Now begins the next chapter in our adventures, Florida to Arizona, 2019.
We are going to be hitting the road, I-10 West, on Wednesday, traveling from Cottondale, FL to Gold Canyon, AZ, in our new-to-us 1995 Itasca Suncruiser diesel pusher.
We are completely moved out of the old RV, the 1989 Holiday Rambler Imperial, and the HR was towed off to its new home yesterday.
So for the next couple of days, we will be sorting through the stuff on the porch that came out of the HR, cleaning and stowing what we want to keep, and throwing a LOT of it out.
We are supposed to have gorgeous weather all week long...SWEET!
Kev
I started early sorting things on the porch, and got rid of 5 trash bags full of stuff we won't need or want, and cleaned them, handing them off to Patti to put in their proper places.
When it was warm enough for Patti to take over the outside sorting/cleaning process, I ran down to Walmart and got the cables I would need to install the 24" flatscreen TV in the bedroom (coax, HDMI, etc). While she kept sorting, I installed the TV mount and got every thing set up...and none of the cable wires are working. I ended up, late in the day, running the cable for the Dish satellite receiver out the window and to the Dish tailgater on the roof of the RV, just like we used to do on the Holiday Rambler. I WILL sort out the cable issues though. I don't want wires out of windows, etc. Just not now.
We made a huge dent in the pile of stuff, although it will probably take two more days of sorting, cleaning, and throwing stuff out.
And while Patti was cooking dinner tonight, the microwave made a loud POP and died. No breakers were tripped, so the old Magic Chef microwave gave up the ghost. Poor thing...I guess it was just it's time...lol! When we get to Arizona we will replace it, hopefully with a convection oven/microwave if we can find one that is the same or similar dimensions.
Tomorrow will be more of the same...and then we will get on the road!
Kev
It took all day, but the move in is pretty much complete! Just some fine tuning to do tomorrow.
We threw a LOT of stuff away, and are giving away some more stuff, so we are running way lighter than we used to. All of our stuff is loaded, and there is still plenty of room in the under compartments...lol!
Everything that is going in the Jeep is staged at the rear of the RV and covered with a tarp.
Bright and early tomorrow, we are going to the "local" laundromat, which is about 9 miles away in Marianna, FL. While we are in Marianna, we will stop by the local DMV and drop off the license plate for the motorcycle and cancel the registration on the bike, since we sold it. We also have to pick up some sticky hooks so Patti can organize the two rear closets we decided to use for our Renfaire costumes and accessories. Patti also wants to go to Dilmore Meats, right down the road from this RV park, to stock up the freezer (they have been in business since 1971, and they have AWESOME prices on locally grown meats that they process right there!). If it is warm out and we have time after all that, I'm going to give the doggos a bath outside (using the outside shower) and shampoo the carpets in the RV with a Rug Doctor. And then we have to load the staged stuff into the Jeep, hook up the Jeep to the tow bar, set up the tow lights, etc.
More than likely, we will break these last chores up into two days, instead of trying to crush it all into one. Which means we will be leaving on Thursday instead of Wednesday.
Kev
We got everything done on the list except washing the doggos, shampooing the carpets, and loading the Jeep. We also picked up a cheap microwave at Walmart that is a perfect fit, and installed it, and a TP holder for the bathroom, since the one in the stock location is REALLY hard to reach from the throne...lol!
I also hooked up the antenna wire to the TV, and it works for over the air channels.
We decided to extend our stay until Friday, so the pups will get washed tomorrow morning, and I'll take them on a nice long walk to let them dry off. And then I'll shampoo the carpets on Thursday since we are leaving Friday morning.
Over the next two days we'll also be hanging hooks in closets to organize them a lot better, and just odds and ends to make everything easier to stow and to find when we need it.
More tomorrow!
Kev
And then on your first day of travel you will find all the things that you thought were anchored down but weren't and all the other things that you forgot to anchor down. Never fails, it ALL finds the floor as you are driving. :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao After a couple years I have it down to just one or two things that fall now. D:oH!
LOL Rick! Been there, done that many times. That is what a lot of the "fine tuning" today and tomorrow are going to be about: Making sure everything is secure for travel. At least all the doors and drawers on this RV lock firmly in the closed position.
Kev
We washed the doggos in warm water today, using the outdoor shower...what a convenience!!! And then I noticed a lot of soot on the Atwood 6 gallon hot water heater, and the side of the coach. And I noticed the flame was orange and yellow with hardly any blue.
I took off the burner tube, and it was loaded with soot...and a couple of dead stink bugs! And when I say the burner tube was loaded, it was half restricted with carbon build up. The air on the slide tube was wide open as well.
I cleaned it out completely, reinstalled it, and closed off the air tube to about 1/4 open. Then I fired up the hot water, and the flame was a consistent blue...sweet! I'll keep an eye on it for soot build up, and may have to fine tune that air adjustment, but so far so good.
I also tried to troubleshoot the furnace, which was working when we bought the coach, but won't come on now. It is a Suburban furnace. I took off the outside cover, and it is clean inside and there don't seem to be any loose connections...and the fuse is still good. So it is either a control board issue, or a problem with the wall thermostat (which also controls and works with the ducted AC). I'll mess with it when we get to Arizona and until then use the ceramic heater.
And there is a slow water leak at the Franken-toilet. I'll have to take a picture of it later and post it here so you know why I call it that...lol! It looks like someone took two toilets and some spare parts, and put this one together. Anyhow, it slowly leaks from somewhere inside (fresh water), drips down the plastic base, and drips onto the linoleum. It is just a small puddle daily, but it is there, so I'll have to fix it, and more than likely replace the Franken-toilet once we get back to work.
Tomorrow I'll be shampooing the carpets, loading up the Jeep...and early Friday morning we'll be back on the road to Arizona.
Kev
Everything is ready to go! The carpets are shampooed, the Jeep is loaded up, the cabinets are stocked, the fresh water tank is full, all fluids and pressures checked, I drained the diesel/water separator and gifted it to a huge fire ant mound, the tow lights are on the Jeep...and we are leaving in the morning!
Which also happens to be Patti's birthday. I asked her if she wanted to wait one more day so she could relax on her birthday...and nope! She wants to hit the road!
Wish us luck on our maiden voyage (if you don't count the 180 miles we drove it from Lake City, FL to the campground we are at in Cottondale, FL)! It is going to be a long one, all the way to Arizona. I really hope everything is good on this RV...LOL!
