DraginRat
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Re: PPL Consignment - Great Experience
They may be a good place to sell, but I would not trust them if I were buying. They flat out lied about a couple major systems on the motorhome we bought. They told us they were working, when in fact, the air lines had been cut and could not even had been mistaken for working by the most incompetent of techs. They also tried to charge us Thousands of dollars for a part that cost $140.00. Our experience at their New Braunfils lot was like something you see in a movie about used car salesmen. Ken Gasbarri And, I have the paper work to prove it.478Views0likes0CommentsQuestions about slide-out room on DP motor home
This is the first time I have seen this on any slide-out, so not sure just what it is, or what it does. I am thinking it is some sort of latching mechanism, but not sure. If anyone knows what it is and what it does, please enlighten me. Ken Gasbarri1.2KViews0likes1CommentRe: '$1,100. for combustion chamber 98 Suncruiser. Too much??'
First, I would get a second opinion. Then, I would sit and think about it for awhile. I bet you can figure a solution to this for a lot less. Sorry, it just doesn't sound like a combustion chamber problem Ken Gasbarri415Views0likes0CommentsRe: Couple of questions aboutg air system on class "A"
Well, I discovered that the park brake button was sticking just a bit open. Had to wait until it got really quiet around here to hear it. Putzed with it a bit and now it does not stick. I have every intention of replacing the canister before I hook it back up. But, those things cost about $300.00, depending where you buy it, so bottom line, if I need to, I can replace the whole unit. Well, on to other problems and projects. I think Peg just likes to keep me busy so that I don't wander down to the local drinking establishment. Ken Gasbarri454Views0likes0CommentsRe: what happens when you take the dealers word
Well, after about a week in our "new" coach, we still are overall happy with it. We've owned it longer than that, but spent a couple weeks around Thanksgiving sponging off the kids. Never thought the girls would ever learn to cook, but they did. All things considered, we did get a better deal than we originally agreed to. We got the $10,000.00 concession from the owner, and doing most of the work ourselves, saved most of that money. I did agree to allow the agent to replace the control box for the leveling system at about $2,500.00, but we have less than $300.00 invested in the other issues, with the exception of the generator slide. I am thinking the parts for that may cost as much as $500.00. The cylinder and lock valve are missing, and the pump looks a bit suspicious, so who knows. As often as I open the slide, I can live with doing it manually for awhile. Oh, and this may be a familiar situation to some, but with all the cabinets, closets, and storage bays on this thing, seems Peg has found something to fill each and every one, and had to go "emergency shopping" only two or three times. She did go with one of the girls each time, so she had help. OK, gotta go Ken Gasbarri533Views0likes0CommentsCouple of questions aboutg air system on class "A"
We recently purchased a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial through a "consignment" dealer. While we are generally happy with the coach overall, there were a number of issues. One of the bigger issues was the air suspension and leveling system was totally trashed. I spent a lot of time on the web learning many things about the coach in general, and the HWH air system in particular. I pretty much have the air suspension and leveling system back in order, but while many documents I have located tell me how to adjust ride height, there is absolutely no mention of what ride height should be, how to determine what it is, or what it should be. Also, while putting the leveling system back together, I noticed that the air dryer has been removed from the system. the air dryer (Meritor Wabco system saver 1200) is present, but has been disconnected. Someone connected the line from the compressor directly to the line to the tank with a brass nipple. The inlet fitting had been broken off in the inlet port of the dryer unit, but that was very easy to remove. It appears to be a very simple system, basically in, through the filter, and out to the tank. I assume I should replace the filter canister, but other than that, is there something I should be checking? Also, how long should the air pressure last once the engine is shut down. Ours drops from 120 psi to about 90 psi in about an hour. Is that normal. Thanks for any help you can offer Ken Gasbarri3.5KViews0likes8CommentsRe: what happens when you take the dealers word
We had every intention of doing business with a private owner, but out wasting time one day, we stopped to see what they had in their inventory. Peg fell in love with it, and I was happy with the "guy stuff" engine, generator, easy care exterior, so we made an offer. Still, we both think we will be ok after we (I) get it all put together. Oh, and while I was crawling around underneath, putzin' with the leveling system, I discovered they had plumbed around the air dryer for the brakes. I did write a letter (e-mail) to the manager. He just gave me the same rhetoric that I got from the local manager. "We only use quality OEM parts, that's why they cost more." and of course "We make it very clear that you are buying as is." I'am good. The rest of the coach is very nice. All kinds of power panels, gadgets, and such to keep me interested. AND, the Holiday Rambler Owner's Manual is about the best I've ever seen. It has everything in it, and very easy to use. Now, if I can only get Peg to get me a sandwich and a beer while moving down the road, life will be good. Ken Gasbarri246Views0likes0Commentswhat happens when you take the dealers word
