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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Stuck Vectra - Can you get out of this situation?
bill_h - Thanks! Not a farm boy or 4WD kid but eats/sleeps/breathes RV and Semi truck stuff. He knows our Southwind inside and out, and can probably identify most coaches on the road today along with telling you what chassis they're running on. Crazy, but nice to have around ;)
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Mr. Jeff
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07/17/10 07:28pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: F53 460
I would check for an exhaust leak in the piping from the manifold if you've checked the manifold bolts and didn't find anything. I have 204,000 miles on my F53-460 engine with all bolts (studs) in tact. Yes, it is common for these to break during the cooling process, buts its not the cooling that does it - its an increase in heat immediately after shutting down.
For that reason alone I let my engine cool down while still running (idling)for about 10 minutes after I stop. This allows the fan to continue pulling in cooling air across the radiator and into the engine compartment, and keeps the cooling fluid circulating that heat away from the engine block till everything cools down.
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Mr. Jeff
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07/17/10 07:12pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Stuck Vectra - Can you get out of this situation?
All good ideas, if you have the additional jacks and boards. we had to work with the equipment at hand - his coach jacks, wooden jack pads, and several of my leveling blocks.
We placed his existing jack pad boards plus some of my wood blocks (aka cribbing) under his rear jacks to lift the frame (and axle) higher than he normally could by just setting the jacks on open ground. Once raised we placed the remainder of his jack pad boards under the tires. Let the coach jacks retract which set the tires on the 4 inch taller boards, then aired the suspension back up which also raised the rear.
He wanted to drive forward but, as you can tell from the photo, would have made the situation worse. He was able to easily back the unit up out of the ditch. The only damage was to the decorative chrome on the full width mud flap (and his ego).
Big Katuna - You are absolutely right. I couldn't believe this guy even considered going that way.
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Mr. Jeff
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07/17/10 06:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Stuck Vectra - Can you get out of this situation?
http://www.hadleydesign.com/images/a_stuck_vectra.jpg
WE were attending a local soccer tournament this weekend the Vectra parked near us tried to turn around by crossing this ditch. He hung the rear about as solid as you can get. We went to offer assistance and he didn't have clue as to how to get out of the situation!
My 14 yr old son suggested he let the air out of the suspension, crib the jacks, raise the wheels then the crib them, and let the Moho back down, then just back up. The guy was thoroughly embarrassed but followed the instructions. In ten minutes he was on his way again.
Could you get out of this this situation?
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Mr. Jeff
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07/17/10 05:42pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Purchasing RV Tires
Go back to the dealer! You essentially bought tires that are only good for about four more years. Yes, ALL tires have a life span of about 6 ~ 7 years regardless of their use. It's a material/chemical/nature issue.
I learned my lesson (finally) with tires passing the 6 year mark last summer. My two oldest tires (almost 7 years old) blew out at different times during the summer. Each one caused significant damage to the body and storage bays. I now have all new tires that were only four months old when installed. And I sure feel better about driving on them! ;~)
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Mr. Jeff
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06/12/10 11:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charging AGM Batteries
Thanks! Wa8yxm - We're actually wiring up a 53ft semi-trailer for the high school marching band. We don't want to mess with liquid batteries. The batteries will drive all interior lighting, bellybox bay lighting, exterior running lights when parked, and exterior flood lights. All lighting will be LED including LED flood lights.
The kids and parents have been working on this trailer since January - absolutely incredible. The trailer is receiving final paint this week and we begin the interior in a few days. Just an awesome project, one I am honored to be a part of.
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Mr. Jeff
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06/12/10 10:50pm |
Tech Issues
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Charging AGM Batteries
Looking at a new installation utilizing 12V AGM type batteries. Can I use the same 3-stage power converter/charger I use with liquid batteries? Converter/charger is a WFCO 45 amp unit.
Thanks!
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Mr. Jeff
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06/11/10 10:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Financing RVs
I agree with Sez Hoo! Owner financed (cash, baby) keeps you out-of debt and no longer slave to the lender. Save up, sell stuff, shop around and buy used. and it drives sooo much better when YOU own the whole thing!
Enjoy!
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Mr. Jeff
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05/26/10 11:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 1800 mile trip with class A gas rig.
Glad you had a wonderful time! We're now pushing 205,000 miles on our F53 chassis and always looking forward to the next trip. Most serious problem we've ever had is body damage from blowing tires ~ I knew before we left I should change those older tires and didn't!
Enjoy your trips!
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Mr. Jeff
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05/26/10 11:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Windshields, Are they all they're cracked up to be?
