| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Safe-T-Plus
Has anyone installed one of these on their coach, does it help with crosswinds or basic steering?
It is one of the shock type steering controls.
http://www.safe-t-plus.com/Default.aspx
Thanks for any input. :B
Gary
I installed one on a P30 Southwind I had. Cured all the weird steering problems it had.
|
Sully2
|
11/22/08 05:13pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: How many have had flats due to valve extenders?
Been using braided valve extenders since 2000 and never had a problem due to the extenders. Buy the good ones and make sure they are seated correctly and you will never have a problem.
I agree! Ive been using them since 1995 ( different sets of course...lol) never had any sort of problems
|
Sully2
|
11/22/08 03:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
 |
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
.....
As far ads IFS, more parts = more cost, more maintenance, more to fail in the middle of nowhere. On an OTR truck a leaf spring and a solid axle can be repaired literally within 5 miles of wherever you might break down. Can you imagine waiting for a control arm to be shipped, or waiting for a new bushing for your IFS?
Also, "better" doesn't always equate with market acceptance. "Better" technology gets shelved all the time for reasons far more important than just being better.
I was at the truck shop this morning and asked about IFS on heavy trucks. They've never seen one, and he commented he wasn't sure why it was needed.
You keep equating motorhomes with semi's..and they aint the same. Most of your trucks stops wont even change the oil in a motorhome
and there is one reason and one reason ONLY why "better" is shoved aside..and its $$$. Something else is cheaper to make..and can make more profit for the "seller"
|
Sully2
|
11/22/08 08:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
Since I have just spent the last 4 days at a heavy truck repair shop, with hundreds more trucks in the yard. I found your comment interesting. I didn't see a single IFS anything.
I went to the Reyco/Granning website and found they list ONE IFS system as "Medium Duty - Rv use." It has hydraulic disc brakes, so it cannout go much heavier than class 6 - not really an over-the road chassis.
Link Here
I've had people on this thread tell me long-haul trucks "are all going to automatic transmissions" too, but still haven't seen one.
The solid axle is so simple, reliable, and proven I'd be amazed if truckers went to an IFS.
But lets not lose sight of the FACT that we arent dealing with SEMI'S...this is a class A MOTORHOME BB. And when was the last semi front axle designed for COMFORT? Anyone that has driven almost identical motorhomes..one with and one without IFS and cant FEEL the difference in the ride either has a callous a full inch thick on
their behind or has an outright dead rump! I have! ( '98 Intrigue..325 Cummins..beam axle VS 2000 Allure ..Cummins 330 ISC...with IFS)
So..regardless of what "tires" come on a Boeing 747...or what water pumps come standard on the local "fire engine"..lets stick with MOTORHOMES. Ive read that IFS has a lot more pieces to it and such...OK..so what? Everyone that has personally rebuilt their own motorhome front end..regardless of its front axle...raise their hand!!..???? Im not doing my own if..IF it should need it..so its immaterial to 99.9% of us.
IFS is utilized and chosen because of RIDE COMFORT! Domt tell me that a beam front axle rides as smoothly...because IT DONT. Dont tell me that a Monaco with their H-frame front suspension rides as smoothly..because IT DONT EITHER. Not that either of the previously mentions "front ends" wont work well enough to suit their owner..because them probably do...if not..then shame on them!!
Any front axle / suspension has it pluses and minuses...and its all what pluses you feel you HAVE TO HAVE and what MINUSES you feel you can live with. Period!
|
Sully2
|
11/22/08 07:07am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
...
You guys are a little behind. They already have IFS on long-haul trucks. For the latest news, read the Reyco/Granning website.
I dont know how big Holland Neway makes right off hand..??:h
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 05:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
OK, to clear up a bit of missconception,
IFS by design is lighter duty component to component and pound for pound, not saying it cant be built/engineered heavier to handle a givin load
some asked whare I got this info, well, I took a class in suspension design and have engineered/designed quite a few systems
as far as maintenance, there are more moving parts, so more to go wrong
You allways can get a tighter turning radius out of straight axle, its inherent to the design
Horse manure. We arent talking design theory. Its the actual..physical ..application for motorhomes
Well the actual physical application was designed and engineered, you know that right before they build, they design, build prototypes, and extensively test before production. you will sacrifice something to gain independent suspension over a solid type, thats physics,, or like Wolf10 stated you would have them on long haul trucks,,, they spend more time behind the wheel then any of us and Im sure would enjoy the extra comfort
Welcome to the 21st century!
