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Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Auto Parke Brake success
Roger is a great resource on that issue.
He is also a great coach owner who keeps his vehicles in terrific condition. I was lucky enough to buy his last DP. Two years after the purchase I still consider him a friend. :B
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UltraKen
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03/16/10 08:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Bank Repo Class A
Seems like everyone is focusing on the fact that the original owners may have neglected oil changes, etc. Remember that the OP is looking at a unit with all of 6,000mi on it. It's hard to neglect it mechanically in that few miles. A quick oil analysis will tell the whole story for minimal cost..........
That coach is a 2004. It should have had at least annual oil changes, according to the engine manufacturers, which means tha it is possible that it could have missed 5 or six oil changes.
To determine if that is a real problem an oil analysis would be a very good source of information. Proof of service would also be good information.
Do people get away with not doing good maintenance? Yes, but do you want to buy the coach that was the subject of such an experiment? Seems like a big gamble to me. YMMV. :c
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UltraKen
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03/16/10 08:30am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Trik-L-start/chassis battery maintainace
The Trik-L-Start is fed FROM the batteries. It doesn't matter whether it's connected in the battery compartment or at the isolater. When you disconnect the batteries there is no current going to the Trik-L-Start.
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UltraKen
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03/15/10 06:26am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Bank Repo Class A
With the low mileage and the fact they removed as many items as were easily removable (bed, radio) may indicate a complete lack of service. The oil in the crankcase is probably the oil that was in from the factory. I would definitely want an oil analysis.
Good point.
An important consideration for any used MH, and especially a Repo is the service record.
Obviously you can't make a blanket statement but you should consider the possibility that the owner who couldn't meet the payments might not have been able to spend the money for proper maintenance.
Another thing to consider is WHY the radio and beds/mattresses are missing. If the radio malfunctioned why wasn't it replaced? Either by the original owner or the dealer? Same for the mattresses. Those are relatively cheap expenses for an item being offered for $110,000.
Certainly some repos are good deals, but I think the risks are higher with them then a coach offered by someone who had the means to maintain it and the pride of ownership to replace items that are no longer suitable.
I would approach this with more than the usual caution.
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UltraKen
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03/15/10 06:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking For Info On 1994 Safari Sahara 34'
The Safari Owners website is a Yahoo User group, go there for an excellent Used Motorhome Checklist. I used it to look at and reject about 6 coaches, and the one we brought. A lot of other Good Safari Infor there, and the folks are friendly and extremely helpful. The website -- http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Safarifriends/?yguid=114853819
I now have a link to that checklist on my signature. Look above to my first post.
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UltraKen
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03/14/10 05:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: ready brake system
How satisfied are users with the Ready-Brake when descending long hills?
Any problems with Toad brakes overheating from continuous surge?
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UltraKen
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03/14/10 05:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: towing a 2008 dodge van on tow dolly
Good morning from NC.
A friend of mine ask me if he could tow his 2008 dodge caravan on a tow dolly which is front wheel drive.I have searched on motorhome magazine but can't find it listed.
Thanks for any information.
Ron Thompson
I tow a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan on a Steihl dolly with electric brakes. I have to check the rear monitor to assure myself it's still hooked on. :c
As someone else pointed out you have to match the tow weight with the tow capacity of the RV.
BTW, I found a regional Trailer outlet that sold me a new dolly with electric brakes for $995.
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UltraKen
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03/13/10 02:33pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Looking For Info On 1994 Safari Sahara 34'
Looking into buying one from a private party and needing the help of other owners. This rig has a 250 hp diesel Cummins and Allison transmission, don't know what speed.
If anyone has personal experience with this kind of rig, maybe you could tell me about any good points like fuel economy or bad points like rubber roofs that leak. Or maybe just what kind of roofs they have.
I find it is best to ask those who know before buying and than regreting it later.
So anything you may want to share no matter how small will be appreciated.
The roof is fiberglass. Check the caulking at front and rear caps. Caps are also fiberglass. Sides are aluminum. Eterna-Bond tape is great for sealing that roof/cap joint.
Your engine is a 5.9L not sure which transmission. It has mechanical injectors.
Interior is probably very similar to mine (a '96) but engine is different. I believe that the full-pass through basement started with the '94.
It has a spring suspension. Excellent build quality, but at that age mainenance by previous owner(s) is critical.
For the right price this could be an excellent buy. I would look at $25K or south of there.
Hope this helps.
Ken
96 Safari Sahara- 3530, 35', CAT 300
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UltraKen
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03/13/10 02:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Purchasing class A -- what to look for?
UltraKen, Nice job on the check list. I saved it to use. I'm looking to uprade to a DP right now. Leaning towards the Damon Tuscany 4072 08 or 09. Fits into my price range and DW likes the layout. Just looking to find the right one right now. Thanks
Thanks, but not my work. I found it on another forum and haven't been able to locate the original author.