Keep us in your hopes and prayers!
Kev
BON VOYAGE : Be very careful of not purchasing Gasoline till it becomes second nature , Also remember special fuel additives for Diesel in Freezing weather ! Have an Enjoyable trip ! Frank & Louie :)ThmbUp
Good luck and keep us posted. I am betting on 20 things hitting the floor on the first day. (loose items) :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao
Drive carefully Kevin. Be safe and keep in touch :) :)ThmbUp
Safe travels Kevin, I just read through all your posts and I am glad it all worked out for you. Your new home looks pretty sweet.
Thanks everyone! I have to admit I am nervous about this long maiden voyage...but she ran great on the 180 mile trip to bring her to the campground we are in.
LOL Rick! We'll be double checking all items that can possibly hit the floor before we leave.
Thanks Frank! It will definitely be diesel at the pumps!
Thanks Joan! We'll be taking it slow and easy. Even though this rig has a LOT more horsepower than we are used to and doesn't seem to be as susceptible to being pushed by the wind and semi trucks , we'll still be keeping it at around 55mph in the slow lane.
Thanks MJ! We are very blessed and very happy with this new chapter in our lives.
Kev
We are enjoying our morning coffee (well, at least I am...Patti already showered and is doing her hair and makeup, etc), and then we'll be getting in the Jeep to say farewell to our camp host/campground owner, who has been so amazing to us this past few weeks.
And then we'll take the pups out one more time, hook up the Jeep, stow everything that needs stowing, dump the holding tanks, unhook and stow the hoses and power cable and Dish Tailgater, start the RV and let it warm up...and then we'll be hitting the road! I-10 West for a couple thousand miles!
Westward HO!!!
Kev
So far so good! We arrived safely and with no mechanical problems at the Flying J in Gulfport, Mississippi, about a 250 mile drive.
When we arrived, we filled the propane tank, the diesel tank, and while the Itasca was still warm and running in idle, I checked the transmission fluid, and it was at the perfect level. Then we parked it, took the pups out, had dinner, and then fired up the generator.
WOW what a different experience driving this Suncruiser is! The wind barely made an impact, we could barely feel the push from passing semi trucks...and instead of flooring it to make it up hills, I had to keep glancing down at the speedo to make sure I wasn't going over 60! This thing wants to boogie!
Before we leave tomorrow, I'll check the rest of the fluids, the tire pressures, and I have to do a quick project on the Jeep (which I laid out in a compartment already, easy to reach)...the 12 volt source that works with the key off for the Brake Buddy keeps blowing a 25 amp fuse...but if I plug the Brake Buddy into the other 2 12 volt receptacles, it works fine and no fuses blow. So it is the power plug, not the Brake Buddy. Which means I am going to run some new 10 gauge wires right to the battery with an inline fuse, and hook it up to a 12 volt female receptacle that is in my electrical box, and put it under the dash board (that is the easy solution...to troubleshoot or replace the one IN the dash, I would have to take half the dash apart...no thanks!).
Also, anyone know the correct procedure for draining the water/diesel separator? Is there a bleeding procedure I didn't know about? When I started the Itasca this morning, it started right up...and then stalled...and then it look a while before it would start again. It was turning over, just not getting any fuel, so air must have gotten into the system when I drained the separator. Starts and runs just fine now, but gave me a bit of a scare this morning.
Tomorrow, we drive another 295 miles to Orange, TX to stay at that Flying J, and then on Sunday, we drive about 240 miles, which will put us through Houston on a Sunday, and we'll land at the Flying J in Brookshire, TX on the other side of Houston.
Kev
I'll be setting my trip meter before we leave tomorrow, and top off the diesel when we get to the Anthony, TX Flying J. I'm really curious what kind of fuel economy we are getting, since it runs at such low RPMs and seems to be sipping fuel so far.
Kev
Hi Kev Great to hear all is going well. There should be a procedure in the operator's manual for draining the water separator Or look it up on line . You should be able to drain off water without creating a large void in the fuel supply ! Diesels use the vacuum from the injection pump to pull fuel up to the pump, I dont know why they dont also have a electric pump near the tank to prevent the long cranking ? Let us know what you find ! Frank
A lot of diesels have a primary pump but it may be after the filter. Are you sure you got the gaskets seated correctly when you changed the filter? You should not have to drain that separator more than once a month at most. If there are wires going to the separator then it might have a water in fuel light and you don't have top do anything unless that light comes on. It may also have a fuel heater in there. Most of them you just open the drain for a second or two and close it and you are done, With the engine shut off.
Thanks Rick and Frank! I didn't change the filter this time around, since there was sharpie on the side of the filter that said 7/12/18, meaning it was changed recently.
Maybe I just drained out too much fuel? I emptied the separator completely. I'll get the hang of this diesel thing in no time...lol! Next time I drain that separator and start it up, I'll give it a little bit of throttle to make sure it stays running until that air bubble is gone.
So after coffee, I'll do my checks on the RV, fix that plug on the Jeep so the Brake Buddy works...and then it is off to the Orange, TX Flying J, 295 miles away.
Kev
Don't drain the separator unless the water in fuel light comes on or at the absolute most once a month. Unless you are getting water in your fuel supply there will be no water in there.
Good to know Rick...thanks! Now...when I do change the filter, what do I do to keep that air pocket from getting in the system again?
Kev
Another trouble free leg of the journey, and we are in Orange, TX!!!
The trip was 286.6 miles, and when I topped off the diesel at the Flying J, it took 27.41 gallons. Which means we are getting 10.45 mpg!!! Woohoo! We aren't going to save a ton of money since diesel is so much more expensive than gasoline...but we'll save a little, have a TON of horsepower, and the ride from this rig is so quiet and smooth! Each leg of this journey I'm going to keep track of the MPG, and then average it out at the end.
Transmission fluid level was perfect again when we pulled in, but I do have a slow leak in the power steering. It was down about 1/3 quart when I checked it this morning. I suspect it is leaking at the pump, either from the pump itself, or one of the lines (hopefully the low pressure return line...lol!). I say that because we haven't lost a drop of transmission fluid from what the dip stick indicates, but there is some red drops of transmission fluid on the bottom of the Allison transmission. So my guess, since the power steering takes the same fluid, is that it leaked from on top in the engine compartment, and then dripped down to the bottom of the transmission pan. I can't find any indication of a leak anywhere else. I'll have to fix that when I get to Arizona and have time and money to do so.
