RE: 1996 Shasta 25' Class C
Check the tire pressures and oil, then take it for a test drive on a 4-lane amongst fast-passing trucks. See if it tracks reasonably well thru their wind wake, or makes your knuckles turn white. If you can do this with a full fresh water tank to help simulate a full travel load, so much the better.
Jim, "Be the coffee!"
RE: GAS SHORTAGE
There's no shortage.
Uh, huh. Yeah, right. Fiancee and I went out to dinner and to run a few errands yesterday PM, and passed at least 10 stations, _none_ of which had gas. So how is this _not_ a shortage???
Jim, "We have enough youth. How about a fountain of smart?"
RE: Toterhome offroad,boondocking?
On a long unit like that, you're probably going to need to do some variation on either of two things, if you're really serious about off-roading it. Either make the chassis rigid enough to avoid twisting under the coach (pretty near impossible on a unit that long between the axles). Or come up with some kind of floating mount so that the chassis flexes while the coach rides on top.
Terms to google are Earthroamer, Host RV, Unimog (a chassis, but should turn up some links to expedition vehicles), and 'expedition vehicle'. Additionally, you'll find some good reading at http://expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28; scroll down to the thread on the "Eco-Roamer" and be ready to do a bunch of reading. There are some good pix near the end that illustrate what's meant by 'chassis flex'....
For less strenuous use, I suppose you could just hang a driving front axle & transfer case under a box-stock unit.
Jim, "Black holes are where the Universe divided by zero."
RE: Tag axle vs dually in a 22' motorhome
The dualie comes straight from the chassis maker (Ford, Chevy, etc) with all that means for proper engineering, testing, manufacturing, and support. The only exception to that was a few moho's made on some 80's Toyota p'up chassis, where the dualies were jury rigged by the moho maker.
The added tag axle, including suspension, mounts, and brakes, were dubiously 'engineered' and built by the RV builder or a sub contractor who may or may not be around next week when you have problems or need parts.
'Nuff said?
Jim, "Dyslexics are teeple, poo!"
RE: RT bettery shelf
AIUI, you'd have to replace both / all of your house batteries with AGM's if you replace one. They take different charging voltages than the regular lead-acid ones you have now. And they're quite pricey.
Jim, "Beer is now cheaper than gasoline. Drink, don't drive."
RE: Fuel Availibility
I suppose 'fuel' could be gas or diesel. Assuming you mean gas, I don't think anybody can really tell you yet how it'll be in a week. Right now, there are serious prolems in areas of NC, SC, TN, and GA, but it's apparently not state-wide in any state. I've heard that it improved a little yesterday here in WNC, but I'm not sure 'shorter lines' for $4.29 hi-test only with a $50 limit qualifies as much real improvement. That may just have been a short-time response to all our politicans hollering and jumping up and down.
Jim, "Be the coffee!"
RE: onan generator problem
'Any suggestions?' Yeah, two.
A) Try putting a charger on the battery for a while before trying to start it again. A weak battery can sometimes turn it over but not fast enough to start it.
B) Read and heed the manual on the importance of running it monthly for exercise. They aren't joking. Really.
Jim, "Black holes are where the Universe divided by zero."
RE: 4X4
.....
........ chains will do everything a 4X4 will do, just slower and more inconvenient.
Uh, no. Having low range gives you 2X the torque and engine braking when needed, and a heck of a lot more vehicle control in some situations. I don't think there's a single full-sized 4x4 pickup that doesn't have low range. And having a 4x4 doesn't prevent you from using chains, too.
Jim, "Alcohol and calculus don't mix. If you drink, don't derive."
RE: Tight Bridge
Sounds like the width is only a problem if it's _below_ the eleven-and-a-half-inch line, yes? So the awning and mirrors wouldn't be part of the problem. Front lug nuts could be measured for height and width on a chassis dealer's lot if an RV dealer isn't convenient. Likewise overall rear track.
Jim, "I don't think, therefore I am not."
RE: Help with wiring
You may get more help if you tell us more. What chassis is it on (Ford, Dodge, etc.)? Are you talking about the house battery or the chassis (starting) battery? Can you post some photos of the wires?
Jim, "Just say no to negativity."
RE: Class C on heavy-duty pickup chassis?
Greydawg, the one here is definitely on the big Dodge Ram chassis, probably a 1-ton 3500. Line-of-sight to it is mostly blocked by the class A, so I dunno if it's diesel or 4wd.
You could look at the Tiger like I've got (www.tigermotorhomes.com), but it's a lot smaller than the later Scottys. Also pricey new, and scarce used.
BTW, if you come to Asheville, bring your own gas.... ;).... Seriously, all of our stations have long lines when they have gas. Refuel around Hickory, and plan to get back there.
Jim, "Stop continental drift!"
RE: Tire recommendation for Sprinter? (16 inch)
The LTX's rather soft sidewalls do not work well with some tall, heavy vehicles, especially those that carry some weight up high like B's. BTDT, and absolutely proved it to my satisfaction, and at my _very_ considerable expense. Never (nautical expletive deleted) again.
