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RE: Michelin vs Toyo tires
I've never had a problem with Michelins on a car or pick up, and this latest issue with the RV 22.5" tires seems to be relatively new. But there is no doubt, they are doing something, or putting something into the tire that is causing serious problems. I'm convinced some of the new RV manufacturers still put Michelins on their RVs because of their reputation....which is now heading south rapidly.
Michelin's issues aren't all recent.
Back when we had our '03 we had a tire blow, while it was parked in our garage. The MH was only a few months old and I am diligent on air pressures.
The sidewall blew and the steel cords had some rust on them. As usual, Michelin refused to accept any blame. No problem, I want the tire back. Why they asked. When I said I wanted to get all the codes off the tire so I could file a complaint with NTHSA they changed their tune and decided maybe they could help us.
I watched that tire and Michelin ended up changing the specs on it 3 times in one year.
I will freely admit I am not a Michelin fan. Between all of the cars, trucks, and motorhomes we've bought we've had a lot of Michelin tires. I can honestly say in my lifetime we've had one set that I was happy with - coincidentally it was the set that came on our current MH, and they were great.
My last (3) Super Dutys all came with Michelin's, a 60,000 mile rated tire. The best set made it 33,000 miles before it would not longer pass NYS inspection, the worst set made it a whole 28,000 miles.
For my money, Michelin is never even on the list of tires I'd consider. I've just been stung too many times.
Interesting. I've been running Michelins on all my SUVs for over 20 years, during which time I've also tried Goodyear, Bridgestones, and Cooper. The Michelins always road the best, especially after about 15,000 to 20,000 miles. The others would begin to ride hard, whereas the Michelin's ride did not degrade. (averaged about 40k miles per year). That said, I NEVER got the mileage ratings out of the Michelins. I was always about 20% short, and that was with mostly highway driving. The last 3 sets Michelin has given me a 10-15% discount (pro-rated) due to not reaching the mileage rating.
On the RV I tried the Toyo M-154 and have been very pleased. I've noticed no difference in the ride or handling compared to the Michelins, but saved about $125 per tire.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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01/10/23 03:36am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Onan marquis 7000 shutting off after like 15 min/overheat
Not getting a code. Maybe it's not overheating you're right. I guess it could be a fuel pump or the exhaust leak. Exhaust leak sounds right honestly as it's hotter than heck and the hot air seems to be blowing as much out of unit as it does out the exhaust and works when cold weather
Do you have a light on the start switch that's on the Genny? That is where you would read the code. The manuals have numerous codes in the back for troubleshooting. It also tells you how to read your code. Mine was a 36, which means the engine shut off with no communications electrically, IOW it had to be a fuel issue. I've learned that the fuel pumps for these gas Onans are good for about 750 hours, then the diaphram gets weak and will not keep the pressure up once it gets hot. It is true for the 4,000, 5,500, and 7,000 gas units. Many You-Tube videos on this issue.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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08/30/22 10:55am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Onan marquis 7000 shutting off after like 15 min/overheat
How do you know it's overheating? What is the engine code? My 5500 would stop after 15-30 minutes, and it was the fuel pump. How many hours do you have on the Genny?
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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08/29/22 07:17pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Onan Running Problems
I tried that and bought an aftermarket pump for my 5500. It would not fit. Bolt holes would not line up, and there was no way to mod it to make it work. Bought the Onan and fit like it was supposed to.....buyer beware.....
Al
The important specs on a fuel pump are pressure and flow. Bolt holes can be drilled, 3 ft of gas line will probably let you relocate the pump anywhere in the generator compartment, maybe a short extension for the power wire.
It's not really a buyer beware situation, just a little innovation to save quite a bit of money.
Well, like I said in my post, there was no way to mod it to make it work. As an Engineer with over 41 years in the field, it would have been a serious jury-rig to make it work. It is VERY tight in my rig at the jenny. There was not enough metal on the mounting tabs to redrill. So I still think it's a buyer beware situation, as you have to really know your rig. That said, I kept the pump, because, if necessary, I could certainly do a temporary install if necessary to get me home (or wherever).
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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07/23/22 09:48am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Towing 5K # with a gasser
Anyone towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee (Trailhawk) with a gasser? My Jeep weighs almost 5k and was wondering how a Gas Class A would tow. Would be towing to the Denver area from Florida and up to Breckenridge Area numerous times. Son has just moved there. Thanks for any info.
I'm towing a GMC Acadia which weighs almost 4800 lbs. My MH is a National SeaBreezeLX with a Ford V10. BlueOx tow bar. No issues, the MH pulls it just fine.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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07/22/22 07:01pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Onan Running Problems
If indeed the fuel pump pull it and look for a part number,Google the part number fuel pump,do not list Onan,most likely it will be a pump for a riding lawnmower costing $25 or so not the $300 for the Onan part.
