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Forum
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RE: 7 Week Adventure
Generally speaking you will find that a class C motor home is built on a cutaway van chassis and therefore is quiet limited in it's tow ratings, primarialy due to the fact that they are already at or near capacity before you add any personal gear to them. Not that it can't be done, but most cases not really a good idea
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donn0128
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08/28/08 03:20pm |
Beginning RVing
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One Year Anniversary
Well, I am coming up on the one year anniversary when I had to put down my companion. I still miss him every day and cannot wait until Guide Dogs for the Blind calls me and tells me that they have another "career changed" dog for me. This past year has been the hardest year of my life, First it was my "Trusty", then DW's mom got really sick and now DW has spend 19 days out of the last six weeks in the hospital and we are still facing two more surgeries to repair pancreas damage She could be down for at least 4 more months. Summer sure was fun:( Trailer sits still unused except for the two months that the kids were living in it until they bought a house. Oh well, maybe next year:h
Anybody want a nice fifth wheel?:(
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donn0128
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08/28/08 01:20pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Best MPG?
The economy champ will be the Cummins. However it is NOT a V8! It is an I6. By your OP it suggests that you have already made your mind up on a GM Duramax/Allison product. Towing a fifth wheel with any of the diesel crew cam trucks can get border line on weight issues really fast. I would suggest that you concentrate on a 1 ton SRW. As far as interior volume, the Dodge Mega cab is the hands down winner there. Drive and buy what you can find a good deal on, and what you feel most comfortable in.
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donn0128
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08/28/08 08:43am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: EXHAUST $$$$$$$$
By cracked exhaust manifold I am guessing you have a big block GM motor? That is quite common on the GM motors in motor homes. The under hood heat is the big problem. Tube exhaust headers can increase performance some, at a price. That price is generally more noise and unless you buy really expensive ones, they can burn out rather quickly. My suggestion is to keep it stock, keep it quiet, and spend the money on getting the heat away from the motor. JMHO
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donn0128
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08/28/08 08:33am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 7 Week Adventure
It is highly unlikely that you will be able to rent anything except a motor home. That may or may not be your best choice. Research is half the fun. Depending on how you plan this adventure a MH might be a good choice. It offers the ability to drive for long distances without stopping, and if you are going to only park for one or two nights and then move on, it could be a good choice. As far as the kids, I would suggest a couple of small tents for them and let them sleep outside unless the weather is bad. RV shows can be a good or bad thing. Remember they will show only the latest greatest and most expensive units. However, a show would afford you the opportunity to narrow your search for the "perfect" RV down to only a few choices. Have fun in the search and let us know if we can help more.
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donn0128
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08/28/08 08:26am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Frame Rusting ...Winter Prep Package?
Zibart, undercoating, to name a couple of products.
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donn0128
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08/27/08 03:46pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: hydraulics
Pumps assemblies are warrented for I believe 5 years. Call lippert and if under warranty they will ship you a new one for free along with a return tag.
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donn0128
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08/27/08 12:20pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: To Dodge or not to Dodge?
Is that a CA truck? Before you sign on anything, do a web search especially ebay motors and Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg,ID for some comparisons. Seems kinda high for a stripper to me.
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donn0128
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08/27/08 08:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: comments on a new fiver. Montana 3465
Montana has a reputation as being the highest volume medium priced fiver builder. Does that equate to quality? Well, we did not buy one. Lots of folks do though, so you will be in the company of a large group of people with it.
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donn0128
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08/27/08 08:41am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: New Truck Decision
The problem with waiting is that 2010 and then 2013 are looming on the horizon and the big three are scrambling trying to come up with something that will be compliant. So far, despite problems, Dodge is still the only manufacturer that is 2010 diesel emission compliant. Waiting will likely only give you another set of problems and more complicated emission equipment. As far as which truck? Buy what you like to drive, are comfortable in and can get the best deal on.
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donn0128
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08/27/08 08:07am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: plan to buy truck out state
Depending on what kind of deal you can swing it might be to your advantage to fly to CA and drive it back home. As far as state inspections, you will need to get that done before you can license it. And pay the states sales tax to boot. If you can get a temp you should be able to get it out of the CA dealers lot with the temp and without paying any CA sales taxes. But best to talk to the dealer first about that issue.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 05:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Class A pusher to fifth wheel.