I also picked up a cheap 400 watt inverter at the last Flying J to run the small flat screen TV and satellite receiver dish...I tested it and it can handle the power. Not sure how much battery life the two Interstate golf cart batteries will give me, but I'm guessing it will make it so we can watch TV at night without running the generator. The cost of propane is pretty high right now, and we just filled the tank. I'm not sure how efficient the Onan is, but running the TV off the inverter will no doubt save us a lot of money by not having to burn through so much propane.
And that was today's adventure folks! The Flying J in Orange's RV parking spots were full of trucks and cars (even though there were tons of open car parking spots)...so we parked among the semis in the back. I really want to start carrying a can of washable blaze orange spray paint...and every time I see a vehicle that isn't an RV (or isn't pulling a trailer, boat, etc), I want to spray paint the 2 letters "RV" on the side of the vehicle in big capital letters...lol! Think they would get the hint?
Tomorrow we have a much shorter leg of the trip, from Orange, TX to Brookshire, TX, so we can make it to the other side of Houston on a Sunday. Only 148 miles tomorrow.
Kev
When are we going to get some photos of your new rig??? Glad your trip is going well.
Hey Sasquatch. I posted a few pics on my "Trip from Hell" thread, but here are some more for this thread:
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566903975?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566912775?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566917003?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566921423?profile=original)(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566927800?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566932862?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566937762?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566942511?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566948718?profile=original)(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566636034?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566643930?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566671508?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566687544?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566695466?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566705800?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566713600?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566743814?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566754772?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566762401?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566769654?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566785734?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/566791096?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/550516509?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/550522495?profile=original)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/550529985?profile=original)
Kev
I forgot to mention yesterday that before yesterday's trip, I did indeed install another 12 volt plug in the Jeep, and the Brake Buddy is operational.
Kev
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on January 12, 2019, 06:41 PM
Good to know Rick...thanks! Now...when I do change the filter, what do I do to keep that air pocket from getting in the system again?
Kev
Kind of tough to say without seeing the setup. If there is an aux pump in the tank then the filter is pressurized and all you need to do is open the bleed screw which is usually on top and turn on the key and it will bleed out the air. If there is no auxiliary pump then the best way is to see if there is a lift pump on the engine and crack the lane after the lift pump and start it and bleed out the air at that point. Otherwise, if no pumps can be found then the only way is to bleed at the injectors and this is not something I suggest for someone without diesel experience, the pressure at the injectors is around 1500 lbs./sq inch. It will easily penetrate your skin and instantly cause gangrene! They are designed to run the air through by way of the bypass fuel on the injectors so if it stalls then just start it back up again. It sometimes helps to hold it at high rpm for a minute or so till the air runs through and this way the engine will probably stumble but stay running as the air works through. This is all normal operation so nothing to worry about. One thing to watch out for is extended cranking, you see people do it all the time on You Tube. What you don't see is the price they pay for a new starter! If it gets air bound and it does not start right back up be sure the gaskets went back on right and then crank it 10-15 seconds and let it sit for 30 seconds. This is good insurance that your starter will live a long and happy life.I would say that you should change the fuel filter when you get to Arizona and if there is not a lot of dead algae in the filter (You DID put biocide in the fuel didn't you?) then you will not have to change the filter again for another year. Oil change is is going to be a major sticker shock for you! This should be an 8.3 Cummins and most likely takes at least 15 quarts of oil minimum. Be sure to get quality name brand diesel rated oil, I use Rotella 15W-40. They will all be 15W-40 for what you are doing but be sure to get a brand name and not the cheapo stuff. You can easily go 5,000 miles plus on an oil change on a diesel. This is where it pays to get a oil analysis done by Blackstone. You contact them and they send you the kit and you send them a sample of your oil when you change it the first time. Then they let you know if there are any problems you should know about with the engine and they also keep the results on file so when do your next change they compare the results and at that point they can recommend an oil change interval. When you are using 5 gallons of oil at a time the analysis is well worth it. And these engines are not cheap to repair so proactive is the key.
Today is a short trip, from Orange, TX to Brookshire, TX, just 148 miles. The goal is to get to the other side of Houston and put some distance from that city on a Sunday...because driving through Houston is scary! Even on a Sunday the traffic is insane...I can't imagine driving though Houston on a week day, especially during rush hour.
The inverter worked quite well running the little 24" flat screen TV in the bedroom last night, so that is a plus. We did take our big pure sine inverter and the Morningstar solar charge controller and breakers out of the Holiday Rambler, but I won't be hooking them up until we are back to work in Arizona...and then I have to decide on what kind of solar panels I want, and how many watts we'll need. I'm even going to do some research into those flexible solar panels that you can glue down to the roof and even walk on...not sure how much they cost per watt, how efficient they are, or how long lived they are. More than likely I'll just get a folding setup of traditional panels that can be stored in the under compartments if I can find a relatively lightweight setup that puts out around 250 watts or so. I'm also going to have to do some more battery research. The battery compartment (under the entry steps) will only hold the starting battery, and 2 golf cart batteries. So I'm going to do some research to find out which batteries currently being made, in golf cart dimensions, hold the most amount of amp hours.
We are making slow progress out west, back to Arizona...but we are not nearly as fatigued as we usually are after each leg of the trip. This coach handles so well and the ride is so smooth that it is night and day from our last 3 RVs.
After coffee and breakfast, I'll do my routine fluid and pressure checks (it is SO nice being able to check the brake fluid at a glance!...lol!), take the pups out again (they woke me at 6am this morning), start up the Itasca and let it warm up...and then it is off to the other side of Houston. I'll reset the trip meter before we leave and do another mileage check when we touch down in Brookshire.