Jim, "Black holes are where God divided by zero."
RE: Gas, Knoxville, SC, SE Georgia
Right now, you'll definitely wait in block-long lines in Asheville, _if_ you can even find gas. Even then, you may be limited to 10 gallons or $50. No idea of how it'll be by Tuesday, but if you'll give this thread a bump on Monday afternoon, I'll try to remember to update on conditions.
Currently we've got everybody from the Asheville mayor to the county commisioners to one Congress-critter involved, trying to place blame or 'help out' or 'ensure that it won't happen again'.... school closures, limited city services, etc.
Jim, "That's not a hairstyle. That's a cry for help!"
RE: Tire recommendation for Sprinter? (16 inch)
I'll add a bit more confusion, tho' not directly Sprinter-related.... AFAIK (pretty sure I'm right), there's _no_ difference in the LTX carcasses, whether M/S or A/S. It's just a matter or tread pattern (and maybe tread rubber formulation).
When I had the 'wandering' problems with Michelins on my '02 Chevy RT 190, one 'cure' that was tried was switching from the LTX M/S to the LTX A/S. There was no detectable difference / improvement whatsoever in dry pavement driving between the M/S and A/S. The problem, which appeared when the Michelins were put on, only went away when a different brand of tire (Yokohama Geolandars) was put on.
The M/S is the 'better looking' of the two to my eye. I'd love to run them on the Tiger, but after wasting $850 trying to cure Michelin-caused steering problems, I'd sure not buy another set.
Jim, "Talk nerdy to me."
RE: Shooting at Terribles Lakeside
But... but... but.... this kind of thing is only supposed to happen at Walmarts and rest areas, according to the 'experts' here! ;)
On a much more serious note, it sounds like there was a lot of lead flying around this aptly-named CG. I'm sure glad no one else was hurt, and that the officer seems to have no serious injuries. Wonder how many RV's will have to be patched up?
Jim, "Be the coffee!"
RE: GAS SHORTAGE
To add another data point, the local community college (A-B Tech) has closed for at least the rest of the week because students have been unable to get gas to come to class. NC's CC's are totally commuter & on-line schools (no dorms), and this one is the 3rd largest in the state, I think.
Jim, "Help preserve wildlife. Pickle a squirrel!"
RE: Class C on heavy-duty pickup chassis?
Greydawg, FWIW I know where there's a Scotty that doesn't appear to have moved in the past 6 months (or more), but I _don't_ know if it's for sale or not. It's a twenty-something footer, on a Dodge chassis. It and a class A are parked in front of the Hearts With Hands (church charity for disaster relief) warehouse near Asheville, NC. Both have full-body logos that I assume are decals, but they sure appear disused. You might inquire at 828-667-1912.
Jim, "Squirrels: Nature's speed bumps."
RE: GAS SHORTAGE
It's the area 'served' by the Colonial pipeline... AIUI, it was running at near capacity before the storms. Then input to it was shut down briefly for the first gulf storm, and hasn't fully recovered from the second even now. So there's a wide swath running up thru the center of the SE that's gotten too little gas for almost a month now.
We've been hearing that this situation will be back to normal 'in about a week' for about three weeks now....
Jim, "Let me tell you about my conspiracy theory."
RE: GAS SHORTAGE
I can't speak for any place else, but there is a very real shortage in & around Asheville NC. I talked to two folks yesterday that had waited in lines for over an hour only to have the station run out before they got to the pumps. Another, a nurse, had to ride to work with her sister, and wouldn't be able to get to work today unless she or Sis found gas somewhere. News stories of folks running out of gas while waiting in line, or sleeping in their cars at the pumps while waiting on another tanker drop. Stations are limiting sales to $50 or 10 gallons when they have gas. Folks who live north of town are driving into east Tennessee to buy gas.
Here at least, these claims that this is just a "perceived shortage" or caused by folks "topping off" are purest bull hockey, served up by people parroting AAA's party line. There's no flippin' gas, and talk that the situation may last for another week or more.
I'm glad that my 19' RV has a full tank. We can use it for errands if the car and pickup run out.
Jim, "We have enough youth. How about a fountain of smart?"
RE: Buy a NEWER RV with MORE miles vs OLDER RV with FEWER miles?
One other thing to consider, especially on an older, low-miles unit.... It _may_ be low-miles because it's scary to drive. Since you'll likely be shopping among units on the Ford 350 or 450 chassis, be aware that there have been some pretty serious complaints posted here about their driveability... tracking, wind response, etc. It's not anywhere near 100%, so it may just be a matter of personal expectations.
But on any unit you're seriously considering, check the tire pressure and condition. Then take a loonnnggg test drive that includes a bunch of 4-lane with fast-passing trucks. Its response to their wind wake will give you some idea of what it'll be like to drive. If possible, fill the water tank first to simulate at least part of the normal load.
Jim, "Be the coffee!"
