| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Fleetwood Excursion, Revolution, or American Coach
I'd just go to both factories, Newmar and American. We went to the American factory with the intent of possibly purchasing an Eagle. The Revolutions were being built on the same line by the same people.
I'm a little confused though as I thought the Liberty Chassis IS a Spartan Chassis.
Our Revolution is a 2003 model and is built on a Freightliner XC chassis. I liked them both. We just like the interior of ours so much it's going to be hard to trade unless we start having some kind of issues. As good as the Spartans might be, our Freightliner XC is a VERY good ride and has been solidly reliable.
|
djevans
|
11/18/08 10:46am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: service question
I suppose it possible to find someone who knows the engine better than the manufacturer and their certified outlets, but I doubt it. The issue there, might be price. But, we use CUMMINS even for oil changes and Allison for even minor service on the transmission. I guess I want someone who is the least likely to damage something, but if they did, should be less likely to try and hide it.
|
djevans
|
11/09/08 03:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Fleetwood Excursion, Revolution, or American Coach
Had 05, excursion. From the very beginning had slide problems, plus so many can,t list. However slde was so dangerous, would slide out when driving, nerver regularly worked. Couldn,,trust unit because myself and dog. So couldn,t use, let sit in storage or most of the time at dealserhip for repair. Have federal suit against fleetwood ( not legal term ) in ability to use for safe reaons, dependability etc
wcwarmington . . .
Sorry to "hear" of your slide (and other) issues. If you have a minute, what got you to this point? Had Fleetwood been unresponsive? Are you still dealing with the selling dealer, or (pre-litigation) didn't Fleetwood get directly involved or were they simply un-responsive at all?
I often wonder why "it" is so different for some owners and not others. I can't believe it's simply the "line" it was manufactured on. (Decatur, IN or possibly some California line) I can only base it on my experience, but they respond so quickly to any request I make, well, "it" (at least email support) couldn't be any better.
If you've posted this information previously, my apologies for the repeat. Would you furnish a link to that post please if available.
|
djevans
|
11/09/08 08:50am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: From Mass to Florida in the RV
1 - I'll simply add, "Do not even consider the George Washington Bridge." Do anything or go anywhere to avoid it.
We spent the better part of 2 hours "on the bridge" having trucks rub mirrors against our RV. We were not very happy campers. We simply stopped taking the license plates of all the trucks that hit our RV with mirrors. Never did figure out why all the delay. Older GPS didn't like NY at all and kept dropping out for long intervals of time.
You know, on further reflection. I may never go near the bridge again, not ever...
2 - We try to avoid stopping and sleeping at rest stops for several reasons. We've stopped at Walmarts and have never had a problem there.
3 - You either look them up ahead of time on the Internet or buy "the Walmart location book."
4 - Yes, truck stops, camp grounds, churches, some industrial parts, etc.
5 - am not familiar with I-95
6 - basically, experience will help you get the right "stuff" - just try not to carry everything, only essentials for that specific trip
7 - books on CD, never exceed a drive time you are sure you are comfortable with, (in our case, no more than 12 hours straight, but for many, that's way too much - we usually don't do that more than one day in three during a specific trip ) GPS, (no longer travel without one) not sure what you're driving, but a diesel in the back sure is quieter, (we can't stand hearing gas engines screaming all day) if you're towing, make sure every bolt is tight "ahead of time" on all hitch parts, and insure the tires are properly inflated on toad and coach hitch, safety, keep thinking safety, as with all driving, don't assume another driver will do ANYTHING logical, expect the unexpected and always assume the other driver will absolutely do the stupidest thing possible, continuously plan escape and avoidance routes/maneuvers, (helps if you have to dodge the "stupids" out there)
|
djevans
|
11/06/08 07:27pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Newmar never again
fanner . . .
I've never owned a Newmar, and likely never will. I'm way too happy with my Revolution. However, the parts you list are part of a Newmar vehicle, but are "manufactured by others." The same "exact" parts are installed in many vehicles. I've read many complaints about Hydro-hot. I doubt I'll ever buy anything with that system. I like my Atwood's.
Still, I don't think it fair to blame Newmar. Yes, they made the decision to install that type unit, but it's installed in many models from numerous manufacturers.
Everything you list could be (and likely is) because the previous owner didn't have a clue. I've had things break too. But, as long as the body doesn't delaminate or other "shell" pieces don't break or fall off, Fleetwood's fine with me. The only thing I think may be Fleetwood related is, the front cap paint is peeling. BUT, it just might, just might now, be defective paint. I'm sure Fleetwood didn't want this to happen or even had any idea it would happen.