I suppose I should have expected as much, but I got really, really stupid, and a bit lazy, and now, I am paying the price. We recently purchased a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial from one of those dealers that does a lot of consignment sales. I won't mention names because I really don't want to get into a discussion of the merits or lack thereof of this particular dealer. Anyway, we made an offer and accepted the owners counter offer. To be precise, it was $60,000 which at the time, we thought was a good price. Its a 41 foot 370 cummins ISL, and cosmetically, looks great. Dealer had a long list of all the things they check and report on. After we had a tentative deal, they informed us that the water system, the leveling system, the generator, the generator slide, the engine and the large slide out had issues. They said they talked to the owner, and informed her that it was her responsibility to make the repairs. She told them she would pay to have the coach taken to Cummins to have the engine and generator looked at since it was beyond the dealers ability to deal with. When the coach was at the Cummins place, it was discovered that there wasn't anything wrong with either the engine, or the generator. The dealer simply didn't know what they were doing. (This should have been a heads up for me, but.........) So with the engine and generator taken care of, it would cost $7,500.00 to replace the known bad parts of the leveling system, generator slide, and the water system, but that did not mean that any of these systems would actually work. The owner opted to offer us an additional $10,000.00 to deal with the issues ourselves. I was ready to walk at this point, but Peg really wanted this coach, so I took another look. They wanted $2,5000.00 to replace the control box for the leveling system, but thought that one of the leveling pistons may be damaged, so wouldn't guarantee it. The water system was going to cost $1,500.00 to replace the Manablock, but again, didn't know if there was any other damage, so no guarantee. The hydraulic piston for the generator slide was going to cost another $1,800.00, with more of the same. I am really wanting to walk at this point, but after some research, decided I could do most of the work for a lot less than the dealer was asking. I didn't know anything about the leveling system at the time, so we decided to let them replace the control box and hope there was no further damage. I found a replacement Manablock online for $130.00 with free shipping. This is the same part they wanted $1,500.00 plus $150.00 shipping and a 3 week wait. I found a cylinder for the generator slide for less than $200.00 for the part they wanted $1,800.00, $150.00 shipping, and who knows when it will get here. So, we told them to go ahead and order the control box for the leveling system. We got a "deal" on that. Only $2,200.00 for the part, and $120.00 shipping, and it only took 8 days to get it. This is for the same part I later found for less than $500.00 and $30.00 shipping. Now, backing up a bit. The day we closed on the coach, was the third day of a three day thunder storm. We towed our fifth wheel trade in to the dealer, and discovered that we had to pull it through about 300 feet of pond they jokingly called their drive way. While we are coming in, one of their "techs" is leaving, and had a fun time splashing lots of dirty water onto the exterior of the fifth wheel. Then, during their inspection of our trade in, they had the audacity to tell me the unit was dirty. I will admit that our trade in was old, and both the interior and exterior showed it's age, but everything worked like new. Had a generator, solar panels, brand new 12 gal gas/ac water heater, four door fridge, and island kitchen. They lowered their offer from $12,000.00 to $7,000.00. At this point, I did walk, but they raised their offer to $10,000.00 for our trade in, and I got stupid again and accepted. After the part for the leveling system arrived and was installed, I was informed it was working just fine. One of the pistons might stick from time to time, but no big deal. So, we took delivery and motored happily down the road. When we arrived home after a short 20ish mile trip, the leveling system wasn't working. After crawling under it the next day, I discovered that all the air lines from the rear manifold had been cut. This is not something that might have happened on the way home, and the leveling system had been screwed up something royal. There is no way in Hell that this system had worked for a long time, and furthermore, the leveling system was part of the air suspension, and there are no pistons to stick, or be damaged. OK, so I am totally aware that I screwed up buying this thing. Totally my fault. I should have crawled under it before I took delivery, but it was raining, lots of water on the driveway and such, but still, my responsibility. My issue with the dealer is that they are either totally incompetent, or lying out their ass. I should have picked up on it, when they didn't know how to start the generator, or what the engine light meant. I should have known when they wanted to park and drop our trade-in, and the tech didn't know how to lower the landing gear, or open the fifth wheel lock. I should have known when they tried to tell me the on board propane powered generator was leaking diesel fuel. I should have known when they wanted $7,500.00 for parts and shipping for things I could get for less than a $1,000.00 without really trying. After all is said and done, we still feel this is going to work out for us. I got the manablock installed, and no further damage to the water system. I can open and close the generator slide manually for the time being. I need to replumb the leveling system, but assuming no further damage, that should be do-able for under $100.00. There are a number of minor issues I need to address, but I have the time, and ability to correct them. Meanwhile, we have a pretty nice motorhome and plan on doing a lot of traveling with it. We bought it to make traveling easier than dragging that big fifth wheel around. Sorry it got so long, but I just needed to vent a bit. My bad, I know Ken Gasbarri8.1KViews0likes23CommentsRe: Slide Adjustment, 2000 Holiday Rambler 38WDS
Fred; If there is a compartment under where the slide rails are, look inside the compartment above the door. There should be a small cover box. Remove the cover, and you should see a roller with a couple bolts that adjust the height of the roller. That may be the way to adjust your slide. Hope this helps. Ken Gasbarri413Views0likes0CommentsRe: power awning problem
Well, as it turns out, it is a Carefree of Colorado unit. We just picked up the coach after a long, long process and lots of fun games. Anyway, haven't had time to really mess with it, but did come upon a tech bulletin in all the paper work. Kind of interesting. It says "if the awning will not fully extend, the rafters may need adjusting." They suggest the following "push extend button until awning is fully extended, then adjust rafters". They fail to mention how you get the awning to fully extend if the awning won't fully extend, but then again, I tend to over think these things. Ken Gasbarri413Views0likes0Comments
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