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Forum
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RE: am i being too picky ?

Usually on a new house you don't have to fight to get it fixedRIGHT the first time
When we bought our new stick house about 11 years ago, I had all sorts of little things that had to be fixed, adjusted, you name it. The new microwave stopped working on day 2, there were squeaks in the floor, etc. Got it all fixed in short order.
Same with the Rev we bought new in 06. It's like buying a new house sitting on a new truck !
Took a while to get everything sorted, and when I could fix it, I did, and usually better than the dealer. As another poster suggested, it's a work in progress but I wouldn't change a thing.
My last new house was a nightmare. The builder required every problem be submitted in writing. When they ignored my letters, and I called to find out what happened to my written requests, they told me they couldn't address any phone calls and to submit my problems in writing. That happened over and over until the "warranty" period was over and they refused to do anything.
My last dpmh had a significant repair in the factory service center. I found the repair wasn't done properly after I sold the mh and the buyer sued me for misrepresenting the unit's condition. Then the mfr refused to stand behind their repair.
I'm much happier with my Newmar fifth wheel than I was with any of the seven mhs I owned.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/21/09 03:15pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Water Pressure Regulators

I noticed the cheaper basic models, like those sold and CW, tended to not work as well after a few years. I noticed that the pressure could creep up when no water was flowing. I had one at the USAFA Fam Camp where the pressure is usually 100psi and came back to find a connection inside the fiver leaking. When I looked at the pressure meter, it showed the pressure had risen significantly. I also notice some restriction in volume with the cheap regulators, so I bought a whole-house adjustable regulator with meter. While more expensive, it has stayed at the same pressure with no restriction in flow for more than three years.
JMHO
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/21/09 02:43pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Key West at Christmas

Take the Conch Train to get the basic layout and features of the island. Visit Mallory Square pier at sunset to see the performers and watch the sun go down. Some folks like to walk Duval St. (Duval crawl) to see the eclectic local color (not for us - JMHO).
There are many other sites: Aquarium, Butterfly Museum, Atoche (sp) treasure museum, Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas (expensive), Southern White House, Hemmingway House, Southernmost Point, Key West Lighthouse, the harbor, any of the several nice beaches (like Sanders).
Some folks rent jet skis or kayaks.
The fishing is great.
We spent most of the recent winters there (staying at Sigsbee RV Park at the Navy Base).
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/21/09 09:15am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: SHUTTLE LAUNCH

You can see and feel the launches in the area between Titusville and Cocoa, maybe a bit farther away. I wouldn't go to Daytona (a bit too far away IMHO).
We were stationed at Patrick AFB (between Cocoa Beach and Satellite Beach) through the 1970s and went to the first Shuttle launch. We were so close to the launch site that it was decided it was too dangerous for future launches. We could really feel the power - actually uncomfortable. I stood on the roof of my house in Satellite Beach to watch the Apollo launches.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/18/09 02:50pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Renew Insurance Yes or No?

I change deductible or drop coverage on items I can afford to replace. I've had very few minor claims and no major claims in a lifetime of driving and owning property. I think my risk is lower than average, so I assume some of it myself and save on insurance premiums. Of course, I keep the mandatory coverages and high liability coverages.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/18/09 08:30am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Montana LLC sales tax excemtion

The charge of $1,000 is what I've heard from many folks that did it. Some later ran into problems with their home state. I'm a real MT resident (born and raised here), so I don't know first hand. If you do it, I thank you for your contribution. I like it when folks help pay my taxes.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 04:50pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: interesting, mini van and a 31 footer

I've seen things like that and know someone who did it for years - except he pulled a small dozer (Cat type) on a large flatbed that had no brakes with a 1989 Suburban (350V8 4wd) in the mountains of MT. He knew he was overloaded, so went very slow on the passes - never had a problem.
Most minivans are rated for up to 3,500# trailer.
Look at my signature to see what my opinion is.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 04:45pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup

Rather than getting a tester, I would get a full protector like Surge Guard sold at Camping World. I've had a Surge Guard on my last fiver rigs, and it has saved us several times. There are other brands that some folks may also recommend, but I'm only familiar with Surge Guard. It protects against surges, high voltage, low voltage and improper pedestal wiring.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 04:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Running rack on cat 3208T

Thanks Brett! I was misinformed and learned something today.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 02:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Harney Renegade Casa Grande

Monaco had some problems with side-wall delaminations on that era Harneys. Monaco got Harney when they bought Safari and had to make good on the warranty issues. I saw several Harneys all torn apart at the Monaco service center in FL in around 2002-2003. The techs were grumbling about the delaminations causing lots of work. I'd look it over closely for evidence of delamination - but it may not be one of the problem rigs.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 02:25pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: W. Yellowstone to W. Glacier