From everything I've heard, people seem to like their Newmar's and feel they build a good vehicle.
I know you're upset, but it's kind of like bad mouthing your home builder because the light switches keep going bad. The switch manufacturer might have had an entire production run of bad switches, but it was that darn builder that decided to go with that switch, as an example.
|
djevans
|
11/05/08 05:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
Cents . . .
Yes, because you have mostly unknowns at this point, I would go thru a charge cycle, separate the batteries, wait one hour with them (the batteries) disconnected from everything, then do a voltage test.
I just want to eliminate the batteries, so far we haven't.
In the process, you can check and clean the battery terminals, a common source of this kind of problem. (assuming the batteries end up being OK)
|
djevans
|
10/31/08 06:23am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
I hate to ask a stupid ? but what is the best way to check each batteries for voltageI'd check both ends of every battery connection and the grounds. Then if nothing surfaces, check chassis grounds, esp. at the generator. Then if still not working again, check large battery connections at the solenoids.
No "clicking" no "nothing?"
BUT, the batteries have to be confirmed good and charged...
The "resting state" voltage of 13.5 is too high. You measured the batteries too soon after removing them from the charger. Let them sit a half hour with the vehicle un-plugged and re-measure...
To "simply" check battery voltage, measure across the battery plus and minus terminals on a low DC voltage scale, (at least a 20 volt scale though) red lead on plus, black lead on minus. Let the battery sit for a good 1/2 to 1 full hour before taking your readings.
If you have or have access to a hydrometer, you can use that to give you an even better picture of the battery condition by cell.
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 08:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Better mpg at higher altitude?
eddeeeee . . .
Well, something seems wrong...
Gas or diesel?
The air is denser at sea level than at altitude and a gas engine should have done worse up high.
There should have been very little difference with a turbo charged diesel at altitude unless "it" was more or less all downhill.
AND, speed WILL matter greatly!
My wife gets up to 10 mph driving at 50 to 55. I always get a best 8 and normally 7.5. I don't drive at 50 to 55 though.
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 10:28am |
Towing
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
I'd check both ends of every battery connection and the grounds. Then if nothing surfaces, check chassis grounds, esp. at the generator. Then if still not working again, check large battery connections at the solenoids.
No "clicking" no "nothing?"
BUT, the batteries have to be confirmed good and charged...
The "resting state" voltage of 13.5 is too high. You measured the batteries too soon after removing them from the charger. Let them sit a half hour with the vehicle un-plugged and re-measure...
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 10:20am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
Perhaps the batteries are defective and/or run completely down again. Check the batteries after the shutdown. See if they measure at least 12.3 volts.
May also be a totally unrelated issue. Generator may be low on oil, have a bad control board, not producing or "signalling" enough power, etc.
It sounds like you completely exhausted the battery(s). They may never recover after that happens.
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 09:12am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
Cents wrote: My question is one why did the batteries go down the in the first place
There's no way we can know why your battery(s) was depleted from the information supplied.
Cents wrote: and number two why would the generator not stay runnig to charge the batteries
As for the generator not running to charge the battery, I also don't know. Typically, the generator will NEVER start to charge the battery on that type vehicle as the battery gets "low." You would have had to have added an autostart generator battery monitor to have a generator start before the battery gets too low.
IF you meant or are referring to the onboard inverter/charger, then "Yes," I would say the charger wasn't working or the output of the charger isn't getting to the battery(s).
Is everything working now? Did you turn the battery disconnect back on?
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 08:51am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Help: Electrical Problems
Cents . . .
Have you lost "both" the 12vdc system AND the 120 vac system?
You're sure you (or someone else) haven't hit the battery shut off. (battery disconnect)
Did you actually check the battery with a meter to be sure it charged?
To know what to say to you, you might let us know how "handy" you are with tools, whether you have any tools and electrical skill...
Most of us have had all sorts of electrical trouble, admittedly some a self inflicted wound! :)
|
djevans
|
10/30/08 06:07am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Why in the world....
We don't have much of a problem, but we do have both gas and electric, not everyone does. During times of expected larger demand, we turn both on at the same time.
Also, some here may have water heaters that "superheat" the water in addition to larger tank sizes. Then as there is demand, the heater sends hot water, but mixes cold water in with the hot to bring the temperature down to say 140 degree F or even 130 degrees F. This system substantially increases the yield of the 10 gallon tank.