Its "designed" via computer, where everything from its centroid of mass to its physical weight is derived. Then turn thru various design programs where everything from its full range of motion to how it reacts where and when various amount of loads are applied to it. When all checks out there...and it nears the end of its design cycle..typically an "SLA" model is created via laser and the data from the computer generated solid model is used to actually..physically MAKE the item...and the only viewing of the item is because the "plastic" SLA model was created.
( If its a cast part..the SLA model is actually used to make the "molds" to create the casting itself.)
Building prototypes and so called "extensive testing" went the way of hand cranked car engines partner
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 05:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Disappointed in local dealer
If I were you Id starting my hunt at somewhere such as DeMartini's or PPL...etc...looking for a late model gasser. They are out there ...never fear
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 03:41pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
That's right! I've owned several motorhomes, starting with a Winnebago, back in the late 60's, which had a Dodge truck chassis with a beam front axle. I graduated to another ole Winnie. I had assumed that beam axles for motorhomes was the norm. Then, I bought a small one, on a P-30 (nice ride, but had problems). Then, I had an Allegro on a P-30 chassis,....and found out that IFS and boondocking do not mix. I beefed up the suspension, and later blew out a ball joint,....NO MAS! I got me a Vectra on a F-53 Ford truck chassis (beam fromt axle). Along the way I started turning green upon studying the luxury coaches, and was surprised to find out they had IFS. It dawned on me that there's no reason that a sure enough beefy IFS can't be built. Yeah, I got me one. My Reyco-Granning is as tough as I'll ever need. Heck, they even build them for type 8 Peterbuilts, and big commercial buses, any axle loading you want (that's legal for the interstate). IMO people who say that IFS is a weak link are thinking P-30.
So, that's one myth laid to rest.
Now, I find out that Foretravel is offering an IFS option. You reckon it's tough enough? I betcha Monaco is going to do the same. And, we all know why. Yep, they're trying to attract more buyers, that's all.
What I'm saying is: do the research, and buy what suits your taste and pocketbook. Then, whatever you buy will be the best for YOU.
AMAZING!! Ive found something that you and I agree on!!...:B
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 11:52am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
OK, to clear up a bit of missconception,
IFS by design is lighter duty component to component and pound for pound, not saying it cant be built/engineered heavier to handle a givin load
some asked whare I got this info, well, I took a class in suspension design and have engineered/designed quite a few systems
as far as maintenance, there are more moving parts, so more to go wrong
You allways can get a tighter turning radius out of straight axle, its inherent to the design
Horse manure. We arent talking design theory. Its the actual..physical ..application for motorhomes
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 10:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: 303 Protectant for Tires
Do a search on the net...they still make it..and its the best thing since sliced bread
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 10:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Brands
While anyone can speculate about what you MIGHT want to spend $$-wise...??..of the brands you listed..
"I had been thinking Newmar, Winnebago, Tiffin or Safari. Safari now being part of Monaco. Then someone pipes in that they have one made by Coachman and its great. ..."
Id have to buy Newmar of that price range of coaches.
|
Sully2
|
11/21/08 07:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
John,
You may have fewer grease zirks on the IFS, but you WILL spend lots more on maintenance over the life of the coach.
IFS's are easy to get out of alignment compared with a solid piece of forged steel (solid front axle).
Camber is built into a solid front axle and can only get out if the axle is bent.
Ane where is the evidence that states an IFS front axle requires "more maintainence" over the life of the vehicle...WHICH when we are talking MOTORHOMES is very short and not many miles in comparison to an over the road semi! If it were on a semi that "in its life" might travel many millions of miles..then your probably dead on target.....but how many MOTORHOMES have you seen that had even 1 million miles on the odometer??
And Id have to assume by your post that solid front axles never get BENT then?...
Taking the "bump" out of your "rump" is the reason to buy IFS,,,which is why I went with it...the same as on 99% of my personal cars!
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 04:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: IFS vs. Straight Rail
......
The thing is IFS is allways lighter duty then a solid front axle and inherently can not carry as much weight with the added moving parts without adding significant weight and complexity
Look at heavy trucks, and when GM switched to IFS on thier 3/4 ton trucks in 1988, they cut thier own neck in the snowplow industry, but they introduced a market of smoother riding heavy trucks that brought a slew of new people.