Tomorrow's journey will be from the Brookshire, TX Flying J, to the San Antonio, TX Flying J...about 161 miles. And the next day is a longer pull, from San Antonio to Fort Stockton, about 313 miles...so more than likely, we'll fuel up in San Antonio, and then drive on another 50 miles or so and stay the night in a rest stop or truck stop. Then the next leg of the journey is from Fort Stockton, to Anthony, TX, 261 miles. Then from Anthony, TX to Lordsburg, NM, 143 miles...and then from Lordsburg, NM to Safford, AZ to stay in the nice RV park we usually stay at, but this time for only a week. That leg of the trip is only 75 miles. When we leave Safford to our final destination in Gold Canyon, AZ, we'll be backtracking to I-10 and taking the longer way around, instead of taking Hwy 70 and Hwy 60 in through Globe and Surprise. The downhills are scary going that way, extremely steep...and I don't think the D-Celerator exhaust brake is currently working on the Itasca (tried it going down the big bridge in Lake Charles, LA, and while the power light came on, the brake indicator light on the device did not, and it didn't seem to make an impact on the braking (I felt and heard no difference at all). So instead of the scary 121 miles through the mountains down 70/60, we'll backtrack down Route 191 back to I-10, which is 230 miles total, but SO worth it not having to deal with those steep inclines and declines. Once I fix the engine brake, I'll feel more comfortable with mountains, since this RV certainly has no problems climbing them!
Stay tuned for more adventures and more pictures!
Kev
Quote from: Rickf1985 on January 13, 2019, 08:53 AM(You DID put biocide in the fuel didn't you?)
Actually, I intentionally did not. Not yet. I was afraid that if I did, we'd be out in the middle of nowhere and a bunch of dead algae would suddenly decide to let go of the sidewalls in the fuel tank all at once, and clog up the filter, leaving us stranded...lol! I WILL do that when we are back in Arizona and back to work and have an income again. Thanks for the oil advice as well Rick! How much does Blackstone charge for their analysis? I'm really going to have to find and purchase a service manual with pictures for this engine and transmission, since the owner manuals that came with this RV are pretty basic with no real info. I wonder if they make "Haynes" or "Chiltons" style manuals for this chassis?
Kev
The live algae will clog stuff ten times faster than the dead, That is why I suggested it. It was also best to kill it before sloshing it around too much but moot point on that now. The engine brake has to be over a certain rpm to work effectively so if you are in overdrive that my be the problem. I would do a search for that model of brake on the net. Chances are pretty slim on the generic manuals for the chassis, do you have the chassis tag? If so you can contact Oshkosh and they probably have the manuals. If you don't have the chassis info you may be able to get it directly from Winnebago and then that that to Oshkosh for the manuals. The engine data plate will be on the side of the timing cover, usually on the intake side and the transmission tag should be mounted on the side of the transmission but I am not exactly sure where, it has been quite a while since I worked on one of them.
And the algae grows on the bottom under the fuel for the most part. :D ;)
Thanks Rick! I'll definitely add the biocide to the fuel when we get to AZ. The thick stack of manuals that came with the chassis are pretty exhaustive, just not a lot of pictures of the suggested procedures...pretty much just a diagram of where to grease the chassis, and where the check points are. The rest is just hundreds of pages of text. I learn best from pictures, video, and hands-on.
Kev
Well that was the easiest trip through Houston we ever had! We rolled through around 2pm Central Time, and there was hardly any traffic. We pulled into the Flying J in Brookshire, TX in what seemed like no time. We hardly used any diesel according to the fuel gauge, so we aren't even going to bother to top it off here. We'll top it off tomorrow in San Antonio, and then keep driving for another 50-100 miles on our way to Fort Stockton.
The transmission fluid was again at a perfect level when we pulled in.
I set up the Dish Tailgaiter on the roof so Patti can watch her favorite show tonight, and then took the pups out.
So we'll just relax the rest of the evening, and be back on the road tomorrow!
Kev
Kevin, Here is the info from Blackstone. I don't even remember how much the kits are since I had them send me a half dozen kits and I pay by card as I send them in which is very infrequent anymore since I am not driving much anymore. By the way, they can analyze transmission fluid the same way as motor oil so if you feel the need to see the condition of the transmission you can send in a sample of that too. The biggest problem there is getting the sample since it needs to be part of a stream of fluid from the pan. A lot of Allison's have a drain plug but some don't.
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/?session-id=2vylxxrxfhv3jf45dvn00eqh&timeout=20&bslauth&urlbase=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackstone-labs.net%2FBstone%2F%28S%282vylxxrxfhv3jf45dvn00eqh%29%29%2F (https://www.blackstone-labs.com/?session-id=2vylxxrxfhv3jf45dvn00eqh&timeout=20&bslauth&urlbase=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackstone-labs.net%2FBstone%2F%28S%282vylxxrxfhv3jf45dvn00eqh%29%29%2F)
rick Is absolutely correct, get the kit and the pump, I have 960,000 mi on my 3406e cat in my big truck. just hit 2 million mi this spring and received a free jacket, watch and hat, only got a jacket and hat at 1 millon lol i use fabco /cat pull a sample mail it in and get results on line, worth every dime!!!, I sample and change oil and all filters except air every 20,000 roughly as a rule,11 gal to change my oil... you can sample at whatever ever number you want try to be consistsnt, the lab will tell you if ther is a problem and when to change oil . I would think 10,000miwould be a good starting point , but the first sample asap to get a base number and miles on oil just a thought , Mark
to pull a sample , screw the bottle to the pump, mark the plastic tube the length of the dip stick, insert in dip stick tube and pump , us a real lab, NOT the truck stop bench top ones :)ThmbUp
Not a bad idea, Rick and 007. I checked out their website, and the standard test is 28.00, so I'll check it out.
Brrrrrrrrrrr is it cold here in Brookshire, TX! We'll be hitting the road shortly after all my checks...and then we'll fuel up in San Antonio and I'll check the MPG again. Since it is only 160 miles or so to San Antonio, we are going to keep going after filling the diesel and dumping the holding tanks, probably for an additional 50-70 miles.
So far this Itasca is running like a top! Still getting soot from the water heater, and still can't figure out why the furnace won't come on. I'll have to troubleshoot it when we get to Safford. Also, the horn and the cruise control don't work either, but I'm sure that is a simple wiring issue, at least for the horn (I could care less about cruise control, since I never use it...but might use it on this coach if I can get it working just to keep me at 60mph instead of 65-75, which is the speed the RV wants to go).
There was one other design annoyance I noticed...and came up with a solution for...on this RV. Winnebago decided to make the windows, including the side windows, very tall, which is great to see mountains when you are traveling. But when you are on a long trip due west, the sun beats down on the driver's face ALL DAY from the side window, even though Winnebago tinted the upper part of the windows. Simple solution! I took a dish towel and half a dozen clothes pins, clipped the towel sideways to the windshield curtain track to cover the upper part of the driver's side side window...and voila! It works!
Onward and forward!
