RE: Stunning Newell coach!
I have never seen a coach that was longer than 45 ft., Ever!! (and I read a lot about motorhomes). Funny that they 'penciled' in the 47 ft. on the build sheet.
One problem that I saw (just for me personally) is that the only place you can see the TV is from the sofa and the dinette. The two captain chairs seem like they are at the wrong angle. And, there is no real seating across from the sofa so most of your guests are going to be sitting on one side like birds on a fence.
Newells are nice, that one would not be for me.
MM.
RE: 2006 diesel engines built for current fuel?
Kamper00, I have been to several fuel stations recently that offer LSD (low sulfur diesel) and ULSD (ultra low sulfur diesel).... You still have to be careful and make sure you are getting the fuel that you want.
Our coach is USLD only.... I was surprised that I had to verify the correct pumps at several stations and move a couple of times to the ULSD pumps. What I have seen is that a station might have 14 pumps and only 2 are ULSD. Hopefully soon, all pumps will be ULSD.
It seems out West you will find all ULSD but in the mid-west, you have to make sure!
MM.
RE: on board compressor confusion
Hello John,
My air compressor runs off a regular household outlet (3 prong 15/20amp). I will either plug my compressor into the outlet in my storage garage or if I'm at an RV park, I'll plug into one of the outlets in the bay area.
I don't need to turn on the Onan if I'm plugged into shore power but I would have to if I wasn't connected to the grid.
MM.
RE: Does the problems ever stop???
This past Spring, we were driving from California to Tennessee and stopped in Tuscaloosa, AL, to see some friends. During set-up, I go to pull on the handle for the sewer door, it broke off in my hand.
I almost panicked and just tried to calm myself and think it through. Behind this sewer door (that swings up like a Grey-Hound bus luggage door) are ALL the connections (electrical, water, grey hose, black hose, etc.). After thinking for several minutes I realized that there are three threaded covers for all of the 'utilities' to come out at the bottom.
I crawled under the coach and I managed to unscrew all three. I was able to pull out the electric cord and and water hose to get connected. I was not able to get to the macerator hose as the hinge on the door was mashed against the hose and I could not lift it over the hook. Thank goodness our tanks were empty at that point.
At our next stop, north of Atlanta, I HAD to release the grey water. We were on a grassy/gravel site slanted towards two large lakes. All that was in the grey tank was shower/sink water. We don't cook so there was nothing else.
It started to rain so I thought that was a good time to release the water. I opened the drain about an inch so it would come out slowly. It took two hours to drain 70 gallons. And no, I would never release the black water like that!
The next day, I called an RV repair service and he was able to get the door open and remove the broken lock/handle. Our coach had just gone out of warranty but Monaco covered it and sent a new handle, etc. (Thank you Monaco!).
Sometimes, these things happen so you are just forced into plan B and plan C! LOL!
MM.
RE: Monaco Air Brakes Alarm
There is only 1 air pressure guage on the dash. It has 2 needles,1 red and 1 green. The only time the alarm comes on is when the pressure reaches 120psi (both needles). If I pump the brakes several times the alarm shuts off. I am wondering if the problem is in the Air Dryer. Maybe the Desiccant Cartridge needs to be replaced because it contains water. I have a call into Monaco but they seem slow to respond. Keep the ideas coming.
Thanks, Gary
Gary,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a different suggestion. Since I don't know how mechanical you are, I was thinking....
Something happened to me that you might want to check. Do you think it's the alarm for the hydraulic levelers?
I got an alarm about a month ago when I was going to fill up (T/A Center) and it was the low hydraulic alarm for the levelers. I added about a half cup of automatic transmission fluid to the reservoir and then all was calm.
MM.
RE: Do we really need slide topper canvas?
Series60man,........ well, if you want to clean your slide tops everytime you are going to retract them, then it should work OK if have good seals.
Personally, I like mine and will have them replaced as needed.
MM.
RE: on board compressor confusion
I chose to buy a Porter-Cable 'pancake' air compressor (150 psi max) at Lowe's for under $200. I keep 120 lbs in the front and 100 lbs in all the rears. I've heard that the on-board compressor can't really go to 120 lbs. And, like the others, I don't want to start the coach just for that purpose.
