Both Joe and then the other guy (forget his name off top of my head right now) that is Joe's partner. I actually picked up my T/C at the IN shop location, not OH, as they did several upgrades on mine so it was at the shop in IN.

Both Joe and the partner guy have regular used car lots, and the Racing RVs is a third business they work together. I think Joe is more of the marketing/sales guy and the partner is the repairs/upgrade guy; although they both do whatever is needed. Both were nice to work with, most of my interaction was by telephone or email.

If you have a minute, please tell me about the upgrades they performed for you. We wanted to do a few upgrades (most importantly, installing a washer/dryer) as well, and they welcomed the opportunity to do them, but were reluctant because we had not seen any examples of their work.

thanks for the pm

looks nice!

nice low hours on the gen.
check the dates on those tires, determine when/if they'll need to be replaced.

bonus on the outdoor cooler, but you'll want to upgrade that tube/tv outside (i still haven't upgraded ours).

if you figure out what all those (3) option switched on the dash are for, let me know....ive STILL got one i have no idea of what it does.

Thanks! I spent four evenings reading (and highlighting) the 141 page operator's manual. I still haven't figured those switches out yet. I will re-read the manual tomorrow on the plane.

The tires are represented as one year old, they look new, but I confess I neglected to check the date of manufacture. Where would it be located on a Michelin?

The DW is having me remove the outdoor entertainment center to convert that area to more storage. I hope to save the insert, so I may upgrade the electronics and reinstall it if we decide to sell or trade later.

***just learned that the NRVIA inspector makes a tire inspection and the tire specifics part of the report. He is inspecting the unit now.

The outdoor cooler/freezer was on my double secret wish list (the list that takes a back seat to the wife's list). I'm hoping that will come home from Alaska full of halibut and salmon:)

Thanks for the tips!

We love our 64qt EdgeStar cooler....itll hold 120+ cans....or a few less if i have to pack something special for the DW.
We don't make great use of the outdoor TV - but we do use it for local new/weather etc when camping.

Storage wise:

I installed some a shelf in our FRONT bin - we keep chairs, an extend-n-climb ladder, outdoor mat and lots of other crap
our REAR most bin hold a tool box, too many 12x12 3/4 inch plywood jack pads, our grill, wash brush, collapsible trash can, hoses and extension cords

overflow storage goes into our center bin (where the cooler is)...usually a case of water, brake buddy and plenty of room for more.

if we got rid of the TUBE TV and installed a flat screen that folds we'd have even more storage.

do you find the jack pads are often necessary?

What is the best roadside assistance to purchase?

I have Coach-Net, and they were willing to tow mine when I lost a U-joint and carrier bearing. But I found a local mobile repair guy and so ended up not needing Coach-Net for tow.

Thanks! I signed up with Coach-Net.

Don, could that be the limp home switch, i found mine in the book.

Sam

I use a brake buddy too,i really like it. Bought it used an only took a couple of hours to hook up.
Sam


[
QUOTE=bushpilot;44592]We love our 64qt EdgeStar cooler....itll hold 120+ cans....or a few less if i have to pack something special for the
We don't make great use of the outdoor TV - but we do use it for local new/weather etc when camping.

Storage wise:

I installed some a shelf in our FRONT bin - we keep chairs, an extend-n-climb ladder, outdoor mat and lots of other crap
our REAR most bin hold a tool box, too many 12x12 3/4 inch plywood jack pads, our grill, wash brush, collapsible trash can, hoses and extension cords

overflow storage goes into our center bin (where the cooler is)...usually a case of water, brake buddy and plenty of room for more.

if we got rid of the TUBE TV and installed a flat screen that folds we'd have even more storage.[/QUOTE]

We brought the new (to us) motorhome home yesterday. Wow! what a way to travel!

It was a big transition for us to go from an SUV/Travel trailer combination to a truck conversion, but it was the first time I've ever sat behind the wheel wishing I was farther from home! The wife and children in the back enjoying the scenery, and me up front watching the rig just chew up road like it was starving to death…sorry, I'm geeking out a bit on the whole big rig thing.

Anyhow, it is sitting in the driveway waiting for the next adventure, while I figure out all the doggone switches and fix a few things. Thanks to all for your help.

