cwdavis
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Re: Depreciation, why so much with RV's
I'm a little late to this one, but thought it was worth pointing out that the total depreciation suffered by RVs and autos is the same over their lifetime, 100%. RVs cost more at the outset and are driven less, plus may have a tougher build quality, so they last longer. Our 18 year old car is about worn out; we'll be buying a new one soon. Our 23 year old coach has about 150,000 mi on it and is still going strong. So realistically, trying to compare the two is like comparing apples & oranges.607Views0likes0CommentsRe: Used Cummins Diesel Questions
Wilbur, I'm coming late to your post, but with a point that hasn't yet been touched on, namely an important option for you if you get to the point of having the coach inspected. That is, like all the other engine manufacturers, Cummins has a network of service centers across the country, many of which are in a sub-net of 'Coach Care' Centers that also cater to RVers like us. I'd recommend strongly that if you have the coach inspected, you take it to one of these places to have the engine & chassis inspected. We did this wnen we bought our coach, a 10 year old coach then with a 110,000 miles, a dozen or so years ago in Oregon, and since then the engine/chassis have performed flawlessly. Cummins can't guarantee you won't have problems down the road, obviously, but they will at least be able to tell you whether there are any significant problems and the overall condition of things. Overall, our costs have been directed much more toward the 'house' side of things (upgrading, mostly), than to the chassis & engine. Best of luck!613Views0likes0CommentsRe: RVers and disaster relief -- experiences & recommendations?
rgatijnet1 wrote: I appreciate what you are suggesting but I would wait until things have stabilized in an area before I would go there. Right after a major storm you will not have power, many roads may be blocked, you will not have cell phone service, you will not be able to get fuel, banks and ATM may not be able to dispense cash, and food supplies will be scarce. Once power is restored to most of the area and the stores and gas station are being supplied, then it may be a good time to come in to help, IF you can find a place to park your RV with full hook-ups. Thanks for that. We agree. But, what you are suggesting is why going in with a good, experienced organization is likely important. Hopefully, the organization will have made arrangements with local campgrounds, or whatever, to provide places for RVers to stay while they are working in the local area.534Views0likes0CommentsRVers and disaster relief -- experiences & recommendations?
We've been full-timing for a year & a half and have had a ball. Haven't 'strayed' too far from our home in the SE, but are really enjoying taking the time to see the local sites where we happen to be, discovering what nature & local history have to offer, etc. With Harvey and Irma, though, and being mobile and still young/healthy enough to make a difference to those in need, we're looking to see how we might become involved in disaster relief. We'd love to hear from folks involved in using their RV mobility to go into disaster areas, learning about both your good/bad experiences, the organizations you work through, and hearing any recommendations you might have for those of us interested in becoming involved ourselves. Thanks in advance!3.8KViews0likes12CommentsRe: Towbar/tab failure
Several people asked about the 2nd, lower hole in our tabs. I have no idea of their purpose, and as as several people pointed out newer tabs from Blue Ox lack them. No, we did not drill them in; they were in the original tabs we installed a dozen years ago. Yes, they were definitely the site of the cracks one can see in the intact tab, so they do seem to have created a weak point in the tabs.483Views0likes0CommentsTowbar/tab failure
We had a moment of excitement recently, pulling out of an RV park onto US 1 in Lexington, SC. Looked in the side-view mirror, only to see our toad peeking out, looking like it wanted to pass us! Turns out, our 12 year old tow package had a failure: one of the tabs protruding from the front of the car that interlocks with an arm of the towbar broke off, leaving the car attached by only one arm of the tow bar. This allowed the car to swing more widely, side-to-side, which is exactly what I saw looking at it in the rear view camera. We were fortunate in many ways, one of which is that we were able to stop without any damage to either vehicle, by allowing the coach to coast, allowing the car to 'snuggle' up against the rear of the coach, and to then come to a stop. We unhitched the car, and drove it the rest of the way home. Click For Full-Size Image. Click For Full-Size Image. Click For Full-Size Image. The tow unit was a Blue Ox, Aventa II, towbar that mated with a baseplate for a 2001 Acura MDX. Here are some photos of the failed tab -- note especially the hairline crack on the intact tab. It's in exactly the same place as the break point of the broken on. We reported this incidence to Blue Ox, who has responded as well as one might hope. They are shipping a new set of tabs, and paying to have us ship the old one back to them for inspection.6.7KViews0likes32CommentsFlat tires on I-75, northbound, in FL
We drove I-75 from south of Naples, FL, today, to just over the border into GA, and observed something on the order of 12, or so, trailers on the side of the road, the owner's changing out flat tires. There were multiple 5th wheels, travel trailers, toy haulers, and one toad. We've never seen so many folks in bad situations, some quite dangerous looking. The worst was a 5th wheel pulled off onto the grassy shoulder of an overpass in quite a precarious position, tilting sideways, 'over the edge', looking like it might tip over. Fortunately, none of the tires had caught fire! Anyway, if you're traveling that way, there are a lot of construction sites that we suspect might be responsible, so be alert.5.7KViews0likes13Comments
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