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1

Tips and Tricks / Re: RoadTrip T4 Hybrid Setup

« on: September 02, 2020, 08:29:53 am »

Don - took the coach out, locked on to the Dish signal and followed you instructions, mystery resolved, thank you very much. We can now simultaneously have either TV receiving satellite signal and the other TV on OTA local channels!
The reasons we did not purchase the local channels from Dish is because we already invested in the rig with TVs and roof mounted OTA antennas which we wanted the option to use if the satellite signal is unavailable due to trees or buildings blocking the signal. Now everything works as designed and the wife is happy.
Thanks again. - Dick and Chris.

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Tips and Tricks / Re: RoadTrip T4 Hybrid Setup

« on: September 01, 2020, 07:26:30 am »

Thanks Don, will get right after it as soon as I get the rig out of the garage and to a clearing where I can test switching back and forth. - d.

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Tips and Tricks / Re: RoadTrip T4 Hybrid Setup

« on: August 27, 2020, 07:55:31 am »

Don - thank you for replying. We are not using an HDMI cable. The MH came with a TV splitter that only accepts RCA audio and video cables so we connected the Wally that way so both TVs would receive satellite programming. 
The LED TV amplifier is on but the cable coax runs from the amplifier behind the front panel to the front TV not to the Wally. As I stated the Wally connects to the splitter with RCA cables. Are you suggesting that I should fish an HDMI cable to the front TV to connect it directly to the Wally? The scan TV screen only shows OTA and cable as options no satellite. Maybe I will reach out to PC for some direction. - Dick

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Tips and Tricks / Re:general discussion

« on: August 24, 2020, 12:04:13 pm »

So we finally got around to purchasing Dish RV for our 2018 2552 equipped with roof mounted satellite dish. We bought the Wally receiver directly from Dish and had no issues installing it or getting it to operate (after moving the rig to get out from under the trees). Our issue is that after pairing the Wally remote to operate our TVs we have now lost the ability to scan over the air channels when forced to park under trees that block the satellite signal. Dish RV technical support has pretty much been useless and has consumed 5 hours of phone time, mostly on hold while getting passed around from department to department.
Even when using the factory Samsung remote to scan for over the air channels a message pops up that says that function is not available. Has anyone had this experience? Does anyone know how to unpair the Wally remote so we can get back the ability to watch local channels when unable to receive satellite signal? I have even gone so far as to totally disconnected the satellite antenna, the Wally receiver and the RCA video cables and still cannot get the TVs to function properly like they did before the Wally remote commandeered our TVs. I am now thinking that our TVs have been infected with Covid 19! Help!

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General Discussion / Re: Ford E450 dash power ponts blow fuses

« on: March 09, 2020, 08:49:42 am »

Sorry for the late reply but we have been out of town. Our fuse issue occurred while picking up the unit from the factory. We had stayed overnight at the local campground to test all systems. We took it back the next day and the fuse blowing was the only malfunction of the coach. The service we received and work by the factory techs was first rate.
The 12V connection is polarity indexed by the wiring harness plastic connector and the terminals in that connector needed to be switched before it was reinstalled on the back of the 12V outlet. That lead us to believe that it was delivered this way from the Ford factory, but the PC factory does remove the dash panel to access the radio installation. It does seem unlikely that anyone would remove the terminals from the plastic connector unless they got pulled out by the force of removing the dash panel. Either way it was an easy fix and we did not care who or where the the problem occurred as long as it was handled in the method described above.

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General Discussion / Re: Ford E450 dash power ponts blow fuses

« on: March 04, 2020, 09:02:04 am »

JLeTempt - We had a the same issue when picking up our 2018 2552. The fuse in the Garmin power cord and the Ford chassis 20A fuse blew every time the Garmin was plugged in. After trouble shooting the Ford manual to no avail and destroying 5 fuses, the tech got out his 12V test light. I noticed that the grounded probe illuminated when it inadvertently contacted the housing as it was removed from the socket. Knowing that the lite should not have lit, the dash panel was removed to find the wires crossed on the back of the 12V outlet. The wires were crossed during reassembly of the dash panel removed during the radio installation.
The service was great they took us in immediately and assigned a few guys to help find the problem. Hope this helps. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: PC 4x4 / Battle Born package options

« on: January 27, 2020, 08:57:23 am »

Brian - we have a 2018 2552 4x4 and we love where it can take us. We also have 300 watts of solar and the Bogart 2030 solar controller and battery monitor with two 6V, 215 AH, Crown AGM batteries wired in series. Wanted lithium, but at the time, PC would not install a lithium system for us.
Solar has met our boondocking needs quite well, water is always your biggest limiter for length of stay.
As for needing the 4x4 and how it handles, follow the "Considering four down need input" post (scroll to page 3) for my comments and pictures on towing our AWD Envision with the 2552. This is not an issue.
Last comment you may want to refer to all of my posts to read about uploading the Star software to gain more horse power and better shifting, no slide for 4x4 and others. PM me if you have other specific questions I could help you with. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: Banks PowerPack System V-10

