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RE: I am new to RV'ing- why are my new batteriers dying??
The engine and chassis systems are on a separate sets of batteries. The question here is did he just replace the house batteries. If it won't start that could very well be your problem and you probably will have to replace the chassis battery(s). It gets even better, if you have a genset it too may have it's own battery and it may need attention. Welcome to the world of RVing and the lessons we all have to learn through trial and error or whatever.
See if you can locate a full set of owners manuals for that coach. When I acquired the project in my signature below I had no manuals etc. I made many phone calls to Fleetwood/American Coach and Spartan Chassis and provided them with the Vin #, etc. and found them all to be most helpful. They even located and sent me schematics of the entire coach from the frame, electrical, plumbing and the chassis. Some of this data on these oldies is no longer available but I got lucky. It's worth the calls.
In the meantime enjoy the new adventure.
Roger
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rchonly
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10/07/12 12:07pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: aux fuel tank 2011 f-350 dually
If you put a bed tank in with its own hose and pump, no fuel system mods necessary. However it can get to be a hassle stopping to pump your own.
Me? I'd have a nervous breakdown at the pump buying a 100 gals or more...I'd have a nervous breakdown having to stop every 100 miles to fuel up.
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I ran a 2001 Dodge 2500 C/Cab 4x4 SRW w/a Cummin's pulling a 34' Alpenlite for several years with a 105 gallon auxilliary tank with a hose and pump and never found it to be inconvenient. Many a time when I was in the middle of nowhere and found my gauge kissing the big "E" I found a wide spot pulled over and spent 4 or 5 minutes pumping 30 to 35 gallons of diesel into the truck tank. It was a short rest gave me a tiny bit of exercise and away I'd go. Give you an example I ran from Tecate, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Baja without having to buy fuel and when I bought in Cabo after being there for a week I only had to purchase 110 gallons.
My tank stuck above the bed about 4 " so I had to be careful with sharp turning when backing etc. I had a long bed and still kissed the corners of the 5'er a few times. I think if I'd spent the $$ for an extended hitch on the 5er it may have cured that problem. The best part was I had a comfortable range of 1,400+ miles towing.
You don't need to go as big as I did but do get a tank that fit's your set up and in this case bigger is better and go with the pump and hose if you have a problem with the warranty. Frankly, I don't see what effect an auxiliary tank would have with any part of your truck that is covered under warranty.
That certainly has the smell of a CYA clause.
Roger
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rchonly
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10/05/12 09:53am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parking My RV in the Side Yard
Another thing to take into consideration is the length of the rise relative to the distance between the front and rear axles. You have to think about the possibility of high centering the coach trying to get up onto the flat area. Roger
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rchonly
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10/02/12 07:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How best control, bugs, flies, bees around picnic table
For a few years now we've used about a 25% solution of Listerine and water in a spray bottle. It doesn't take much and it works with most of them critters.
Roger
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rchonly
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10/01/12 04:56pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Help! is it my Brakes? Or Transmission ?
Having had a 1990 P-30 Chev chassis under a Winnebago Chieftain let me make a suggestion.
If it is equipped with the "AutoPark" parking brake that may be where your problem lies. The next time it locks up crawl under the coach and check your parking brake assembly, it is a brake drum assembly at the end of the transmission tail shaft. Be careful because it could be real hot and if it is that's your problem. That system "AutoPark" is a real bad design that has never worked or lasted very long.
I can tell you from experience if that is your problem don't waste your money trying to fix it as it doesn't fix. Years ago I spent $1,700.00 at me local GM dealer having mine rebult with all new factory parts and it lasted about 9 months and started locking up again to the point of setting itself on a fire one day in the morning commute hour as I was traveling up the San Francisco peninsula.
If that is indeed the problem I'd suggest you find a competent shop and have them replace that entire set up with a mechanical system. You can't just disconnect it because that is your only device to keep the coach parked in one place when your not in it. The PARK function on those P-30's does not have a pin to lock the tranny.
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rchonly
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09/21/12 09:13pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 80-90's with solid fiberglass roofing? Least seams possible?
I had a 1990 32' Winnebago Chieftain that was a one piece fiberglass body with slide on end caps. I often wish I'd never sold. I should of re-powered it and kept it.
I've tried everything I can think of to get one of these files to link to this site and I'm doing something wrong.
So, just enter "1990 32' Winnebago Chieftain" into your browser and it will take you to several sites that show Winnebago's construction back then with schematics and specs.