Size really does matter:B OK, Now get your dirty mind out of the gutter. Depending on the size and quality of fiver you get will determine whether your existing truck will be capable or overloaded. Basically IMHO a SRW 1 ton anything is good for up to about 12,000 pounds GVWR Fiver. There will be lots of arguments about this so sit back and watch and then you can make a decision. The fiver will have way more room for a given length than a MH and upkeep and insurance will be way less too. My one and only foray into MH life was not the greatest experience overall. Don't get me wrong, If I was driving a lot then a MH is ideal, It allows people to get up and move around while driving down the road. But sitting without a toad is the pits. Best advise I can offer is to decide what type of RVing you like to do, lots of driving or getting to one place and parking the house while you explore the local area. Then you can start looking for the "ideal" RV that will fit your lifestyle.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 03:51pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sold on Dodge Mega Cab...
Great discussion here and I appreciate the feedback. I am actually glad this did not turn into yet another Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge discussion.
I have a few more questions -
the payload question is a concern now, I might need to check into the 3500 for that matter as suggested by TROLL. I occasionally have to carry 6 people and two big dogs plus whatever on the bed plus a 1000 lbs from the trailerIf I remember correctly from my 07 brochure the load carrying ratings for the mega cab are less than for comparable standard.quad cab configurations. The GCWR and GVWR are the same, but due to the extra weight of the mega cab load carrying is less. By all means consider a 3500. The cost difference is nothing compared to trading up later if you decide you are too far overloaded.
I understand the comments from MIKE but I sat there for 15 minutes and personally think the back seats are the best seating option compared to other options (...and I don't have to sit there anyway)
do all oth the diesls have the exhaust break or is this an option that I have to order. This is a real plus...Yes, the 6.7L Cummins comes as a no cost option with the exhaust brake. It is a great feature
There seems to be a favor for the older Cummins (no "g" - I am learning) and from an engineering perspective it makes sense that a 5.9L is more efficient than a 6.7L. Should I try to find a good, low milage used one rather than buying a new truck?With the 5.7L you gain a bit in fuel economy, but you loose the wonderful 6 spd automatic and factory EB. So there is a trade off. By the release of the 09 models they should have most of the software bugs worked out of the new motor.
the $20k is a marketing trick, although the website says $20k off MSRP they will up-sell you some extras to place you right back where you started. Overall it equates to ~ 12k off MSRPDo some web searching and you can usually find several dealers willing to deal. Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg ID for instance.
Thanks for the comments on the mirrors.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 01:31pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 03 Newmar 37.5 ft kountry Star
Newmar has in the past generally built a good coach. You must be aware though of the weights as I understand they are rather heavy.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 10:43am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Landing Gear Problem
There is probably a tie bar that goes between the leg with the motor on it and the slave leg. Most likely cause is that the bolt broke or is missing.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 10:42am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sold on Dodge Mega Cab...
Don't let the looks of the Mega Cab fool you. Set in the back and see just how UNcomfortable that back seat is. I rode an hour in the back of an 08 a couple months ago and couldn't wait to get out of it.
Mike
sorry I do not agree either. It's the only vehicle I have had where I have never heard complaints from the back seat...
Bryan
Just saying, try it out. Don't let the looks fool you. The seat just did not come far enough under the knees and I hated the way it felt. I have had others agree. To each their own. It is going to feel different to every person that sits in it. Plus, getting out of the back seat was a pain. Where the front door meets the back door is just in the wrong spot.
After you have tried the mega, if you like it, then it is for sure the truck for you. Just not for me and some others.
Mike
This sounds more like a Quad Cab? Which is basically an extended cab with 4 real doors instead of the traditional door and a half.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 09:27am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 120 or 110? Please 'splain it to me...
Using a common volt meter and doing a check yourself you will see that the actual voltages used in the USA are 120VAC/240VAC/480VAC. While people commonly refer to them as 110V220V/440V. Don't really know where this stems from. I guess from the really early days of electrification of this country? In Europe the common household voltage is in fact 220VAC at 50Hz, while the most common industrial current is 380VAC 50Hz.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 08:35am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Air bags vs Timbren
Donn,
Keep in mind that he is towing a 5th wheel trailer.
Barney
Thanks!
I was very aware of his post and my comments are/were aimed at getting him to get some accurate weights before he goes out and spends money, maybe unnecessairly on a band aid that may or may not be necessary to cure a preceived problem. It is very possible that he is overloaded with his rig fully loaded. The only way to know for sure is to get accurate weights and then digest the information and make informed decisions, not simply shoot from the hip.
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donn0128
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08/26/08 08:21am |
Towing
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RE: Camping World dump site closed forever
Personally I cured the problem forever. I simply dump at home. No more lines, no more hassles. Safe, clean, and all mine!
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donn0128
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08/26/08 08:12am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Vancouver Island
You might be describing the one at Nanimo,BC. Try searching for Nanimo and the look for camp grounds.
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donn0128
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08/25/08 03:52pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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