When we got in yesterday we first unloaded the rig, took showers and then I sat down and typed up our notes as far as our write-ups.
It was kind of interesting because as we started to leave the park I wanted to dump the holding tanks. I pulled up at the dump station, dug out our new "Rhino-Flex hose and discovered that it doesn't fit up through the hole in the bottom of the compartment. Hummm! I managed to just barely squeeze the hose coupling under the connector and over the lip of the compartment. I was able to drain both tanks, however, since everything had to go about 3 inches before it could travel down the hose, I had a minor mess. Nothing to bad and I was able to hose it out right away. I'm baffled at why any manufacturer would build something as basic as a hole for a sewer drain and not ensure that it was large enough to allow the fitting to enter the compartment. Oh well, mine is not to reason why!!!!
After I got the tanks drained (mostly) the step wouldn't retract. We had to move away from the dump station to allow the next rig in so I parked us over by the ranger station. After looking around and playing with every switch and circuit breaker I could find, I gave up and called the dealership. Fortunately, Bob,(the sales manager) was able to do some quick research and told me about a fuse located outside in a compartment just below the drivers seat area. Sure enough, It was blown, so I replaced it with one I stole from the keyless entry system and got us under way.
We got home with out any further problems except I discovered that the rear camera (#1 camera) is wired so that anything that's on the left side of the coach shows up on the right side of the monitor and vise a versa. It's mind blowing to be in the right lane and watch a car appear to come up from the right rear and look out the side and see him pass on the left. Dangerous stuff. If it were an airplane, I'd ground it. As it is, I took it back into the dealer this morning and won't drive it again untill it's fixed. Other than that, it was a wonderful trip.
Later
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Our first trip
We are now into our fourth day with the new rig. We'll be going back to Boise in a couple of hours and I wanted to jot down some thoughts about the journey so far.
We both , absolutly love this rig. It's everything we wanted and a little bit more. As with every new RV, there are a few things That need to be repaired. the primary problem is both furnaces. It has gotten down to freezing or below each night. I have set both thermostats at 55 to 60 degrees F and each funace has cycle all night long in what appears to be a proper response to the thermostat. As soon as we get up in the morning and set them to a higher setting. 68-72 degrees, they both start to light, then shut down, then light, then shut down, etc. They don't actually produce any usable heat.
The other items are minor, draperies that need to be re-strung, shades that need to be retensioned, etc.
I'll do a further report after we get back to Boise.
We both , absolutly love this rig. It's everything we wanted and a little bit more. As with every new RV, there are a few things That need to be repaired. the primary problem is both furnaces. It has gotten down to freezing or below each night. I have set both thermostats at 55 to 60 degrees F and each funace has cycle all night long in what appears to be a proper response to the thermostat. As soon as we get up in the morning and set them to a higher setting. 68-72 degrees, they both start to light, then shut down, then light, then shut down, etc. They don't actually produce any usable heat.
The other items are minor, draperies that need to be re-strung, shades that need to be retensioned, etc.
I'll do a further report after we get back to Boise.
Friday, April 25, 2008
We finally got it!!!!!
Well here we are, sitting in our new rig. We finally picked it up yesterday (Thursday) at about 11:30. We were supposed to pick it up on April 11th, then on April 18th, then on the 22nd, then the 23, and finally the 24th. It's been an interesting ride. The folks at Dennis Dillon have been good to work with, however they were stymied because parts hadn't come in, etc. We've tried to stay on an even keel about the delays and my only concern has been that we have reservations at Three Island Park stating on the 24th (yesterday. In addition, I had a VA hearing test scheduled for 1:00 pm on Thursday as well. Our plan was to leave home, with the RV, right after I finished the hearing test.
To simplifiy everything, yesterday, we went to Dillon's at 0800 am gave them our old rig (we'll miss it) and started the checkout process on the new rig. What a beautiful coach. Tony (the tech who did the dealer prep on the coach) took us through the checkout. It was a little anti-climatic after all of studiing I've been doing. The best part of the checkout was actually getting get my hands on the various system controls and to operate them after the reading process. Everything came togeather just like I had hoped it would. It really is much like checking out in a new airplane. I alway start out by reading the manual cover to cover, then go to ground school, then to systems proceedures training, then to the simulator, then to the airplane. Of course you get tested at every phase of training for the airplane. Here the only test is how much your billfold can handle after you break something. It does make sense to study the systems and pay attention at the checkout. I'm sure I won't remember everything, however I know where to find the information now.