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UltraKen
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03/13/10 08:39am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Garmin GPS 7200 Up Grade
I have a Garmin GPS 7200 which I bought in 2006. I checked out a upgrade from Garmin.com The cost is $119.00 plus tax. It says that it comes with 4 upgrades a year but does not say for how many years.
Would appreciate anyone's advice or suggestions.
Thanks, Tim :)
That should be listed as a Life time map upgrade. Four times a year for as long as you have the unit.
Check ebay and other websources. I've seen the package for $99 and occasionally less.
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UltraKen
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03/13/10 08:28am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Price for a DP Oil Change
1st off, Speedco is not $209, for your engine/chassis it is $149. we use Speedco and they check all fluids in the system and change all filters in the system with Fleetguard filters. With upgraded XL oil filter plus the 2nd fuel filter, the cost is $165. the cost to do your generator is $45, so the total for your coach, with generator service would be $210, or with a new air filter it would be $270. We are very satisfied with the service we receive at Speedco.
A coach with 2 fuel filters is over $200 base at Speedco (total of 3 oil or fuel filters). Check their website.
I had up-charges for the primary fuel/water separator and for a CAT secondary fuel filter (the 2 micron filter). Then there are oil reclamation charges, etc. My total bill, with sales tax in Ohio, was just over $300.
But they did all of things described above - coolant test, check level in differential, transmission, front oil bearings, as well as tire check (even measured and noted tread depth on all 6 tires). Also the fan hub zerk, reached from under the bed. Full Chassis lube.
They worked clean, had no problem with me watching, and I was impressed with the professionalism. I'll go back next year.You got caught by one of the stations that do NOT know their own pricing and think of RV's as big trucks. Here is their current price list and on the left is says Straight Truck & RV Services and under that it says, Medium Duty PM……………$149.99 Up to 2 Fleetguard oil or fuel filters Common Engines: CAT C7, C9, C10; Cummins ISC, ISL. couldn't be much clearer than that. They do charge $10 for the 2nd fuel filter and $6 for the upgrade XL oil filter. If you were over charged, call their home office and give them the invoice number along with your VIN and you will get a refund. If you need the persons name to talk to and the number, I believe I still have that also.
I think you got off lucky. The total number of filters changed on my coach during an oil change/PM is three. One oil filter and two fuel filters.
Which location did you use? I wouldn't mind getting lucky, too. :b
But I will try calling them. I have never turned down a refund. :W
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UltraKen
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03/12/10 06:26pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Purchasing class A -- what to look for?
Thanks, guys! Already several things I wouldn't have thought of. There are some things you just don't know to ask about until you've had that type of vehicle.
Send me a private message with your email address and I will send you a copy of a very good Used RV Checklist (9 pages). I used it when I bought my coach and I found it to be very thorough.
Edit:
I'm going to try to upload the url for the file to my signature.
Edit 2: Well, it worked. :c
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UltraKen
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03/12/10 06:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A shopping is stressful
Let me start off by saying that my wife and I have been looking for a class A for a while now. In the beginning of our search, we had a truck and a fifthwheel to trade in so at the time we were at the mercy of dealerships. Well, a three months back, we sold the truck and fifthwheel and now have a down payment for a class A. With that said, I am running into the following problems.
Most private party sellers owe more than there worth or just plain want more than they are worth.
Dealers around my area either have consignments, orphans, or giant 40+ footers with tag axles.
My wife and I still work and would like to get into a half way decent DP or gas class A at a reasonable price. I would like to stay with a quality name brand that is capable of towing a 5,000# enclosed trailer. It seems that ever dealership I go to elaborates on how scarce used inventory is and how the prices are going up. And my gonna have eat it on both ends. I sold my Montana fifthwheel and F350 close to wholesale value and now I have to pay retail or close to it if I want a motorhome. I should have just saved myself the aggevation and traded it in. I would like to buy pretty close to my area mainly because what I call mint condition and what someone else calls mint condition are two different things. I have already looked at pictures on line and then drive 2 plus hours to find the motorhome is not in good shape. Any input would be appreciated.
I think more information would get you better advice.
Are you looking for new or used? If used how old would you go? Ballpark budget for purchase? Diesel or gas? Necessary features? If you, apparently, don't want a 40 footer than what is your maximum/minimum desired length? etc.
Living in Ohio I bought a great coach in Oregon. It took a lot of communication to be sure it was worth the inspection/purchase trip.
