RE: Sub Zero camping?
Since you didn't specify what brand/model rig you have, there is no way of knowing if you need to do anything.
Many mid to high end motorhomes have heated tank bays and you don't have to worry about sub zero temps or do anything special.
My 95 gas Holiday Rambler had heated tank bays, but only used it in below freezing, not below zero. Check with the manufacturer.
RE: AquaHot owners
Don't forget, the AH burner is a Webasto and there are MANY dealers and distributors who stock parts including the nozzle and filters. More boats use Webasto than RVs.
RE: Best place to get portable RV dish setup?
For a few more bucks you can get the King Controls (King Dome folks) portable dome that sets up in seconds, the VuCube. It's like having a dome on your RV except it has a handle and you place it on the ground like the tripod without all the fuss.
http://www.kingcontrols.com/Template.asp?Page=/products/vuQube&mainId=3&p=VuQube-Portable%20Satellite%20TV%20Antenna
RE: Interesting Statement from Caterpillar Service
Doesn't your coach have a high idle button? That sets it to 1,000 RPM. It’s also handy when parking and running out the slides and/or the leveling jacks.
The next time you have the engine serviced, have the techs print out the diag sheets for you. It's about five pages long with the gallons of fuel it's burned, hours run, limit settings, etc. etc. etc. Interestingly enough, the Cat ECM diagnostics tracks the number of hours the engine has idled.
All electronic engines record the same data. BUT....engine idle is recorded as idle even when sitting at a traffic light or in stop and go traffic. It is whenever the engine speed is at idle "speed". You can't accept the idle hours as gospel from the computer, but those that do let them idle for extended periods should still show a much higher number of idle hours, ie truckers.
RE: King Dome or Winegard automatic stationary dome antenna
I don't want to get into "Ford-Chevy" type discussion as to what is best. I can only tell you *MY* decision when it came time to replace my old dome.
I went with the King Dome auto stationary. It *IS* hd ready as installed *IF* you have Dish. Direct requires 5 LNBs, where DISH only requires 3 and Dish uses 2 satellites for the HD portion, an East and a West, you select which bird to use by where you are in the country.
Also, with only 3 birds to look for, it switches very quickly between birds and you won't even notice any delay as you "surf".
In case you decide to do King, I would suggest you only get the TALL dome, and don't even consider the low profile one. In the antenna world, for these frequencies, a bigger reflector is MUCH better. In the case of the lp verses tall, it's about 20% larger (btw, tall isn't tall, it is the same height is has always been, about 2" taller than the LP version). Being larger, it is less likely to experience rain fade as quickly and more likely to lock on around trees etc.
Since you have a TT, King also has a very economical version that is portable and the only one like it I have seen. It does not mount on your RV, but has a carrying handle and you place it anywhere you want, just as if it was a stationary antenna, except it has all the features of the "installed version" but about half the size. In this case it's small size doesn't necessarily invalidate my "bigger is better" since you can move it physically anywhere you want, it just depends on how much cable you attach.
One other reason for King over Winegard, you don't have to get it from Camping World, which to some, like me, is a very big deal.
RE: Automatic Generator Start System
I can't speak about the choice of equipment doing what you want, but...
I'd be VERY surprised, even in this economic climate, if any dealer will do it for you if you didn't buy the equipment from them. You might want to shop for a package deal installed by the selling dealer. You may find the price differential isn't too bad.
RE: Family activites in Washington DC ??
Not knowing the age of your children, you also have Six Flags amusement park about 15 mins away.
Annapolis is 30 miles away and you can visit the Naval Academy as well as visiting one of the premier boating centers in the US.
Baltimore is 30 mins away with the Baltimore Aquarium (a must see, although not free). The inner harbor area of Baltimore has many things to see and do, none free though.
You'll have way more to do than you can do in 10 days.
RE: Bluebird Wanderlodge Update
Don't know how to break the news to you, but BB was sold to Coachworks last year and introduced their new 09 coach at the Tampa show in Feb this year and had a production unit at the FMCA national rally in St. Paul last month.