We got home with the coach at about 12:15 pm and I just had time to unhook the car and tow dolly and hop in the car to get to my hearing appointment. I got there exactly at 1:00 pm. How's that for timing? After the test, (I need hearing aids) I went home and Nancy and I finished packing and left Boise around 5:00 pm. Probably not the most auspicious time of day to start driving a new rig through city traffic. We really had no difficulty getting down here to Three Island Park. This is a beautiful setting. We were here almost exactly a year ago with our then ,new, fifth wheel. It's been an interesting year, full of new ideas, new people and a major change in our lifestyles. It's been fun for the most part. We only got a little discouraged when we were in the Thousand Trails Palm Springs resort in January. We just couldn't imagine sitting there all winter. We brightened up when we both realized that we could move on and see something new.
Today is a day of trying out everything we can in the new rig. We want to exercise every system and work out any bugs. We'll need to get everything fixed before we leave for Pacific City Thousand Trails on May 11th. We have some friends stopping by for lunch today. Stan and Rose are an older couple that we know form church and we've become very fond of them and truth be told, I think it's reciprical.
I'm going to finish up for now. Later!
To simplifiy everything, yesterday, we went to Dillon's at 0800 am gave them our old rig (we'll miss it) and started the checkout process on the new rig. What a beautiful coach. Tony (the tech who did the dealer prep on the coach) took us through the checkout. It was a little anti-climatic after all of studiing I've been doing. The best part of the checkout was actually getting get my hands on the various system controls and to operate them after the reading process. Everything came togeather just like I had hoped it would. It really is much like checking out in a new airplane. I alway start out by reading the manual cover to cover, then go to ground school, then to systems proceedures training, then to the simulator, then to the airplane. Of course you get tested at every phase of training for the airplane. Here the only test is how much your billfold can handle after you break something. It does make sense to study the systems and pay attention at the checkout. I'm sure I won't remember everything, however I know where to find the information now.
We got home with the coach at about 12:15 pm and I just had time to unhook the car and tow dolly and hop in the car to get to my hearing appointment. I got there exactly at 1:00 pm. How's that for timing? After the test, (I need hearing aids) I went home and Nancy and I finished packing and left Boise around 5:00 pm. Probably not the most auspicious time of day to start driving a new rig through city traffic. We really had no difficulty getting down here to Three Island Park. This is a beautiful setting. We were here almost exactly a year ago with our then ,new, fifth wheel. It's been an interesting year, full of new ideas, new people and a major change in our lifestyles. It's been fun for the most part. We only got a little discouraged when we were in the Thousand Trails Palm Springs resort in January. We just couldn't imagine sitting there all winter. We brightened up when we both realized that we could move on and see something new.
Today is a day of trying out everything we can in the new rig. We want to exercise every system and work out any bugs. We'll need to get everything fixed before we leave for Pacific City Thousand Trails on May 11th. We have some friends stopping by for lunch today. Stan and Rose are an older couple that we know form church and we've become very fond of them and truth be told, I think it's reciprical.
I'm going to finish up for now. Later!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Some clarifying & an update
Yesterday, Nancy, my better half, realized that I had not explained that the RV we purchased was actually down in California at the factory when we puchased it up here in Boise. The RV we looked at was a sister coach and was equipped exactly as we wanted our coach. Obviously, some things were different such as the dinette instead of a table with free standing chairs, ours only had two tv's and we wanted recliners instead of the second couch and a satellite.That's why it's taking so long to get our coach ready.
I went to the dealership today and spent some time with the RV tech who's doing the work. We took the new tv out of it's box and put in in it's place, mid coach. It should work out very well.
I'm still doubtful about their ablilityto deliver the coach tomorrow. They still have to finish the dinette removal, finish the tv installation, do a fair amount of cosmetic woodwork, patch several places in the carpet where they've removed things, and install the sleepcomfort bed. They also have to wash and clean the coach for delivery. Oh yeah, they also have to assemble the tow dolly.
I forgo to talk about the "TOAD. We will be towing Nancy's 1998 Ford Contour. We bought it new in 1998 and it's in excellent condition. It only has about 40,000 miles on it and we just can't justify replacing it. The probem with it is that according to Ford and other resources, you can't flat tow a 1998 Ford Contour. Henceforth, the tow dolly. I really don't like the idea of hastling with it when it comes to storage, either at the storage facility that we use or at the campground. We'll try it for awhile and see if it irritates me enough to cough up the extra money to replace it.
