a beautiful place it is. What a different experience this was.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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04/03/13 11:45pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking at Allegro 35QBA....advice please
We went to Rockland County RV show today. Wife went into the Allegro 35QBA and fell in love with it. Now time to do the homework...what other makes and models should we compare to at that price point. This way I know we make the right decision. Any other suggestions would be appreciated...
Thanks,
Chris
Have been a long time Winnebago owner - Fleetwood before the last couple Winnies. The Winnies (and Itasca) have been nearly trouble free - very well built. So - when looking for a new unit, we went looking for Winnebago once again. After looking at the Winnies and several other competitive units, looked at a Tiffin - never before in our search. The storage compartments and doors were almost enough to convince me - so well done and so much nicer than the other units. A similar feeling after looking at all the standard equipment included with Tiffin. Then - in the size we were seeking - looking at the chassis put the Tiffin out of reach for the others. While most (not all) were on the lighter chassis with 19.5" tires (ones we've suffered with previously) the Tiffin 30 GA is on the 22,000# chassis with 22.5" tires - giving us a tremendous load carrying capacity. Several of the other similar sized units were built on the 18,000# chassis. BTW -the comparable Winnebago (on the 22,000# chassis) was unacceptable as access to the bathroom was nearly impossible with the slides in - I ask again (as an engineer, by the way) - do the designers ever use these units?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/18/13 10:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking at Allegro 35QBA....advice please
The best advice is to visit the Tiffin Forum -- not owned by the company. Without question, it is the most active and intelligent forum around. You'll find in depth information from actual owners of the model - and you can ask all your own questions. You can also ask about dealers and how to deal.
While looking for a new MH it was often suggested that we look at the Tiffin Forum for more info - however I have been very disappointed. Take a look and you'll find very few posts - one can post a comment or question and go days w/o a response. It appears to me that forum is very little used. Having said that - we took delivery of our new Tiffin a couple weeks ago and will head out tomorrow on our first major trip - approximately 5k miles thru the SW. So far - we love it!
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/18/13 10:34pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Insurance
No comments about Good Sam insurance? Replacement for the first 5 years - original cost thereafter? We currently have State Farm but are looking at alternatives and wonder if Good Sam is one?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/13/13 08:57pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Now the ABS warning light
Thanks for the responses. Interestingly, while I'd started and restarted the engine w/o success - immediately upon experiencing the problem and again when I returned home - I went out a few hours later and started the engine and surprise! No ABS light. All seems ok this morning. Talked with the local Ford garage and they couldn't offer any advice other than to see if there was a fault code.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/06/13 04:22pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Now the ABS warning light
Took our new Tiffin 30 GA to the dealer this afternoon for a couple of very minor corrections before leaving on a short 'shake down' weekend. Upon returning home stopped to fill both the propane and gasoline tanks. Propane first - followed by a hard left turn to align the coach with the gasoline pumps. Filled the tank - started the engine and had (have!) a ABS warning light. The Ford manual says nothing more than to seek assistance from Ford. Looked online and see one reference about sharp turns and too short wiring leading to the ABS sensors. Will phone my Ford dealer in the morning - but - any suggestions?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/05/13 08:37pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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new coach - no spare tire
Have owned several coaches over the past 40 years but our new Tiffin is the first delivered w/o a spare tire. I assume this is fairly normal for heavier chassis (Michelin 235/80R 22.5 XRV tires)? I noted that Ford provides roadside assistance - including mounting your spare - but no mention of what happens if there is no spare. I also have Good Sam roadside assistance and my insurance carrier (State Farm) also provides roadside assistance. As we sometimes travel long distances (EG: acouple of times to Alaska) - how do most of you deal with the lack of a spare?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/03/13 08:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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New Tiffin questions
Took delivery of our long awaited Tiffin 30 GA Thursday Jan. 31 and have a couple of questions the dealer's rep. couldn't answer during the walk thru.
1) The unit has a Tripp-Lite Inverter Charger. This is a 3 stage charger. Is it sophisticated enough to allow the coach to be continuously connected to shore power w/o damaging the batteries?
2) The transfer switch is a TRC Model 41260 Surge Guard. Acording to the literature, it provides protection to the electrical system when connected to both shore and generator power. Is this sufficient protection?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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02/03/13 08:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2013 Itasca Meridian IKP34B--Buyer beware
Interesting comments. Wonder how many of you ascribing these to "vendor problems" would make the same argument for a new car - considering that most parts are in fact 'vendor' parts? Really - is it too unreasonable to expect a new very expensive motor home to be delivered problem free?I don't see what your point is. They are having new RV problems exactly as with most new cars, and both need to get resolved. The weep covers are well known, whether his dealer knew about it or not. As for the HVAC, some are noisy, some not. If the OP's is noisy and deemed working properly, oh well. There are lots of noisy cars too. Elect problems: get em' fixed.
So far I haven't decoded in the OP post that Winnnie has refused to fix anything. IMO his post was unnecessary at this point in time.
The point, of course, is that with modern manufacturing, most new cars are delivered nearly problem free. Motor home manufacturing seems to be where domestic automobiles were 30 years ago. Manufactiuring has improved dramatically over the past 30 years and as an example, my 2004 Honda toad has never required more than routine service - never even a minor warranty issue. Our daily drivers (another brand) are nearly as free from defects (and I've never heard a dealer blame a parts vendor). Follow some of the RV forums and one sees a different picture.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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01/25/13 11:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2013 Itasca Meridian IKP34B--Buyer beware
Interesting comments. Wonder how many of you ascribing these to "vendor problems" would make the same argument for a new car - considering that most parts are in fact 'vendor' parts? Really - is it too unreasonable to expect a new very expensive motor home to be delivered problem free?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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01/24/13 10:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Alaska
Can tell you that we headed north mid July 2012 and had very nice weather nearly all the way. Met people in Dawson Creek just returning (mid July) from Alaska who told us that was the first day they'd been able to sit outside on their entire trip! Also made the trip in 2005 with almost no rain - and very few insects. A beautiful trip I'd recommend to anyone. One we hope to repeat (although we really enjoy BC and the YT so probably won't venture very far into Alaska - perhaps just into Skagway for a few days.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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01/17/13 10:46pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: New Tiffin Options
I have a 36LA. I have the front heat pump and it didn't require the 7kw generator. I didn't realize until after they started the build that I was getting the 5.5kw. The few times I've used the generator I haven't had any problems so I guess 5.5kw is enough for our needs. I also have the drivers door, DW wanted another emergency exit. I haven't used it as a door yet but I use the electric window all the time, better than sliding the window open. Our ceiling vents rotate and can be closed. We usually close the vents in the bath and half-bath and run the heat pump on AC/high and the second AC's fan on high. In really hot weather we'll turn on the second AC. This seems suitable for our average AC needs.
Interesting that the 2013 models require the 7.5kw generator if the heat pump is ordered.
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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01/15/13 09:02pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Remove range and oven
While I'd agree with the previous post, I'd suggest that if you have to ask you seek professional assistance. Did you happen to see what happened to the ESPN Host with her propane BBQ?
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Semi Retired Grandpa
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01/11/13 08:24pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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