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RE: RV Caravans - Any Bad Ones?
It was funny to see this thread... I had just been looking at Caravan tours for next year a few days ago. We have never been on one before and met a couple in Asheville, NC, that had been on one and really enjoyed it. The Northeast 'fall leaf color' tour with Adventure Caravans starts in September 2010 and runs for 33 days. At $5,595 per couple includes everything (RV parks, tips, entry fees, etc.) seemed reasonable. They have a wagon master and a repair vehicle that follows the group for minor incidentals.
I have never seen Niagara Falls and this tour takes you to the Canadian side and includes Vermont and Corning, NY, where they do glass blowing. The Steuben factory is there and hopefully will be on the tour.
They also mention that you can travel at your own pace and can join the night camp later. It seems that each stop is 2-4 days depending on the city and events.
Looking forward to posts from the folks who have been on these type of tours.
MM.
Most of the tours I've read about don't include all meals in their fees, plus depending on the miles traveled you'll probably have another $1,200-$1,800 for fuel. Sounds like a pretty expensive trip to me. Unless you're like my In-laws who needed someone to lead them everywhere and make all travel/camp-stop decisions for them there's nothing a caravan can do for you that you can't do for yourself at your own pace. We've made several trips from Oklahoma to the West Coast and East Coast never knowing whether one day at a stop is going to be enough or if we want to stay a week. The repair vehicle would be nice but at what a price.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/23/09 10:26pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Jacks Won't Lower.
Don't know which jack system you have but if it happens to be HWH call them tomorrow. It may take 2-4 hours before they get back to you but generally will be able to help with your problem. I have HWH and when my jacks wouldn't extend and the slide-outs would just barely creep in they were able to diagnose the problem over the phone, tell me which part needed replacing, and mailed the part to me at my next stop.
Good luck, I know how frustrating this can be when traveling.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/22/09 08:21pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: winterizing fluid in hot water heater
I always run a little pink stuff into the water heater just for percausion for the small amount of water that doesn't drain out. I know most say its not necessary but I've done it for 21 years. I even pour a little into the fresh water tank after its been drained.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/18/09 07:25pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Front door on DP limiting the view?
Has anyone tried the Roll-up Screen for Entry Door lately? Is it still available and does it come in colors other than for the black screen door? Also does the frame work of it fasten inside the original door opening or along the passenger side of the door?
Looks like a good idea.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/17/09 04:24pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 255/80/22.5 VS 275/70/22.5 question
You might also consider using 275/80r22.5s in the front (and the back also) if they will fit. The J rated 275/70r22.5 tires ride hard, so a lot of owners that started off with 275/70s switch to the 275/80s for a better ride. I did 2-1/2 years ago. The 275/70s and 275/80s are the same width.
The 275/80s are 2" larger in diameter, then the 275/80s, so you will have to make sure you have room in the wheel well and clearance from the jack pads for one more inch of radius. It doesn't impact anything except ride improvement by running taller tires on the front, then the back.
If you put them on the back also, your speedometer will be off by exactly 5%, versus the 275/70s, so if you are actually going 63 the speedometer will show 60 mph.
Tom
I noticed in Michelin's booklet that the 275/80s come in both load range G and H. They both have a higher load capacity than the 255/80 in G range, which one did you use or does it really make any difference? Whichever one the shop can get? Since the 275/80 H has the higher load capacity, would it also be a stiffer sidewall hence a harsher ride?
Appreciate the advice.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/17/09 02:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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255/80/22.5 VS 275/70/22.5 question
I currently have the 255/80/22.5 XRVs on my Meridian and thinking about replacing the fronts with 275/70/22.5s for the extra load capacity. Will the wider tread on the 70 series cause the coach to wander any worse than the 80 series? And will the 70s ride any rougher than the 80s since the 70s have a narrower sidewall?
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/16/09 08:47pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Front door on DP limiting the view?