I continue to study the manuels for the new coach. I,m spending as much time reading about this thing as I did learning how to fly a new jetliner. Of course, I'll own this. On the other hand, no one is paying me to drive it. Ahaaaa, the way's of the world!
I went to the dealership today and spent some time with the RV tech who's doing the work. We took the new tv out of it's box and put in in it's place, mid coach. It should work out very well.
I'm still doubtful about their ablilityto deliver the coach tomorrow. They still have to finish the dinette removal, finish the tv installation, do a fair amount of cosmetic woodwork, patch several places in the carpet where they've removed things, and install the sleepcomfort bed. They also have to wash and clean the coach for delivery. Oh yeah, they also have to assemble the tow dolly.
I forgo to talk about the "TOAD. We will be towing Nancy's 1998 Ford Contour. We bought it new in 1998 and it's in excellent condition. It only has about 40,000 miles on it and we just can't justify replacing it. The probem with it is that according to Ford and other resources, you can't flat tow a 1998 Ford Contour. Henceforth, the tow dolly. I really don't like the idea of hastling with it when it comes to storage, either at the storage facility that we use or at the campground. We'll try it for awhile and see if it irritates me enough to cough up the extra money to replace it.
I continue to study the manuels for the new coach. I,m spending as much time reading about this thing as I did learning how to fly a new jetliner. Of course, I'll own this. On the other hand, no one is paying me to drive it. Ahaaaa, the way's of the world!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The new RV
It's been a week or so since I started this blog and it's been busy. First of all, it's been a slow process in deciding to buy a new RV. We have been looking at other people's RV's the entire time we were on our "winter sabatical", read "snowbirding. Our fifth wheel is onlya year old and it's in perfect shape. We've ironed out severl bugs that were present at purchase, put in some furnishings to our taste and in general, installed some of own DNA. When we bought it we wanted to find out if the RV lifestyle suited us or not. By purching a relatively inexpensive fifth wheel and a ten year old truck to pull it, we had a minimal investment. If nothing else it could serve as a glorified tent and we could just use it locally. To make a long story short, we like it, we really like it!! Henceforth, a new, bigger, more expensive, motorhome. Did I mention expensive?
We went to a small exhibt that Dennis Dillon was having at Best Buy a couple of weeks ago and while we didn't see anything that caught our eye, we did meet a very honest sounding, pleasant salesman who was retired from Aloha Airlines as a crew scheduler. We had an instant rapport and Nancy and I decided that we'd go out to the RV lot and take a look at their rather large inventory. By the way, we had done a great deal of shopping on the internet and had primarily decided that we would try locally first and if we didn't have any luck at home, we'd probably go over to the Monaco dealer in Eugene, OR. We also thought that we most likely wanted a Monaco Diplomat or somehing about that quality and price range and that we'd prefer something a year or two old. We wanted to let someone else work out the bugs and assume the heavy depreciation of that first year.
We went out to Dillon's the next day and met up with Rich Disney, who we were so impressed with from the Best Buy exhibit. Rich showed us several new Maonaco's and a used Alpine unit. The Alpine is a very high end coach. It was a 2004 model with all the whistle's, horn's and bell's. The price was well within our reach and I tucked it away as a possible. From there he took us to a new National Pacifica. What a coach! It had everything we wanted and then some. There were two problems with it however. First of all, it was well over our projected budget, secondly. it was from a manufacturer that had just gone bankrupt. Nix that one, Next we went to the next coach over which was also a National, however it was, with some serious negotiating, within our budget if were to stretch a little.
It's a National Tropi-cal LX. We negotiated with them to add a washer/dryer, satellite dish and receiver, a sleep comfort bed, and also had them remove the dinette benches and replace them with free standing chairs. We also had them remove the roadside sleeper sofa and replace it with two recliners. We were able to go out and find two wonderful "Flexsteel" recliners that are two of the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. Nancy found two great chairs for the dinette set plus two folding chairs for when we have company.
All of the above sounds great, however, reality never seems to work as smoothley as we like. The first issue was the third TV. The coach arrived with just two tv's. One in the overhead compartment between the Captain and Co-pilot seats and the second in the bedroom. The model we saw that was configured just as we wanted, had a third tv mounted mid coach, on a bulkhead at eye level when you are seated. We both agreed that this was the tv we'd watch. Our fifth wheel had the tv mounted at about eye level when we were standing and we found that it was uncomfortable to look up to watch it. We made arangements with the dealer to go over to CostCo and pick out a new 32" Sony Brava that is actually better than the other sets that are allready mounted. The new chairs that we got for the living room are also considerably better than those normally installed.
