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Messages - AMW

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1
General Discussion / Re: Curious as to those of you who down sized
« on: May 07, 2017, 07:42:21 am »
Downsized from 34' Class A Diesel pusher with 2 slides, air suspension, 100 gal fuel, 100 gal water, 9 mpg.  It was perfect for 2-3 people, 4 dogs, drove like a dream...but when everything changed to 1 person, two dogs, I found it was too much coach for me to travel in and take care of alone.  My ~23' PC with 158" wheelbase and no slides gives me everything I need and nothing I don't, and also drives and rides perfectly.  Although I did 100% of the driving and was confident and comfortable with the ClassA, it require lots of preplanning for route, fueling, parking, etc, just because of it's size.  The PC has a driving and functional comfort level (for me) of any large conversion van or truck.

The things I miss (none of which are deal breakers): the quieter (but not quiet) ducted AC, the quiet diesel generator that could handle infinite dry camping in any temperature, more fuel/water/waste tank capacity, better visibility from the wider/higher driving position, larger refrigerator. 

What I don't miss: Slides, even though mine worked perfectly, there was constant maintenance/cleaning/lubrication, fiddling with them to get the coach leveled just the right way so they wouldn't leak, replacing the seals every few years, etc.   I also hated fueling in the truck bays.  General maintenance and consumables (tires, fluids, etc) were also much more expensive with the big rig than with the Ford (which is compatible in price and complexity to any modern vehicle, IMO).

Ann

2
General Discussion / Re: 2910 Right Rear Mudflap
« on: April 24, 2017, 10:22:07 am »
My rear mudflaps are mounted very differently and have about 6" clearance to the tires.

3
Tips and Tricks / Re: Dash mount for E-series
« on: April 13, 2017, 11:21:26 am »
Thanks so much for this info.  I've had ProClip mounts before, and more than once I've looked at that coin cubby and wondered how I could put that spot to better use.  I've been using a dash suction cup mount for my Garmin, and am looking forward to getting the ProClip mount for it instead.  Ordered it today, and found a 10% off code online "10off". tymote

4
General Discussion / Re: Surge Guard
« on: July 18, 2016, 01:44:45 pm »
my SG is under the refrigerator in the same compartment as the converter/charger and the inverter.  This is going on my project/wishlist and I'm definitely going to look into it further.  Thanks for the info.
Ann

5
General Discussion / Re: Surge Guard
« on: July 18, 2016, 10:29:43 am »
The PI unit looks like the very best choice.  I wish I had done that.  I wonder if it is possible to retrofit this into my PC to replace the SG.

6
General Discussion / Re: Surge Guard
« on: July 18, 2016, 09:40:06 am »
Luckily my surge guard has not had any issues (although it was humming strangely the other day).  However, I wish now I had not installed it and had chosen a portable SG unit instead so that I would have had a fast/easy option to get power into my coach if it does fail.  Now that I realize the SG will not allow power in from shore or generator if it fails, I am not comfortable with the possibility that I would be dead in the water and unable to rig a quick fix on my own. 

7
General Discussion / Re: LED light problems
« on: July 18, 2016, 08:37:46 am »
I have the "faulty" ceiling LED lights also in my 2015 PC.  One failed completely, and three others have failed on one half.  The first two failures were within the warrantee period and Phoenix sent replacements.  I have not bothered to deal with the other partial failures, because I rarely use the ceiling lights...mostly when cleaning and packing/unpacking between trips.  Ironically one of the reasons I rarely use them is that they are way too bright for ambient lighting use, so having only half the amount of light is actually an improvement.  When I want evening ambient light, I have been using the four "reading" LED lights, one in each corner of my living space.  If I lived in my PC for all or part of the year, I would pursue a more elegant solution...but since my use is for weekend sports trips, it hasn't been important enough to make it to the top of my to-do list.
Ann

8
General Discussion / Re: Ford Emissions Recall 15E05
« on: July 18, 2016, 08:15:31 am »
I received the letter for my 2015 E-450 also.  No inspections to worry about in Florida, but I intend to have the dealer perform the recall at the time of my next oil change in about six months.  Until then I will be very interested to hear if anyone has any noticeable changes over a few months time.
Ann