Good idea of blocking the lower portion of the windshield with a sheet of acrylic with stand-offs. I would suggest Lexan in 3/16" thin sheet. Check with your local plastic supply company, they can usually cut to size for you. We use Lexan for protective guards on instrument panels and guarding around industrial equipment. It will NOT crack when hit and can bend easily to the contour of your windshield with stressing. We purchase full 4'x8' sheets for about $130 and cut our own, but most plastic suppliers will do for you.
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Mr. Jeff
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03/21/10 08:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: anyone removed their decals?
We removed the Southwind logos on our unit using the heat gun, single edge razor blades, and Citrus Goo Gone. Take your time and it will come off quite well. Use the Goo-Gone to remove the remaining residue - spray on an area, let soak a minute, spray again and scrap off with the razor blade. Spray one more time then wipe off with a rag.
Now this was not a large area or large graphic. Our next project was however, and we used the same technique. We just finished removing the "North American" name and logo graphics from both sides of a 53 foot moving trailer! Believe me, we tried many different methods, including the 3M wheel, and kept coming back the heat guns, razor blades and Goo-Gone.
Good luck!
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Mr. Jeff
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03/19/10 11:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New rig to me and want warranty
Self insure - that's what we do. Put that premium payment in your own "service" envelope instead of an insurance company. We found most of service issues were always around the deductible so the warranty folks never really had to pay out - they just kept getting my money. Everytime we take a trip we just add a bit to the envelope. If we don't need to use it then the money stays in there and grows with every trip.
Just our way of dealing with unexpected service costs
Enjoy the new rig!
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Mr. Jeff
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03/19/10 10:53pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: High Mileage RV - Afraid to go long distance
Tires, tires, tires! Put new ones on and hit the road! (well, check all your other stuff too). I'm running 203,000+miles on my Southwind with the original F460 and have no hesitation to make long trips. I learned my lesson on the tires. I change them two-at-a-time each year and keep track of the age of each tire. This helps keep the tire replacement costs under control (two tires each year is easier than lump sum six tires at one time)
But I also carry a fully mounted spare, an air compressor, 7 ton hydraulic bottle jack air impact wrench so I can change the tire if we need too incase road-side assistance isn't reachable where we happen to be.
Prepare properly so you can enjoy the drive!
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Mr. Jeff
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03/19/10 10:42pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Cross Country in an Older Motorhome ? ?? ?
Go for it! Just make sure your tires are good and check tire pressure daily. We often take 2,000+ mile trips and I don't hesitate. But I also make sure everything is in working order, chassis-wise.
Enjoy your trip, and your kids!!
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Mr. Jeff
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01/08/10 07:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Rough ride - solution?
Trop-a-cal - Yes, we have the 16 inch wheels. This past fall I change the rear tires up to 14 ply (load range G) and adjust the tire pressure accordingly based on the weight from the local CAT scales. I got tired of blowing rear tires on extremely hot summer afternoons when running near gross weight.
Not the original shocks but we are considering a change to the Bilsteins. don't need the expense of the Koni's.
(tahiti16 - hope you enjoyed your travel through OK despite our roads! We avoid I-40 anyway possible, but they're working to improve it)
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Mr. Jeff
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01/03/10 10:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Rough ride - solution?
Time to figure out how to improve the ride of this trusty Southwind. Don't have a problem with sway - just a rough ride. We feel every concrete joint or crack in the asphalt. Airbags on the rear? Different shocks? (OK, maybe I shouldn't have driven that DP with air-ride awhile back :B ) Suggestions? Thanks!
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Mr. Jeff
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01/03/10 09:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Knights of the road my a@%
I just finished my annual Defensive Driving certification and I'll have to agree with others - you should have backed off and let him in. That keeps YOUin control of the situation around you. You couldn't speed up because of traffice in front, you couldn't move left because of traffic beside you (without them moving) so your option was to slow down - it was your safest way to control the situation.
Consider this an opportunity to learn from this experience - Drive safe!
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Mr. Jeff
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01/03/10 09:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Backup camera wiring
Take a look at some of the remote/wireless backup systems. They are supposed to be able to transmit the length of the motorhome. You only have to wire power to the camera - certainly worth checking into.
Enjoy!
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Mr. Jeff
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11/14/09 07:58pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Replacig the flooring, what about the chair pedestal?
We are removing the carpeting from the Southwind living area and found that the carpet had just been laid right over the pedestal base plate and securing bolts. The new flooring is Allure tile. So do we trim up to and around the base plate or do we remove the pedestal and re-install after the flooring is in place? The chair has a skirt that somewhat hides the base plate, suggestions for covering this plate so its not visible at all?
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Mr. Jeff
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11/14/09 07:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: The old girl is back - where to start
So cool! We too, are preparing for Allure flooring installation. Thanks for posting all you are doing!
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Mr. Jeff
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11/13/09 12:38am |
Class A Motorhomes
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