Any other National Dolphin owners here?

[Wolfpack Fan]

Hi folks,

We recently got our new to us 2005 National Dolphin 5320. It's got the very strong 8.1 Vortec V8 with Allison tranny and around 17k miles. It's in excellent condition and so far we absolutely love it. It's been a lot of fun getting it all equipped and dialed in for camping this summer. Expensive, but fun. We've done several evenings in it in the side yard, preparing some meals trying, out the electronic upgrades I've done and just having a nice time. We've done an overnight in San Francisco by AT&T park, with no hook ups and another overnight at a nearby RV park with full hooks. Both were fun and uneventful.

My question to all is, does anyone on the forum own a National Dolphin, Seabreeze or any of the other National brand gas class A's. If you do or have, what's been your experience with the brand.

Thanks very and cheers to all

[Rom]

Hello, and welcome to IRV2! As you can see in my signature block, I own a 2007 Dolphin LX 6355 on a W-24 chassis. And having put in 18,000 miles on it since we bought, just like you in your 2005 Dolphin, DW and I absolutely LOVED it. National RV built some very good coaches, it's just too bad that poor management brought it down.

If you scroll down some, you'll find a National RV forum. And there's also another one at NationalRV@yahoogroups.com. Both are excellent sounding boards for any problems/recommendations/suggestions that you might have for your Dolphin. I've learned quite a lot from the members here and also from that group in Yahoo.

[GaryKD]

Hi Wolfpack Fan,
The best National Forum is right here on iRV2. Go to National RV Owner's Forum - iRV2 Forums and you'll find quite a few National owners.

[kennersonf]

We've had very good luck with our motorhome. I've never had any major problems with any of the appliances, air conditioners, slides, heater, refrigerator. The only problem I had was with the drive shaft as I just replaced a carrier bearing, but that was a chassis issue. Keep a screw driver handy so you can periodically retighten screws thoughout the coach. I'm sure you're going to love your Dolphin.

[sgtjoe]

Hi Wolfpack Fan, come on over to the Owners Forum and check out the National Group, there's a bunch of us over there that love our Nationals.

[Wolfpack Fan]

Thanks for the friendly replies folks. When I first posted this I didn't realize there was an entire section devoted to owners of Nationals.

[two2go]

Welcome, and join in the upcoming ownership fun where you may likely...
-Replace your old CRT TV sets
-Have your brake calipers replaced
-Get your refrigerator recalled, checked, or worry about it
-Have slide-out mechanism problems
-Replace the carpet with hard surface flooring
-Throw money at batteries and complicated electrical systems
-Wonder if that little solar panel on the roof works (probably not)
-Start looking for replacements for 6 tires that still have most of their tread left but are getting too old by the calendar
-Try to read your odometer on a display that becomes more unreadable all the time
-Have the power jack alarm scream at you because the fluid level dropped 1/32 inch
-Put some enhancement on the engine that promises to increase power-mileage-torque-esteem
...if you haven't already experienced that.
Yes, we have checked off all of the above (except replace carpet). Yes, we ardently love our '05 Dolphin and haven't seen the rig at any price that we would trade for.

[njs42]

03 Dolphin LX---carpet, odometer,slide outs, batteries electrical,roof solar,jack alarm, engine transmission,tires---all fine.

Did replace TV's added one below, brake caliper and refridgerator recall done---easy deal.

We love our second home which sits by the bay, the ocean, the golf course, the stream, the mountains, the desert, the forest---with equal ease.

Welcome and enjoy.

[rogueii]

I love my 04 Seabreeze LX

[Bill WA6YBD]

I love our 2005 5342 Dolphin. This is our 2nd Dolphin, 1st was a 1995 531. Had the first one for 13 years. Then ran into a deal I could not pass up. I am a fan of National products. A lot of motor home for the money. Enjoy your new toy and two2go is correct you will put some money into your motor home but as long as you are enjoying the ride.... it's well worth every penny.

[Russ & Dana]

We love our Dolphin 5373. Quality rig all the way around.

[jlyon69]

Purchased a 1999 Dolphin 5530 back in March while in Florida. We traded in our old Class C and never looked back. We spent a month in it in Florida and drove home (Michigan). We couldn't be more pleased with it. Just joined iRV2 Forums and looking forward to sharing information.

[kb7our]

Bought our first MH new which is a 2005 5320 as well. Darn it if I forgot whether the 50 amp on/off switch in the driver's side rear basement storage means on for 50 amp and off for 30 amp - I figure on is 50 AMP service.

Don't forget the basement doors that come apart where the lifts are attached! I plated, riveted, and then grey herculined all the passenger side doors but still need to get to the driver's side.

Just did the caliper recall at Redlands TS. Fridge recall a few years ago was just the added safety switch and a shield I think. New set of tires, just added dual exhaust brace because the donuts leaked since the exhaust is so long it rattled a bit - brace is a nice setup. Koni shocks, front and read sway bars, safe-t-steer, Ultrapower, hotter plugs and better wires, and a few other tweaks. Contemplating Sumosprings to top off a pretty nicely tuned suspension. Oh yea, Brazels intake. Also just had the rear hitch welded pins removed and replaced with bolt on hardware - hitch always had some up/down movement since new and no way to tighten it. Tow a 4 door Jeep JK. We love the coach!!!!

[Jeepster47]

kb7our,
The 50 amp/30 amp switch box, in the rear drivers side bay, is for the A/C heat pump. Switch "up" for 50 amp, when plugged into 50 amp shore power or generator. Switch "down" for 30 amp shore power. 50 amp runs both AC compressors while 30 amp only runs the primary compressor.

Ed