amarie1

Oh. Dang. I'm going on a long trip (2200 miles), mostly interstate, leaving Wednesday, and spending a month at my destination. So ... just leave the bike at home? I don't have time to get that rack before I leave. I've got this rack: https://www.1up-usa.com/product/quik-rack-single/ Just looked it up ... ARGH. Okay, that lets me cross off a bunch of stuff on my to-do list, then! LOL. AM

Thanks. That's the one I was looking at.

I have a great bike rack, hitch-mounted, but it's for my Honda's 1.25 hitch. My RV has a 2" hitch. Folks have told me 'oh you just need a converter. Okay, What exactly should I be looking for at the Auto store or UHaul or Home Depot? thanks AM

And here's the regulator ... good? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081T2V17Y

This is the EMS I bought. I've never used one before but saw it recommended various places. Now I see it doesn't say "EMS" anywhere. hrm.

Okay, thank you! Good to know about the black/grey. I guess I thought that was one of the advantages of a full-hookup. But it sounds like the advantage is that I don't have to stop at a dump station. When I'm ready to dump, I can do so right there. Man I'm glad I asked ... lol AM

I’ve only ever stayed at state parks, which were electric hookup only. Filled freshwater tank on arrival, dumped grey/black when leaving. At a full hookup site, is there a recommended order of hooking up and then unhooking up? Park, level, chock; then: electric? (For slides? Or leave that till last). Then city water with regulator and filter? (I bought both but never used either). Finally, black tank hose into sewer? Do I open the valves for black and grey and leave them open during my stay? And then isn’t there something I need to do for water pump and heater? thanks...

rofl ... you sound like my daughter. 😉 (the one in California I'm going to see ...)

(So, I'd see a "tow/haul" button even on a regular 450 pickup truck? I thought it was there specifically for towing a toad or trailer on the RV.)

This information is PRICELESS. Mark and Teri, thank you so much! I'm feeling far less anxious now. AM

Mark/Teri, Okay thank you for that. Excellent info. So you're saying turn on Tow/Haul mode all the time? Even on the flat plains of nebraska and not towing anything? FWIW the seller told me he usually drove with it on "all the time". Is there a chance that this mode will slow me down too much on the ascent, like not let the engine get past 20 miles an hour or something? Or that's not how it works. I understand that at the peak, I should be going slow, like 40 mph. Then on the descent, the tow/haul mode will keep me there for the most part, while I occasionally brake firmly as you suggest. This "braking firmly" is telling Tow/Haul to go into D2 and D1? Or might I also need to manually shift to D2 and D1 even while tow/haul is on? -AM

whoa, perfect, thank you! This is my first Ford. AM

Thanks, all great information. I did find a video that explained the downshifting and when/how to do it. I cued it up to when the info starts, 6:35 in. His tach is going up to 3800/4000 when he's descending in D2. That's okay? I have a Ford E450, 2017 (Thor FE29) Looking for a ford manual ... (bought this used a month ago) ... AM

oh ... right! sorry! accident. I'll delete here.

Jim, thank you! I will check that out!

Thanks everyone. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never understood when/how you use D2 D3 and so on, not in my cars let alone the RV. Is that what you mean by "gear down"? Would "D" be the highest gear, then D3 one below that, and D2 lower? (I don't have the shifter here in front of me lol so I'm trying to remember.) If you know of a video that explains this (esp for RVers) that'd be great. AND/OR should I put it into tow/haul mode, even though I'm not towing anything? It's just a button that I press in at the end of the auto trans shifter. I've heard that's a good way to drive in hilly areas. I'm planning on 7-10 days to make the trip, driving about 6 hours a day.I'm not sure how I handle making overnight reservations in advance if some days I'm able to do 8 hours and others only 3 or 4. But perhaps that's for another thread 😉 AM

I'm planning on doing a "simple" direct drive from Chicago to Oakland, leaving in 10 days, down I-80. Mainly going to see my daughter who lives in Oakland. Just one or two-night stopovers on the way. On the way back I might sight see. I'm driving solo, my first rig, my first major trip, a 2017 31' Thor FE gasser. Me and 2 doggos. Not towing anything. My question: I have to pass over the Rockies, right? How white-knuckle of a drive is that? Any recommendations for routes? thanks! AM Quote Edit Reply to this topic... GO TO TOPIC LISTING NEXT UNREAD TOPIC TOPICS

Hey there, I'm planning on doing a "simple" direct drive from Chicago to Oakland, leaving in 10 days, down I-80. Mainly going to see my daughter who lives in Oakland. On the way back I might sight see. I'm driving solo, my first rig, my first major trip, a 2017 31' Thor FE. Me and 2 doggos. My question: I have to pass over the Rockies, right? How white-knuckle of a drive is that? Any recommendations for routes? thanks! AM

Ok thanks

When I make an online reservation, the form usually asks what type of RV I have (Class C) and its length (30 foot). But what if I'm towing a small car? I've not come across a form that asks that. Should I be including the length of my entire rig, including toad, in the "length" field? If so, then including the hitch, it'd be more like 50' than 30'. But I really don't need a 50' site.. do I? Thanks AM

Thanks all, yes, I've decided to hold off on this until I've taken at least a couple/three more trips. Your advice was so valuable, thank you again! AM

My newly-purchased 2017 Freedom Elite is at an RV service center where I'm getting some minor repairs and upgrades. One upgrade the service manager suggested was to get a 2nd house battery, as this only has one, the original. I said okay, then he called a few hours later and said both batteries need to be the same type and age. So I'd have to buy 2. Correct? Second question: he wants to know if I want to get the same kind of battery, resulting in 220 watt hours (?) total but shorter lifespan, or get 2 AGM batteries, resulting in 145 watt hours total, but longer lifespan The 2 AGM batteries would be about 50% more expensive. I asked him to hold off and let me do some research ... thoughts? I am a newbie so I'm not exactly sure what kind of batteries to get. But new sounds good, and 2 sounds better than one. I do plan on doing some boondocking on occasion. But in that case I'd be running the generator, right? And that would power up the batteries? My inclination is to go with the less expensive, higher watt hours one. My guess is that in a couple years I'll want to change batteries to some other type entirely. Thanks for any advice.... AM

thanks! Would you add one of those blue water filters to the hookup when filling the water tank? I don't have one but see that on videos all the time.

Thanks folks! But no one w/Good Sam extended service plan here huh (or no one who's seen this thread). I will check into the other recommended places. AM

I’m a newbie with a new to me Class C, 2017 Thor 29 FE. I’m a solo driver with 2 doggos, planning on long trips. I bought a sub to Good Sam roadside assistance. They’re also offering an Extended Service plan which covers repairs for things that break after a deductible. To make a claim, have to show proof of regular maintenance and give a copy to the mechanic/service center when they call in for an authorization number. Sounds like health insurance. It sounds like a good idea for me it covers the truck and the coach, and all appliances, generator etc with expected exceptions thoughts? They want $45/mo based on my VIN and mileage