Kev
We left Brookshire, TX without filling up, and drove to the Flying J in San Antonio. There we did fuel up, and the total mileage since our last fill up in Orange TX to San Antonio was 286.6 miles. And it took 28.6 gallons of diesel to fill the tank. So yep! 10mpg on this leg of the journey.
We also dumped the tanks (those crooks are charging 7.50 now, even with my RV card!), filled the freshwater, reset the trip meter, took the pups out, and kept on driving...for 70 more miles.
We are staying the night at a rest stop near Kerrville, TX, so tomorrow's trip to Fort Stockton is only around 250 miles.
It is chilly and the furnace isn't working, so I broke out the Buddy Heater and it is keeping the RV nice and warm without having to run the generator just to run a ceramic heater. We are using our adapter hose and pony tank that we use for our grill, which is way cheaper than using the little green cans of propane. Don't worry folks...we'll shut it down before we go to sleep.
More tomorrow!
Kev
Yes be safe. Each grab a dog to keep you warm and the cat usually wraps around your head. (at least mine did). Have fun with your trip and drive safe.
:)
You will be just fine. Keep on truckin'.
It is a beautiful morning here in Kerrville, TX! It is a lot warmer this morning outside than when we went to bed...it was absolutely frigid last night.
250 miles or so to Fort Stockton, TX will be today's trip. We'll fuel up at the Flying J, and then stay overnight in the Walmart parking lot (since we are running out of eggs and Coffee Mate).
There is a Camping World in Anthony Texas off of Exit 2, so I'm going to call them before we leave here today to see if they have a low profile toilet in stock...or if they can get one by the day after tomorrow. The Dometic 300s are on sale right now for around a hundred bucks...which is better than having our floors ruined by the Frankentoilet.
I'll also be taking some pictures today and posting them up this evening.
Time for coffee...then my routine road checks...then off to Fort Stockton!
Kev
I put a 311 toilet in mine and I am not real happy with it. It just seems to me that it uses a lot more water than most to get the job done. The 310 and 311 are the same except one is tall and one is short. They have an inlet valve that can be a bear to winterize if you do not fill the system with antifreeze since it is impossible to get the water out of it. I have had to replace mine every year. The valve is modular and plugs in so I guess they already knew this was a problem. The inlet is on the left side looking at the toilet from the front so keep that in mind for your hookup. My original was on the left looking from the front so I need to get creative on plumbing. Check the floor flange also, it may be different, Camping world should have an adapter if you need it. (I did)
Good to know Rick! The 300 series appears to have the water inlet on the same side (the left side if you are sitting on the thrown) as the Frankentoilet. I'm going to give them a call to see if they have it in stock. This leak is annoying and potentially damaging. It is fresh water that is leaking, so it isn't grosso...but it is the only water leak in the rig and the floors are perfect. For now we flush, fill the bowl with a little water, and depressurize the system...which won't be as easy to do once we are hooked up to city water again.
Kev
Time to play catch-up on our adventures! Now that the site is back up (and working way better than before...thank you Mark!!!), I'll catch y'all up on our trip so far. Stand by!
Kev
The drive from Kerrville, TX to Fort Stockton, TX was blessedly uneventful, and we fueled up at the Flying J, and then stayed the night in the Walmart parking lot. The total trip was 321.4 miles. It took 35.66 gallons of diesel to top off the tank, so this leg of the journey we got 9.03 mpg! Sweet! We are gaining in elevation as we go further west, with a lot of uphill travel, so 9.03MPG is pretty darn good, especially with the power we now have to climb hills!
Today's trip will take us from Fort Stockton, TX, to Anthony, TX, on the border with New Mexico...about 261 miles. So we'll be hitting the road shortly after we have our coffee.
And I know how much everyone loves pictures, so I took a bunch and will add them here!
Here is the crazy Frankentoilet I kept telling you all about. I'll be replacing it soon with a Thetford AquaMagic low profile toilet, since this cobbled together beast leaks.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778157297?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778162199?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778166752?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778170327?profile=RESIZE_710x)
More pictures coming!
Kev
Here are a couple of pictures of the D-Celerator MH-1000 exhaust brake system, which I will be troubleshooting and getting it to work before we leave Arizona.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778188655?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778192501?profile=RESIZE_710x)
And here are the brand new front tires (same brand as the back, which are three years old). 8r-19.5 Sumitomo tires, made in Japan.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778202027?profile=RESIZE_710x)
In the front of the RV, there is a massive dead space, which I was considering as a location for more batteries if we end up wanting more than two deep cycle coach batteries. I won't know if we'll need them until we replace the old Interstate golf cart batteries and see what kind of battery life we get with two brand new Trojans.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778217806?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778220242?profile=RESIZE_710x)
More pictures coming!
Kev
In the old Holiday Rambler, our German Shepherds LOVED to lay on the dashboard, and their claws destroyed it. So we had it reupholstered with a "dog proof" cover...and they destroyed that one as well. So I modified a cargo net to keep them off the dashboard in our new-to-us Itasca. It works, and is easy and quick to deploy.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778252448?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778255099?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Don't feel TOO bad for the doggos though...they now have a SOFA! Which they are allowed to get up on. Patti found a matching fleece throw to cover the sofa so that it can be washed, and the pups won't mess it up.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778268926?profile=RESIZE_710x)
The pups sure do love their new sofa!!!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778278721?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778282424?profile=RESIZE_710x)
We also installed TWO screen guards on the door...'cause we know what their paws can do to screens!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778289626?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778292410?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778295292?profile=RESIZE_710x)
This little fairy house was already here when we bought the rig...it holds spare keys.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778301682?profile=RESIZE_710x)
And we didn't forget the cat! We bought this bamboo drawer separator to put his food dishes in, since he is such a messy eater. It keeps the food from falling behind the table and onto the floor.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778310760?profile=RESIZE_710x)
More pictures coming!
Kev
The high windows in the Itasca make it great for viewing mountains while driving, but if you are driving due west for a long trip, the sun beats down on the driver's face ALL DAY. Simple solution:
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778333577?profile=RESIZE_710x)
There was enough room behind the driver's seat to put a covered trash can and a laundry hamper...to keep the house tidy. If you aren't a fulltimer, you will have no idea how important these two items are to keeping a clean and tidy house.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778345479?profile=RESIZE_710x)
When we are ready to go, the net comes off the front, everything gets stowed, and off we go.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778361796?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778364589?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778368606?profile=RESIZE_710x)
I use 2 bungee cords to secure the flat screen TV in the bedroom from road vibrations when traveling.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778384825?profile=RESIZE_710x)
The bed is all made and we are ready to roll!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778389730?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Patti's Trumpy Bear watching over us on our journey...lol!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778397043?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Paladin is ready to go!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778400956?profile=RESIZE_710x)
More pics coming!
