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Re: How much does 30+ feet actually effect ability to find space
Yankee Clipper wrote: Executive wrote: Keep in mind it's not the size of the PAD that's important. Rather, it's the size of the ROADS getting to the site. You don't bend in the middle like a fiver or a bumper pull so those posters with a 40' trailer differ from those with a 40' motorhome. That said, west coast is more forgiving than east coast. We're 45' and found we fit in most State and Federal parks. At least those WE want to stay at. YMMV....Dennis X2. Also, one piece of advice I got that helped avoid a lot of trouble is to keep an eye on the tree bark as you go into a park. Crunched trees indicate a really narrow access point X3 - started with a 36' then 38' then 40' (actually 42) and now a 42" (actually 43' 11"), never a problem in the northeast (Canada and US). Of course I do look for "Big Rig Friendly" so no issues. I might have to travel an extra few miles but always find one within my intended driving range. Chris650Views0likes0CommentsRe: Maxforce Diesels Run like *&)& Away??
MountainAir05 wrote: Neighbor had one and it stayed broke, Something to do with EGR and something else. I just called him and he said to say if you have the money buy it cause it a money pit, if not find something else. Warranty paid for a lot , but he paid almost as much for non warranty repairs later. I've also looked into Super Cs with this engine. There seems to be quite a difference on how the engines were "modified" by Ford compared to the manufactures original configuration that are in MHs. It seems that these mods directly contributed to the high failure rate. My local diesel shop maintains a fleet of school buses with these engines and said they have no more problems then other diesels. The owner would have no issue purchasing a MH with this motor as long as it is not in a Ford:). There are a lot of different discussion forums on these motors and the vast majority with issues are in Fords but in all fairness some are in other vehicles as well. There were recalls on wiring and some control units. If I found the right Super C and it had this engine, I would buy it based on what I've seen discussed. But that's just me. Chris250Views0likes0CommentsRe: Any new first-time snowbirds this year?
We were planning our first snowbird trip but its all on hold now. DW has some potential medical issues, should find out more this week. Hopefully we won't be leaving it too late, would like to go from early Dec to mid April. We were thinking of southeast Texas. Chris449Views0likes0CommentsRe: Generator maintenance
My MH sits (or did sit this year) from Oct to May. I did not start the diesel motor during that period as I had minimal insurance and could not take it on the road. I did start it and take it for an hour run in May. Most "experts" agree that you should only run the motor if you are really going to bring everything up to temp. Running for 10 or 15 minutes on the motor could do more harm than good. The diesel genset was actually used this winter for over 24 hours during the winter during a power outage in the S&B - otherwise it to is not used until the spring and then under load for an hour. I do add a cold weather additive to the diesel each fall, just in case I do need the MH or genset during the winter. I grew up in farm country and most diesel vehicles were just parked in the fall and left til spring. Some of these were decades old!. Now that I am retired I expect to use my MH year round but still sit in one place for several weeks (down south!) during the winter. Chris487Views0likes0CommentsRe: Wheel well interference
On my 2008 HR Scepter PDQ 42' the owners manual states to straighten the wheel prior to leveling - I have air leveling only, no jacks. I've never really thought about it, just naturally have the wheels straight when I finish backing or driving in. Chris497Views0likes0CommentsRe: Buying Strategy (looking for opinions)
As was mentioned previously, buy your last MH first, again not like I did. My budget around 6 years ago was $50K CAD for a MH and toad. I ended up with a 2000 36' gas bounder with one slide and a 2004 Honda CRV well under budget. A year later I traded up to a 1999 38' Dutch Star DP two slides and kept the Honda, still all told under $60K. A year later I had two MH's (DW was not happy!). Bought a 2003 40' Dutch Star DP 3 slides from the dealer where I bought my 1st MH - he was a small dealer, going to retire and gave me a great deal and I was lucky to be able to pay cash. Took me a couple of months to sell the 99 DS . Later we also upgraded the toad to a 2013 Edge. This was going to be our last MH for retirement.:W I kept the 2003 until last year, and bought a 2008 HR Scepter PDQ 43' with four slides. Also just upgraded the toad to a 2018 Edge. Total investment now north of $200K CAD for both - taxes included (we only pay taxes when purchased -new or used - and not annually) So you see, once you have the bug, there is no telling what you will do down the road. Slides, floor plans and options can make you do crazy things. Now that I am retired, I'm pretty sure this is our last MH since revenue is now very limited.:B Good luck on your search as half the fun is the search.So much out there to choose from! Chris687Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tag axle questions
Tags are adjustable and should be slightly off the ground when lifted otherwise you are dragging the tire when it should be lifted. I ran mine over the scales around 5 times fully loaded to adjust the weight on the front, main and tag axles for fairly even distribution within their limits. Instructions were in the owners manual, I have a valve and gauge in the engine compartment that allows me to set the tag pressure. When I lift my tag I can turn the tire by hand, it is just barely off the ground. My tag requires me to manually lift it for sharp turns, either forward or reverse. If I don't it doesn't turn quite as sharp and drags the tag wheels. My tag is not steerable. It does automatically low over a certain speed going forward. HTH Chris309Views0likes0CommentsRe: Number of Labor Hours for a Towed vehicle install?
