My last post - Alpine Coach burned

[bcbowers]

AMEN EM! And Old Scout ... interestingly our coach had AGM batteries when we bought it (private party) which caught fire driving it home. I doubt the AGM batteries are the "cause" but probably installation quality and methodology. The dealer that fixed our fire damage found 1 - cable laying on the hold-down bracket with a 1" long bare spot. We assume that it was the "cause" but will never really know. FWIW - We now have wet cells and I think they're just fine.

Excuse me for sounding a little philosophical but we remain VERY nervous about any unusual noises or other strange occurrences because of the battery fire (popping sound) and ALWAYS check the batteries & cables. If you remain "nervous" when traveling then you're probably being as cautious as possible. And even if you've never experienced what Dale & I have been through ... TRUST ME ... you should follow the suggestions provided in this thread religiously!!! An ounce of prevention ....

[Big Bear Local]

Originally Posted by Dale777

Albins are similar, but its a Ranger Tug R27. See this link:

R-27 | Rangertugs

See this link for the tugnuts forum:


http://www.tugnuts.com/index.php

Nice looking boat. Just an RV without wheels. Enjoy your new life style.

Mark

[swansnest]

Dale & Karin - We were shocked to read your post. We had not heard about the fire and your misfortune!!! Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We plan on not traveling as much this year but doing more of the SoCal Rallies close to home and still do FMCA in Indiana this summer.

We have enjoyed knowing you guys and the lively exchanges. If you get tired of boating, we will welcome you back to RVing with the ACA - remember prior members with sobs still qualify to be ALPINERS!

Best of everything to you -

[Jim & Ingrid McIntosh]

Dale & Karin,

So glad you are both OK and on to new water adventures. Be safe and enjoy.

Ingrid & Jim

[Paul "Sully" Sullivan]

Dale & Karin,

All of ACA shares my joy at your safety and our loss of your wit, wisdom and always helpful answers..

Karin had invited us to stop in for a cruise when we get to Florida next year, hope the invitation still holds

[Dale777]

Originally Posted by Paul "Sully" Sullivan

Dale & Karin,

All of ACA shares my joy at your safety and our loss of your wit, wisdom and always helpful answers..

Karin had invited us to stop in for a cruise when we get to Florida next year, hope the invitation still holds

Paul,

Certainly, the invitation still holds for the cruise in Florida! The invitation is also open to other Alpine Coach owners that we have met over the years.

We are having a great time cruising up and down the southwest coast of Florida from Ft. Myers Beach. That is the only thing that lets me momentarily forget that I no longer have an Alpine Coach. Otherwise, I get really, really upset.

[M&J]

Dale, sorry to hear about the loss of your coach. I hope you enjoy the boating life and want to thank you again for your info on the brake controller installation you gave me a year ago.

Good luck and happy boating!

[Janet&Sid]

Dale:
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your coach, but are very glad to hear neither of you were hurt. I will miss your humor and your advice. If you ar ever up near Destin Fl stop in and say hi we have a deep water dock on th ICW.
Good luck with the tug, now all the water leaks will come from the bottom instead of the top.

[Dale777]

Originally Posted by Janet&Sid

Dale:
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your coach, but are very glad to hear neither of you were hurt. I will miss your humor and your advice. If you ar ever up near Destin Fl stop in and say hi we have a deep water dock on th ICW.
Good luck with the tug, now all the water leaks will come from the bottom instead of the top.

Janet & Sid,

Who knows? We could end up cruising around Destin. We bought the boat at Wefings Marine in Eastpoint, FL - just down the coast from Destin. We are likely to be in that area again. If so, we will look you up. Do you have a boat?

[Janet&Sid]

Dale, no boat, just the land yacht. Hope to see you if you are in the area.

[GPATTERSON]

Dale, my name is Gary Patterson, and I am the lucky one who gets to make the repairs to your former coach, lol. I have started a new thread on the repair of this coach. Any information such as wiring diagrams or contacts on who might can assist with this repair would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have any photos of the coach especially of the battery compartment area would be very usefull. My email is gpatterson319@gmail.com

Here is the link to me thread: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/2006...ir-130658.html

thanks,
Gary

[Big Foot II]

Barrery hold down plates made of 3/8" ABS and plastic hose covered hold down rods made me feel safer.