Sometimes I'll check my friends tires too so it's nice to have a portable around.
SunflyerA, I have never seen tires that didn't need pressure after sitting so long. :? What brand of tire are you using? Mine are Michelins.
MM.
RE: Idling a Diesel
The semi drivers who do indeed often let 'em idle for hours at a time.....
They have extra heavy duty cooling systems, and extra oil capacity, because some of those rigs run up to 80 TONS, not 80 thousand pounds but 80 TONS and you need a lot of cooling when you haul that kind of tonnage
Your rig, at less than 15 tons, has less cooling for the engine, and may have less oil capacity as well
Semi's traditionally hold around six units of oil, same as a car... The difference is that with a car the "unit" is a quart, and with a semi it's a gallon.
I don't know how much a Motor Home holds.. Gas or Diesel.. I've never changed it myself.
I've never seen where a truck holds 80 tons... that's 160,000 lbs!!!
The most I've heard is 80,000 lbs or 40 tons.
MM.
RE: Propane vs. All electric
In our situation, we ordered our coach WITHOUT a propane tank as it only powered the 2 burner cooktop. We had an electric cooktop installed. So far, after 20 months of ownership, we have never used the cooktop. And, with any luck, it will stay that way! LOL! (we grill outside and use the convection microwave or eat out).
I didn't want propane as it is very flamable and I didn't want to deal with two sources of fuel. But, as Marvmarcy said, everyones situation and requirments are different.
The Aqua-Hot uses the diesel fuel or I can use the two stage electric heat that will allow me to use the furnace (on mildly cool nights). Of course we have the electric heat pumps too.
We have only boondocked once (in 20,000 miles) and the manual states running the genny 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the evening is plenty to keep the 8 house batteries charged. We also have a solar panel on the roof. If AC is needed, the genny would need to be operating.
Happy Travels!
MM.
RE: Thoughts on Monaco Camelot?
Sometimes it is difficult to figure my exact mileage as my Aqua-Hot system uses the diesel as does the generator. I ALWAYS figure my mileage by hand at every tank-full and I will make notations on the fuel receipt of an estimate of how long I used the Genny or the Aqua-Hot (just for reference). In the loooooong run, I might see a pattern.
MM.
RE: Thoughts on Monaco Camelot?
For the money it's a hard coach to beat. I've had several issues with mine but Monaco has fixed everything including installing a halo kit for the windshield and a new windshield. My 08 has an 06 ISL 400 because I ordered it that way. The hard part is sitting in a nice CG somewhere and trying to hide the desire to get that baby rolling down the road. I've averaged 10.78 MPG over 10K miles with the setup in my sig. Good luck with whatever you choose.Wow, how are you doing those numbers. I have the same set up, some times have a golf cart or the quads in my sig and never got anything close to that. I had a fan clutch changed also so it was on only when needed and I think my best fuel readings running 60-65 are 8-8.5 max. Are you calculating it yourself or is the computer telling you the mpg?
Yep, Bob's numbers seem very optimistic to me but I believe him as I have no reason not to. :p
Personally, I calculated 9.5 mpg out west on a flat long interstate, and 4.5 mpg once in very hilly terrain, otherwise, I hang in the 6.5-7.0 range driving about 60 mph.
MM.
RE: Thoughts on Monaco Camelot?
Motorin Mark, I agree with stoufer, these beasts are a lot of fun but need a lot of attention. The coach in my signature is our first coach. And, it's true that they have teething pains the first year or two.
I think we just about have everything worked-out and adjusted. I can see that there will always be an on-going list to keep up with. Not bad things, but maintenance things.
Here are just a few things that I've done to my Monaco product after the warranty expired:
- caulked a leaking window that the dealer could not fix (I fixed it).
- new rubber gasket around the 'fuse' door under the driver area outside (filled with water).
- tightend just about EVERYTHING that has a screw head.
- fixed broken shower wand holder.
- fixed bedroom blind (bottom plastic holders broke).
- replaced the select comfort bed controller (sent back for warranty replacement).
- fixed the rubber hose on windshield wiper arm.
- tightend driver's side exterior mirror assemebly.
