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RE: DirecTV CBS Problem
Thanks for the confirmation that I'm not the only one. I knew it was not my equipment, since the TracVision R6ST has a diagnostic program that would alert me to any connection or alignment problem. I've selected all satellites, all transponders, and it's the same. I'll give it another day and complain again to DTV.
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MeanderMan
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11/30/08 10:37am |
Technology Corner
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DirecTV CBS Problem
I'm a DirecTV DNS subscriber, which gives me the network channels from New York and California. For the past 5 days, both CBS West and East have been pixelating/breaking up, although all other channels are fine, and diagnotics on my R6 ST also check good. I talked to the DirecTV customer service rep and was told that "it's a CBS problem". I'm skeptical of anything they say - is anyone else having this problem?
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MeanderMan
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11/30/08 07:45am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Basement/Ducted AC
After 6 RVs with roof air, I was a skeptic that I'd like basement air. But, after having one a while, I prefer it much, much more. I think a lot of the complaints are brand-specific. I have a Winnebago product, which has been putting the air in the basement for a long time. Mine isn't under the bed, it's under the washer/dryer closet, with easy access to a household-type filter. We can buy a good hepa-filter at Wal-Mart which is a big advantage. It isn't any more noisy, in fact when the compressor cycles it's less noisy than a roof air. It seems to be more powerful; with four slides it will cool the coach down quickly on a hot day. No water running down the side, do dripping from the ceiling mount, and what I think is a more powerful heat pump. The key, I think, is who is manufacturing the coach. But I do miss the storage.
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MeanderMan
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11/25/08 04:17pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RVers Notebook Computer Software
We've been using it for over three years while full timing. It's been invaluable in tracking expenses and keeping a campground history. I especially like the reports function. A great product, well worth the money.
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MeanderMan
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11/24/08 06:43pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: King Dome Trac-King In-motion satellite
Frankly, I'd trade my dome system for an open system in a heartbeat. I'm tired of rain/dew fade, and the inability to expand the dome antennae into a fully functional HD model is troubling. Besides, being able to watch TV while going down the road is overrated; I keep missing my exit every time I get involved watching the soaps.
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MeanderMan
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11/23/08 05:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Installing a Washer/Dryer
When I bought my MH, a Splendide had been installed by the dealer. Basically, they placed it in the cabinet, hooked it up, and used two small clamps on the front legs to hold it in place. They obviously had never seen one of these puppies vibrate when doing towels....it moved around and eventually broke the support braces. I removed it, rebuilt the platform frame with oak, and then built an oak frame that holds the unit in place, including a screw-in front piece. My point is that just inserting it into the cabinet and hooking it up is not enough; build a frame and if you can find a pan that will fit the bottom I'd install that, too.
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MeanderMan
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11/23/08 05:42pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Full Timer Financing
The last two motorhomes we bought were based soley on our FICO score; we didn't own a home either time.....the salesman may be saying that he doesn't think you can afford an Allegro Bus. Go for it & prove him wrong, after all many people who own "physical property" don't own as much as they did a year ago and may be "upside down".
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MeanderMan
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11/21/08 07:09pm |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Disappointed in local dealer
We full timed in a gas MH for 3 years and loved it; lower operating costs, less maintenance, and a mid-entry floor plan. The only reason we traded for a DP (notice I didn't say "upgraded") was because we wanted the residential feel and size of a 40' MH with 4 slides. Stick to your beliefs, there's nothing wrong, and lots right, with a gas MH. I'd recommend a Tiffin or Newmar gas, Monaco doesn't seem to care much about gassers anymore.
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MeanderMan
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11/21/08 06:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Pacific Coast Hwy 1 & Hwy 101
We've done the route from Florence, OR to Paso Robles, CA in a 40' MH with toad, and aside from some tight turns in northern CA, had no problem. In addition to the other stops mentioned, I'd recommend Harris Beach SP in Brookings, OR and a visit to Crescent City, CA and the lighthouse.
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MeanderMan
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11/21/08 06:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Brands
You'll get many opinions, most based on experience with a particular brand. After 8 RVs over the last 35 years, here's mine:
I'd consider Winnebago, Tiffin, and Newmar. Each company has a good reputation and customer support. I've owned a Tiffin and Winnebago and been pleased, and would have bought a Newmar if their interiors were a bit more stylish. I've been to all of their factories and was fairly impressed. Although I've owned a Monaco product (Holiday Rambler)and like their products, I'd leave them off the list because of their irrational product line. Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Beaver, Safari.....too many product lines competing with one another; it makes no sense. I believe that sooner or later they'll reorganize into one, maybe two product lines to cut costs and increase inefficiencies. When they do, a lot of owners will be left with orphans. Even though parts will be available, resale value plummets when a brand is discontinued. Now if only Newmar would quit renaming their products every year (Northstar, Dutchstar, Kountrystar, Canyonstar, Grand Star...Ventana (?) Sorry, I can't keep up!
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MeanderMan
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11/20/08 06:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tiffin warranty claims from dealers
I love these BS rumors that people spread. It reminds me of when we were shopping at non-Tiffin dealers and the best rebuttal to buying a Tiffin product by salesmen was "well, Bob Tiffin won't live forever".