My only complaint with the front door on my DP is that the right side mirror cannot be adjusted so that it's correct for the driver and still be usable for the passenger. Both our previous MHs were gassers with mid-entry doors and the passenger was always able to see out and down the right side of the coach in the right-hand front mirror.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/16/09 03:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dish vs. Direct TV, also HD???
I just installed DishTV and have not had DirecTV for a few years. We chose Dish over Direct because,
1. of the ease in changing service address for local channels, at least what Dish CS told us. We have not used it yet.
2. also because we could get HD from dome installed on MH currently (just purchased MH)
3. Current cost.
4. Get programming at second TV for no extra cost, Second box was $ 7.00 and move from bedroom to MH when leaving for more than a few days.
The signal from Dish has been flawless so far, I am sitting here watching Shrek while the remains of Hurricane Ida rain and blow furiously outside.
Also do not overlook the "over the air" HD in the MH, I am surprised how many local channels a good HDTV can get.
Did they explain how you get your service address changed? I have Directv and have been told that can be done on their web site, but as of yet haven't been able to find such a place on their web site. I've called a couple of times to get the service address changed but didn't bother to ask where their web site link was to do the change. Its hard enough to get the service rep to understand what I want to do let alone explain to me how to do it on the Internet.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/14/09 10:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tiffin Pheaton Cat 7 Airfilter Installed
I have a Meridian 2004 C-7 on the Freightliner chassis and those air filters are a terror to replace. The only thing that competes with this job is the air system filter replacement, also a wrestle underneath the back end of the coach. If I remember right the engine air filter was around $85 and my auto front end alignment and brake shop helped me install the filter charging me $35 for his part. Both of us spent 30-45 minutes under the back end together wrestling that thing down and back up. Sure glad this is just a 3-4 year project.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/13/09 10:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Arizona I-40 Rest Stops Closed
It's terrible that all the taxes collected from gas/diesel sales isn't used for road and bridge improvements/maintenance across the nation since all the news keeps stating our national infrastructure has been deteriating for the last several decades.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/12/09 08:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: C7 Water Separator problems...HELP
When I change mine, I plug the large center hole in the filter with a plastic or vinyl plug then fill the filter with clean diesel fluid through the outer small holes, replace the filter, then start the engine with no problems. I've done it this way yearly for the last 5 years with no starting problems. As a last suggestion, I'd remove the filter from the holder and refill it with clean diesel fluid (or put on a new filter after filling it), replace the filter then try to start the engine. Hope this will help.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/12/09 08:41pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Shurflo 5.7 water pump flow
wagonmaster2.....Try this showerhead. It will be one of the best purchases you'll ever make. Uses substantially less water than most, but feels like you have twice the pressure.
Don-
That looks like a good one. Wife would like it when washing her hair, she has a very very thick head of hair (even her hair dresser comments on the volume of hair) so rinsing it requires a good spray. Couldn't tell from the picture or description, does it have an on/off switch or button? Thanks for the link.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/03/09 09:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Shurflo 5.7 water pump flow
Dry camp all the time with the 5.7 no problem(would not be without it). Just turn down the flow when showering, washing dishes, etc. and program the head for less water. Its also great to have when RV parks don't have enough pressure(which is quite often), we end up using the pump more often than the outside water source. Again would not have an RV without 5.7 or higher!
Turning down the faucet flow at the kitchen and vanity sink is no problem with cold/hot faucets, but these single handle shower faucets (I hate them even in CG bath houses especially when they have high water pressure, like it feels its taking your skin off) is the biggest problem. Agree we do use the pump to increase CG pressure occasionally and do like the 5.7 for purposes like that.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/03/09 09:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Shurflo 5.7 water pump flow
Didn't YOU want the 5.7 pump? You must have added it, I don't know of any RVs that it comes in stock. I have one and love it for the most part.
