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RE: Grand Canyon North Rim via Jacob Lake CG...
If you don't mind a little off road (almost) drive down some less than smooth USFS roads, there are a few canyon overlook camping spots east of the highway between Jacob Lake and GCNR. Check for specifics/details at any of the "free camping" websites. I'm not sure if a NPS annual pass is required to stay at these places, but it might be, as they are USFS, I think a part of the NPS family of locations? FR611 is supposed to be a good one. When in doubt, scout it out, first in a smaller 4X4 vehicle. We started down it, same trip, and decided it wasn't worth the risk after it got really rutted. We didn't have the Wrangler with us, so we passed.
There are also a smattering of commercial PPU campgrounds along the same roadway, west side, if you prefer something a little less "Bohemian".
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MDKMDK
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09/15/22 06:23pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Grand Canyon North Rim via Jacob Lake CG...
Stayed there 4 years ago for one night when the GCNR was full to the brim in September. Never even considered making a reservation at GC, as we never had before. Times have changed. We had just left Bryce Canyon and stopped by Duck Creek Village for a look around, then south to GCNR, thinking "no problem, they're probably getting ready to shut down". WRONG.
We were in site #8 at Jacob's Lake. Nice little campground and a great alternative to GC. There was a young couple that arrived late in the day, just as it started to rain, and they were in a small car, doing the tent camping thing. It rained all night long.
They survived. As did we.
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MDKMDK
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09/15/22 12:22pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: The dreaded Tire explosion
OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??
How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?
Good questions. 2015 to 2022 is probably right around the "time to replace the aged out OEM tires". Maybe just a bit past due?
I'm at 5 years out from the chassis factory, with *only* 35,000 miles on the OEMs, and I started watching mine for odd or uneven treadwear and anything else, at every stop on the road.
Interesting that the TPMS didn't note any issues, and didn't prevent the catastrophic failure. Their scope of usefulness is limited to slow leaks only. When one decided to go, the TPMS just watched it happen. Regular checking and a good pressure gauge is still worth having.
Yes, they were a bit past due to be replaced. Original Michelin LTX from 2015 date code. Still about 3/4 tread. I thought I was ok for a while yet since it’s garage kept and no dry rot or cracks. But guess I pushed them a little too long.
Yes, pressures and temps were good. I suspect I lost a cord/belt.
I had a set of Michelin LT245 70R16 AT/2 models go at about the warranty mileage (60,000miles?) - tread separation on left rear, and I got them all replaced at Discount Tire, where I bought them. Different store, but there was enough tread depth left that they were able to prorate the replacement tires at 50% of cost. Got the Michelin LTX models to replace them, as they didn't have any AT/2 models in stock, and we were just heading out on a longish trip. Put about 50,000 miles on them, and sold the van with them still in great shape.
I like Michelins. And DT.
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MDKMDK
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09/09/22 03:47pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: The dreaded Tire explosion
OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??
How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?
Good questions. 2015 to 2022 is probably right around the "time to replace the aged out OEM tires". Maybe just a bit past due?
I'm at 5 years out from the chassis factory, with *only* 35,000 miles on the OEMs, and I started watching mine for odd or uneven treadwear and anything else, at every stop on the road.
Interesting that the TPMS didn't note any issues, and didn't prevent the catastrophic failure. Their scope of usefulness is limited to slow leaks only. When one decided to go, the TPMS just watched it happen. Regular checking and a good pressure gauge is still worth having.
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MDKMDK
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09/09/22 01:10pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Towing 4-wheels down.....braking required for vehicle?
This independent website info is about a year old, so it's not 100% verified, but probably close enough to give you an idea of who requires what for towed vehicle braking.
https://support.rvpartshop.ca/support/solutions/articles/62000212074-dinghy-towing-braking-laws-by-state-province
A bit more, Canadian only..
https://www.rvda.ca/content.asp?contentid=161
Same, US only
https://rvibrake.com/en-ca/pages/flat-towing-law
FWIW, I tow a 2016 4 door Wrangler 4 down and use Blue Ox everything. NO problems to date.
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MDKMDK
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09/08/22 03:17pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Suggestions
A quick internet search suggests that most/all Super Cs are diesel powered, and Jayco, Dynamax, and Thor versions all suggest they have "full body paint" options. So they have a better chance of not looking ragged after a few years of use. They will always look like a class C motorhome if that's not what you're looking for.
I have no idea on which ones are good/bad.
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MDKMDK
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08/21/22 07:20pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Matching RV Heat Pump and Control Box
Wouldn't the manufacturer know? Or a licensed dealer?
Why not try an internet search for Coleman RV heat pump.