Kev
This is how we kept the house warm in Kerrville, TX the night before last. It works! The propane generator, while it works incredibly well...in NOT efficient, and uses a LOT of propane...so using it to run a ceramic heater until I fix the furnace was not an affordable option.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778424522?profile=RESIZE_710x)
When parked, this is my computer desk setup.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778432753?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778436272?profile=RESIZE_710x)
We got this dish rack at Camping World. Perfect fit in our odd sized sink!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778447525?profile=RESIZE_710x)
I really need to troubleshoot and fix the hot water heater as well. I cleaned out the burner tube, but it needs more adjustment to the air control I think. It is still sooting up the side of the RV. Hopefully it won't be an expensive fix. (Updated: All fixed and no more soot...there was still a LOT of blockage in the burner tube, which I had to bring inside and clean in the sink with some cleaning brushes from my gun cleaning kit).
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778466253?profile=RESIZE_710x)
More pics coming!!!
Kev
This is the last bunch of pictures for now. Just outside pics of the RV with the Jeep in tow, including some close ups of the "new" Blue Ox tow bar we got at a pawn shop in Georgia.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778482813?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778484751?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778488133?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778493303?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778495519?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778499553?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778502473?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778505111?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/778507897?profile=RESIZE_710x)
And that is it for pictures for now!
Kev
Safe touchdown in Anthony, Texas! Climbing out of El Paso was a cinch...it didn't seem NEARLY as steep as I remembered it! And they finished all the construction they have been working on in El Paso for the last three years, so we sailed right through.
The total trip today was 256.2 miles, and it took 25.35 gallons of diesel to fill our tank back up. So this leg of the journey, we are back up to 10.1 MPG. Nice!
We also topped the propane tank back off and it took 20 gallons to fill it. Yikes! That propane Onan is not very efficient! We'll be running it as little as possible in the future.
And since we will be in the Safford RV Park on Friday, I just went ahead and ordered a Dometic 300 series low profile toilet on Amazon to replace the leaking Frankentoilet. Free shipping, and it should arrive on Friday, the same day that we do.
Tonight we are staying at the Anthony, TX Flying J (one of the nicest ones we stay at), and tomorrow's trip to the Flying J in Lordsburg, NM is a short one...just 143 miles.
So far the Itasca Suncruiser is performing extremely well!
Kev
It is a beautiful sunny morning here in Anthony, TX! After breakfast, we are going to hit the road again, this time a 143 mile trip to Lordsburg, NM. Which has another really nice Flying J. Time to cook breakfast, than check all the fluids and pressures...and get back on the road west!
Kev
We fueled up in Lordsburg, NM...138.3 miles...12.54 gallons of diesel to top off the tank...11.03 MPG on this leg of the journey...SWEET!!! I think I can safely say now that we average about 10 MPG in this RV.
Since it was only noon when we pulled in, we decided to drive the last 72 miles to Safford, AZ...and it is a good thing we did! They reopened the mines in Safford...and while it is great that people are back to work, the RV parks in this area are full to the max! The lady that runs the Safford RV Resort said we can come in tomorrow and stay on a site that someone else paid for until Friday, since he isn't coming in until the 29th (we'll have to also pay for the week of course), provided we are okay with leaving early if he shows up early. We agreed. We could have gone in today, but her husband has to unclog the sewer line on that site, so we can go in at noon tomorrow. In the meantime, a 55+ RV park, Lexington Pines, had an overnight site open for 15.00, so that is where we are now for the night. Looks like we'll have to start making reservations a year in advance if we want to stay next winter for a month at the Safford RV Resort!
So it looks like it is all working out for a week long stay in Safford. Whew! I really didn't want to keep driving and have to find another affordable RV park along the way. This one is perfect for a respite.
(Update: They decided to put us in a site that was reserved for a lady waiting from trailer financing (she isn't scheduled to be here until well after Friday), so there is no danger of us being asked to move or leave early...SWEET!).
Kev
Keep your fingers crossed folks! We SHOULD be able to stay at the Safford RV Park until Friday...but we won't know for sure until we pull in to the park around noon. Otherwise, we are adrift and will have to keep driving until we find another affordable park, as we can't go into the Arizona Renfaire campground until next Saturday.
Kev
Yay! They are letting us stay with full hookups until next Friday at the Safford RV Park! We once again have a beautiful view out our windows of snow capped Mount Graham. We are all hooked up and ready to relax for a week.
I did clean out the burner tube on the hot water heater...and it is fixed! No more soot, and a solid blue flame. I also removed the crazy Frankentoilet and installed the Dometic 300 series low profile toilet, so no leaks! And the height is a lot better now...even my feet were dangling on the Frankentoilet.
So that is it for now!
Kev
And that is it folks! You are all caught up. We are safely relaxing in the Safford RV Park until Friday, when we will hit the road for the last leg of the journey, to the Arizona Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon, AZ.
Sometime this week, probably today, I'm going to troubleshoot the Suburban furnace and see if I can get it working. It was working when we bought this RV, so I'm hoping it is just a loose wire.
I will of course keep making posts and taking and sharing more pictures!
Kev
Hi Kev, One of the features of a rear engine, is less noise, But you have not mentioned it at all ?? Is it really a lot quieter ? Frank
It is SO much quieter Frank! Patti and I can actually hold a conversation while I'm driving without raising our voices at all, even with the driver's side window cracked open. This RV is a pleasure to drive...a completely different animal than the last three RVs that I was used to.
Kev
So it IS an exhaust brake. They are pretty simple, on or off with a solenoid control. You do NEED to get that duct work off of the exhaust though!! That water heater exhausting right up into the refrigerator is not exactly good planning now is it? N:( One other plus with the pusher engine is all the extra room between the front seats.
I hear ya, Rick. I'll be changing the air filter before we leave the Arizona Renfaire, so I'll make sure none of the air intake ducting is touching the exhaust. There wasn't any manuals for the exhaust brake, but the company is still in business and they said they would be more than happy to walk me through the troubleshooting and repair process to get it working in top order. Winnebago squeezed a lot of stuff under the fridge, not just the water heater (which is now fixed and doesn't create any soot anymore)...under the fridge is also the power distribution center and the converter. And instead of a doghouse between the seats, there is a trapdoor in the floor, which opens up to a huge storage compartment. Patti stores her Dyson vacuum cleaner and all its accessories in there, as well as the windshield/dash net when we are traveling.