Mine was on the Chevrolet Chassis that had a serious problem with a automatic drive shaft parking brake system known as AUTOPARK. If you find one make sure that system had been replaced with something totally different and simple or plan on replacing it yourself, as it's not worth throwing money at it to get it to work. It's a real badly designed system. Or go with the Ford chassis if can you find one.
As far as the house systems we never had anything fail and we had it for about 8 years.
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rchonly
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09/19/12 04:15pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Avoiding Sacramento
Here's a little more detail on the MT. Shasta exit to Susanville. We've been running this route for years when enroute to NW Washington once and sometimes twice a year to visit family.
You'll be taking Highway 89 out of Mt. Shasta and it will become 44 around the Mt Lassen turnoff, stay on 44 to 36 just west of Susanville. Go left (east) into Susanville and pick up 395 south to Reno.
It's all a very good two lane, a little twisty in spots, but very comfortable the entire distance with beautiful scenery the entire way and very little traffic and there are enough small towns to provide fuel if needed (it'll be spendy), restaurants and groceries if you need them, a few RV parks and Gov't campgrounds. You can find this route on any map of northern California.
Enjoy you'll love it.
Roger
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rchonly
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09/13/12 12:11am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Prepaying for diesel at the truck pumps
Where it's been necessary I've been handing my card to the cashier and telling them what pump I'm on for about 15 years or so and never had a problem anywhere in the U.S or Canada.
In Mexico they don't want our "stinkin" credit cards just cash after we pump right there at the pump and that works for me.
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rchonly
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09/10/12 10:30am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: permanent supplemental brake?
I notice that no one has mentioned the Brake Master Proportional System. It's another good option to look into. It's totally powered and controlled from the coach.
I've been running with the Road Master - Brake Master 9160 Series Proportional System since 2001. Originally I had it installed on a 1990 32' Winne Chieftain gasser w/their Air Compressor and towed two different Jeep Cherokee's.
Sold the Winne in 2006 and the guy that bought it didn't want the set up. I took it off and placed in a cabinet in my garage along with the Cherokee half when I sold it. Then I ran a 5th wheel until mid 2010 and sold it.
In 2010 bought the American Eagle in my signature and refitted the entire system on the Eagle (without the compressor) as it has air brakes and the Dodge Durango and it's all still going strong and I've never had a problem in the combined 70,000 plus miles.
You can probably install it yourself, I didn't feel comfortable doing so and had it installed by a shop that was a dealer for Road Master each time. It works exactly as it's described to work. I'm sold on it. And, Road Master still makes it.
Enjoy Roger
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rchonly
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09/06/12 10:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Paint Job at Navarro's in Los Algodones, Mexico
Are you sure that quote is in US Dollars and not Pesos?
The current exchange rate of US/Peso is 13.388 pesos to the US $.
Roger
I would think its dollars Roger as a 40 foot A class can easily come in over 15K (dollars)
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Oops, I mis-read his original post as being quoted at $20 to $30,000 from the Navarro's shop in Algodones.
My 28th mistake this month, this is what happens when we get old and fuzzy.
I think he will be very pleased with the quote he gets from Navarro's.
All the work I've ever had done, from dental in Algodones to RV repairs in Mulege and Santo Tomas, Baja, Mexico has been good and the prices even better with the exchange rate.
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rchonly
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09/01/12 09:02am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Paint Job at Navarro's in Los Algodones, Mexico
Are you sure that quote is in US Dollars and not Pesos?
The current exchange rate of US/Peso is 13.388 pesos to the US $.
Roger
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rchonly
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08/31/12 07:09pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Driving Tour of Europe
Several years back we spent two separate vacations touring what I call "The Roads Less Traveled" which are all secondary roads, that took us through mostly rural small towns, staying in B & B's and rented vacation homes throughout mid and northern England and then a good deal of Scotland the following year. Also tried some train touring and enjoyed that almost as well.
Another fun way is river cruises down the Rhein, the Mainz and the Danube. Great accommodations, excellent food, service and side tours to the back country villages etc. Started in Amsterdam and ended up in Vienna on one of them that was outstanding.
You never seem to have enough time allotted to see and taste it all.
Enjoy we sure have.
Roger
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rchonly
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08/23/12 11:19am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Route 95 or 93 Kingman to Las Vegas
I live roughly 25 miles N/E of Kingman off 66 and go to LV several times a year.