It is a trade off and you have more moving parts to go bad, but if you have to have the ride, then it may be worth the price
For a heavy vehicle, Ill take the old solid axle everytime
I have no idea where you dreamed that idea up at? But a "14K rated front axle"...is a "14K rated front axle.." period We aint talking pickup trucks here..we are talking heavy class of machinery
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 03:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: reverse osmosis
...
Yes it does take in a a lot of "stuff". Isn't that what you want :?
Seems to me the more "stuff" you take out of the water the better it would be.
The meaning of the statement was that "TDS" takes in a wide assortment of items. And depending on what that materials is..it may be no more than just a preference of taste! If its something such as selenium...then its best to get 100% of THAT out of the water.
My "problem" is this. IF the water is so BAD..why do so many flock there or live there to start with. I sure wouldnt hang around long in any spot where the available drinking water was just downstream from the sewage treatment plant!!
Granted...my travels in AZ have been limited ( east of I19..south of I10)but I didnt find a THING wrong with the water there..and my "internals" are VERY easily "upset" by different waters!
As old Sam Kennison would say.." Dont sell those people RO systems....sell them U-HAUL trailers and have them move out of that area!!"...:S
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 11:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: How many watts does a typical Block Heater use?
Give it a test before you go.
If your gen set bogs down, you know.
??? He said his 6500W coach generator is not working.
Correct, the 6500W generator is out of commission, but my portable 1200W generator is my 'Plan B'. 1200 watts may or may not be enough to do the job, thus my original question.
On a side note: My 6500W coach generator is a propane powered (liquid feed) and I suspect that the regulator has finally clogged with oil (a known issue on LP gensets). Because the genset must be dropped in order get to the regulator, any fix will have to wait until a warm spring day.
Try it! Worst that can happen is that it kicks the breaker OFF on the portable genset....no biggie!
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 08:16am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: #101 needed for use of engine block heater, please??
Plug it in about noon time on Friday. Once it gets up to temp...it will cycle itself so no need to worry.
Ive never used them on my coach because I dont go anywhere in the winter time..but on pickups..etc..that I buy I make sure they come with one. Plug it in about supper time ( dark) and unplug the next morning prior to start-up. Fires up like its the 4th of July.
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 08:13am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Driving a gasser class A "on the floor"
.... but throttle position is a fine line on a 15 mile grade like Wolf Creek Pass. I'm usually pretty much b*lls to the wall in second, but don't have quite the engine you do.
Wolf Creek Pass is a real bear...aint it!!..:E
|
Sully2
|
11/20/08 06:54am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: will oceanfront parking cause damage?
It eats up chrome items; aluminum items and all common steels.
|
Sully2
|
11/19/08 06:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Fueling RV
I have an '06 Fleetwood Pace Arrow (gasser) and I was wondering if it was safe to run the genset while fueling? I sometimes have grandma keeping cool in the living room and I hate to make her hot sitting in a motorhome in FL's summer weather while I fuel up the RV.
I have also seen posts where people turn off the propane for the fridge while gassing too? Is that just for older motorhomes or does that apply to the newer ones too? Answer to that is NO!!! Get an electric fan to blow on her for the amount of time it takes to refuel ( shouldnt take THAT long????:h
There is always the misnomer of turning off the propane. You DO NOT have to turn the "propane" off. What you need to do is to turn off the REFRIGERATOR...so that it wont attempt to light ( the spark doo hickey in there) THATS the thing that If...IF there are gasoline fumes all around...will blow you to smithereens!
|
Sully2
|
11/19/08 03:22pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Insurance question on Class A DP
I wonder if anyone can share a ball park figure, give or take a few dollars.. What kind of cost I would be looking at for insuring a Class A-DP with full coverage for around 200,000.. Liibality and Collision, what kind of deductable? Ask questions if you need, I have not purchased yet but am working really close...I know I can get a quote from the Co's but wanted toknow which one is best. I have GEICO for Cars but they do not insure DP's in NC.. Thanks
A LOT depends on the location where you live!!!
But with Progressive ( ballpark # here now) 200K...full coverage....$500 deductible...first 5 years are full replacement..and the premium goes down after awhile with no claims...$1150 the first year. You can save "about $125" of that by paying it full at one time
|
Sully2
|
11/19/08 03:20pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
