Jump to content

gypsydan

Validated Members
  • Posts

    318
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by gypsydan

  1. During this heat wave (in AZ), with temperatures in the 100 to 110 range, I HAVE NOT been able to bring the refrigerator portion of my Norcold. N611 below 65 to 75°. The freezer part does get cold, but not Totally freezing Is this normal? If so, it makes the refrigerator unusable! Do I have to move to cooler temperatures, which at the moment it’s not possible. Any suggestions?
  2. After 3 years of being on the road 1/2 time, I’m finally able to go full-time on Sept 3, when the sale of my house closes. People have said To me, “are you Crazy doing it at this time! COVID-19, an usual hot spell, economy in turmoil, etc, etc.....” But, is there ever a good time. I’ve come to believe after many years, if I don’t make the choice to follow my bliss, live my bliss, I will end up living a life of regrets, and that would be a real crime against myself. I'm curious to hear from others who have gone full-time this year. What was your experience? Any regrets? Any unusual challenges?
  3. Interesting thread. I’m needing to buy four tires for my rear duallys on a class C, With a GVWR of 12,500#. It’s on a E-350 chassis. Tires are LT225/75-16. I’m in a quandary trying to decide what brand to buy, especially After reading Bot Rod,s and Tireman’s input. I have 2 new Coopers on the front, but don’t know if I should also put Coopers on the back, or if there is another brand which would be better. Michelin’s are out due to price. I also do not want cheap tires. Any recommendations?
  4. What a fascinating thread. I was just getting ready to sign up with Escapees roadside assistance plan, thinking since Escapees was promoting it it would be a good plan. After reading this thread I’m wondering what’s going on with Escapees to not be taking a more definitive look at getting information out to those on the road. Can someone in Administration update us on the status of SKPs promoting the SafeRide, or is it VES, roadside assistance program?
  5. What part of the country are you in? Do You have solar? Remember, google is your friend. In just 5 min you can find a trove of sites which can help you. There are several women only groups and singles groups which could be of great help: SKP solo’s, Loners On Wheels (LOWs), rvingwomen.org, WINs, google for women’s and singles groups, Facebook RV groups, sistersonthefly.com, read all the RV forums you can find. if don’t have wi-fi, go to a local library. Good luck. You are starting a fantastic journey in what looks like a nice rig. Dan
  6. Since this is your first RV, and it appears you basically know nothing about RVIng, I would recommend buying USED. Why: You have not told us if you are going to be a weekender, once a year traveler, Part time, or going full-time. Each is unique, and will most definitely define what you Ultimately end up with over time. Depreciation. The original buyer will eat the initial depreciation, which can be heavy the first year. Repairs. If you have done any kind of homework, like reading the many RV forums, you will discover that many RVs today are full of mfg defects. This means you will end up repairing those defects. THOR. I can’t really speak to Jayco, but all products built by THOR Are crap. 1st RV: It takes your first RV to discover what it is you “really” want when going on-the-road. Today you like a pop up, but after a few rains, or binning cold weather, you realized it’s not what you want. Or, you buy a pull trailer and discover might like a 5th or C or A better. Time: It takes time to discover your passion when in an RV: camping vs RV park; small vs large; boondocking; RV parks only; gaining experience over time. I hope You get the picture. Some, after many years are still living in their first RV, while others have gone through 5 or more in their first 5 years. Good luck, and have fun in this initial selection process, as you are beginning a fantastic Journey.
  7. What did you read it on Linda? I’m wondering if you have to use an Apple product like iPhone, iPad, or Mac to read the article? Dan
  8. We have all heard different stories about how Camping World has dealt with people bringing their RVs in for repair. Either the repairs are not done competently, or new RVs are kept in theIr shop for so long that the warranty is almost gone, etc. In looking Camping World stores I realize they sell THOR motorhomes, the most egregious company which seems to be hurting the RV industry by the shoddy construction. There is even now a class action lawsuit against THOR for their bad workmanship and noncompliance with making repairs. On Camping World front doors is a statement from the owner, Marcus Lemonis, saying “if you’re not happy, I’m not happy. Call me.” I wanted to find out more about Marcus, as I had seen his TV program The Profit, and discovered an article in Inc. magazine about his “shady side“ and realized one reason why he would be selling Thor motorhomes (Which may have a hi-profit margin) and why many would be complaining about the shoddy work ethics in his shops. An interesting read: https://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/dark-side-of-marcus-lemonis-reality-tv-show-the-profit.html
  9. This can be done any place, by anyone. Is any one else doing this? https://apple.news/AlEj6IZ7SRNC4s-VxN3qTwA
  10. If you Google “Rv solos“ and “rv singles” You will Find several groups out there. FMCA has Singles International.” https://www.fmca.com/index.php/9-chapter-spotlight/236-singles-international.html unfortunately there seems to be more women’s single groups, than mixed groups. LOWs has chapters all over the country where you could connect up with singles. Though they tend toward older RVers, there are many younger people in the 40-50 range. Xscapers will be your best bet to get involved with people, as there are many singles in the group. Have fun exploring the world.
  11. Thanks for the suggestions Scott. Since I couldn’t find the Facebook purity app or tampermonkey in the Apple store I’m tending to resist wanting to install them on my iPad, which is all I use for Facebook, which I rarely log into anyway.
  12. I was logging into this forum and discoveed it is not secured (not https), therefore anyone lurking online can read our user name and password. Does anyone know if Escapees, or whoever runs this forum, has plans to make it secure? Maybe there is a cost factor involved? Or, does anyone find an non-secure forum problematic?