Kev
Also Rick, I read the Oshkosh and Cummins manuals again...and when changing a fuel filter, they say to fill the filter with clean diesel fuel before install to prevent the air bubbles I had when I stupidly drained the whole water separator (and consequently the filter). I'm learning...lol! Also, they only recommend draining a little bit out of the separator and only if necessary.
Kev
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on January 22, 2019, 08:37 AM
Also Rick, I read the Oshkosh and Cummins manuals again...and when changing a fuel filter, they say to fill the filter with clean diesel fuel before install to prevent the air bubbles I had when I stupidly drained the whole water separator (and consequently the filter). I'm learning...lol! Also, they only recommend draining a little bit out of the separator and only if necessary.
Kev
Yup, Diesels are a new experience but they are not all that hard to learn. You will get used to smelling like diesel oil for weeks on end. :D You will, or probably already have found out, that dogs hate the smell of diesel exhaust! What you can do for that generator is keep your eyes open for a diesel powered genset to replace it with. You can probably sell that one with no problem. The diesel sets are much better at fuel management. And they should be fairly easy to find since they have been used in diesel RV's and buses for many years
If you use GOJO you wont smell like diesel, but you'll smell like GOJO. There's a DIY recipe that you can use, the main ingredient is sugar. You can pick your fragrance, back in the day Irish Spring was a go to.
LOL! The doggos don't mind the smell of the diesel, and I kind of like it. It reminds me of the smell of Hoppes gun cleaner, which the pups are also used to. I find cleaning my firearms to be relaxing and therapeutic, although Patti has already made a new rule that I can only clean my guns outside from now on. ???
Kev
Quote from: postman on January 22, 2019, 09:21 PM
If you use GOJO you wont smell like diesel, but you'll smell like GOJO. There's a DIY recipe that you can use, the main ingredient is sugar. You can pick your fragrance, back in the day Irish Spring was a go to.
I used Irish spring for shotgun targets!!! And somewhere FAR from where I planned to be!! I am sensitive to strong fragrances and get instant severe headaches from them. I got written up at work one time because I got off an elevator when a lady got on with ungodly strong perfume. She was black and wrote a letter to the president of the college saying that I was prejudiced!! ???
[size=78%] [/size]GOJO works but like you said, it replaces one smell with another. Diesel is very pervasive. I have gotten used to it after working with it for 50 years. Doesn't mean I don't still smell it. Gear oil is a different matter. N:( N:( N:(
BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR is it cold here in Safford, AZ right now! I should have checked the weather report before going to bed last night. It is almost 8am here right now, and it is still only 24 degrees! My hose almost froze completely last night, and I had to run the water for a good five minutes before it turned from a trickle back to its normal water pressure. I've got the grey water valve open and the water in the kitchen sink set to trickle until it gets above freezing. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Kev
Hey Kev if the fuel you last purchased was not treated then it is time for Anti Jell Additive , Once jelled only a warm up will cure it Frank
Thanks Frank! It is now 12:47 Mountain Time, and it is 58 degrees. It sure can get cold in the desert at night though.
Kev
Time for some more pictures! Paladin sure does love his new sofa...AND his daddy!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862829136?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862831548?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862834276?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Dang I love being a fulltime RVer! This is us, right now, with beautiful Mount Graham behind us.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862844292?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862847512?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862850917?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Here is the new Dometic 300 series (301 to be exact) low profile toilet. All installed, and the Frankentoilet is in the dumpster.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862859988?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862862900?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862865172?profile=RESIZE_710x)
And...here is the cat door frame I put around the opening to Sampson's litter box, under the dinette. This is right after it was changed, and Sampson went in there like an idiot, playing in the clean litter and making a mess.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/862870563?profile=RESIZE_710x)
And that is it for now!
Kev
We were going to leave today and just stay at a BLM land overnight on our way to the Faire, but Patti decided that we should stay here one more night, and drive right to Faire on Saturday morning. So tomorrow we get back on the road for a short trip from Safford, AZ to Gold Canyon, AZ, where we will be for around 11 weeks.
Kev
safe trip and all, have been following along to your trip and all!!its like a small mini series :)clap ,i know the place your going ,i live in TUCSON!! well,god bless, ohh! what a nice rigg you got after all,!! " what goes around ,,comes around !! se-ya THOMAS
Thanks Thomas!
Kev
Today we leave Safford, AZ, and drive around 150 miles to Gold Canyon, AZ...thus ending this chapter. Once we are in camp and all set up, I'll start a new topic, Arizona 2019.
Kev
Drive safe you two. :)ThmbUp
same from me, you two!! :)ThmbUp THOMAS
i cant get this page to cancel, i changed my minded about a note yesterday ,,but its still here wanting a note!! so ill send this to get a clear screen this is under post replyy and has a red warning note also ?? i??
Touchdown at the Arizona Renaissance Festival! We are in camp and all hooked up, and the Jeep is unloaded. Tomorrow we are going to go to the local outdoor flea markets in Apache Junction...they usually have all kinds of cool RV stuff, used and new, for cheap. We are looking for a tote tank to extend our time between tank dumps, since the crooks out here want 65 bucks to dump your RV tanks! Highway robbery!
Kev
Now if you had a composting toilet you would not have to worry about that. :angel: :)rotflmao
Or a storm drain next to your site. :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao :)rotflmao
LOL!!! For now, we are both loving the traditional toilet and not having to deal with changing peat moss, etc...nevermind the tiny fly problem you can get if you don't use Gnatrol pesticide in the peat moss.
The holding tanks are pretty big on this RV, and they don't leak...so I'm thinking we can probably go 2 weeks on the black tank, especially since we put the toilet paper in the trash can next to the toilet instead of down in the tank. And Rick...there does happen to be a "wash" right behind our campsite...which is where we always dumped out our grey water, ninja style in the middle of the night, with our old setup. ;)
On the way here, we drove with the transmission selector in the "mode on" setting...and it made a big difference in how it shifts. A lot smoother in the lower gears, and seems to upshift earlier. The manual says it is an "economy mode" with the mode in the "on" setting. I'm not sure if it improved our fuel economy, and I'm not sure how accurate our fuel gauge is...but we haven't fueled up since Lordsburg, NM, and the trip meter says we have traveled 320 miles so far since the fill-up...and the fuel gauge is reading at just under 3/4 of a tank. When we fill up on the way out of here in April, I'll be able to get an accurate MPG, but just at a glance, I would say it is at least 12mpg on this leg of the journey, which is phenomenal!
