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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Where did all the analog VOMs go?
I remember the military PSM6 - a good analog VOM that I used for many years. However, I doubt you will find any analog multimeters anymore. If you want a good meter get one of the Fluke brand meters, and then learn how to use it. Why should case color make any difference (unless it is pink)?
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marvmarcy
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08/29/08 04:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Heed the signs..humor
I've seen similar signs at crossings where there have been accidents caused by autos not seeing the low flat cars of the train. The drivers saw headlights and other objects over the flat cars and thought the track was clear. These drivers were likely somewhat impaired - drunk, poor eyesight, distracted, etc.
A building sign along the highway halfway between Fairbanks and Anchorage for an Inn owned by a slender gent named Dick - as told to me by friends. "Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn".
Hope no one is offended!
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marvmarcy
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08/29/08 12:29pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Actual Weights of Monaco 40 footers
My 2002 Monaco Executive 40PBT weighed about 42,000# when crammed full of everything for fulltime use. Its axles were rated at: front 14,000#, drive 23,000# and tag 10,000# for a GVWR of 47,000#. It could also pull 10,000# for a GCWR of 57,000#.
I prefer the tag axle models for the added weigh-carrying ability. The tag should have ABS as well as the other axles, and it should be retractible to aid in cornering and backing.
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marvmarcy
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08/29/08 12:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Monaco OK in my book
I truly hope Monaco and all other mfrs treat all of you well. They let me down when they did a shoddy, incomplete repair to a slide out. I sold the 2002 Executive mh thinking it had been fixed, then later faced a huge lawsuit when the repairs failed and proved to be incomplete. Monaco refused to have anything to do with me or help in any way. My reasons are obviously personal and biased, but I won't ever touch another Monaco product.
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marvmarcy
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08/29/08 10:49am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Smoke smell?
Close up the rv and run an ozone machine for a few days. Stay out of the rv while doing that - ozone is bad for the lungs. Even an ozone machine may not take out all the smoke smell, but it will help a lot.
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marvmarcy
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08/28/08 06:41pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Highest winds a Fiver can take?
How much wind a fiver or any rv can take depends on its weight, center of gravity and profile. My Monaco Exec dpmh withstood gusts to over 100 mph, although it cost a slide awing. I try to park my truck on the windward side of the fiver to help break up bad gusts. I suspect my fiver could withstand winds around 100mph for short periods and not blow over, but my fiver weighs 20,000lbs, has a relatively low center of gravity, and has 8 tires and five jacks on the ground. Many lighter fivers with a high profile would not likely withstand as much wind.
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marvmarcy
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08/28/08 06:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Foretravel Grand Villa 1993 - thoughts?
I'm pretty sure a 1993 Grand Villa is 102" wide. I think the last year Foretravel made 96" wide Grand Villas was 1990.
I owned a 1990 36' U300 (96"w) and a 1991 40' U300 (102"w). That era Grand Villa was one of the strongest and most durable mhs ever made. Both mine had the 6V92 with Allison 4sp - hard to cold start and ran very rough until warmed up. They were much better made than my Monacos (2000 Navigator and 2002 Executive).
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marvmarcy
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08/28/08 03:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: MacBook as Wireless hub
Just as Rick said. You should also assign a password to keep other campers from using your link. We have a new Mac laptop and four year old G5 linked through the laptop. The wifi link works great - just wish the air card worked that well all the time.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 04:04pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: N Yellowstone to W Galcier Easy route?
Probably the easiest route is US-89 to Livingston, I-90 to Missoula, US-93 to Polson, MT-35 to Columbia Falls, and US-2 to West Glacier. You have only two grades - Bozeman Hill between Livingston and Bozeman and Homestake Pass east of Butte. Wave at us on the hilltop just south of Polson when you go by. ;) The scenic option that avoids I-90 is to take US-89 from Gardiner to Browning and US2 to West Glacier. There are mountains to cross both ways.
Note: Logan Pass and Going to the Sun road will close for the winter on Sep 15 this year.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 11:07am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Clogged 2006 ISL fuel filters
If you got any biodiesel, that will cut loose debris in the fuel system and plug filters. I also agree with the comments on contaminated fuel growing black "slime". That is usually obvious when replacing the filter, but it depends on the filter type.
The Cummins NW service mgr told me to avoid biodiesel unless I wanted to replace filters frequently. The school system in Missoula, MT started using biodiesel in its busses and had to replace filters weekly to monthly. Over time the biodiesel will take out the debris and the filter replacements will become less frequent.
I try to keep my tanks full and use a biocide. I've had some slime but not too bad.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 10:32am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Are there dependable cash special TVs?
