All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: Anyone flat tow Toyota Tacoma 4x4 msmith1199 wrote: The 4x4 Toyotas do have a neutral position in the transfer case and I was told by a salesman and his boss that you can tow it four down and in neutral just like the Jeep and Dodge's. I pointed out to them that the owners manual said the vehicle could not be towed four down. They said Toyota just put that in there for liability purposes. So I told them I'd buy the truck under the condition that we have a side contract that states that I intend to tow it four down and that the dealership agreed to take full responsibility in the event of any issues regarding warranty work that may be voided because of my towing it four down. They would not agree to such a contract so I didn't not buy the truck. Got the Dodge Dakota 4x4 instead and it is towable four down and it is approved by Dodge to be towed that way. The Toyota cannot be towed. Without the transmission turning, the output shaft receives no lubrication and will burn up being flat towed.Re: True or False? AprilWhine wrote: In a way, your "ignore the year, look at the mileage" is backwards for diesel RVs. Diesel engines do not wear the same as gas ones. I have a Detroit 60 with ~230,000 miles and it purrs. And mileage indicates it didn't just sit, that someone used it and probably repaired house items as they developed problems. I've had the bus in my sig since 2010, we've replaced the tires, batteries and two water pumps. Side note, the water pumps didn't die, we killed them. ;) Thank you April, but diesels aren't at our price point. We're looking at gassers.Re: Toad AdviceBecause of the weight restrictions you've noted, the GMC and Silverado will be slightly too heavy, although if they're 4WD they can be towed four wheels down. Personally, I'd wait until the new Colorado and Canyon come out. They look very attractive and will undoubtedly have the same wheels down capability that their larger brothers have. http://www.chevrolet.com/2015-colorado-small-truck.htmlRe: True or False? Daveinet wrote: Diagram is drawn from the outlet side, not the RV side. So its telling you how to supply power to the coach. Okay. Thanks Dave. I'm just not sure I know enough about this sort of thing for that to help me. For example, I have no idea what "split phase" or "single phase" means...and that is truly an example. It's way over my head.Re: True or False? dbs944 wrote: I think that after 10 years, depreciation becomes less of an issue while maintenance goes up. Probably if you plotted it out, an older, well maintained rig would cost less overall than a newer, and more expensive, one would. Some things, like tires and batteries, are maintenance items regardless of the age of the rest of the structure. Instead of miles or years, I'd look at condition, maintenance history, manufacturer reputation etc. I'd agree. Unfortunately, here I can't get maintenance history. I'd also submit that there's a ratio between value and reputation. In other words, I'd be the first to say that the reputation of Damon doesn't match up with that of ... let's say Tiffin, just for discussion. On the other hand, I won't be paying as much for a Damon as I would a Tiffin. Then you also have to factor in the intended use. A number of people have mentioned full-timing. Again, I agree that the needs of full-timers are more ... robust, than those of vacationers. I'm a vacationer, not a full-timer. I can accept things such as less cold-weather capability for example. My big fear is that I'll get a rig that will require huge expenses over and over again or that I'll buy something that will be unsafe or break down on the road in such a way that I cannot continue on my trip.Re: True or False?I'm not exactly sure what that very detailed diagram is trying to tell me. I'm afraid my ignorance exceeds the information provided.Re: True or False? wa8yxm wrote: Jackalope wrote: wa8yxm wrote: But you may need to wait six hours before doing that depending on the converter and battery state of charge (My converter is a "Big Ticket" if the batteries are dead, Tiny load if they are full up.) Of course.. you did mention it's a motor home (Make and model) I believe.. No need to hook to shore power.. Has Onan Power. Whoa! Whoa! Remember, you're talking to someone with limited knowledge of an RV here. I'm gonna have to wait six hours for what?? And yeah, I'm sure it's got a generator, but does that work the same way as shore power? This is sounding good because I'd really like to go get serious with that Damon. Thanks for the help. Six hours for what: If the batteries are low and it is reasonable to assume they are, and the converter is big enough (mine is 80 amp) then it can pull over 1000 watts of power for several hours charging the batteries.. So when you first plug in, using adapters, to a standard 15/20 amp wall outlet (like in your house) you can use lights, water pump, televisions and radios and such.. but the microwave, water heater or air conditioner, will trip the breaker. After the batteries come up a bit (I said six hours but it might only be one or two) you can safely use ONE of those "Big ticket" items It all depends on the battery state of charge. And the size of the converter. Assume the batteries are hungry Ask the sales idiot how big the converter is... An 80 amp converter can suck 10 amps off the power line easy. air conditioners running 13.5 Starting a whole lot more Microwave is in the 12-14 range as is the water heater. You have at most 20 amps so you need to wait for the batteries to charge before you test the big ticket stuff. I appreciate this a ton too. Going to see him tomorrow to try and set up an appointment for Monday to really go over the whole unit. This is exactly what I needed. Thanks!Re: True or False? Daveinet wrote: Jackalope wrote: I'm sorry. I must've said something to give you the wrong impression. He never said I couldn't plug it into a regular outlet. What I meant was that he doesn't have a 50 amp service so I can check the operation of the inverters and all the electronics at the same time. But he hasn't refused me anything other than to take it somewhere overnight. If I gave you the impression that he'd refused anything else, the fault is mine. OK, so now that I do understand, I'll give you an explanation of RV shore power. 50 amp service is not 50 amps on 1 circuit. It is 2 circuits consisting of 1 30amp circuit, and 1 20 amp circuit, totaling 50 amps. The single 30 amp service runs virtually everything in the RV except the rear AC unit. If you plug the 30 amp side into a standard 15 amp outlet, virtually everything in your RV will work, however you are limited to not turning on several things at the same time. So for test purposes, the 30 amp side can be plugged in, so you can test each appliance and feature. Unless someone has lost the adapter, the RV should have a short cord that you can plug the 50 amp cable into. This splits off the 30 amp circuit, so that everything will run. They should also have a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter, so you can plug the 30 amp cord into a standard 15 amp outlet. As long as you don't try to run the AC unit and plug in a hair dryer, you won't overload anything. The reality is, most everyone here plugs there 30 amp plug into a 15 amp outlet when they power the RV at their own home, just to charge the batteries to supply voltage to the lights and other electronics. The rear AC unit gets its power from the 20 amp side of the 50 amp plug. Probably not a real easy way to power that up. Wow! HUGE help Dave. Thanks a ton.Re: True or False? Horsedoc wrote: You live in Roswell. Take a day and drive across the state line to SC and the Anderson area. There is a guy there that buys good, nice campers and motorhomes. On the left heading north on 85. CRS has got me now and cannot recall the name, but you will see it on the left. Big lot with all sorts of RVs. Very nice folks. http://www.portersrvsales.com/ I had to google it. Inventory is on line and in pics. If I was buying another I would check these guys fist Thanks! I'll certainly go online and see what they have!Re: True or False? Daboo wrote: I would be a little skeptical of the dealers refusal to let you have it checked out...and I have not heard of the 10 yr rule...mine is 10 yrs old, but I have taken care of it since I bought it new...don't think I would trust the people who have it..seems to me he may know something he don't want you to find out about...as one person said...there are thousands of RVs out there and probably some good ones, waiting to be bought...shop around and don't jump on the first one...just my advise and I have been doing the RVing quite a few years...good luck He didn't refuse to let me check it out. He refused to allow me to take it to a dealer. He was very cooperative as long as I got one of those mobile repair services to come there and check it out. And let's keep in mind, the "ten year rule" was just a guideline given to me by the owner of a very nice private campground. He had zero to gain one way or the other. He was just giving me the benefit of his experience...just as you are! :)
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