Kev
IMO this is not enough miles to accurately measure mpg, coach may be sitting a little differently than at the previous fillup and may take a gallon or two less then at the previous fillup, or maybe it took more and you're actually getting better mileage. Need more data. Looking forward to seeing more miles .
"We fueled up in Lordsburg, NM...138.3 miles...12.54 gallons of diesel to top off the tank...11.03 MPG on this leg of the journey...SWEET!!! I think I can safely say now that we average about 10 MPG in this RV."
True enough TMS. Which is why I averaged it out at every fill-up, and it came out to a solid 10mpg. Except this leg of the trip, because we didn't fill it yet. I'm just guessing at this point, as we are on level ground, drove over 320 miles, and the fuel gauge is reading at just under 3/4 full.
Kev
I have no doubt that once you get back on the road again and start driving with it in the economy mode you will see the mileage increase. That motor home is light for that engine so it should have no problem pulling you at lower shift points.
Kev
Did your power steering fluid leak resolve itself? I apologize if I missed an answer to this in a previous post.
Hey Shawn. I don't think it is leaking...I think the reservoir was low and there was air in the system. I had to top it off twice during the first couple of legs of the trip, but after that the level stayed the same for the rest of the journey (over 1200 miles). I'll keep checking it before each trip, and I'll check the lines going to the power steering pump before we leave here (I want to pull the bed mattress and engine cover before we leave Arizona to inspect the belts and radiator hoses anyway, so I'll check it then).
Kev
SCORE!!! The Atwood hot water heater is still sooting up, and when I shut off the water heater, a tiny blue flame stays lit at the orifice on the gas control valve...which means the gas control valve is bad. And I just bought one on eBay for 8.00! It is a take-off from a unit that was freeze damaged in Washington state...but for 8 bucks, at least I'll be able to rule out that part before spending 80.00 plus on a new one. It should be here in a few days.
Kev
I was going to ask you if you solved that problem , Mine did that last time i used it ,I have not looked for why, Because i dont use the propane much anymore ,since i installed the Hot Rod 110 V heater. It does a very good job as long as you are plugged in , Which i try to always do . Or fire up the Generator ! Let me know if you finally find an answer ! Frank
Will do Frank!
Kev
And thus endeth this chapter. I will now start a new thread entitled "Arizona 2019."
Kev
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on January 09, 2019, 04:47 PM
I also tried to troubleshoot the furnace, which was working when we bought the coach, but won't come on now. It is a Suburban furnace. I took off the outside cover, and it is clean inside and there don't seem to be any loose connections...and the fuse is still good. So it is either a control board issue, or a problem with the wall thermostat (which also controls and works with the ducted AC). I'll mess with it when we get to Arizona and until then use the ceramic heater.
Kev, regarding furnace trouble, whenever something on my rig goes wacky, the usual culprit is a high-resistance connection. A year ago my furnace was acting up. I got so tired of that, I removed and polished ALL the connectors and wiped them with anti-corrosion gel before putting them back together. Since then, my furnace has been 100% reliable. A failed part or board is the last thing you should suspect.
Fuses are a good place to look, too. A fuse may look OK, but sometimes you can get a voltage reading across the fuse holder, which shouldn't be. Pulling the fuse and putting it back should be the cure.
It doesn't take much corrosion to drop a few volts, which can be trouble when you're only starting with 12!
~gopher
:)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp :) :) Thats a realy nice RIG you have there!! just scrolled thru all the photo on this board!! always nice to see people get blessed like that!! THOMAS
Thanks Thomas!
Update on the hot water heater: No more soot with the new gas control valve. I also just replaced the propane regulator at the tank when I installed the Extend-A-Stay valve.
Kev
Hi Kevin, been a few years since I had to ask for help and you were able to help me once before. I'm asking you because I can't seem to find anyone any longer who has an old Holiday Rambler Imperial like you did and I still do. I believe my fuel pump is no longer pumping, as I pulled the line off before the filter, though I here it running, there is no gas coming out. Hoping you can confirm with me that the pump is in the tank, before I cut a hole in the floor or drop the tank to replace. I'm praying you see this post as I see it's been a while since you've been on here. Thanks in advance, I hope you and your new rig are doing well.
Here is the last blog Kevin has been posting on, you should be able to catch him there or PM him.
http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?topic=15283.25 (http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php?topic=15283.25)
Quote from: KaraokeGreg on March 22, 2020, 08:27 PM
Hi Kevin, been a few years since I had to ask for help and you were able to help me once before. I'm asking you because I can't seem to find anyone any longer who has an old Holiday Rambler Imperial like you did and I still do. I believe my fuel pump is no longer pumping, as I pulled the line off before the filter, though I here it running, there is no gas coming out. Hoping you can confirm with me that the pump is in the tank, before I cut a hole in the floor or drop the tank to replace. I'm praying you see this post as I see it's been a while since you've been on here. Thanks in advance, I hope you and your new rig are doing well.
Ours was an '89 Imperial, and if you crawl under the rear tag axle on the passenger side, you could sit up and access the top of the fuel tank without cutting any holes in the floor.
We had a LOT of problems with that fuel pump that is in the tank. Once, the pump slipped out of its bracket and was just floating in the tank, not able to pick up fuel. Another time, the short rubber hose that is inside the tank and connects to the pump broke in half from rot. Another time, it was the wiring, and I ended up bringing new wires all the way from the relay in the doghouse, to the top of tank where the wires come out. And finally, the relay itself died, and the replacement was impossible to find....so I rewired it for a standard 4 pin 30amp relay.
If you can hear the pump running, it isn't the wiring or the relay...it is either the pump or the short hose that connects to it.
Also, make sure you replace the fuel filter...if yours is like ours was, in the back of the front passenger side storage compartment is a panel held on with screws. The fuel filter is behind it. It is a big one, using 1/2 inlets and outlets. If you still have the original Quadrajet carburetor, there is also a tiny little fuel filter inside the carb, where the fuel line attaches.
Kev
And there should be a fuel pressure regulator somewhere back there.