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RE: Shiny RV with Red Max Pro (pics)
Red MAX Pro and Graphics peeling. Red MAX Pro is damaged by direct sun rays. It has flaked up on my Class C cabover, and on most of the graphic decals that face the south. It is particularly evident on the RED decals; less so on the silver ones.
The damage patterns I have look like it is a heat issue. Red gets warmer than the silver. The only white fiberglass I have showing damage is in the curved portion of the cabover which gets more direct rays than the sides, which get angled rays. Could also be UV, but the locations of the RMP flaking are also the spots most impacted by the intense Florida sun.
I put RMP on the roof of a class A I owned. The summer sun caused almost all of it on the roof to flake off. The sides were not effected.
Florida sun is not the friend of any protective finish I've ever used. RMP holds up better than any other though.
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fortytwo
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05/14/13 09:09pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Hauling kayak's and bicylce's...
If you could tow 5k, and stay within CGVW, you could use a Jeep Cherokee with kayak(s) on top and a bike rack on the rear. Did that for 12 years (two Hobie Outback pedal kayaks on top; two recumbents on the bike rack).
When I downsized to a Sprinter based Class C that simply isn't possible. I now tow a Saturn L300 wagon with a tadpole trike inside, a tadpole on the roof, and a 16 foot Sea Eagle 465 (triple seats) inflatable inside the wagon (approx 3k pounds).
The inflatable is a compromise, but a necessary one to keep kayaking. The Sea Eagle 465 has a super hull, for an inflatable. It's about .2 mph slower than my Old Town 16 foot Loon double. Unfortunately, the seats are a disaster. Most inadequate design I've seen in 35 years of kayaking. I can make them usable, but one shouldn't have to do that for a $2,000 (list - $1,350 sale) kayak. The good news is that you have a 6 month return warranty!
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fortytwo
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05/10/13 07:16pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: What to do with bicycles?
Bought a bike cover 14 years ago when we went to Alaska. Was more duct tape than cover by the time we got back. Tossed it and haven't used one since.
For several years we bought cheep Wally World bikes and donated them after a couple of years. When we switched to recumbents we learned to live with rusty chains and mounting screws. We removed the seats on the recumbents.
Now one trike rides inside the rear of the car, and the second rides on top. Bought the second one with internal geared hubs front and rear kto keep clean gears. Still have to oil the chain (Boeshield) and mounting screws.
I think a good cover could be made, but would require premium material and seam structure = pricey. I don't think anything will keep the Alaska dust off the bikes.
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fortytwo
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05/04/13 07:37pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: What to do with bicycles?
Like Diado24, I recommend the dual receiver adapter. I have on on my Winnie View. Bikes ride on a rack above the towbar. Traveled 14k miles last year with that configuration.
Some ladders are not mounted to enough structure to handle the weight of two bikes bouncing on the back, so I avoid that solution. However, it does work with a properly mounted ladder.
A front mount is also a viable solution. Costs quite a bit more than the dual receiver adapter though.
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fortytwo
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05/01/13 06:12pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Oil Change - Ford V10
I had a V-10 in a 2000 class A. Used a bypass filter plus the regular filter (Amsoil sold the one I used) Mobil 1. Changed the regular filter and took an oil sample every 7500 miles. Changed oil when recommended by the oil analysis folks. Turned out to be between 35,000 and 45,000 miles. Pulled the heads due to a spit plug at 128,000. No visible wear.
Lots of good oil is going back to the recyclers before it's time!
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fortytwo
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04/13/13 07:56pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Itaska Navion
There is a "Skinnie Winnie" forum on Yahoo with more info than you probably want to read. Google Skinnie Winnie. An 08 will be on an 07 chassis. Tow rating is 3500. 09 and later have 5000 hitches, but practical towing is about 4200 due to CVGW (combined vehicle gross weight) limits. Price doesn't sound out of line if condition is good.
Plan on new tires and batteries unless they have been replaced.
Wes
08 View
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fortytwo
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03/22/13 02:49pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Towing behind a Sprinter Motorhome
Supercub,
The frame extensions are connected to the Sprinter frame by 4 bolts. MB does not allow welding the extensions. Not sure of other mfgrs, but Winnebago used a gauge metal that limited the hitch tow capability to 3500 pounds thru the 07 chassis/08 View-Navions. The 09 Winnebago models had stronger extensions which enabled a 5000 pound hitch, but the weight of the MH and CGVW limitations reduced practical towing capability to about 4200 pounds.