I guess GA newspapers are a little slow with the news :)
RE: Power Tech Generator problems
I know this is a radical idea, but have you thought to call or e-mail PowerTech? They are the best source of information about their products and it would probably be a whole lot faster to get to the right problem solution.
RE: Holiday Rambler 2007 NAV.
The fact that is was sold and titled to someone else, makes it a used coach, no matter what the salesman says (especially no matter what they say). Look at NADA for a USED 2007 and take 20% off the trade-in price. That is what you would get for it if you wanted to sell it. Remember, the warranty is up or about to be as it was REGISTERED and is now a USED coach.
One other concern I would have since it is a 2007 is the emissions control stuff that was mandated in 2007. Early 2007 coaches really had 2006 engines (much preferred) as the 2007 and newer have all kinds of "plumbing" hung on them, have lower performance and lower fuel mileage. You will find the the manufacturers quickly ended 2007 production to get rid of the stigma and brought out 2008 models early. As someone else said, 2009 models are now available and you can buy them all day long for 30% off or more and the emissions "stuff" has had 1-2 years to be a bit more perfected.
RE: Monaco update
I must disagree with Monaco providing service for orphans. This is not a good thing. The Oregon service center is months behind in satisfying loyal Monaco owners. If they take in SOB's the situation will only get worse. Expanding their service to look after SOB's would be a good idea if they also expanded the service department. How would you feel if you called for a service appointment in say October and they told you that it will be Decemeber as they are busy servicing Alfa's? Are Monaco owners second class customers?
Moisheh
2008 Monac Dynasty
I generally don't get sucked into this type of myopia and tribalism, but you did it to me anyway.
Your mindset is the same as the dealers that tell you they won't fix your coach if you didn't buy it from them.
When I owned a Monaco product a few years back, I needed service (dead of winter crossing the rockies etc), called Monaco (was still under warranty) for someplace to get it serviced. They did their part (I'm not bashing Monaco, I have great respect for the marketing and growth and they build a decent product, gave me the name of one of their larger dealers near. I called the dealer, and got the same ole BS you spouted, and was told I didn't buy it from them, they'd service me in 6-8 weeks.
Had that same type experience with Holiday Rambler (before Monaco ownership).
The industry cannot grow with narrow minded people as customers or suppliers. Whatever brand I owned, as long as I went to the factory all was fine, but don't break down on the road with a dealer fixable problem. That is why I now own a real bus. Can get it fixed at any truck stop and the RV specific stuff is handled as well or poorly as the production coaches.
RE: Wheel Ballance on Freightliner Chassis.
Another thought, and you can get them at many truck places and have them installed, is Centramatic balancers. After being a disbeliever for MANY years, in desperation I bought a set and they really do work. Got a chance to see how really bad our roads are :)
RE: Banning street parking of RVs in Montgomery Cnty, MD
To save all of you speculating on HOA, if you read my first post, you would notice I didn't mention anything about local HOA. Just the oppopsite. I live in an older part of the county, and there are *NO* covenants. Have owned 4 RVs over the past 15 or so years without legal problems about parking.
Further info:
Montgomery County, MD is the largest county in the state with 1 mil population. Arguably the wealthiest as well.
I *do* know the legal process and how laws are made or changed. I was trying to reach out to OTHER RV owners in the county to get them "inspired" enough to show up, write, e-mail or shout and scream. If the bill becomes law, it will effect all owners, covenants or not.
The whole point of covenants is to protect those that want uniformity. The real "movers and shakers" behind this bill have no problem in their community due to covenants, but they do not like the aesthetics of RVs, commercial vehicles, boats etc *OUTSIDE* their community.
All the positive comments are well thought out and I thank you for caring enough to comment.
Banning street parking of RVs in Montgomery Cnty, MD
Although there is a lengthy discussion in this forum of the Washington Post article and pictures of the proposed ban to street parking of RVs and commercial vehicles in Montgomery County, MD, since I am the person interviewed, I think I should bring all up to date.
