RE: 2008 American Coach Tradition Zone Air
Just purchased a 2008 American Coach Tradition 42F Tag. I'm trying to figure out my air conditioners. I have three and they are on a three zone system that is set up as follows:
Zone 1: Heat (Aqua Hot 450), Fan, Cool (air)
Zone 2: Heat (Aqua Hot450), fan, Heat Pump, Cool (air)
Zone 3: Heat (Aqua Hot), fan, Cool (air)
My question is this... When I turn all three zones to cool, nothing seems to happen with zone 3. I found this out as I turned them on one at a time to test and nothing happens with zone 3. With zone 1&2 air on, all the vents are producing cold air, so what the heck does zone 3 air do?
strudeau,
What type of units do you have? I am presuming that they have the same operating functions on the controller such as heat pump, cool, furnace (Aqua Hot), fan setting and auto or not. You did not say whether you were running with the generator on or plugged in. In any event, all three ACs should be able to operate off of a 10K generator. If two are working and one is not, there could be an issue with the unit or try to operate zone 3 with the remaining two in the "off" position and see what happens.
I had a similar problem last July 4th 2012; however, it was apparent to me that I needed two new units which were eventually installed. Hopefully, yours is not the case.
Keep us posted.
RE: Anyone tow a 6000 pound dingy?
You have received some great feedback. We towed an H2 Hummer that weighed 7,250 pounds with a full tank of gas behind an American Eagle with a Cummins ISC 350. Before we towed anything, both the motorhome and toad were weighed at each wheel (we have our own portable weighing scale) to give us a true assessment. Don't presume that a hitch and tow bar with ratings of 10,000 lbs. each will suffice.
You do not want to exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) which includes each axle and total weight of both the motorhome and toad nor the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) when towing with the motorhome. Remember that the weight equation also includes the weight of the tow bar, tow cables, etc.
We currently tow a Saturn Vue that weighs 4,800 pounds with a full tank of gas. This figure is just a little shy of the GVWR. Our plan is to add a Ford F250 to the mix as a toad as well because we plan on toting our golf cart around in the bed of the pickup.
I will be weighing the F250 at each wheel with a full tank of gas prior to setting up the truck for towing. I already weighed it with one-fourth tank and it was 6,950 pounds and it has a GVWR of 8,800 pounds. Our motorhome has changed since the American Eagle.
Hopefully, this sheds some information that may prove useful to your research.
Best of luck!!
:)
RE: Starting a diesel every 30 days.
I'm a strong advocate of running the engine at highway speeds twice monthly at 25 miles round trip or more each drive. I also run the generator at least once per month at 50% load. Since we live in a cold region, the winter months have their challenges and I would rather be exercising the equipment rather than let it sit, without operation, for long periods.
RE: To Buy or Not to Buy.....
You have received some great feedback. Since you have already camped you know about campground fees and etc. The maintenance on a DP is going to be higher than a Gasser; however, you will need to assess the right one for your needs.
We have always owned DPs and have been frustrated with them as well as delighted at the same time. The cargo carrying capacity and towing rating will be much greater with a DP and ours have been quieter up front.
I'm sure you will look at both types before you decide. Keep in mind that you will need a toad.
Best of luck.
RE: Progressive Industies EMS-PT50C owners please comment
We have the Progressive Industries' portable 50 amp unit and are quite satisfied with it. We are now on our third motorhome and it has performed admirably on all three. The major pro, for our needs, is that it is portable and it senses when a power pedestal is weak or when there is an electrical surge.
RE: RV Parks in/around New Orleans
There is Aviation Arbor RV Park located at the New Orleans Joint Reserve Base/Naval Air Station. If you are retired military or are in the reserves, national guard or DOD civilian, you can stay here. I have not stayed at this facility but I understand it is a real nice establishment and is in close proximity to New Orleans.
RE: Air Force One
I've been using the SMI Air Force One since April 2009 and had it installed on our very first coach and toad. Since that time, we have had two more coaches and the SMI Air Force One system on the toads as well.
Since this is my first and only supplemental braking system, I can attest to its effectiveness and ease of operation. By the way, we had the system moved from coach to coach and I installed the brake controller system myself on the lastest toad.
I like the fact that the system has its own proprietary air tank which receives its air supply from the coach's air tanks; therefore, there is no usage of the coach's air system when stopping the toad. Its truly proportional braking.
RE: Air Horns Blowing
UPDATE---UPDATE!!
I removed the solenoid from the Hadley Air Horns and replaced it with a new one. I also checked the steering wheel push pad which had a broken insert that connected the push pad to the steering wheel. I ended up gluing it to the underside of the pad because it had separated from the connection and placed it back in the center of the steering wheel.
I tested the new solenoid after the coach reached its maximum psi and there was no leakage from the solenoid and the air horns did not sound constantly as before. I tooted the horn several times without any issues. Its my conclusion that I either had a bad solenoid or the push pad just needed the small adjustment I made to it.
Time will tell. Thanks to all for your feedback.
:B
RE: Water Pressure Regulator Question
I have the Watt 263A Stainless. Try here:
Pressure regulator
Get a good regulator and an Oxygenics shower head and you will think you are at home.
bob213,
How does this affect the pressure on the shower head if it can't handle more than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm)? I looked at the Oxygenics website and noticed this data. I ask because the link, you provided, shows the Watts 263A Stainless as having 4-4.5 gpm water flow before it reaches the motorhome.
Thanks.