The extensions can be strengthened, and should on models through 08,but it does not increase tow rating. It could possibly increase hitch vertical loading capability, but it would be a user judgement. No one has tested the braces for the extensions. Upscale Auto in Portland sells them. They basically convert the "L" shape of the extension/hitch combo to a triangle shape which is much stronger. The extensions do not change the critical link of the 4 bolt connection of the extension to the Sprinter frame.
I have the braces on my 08 View, and they stopped the downward deflection that had started on my extensions. My tow was only 3000 pounds, but I was using a drop hitch to get my tow bar level.
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fortytwo
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03/21/13 07:46pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: 2 more questions about sprinters?
HP: mostly the increased HP just compensates for pollution control features Big Brother(s) have imposed. DEF (diesel emission fluid) is also required on the 188 HP version. The 5 cylinder is reported to outperform any of the 6 cylinders is unscientific tests.
Tow capability: Winnebago increased the thickness of the frame extensions on the 09 and later models to enable the 5000 # hitch rating. Unless you run with helium balloons for cargo your CGCW rating will limit your tow to below the 5000 capacity. The frame extensions on 08 and prior models WILL NOT survive towing over 3500 , and should have braces added to do that (available from Upscale Auto). My 08 frame extensions deflected down towing 3000 #; had to add braces.
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fortytwo
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02/22/13 05:16pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Tires
What snowdance said. I was 30 miles from Les Schwab to get new tires after a FL to WA trip. Blowout took out exhaust AND drive shaft! Exciting, and cost more than the new set of tires.
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fortytwo
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02/18/13 05:04pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Motorhomes on Sprinter Chasis questions?
You'll need to look at Sprinter 08 and above chassis. That will mean an 09 or later RV. 07 and before were limited to 3500 pounds towing. Not the engine or drive train on the 07 chassis (same engine as 08), it was the extensions bolted to the Sprinter frame that are not strong enough. My 07 chassis extensions bent downward towing 3,000 pounds. There are braces available, but they don't increase the towable weight.
A major readjustment will be the distance between fuel stations. I plan on 200 miles. The fuel light comes on at 260-275. You still have about 6 gallons left, but how far to you want to trust the light?
We've adapted to space (downsized from a 35' with tons of compartments). Used to tow a Cherokee with two bikes and two kayaks. Hate it that the kayaks now have to stay behind.
Sure miss the jacks. Can be added at about 5k but there's a significant impact on your cargo weight capacity.
Mercede$!
Biggest advantage is you can now stop at many roadside attractions that a 40 footer has to pass up.
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fortytwo
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02/17/13 03:44pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: LED replacement for interior lights
For the flat under cabinet lights there is a seller on E-Bay with 10 round flat LED's with the two pins for $12. They ship from China in about a week. Had to clip about 3/16" off the pins to get them to fit. Had one of the 10 fail on install. Others have been in my Winne View for over 3 months of use. Not quite as much light, but enough for ambient use. Warm, but not nearly as hot as what's there now.
Wes
08 View
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fortytwo
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02/16/13 06:40pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Living in a Class C trailer
If you are going to visit the maritime part of Alaska I recommend doing it on the way up. Get the ferry schedule and make reservations all the way to Haines before you leave. Pick departures that let you travel by ferry in the daylight. I stayed 5-7 days at each stop when I went up as it often rains 3 of 5 days and I wanted to have a couple of good days to explore each stop, and travel in daylight when I left. At the end of August EVERYONE is wanting to leave at the same time and ferries are really, really crowded.
It's a fairly sizeable investment to go all the way by ferry as you get charged for over height vehicle automatically, and by the inch over 20 feet so a smaller RV is economical in more ways than one! An alternative is to park the RV at Haines, Skagway, Stewart, or Valdez and backpack/bed and breakfast the maritime towns by ferry. Most stops only have a few miles of road anyway.
We went in a 20 foot Chinook Class B+ with bikes. Went everywhere it it - even the 60 miles in 10 hours road out to McCarthy! Based out of Anchorage (Seattle North) and took trips out for a week-10 days. With only 2 months you'll have a lot left over for another trip! The State Fair is a hoot, and in late August as I remember.