Good for you, hope you have many miles and trips enjoying your new T/C. It does make it easy to put some miles down when the driving is easy vs the trailer moving the tow vehicle around.

i use them more often than not for a couple of reasons:

1) to prevent full or long extensions of the levelers themselves, not because full extension is an issue but because retraction & extension can be quicker if i use support under them

2) for extra reach, in some frequented locations (in-laws curb) i would not be able to "get level" with out several extra inches at 2 of the four levelers (think crowned street)

3) out of kindness to the asphalt or concrete pavement....in the summer, with out the boards (aka jack pads) i could easily dent if not punch holes in warm asphalt. It also prevents cracking or "scratching" concrete, especially when lowering the coach off the levelers.

additionally while in storage, i use boards for a COMBINATION of things: to prevent full extension (quicker get aways) and to provide extra height, i like to get the tires off the concrete floor (to prevent flat spotting).

i have a (labeled - SHDN OVRD) shutdown override switch, so i know its not that.

good for you! good for all of you! I tell people if we didn't like to drive we wouldn't own a coach, and most coach owners (don't seem openly admit they like driving).

I just took a friend to a race at Circuit of The Americas (CoTA)...he's a travel trailer (airstream) guy....he says I've converted him now....he's seen the light....the ability to actually USE the "camper" while moving...use the bathroom, sleep not he bed or couch, have lunch, etc...all while being underway.

i HIGHLY recommend a couple of short trips to every owner (and you already know this as a former camper)....everyone needs a shake down run or two just to figure out the things they'll need for longer trips....we stayed at a couple of state parks (15 & 30 miles) just to figure things out...and now we stay at these parks just to get away from the house (and some neighbors).

Copy that on the plywood! I'll get a sheet diced up soon. thanks!

Absolutely, on the shake down trips. We have one planned for tomorrow and another for Friday. We have a state park only 35 minutes away, but it is so quiet and secluded it seems much farther.

We have been covered up with rain ever since we got home from delivery. Can't wait for the sun to come out so we can open all the basement doors and figure out our storage arrangements.

speaking of figuring out the storage....our bins had a SINGLE incandescent bulb stick in ONE corner (for lighting of the entire bin)....it provided light only for a couple of inches at most within the immediate proximity of that POS bulb.

I pulled the bulbs and used the wiring/switch (so it can be returned to stock if necessary) and ran LED STRIPS (one on top & one on the under side of the shelf/board) so i could illuminate the ENTIRE bin.

heres a couple of (my worst) pictures of the bins / shelves, jack boards & LED strip lighting -

The center (vertical) support isn't necessary...and it can be removed (its just a simple hand/press fit in place)...it provides some additional support for the top shelf, to keep it form sagging, if i put too much crap on it.

https://www.truckconversion.net/attac...19206d6a3d.jpg

this NEXT shot (below) is the rear most bin...our gas grill goes in the open space....fwiw i plumbed a gas line to the rear of the coach/bin w/ a QD connector and ball/shut off valve (no more gas bottles or tanks).

this bin only needed one LED strip, since the shelf is not as deep as the (above) front storage bin.

https://www.truckconversion.net/attac...e668e53dd7.jpg

you may also notice in the last picture that i have some "poles" (threaded broom handles) attached to the bottom of the shelf....these are (adjustable/extend-able) handles for a wash brush & a squeegee. I use the squeegee to "dry the coach" (after washing) & then drape a towel over the squeegee / pole to get any small (remaining) water off the windows etc.

Those storage shelves and lights are just what we need. Just like you, I am very careful not to alter it in a way that cannot be returned to stock. One of the appeals of this unit is that it is bone stock with absolutely no alterations that my inspector or I could find.

A squeegee and chamois mop are going to be std equipment. Water spots are "da devil" especially on the stainless!

Thanks for the photos!!

you might want to look into wash wax all they have a waterless cleaning/wax system that works pretty well (I've just started using it & am pleased).....i DONT know who well it works on stainless (does fine for wiping down our polished aluminum wheels).

the BLUE stuff (in the kit) is GREAT on the windows/windshield....I clean the windshield and windows w/ windex, paper towels etc and then use the wash wax all (blue spray wax) to finish and remove any streaks....make getting the bugs off later much easier too.

I will look into that, thanks.

https://i.imgur.com/wIlmCTkl.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/wW3x2Xel.jpg

Finally figured out how to post pics

Lovely! The coach too ;)

how large are those fuel tanks?

might want some taller CB antennas....4 footers should get you close to or above the roof line.

https://www.truckconversion.net/attac...7c491f86cf.jpg

Thanks! My "13 going on 21" oldest daughter.

Tanks are 100gal each. Glad you brought up the radio. I haven't even turned it on yet. Do you use yours frequently? What are its uses, appropriate channels, etc.

