CJBROWN
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Re: 2015 Chevy Colorado hands on impression
hawkeye-08 wrote: Is the platform in the backseat for your dog(s)? Do you put anything on the console to protect it? Is your dog restrained (leash or harness)? Thanks, sorry for the hijack... No problem...time for a 500 mile update, got a new pic now. Yes, the cargo and dog platform is for the dogs, whole write-up here: Colorado Dog/Cargo Platform Build They have been popular, sold a half dozen of them in the first week so I've been busy cranking them out. Very handy for grocery bags, gear, cargo, whatever, and of course our 3 dogs, however we haven't even been on a trip yet. I still need to get the blue-ox baseplate and set it up for towing. No, we don't strap the dogs in. I guess if we pile it in they'll go flying. I don't wear seatbelts in the motorhome either. I like living dangerously. Besides, I put thousands of miles on motorbikes, on and offroad, split traffic, ride break-neck...so when my time is up then it's up. LOL. The I4 is a neat little motor and I'm happy with it to keep things light and simple. I'm getting about mid-17's for city driving unless I baby it or make all the lights. As soon as you get on the freeway it's easy to coax mid to high 20's. I need to get some more travel time on it to know for sure. If you tromp on it then it sounds like a cavalier. LOL. The Zone Offroad leveling lift works really nicely, for $65 is the best mod so far. Fit and finish is mercedes benz quality, simply amazing. It drives just excellent, very happy with it.488Views0likes0CommentsRe: Wanting to hear from Class A gas powered owners
some consistent comments on cost, complexity, and depreciation of a higher priced rig with a big diesel (DP). I thought sure I wanted one, have been pining away for years. But now I'm not so sure. I find my gas coach easy to drive, cheap to maintain, does all I need, easy to afford. Think I'll hang on to it. The only downside is the ride comparison - the DP's are somewhat quieter and ride a lot better. That's worth something, not sure how much though. In my case it would be double the cost. When I get ready to retire and consider at least part-timing then a bigger DP coach will make a lot more sense. If it was my house everything would change.475Views0likes0CommentsRe: The NEW 303 Protectant
Huge fan of 303 - goes on everything, cars, bikes, rv, anything with wheels. I learned about it when I bought an inflatable boat a number of years ago. They said not only does it work well to protect the hypalon fabric of the boat but is the only protectant that will allow you to patch it. Any silicon applied can never be gotten completely out of the rubber and prevents a patch from adhering. Now I just use it on everything inside and outside. A quart lasts me a couple of months, usually buy it at West Marine. Online retailers offer it a couple of bucks cheaper so if you're ordering other detail supplies anyway there's some savings there.730Views0likes0CommentsRe: Wanting to hear from Class A gas powered owners
10 years with our 8.1 gas, workhorse chassis, Winnebago 31 foot class A. We bought it new, has 30K miles on it. Some years it pretty much sat due to out of work and no $$ for gas. Now that things are improving we are getting out more but gas is super expensive when you get about 8mpg. So we have to think about the cost for anything long distance. When we bought it gas was $1.65 a gal. We have an excellent floor plan with large tanks - pretty much what you find in a DP. What we would gain is more floor space with a longer coach - at least 36' for a diesel - as well as a better ride and more quiet. We think we'll use our gas coach 'till ready for retirement and then get a DP, sell the house, and live in it at least part time. For weekending and vacations a gas coach is fine. It is actually faster than the diesels, at least in my short length and relatively low gross weight. Finding a car at or under 3K lbs makes a huge difference - a lighter car is just a lot easier to tow up and down grades. We get about 9mpg towing a 3K lb car if I keep the speed at 60. If I drive it 65 it gets under 8. How much you put your foot into it determines how much gas you'll use. With the bigger units with gas motor you kind have to have your foot in it all the time, especially if towing. Our chassis is gvw is 22,500lbs and the coach is 17.5K loaded. So even with a car in tow we are not even to gvw. GVCW is another 5K lbs on top of that. It's an enviable position to be in for performance. The units didn't gain much from our 2005 model, an extra slide and full body paint. Otherwise they're pretty much the same, even the smaller diesels. Over 36-38' then you really need to look at a DP and yes they are a lot nicer.321Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cummins or Caterpillar ?
ArchHoagland wrote: Problems More problems Noticed these articles some time ago. The comments are just as interesting. Man, those guys got the goose. It sounds like DEF has been the greatest boon to the diesel engine market. DPF is what has been a lot of problems with Ford/Navistar as well. Overheating, frequent maintenance, poor fuel economy. I keep hearing all over to stay away from Navistar. Then I heard Monaco had gone down that road...damn! The Knight was always a favorite of mine, 36 footer with a big block. Anyway, the comment about all motors having issues is telling, however projected life at 750K so them being comfortable with half that should leave a motorhome owner with a lot of years before problems can start. My sis has had several of the diesels, a couple of Tours and now a Entegra with the ISX - 600hp. They have mentioned overheating on all of them, climbing grades with a big toad. IMO that should not be happening. No permanent damage and no complete failure, but still. My 8.1 gas has had the******run out of it towing max weight on steep grades and never even a bump on the temp gauge.244Views0likes0CommentsRe: workhorse or tritan
Wow...so much mis-information. There are more WH because they sold a lot more - it was an option most went with when they were new because it was a much better chassis. At least up to where they got bought out and shut down. I have a '05 with a 5spd allison, no 'auto-park' but does have the grade-brake which shifts the trans down for you on steep decents. As mentioned, the allison alone was enough of a difference. The V8 had lower rpm peak torque, and sharper wheel cut, heavier duty frame and suspension as well. I would agree with the comment to find one that suits and not worry about which chassis, either is fine. I had a V10 in a 99 Southwind and it was fine too. The 8.1 was just a little nicer, ours is ten years old this year and still like new - and not a single issue in all these years. (except the burnt plug wires but that's an easy fix).299Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cummins or Caterpillar ?
Cat is no longer building diesels for over the road vehicles. So anything relatively new will have a cummins or navistar. I'm not aware of any others for full size units. Oh, I guess there might be a few duramaxes in top-hat type rigs. I have only heard thru forums that the cummins is easier to service, but I have no experience with either. My Dad had a cat in a early alpha seeya but we never worked on it and he passed over ten years ago.245Views0likes0Comments
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