  13. Saferide Motor Club provides roadside assitance to both Escapees and FMCA. At the Escapades in Tucson I attended the presentation by Saferide regarding their offering of the Escapees Roadside Assitance policy. I attended because I had been hearing users were having problems getting resolution with roadside problems. During the presentation I was dismayed at the lack of empathy I precieved by their representative toward the audience. Because of his presentation I declined to buy the policy. My Good Sam policy is now coming up for renewal and I am wondering if there are still problems with how Saferide is responding to Escapees in need on the road. I know people have had issues with Good Sam, but since I have not yet needed to use it I am wondering if I should keep Good Sam, or if I should switch to the Escapees policy because of the price differential. Bottome line: what are some of the experiences people have had with using the Escapees Roadside Assitance policy?
  14. I have a 27" Four Winds C that I installed one 175w Newpowa solar panel over the passenger seat. Fed the wires down the refrig exhaust opening to the Moningstar PS-30 charge controller under the seat where heater is located. Was a semi-tight fit. I was surprised at how easy the install was. Since my electrical requirments are low (led lights, computer), I am currently using an inverter I bought from Walmart for $50. I still use my 2 lead acid batteries, but because they are small, (grp 27) they don't hold a good charge. And soince you can't put lead-acid inside the coach I will soon replace them with a 100w lithium battery which will fit into the lead-acid opening under the coach. I could probably put the lithium battery(s) in the basement, but need to do more looking to see where inside I could also install them. Even though you are going to have the system installed, it might be useful to do a LOT of research so you will know what you need, and whether or not the installer is giving you the optimum system. When boondocking, it is always usefult to know how to make repairs when needed, or to discover the source fo a problem. Most installers are reputable, but being aware of what you are getting is always of benefit, as solar is not cheap. Some resources I found useful were: https://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/ http://www.jackdanmayer.com/links_and_files.htm http://www.manmrk.net/tutorials/RV/12voltSideofLifePart1.htm http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com/ https://www.backwoodssolar.com/learning-center?SID=80qrsn5nej168ruce71vv893t1 Do a google search for battery and solar installs, and you will start finding all types of material to help you make your final decision as to what you need. Good luck in your endevour, as you will find boondocking fun.
  15. It is interesting that Ms. Madden went to her Spv for an OK for reimbersement only AFTER you had posted on this forum. I can imagine the outcome IF you had not posted to the forum. It would be more interesting to see what their response would be should someone in SKP management call them with a problem. I remember at Escapades this year, the man presenting this roadside assitance policy to our members REFUSED to use the microphone and speaker system when giving his presentation the 1st time, even after being asked by several members in the hall that they were having a hard time hearing him. I reported his rudeness to the office, and noted the 2nd time he presented he used the microphone. So the company does learn, it just takes a lot of pushing from our end - which need not be the case. I have yet to read the other complaints on the forum about the SKP roadside service, so it will be interesting to see if Travis or Shawn have commented.
  16. Thank you for all the replies. I was hoping someone in Escapees, or at least who read this forum, had had a Rhino Liner put on their roof. I appreciate these responses for, as usual, they told me what I wanted to hear. I did find a video on Youtube for a repair to my Chateau, done by rvroofinstall.com in Georgia. A little expensive, though. Will check with other forums and see what I can find. An aside, if you are insterested in seeing how shoddy RVs are built, especially the welding, watch this video. https://youtu.be/RlE3DNOknGg
  17. i cannot find the source of a major leak in the overhang of my 2009 Thor Class C Four-Winds, and so am almost certain I will have to end up replacing the roof. I would therefor like to find out what experience people have had with these 3 products. I'm thinking one of these would be better than reinstalling a rubber roof. Flex Armor RV-Armor Rhino Lining - Is it true this coating does not flex? I could see that being a problem on a class C.
  18. What is name of company for the flex armor you used? How did it work?
  19. Thanks for all the input, Yarome. I ended up getting 2 grp 27 batteries, until I can find a way to install agm's or golf cart's. They will last for the summer, at least.
  20. Yarome, may I ask where you read the 58ah, as the mfg said they were 81ah?
  21. Does anyone have any experience with the Costco Interstate 12 volt 24DC Battery ? How reliable are they? How long do they last? Are they true Deep Cycle batteries? Since they are marketed as Marine/RV bateries, I'm tending to believe you should not discharge them below 50%. I'm just beginning to learn about the differences in batteries, so am not clear as to which batteries should not be discharged below 50%, and which can be discharge down to 80%. Interstate also markets the 24DC battery. Nowhere on fact sheets at Interstae or Costco does it state the batteries AMP HOURS, but in talking with Interstate I'm told it is an 81 amp hour battery. This seems unusual, since Costco is sellling them for $73.00. I'm therefore confused as to whether or not the 24DC battery, at $73.00, is a good buy and will last more than a year as compared to batteries in the $200 range. I'm looking at the 24DC as the battery compartment on my class C will only hold a group 24 battery. I am planning on putting solar on my RV to help in keeping them charged. Thank you in advance for any help.
  22. Mac already has a video which is shown at bootcamp when he is not there. He has said we can put it on our website. I will talk with the powers-that-be during the Q event to have them contact Mac to formalize its use. It is sad to have someone who was such a help in the RV community have to leave, but it happens. I wonder if there anyone else in the RV community who does Fire Prevention?
  23. I talked with Mac. He is incredibly sick, having since last Oct had a heart attack, been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, + other stuff, and will be having major shoulder surgery next week for torn rotator cuff. This is all due to his 20 years of working with dry powder fire retardant at his shows, so he will no longer be doing any presentations.
  24. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Mac McCoy? His website, macthefireguy.com is no longer valid. Thanks.
  25. With as many posts as this theme has, maybe it should be turned into a forum of its own, like RVilliage?
×
×
  • Create New...