Summer is road repair time. Construction spots are either dust or mud; nothing in between. If you have a toad you may need a pressure washer to get the doors open.
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fortytwo
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02/15/13 06:44pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Miles per day/hours on the road
In my 30's I often did 550-600 a day. Would get up at 6, drive for a couple of hours and stop for breakfast. Usually drove a 12 hour day. Wife usually drove for an hour or so after lunch to give my eyes a break. At the time you will be traveling CG's may be full by 4-5 pm so you'll need to reserve or use Wally World/truck stops.
Now, 45 years later it's 9-3 or 4. Only time we exceed 7 hours is out west where facilities are further apart. Each decade now seems to reduce our range a 100 miles or so per day. In scenic country we may only get 150 every other day. In retirement the journey is the destination!
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fortytwo
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01/23/13 08:12pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Upgraded to Millenicom 3G/4G Hotspot
Like turnersteve, I found my Millenicom MIFI was 15% faster on download and 2 1/2 times as fast on upload as my Comcast cable. Plus, with MIFI I can use my tablet while I'm waiting on DW (maybe no one else has that problem).
Yes, MIFI will slow down when lots of folks use the same tower, but my cable did the same thing. 4G is a real game changer.
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fortytwo
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01/19/13 06:13pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: 2003 gulfstream bt cruiser info needed.
The couch bed in the BT of that vintage cannot be fixed!!! It's the frame. Construction is like army cots of 60 years ago, except instead of just sagging like a hammock it has just enough cross members that you always hit one. I added memory foam; didn't help because of the sag. Cut plywood panels (so it would fold) and added "X" bracing with cables for support. The damn frame broke! Only solution I could devise would have been to replace the couch with one with a decent fold out bed. They do make them; I have one in my Class A.
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fortytwo
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01/05/13 07:13pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: 2003 gulfstream bt cruiser info needed.
I owned an 04 for a short time. Construction quality of the "house" part was marginal, but workable. The couch that created the bed was a piece of junk - essentially an oversized old army cot. It was not fixable. I spent the 3 weeks I had it on the road trying - air mattress, memory foam etc (I had been RV'ing for 40 years and am pretty handy at "fixing things"). Rather than trying to replace it I sold it, and retrieved my Class A from storage.
I was about 70 when I bought it. The 70 year old bones need to try the bed, overnight if possible, before investing in it. If the bed works for them I found the rest of the coach to have good functionality.
The Ford part worked well. Drove like a sports car. I had the 450 chassis.
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fortytwo
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01/04/13 08:33pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: mobile internet for RV
Millenicom. No contract, uses Verizon cells, $70 for 20GB. Offers either USB or MIFI. Based in Oregon - no tax on the bill. No coverage in Canada.
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fortytwo
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12/28/12 04:36pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Red max pro on roof and cab?
My RMP experience is the same as posted: top chalked after a few months; sides still good after 18.
Please be careful with TSP. I have large scars on both forearms due to chemical burns by TSP. Was working on mildew overhead and it ran down my rubber gloves and onto the forearms. Got the mixture of TSP and bleach too strong and working in cool weather I noticed it too late.
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fortytwo
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12/02/12 08:46pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Synthetic Oil Versus Regular Oil
Had to tear down my 2000 V-10 due to a spit plug at 127,000 miles - class A at 25,000 CGVW. Synthetic since first oil change. No wear detectable.
Had the Am soil dual filter system with oil analysis at every 7,500 miles. Oil changed when analysis indicated, usually about 45,000 miles. Don't know what the changes would have been required if I hadn't had the large bypass filter. In any case we change oil much too often.
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fortytwo
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10/30/12 07:09am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Sprinter based RV's
A "Skinnie Winnie" group is on Yahoo.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/View-Navion/
On occasion Napa or one of the other auto parts stores has a sale on Mobil 1 that meets the MB 229.51 spec. Enough folks follow the sales that you can find when one is on and lay in a supply. You'll need 2+ cases (6 qt/case). My last oil change ran about $200 (oil-85, filter 7.50, labor to change 120). I also had the Fumoto valve installed ($30).
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fortytwo
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10/25/12 05:59pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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