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MDKMDK
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07/28/22 03:58pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Pulled the trigger...What can I expect?
ERS is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.
Do as your FIL suggests, cross your fingers that you never need to use it, but be prepared for anything, if/when you do. Yes, after dark and weekends/holidays may be iffy, but prepare yourselves mentally for that "iffy-ness".
Out of the dozen or more times I've used GS ERS over the last 20 years, they have mostly come through for me with the basics, towing, battery boost, and tire changes on non-RVs and my Roadtrek. I've never needed fuel delivery, but that stuff should be pretty simple to do for any tow service.
Nor have I needed any help with either our short lived Class A adventure, or with our current class C, so I'm in the same boat as you on that one. The larger size/weight does add some complexity, but hopefully, if you define what you have on the Good Sam website accurately, they can see that, and respond accordingly.
Good luck, and welcome to the strange world of RVing.
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MDKMDK
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07/28/22 12:35pm |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: Installed generator stolen?
At 172 lbs each, they'd be a challenge to move without some sort of racing jacks, and in some installations the bolts that hold them in place have to be accessed from the inside of the coach, and carrying them while running away, without dropping and damaging them, might be an issue.
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MDKMDK
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07/20/22 03:16pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Class C RV model recommendations
I may be mistaken, but I believe the OP prefers diesel? The original question wasn't "gas or diesel?", it was a short floor plan/options wish list, including diesel, and whether something like that exists.
As several of us pointed out he is not going to find a diesel that checks most of his other boxes. Every coach is a series of compromises and I think this thread has given him some viable options. It remains for the OP to make the choices that will minimize those compromises... just sayin.
:C
I understand that, and yes, several pointed out (as I did in my first post) that "something's gotta give". Interesting to note however, that the 2 diesel powered options I suggested were about as close to ticking all the OP's wish list items, but for the 2 misses (sink location/walkround bed) I pointed out. There were also some other late to the game posters that went directly at the "diesel" wish list item, in a negative sense, as they both made their preferences known, in spite of it not being a "gas vs diesel" thread. "diesel, no way" was their only opinion.
As were you, I'm just sayin' :B
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MDKMDK
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07/18/22 03:30pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Class C RV model recommendations
I may be mistaken, but I believe the OP prefers diesel? The original question wasn't "gas or diesel?", it was a short floor plan/options wish list, including diesel, and whether something like that exists.
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MDKMDK
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07/18/22 12:48pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Class C RV model recommendations
As others have said, something's gotta give. That's normal when looking for "the one".
The only 2 models of Winnebago View/Navion that would tick most of the floor plan boxes are the 24J and 24G (no longer in production). The 24J has the sink outside the lav, but has the corner bed, so that's a near miss. The 24G has an (almost) walk around rear bed that slides/extends out at the rear of the unit, but the sink is inside the lav. I think they both tick the cab over bunk, diesel powered, around 24' to 26' length, and come with either couch or dinette, in a small driver's side slide. The MB 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel with 5 speed transmission is a great power combo, but as others have suggested, watch that OCCC if you plan on towing anyhting, or bringing along the rest of the family. Most Views/Navions are OCCC "challeneged", mine included, but you can be creative with what stuff you actually need, versus what you want to bring along.
You can see the various floor plans at some of the better dealers like Lichtsinn, or at the Winnebago website. Pricing will vary on these based on age, mileage, wear and tear, and the rest of the usual stuff.
Good luck with it.
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MDKMDK
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07/18/22 10:51am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: In need of opinions, thank you
The better fuel economy of the MB diesel, more than offsets the slight difference in the price of a US gallon of gas, which today, might be 15% less than a US gallon of diesel. If the diesel gets twice the mileage of the gasser, it elminates the fuel price argument.
I had a 2002 Chevy with a Vortec 350 V8, and got around 15mpg (gas). Not too bad.
I had a 2016 Sunstar 26HE (pretty close in size/weight to a small Class C) with the V10 and the 6 speed transmission and got around 7mpg average (gas) over the 4600 miles I did in it. Not too good.
I now have a 2018 Navion on a 2017 MB 3500 Sprinter chassis and average 15mpg solo, and 13mpg towing a 4500lb Wrangler. Not too bad.
Do the math.
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MDKMDK
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07/13/22 05:31pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: New Ford V8
Is he pulling another 7,000lbs in a large box trailer when he gets those numbers? That would be around the weight and shape of the coach on a Class C motorhome.