I leave my cb on most of the time and have it set to channel 19. I keep the squelch up so I only hear close others. I also have a switch on mine that turns it over to a p.a. When some dummy starts blabbering crapola I hit that switch so I don't hear it. I wait a few miles and then switch it back. Much easier than turning the volume up or down.

Truck looks great!

Truck looks nice, and your daughter seems quite happy looking forward to those upcoming trips!

I primarily use the CB to check when traffic gets backed up to get the scoop on what is going on. I normally do not have it on, preferring the radio or just talking with my wife. Not that your daughter has not heard it before, but you can get some colorful discussion on ch 19 trucker's channel. Mostly cuss words.

duplicate please ignore or delete

I figured something like that....loved the smile on your daughters face....she looks excited to be traveling. good luck in the coming years with her - love my daughter too, but man those teen years are tough :roll eyes:

man id love those tanks (ours our 65g each).

re CB....i turn ours on but usually theres not much "traffic" on it - until theres an accident or back up. I'll use it to let the trucks know they're cleared or passed us and that its safe to change lanes back in front of us.

traditionally channel 19 is for "traffic" and channel 9 is for rescue/help (but i don't think many people monitor channel 9 anymore).

I've used it to find out if a truck wash was open or what fuel lanes i needed to be in at truck stops. I've also used it to keep me "awake" (so to speak) if its late or if I'm getting bored....finding a trucker that you can "run with" late at night and have a conversation with will keep you going.

Yep, my sons are 16 and 15. Daughters 13 and 12, so I guess the only good news is that I will deal with it all at once!

The tanks really let you cover some ground. I am trying to resist the urge to have them and the wheels professionally mirror polished. I think I can hold out until I find indoor storage...

It sure is nice to buddy up with someone on the road. Being able to converse with them would be a bonus.

I've been saved big time twice with the cb. Once we were headed west on I94 out of Minneapolis. Trucker comes on the radio and says there's a big jamb w/b. He said where to get off to miss it and what road to take to get around it. Road looked clear to me. But the wife told me I better take his advice and do the workaround. Well, when I got up the ramp and crossed over I could see the parking lot ahead on I94. Followed the side road like he said. It was not even hardly any extra miles to where we got back on I94 just past the jamb up. Coolest thing ever. Sure paid for itself that time. Another time I was w/b on I94 in Michigan. Trucker advised w/b there was a block due to accident. He told me the exit to get off to job down to I90 in Indiana to continue my w/b journey. Just as I was coming over the hill to get off I could see the parking lot. Took the exit, made the bypass smooth like he said, and I bet it wasn't more than about 5 miles longer distance anyhow. But we saved LOTS of time there, and the MN one too! That's why I like to leave it on.

i highly recommend WAZE on your smart phone for REALTIME traffic reporting and re-routing. NO GPS will re-route real-time (even if it has the FM Traffic receiver)....i know i have one of those too.

WAZE is a "crowd sourced" program, taking real-time info (speed/gps tracking and user supplied info) to update their maps REAL-TIME.....if traffic is heavy, WAZE will change the route colors & if there is an accident (and a different alternative route) WAZE will re-route you.

WAZE users also can report police activity (radar etc) and any hazards on the road or shoulder.

best of all...WAZE IS FREE

I use waze a lot, but hard to up date driving sometimes, but it works great

Sam

I will give WAZE a look.

Tuesday night Wazed (active/real-time routing) saved us from having to sit in a 40 minute back up on I-10 around Baton Rouge...

about 15 minute i got a pop up alert that there was a 39 minute delay ahead and then a minute later another pop up that waze found a new route for us, saving us 30 minutes....it re-routed us around the accident

CB radio conversation that their was an accident...and a couple of truckers (one local guy) confirmed my alternate route & exit.

NO GPS can do what WAZE did....not even a unit with the built in FM Traffic receiver....i know because we have one & it didn't re-route us at all !

WAZE uses data from other users (posting their speed, or lack there of & their reports of slow downs / stand stills & accidents) and it uses that data (real time) to alert other users and reroute where necessary & possible!

WAZE also allows users to report hazards on the road or shoulder & BEST Of all users can report where police activity is (on either side of the road)....so you increase your chances of knowing where radar etc may be.

can WAZE be configured to be sure it doesn't re-route you onto roads difficult for a truck to navigate or where trucks are prohibited?

I know it isn't the same, but we used a garmin dezl for a couple of trips in a rented c-class and it saved us twice from low bridges.

*I went ahead and installed it, don't see any settings for vehicle size. Am I missing them?

I use waze and my gps, so far in my travels i have not need a reroute but i use it for everything else.
Sam