Smitty77
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Joined 19 years ago
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Re: Chassis clarification
Class A's Ford are usually on the F-53 chassis. Class C's are on the E350 or E450. The shorter F53 Class A's are usually on a 18K LB's chassis. And then as you go up in length, and or quality, the chassis ratings go up to a high as 26K LB's. One tip besides rating, is to factor the chassis wheel base length, in relation to coach length. Many of the entry level Class A's are on shorter wheel base's - which result in quite bit of tail hangover. Tail hangover can impact drivability, and dragging onto the ground at places... The term Tail Wagging the Dawg comes to mind, in heavier winds, as as Semi's blow by on the Interstates... Best of luck on your search, Smitty344Views0likes0CommentsRe: UpDate : Koni FSD Shocks
OP - Glad the FSD's helped your ride... For other's considering shocks. Another way to approach this is to use the FSD's not he Steers, and Koni Adjustable SP3 shocks on the rear. You feel more road transfer to the front seats from the Steer axle. And having five levels of dampening settings on the Drive (Tag too, if it's a tag coach.) will give you more flexibility on settings. And SP3's were a bit less expensive the last time I looked. If it is for a Diesel Pusher, instead of the Gold FSD's, look at the EVO '99's' - which are also FSD type design, buy much more 'stout/robust'. Best to all, travel safe, have fun, Smitty799Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2006 country coach inspire 360
The Inspire were a fresher more modern interior design then the Allure on up models, when it first came out. It was built to be the entry level into the CC lineup. So some of the materials and components and build technique were not the same. The Inspire for that era, compared to other entry to mid level coaches of other coach builders - was a good value. I'd consider the entry level Inspire, to be closer to many manufactures of that times mid level models. The CAT C9 has good power for the weight of the coach. One other comment on the Inspire vs say the Allure/Intrigue/Magna/Affinity - is they were much simpler and less complex coaches. Some years they did not have the Hydro/AquaHot, and went with Propane Water Heaters, as one example. I know many CC owner's that own Inspires, and are very pleased and proud of their coaches... Agree with the comments about look for maintenance records, and condition of coach - but that is for any coach, not just CC Inspire's. If you are not comfortable doing your own inspection, hire and 'independent' inspector to review the coach. (Not a dealer trying to sell the same coach...) And if you have more finite questions, do check some of the CC Owner's Groups. IRV2, Facebook, etc. They will have members who can provide more finite info on Inspires. Good luck on your hunt, Smitty339Views0likes0CommentsRe: SpaceX Starlink Update
And the more competition for ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon for mobile Data Usage the better... I usually like to take a position of optimism as new technology is being rolled out (In this case more of a new approach of data feed - the actual new technology.). So I'll wait to see how things go, and cheer the effort on - and since we're spending some good money to get Data via both ATT & Verizon now - I'm hopeful this will be competitively priced to allow the canceling of some of our arsenal of accounts to have Data feed on the road... Then again, I admit I'm a fan of Musk. Sure, he can be a bit flamboyant at times. But instead of sitting on his arse with the money he made from PayPal - he's out doing things that many people, and large companies, said could not be done. Tesla? Sure, it was certainly a game changer for the Auto industry and Electric Cars in general. But what is being done with Space X, I feel, is very impressive. He puts his money and mind behind his talk - and get's things done... Many may feel differently:)! Best to all, Smitty503Views0likes0CommentsRe: Phone as Hot Spot
A friend of ours used a Motorola Razr for HotSpot for years. After his firs Razr's battery swelled, he started to run you a electric outlet timer that he plugged the wall wart into. It was a simple mechanical time, which he set to shut off multiple times during the day, and then back on. (Don't recall what his pattern of time off/on were.) And he never had a problem with batteries again. Might be worth a shot to see if that works for you. Best of luck, Smitty302Views0likes0CommentsRe: Very good video on Buddy Heaters