- repaired driver's side 'side' pull down sun shade (rivet broke).
We love the unit but RV's are hobbies... needing constant attention. I'm the type of person who likes things PERFECT (if at all possible) so I stay quite busy.
Which engine is in the new Camelot?
MM.
RE: OK now for a real Fued!!
Next time I'm in for service I'll have them check again. I agree that I should not slow down as much as I do. My fuel economy is about 6.5-7.5 most of the time. I did get 9.5 once... wind blowing just right!! LOL! Of course, I did get 4.5 once too!
Thanks for the advice, these forums really help.
MM.
RE: OK now for a real Fued!!
I weigh just a hair under 40,000 lbs (fuel full, water at 1/2 and holding tanks emtpy) and not counting the toad. I weighed after fueling at a T/A truck stop.
I had a Cummins authorized facilty check my turbo charger, etc. during an oil/filter change. They said that everything was normal. I had the coach checked at 10,000 miles and I have 20,000 now.
The coach seems to run fine except for steeper hills (6% plus).
MM.
RE: OK now for a real Fued!!
I can't speak to the CC, having never owned one, but our HR(Monaco) has been a gem for us and the quality of the house is excellent. I feel the 400 Cummins has all the power we need towing the 7K we do and we spend most of our time in the western mountains.
Interesting that you say the 400 ISL Cummins is enough power. We have the 425 ISL Cummins and pull a 3,400 lb. Honda. I will slow to 35-40 mph on inclines and CANNOT pass a truck if I get stuck behind them. My momentum is lost.
I really like our Dynasty but it would be nice to have more power. You are pulling over double what I pull so I don't understand you having good power on hills.
:@
MM.
RE: How do you fill your MH tires?
BigDomino, plain and simple, you just have to buy your own compressor. I bought a Porter-Cable pancake compressor at Lowe's for just under $200 (if I remember correctly). The on-board compressor will take too long to air the tires (what the Monaco factory told my friends who have a Monaco Signature).
I check my tires monthly and air-up accordingly. After paying T/A $30 to check my tires, I knew that there had to be a better way.
MM.
RE: Aw rats!
The kids' car seats I've seen were mouse smorgasbords. But to the point: Regular, low-tech mousetraps with cheese have worked best for me. Keeping the rodents out is almost impossible -- they can squeeze in anywhere. Glue traps are cruel. And don't always work.
C5man, having your wires chewed is cruel, use the glue traps if needed.
I had mice chew an air conditioner wire in my home and had to have an electrican run a whole new line to the outside air unit. A glue trap is cheaper.
MM.
RE: Your experience with full width mud flap
We have the full width hanging rock guard and I can't tell if it really helps or not. I have a front cover for the Honda that covers the windshield/hood/front grill. Before we bought the car cover, we had a broken windshield and a broken fog-light (on the Honda).
I know I have to be careful when backing up with the rock guard. If it starts to drag, you don't want to pull forward or in will get crushed. You have to make sure that it's not jammed between the ground and frame. So far, ours is fine but I keep a mental thought of it when I'm backing up, etc.
Also, if the sun is behind me, I can see that it reflects onto the toad. Once when I had a friend following me from a service appt., he said it blinded him a couple of times (I didn't have the toad attached). I don't know why them make them out of chrome for that very reason.
MM.
RE: Aw rats!
Hello LaPalmaMama, I take it you have it sitting out and not in a garage, right? Ours is in a garage and I put glue traps at each corner of the garage and spray with bug spray once a month. So far, no intruders.
If you have your unit outside, maybe if you put something around the tires but that might be a problem with rain, etc. Also, I put a plastic bottle over the generator exhaust pipe and the Aqua-Hot exhaust pipe to keep critters out (ex-soda bottle). I can't find a bottle large enough to cover the engine exhaust pipe.
The only problem with using mouse 'poison' is that when they eat it, they go and die in their nest which could be behind your cabinets, etc. Not a good smell! LOL! Glue traps on the inside will certainly catch them but check it often as they smell quickly.
Mice love to eat wiring (has something to do with sharpening their teeth)... so you DON'T want them in the coach if at all possible.
Do you have any idea where they came in?
I wish you the best of luck.
MM.