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MDKMDK
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07/10/22 10:45am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Looking at class c questions on maintenance
Call around to your chassis dealers of choice, and ask before you buy. When we had a Roadtrek in a Chevy Express van, the local GM dealer had no problem working on it. When we upsized to the Sunstar 26HE, we had to get the oil changed at a truck stop. Pricing was similar to the cost of a regular oil change, but they had a larger bay area to work on it. Our class C Navion on a Sprinter cab chassis gets it's maintenance work done at a nearby (120 miles round trip) MB dealer that sells Sprinter vans, and they have a hoist that can lift it.
Also, because they say they'll work on it now, doesn't mean that position can't change.
It's a problem for many motorhome owners these days.
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MDKMDK
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06/28/22 06:48am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Furrion Glass stove tops
Was hoping for a little comedy fron this one. Thanks all. Unsubscribing....
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MDKMDK
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06/19/22 02:25pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Moving from 5th Wheel to Sprinter based Class C
Wives vs wet baths.... Yea. They hate them.
Fortunately there are plenty of Sprinter Class C's available with regular bathrooms. (Class B's not so much)
One of the many reasons we went to a Sprinter based C, instead of a Sprinter B. Dry bath. Nice! :)
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MDKMDK
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06/14/22 08:54am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Moving from 5th Wheel to Sprinter based Class C
Max torque between 1400 and 2200 RPM, and max HP in the 3800RPM range. With a Ford V10, it's 4000RPMs plus, to get the maximum performance, with minimum fuel economy, Quieter, cool running, and efficient.
The V10 has been out of production for several years now. Yes, there are a lot still on the road which proves their durability.
Godzilla isn't much better, in torque, HP, and fuel economy. Still needs to rev up to do it.
Even Ford has tried to emulate the Sprinter with their Transit cab chassis and vans.
The Transit has been in production in EU since 1965, long before the Sprinter which did not go into production until 1995.
It was closer to an overweight Transit Connect in appearance, when it was introduced in 1965 in Europe (the EU didn't exist back then) and was not as pretty as the 2013 models, that were introduced in North America, to mimic and compete with the very successful MB Sprinter.
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MDKMDK
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06/14/22 08:39am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Moving from 5th Wheel to Sprinter based Class C
Don't fear the Sprinter vans, or an upfitted Sprinter based class C motorhome. Most are decent motorhomes overall, with their idiosyncracies and options and problems, and there are now so many more upfitters selecting Sprinter cab chassis first as their base platform of choice, because they are robust for a light truck/van chassis and power train. Max torque between 1400 and 2200 RPM, and max HP in the 3800RPM range. With a Ford V10, it's 4000RPMs plus, to get the maximum performance, with minimum fuel economy, which is one of the reasons we traded in our 2016 Sunstar 26HE V10 after one trip, for the 2018 Navion 3.0L turbo-diesel. Quieter, cool running, and efficient.
Even Ford has tried to emulate the Sprinter with their Transit cab chassis and vans. They did a good job at first with the look of the Transit, but it was underpowered and designed for lighter use, and it took a while for most upfitters to choose it over the Sprinter, after Ford beefed it up a little.
The myth about the scarcity of service for Sprinters is just as applicable to Ford based class C motorhomes. Do a search on "can't find Ford shops that will work on my motorhome" and you might be surprised, as there are just as many stories about that.
I have a MB dealer 60 miles away from me, they sell them, and have serviced mine, without so much as a whimper, for 4 years. Their customer service is excellent, as you might imagine. They know how to cater to top end buyers and customers having done so for decades.
Finding service out in the real world can be just as challenging for any make/model of motorhome, Sprinter based, or not. Plenty of anecdotal stories on the various forums to support that.
It's usually just the luck of the draw, just like with fivers and HD trucks, when it breaks, you deal with it as best you can. What else can you or anyone else do?
Good luck with your search. :)
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MDKMDK
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06/13/22 09:21pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Moving from 5th Wheel to Sprinter based Class C
Weight is part of the transition.
You have a cab chassis that has a GVWR of 11,030lbs including the upfitting and OCCC, with a 5,000lb towing capacity, and the combined weight rating for Sprinter based motorhome plus towed, all loaded for travel, should be kept under the GCWR of 15,250lbs. - It can be done.
I went from a 2016 Sunstar 26HE to a 2018 Navion, and we pull a 2016 JKU Sahara Wrangler 4 down with no problems. All Blue Ox equipment used to setup for towing, and has performed well.
Our average GCW loaded for travel is usually about 150lbs below the 15,250lb max GCWR.
EDIT: We average around 15mpg solo at freeway speeds. Slowing down does increase that number. We average around 13mpg towing the 4500lb Wrangler. Same speed scenario.
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MDKMDK
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06/13/22 03:22pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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