Any major highway in western MT will be suitable for big rigs. The routes others have already suggested are all fine. Much depends on whether you are more interested in saving time or seeing the view. The construction north of Missoula on Hwy US93 was only a few miles of bad road, although the construction area (mostly completed) runs from Evaro to Jocko Creek. By next summer, it will be done.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 02:11pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Florida discount camping during winter

It is unusual to get the 50% discount for more than a few nights, but many rv parks will work a better deal with you. Much depends on how full the rv park is at the time you want to stay. I've certainly heard rv parks owners grumble about the Passport America, especially when rvers want to stay weeks at a time for half price.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 01:57pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: CB radio recommendation

I have that Cobra unit in my truck and had it in two previous dpmhs. It works as well as most, but all depend on a good installation and proper set up.
I second the recommendation of FRS two-way radios. They are cheap, have decent range and can be recharged each night. We also rely on cell phone when service is available.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/17/09 01:49pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Vinyl plank flooring in RV?

The cheapest is Allure at Home Depot. It glues together and installs like the other more expensive vinyl planks, and it seems to hold up well. Just be sure it is warm (not hot) when installing and heat and roll the glue seams. Otherwise, it tends to work apart at places where it is stressed.
We installed Konecto and it is doing well. We had a couple places pull apart, but they can be pulled apart and redone. Glueing the whole floor helps keep the pieces from separating. We had the most problems where the slide would catch an edge and pull the flooring up. We reinstalled those pieces and have had no further problems.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 08:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Class C to A?

We went from a class B to a 23' class C in 1983, then to a small class A (24') in 1995, and then a 36' class A in 1996. We went through several more, larger class As before moving into our current fiver.
The main difference we noted between the class C and class A was sleeping configuration, then the increase in power and ride comfort. The C was best when we had young kids. We got the small A when they graduated from high school and quit travelling with us.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 05:46pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Running rack on cat 3208T

Runing the rack (adjusting the valves for those who don't know the jargon) is something any big truck shop should be able to do a decent job on. It isn't limited to older engines. I had the valves on my Cummins ISX adjusted last spring. Most motorhome owners don't do it because they usually don't put enough time on the engine to need it. It can improve performance and fuel economy.
Sorry I don't know any shops in the SE US. I used Atlantic DIesel in eastern NC, One Stop Truck Shop in Colorado Springs and Grizzly DIesel in Helena, MT. These three shops really know what they're doing and are reasonably priced.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 05:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Folding Canvas, Holding Tanks, and Bears!

When we camp with friends in their hybrid (Aero Cub) we don't worry about how the canvas looks inside after folding in the bunks as long as everything folds in and the ends are properly secured.
We carry a "blueboy" for hauling off tank waste. We have a 45 gallon bladder tank for extra fresh water.
We camped in Yellowstone in the hybrid this past September. We didn't use a bear box and stored open food (anything with an attracting scent) in the refrigerator. The rangers do a pretty good job keeping the bears out of the cgs, but you never know. A grizzly killed a buffalo only two miles from our cg while we were staying there. We saw the warning on the trail when hiking, but nothing was posted in the cg.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 01:20pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Chains on my Class C.....which wheel

The few times I've put chains on any dually, I just put them on the outer tires because it seemed easier. I doubt you would be made to take them off and reinstall on the inner tires. Although that may be the better place, I don't know why it makes any difference. Maybe someone will enlighten me.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 01:06pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Cigarette Lighter socket?

My new little 400W cigarette lighter type inverter went up in flames when the DW plugged it in the trucks lighter. Smoke and flames told us to pitch it and don't try that type again. I hard-wired in a 1000W Tripp-Lite inverter directly to the battery (through an 80A fuse). We never pull more than 400W from it. It works great and no worries! Cleaner power too.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 11:39am |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Question

Our five bedroom house is a beach rental that is mostly seasonal and weekly rentals. We use a management company owned by a "shirt-tail" relative, and it has worked very well for seven years. It isn't cheap - costing 10% of the rental price. We don't live in the house or consider it our home, but we stay there at Christmas and when doing repairs and cleaning in the spring and fall. We have maintenance agreements with individuals/companies for some of the upkeep and the management company takes care of most of the rest. Many management companies charge up to 20%. We also get charged for weekly cleaning, repair calls, etc., and the management company charges the renter for bookings, linens, etc.
Although our house has grossed over $50,000 each of the last three years, far better than the average in this market, it is more trouble than we want - so it is for sale. We'd be more likely to keep it if it didn't have a big mortgage, although the net rental income more than covers the mortgage.
Just our experiences. Hope this helps some.
Marv
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marvmarcy
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11/16/09 07:49am |
Full-time RVing
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