RE: A vs C on Same Floorplan
I went through the same debate with a couple of Fleetwood products. Both a Tioga Class C and the Terra Class A offer my preferred floorplan with a dinette and couch up front, a side hallway across from the bathroom, and a rear bedroom
For us the question was especially perplexing as we have three; me, wifey, and 11 year old daughter. The Class C was made for us since we all would have made beds. However, I always dreamed of having a Class A. After much discussion, we went with the Class A even though our knowledge and insight at the time really pointed to the Class C. We have no regrets. Sure, we have the complicationn of having to make the bed every night, but we solved that by essentually turning the sofa into a daybed when we are out camping. That is the only negative.
Items that helped make the decision... in my comparison, there was no comparison in drive-ability. I drove the Class C first and it was fine and managable, but steering it did feel a bit ponderous. When I drove the Class A immediately after the Class C, Wow! What a difference. It handled better and it was much more enjoyable to drive (once I got used the feel of the bigger box). I felt much more secure and the view is like you are driving in a IMAX theater! Additionally, and this was a big item for me, the Cargo Carrying Capacity for the Class A was much higher. I didn't want to be at or near limit when loaded.
If you haven't traveled in a Class A or a Class C before, I think you'd really enjoy the A moreso after a drive of some distance. Noteworthy is that in the Class C, the passenger seat leg room is noticably cramped. Additionally, the ease of getting in and out is not impossible, but more challenging in the class C.
Some of the other advantages of the Class A that I now appreciate better after having it for a season and a half:
More outdoor storageMore ground clearance (those long overhangs on Class Cs would make me nervous)Heavier chassis and more CCCEase at pulling my Jeep--its like its not there!Bigger TV (ashamed to admit that one!Did I mention the outdoor storage
In the end, even with the loss of the made bed for our kid, I have no regrets. As long as my means allow it, I will never move away from a Class A.
RE: What is the best toy of gadjet you have or added to your MH
Sorry, can't name my favorite. I've done lots of tinkering and I wouldn't live without any of the following. It is hard to balance the order of importance, but I'll give it a shot (top is most important/most used by me):
ScanGauge IIPressurePro TPMSProgressive Industries Energy Management SystemWindow AwningsMaxxAirJeep Wrangler drug by Roadmaster Sterling ATMotosat w/DirecTvLCD HDTVWireless Thermometer
RE: Fiesta questions
Another fan here.... we have the Terra LX 31M, a sister to the Fiesta. Love it. Really feel like this is a spectacular coach for the money. Gets lots of compliments at the RV parks, too.
You'll find some folks that haven't had a good experience with their Fiestas/Terras. However, you can also find disapppointed buyers on units costing 3x more. Unfortunately, when you package up a house, drive it down roads at 60 mph, quality and reliability are not gauranteed with any brand. If you have a reasonable expectation that you will occassionally have to do some maintenance, you will be pleased with whatever you buy.
RE: Northwest trip assistance
We made the opposite trip last year, from Spokane WA to just east of Rochester, MN. We took two weeks and spent 4 days with my folks in LaCrosse, I worked at one of my employers remote sites for two days along the way, and we spent the final weekend in Missoula. We didn't feel rushed, but I would stay longer in Rapid City if I were to do it again. Sure, it is tourist trappy, but it looked like lots of fun stuff to do there.
If I were to do your trip, here's what I would do after our run last year;
Day 1: Rochester to Sioux Falls to overnight.
Day 2: To Spearfish, SD and stay at http://www.elkhornridgervpark.com/ (one of the nicest parks we ever stayed at).
Day 3, 4, 5, 6: Hang out and do easy day trips to scout the area; Devils Tower, Rapid City, Deadwood
Day 7: To Gary Owen, MT to stay at 7th Ranch RV Camp (http://www.historicwest.com/) so that you can get up bright and early on day 8 to...
Day 8: Visit the Custer Battlefield at Little Big Horn. If you haven't been there before and are a history buff, it is pretty moving experience. Get there early as it can get real hot here in the afternoon. Also, gettin early will allow you to get a decent RV parking spot. Leave early afternoon and start weaving your way back home
Day 9: ???
Day 10: Stop at Wall. While it is a tourist trap, it can be a fun experience too. It looked to me that half of the employees at Wall Drug were young women from Russia, so it can be a real cultural experience too!
Day 11: End back at Rochester.
Sherman Pass: SR20 in Washington
Anyone ever take their RV over Sherman Pass in Washington between Republic and Kettle Falls?
We've never been their before and are planning a trip in that area. Since its listed as Washington's highest pass and its neither an interstate or a US highway, I wanted to make sure that the road wasn't too steep for reasonable motorhome travel.
RE: Pressure Pro Sensors
You may want to check the software in the monitor. Last year there were several of us that had a problem of false alarms that was traced to the version of code in the monitor... if memory serves, I think it was v2.2.2.
I had that problem and had SPECTACULAR service from PressurePro. They sent me a replacement unit immediately, no questions asked, before asking me to return the old unit. Pretty cool.. I didn't have to go without monitoring!
There was a thread here or over on IRV2.com on this topic last year. I did a quick search and didn't find the detail. A call to customer service is probably the quickest resolution.
Let us know how this works out for you.
RE: Tow Plug Wiring Problem?
Thanks HikerDogs! I sure got a lot to learn, but it is fun tinkering and trying to figure all this out with the help of the nice folks here.
RE: Tow Plug Wiring Problem?
Wow!
