Login

271

General Discussion / Re: What Portable Gas Grill Do You Carry Along?

« on: March 12, 2011, 12:45:28 pm »

I also use the Weber Baby Q.  It’s the only portable grill I’ve found that gets hot enough to grill steaks.  It heats quickly and evenly, and you can close the lid while grilling.  I have the Weber Baby Q, the rolling duffle bag to store it in, and the rolling cart to set it on for grilling.  It all fits easily in the back of our Chevy HHR tow car along with towing accessories, our Brake Buddy, beach umbrella & chairs with lots of room spare to go for groceries at Walmart.  Like anything you can buy somewhere else other than Camping World, it’s almost always cheaper – usually at Amazon.

272

General Discussion / Re: Brake Buddy

« on: March 09, 2011, 08:34:40 pm »

I agree with the Brake Buddy.  We have an older one, about 10 years old, and it still works great.  It doesn’t have proportional braking, but if you drive sensibly, it rarely comes on anyway.  No need to pay extra for a model with proportional braking since we’re not (or shouldn’t be) towing heavy toads.

273

General Discussion / Re: Leveling jacks and weight limits?

« on: March 03, 2011, 07:13:51 am »

We have a slide and jacks.  We have had jacks on our last three motorhomes (15 years).  Wouldn’t be without them.  Pull into your campsite and your level within minutes.  Equally important, you’re stable – no rocking when moving inside or when it’s windy.  And you get a lot of the cost back anyway when you sell. Win, win, win.

274

General Discussion / Re: Finding digital tv signals over-the-air

« on: February 24, 2011, 12:06:59 pm »

Ron, as for the antenna amplifier, I was responding to the original post by glenncc.  I believe that problem is the amplifier.  As for the rest, we’re sometimes in our PC for one to two months at a time, often stationary, so I like roof access.  I regularly clean the vent cover screens.  Even with vent covers, debris gets on top of the vent screens.  Also, personally, I wouldn’t lean a ladder against the PC.  Just personal preferences…

275

General Discussion / Re: Finding digital tv signals over-the-air

« on: February 24, 2011, 10:48:23 am »

I’m pretty sure your problem is that the antenna amplifier is not turned on (where the TV cable plugs in).  Our new 3100 gets over 30 channels (between Cincinnati and Dayton).  It gets none with the antenna amplifier off.  Rotating the antenna probably helps in some areas, but here, the reception is the same regardless of antenna direction.  And the Samsung HD TV is terrific.  On our Route 66 trip, http://www.mytripjournal.com/HistoricRoute66 in our prior 2900, we got TV reception everywhere except Meteor Crater RV Park in Winslow, AZ (no cable either – wouldn’t stay there again).  We used an analog-digital converter then.  Although a bit of a hassle to search for channels, but we never had a problem.  Also, we were on some fairly rough roads on Route 66 and never experienced noise from the antenna.  In fact in 30 years of RVing in motorhomes, we have never noticed noise from an antenna. 

As for a ladder, I wouldn’t want to be without one.  I’m frequently on the roof – recently installed vent covers.  I regularly check caulking for leaks and wash the roof.  The roof rack helps an old guy like me when getting on and off, and I think it adds to the looks of the coach.  In all the years we’ve owned motorhomes, we’ve never had a roof leak from the ladder, rack, antenna or anywhere else.  I do, however, keep a close watch on all the seals.  As for access to storage behind the ladder, I removed all the hooks, anchors and straps, and store our chairs there, so I’m not in it too often.  I keep all hoses and electric cords in the storage area under the 3100 slideout.

Check the antenna amplifier and you’ll get good reception.

276

General Discussion / Re: Manual Awning leg mount to PC.

« on: January 05, 2011, 12:36:42 pm »

I had the factory install the brackets, no charge, shortly after we bought our 2007 model 2900.  Attached is a pic (now for sale at the factory – we bought a new 3100).  As you can see in the picture, the factory installed them at the very bottom of the coach body.  One bracket to the right of the entry door and one below the rear storage door.  They simply used a small wood block behind the fiberglass body.  Worked great.