Just had base plate and break-away installed at an RV shop that has a "specialist" who only installs base plates etc. Then they spent hours trying to install the Blue Ox wiring kit. This included time on the phone with Blue Ox all to no avail, it seems you cannot install a wiring it on a 2018 Edge SEL, only the Sport and Titanium. Original quote was 8-12 hours at $125 an hour - final price was over $1800 and no wiring (and they said they didn't charge me for all the time spent on it). Also supposedly the instructions for the Blue Ox base plate were not that good and caused extra work (?????). Now they still have to fix the ambient air sensor and adjust the hood they screwed up. Lesson learned - I installed the base plates on my previous two toad myself but DW convinced me I was getting too old to do it. So shop around and I'm now convinced that a body shop would do a better job. Chris628Views0likes0CommentsHow to install tow lights on 2018 Ford Edge SEL??
OK, just spent a ton of money getting my new 2018 Ford Edge SEL ready to flat tow ( replacing my 2013 Edge SEL) I got the supposedly proper Blue OX wiring kit etc based on their web site. I went to a RV shop that specializes in this to have the base plate, break-away system and tow light system installed. Got a call that the wiring kit did not work. The installer spent several hours off and on with Blue Ox on the phone trying to make it work but no go. It turns out that the wiring system in the 2018 SEL is different than the Sport and Titanium models and nobody makes a wiring kit for it??? Blue Ox finally admitted defeat and said nothing they had would work. The installer said that there are 5 wires that go into the taillight and more than one has a signal on it when they use a meter. Local Ford dealers don't want to help as they need to pull a mechanic off the line to talk to Ford HQ to ask about schematics (no money in it for them). The installer also said there is not enough room in the taillight to add a bulb, so that is out as well. I can't use magnetic lights as there is no longer any metal on the roof. I've checked with some other manufactures and they all say they don't make a kit for the 2018 SEL due to wiring changes - only for the Sport and Titanium. I'm trying to think of some ideas that will look neat. I was hoping not to have to put tow lights on and off the vehicle this time but I guess that's out. Maybe a 1/2 roof rack with a metal plate? Anyone have any ideas or have you done this for the 2018 SEL? Thanks Chris2.5KViews0likes10CommentsRe: San Antonio to Nova Scotia--what shouldn't we miss?
woming wrote: MDKMDK wrote: Don't miss any of the tolls. p.s. Bring lots of cash, there's plenty of them.:E is this a new issue? Last time we've been in CDN (2012) we had essentialy no toll roads. Can you shade some light on it? I think he means in the NE US. Very few tolls in Canada but there is one on the Trans Canada Highway in Nova Scotia that is very cheap - I believe it was around $7 last year for an RV (any type - none of this per axle stuff!). Big debate about having tolls on a road that is primarily funded by the feds (especially the TCH) but the province put it up anyway.BTW the 4 lane divided highway in NS (and NB) is great with a normal speed of 110 (KPH that is - around 70 MPH). Only other toll I can think of is Hwy 30 (?) bypass around Montreal if you are going from east to west that way, well worth it and again only a few dollars. Other tolls in place if crossing over bridge border points between US/Canada. If a flat crossing no toll (e.g. south of Montreal). HTH Chris591Views0likes0Comments
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