I tried that and bought an aftermarket pump for my 5500. It would not fit. Bolt holes would not line up, and there was no way to mod it to make it work. Bought the Onan and fit like it was supposed to.....buyer beware.....
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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07/10/22 01:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Gas 11 years ago from a Forum memeber
People believe what they want to believe and there are plenty of media on either side of the aisle to feed constituents' hungry agendas. Facts are slippery things and often it's hard to even tell what the facts are when biased news outlets literally tell absolute lies on a daily basis.
But Oil is a commodity traded just like orange juice. It's subject to supply, demand and speculation. During covid, oil companies were actually losing money. There was no demand because no one went anywhere - for a long time. Post covid demand went from nothing to everything in a shorter span than oil companies could react to ramp up production. Neverminded the hesitancy to over produce if demand suddenly dropped off again which would result in another negative return. And then Russia - one of the largest oil producing nations in the world - attacked Ukraine. That's a big of an impact on speculation and a scramble for reactivity as one can imagine. The entire world is in a state of runaway inflation and oil is expensive literally everywhere on the planet. Many countries are paying much more than the US at the pump. Sure there's politics at play, but nothing on the order of a global pandemic and one of the number one suppliers at war and under extreme sanctions. Believe what you want, but no one person is responsible for gas prices. But everyone likes to blame someone and it's usually a person they already don't like.
Thank you! I was going to post something similar, but you beat me to it. Thanks for being the voice of reason.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/29/22 11:09am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Gas 11 years ago from a Forum memeber
Amazing how some people have to go political when politics has nothing to do with the price of fuel today.
You have got to be kidding. Politics ALWAYS influences fuel and inflation. I have lived thru 1973/1978/1991/2007/8 and now this debacle. Doug
Not true. I've lived through those same years. Oil is a commodity, and it traded on the world market. Supply, demand, and projections drive the price, NOT local/national politics. Capitalism at it's finest.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/29/22 03:01am |
Around the Campfire
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Volvo Class A??
Today I was returning from North Carolina (in my car) and saw what I thought was a Prevost. As I got closer I saw it was a 45' passenger bus with a tag, and it said - Volvo 9700. Wow, I had not seen one badged that way before. I know Volvo owns Prevost (at least I think I know) but does anyone have any insight into what I saw? Is Volvo rebadging Prevosts?
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/27/22 12:43pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Severely damaged windshield … is yourMH totaled ?
If you are in Florida then: but this does not help you find one. Get the number off the lower left corner and they will help you find who made it and the numbers that you will need.
in Florida, all drivers who have Comprehensive Coverage are not responsible to pay any deductible in order to pay for services to repair damages to their vehicle's windshield.Nov 18, 2021
Yep, we had the driver's side (National SeaBreezeLX) replaced early last year and it cost us nothing.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/27/22 11:39am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Anyone interested in 83 Pace Arrow Tear down and Rebuild?
^^^ Ecoboost with the 10 speed auto is the real deal.
This one was the 6 cyl 3.5L engine. There are newer versions of this van with a rating of 27 on the highway with a 2.5L 4 cyl engine.
@ $4.50 to $5.00 a gallon or more, mileage makes a significant difference on long trips.
We bought 268 gallons of gas on this trip. The moho would have been 687 gal figured at 8 mpg.
That's why this spring we altered our plans and did not go out west. Instead, we did a SE US "loop", and saved 3,000 miles. My MH got 7.2mpg this trip, so we saved close to $2,000. Still had fun and saw a lot.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/16/22 02:56am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Anyone interested in 83 Pace Arrow Tear down and Rebuild?
Glad you had a safe trip and are back fully relaxed and ready to go to work. I managed to fix my cruise control today, I really need to get off my keester and cut the grass, It still hasn't been fully cut since I got back from my trip. I still hate cutting grass as it aggravates my allergies. I also am not sure it is worth over $5.00 per gallon to cut. Takes my mower about 5 gallons to cut the place so $25.00 plus to mow.
We did have a great time and the entire 3 week trip including van rental, gas, food and misc, cost us about $2,500, which is about $1,000 less than what gas would have cost for the motor home figured at 8 mpg.
In this situation, I am glad we rented a van.
Glad to be back. Hope everyone is doing well! I missed you all. :)
So inquiring minds want to know - what did you rent? What type of fuel and what was your MPG?
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/14/22 10:24am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Wiper Arm for Coachman 2006/2007 Mirada
Probably Denso wiper arms. My 2006 National F53 is. Google them.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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06/13/22 06:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: TIRES?
I use the Toyo M-154 tires and really have been happy.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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05/01/22 07:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Rear end problem 2021 F53 chasis
Update: Here is my answer to the Customer Experience Specialist, who was my point of contact from Ford:I do have my motor home back. I don't see how I can be satisfied with it after having the differential giving out after only 7,000 miles and waiting 4 months to get it repaired. We have very little choice as to chassis that are available for motor homes, but I feel that F-53 is one of the worst possible choices. We have to spend money on a new vehicle to enhance the handling just to get it to be safe to drive down the road. To not be able to get an integral part for over 90 days is incredible. Ford was continuing to build new chassis while my vehicle sat in a dealer's lot waiting for a part. You were very good at staying in contact with me, but I don't feel that Ford really cared about my situation. I feel that Ford should extend my drive train warranty for 6 months because I was unable to use my vehicle for such a long time and I have very little confidence in the quality of the vehicle.