9
Photos / Re: Shade for the new PC
« on: July 18, 2016, 08:00:08 am »
John,
I bought the fittings, tarp and bungies from creativeshelters.com.  They have a design feature on the site that lets you create a "kit" that meets your desired shelter dimensions and configuration, then gives a diagram and cut list for the metal fence tubing that you will buy from a local fencing company.  My local fence company cut each piece to exact size for me.  There are many choices on the site for different tarps, and different configurations.  The shelter I created is a 16' x 30', made with the largest/heaviest fittings/tubing (1 7/8"), with the medium gable peak (110 deg slope, 4" rise/foot), and the heaviest/most sunblocking gray tarp.

I'm happy with the quality of the finished tent, and expect the tarp and bungies to need replacement between 5-10 years.  However, it was a bear to assemble because of the extreme weight...four big men had quite a struggle.  I strongly prefer a metal carport type structure, but the zoning restriction would not allow it.  In hindsight I actually wish I would have ignored the zoning and built the metal structure and taken the 5% chance that anyone would have noticed or cared.
Ann





10
General Discussion / Re: Electronics Options
« on: February 22, 2016, 12:29:14 am »
I hated the crank-up antenna on my DP, so had Phoenix install the King antenna on my 2015 PC.  I love it.  Takes very little space on the roof, and no hassle or maintenance. I don't use TV every trip, but it has worked well the times I have used it.

11
In March of this year I also had the opportunity to weigh my 2015 PC and was very happy with the capacity and balance.  Because mine is a custom build with a 2100/2400 type floorplan on the uncut 158" E450 chassis, my numbers probably aren't as useful as a comparison, but here they are anyway:

Fully loaded (one person, two dogs, gear and food for 4-5 days) full fuel/full water/empty waste tanks, my coach weighed under maximum capacity by 3020 lbs total...1700 lbs under on the front and 1420 lbs under on the rear.  The passenger side was slightly heavier on the front by 100 lbs and on the rear by 280 lbs...probably because that is the side with my refrigerator and largest storage compartment under the bed.

I did reduce my tire pressure to a point between maximums and the recommendations on the tire chart...55 on the front, 70 on the rear.  The chart specifies that I can go lower, but I'm just not comfortable with that.  I recently had the alignment checked and it is also fine.  I have had no modifications made from the factory and the ride/handling are excellent.

12
Tips and Tricks / Re: No Flame Warning on Refrigerator
« on: August 25, 2015, 12:03:16 am »
I have the three-way refrigerator and always run the refrig on DC while driving.  The engine seems to keep the battery charge up just fine. In my previous class A, I ran the larger two-way refrig on Battery power thru the inverter while driving and never had problems with that either.  I have no objection to running a refrig on propane while driving but I don't see why I would prefer that if my batteries are handling the job.

13
Tips and Tricks / Re: Reinforcing Your Norcold Fridge Door Hinges
« on: August 14, 2015, 07:22:18 pm »
Mike, my 2015 PC, purchased in July 2014 (one year old now), was ordered with a 3-way Norcold refrigerator model N641.3.  I notice that it already has the metal hinge reinforcement plate on the lower hinge of the large door, from the factory.

14
General Discussion / Re: Annual PC Rally
« on: July 21, 2015, 12:49:04 pm »
2015 Reunion is September 10-14 in Nashville TN.  Details were in the club newsletters recently, and they might be on the club website.

15
General Discussion / Re: Single A/C vs. Dual A/C
« on: July 17, 2015, 10:13:24 am »
I agree with GoPhoenix in mild temperatures.  Florida in March is mild temperatures.  Florida in July/August is 97+.  Parked in direct sun with Magna Shade the windshield glass cannot be touched on the inside because it is blistering hot.  That hot surface heats the air.  I love the Magna Shades in mild temperatures.  Unfortunately, much of my camping is in very hot or fairly cold temperatures, so I'm either fighting the heat or the cold, and one of the first lines of defense is to prevent heat exchange through the automotive glass.  Next problem is cab metal and air leaks, but that's another topic.

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