davidgebo
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safe-t-plus steering stabilizers
I have 2014 Thor Vegas. We had many problems, now mostly fixed, but one in particular, was safety related. The front-end alignment was never checked and re-aligned by Thor after the coach body was mounted on the stripped chassis. I had the front-end lined up properly, by a Ford dealer, and Thor agreed to reimburse me for the expense. The tech at Ford service said there were tell tale parts in the front end that they would know by looking, that the front end was Ford spec from the factory and never touched after manufacture. I have yet to receive the check, but I am hopeful Thor will honor the commitment. Generally Thor has been receptive and helpful during our year-long shakedown period, and has done their best to correct the quality control issues. After the alignment, the Vegas is still a little squirrely, but much better than before. I would like some input from RVers who have installed the Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizers on their motorhomes. I have survived a rollover accident in the recent past, and do not relish the idea of another one, from a tire blowout, pothole, or some fool cutting me off. Things happen fast at highway speeds, and seeing RV rollovers on Youtube makes me want to take as many safety precautions as possible. The Vegas, for those who do not know, is on a Ford E-350 chassis. I have researched the Safe-T-Plus and know what model to buy. I am able to install it myself, but for a few bucks, it would be easier and better to have a front end mechanic who is familiar with this device install mine. I would appreciate any input from Rvers who have experience with this steering stabilizer before I invest in it.1.6KViews0likes5CommentsRe: Wiring a macerator
I wired the macerator to 2 different circuits, in turn, but, found a direct connection to the house batteries really is the best, safest most trouble-free method to operate the macerator. They do draw up to 15 amps while operating, and an in-line fuse is mandatory. I have the portable macerator that hooks onto the main dump, and find it works quite well. I do not have enough room in the dump-valve compartment to add the permanent-mount macerator, which is the most optimum installation. It does have an in-line fuse on the motor assembly, but, I do have another in-line at the battery connections. Since my slide-out when deployed, makes using the on-pump switch difficult to reach, I added an in-line switch where it is much more accessible. I find using a macerator one of the best accessories I have purchased for our Vegas coach. Not dealing with huge 3 inch waste hose is a true innovation. I have attached extra expanding drain hose for the system, allowing me to park on the campsite in places further from the dump pipe, and more freedom in siting the coach on different campsites.230Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Axis slide
I have not, as yet, had any problems with the slide on our Vegas. I do, however, have a problem with the fact that Thor does not provide a Vegas/Axis specific manual. We are about to return to Camping World St. Augustine, for the 6th time to repair numerous, ongoing problems with this coach. Our last trip out, the windshield wipers stopped working. Since first purchased in Feb. 2013, we have had the following issues: 1. plastic chrome exterior mirror finish corroded, Thor oks replacement 2. screws popping up through the vinyl flooring, Thor okayed a patch which did not work, now entire floor must be replaced. 3. plastic interior windshield cowling, drivers side had horrible exposed jagged edge. problem repaired. 4. rear brakelight assemblies have really cheap, thin foam gaskets that leaked, allowing water intrusion into the subwall, behind fiberglass skin, and the substrate is already rotting. I made repair myself. 5. windshield wipers stopped working, this is another reason for the return to Camping World for repair. 6. heater/AC dash blower motor has had loud howl and screech since new, and this problem required 2 trips to repair center, yet to be resolved. I was told by Camping World, the blower motor was a Ford item, I went to local Ford dealer, and was told it IS NOT a Ford part. I incurred costs for shop time at Ford dealer for this, and was told by Camping World, they were mis-informed about the origin of the motor. 7. exterior caulking quality control is extremely poor, with sags, over-caulk, and generally messy application. 8. interior caulking in bath area, and shower very hurriedly, poorly done and unsightly. shower wall pulled away from wall, I repaired this, and the poor caulking. 9. Just developed loud creaking noise form the front of the coach, loud enough to be heard inside. Ford dealer checked front-end, and it was fine. I discovered the noise emanates from the mounting points which attach the coach body to the chassis frame. yet to be resolved. 10. right after purchase, water leak developed at water tank connections. I repaired myself, after discovering the connections were barely finger-tight. 11. power points in dash continuously blew fuses. This required 3 trips to Camping World, as they were not competent enough to make a simple replacement of a 3 dollar cigar lighter, as I suggested, initially. At this point, after a year of ownership, and 2800 miles, 800 of those back and forth to Camping World, we hope to have these issues resolved, finally, this week. Apparently, obtaining warranty permission from Thor is a slow, tedious, adversarial process. I repaired some of these issues myself, as it is expensive to drive an hour each way to Camping World, and quite frankly, I have diminishing confidence in the competence of the service center. It is a crying shame that such an interesting, livable, economical to drive, well designed coach has such mundane quality control poor workmanship issues. The introduction of the Thor Vegas/Axis was so well-received, with such fanfare, it is too bad the actual execution of the smart design was so horrible, in rushed construction, and nonexistent quality control.469Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Axis