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MeanderMan
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11/18/08 12:01pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wooden Blinds
We replace all of the day/night shades in our last coach with 1" wood blinds from justblinds.com and were very pleased. I installed them in the existing valances and used a small bit of velcro on the bottom where it couldn't be seen but would hold the blinds and keep them from rattling. They looked great and it was nice to be able to allow fresh air into the coach while still having privacy. I'll probably do the same in our current coach once the #$%@ strings start to break.
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MeanderMan
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11/15/08 01:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Winnebago Tour vs. Tiffin Allegro Bus pros&cons? besides 25k
Having owned a 2006 Tiffin motorhome and now having a Winnebago product, I have to say that they're equally well built. Some aspects of the Tiffin product were better, some of the Winnebago. One thing I appreciate about Winnebago is the EMS, something that Tiffin doesn't put on any product, including the Zephyr. Tiffin service is indeed, legendary. We met Bob Tiffin, sat in his office and chatted, got his home phone number; pretty incredible support. On the other hand, I simply haven't needed any service on my Winnebago. I like the fact that every part on the coach is numbered and easily replaceable, and that I have on-line access to every diagram and part listing. I agree that the "RV Consumer Group" is questionable and seems to operate on their own, 2-person agenda. Look at what's available, compare floor plans, and go with what suits you best, they're both great products.
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MeanderMan
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11/09/08 08:29am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RVs sales down 80%
"The working men and women of need representation to help protect them from the ills of corportate greed. I was on both sides of the fence working in a union plant and a non union facility."
I hope you didn't represent the English teachers of America. Anyway, I lived in Johnstown, PA for a few years....in 1978 the city population was over 70,000 and 29,000 worked in the steel industry. Today, the population is less than 25,000 and there are no steel industry jobs. Why? The union "negotiated" excessively high wages, exorbitant benefits, and up to 13 paid weeks vacation days a year. Guess who could no longer compete with overseas steel? I'm not against unions, but when you talk about greed I wonder which side you're on.
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MeanderMan
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10/31/08 07:14pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: NEW BUYER
I owned a Tiffin product for three years; anytime I had a question or problem it was immediately taken care of with one phone call. Customer support was, in a word, flawless.
Whatever an extended warranty costs, it's too much. Put you money in the bank instead. If you doubt that, pick up any month's Motorhome or Highways magazine and read about all the people that have been ripped off.
Tiffin, like Winnebago and Newmar, are in very little danger of going under. Monaco, while a good company, is in a more tenuous position. I'd go with the Phaeton.
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MeanderMan
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10/31/08 06:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Engine compartment access
If you look at the OP and the edit time you'll see that the DP information was added AFTER Norm's post. I guess the question is, did you really read the OP's post?
Most Freightliner engines can be accessed by raising the bed and removing a floor panel. You can always give them a call, they provide great customer service.
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MeanderMan
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10/28/08 06:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Black tank dumping incident
I can't imagine a worse incident than what happened to me about 15 years ago...I had a plastic "T" fitting with hoses to the fresh water and black water flush, with the black water side turned off. While working on my truck one day, I heard a loud "kabang" and my wife started screaming. I looked at the front of my 5th wheel to see bluish stuff running out of the doors. It became obvious what happened - the flush line had slowly allowed water to leak into the black tank. It became full...and more full....and more full, until it exploded at the seal between the tank and toilet. The holding tank (thanks Holiday Rambler) was located ABOVE the front storage, had dumped formaldehyde-laced sewage over everything I had stored in the front. The cleanup was not fun, and some things I discarded rather than try to clean. The only good thing was that it resealed itself and never gave me another problem. Moral of the story; NEVER leave your flush line hooked up if you're not using it. Trust me, I've still got the blue stains on my arms to remind me (I tell people it's a birthmark).
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MeanderMan
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10/23/08 05:42pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: MPG input
We're full timers - our 06' W24 (Workhorse) at max weight (24K and 3500 lb tow) with the 8.1 gas averaged 7.5 MPG. Our current 06' 40' DP (Cat C7) at 32K lbs and same tow averages 8.2. Both are driven mostly in the western states so lots of mountains. If you're not a full timer, it's difficult to justify a DP or FRED, since fuel and maintenance are higher and in my experience the Workhorse was trouble-free. Also, the WH climbed hills just as well as my DP, albeit with more noise. The advantage of a high-end gasser like an Allegro Bay or Adventurer is that you'll get great features at a lower price than a DP. I like my DP, but if it wasn't my home, we wouldn't need 4 slides and 4K+ lbs CCC. In either case, don't put yourself into a financial hole - leave enough cushion to have a good time on the road!
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MeanderMan
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10/22/08 09:06am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Satellite Dish
I've had both a dish and now the KVH Trackvision R6 - I'm thinking of replacing it with a Motosat or other type exposed dish. The rain/dew play havoc with the domes and upgrading to the DirecTV HD is problematic. A dish would be easier to upgrade/modify and is less affected by the weather. I really don't care if I have TV while traveling down the road; in fact I've never used the function.
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MeanderMan
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10/21/08 08:33am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How well is your rv built..?
This article has been discussed before; in my opinion it's a self-serving propaganda ploy by the "RV Consumer Group" to entice people to buy their product. What's the big surprise? Run a motorhome into another large object and there will be destruction, regardless of the quality/model/year of the motorhome. With all of the RVs on the road, the percentage involved in an accident is incredibly low because most people are more careful when driving them; but when they do have an accident it's big news. Driving a motorhome has it's risks, but they're manageable.
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MeanderMan
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10/19/08 07:02pm |
General RVing Issues
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