I believe you Tom, but can't believe it! Isn't that increadibly stupid/short sighted of the coach manufacturer? What do they think we all tow anyway?
Tow Plug Wiring Problem?
I finished my Toad project and took a test run tonight. Everything works great... well, almost everything! It turns out my toad brake lights are not lighting with my motorhome.
My system is a Roadmaster Sterling tow bar with a BrakeBuddy Vantage Select. My Jeep lights are wired using the 4-pin connector supplied by Roadmaster to the rear Jeep lights through a Diode system installed by my local RV dealer.
Towing is great. BrakeBuddy Vantage Select is really cool and easy to use. No complaints. But, when I checked my lights, here is what I found.
The turn signal lights on the Jeep follow the turn signal lights on the motorhome. Great! The general lights on the Jeep turn on when the headlights are turned on the motorhome. So far so good! However, the brake lights on the Jeep don't turn on when the brakes of the motorhome are pushed. The brake lights on the Jeep DO turn on when the BrakeBuddy activates.
So, I've summarized/proven that all my bulbs are working fine and the diodes seem to be working.
So, I took my Voltmeter to the 7-pin connector on the motorhome. I checked the pins against those in the Fleetwood owners manual. Two of the four pins that are wired into the the Roadmaster 4-wire harness are denoted as Right Turn/Stop and Left Turn/Stop by the Fleetwood manual. I've confirmed that they are energized with the directional signals. However, they are NOT energized when the brake is applied; I can see the brake lights light up so I know that the Motorhome brake signal must be active somehow. Correspondingly, I do have a pin that Fleetwood denotes as "Electric Brake' that does energize when the brakes are applied.
So, isn't this a problem? Am I mis-interpretting that Right Turn/Stop & Left Turn/Stop should energize with either a brake or a directional signal? I can't imagine it to be proper or legal to tow the Jeep with only the toad brake lights lighting when the BrakeBuddy engages.
Is this a Fleetwood problem? Is it something easy to fix? Or, is this the way it is supposed to work?
RE: Toad lights not working when hooked up to MH....
I did the same thing with the tree last week. I trip to the local auto parts store showed several wax solutions that are marketed as taking out small to medium swirls and scratches. I started with the light scratch removing wax and applied it over the rub and it did a pretty fair job. If you didn't know it was there, you wouldn't see it (it was quite obvious before!). I'll step up to the medium to give it a shot also.
The stuff I bought stated it was safe for clear coat and was made by Maguires.
RE: Jeep Wrangler Breakaway Switch Install
Thanks for the insights. After I climbed underneath, I found two holes already drilled, sized at just the right size, and spaced precisely for the bracket for the breakaway. It was in the same location as Offthewall's, so I just had to use the existing holes!
Thanks for your inputs!
Jeep Wrangler Breakaway Switch Install
Where did you mount your breakaway switch on your Jeep Wrangler? I've got my toad set up task almost complete (Baseplate mounted, tow bar tested, lights dioded). The last task is the mounting of the breakaway switch. I can't come up with a location that I like. Seems like everything will be too exposed, obtrusive, open to the elements, etc.
Where have others mounted it?
Looks like I need to take advantage of someone else's clever ideas!
RE: Best place to Buy Roadmaster Stowaway
I just bought my full set up (Roadmaster Sterling, Brackets, BrakeBuddy Vantage Supreme) from:
KC Trailer Service Supply
Above link is for their ebay store. It seems that these guys and PPL have the best prices and are within a couple dollars of each. I give KC Supply my highest marks; I actually ordered directly rather than through EBay... spending that much I just wanted to talk to someone live.
Delivery? Phenominal! I had the Roadmaster part THE NEXT DAY and the BrakeBuddy in 2 days! Of course I live just 1 state away, but it was clear that they prioritized getting the product out the door.
RE: Choosing Tow Set Up...Proportional or not?
OOPS... Hikerdog is right, I got my GV confused with my GC.
Thanks for all the insights. I am sold on the proportional idea. So, am going to order the Brake Buddy Vantage Select. I do realize that the more permanent mounts make more sense, but I have a nasty habit of rotating my cars more than momma likes!
I'll leave some feedback once I get my system set up and trialed.
Choosing Tow Set Up...Proportional or not?
I've narrowed down my decision on my tow set up. Gonna get the Roadmaster Sterling AT towbar and XL brackets. Also decided on the one of the Brakebuddy systems-just not sure which one.
Looking for help on proportional or full brake systems. I have not found much discussion on these boards relative to the merits of proportional vs full in practice. In concept, proportional seems better. Not having experience in these matters though, I wonder if the classic system providing the less elegant full braking would suffice. In what instances might I notice proportional to be better?
My setup is Workhorse W20 towing a 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Loaded I'm at 18000 lbs for the motorhome and the jeep adds 3200 lbs. My GVWR is 25000 lbs, so plenty of margin.
Its not al about money...safety is my #1 concern. However, I am still debating if the proportional Vantage Select is worth $500 more than the 'classic' non proportional-the difference might allowme to buy enough gas to actually use it!
Any practical experience or opinions or suggestions would be appreciated!
Looking for B.C. Campground Suggestions
Since we moved to Spokane, WA 7 years ago, we still haven't made it to Canada even though it is 90 miles away. So, this summer we look to change that with a 1 week trip in August.
Our target area will is roughly bounded on the west by Nelson, BC and on the east by Lake Louise.
We have a 10 year old, so places that are kid friendly (pools, etc) are of particular interest.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