First off, thanks to those that posted Virtual Earth pics of my house and RV :)
I was one of the speakers (con of course) at the county council meeting Tuesday evening. I was appalled by the lack of RVer turn out. There were only 3 people speaking on behalf of RVers, the rest were well organized HOA reps for the most part. These same reps were well known by the council members because they appear so often to protest or rally support for their own special interests.
Since this was the first hearing, with more to come in Aug/Sept, there is still time to make your opinion heard.
I don't wish to debate my special circumstances where the county, with all proper permits, allowed me to build the parking pad on county ROW, as it's not likely to happen often. I believe in *MY* case, with the full force of law and lawyers, I will prevail and be allowed to continue or at least be grandfathered. I fear not so for others.
I swore I would not put my Don Quixote suit back on, but am prepared to partially wear it if others would like to get involved off-line with me.
If you think this won't get passed, you are sorely wrong. I will quote as best I can from memory the words of one of the council members in response to my comments about aesthetics. His words were: " Aesthetics matter and laws evolve. I believe very strongly in aesthetics and others think your MH is a monster and ugly".
If you live in Montgomery County, MD, I urge you to get involved or start looking for a place to store your RV.
RE: Is There a True "All-Terrian" Tow bar?
I have the Falcon AT, my second one. The first would *not* release all the time and many times could not retract the arms even after getting it unhitched.
Called Roadmaster, they sent me a new(rebuilt) bar and has been fine ever since.
I get myself into situations most people wouldn't ever consider and have not had a problem removing the pins from this (the second) bar. A few times there was *some* tension on the pins, and wagging the steering as previously suggested, took all the pressure off.
I'd call Roadmaster, they are very accomodating.
BTW, they didn't question the age of the bar as they could tell from the serial number, my first was an early model. I also never sent in the registration and they didn't care. BTW, the exchange was free.
RE: RV Flooring Expert in Maryland
If it makes any difference, I too am looking for the same service, having our floors/carpets/tile re-done, and MD would be really nice.
RE: Where to go for the very best Ribs?????
Right in your own back yard, you may have missed one of, if not the best ribs.
Arthur Bryant's in KC, MO
/http://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/
RE: jake brake use
(I doubt any RV has a jake brake on the engine)
It never ceases to amaze me that people spout off about things they know absolutely NOTHING about!
Ray, not only do I have a 3 stage JAKE, almost all Detroits (as I have) and the Cummins ISL or larger have 2 stage JAKE brakes. When I speak of Jake brakes, I don't mean the Jake exhaust brake, but the "traditional" Jake compression Brake that sound like a big truck.
Granted most folks refer to any engine braking as Jake Brakes when most have exhaust brakes like a PAC brake, but MANY RVs have Jake Brakes.
Quoting someone much smarter than I, but "it is far better to look the fool than to open one's mouth and prove to be a fool".
IMHO, life would be much simpler if we all spoke from knowledge and not mislead others than to spout off on things we know nothing about.
RE: MWH Hydraulic leveling question
What do you mean no crabby folks, I work hard to be crabby, and don't you forget it LOL :)
Seriously, I don't know what year your MH might be, but HWH had a problem with O rings for a few model years. The O rings in the piston assemblies were made from the wrong synthetic rubber and would leak.
You ought to call HWH first and see what they will offer or suggest, but I know they are relatively easy to rebuild if you have worked on hydraulics before. You could also take them to a hydraulics shop and let them rebuild the jack units.
RE: 2008 national pacifias???
Maybe it's just me, but I can't see why any sane or rational person would consider a National product now, especially a new or newer one that would have still been under warranty.
Yes, any decent fiberglass shop can fix anything wrong with front or rear cap and any decent RV repair facility could fix most anything else, but why put yourself through that misery and headaches or expense.
I also understand there are many orphan products still on the road, but their price reflects their age and parentage. I don't think the usual poor discount for currently available National products makes it a good choice.
If you currently own a National product, no reason to not keep it and enjoy it, but there are better bargains out there without the headaches.