I guess there's the "Navy Shower" option. That's what we do if there are 4 or 5 of us traveling together and need to take showers.
You kind of are stuck with what you have been dealt.
|
djevans
|
10/29/08 07:30pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: spell check issue
what is firefox
A free Internet browser that generally does "things" better than Microsoft's Internet browser. (among many other things, it comes with an instant spell checker (as you type))
It doesn't come with Active X though. I don't know if an Active X add-in is available for Firefox. Never looked... Use IE for any site that requires you to use Active X.
|
djevans
|
10/27/08 01:26am |
Forum Technical Support
|
|
RE: Winterizing
Both this one and our last one sit on the jacks 100 percent of the time when parked - front left is always completely off the ground, the right barely touching and the rear two have most of the weight off of them.
People do this both ways and either way causes no trouble for either group.
We do it primarily to keep it level in our driveway. I'm much more concerned about the sun light on the tires. Those I'm going to cover.
|
djevans
|
10/12/08 05:59pm |
Tech Issues
|
 |
RE: Water Heater Mod w/Pics
very nice job!
|
djevans
|
10/12/08 05:38pm |
Forum Technical Support
|
|
RE: need help on used class A
Well, went and got the Beaver today. It's a nice coach. However, it drove great on the interstate for the 70 miles or so, but when I got on the smaller roads it would hardly pull the hills if i didn't get a run at it. When I got home I realized the exhaust brake was set to high. Could this be my problem or something much worse? I must admit, first motorhome, don't know a thing about an exhaust brake or when to use it. Thanks.
Well, this should have been done "prior" to purchase, but take the vehicle to a good engine shop and make sure it's producing all the power it's rated for. If no anomalies, then you have to consider "aftermarket" solutions like BANKS or live with it.
You also very well COULD have an issue with an exhaust brake not completely "parking." They should look at this when the engine is checked, make sure it's lubed, not sticking, and the actuator is working correctly.
There are any number of things this might be, including normal. You say you lack diesel experience. You're simply going to have to have a third party tell you if the engine and "parts" are working correctly.
The "turbo" and it's associated "plumbing" would be the absolute first thing I start checking or cause to have checked, absolute first.
|
djevans
|
10/11/08 07:06am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: GM Certified Vehicles- are they worth the money
I kind of feel it's old enough to do this. As I get less and less able to lift transmissions while laying on my back, I consider "insurance" of this type more and more. You're getting a great price but on a used vehicle. The way it sounds to me, you get nearly two years of power train warranty on a used vehicle and a year of new car warranty. I think I do this. Just my thought...
|
djevans
|
10/10/08 06:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Unsecured Wireless Network
Wifi "security" is referring to the ability to connect to the network. If you have a "share" "set" on your machine, and you connect to my wifi network, whether the wifi is secured or not, I will be able to see it. It's just like a network at a business. You're on that network. Now, if you have a good personal firewall "on your PC,", properly set up, no open "shares," and don't do anything else stupid, you greatly improve your machine's security. I've been in campgrounds, on wifi networks in the campground, and find people who leave their machines wide open. In some of those cases, someone could download your entire drive if shared.
One other thought, if you use a wifi network, the network administrator or anyone else with access can do considerably more. If you have the ability and if available, I would suggest you "tunnel" in to a machine at home, an office, or elsewhere to at least complicate this kind of "monitoring." It's certainly possible to see every key you type should there be a desire to do so.
If I really want to, and have access to the main router, I can insert right there and capture every key stroke from absolutely every machine on the network. (and do this for hours or days)
|
djevans
|
10/10/08 06:01am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: What sites at Fall Creek Falls SP, TN
tybeebeth . . .
Unless there is something special going on in the area, I can't recall having any issue with a great percentage of the sites. I don't recall any pull thru sites, there might be some, but I haven't seen them. That said, we haven't had any trouble, not only parking but with finding a site. This is a large park. Frequently, they close off some of the camping areas in the winter. We usually go there at least once a year, and frequently it's in the winter.
With as dry as it's been, the falls can get pitifully "un-impressive." I hope there's been some rain before you go. It's very nice when the water volume is high at each of the falls.
We have a 40' RV.
It could be freezing at night at that time, but usually isn't.
We usually stay by our selves in the area right as one enters the park, but there are much prettier areas.
|
djevans
|
10/10/08 05:41am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
|
|