Edit: Here's a list...
http://craigslist.thingweb.com/
http://www.rv-online.com/
http://ww2.rvtraderonline.com/
http://usedmotorhome.com/search.asp
http://www.nationalmultilist.com/find_rv.php
http://www.rvsearch.com/
http://www.rvclassified.com/adsearch1m.htm
The first one gets you to every Craig's list in every state. It's a little cumbersome but much easier than trying to get there through Google. :b
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UltraKen
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03/11/10 02:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Price for a DP Oil Change
1st off, Speedco is not $209, for your engine/chassis it is $149. we use Speedco and they check all fluids in the system and change all filters in the system with Fleetguard filters. With upgraded XL oil filter plus the 2nd fuel filter, the cost is $165. the cost to do your generator is $45, so the total for your coach, with generator service would be $210, or with a new air filter it would be $270. We are very satisfied with the service we receive at Speedco.
A coach with 2 fuel filters is over $200 base at Speedco (total of 3 oil or fuel filters). Check their website.
I had up-charges for the primary fuel/water separator and for a CAT secondary fuel filter (the 2 micron filter). Then there are oil reclamation charges, etc. My total bill, with sales tax in Ohio, was just over $300.
But they did all of things described above - coolant test, check level in differential, transmission, front oil bearings, as well as tire check (even measured and noted tread depth on all 6 tires). Also the fan hub zerk, reached from under the bed. Full Chassis lube.
They worked clean, had no problem with me watching, and I was impressed with the professionalism. I'll go back next year.
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UltraKen
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03/11/10 02:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Electric Horns
My air horns are controlled by a push button on the floor. the regular horn button on the steering wheel is just an electric horn.
I found the air horn button by accident one day.
I bet that was a special moment.
:c
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UltraKen
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03/10/10 01:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: new to this
If the engine will start and run when not under load I don't think you have any serious issue.
I wouldn't let the nay-sayers discourage you. My first motor home was a 1968 Corvair Powered Ultra Van and it served us well for 16 years, 1991 through 2007. It now resides in Florida and is being used often.
http://www.corvair.org/chapters/ultravan/
You should check out the Tin Can Tourist website as well. It's a club for vintage RV owners. They have fascinating rallys. :b
Enjoy your new adventure,
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UltraKen
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03/08/10 01:58pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Main and Auxiliary Power Switches for the Whole Coach
I believe OnaQuest is correct. Using the external generator as I have before did help me start the coach. When connected to "shore power" aren't all the batteries being charged or maintained?
Depends on the make of coach.
My understanding is that more coaches are wired so that the shoreline does NOT charge the chassis batteries. But it depends, as I said, on the make.
On my coach the only charge for the chassis batteries when the engine isn't running is a small solar cell on the roof. I recently had my chassis batteries run down after about 6 weeks with the solar panel covered with snow.
I now have a Trik-L-Start which takes some of the charging current to the house batteries to the chassis batteries.
http://www.lslproducts.com/TLSPage.html
Price was reasonable at under $50.
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UltraKen
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03/08/10 01:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Sam's Club 6 volt deep cycle
After 7 years it's time to replace our 4 6 volt deep cycle Interstate batteries in out Monaco Coach. I was quoted $150 each for new Trojans and started looking for new Interstate instead. I went to our local Sam's Club and to Costco for 6 volt deep cycle and of course the price was half the cost of Trojan and they both said their batteries we manufactured by Eveready. Since the warrantee on them was only one year, does anyone have any experience with these batteries. It's $300 instead of $600 but if they are junk I'll continue to look for Interstate in Long Beach, CA
I bought two Interstate 6V batteries last spring for a little over $80 each. I think they were U2200 but that might be an Oldheimer's number. :b
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UltraKen
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03/08/10 01:03pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wal Mart 2 nights in a row
I am starting a petition to force the WalMarts to provide better shade trees. An above ground swimming pool would be an excellent addition as well....:B:B....Dennis
Add dump stations and I'm in.
:b
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UltraKen
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03/08/10 05:21am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How often do you change your oil?
The "yearly thing" relates to the fact that oil collects condensation in engines that sit around frequently. If you're not hitting the mileage number in a year, the thinking is that the oil is being contaminated by that condensation.
Ideally, you'd be getting the oil up to operating temperature, at minimum, every couple of weeks, and that doesn't happen with just starting it and letting it idle for awhile. That's probably the worst thing you can do to an engine. You have to run for a minimum of 30-50 miles with the engine pushing/pulling a load to get the oil temp up to 180 or so, which is enough to burn off those contaminants.
That's not practical for many of us with MH's in cold climates during the winter, so as a precaution you change it at least once a year.
I do both. I change the oil annually but would do it at 10K miles AND I take the coach out for a 50 to 100 mile exercise once a month. I think it's good for the engine and I know it's good for me. :b
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UltraKen
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03/04/10 08:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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