« on: October 17, 2019, 03:06:07 pm »

Thanks to Volkemon's first report I ordered the 5 Star right away. Same great results for towing power and shifting, negligible on mileage. Real added bonus is, less downshifting means a great reduction in cab noise. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: Considering Four Down Need Input

« on: July 05, 2019, 05:42:42 pm »

Sarz272000 - Please disregard the vehicle weights from my first post today, My memory was way off. Front axle 5000 lbs, rear axle 8840 lbs. and the toad 4100 lbs. grand total 17,940 lbs. well under the max. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: Replacing Front Coil Springs With Lesser-Rated Ones On Our 2007 E350

« on: July 05, 2019, 10:16:11 am »

Ride quality is rough except on smooth southern roads. Stiffer than the stock Phoenix two wheel drive models for sure.

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General Discussion / Re: Replacing Front Coil Springs With Lesser-Rated Ones On Our 2007 E350

« on: July 05, 2019, 10:13:40 am »

Sarz272000 - Disclaimer due to CRS disease. I will need to check the weights when I get home and post then again. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: Considering Four Down Need Input

« on: July 05, 2019, 10:01:41 am »

Sarz272000 - Just back from our cross country trip to AZ and NM. The new Buick Envision towed flawlessly, 4800 miles 22 days, most at 70 mph on the interstates. Six days out, four days back and 12 days in various camps racing bikes and recreating.
Only the highest passes in the Rockies slowed our progress which sent the tranny hunting for gears sometimes as many as three downshifts. Help is on the way though, I just received the 5 Star Tuning chip to find more horse power, torque and better shifting patterns. Not yet installed so I don't have any feed back at this time.
Our Blue Ox towing system worked perfectly as well, baseplate, Accent tow bar and the Patriot 2 braking system (which takes all of 30 seconds to either install or remove) made the towing easier than expected. We left the toad connected for each of the traveling legs and disconnected when at our final destination. Had the weight certified along the way and the Buick full of bikes and gear weighed 3995 lbs, front axle of our 2552 an even 9000 lbs and the rear axle 13,450 lbs. The front axle is at spec for the coach however we have a 4x4 with a front differential and transfer case together with larger brakes, sway bars and springs. Quigley also upgrades all the wheels and tires to accommodate the heavier front and rear running gear. Axle ratios are also a little lower giving the coach a bit more power albeit at the cost of fuel economy.
All in all our set up performed better than we ever expected, if it wasn't for the two rear cameras reminding us, we would have forgot the car was connected. Once when stopping for fuel I caught a glimpse of the car in my side view mirror and said to the Mrs. why is that jerk tailgating us so close. 

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General Discussion / Re: Potential Four Down Vehicles

« on: April 26, 2019, 06:24:42 pm »

Toad's maiden voyage is complete. Everything works as planned and we hardly know its there, although I am sure we will feel it on our trip through the rookies this June. I think that having the car back there actually reduces the imposed fishtail affect of a passing 18 wheeler.
A drop hitch was not needed even though our 2552 is four wheel drive and sits much higher than the standard rear wheel drive. The tow bar is only 3/4" out of level, well within spec. The Rock Tamers go on like a dream, are easily removed and look like they will provide good protection for the front of our Envision.
We use two rear cameras, one pointed down at the hitch and toad the other aimed farther back to look at traffic. Two viewing screens as well, one on Pioneer radio and the other on our Garmin GPS. Both give us the ability to closely monitor how things are going back there. 
Added a few pictures, hooked up and not. - Dick and Chris

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General Discussion / Re: Accumulator Tank

« on: March 27, 2019, 09:20:23 am »

Ron - these are the gauges https://www.ghmeiser.com/dial-gauges.htm I use on my racing bikes which require very low tire pressures. I have one 0-15 lbs. and another 0-30 lbs. Very accurate and both have bleeder valves to allow an easy way to achieve accurate pressures. you pump a little over the recommended pressure and bleed off the air to the correct pressure while watching the gauge.  Mine are designed for Presta (European) valves but they are also available in Schrader valves which is the standard valve stem on most American equipment, cars and trucks. Schrader is what you need to read the pressure of accumulator tanks. BTW I had PC install the 2 gallon Sur-flo stainless steel model in our 2552 and it has worked very well. - Dick

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General Discussion / Re: Potential Four Down Vehicles

« on: March 11, 2019, 04:00:54 pm »

Just getting up to speed on posting pictures, how about this, Sorry for any stiff necks.