We like the 2 tables, which store behind the driver side couch. Our Vegas is quite comfortable using either of the tables. I found that lifting the tables from the storage pods is quite difficult, as they are heavy, and there is no built-in grip to help you. I installed 2 nylon straps to each table top and this helps greatly when lifting the tables from the storage pods. I used scrap 6 inch sections of wratchet-strap nylon strap, and screwed them to the bottoms of the tables. Be sure to drill pilot holes in the bottom of the table to make it much easier to screw into the very hard table material. Also, be absolutely certain to NOT drill and screw right through the table top. The screws should be less than the thickness of the table top.196Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2007 PT Cruiser for Towed Vehicle
We have a 2006 PT Cruiser turbo ragtop. We tow it frequently, and have no problems at all. We had to install a Remco transmission pump, and a SMI brake actuator for the Cruiser, but, it tows behind our Vegas like a dream. Remco is the premier transmission pump and towing accessory company, and can tell you all you need to know about towing four wheels down. They are very quick to respond to any tech questions you may have, and really know their stuff. The system is quite trouble-free, and very dependable. You will have a pump monitor in the coach to tell you the pump is operating at all times you are towing the car. A very safe and secure system. We also use the Blue Ox towing rig. Very strong and beefy tow bars. The car pulls straight and true, and you don't even know the Cruiser is back there except fore the camera seeing it.369Views0likes0CommentsRe: Question on replacing vinyl sheet flooring
We installed vinyl plank flooring in our 5th wheel, and it worked out great. The planks we used were peel and stick on the edges, about 3/4 inch of sticky adhesive. They stick together in a tongue-and-groove method. And they really stick!! Be sure the planks are properly lined up BEFORE you attach each plank to another. You cannot remove and re-align after they make contact. The planks are heavy and rugged, perfect for an RV, and really easy to put down.675Views0likes0CommentsRe: Purchasing a low mileage, low use gas MH
If the coach has been stored outside in the elements, make sure the roof and all roof caulking around vents, antenna, fridge venting, rear ladder mount points, and any antenna, is in good shape. Telltale signs of a leak, are musty smell inside the coach. In addition, make sure the antenna booster works, all plumbing fixtures operate as designed, and check all waste lines and sewer gate valves for proper open and closing and no leaks. Ensure all gas appliances work properly, and propane, heat, CO, and smoke detectors are working. Run the generator, and exercise the transfer switch. Even check the windshield wipers, and sprayers. The windshield wipers on a coach can be up to 75.00 bucks each side. The engine and tranny should be fine, just give the coach a good run, up to highway speeds, and give the brakes a good hard stop, too. Most importantly, check the tires. With as few miles as this coach has, the rubber is probably original, and way too old for safe traveling. Any cracks would indicate deterioration. Also, all tires have a date of manufacture stamped in code on the sidewall. Good luck423Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Vegas- Any New Owners Advice?
I am new to RV.net, and the nuances of how to respond to insulting comments from ignorant people. For you to call my opinion unreasonable or partial is beneath what this forum is intended to accomplish. New RVers, and those wishing to adopt our form of family recreation, depend on experienced opinions and information about our successes and mistakes. I am not partial to Thor products, have no personal interest in Thor manufacturing, I have never owned a Thor product previously. I do reserve judgment on the Vegas we own, because we have not owned it very long. However, as I said, so far, we do like the innovative design, and handling of our Vegas. It does seem to me, however, that you have a major grudge against Thor, and a chip on your shoulder concerning that RV company. For you to call my opinion unreasonable is uncalled for. Give and take is fine, but you stepped over the line. I have valid, informed ideas about RVing, and anyone who asks will get my feelings on a subject I am familiar with. I don't know everything, don't claim to, but I have been RVing for over 35 years, and have owned 10 different RVs. Say what you will, I am no longer responding to your uninformed comments about my viewpoints.340Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thor Vegas- Any New Owners Advice?
I do not accept that Thor is of inferior quality as compared to Coachmen, Forest River, or any other manufacturer. Thor has been around for a while, yes, but still, I feel, we did take a bit of a gamble with the very first year of this model coach. But Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, have been around for 100 years or more, and a first year model run of any of their cars can have problems. It is not a problem specific to Thor coaches. Any manufacturer can have problems with first-year mechanical design. We did not go blindly and decide on the Vegas. We researched and studied and checked RV shows, perused magazines and reviews, and did our homework before making our decision. My main criteria was a Ford chassis, with the V-10, which from personal experience is a bullet-proof engine and tranny. Thor is the number one motorhome builder for a reason. If the products they sell were that bad, word would certainly get out quickly, and they wouldn't be num ero uno for long. At this point, we are happy with the Vegas, despite the few fixable problems, and time will tell if we made the right decision for the long haul. Thus far, the down-size was right for us.340Views0likes0Comments
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