277

General Discussion / Re: Hello from snowy cold MN

« on: December 13, 2010, 03:33:04 pm »

As for the PC motorhome class, technically it’s not either a Class B or a Class C, but it’s a Class B+.  B+ evolved from a van chassis on which Class B motorhomes were and are still built.  Class B+ motorhomes have a van front like a B but all the rest is custom made by Class B+ builders.  So, Class B is “kinda” correct, but in size (except width) it’s closer in concept to a Class C.  But actually, it’s a Class B+!  When you check into a campground or make reservations, tell them you have Class C.  It easier than trying to educate the campground owner – many of who still don’t know what a Class B+ is.

278

General Discussion / Re: Sewer hose storage

« on: October 21, 2010, 09:57:04 am »

I’d recommend outside storage for a standard sewer hose.  On a recent trip, our Sani-Con system bit the dust - $500+ to replace.  And stranded with a tank full of you-know-what.  And forced to pay campground prices for a sewer hose and connections.

279

General Discussion / Re: Fridge door fell off

« on: October 19, 2010, 10:36:12 am »

The hinge on our refrigerator door also broke while in Florida.  Like Paula, I called Norcold.  But unlike her, we were out of warrantee.  However, they shipped a new door to the nearest authorized repair center (Mary Esther), no charge, and paid for the labor too. Nice.

280

Adventure Anywhere / Historic Route 66

« on: May 20, 2010, 08:22:00 am »

My wife and I are traveling Historic Route 66 from its start in downtown Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in our Phoenix Cruiser.  We are keeping a travel journal.  If you would like to travel along with us, you’ll find the link below.
 
Since we don’t know exactly how long it will take or where we’ll be each day, this is our philosophy right now:
 
      “Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going.”  - Paul Theroux

Gary and Shelby, travelers
 
Link:   http://www.mytripjournal.com/HistoricRoute66

281

General Discussion / Re: Towing Dingy with 2551 E450

« on: October 25, 2009, 08:32:21 pm »

Check out my post and pictures under the General Category: Phoenix on the Road – Subject: Dinghy / Toad (Reply #5 on September 09, 2009).  We love our new (year old) dingy which we tow behind our 30 ft. 2550.  Tows great, tows flat without modifications, lots of storage, seats five, great for everyday driving, and styling we really like: Chevy HHR (and it's American!). Tow bar: Blue Ox, which essentially invisible when the grill tabs are removed.  Both highly recommended.

282

General Discussion / Re: Extended stay with slide out

« on: October 02, 2009, 01:53:02 pm »

We stayed the month of March in Navarre, FL (recommended) with both slides out – no supports and no problems.

283

General Discussion / Re: Roadside Assistance

« on: October 02, 2009, 01:49:46 pm »

At 10:30 pm, with winds picking up and rain coming, we went outside to put up the awning.  The wind caught the door, it slammed and locked.  The car was also locked and all keys were in the RV.  We couldn’t call Good Sam for assistance because the cell phone and membership card were also inside the RV.

A good neighbor invited us in and called Good Sam for us. Although Good Sam advertises 24/7 coverage, we got a recording to call back after 8:00 in the morning for assistance.  Finally, the campground owner called a local locksmith and everything worked out okay.

Moral: don’t rely on Good Sam after office hours.  We’ll try another roadside assistance company at renewal time.  Also, we now have a key in a magnetic holder in the propane compartment!

284

Adventure Anywhere / Re: Dinghy / Toad

« on: September 09, 2009, 09:45:50 am »

We have owned two prior vehicle used as dinghies.  Coming from a Class A, this time we wanted something that could also be used as storage for larger items.  And a requirement was a vehicle with an automatic transmission that could be flat towed without modifications.  We decided on the Chevy HHR, and it was a great decision.

It tows great; plenty of room for our small Weber grill, Brake Buddy and lots more –  especially with one or both of the rear seats folded down when necessary; sits upright like an SUV (and like the Phoenix); and we love the styling.  Also, at home, my wife will always choose to drive the HHR rather than our Buick – smaller and fun to drive.  The only addition was the base plate and wiring. We use the Blue Ox tow bar from our previous dinghy.  We would highly recommend the HHR (Heritage High Roof) as a dinghy.