Steve
This is exactly why I wish another company would come around and build a new chassis. Would love to see Ram build a chassis with the 6.4 and Cummins option, along with an air suspension option.
This would be good for Ford so they can get their act together and produce a better product!
Absolutely, that would be awesome. My MH is now handling quite well, but I had to spend a bunch of $$ to get it there.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/30/22 05:16pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tire size
As rgatijnet1 says, there could be a slight difference in speedometer reading. I changed my tires from Michelin to Toyos, and now at 60mph on the speedo, I'm actually going 58mph (radar and also a friend driving beside me). Not a big deal.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/15/22 02:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Do not count on that. Most gasser Motor homes come with a hitch rated for 5K but the actual tow rating is equal to a math equation.
(max combined gross vehicle weight)-(Gross Vehicle Weight)
Example. My Class a had a Max CGVW of 26,000 and a scale weight of 22,000 so it could tow 4,000.. One Chevy Lumina APV (1992) originally (Towed like it was not even there) and later a 2001 Dodge neon (2001) which cost me MPG.
The lumina was 4,000 curb weight, the Neon 2500
Two reasons the Lumina towed easier
1: no tranny drag (Axle lock) v/s tranny drag (Lube Pump)
2: Wind "Spoiling" was better with the lumina
Oh well. RV totaled (Actually that was a good thign) now drive a JEEP (Man does that sucker SIP gasoline. up to 40 MPG at 55 mph (less if I hammer down)
Just to be clear, a Class III hitch by itself is rated at 6,000 lbs trailer/car weight, with a max of 600 lbs tongue weight, not 5,000 lbs. The manufacturer rates the towing max based on their attachment of the hitch to the MH, and as you say, 5,000 lbs seems to be the magic number. But also as you show, the true amount one can tow comes down to math. My MH is the 22k/26k F53 chassis, and fully loaded with tanks full (not black or grey) and my wife and I sitting the the front seats I weight 19,880 lbs. So, in theory, I should be able to tow the max of the Class III hitch (26,000 - 19,880 = 6,120 lbs). BUT - my MH is only rated to tow 5,000 lbs. My toad weighs 4,600 lbs with a full tank of fuel, so I'm under the 5,000 lbs MH max, so I'm good.
Personally, I think it's important to get ones MH and Toad properly weighed so you really know where you stand, but I am amazed how many RV'ers I speak with that have no idea what they truly have. Spoke with a guy who had a Mobile Suites FW a while back. He was towing with a Ford F-250 and was talking about how unstable it was. I asked him his weights and he had no idea, he was just told by someone at Ford when he bought the truck that it would work. Wrong answer. I recall speaking with a rep for Mobile Suites a few years back at an FMCA rally, and he told me they recommend all their FW be pulled with a 350 or 3500 dually.
My wife told me about a post on FB where someone was towing a trailered car, and then a boat behind that. (I believe that is illegal in most states but am not totally sure). They got in some crosswinds and flipped their rig. Thankfully they were not seriously injured, but really?!? Am not surprised.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/14/22 04:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al lawyers and bean counters most definitely have a say in stuff like this!
You can believe that if you'd like, but having worked with Attorneys in the liability and insurance fields for over 15 years, I can assure you the ratings for hitches, tow bars, and so on are established by engineers.
Al
And then derated by lawyers! Having worked with manuf I know the real ratings on axle and wheel assemblies. They are far higher than what the bean counters and lawyers last say is!
Then we will just have to agree to disagree. They might have been tested to higher numbers to achieve the necessary safety factor, but de-rated from the design? No, not according to my mechanical engineer who spent years working for Dana.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/13/22 04:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al lawyers and bean counters most definitely have a say in stuff like this!
You can believe that if you'd like, but having worked with Attorneys in the liability and insurance fields for over 15 years, I can assure you the ratings for hitches, tow bars, and so on are established by engineers.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/13/22 04:29am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Tow vehicle
Is your Ranger automatic? If so are you doing the driveshaft disc. or the pump. How are you going to handle braking? Guessing you should be okay on weight even w/the Harley.I've always heard those limits are from the lawyers anyway and you can fudge on them some. Doubt I'd be in TH without a dinghy but I'll definitely use it when towing, it knocks mileage down a bit but is a transmission saver. I don't plan to cruise at over 58 anyway.
Those numbers are from the engineers, not lawyers (I'm an engineer). While there are safety factors it doesn't mean you should ignore them. The lawyers will sue you if you do.
Al
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FloridaRosebud
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04/12/22 07:51pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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