We have both the little and big Mr Heaters. Depending upon travel mode, we carry the small one with us most of he time. If going somewhere where we expect extreme colds, we'll swap out the little one for the big unit. We do not use it for 7/24 heating. We use it for getting the coach up to temperature fast in the AM. I'll usually get up about an our ahead of the DW, and run the unit (And I do run it on our kitchen table:)!). On the big unit, I'll put on high, and turn on the auxiliary fan, until the temps inside reach mid 60's. Then step it back to low, which is he same BTU as the little unit on low too. It's on maybe an 1 1/2 - 2 hours total. When we swapped out our real danger, the Norcold 1200, I had the Propane Line stubbed out into the toe board below the Samsung RF18, with a quick disconnect and 1/4 on/off valve. So I can use a hose to the Mr Heater, with the appropriate filter inline. All of this is while boon docking camping. I'm anal about our safety in the coach, and have three different CO detectors. I have two windows opened the appropriate amount, and also the kitchen roof, closely above the table with the Mr Heater on it, is open 3-4" too. We do have multiple static dehumidifiers. THE UNIT IS NEVER LEFT UN-ATTENDED. I feel it's just another part of our RV'ing arsenal, and like an device - if not maintained properly, and used properly - can be dangerous. But I feel ours is safe to use, obviously. When not boon docking. We use Electric Floor Tile Heat and HydroHot on Electric element only, as well as a portable 1500W electric heater, for most of our coach heating. (In our rig, I need the HydroHot on aways, on real cold temps, to keep the water bay heated.) I do feel this is one of those situations where all of us much make our own decisions. Travel safe, have fun, Smitty713Views0likes0CommentsRe: New coffee maker
We've been very please with the effective and KISS design of this electric unit. I do recommend PSW inverter, if not on Shore Power. Great coffee, of course with fresh ground coffee:)! We also have a stainless steel copper clad bottom Revele(SP?), it came from a set given to my parents on their wedding day back in the early 40's. We use it out around the campfire, while waiting to watch sunrises. And, it doubles as a last ditch emergency source of good coffee, in case of major coach problems:)! May the perk be with you, Smitty https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/technivorm-moccamaster-manual-coffee-maker-thermal-carafe/?catalogId=21&sku=2345833&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=&cm_ite=2345833&gclid=Cj0KCQiArozwBRDOARIsAHo2s7sLC6VlMIafNGzEFpcLzbvinadtguFpAzxbgK0YrV4pCXFwZ-kRdYkaAiQ9EALw_wcB674Views0likes0CommentsA flash back today - to former member Sully!
We're relaxing in the warm high 63 temps of the Oregon Coast today after several days of rain... Decided it would be a good day to go to lunch, convinced the wife (Did not complete the sentence, before she said Yes!), and off we went. A local Mexican restaurant on Hwy 101 in Newport, OR. So as we're making sure the salsa and hot sauce were good, 'chipping' as we wait for our lunches... I look out the window at stop light. And a vintage Country Coach, pre paint cream color unit with gel coat, was at the light. (In great shape I might add!). And then a gent walks into the eating room wearing a Sombrero... Sully!!! It made me think of former Forum member Sully!!! His picture with the Sombrero perched on his head... And of course, he was one of those 'fanatical' Country Coach Owner's!!! (As I have become myself... And I know that the messages back and forth with Sully, helped make my decision to buy a Country Coach... It's funny how we can make relationships, and in many cases never meeting in person - via these forums... Point of my message? Well a 'Salute to Sully!!!'... Sure, he could cranky at times. But his wit, and his willing to share his opinion and knowledge - is what RV'ing and Forum Member's holing each other - was all about... A smile to you Sully. (And Sir, I left a tab open for you, stop in fro a Pacifico on me!!!). Ok, back to RV stuff. But please all, remember those who take the time to help us when we need it... Sully, was such a member... Best to all, Smitty3KViews0likes10Comments
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