By the way, I did get to drive the coach on the day that it got into town. It drives beautifully. Fortunately, I've had the good fortune to have driven quite a few motorhomes in years gone by when I used to deliver them from the factory in Indiana to the Crist dealership in Phoenix. None the less, I am studying everything I can find to reaquaint myelf with handling and caring for the new rig.
As of today, we are supposed to pick up the coach on Tuesday the 22 of April. I hope it works out. We were actually supposed to pick it up on Friday, however, some of the parts had not arrived. I was a little concerened when I went to the dealership on Friday and discovered that no one was working on it at all. The fellow (Tony) who had been working on it took the day off and no one else was assigned. I'm a little put off because the dinette is still installed, the wiring for the outlet in the slide hasn't been relocated, the tv hasn't been mounted and no one has picked up the chairs at CHF since we picked them out. As best I can tell, they're going to have a busy day on Monday if they're going to deliver on Tuesday. I won't accept the coach until its ready.
That's enough for now. I'll continue on latter.
We went to a small exhibt that Dennis Dillon was having at Best Buy a couple of weeks ago and while we didn't see anything that caught our eye, we did meet a very honest sounding, pleasant salesman who was retired from Aloha Airlines as a crew scheduler. We had an instant rapport and Nancy and I decided that we'd go out to the RV lot and take a look at their rather large inventory. By the way, we had done a great deal of shopping on the internet and had primarily decided that we would try locally first and if we didn't have any luck at home, we'd probably go over to the Monaco dealer in Eugene, OR. We also thought that we most likely wanted a Monaco Diplomat or somehing about that quality and price range and that we'd prefer something a year or two old. We wanted to let someone else work out the bugs and assume the heavy depreciation of that first year.
We went out to Dillon's the next day and met up with Rich Disney, who we were so impressed with from the Best Buy exhibit. Rich showed us several new Maonaco's and a used Alpine unit. The Alpine is a very high end coach. It was a 2004 model with all the whistle's, horn's and bell's. The price was well within our reach and I tucked it away as a possible. From there he took us to a new National Pacifica. What a coach! It had everything we wanted and then some. There were two problems with it however. First of all, it was well over our projected budget, secondly. it was from a manufacturer that had just gone bankrupt. Nix that one, Next we went to the next coach over which was also a National, however it was, with some serious negotiating, within our budget if were to stretch a little.
It's a National Tropi-cal LX. We negotiated with them to add a washer/dryer, satellite dish and receiver, a sleep comfort bed, and also had them remove the dinette benches and replace them with free standing chairs. We also had them remove the roadside sleeper sofa and replace it with two recliners. We were able to go out and find two wonderful "Flexsteel" recliners that are two of the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. Nancy found two great chairs for the dinette set plus two folding chairs for when we have company.
All of the above sounds great, however, reality never seems to work as smoothley as we like. The first issue was the third TV. The coach arrived with just two tv's. One in the overhead compartment between the Captain and Co-pilot seats and the second in the bedroom. The model we saw that was configured just as we wanted, had a third tv mounted mid coach, on a bulkhead at eye level when you are seated. We both agreed that this was the tv we'd watch. Our fifth wheel had the tv mounted at about eye level when we were standing and we found that it was uncomfortable to look up to watch it. We made arangements with the dealer to go over to CostCo and pick out a new 32" Sony Brava that is actually better than the other sets that are allready mounted. The new chairs that we got for the living room are also considerably better than those normally installed.
By the way, I did get to drive the coach on the day that it got into town. It drives beautifully. Fortunately, I've had the good fortune to have driven quite a few motorhomes in years gone by when I used to deliver them from the factory in Indiana to the Crist dealership in Phoenix. None the less, I am studying everything I can find to reaquaint myelf with handling and caring for the new rig.
As of today, we are supposed to pick up the coach on Tuesday the 22 of April. I hope it works out. We were actually supposed to pick it up on Friday, however, some of the parts had not arrived. I was a little concerened when I went to the dealership on Friday and discovered that no one was working on it at all. The fellow (Tony) who had been working on it took the day off and no one else was assigned. I'm a little put off because the dinette is still installed, the wiring for the outlet in the slide hasn't been relocated, the tv hasn't been mounted and no one has picked up the chairs at CHF since we picked them out. As best I can tell, they're going to have a busy day on Monday if they're going to deliver on Tuesday. I won't accept the coach until its ready.
That's enough for now. I'll continue on latter.
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