RE: VCR's after Feb, 09
I have replaced my VHS recorder with a DVD recorder in the coach (Philips DVDR35-37). Because this DVDR has a digital tuner, it serves as a digital converter for the coach as well. I can use it to make timed recordings just as with the VCR, and can also watch live digital broadcasts on my old tv's using the DVDR tuner to convert the signal.
I also have copied all my VHS tapes to DVD and threw out the original VHS tapes and the VHS recorder. What a space saver! And the DVD recordings are easier to watch because you can skip commercials or recorded segments much easier.
Caution: commercially recorded VHS tapes will not record to DVD because of copy protection. However there are ways around this by buying a signal stabilizer (Click Herehttp://www.xdimax.com/grex/grex.html).
RE: Routers & Aircards
I have the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 and it works great. Regarding satellite internet, I have it but have not used it in over a year because the cellular internet is faster, easier and cheaper to use. The only downside is that cellular is not available everywhere whereas satellite is available anywhere that you have a clear view of the sky. If you need to have internet service everywhere, check out the satellite info at www.datastormusers.com. Hughesnet satellite internet service has great "everywhere" availability but is somewhat slower than 3G cell service because of satellite latency.
If you can make do with great service in metro areas and spotty service in rural areas, you will save time, weight and money with a 3G cellular card from Sprint, ATT or Verizon. I have a Sprint card and have been very happy with the coverage on the east coast, getting 3G coverage in 85% of the places, slower coverage in 10% of the places, and no coverage 5% of the time. In the wide open spaces out west, there would likely be many more holes in coverage, but I have not yet tried it there. My Datastorm satellite dish that served me well in the past currently sits on my roof unused, but I may reactivate it when I go west.
RE: Garmin - Is this to be expected?
Your Garmin can almost surely be used with a cigarette lighter power plug, so why do you even need the battery for RV use?
RE: Low ball trade-in from dealers.
This thread is getting a little nasty. Let's calm down, folks.
Having said that, I think there are some valid points being made. It seems obvious that the dealers don't want your coach unless they can get it cheap. Mainly because the market stinks and they may be stuck with it for a long time. Also, many dealers are having trouble getting loans to floor plan their inventory. The collateral value of RV's has tanked.
Don't take it personally. None of us could get good value for our rigs today. It is not a good time to sell, but if you try to sell it yourself you may get lucky. Otherwise, keep it or take your loss. Not a happy scenario but times have changed a lot in the last year or two. It's a different world today, and people are afraid it may be worse tomorrow, so discretionary purchases are way down.
RE: Digital TV experience
"What would be the reason to have analog pass through after Feb 2009?"
Some low power stations will not be converting to digital in 2009. Also, you can use analog to view the signal from VCR's and some other older equipment.
RE: info on Hydro-Hot heating
Just a reminder, 1.5 gph constant burn rate is just that: constant burn which would would only happen in extreme cold. Normal use would mean the burner operates for only a fraction of each hour, so average burn rate is much less.
RE: info on Hydro-Hot heating
I love my Hydro-hot heating and would never have another coach without it or an equivalent. It is quieter, with more even heat. Propane depletion is not an issue. It seems to use very little diesel fuel, depending, of course, on outside temperature and wind. I don't frequent extremely cold places, but I generally figure no more than 1/4 gallon per hour of use, and rarely use that much.
RE: Digital TV Reception
Dave is right, antenna aiming is more critical for digital than for analog. If your antenna points away from an analog station you will get a snowy or ghosty picture, but with digital you may get nothing. Rotate the antenna toward the station and the digital signal will come in great. But this creates a big problem unless we want to be jumping up and turning our antennas all the time. The answer might be a high-gain omni-directional antenna. Is there such an animal that would be practical on an RV?
RE: DTV converter..which ones suck, which ones are good
The Insignia sold at Best Buy is the same as the Zenith, just renamed. Very good unit. Get the newer model with the model suffix APT that has analog pass-thru. This will allow it to work with analog stations until the Feb 2009 deadline, and after that with VCR's and the like.
In addition to its easy menu structure and strong signal sensitivity, it has TV on/off and volume on the remote control. Many other units don't, forcing you to use 2 remotes to watch TV.
RE: Mercedes ML350
I too wanted to tow an ML. I even e-mailed Remco, who said, "No way, Jose". What a shame, it is a really nice SUV. I especially like the diesel version.
Ask your wife to look at the Buick Enclave, which is towable without any mods. I know, a Buick is not a Mercedes. But this Buick is REALLY nice, nicer than any Buick ever made. I plan to buy one when I get ready to retire my Acura MDX, and I haven't owned an American car in decades. Besides, I think the USA car industry could use our help.
RE: Do Extended Service policys ever pay a claim?
I bought a 7 yr/70,000 policy on my motorhome when I bought it new. It cost me $3700. Until recently I regretted the purchase, but now I don't.
During the first 4 years they paid about $1000 for a bunch of miscellaneous repairs. But last year, they paid $1000 to replace a failed air conditioner, and recently they paid about $3500 to replace a bad radiator and a bad sewer valve. So, with about 18 months left on the policy, I am money ahead. In addition, if I choose to sell my coach in that period, I can sell it with a warranty, which is very good reassurance for a buyer.
On the negative side, it is a pain to make a claim. Nothing can be repaired until the company approves it. My radiator repair was held up about two weeks waiting for them to approve the claim. Fortunately, I was not half-way across the country, and did not need the coach during that time. If I had, I'd be mighty upset.
These machines are very complex, and can be expensive to repair.
So like the man said, do you feel lucky?
RE: Goodyear Tire "Rivering"
I had the exact same experience as Poltax had with my six G169's. I threw them all away and bought Michelin's. Does anybody know if the same problem affects the G670's?
By the way, river wear and cupping are not the same thing.
RE: Garmin GPS
What are you guys bellyaching about? Of course you pay for updates. When you bought your VCR, did you get free lifetime videotapes? How about your satellite dish. Do you get free TV over it? Does your RV come with free fuel for life? Your cellphone?
It costs Garmin a fortune to produce new maps. Somebody has to pay for it.
RE: MH Storage
Security Self Storage at Lake Worth Rd. and the FL Turnpike. 561-357-8038. I have kept my coach there for 5 years and no problems. They have open or covered (pricey) storage and the covered storage has electric available. RV storage is behind 2 secure gates and they have video security cameras.
RE: Big Rig Friendly Campgrounds - Zion and Bryce
I recommend Ruby's at Bryce. Not spectacular, but spacious sites, with restaurants, shops and the National Park shuttle bus all a short walk from your campsite. Being at high altitude, Bryce may be cold in late Sept. with a chance for some snow. Weather permitting, take one of the hikes into Bryce Canyon. It is as spectacular if not more so to be down in the canyon as opposed to viewing it from above.
Zion will be warmer. Actually the end of Sept. or early October is ideal there as summer temps are very hot. Zion is a hiker's paradise. I recommend the Watchman campground. It is ideally situated at the beginning of the park right at the visitor center where the shuttle busses depart (no cars are allowed in most of the park but shuttles are frequent & easy to use). Many sites are big, I had no problem here with my 40 footer.
Enjoy it. You are off to some magic places.
RE: New Barn for the Motorhome
Regarding sewer connection, where should it be located? In the barn? Smelly. Outside the entrance door? Then you have to move the coach out to dump it. Or, away from the barn altogether to keep smells at bay?
RE: Integrated Motorhome Computer?
If you build your computer into the motorhome, and then leave the motorhome somewhere for service, you will be leaving all your private files where they will be vulnerable to theft. With a laptop, you take it all with you in a carry bag.