My last trip on 93 about 3 weeks ago took me 1 hour and 45 minutes from my door to the docs office on the west side of Vegas. That's about 30 minutes shorter than it used to be on a good day. More times then I like to recall there were holdups of 2 hours + caused by tourist backups at the dam and now those days are gone.
95 was always a good 45 minutes more than 93 because it was about 50 more miles longer.
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rchonly
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08/09/12 12:08am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Rotten egg smell from ac vents...
My nose always told me that propane had the smell of rotten eggs. I may be wrong but if that fowl smell is coming from around the Heating - AC ducting I'd do a serious hunt for a propane leak. Open one of your stove burners for a second and smell the propane for a comparison.
Propane is heavier than air so it will lay on the floor or below it and will be sucked up when you turn on your ceiling fans. Get down on the floor and see if the smell is lingering there, if it is that's your problem.
A spray bottle with water and detergent works just dandy, just look for bubbles at the connections.
In the meantime be real careful with matches.
Roger
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rchonly
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08/07/12 03:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Rotten egg smell from ac vents...
My nose always told me that propane had the smell of rotten eggs. I may be wrong but if that fowl smell is coming from around the Heating - AC ducting I'd do a serious hunt for a propane leak.
Propane is heavier than air so it will lay on the floor or below it and will be sucked up when you turn on your ceiling fans. Get down on the floor and see if the smell is lingering there, if it is that's your problem.
A spray bottle with water and detergent works just dandy, just look for bubbles at the connections.
In the meantime be real careful with matches.
Roger
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rchonly
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08/07/12 03:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Parts and repairs
In February of 2010 while running the length of Baja I had the top leaf of my right side front axle spring break on my 5th wheel.
I found a gentleman on the main highway in Mulege that found a replacement leaf, the links and bolts etc and assembled the spring back together. His bill was $40.00 USD. I hauled it back to Santispac and re-installed it.
On the return trip a few weeks later around Santo Tomas I discovered the right rear spring had completely broke into two pieces (all five leafs) at the axle. We we're in a RV park at the time, it was late in the day and they contacted a gentleman (Tony) for us.
He showed up around 6PM, disassemble what was left of the spring assembly, left with it assuring me he'd be back about mid-day the next with a replacement. Before noon he showed up with new looking spring, same leaf count etc., proceeded to install it and was done by 1:30PM, gave me a bill for 1300.00 pesos ($104.00 USD ) and we were back on the road by 2:00PM.
The quality of the work was fine, the price was right and the people that did the work were nice to deal with. My Spanish is very limited and we still understood what was needed and what it was roughly going to cost.
I don't completely understand why I broke both springs on the right side other than that old Alpenlite had to have had a couple of hundred thousand mile on it, plus I found a lot of shoulder excavations to drive through.
On the return trip we had to traverse 2 large riverbeds and cross one rather large boulder strewn river under the tow of a large farm tracker due to some nasty flooding in central Baja along Highway 1.
In spite of the problems it was a great trip.
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rchonly
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08/05/12 12:25pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Has anyone purchased a generator from Yamaha generators.com?
I'll throw in my nickles worth.
I had a Yamaha 4600 that I bought used and ran for about 7 years and never had it so much as hiccup. Now, my son has had it for a couple of years and uses it in his construction business.
I probably put around 100 hours a year on it at most and found it to be just about bullet proof although I did have to put fuel in it and change the oil every couple of years. Oops, forgot I had to replace the starting battery every few years. Even when I had to pull start it it always fired on the first or second pull.
I don't recall in my 73 years ever getting anything repaired under warranty, because they usually don't break until after the warranty expires.
Roger
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rchonly
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08/05/12 11:03am |
Tech Issues
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RE: RED MAX PRO OR ZEP
"Zep" is the manufacturer of the private label product, "Red Max Pro" they (ZEP) package for LOWE'S and the answer is yes.
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rchonly
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08/05/12 10:10am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RED MAX PRO OR ZEP
"Zep" is the manufacturer of the private label product, "Red Max Pro" they (ZEP) package for LOWE'S.
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rchonly
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08/05/12 10:08am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 101
101 is just about one of the prettiest drives in the country on good mostly two lane road clear to California and you can stay on it as long as you want clear though the SF Bay Area if you wish. Traveled it many times in the past 50 years and it never get's old.
Enjoy
Roger
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rchonly
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07/30/12 07:26pm |
Roads and Routes
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