RE: Air Horns Blowing
Most horns usually work by "grounding", or one side of the relay is hot, and the relay is grounded when you hit the button. If you have a test light try this. Find the ground wire from the horn to relay. Connect one end of a long jumper wire to the ground wire, then run it inside near where you sit. Connect one end of test light to this wire and other end to a 12 Volt hot source, such as a 12 volt outlet. Now if you see the light come on when you start, you will know that it is in the "spring"
Dr. Quick,
Thanks!!
RE: Air Horns Blowing
Thanks to all for your advice. I will be troubleshooting the air solenoid further. I contacted Monaco Technical again and they suggested that I check both the air solenoid and the clock-spring while the air horns are blasting because they said that I could then really determine where the culprit may be located.
There is no airbag located under the push pad; therefore, I will just deactivate the battery switch.
Air Horns Blowing
Our air horns blow intermittently and constantly at times once I start the engine and remain stationary. When I deactivate the battery disconnect switch, they stop. I initially came to the conclusion that the solenoid (located in the generator compartment on top of the air horns attached to the firewall on the passenger side) may have failed; however, this is not the case after I checked it.
I called Monaco Technical and explained the symptoms and my initial diagnosis and they conveyed to me that more then likely it is the clock-spring, which is located inside the steering column under the steering wheel which is a smartwheel made by Vehicle Improvement Products. The purpose of the clock-spring is to allow the steering wheel to rotate or turn without affecting electrical connections to the horn, lights, wipers, etc. It's my presumption that I need to remove the steering wheel to access this device to determine if it's damaged.
Have any of you removed the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller? If so, what type of puller did you use? Is it the standard puller that may be purchased at NAPA or another autoparts store? Since there is a plastic shroud surrounding the steering column beneath the steering wheel, I am sure I will have to remove it.
Thanks for any sage advice and excuse the loooong post.
RE: Blue Ox tow bar versus Road Master Tow bar
francet157,
Congrats on the new 2013 Ford F150. We tow with a Blueox Aventa LX towbar (rated for 10,000 lbs.), Blueox Baseplate and use the SMI Air Force One supplemental braking system for the toad. I plan on adding a Ford F150 to the mix and will also be using the Blueox Baseplate and another SMI Air Force One.
I have been more than satisfied with both the Blueox Towbar and airbrake system. Both are flawless, in my opinion, and I will not hesitate to recommend them plus the customer service at both companies is outstanding.
RE: KOA campgrounds CEO.....
I watched "Undercover Boss" last evening and it was entertaining. We have stayed at three KOAs in Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. The staff was courteous and professional and we, more than likely, will stay again. The only downside is that our coach is long, especially with a toad. These campsites were a little on the small side but we were able to maneuver okay.
RE: Best tire pressure monitoring system
There are a lot of factors to take into account when considering a tire pressure monitoring system. Reliability, accuracy, cost of ownership, consistency...
There have been issues with most in terms of consistent monitoring Some require extra's to enable picking up the sensor signals from all positions.
Battery life is an issue, more so with some than others... Some allow for battery replacement while others require purchase of new sensors.
There are two basic types, external and internal sensors. The basic differentiation is cost and ease of installation...
There are three external sensor types that are pretty much the same with a few bells and whistles differences..Doran, Pressure Pro and TST.. Of the three TST has gained in popularity... There is also Tire Sentry which is also an external sensor type but much more basic it only notifies when pressure falls below the threshold set by the user...It does not give pressures or temperatures.
The best of breed in my opinion is Smart Tire which are sensors that are mounted internally... This system in my opinion is the most accurate in terms of pressure and temperature. This system also works with the Trip Tek monitoring systems which provide trip information along with key read outs from the coaches ECM...
For the record I have the Tire Sentry system which is the most basic system... If I wanted to upgrade to a more sophisticated external senor system I would lean towards the TST system... Having said that if I upgrade it will be to the Smart Tire System... The con to the Smart tire system is that the sensors have to be attached inside the tire to the rim and it is the most expensive. But In my opinion it is the most accurate system.
JohnnyT
I believe that the SmarTire TPMS for recreational vehicles is no longer available. Please see this link
http://www.smartire.com/rv
RE: Generator and exercising per manual
I always exercise the generator two hours each month throughout the year at one-half load. Occasionally, I may run it while we are on the road traveling to a destination to run the front a/c if necessary.
In addition, I always change the air filter, oil/oil filter, fuel filters once a year, and clean out the exhaust port by running the unit without the plug for five minutes at full load to remove any soot. This prevents the unit from smoking when it is first started.
RE: Toad is a Dodge Ram 4x4
Mfar1234,
I presume you have weighed both units. Ensure that you have a good understanding of the real numbers and that you do no exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating of the motorhome. I'm not going to go into specifics because you probably already have both the motorhome and toad set up properly for towing, etc.
If you fall within all safety parameters, there should be no issues in towing the pickup.
Safe travels.
:)
RE: Ford PU as Toad
jk123,
May I suggest you look at the following link and see if your particular truck is towable. If it reflects "null" there is no applicable way to tow. However, further research may reveal something different.
Best of luck.
http://www.remcodsc.com/
RE: Weber Q220 gas grill
We have the Weber Q220 and are highly satisfied with its performance. The added benefit, for us, is the built-in thermometer in the hood of the appliance. It gives us an indication of the temperature when we are cooking.
Yes, the grill is expensive; however, it was an investment that has been worth it. I read here on the forum recently about an issue with the Q220. Perhaps, it would be worth your while researching a little further to ensure you have as much information as possible.
Best of luck.