The 5.7 pump comes standard on the Winnebago Meridians, and I would assume the Journey and all higher end Winnebago models, at least it did in 2004. That was one of the things the salesman had to brag about, the constant smooth water flow. At least he was correct on that feature.
Wagonmaster2
2004 Meridian 36G
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wagonmaster2
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11/03/09 09:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Shurflo 5.7 water pump flow
Navy shower.
That is the best solution. Just get a shower head with a push button on-off. You turn on the water to get yourself wet so that you can soap up. You turn the water off while you are doing this. The next time you turn on the water is to rinse. This should only take a few gallons of water.
We have the push button on/off shower head. But it takes a lot of water while just rinsing off the soap. If every shower takes a few gallons, several people taking a shower every day adds up to many many gallons in 3-4 days.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/03/09 09:24pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Shurflo 5.7 water pump flow
Has anyone ever tried, or figured out a way to, slow down the water flow a little on the 5.7 pump? It works great when you have an easy accsss to dump the water (which you usually don't need the pump then) but when a person is dry camping the pump can run a lot of water into the holding tank really quick during a shower or shampoo. We've tried shutting off the shower spray some but that's hard to do with soap all over everything.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/03/09 10:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: TIRE SIPING
Thought I'd heard all the tire terminology before, but "siping" is a new one for me. Can someone explain to me what this means?
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/01/09 09:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Really, does anyone own a rig that DOESN'T give them grief?
So many post warnings of them becoming money pits and time gobblers. I'd like to know more positives. Do you REALLY have to spend every spare dollar on them? Understandably, you've got yourself a vehicle AND a house to maintain all in one....but goodness gracious...we haven't spent near the time and money on our stick house and Explorer that many of you seem to spend on your coaches.
Just wondering if your life is consumed by everything motor home! We just took possession if our "new to us" Newmar and shudder to think that it's a work in process on a daily basis. I still wouldn't even THINK of not owning her but want to be able to have a life outside of "Lacy Lucy". Having named her now, she's a member of the family so I guess if we're going to feed, bathe and travel with her, we'd better be ready to spend some time and money on/with her huh?
This post is all tongue-in-cheek fun. We are SO ready to get back into this lifestyle with all of you!!
Lacy
I had a co-worker tell me before I bought my first RV in 1988 to expect to work on it 2 hours for every 1 hour I use it. My first thought was, no way since I'll be purchasing a brand new one. After owning 3 new coaches I find he was very low on his 2 hrs for each 1 hour estimate. But of course I wouldn't part with the coach and have to go back to motels/hotels and all their bed bugs, dirty linen, and uncleaned rooms.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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11/01/09 09:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: oil filter wont budge
I had a mechanic tell me once when I complained about filters being tightened too tight that if you do the work for yourself you will probably watch for any leaks and correct it before any problems develop. But when you do the work for someone else (who may not even know where the oil goes in) you have to CYA by tightening the filters as tight as you can. Thus once we get the original one loose never let someone else change it or be prepared to let them do it all the time.
Same with the tire shop changing or rotating your tires, the impact tool they use will tighten the lug nuts so tight unless you have a large star wrench you'll have trouble changing a flat out on the road. I always check mine when with a large 1/2" breakover when I get home from the shop to be sure they haven't overtightened them.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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10/30/09 10:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: oil filter wont budge
Mine was super tight too on the very first 1st oil change. I think they don't put any oil on the gasket at the factory and they have a gorilla install it. I used a strap wrench and had to brace my legs against the frame or something to get the umphh to break it loose. The 2nd one was a piece of cake.
I think all manufacturers must get their gorillas from the same source. All the last 6-7 new autos and MHs I've owned had the oil filters that tight. Always managed after much grunt and groan with a strap wrench to get it to move but usually the filter was beginning to squash some before it would turn.
Good luck, and I'd definitely nix the screwdriver idea. As was stated above, if that doesn't work you're sunk.
Wagonmaster2
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wagonmaster2
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10/29/09 10:09pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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