I doubt you will find a truly dependable diesel tv for $5,000, but you may get very lucky. My friend recently bought a 95 Ford F250 PSD 4X4 in beautiful condition with around 120K miles for about $12K cash from a private owner.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 10:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Advice and Prayers Please!!!
We've had grandkids as young as 10mos spend the night in the rv. Parents were apprehensive, but the kids loved the experience. We just had our 2yo and 4yo grandkids spend a week with us while dry camping in MT. They had a great time and slept soundly all night. All six of our grandkids love sleepovers and ask for them all the time.
I agree with the others. Don't worry so much and treasure every moment - good and bad. They will be precious memories when she is grown and has her own family. Then you will get to do it all over again with her kids.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 10:15am |
Family Camping
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RE: I-90 Sioux Falls to Seattle
There are five passes I can think of on I-90, but none are as high or steep as I-70 through CO. You could consider I-80/I-84 through WY and UT, but they will also have possible snow/ice in March. I've driven I-90 from Spokane, WA to Buffalo,WY (I-25) with a large rv in the dead of winter on several occasions. I mostly had to watch for occasional ice, but the roads were basically dry.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 10:08am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: does the axle sleeve get hot enough to melt PVC???
There shouldn't be anything turning inside the axle. The wheels and their bearings are all that turn, and if they get hot enough to melt pvc, they should be checked for wear and repacked/replaced. The axle should never get much above the ambient air temp.
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marvmarcy
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08/22/08 09:58am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Cummins 650Hp?
The ISX can put out 650 and more, but the various hp engines are not internally the same nor do they use the same turbo, injectors, etc. The ISX is not an updated N14 either. Basically, ISXs can only be upgraded in hp to the limits of the internal and external parts. I started with an ISX400/1450 (basic range 375 to 450hp) and recalibrated the ECM to 450/1650. I could have gone to 500/1650 with the ECM, but the internal parts weren't built for more than 450/1650 in my particular engine. Many mhs have used the ISX525 as a step up from the ISM500. The ISX525 can be boosted to over 550 by tweeking the ECM, but the ISX600 (Signature) is yet more robust internally with different turbo, injectors, etc. This is what I recall from talking with the Cummins Northwest folks, and I may be incorrect on some aspects.
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marvmarcy
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08/18/08 10:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Height regrets?
Our fiver is 13'4" and the truck cab is 9'6" plus antennae. Yes, we occasionally have to take an alternate route, and we avoid low tree branches as much as possible; however, we would never consider a smaller fiver. The last two of our previous mhs were also 13'+ tall, so we had occasional problems with them too. We've never had any damage to any rv from low clearances of any kind, only minor paint scratches that buffed out easily.
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marvmarcy
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08/16/08 08:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Where to Register Your Rig???
You need to investigate thoroughly. While you can establish residency in any state, you must meet that state's legal requirements. That includes voting there and paying applicable taxes of that state. States require you have a physical address in that state (not P.O. Box or mail forwarding service). You will likely have to prove residence with a utility bill or similar document.
If you chose to establish a Limited Liability Company (LLC), the law firm you chose should take care of these requirements. The law firm may recommend you not establish an LLC because of your particular circumstances. Some states have challenged LLCs and collected back taxes and fines, mostly from residents of that state who license the rv through an LLC in another state to avoid taxes. Please do your homework thoroughly.
I found it easiest to own property in MT and declare residency in MT. For me it was cheaper and less complicated than an LLC. I was born and raised here. What works well for one may not work best for another!
I seriously doubt you will get any advice from a lawyer on this forum.
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marvmarcy
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08/16/08 01:07pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Going to the scales tomorrow, whats the math??
Good info provided by the others already. If you can, I suggest you also weigh the front and rear fiver axles separately.
I found that my rear axle carries 800# more than the front. I already knew the left (road) side is heavier than the right (curb) side because Newmar had the Moryde suspension changed on the left to handle the extra weight. Since the left rear carries the most weight, I had to adjust minimum tire pressures up from 65psi to 75psi - I actually run 80psi all around as a safety factor.
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marvmarcy
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08/15/08 11:52am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Theft security of fifth wheel hitch
I don't worry about theft, but my hitch weighs over 800lbs. It was installed using a fork lift and is bolted and welded in place. I've been amazed by unusual thefts, so I understand your concern. You just never know. I do lock my hitch when towing to keep "pranksters" from releasing it and causing the fiver to drop.
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marvmarcy
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08/15/08 11:26am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th Wheel Insurance
Our truck and fiver in sig below are insured through Farm and City for $1,100/year. If you want info on them pm me.
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marvmarcy
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08/15/08 11:18am |
Fifth-Wheels
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