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adlerx · 02-11-2011, 04:32 PM

Well, the great adventure was great but not much of an adventure. My new to me 1999 LaPalma performed perfectly on the 1400 mile trip home to Oregon from Arizona.
I couldn't be happier about the coach or the deal I made on it. I bought it sight unseen then found some pretty bad stuff re the seller. Had an independant inspection.
Virtually all of the small issues uncovered in the inspection were corrected before I arrived. I was treated very well by the folks at Superstition Springs RV in Apache Jct, AZ.
I had allottted myself 3-4 days to make the trip in case I ran into problems along the way but was pleasantly surprised first at the condition of the coach and then at the way it performed on the trip home. Made it home in a day and a half.
The only real problem was that the speedo stopped registering the correct speed somewhere in SoCal. 1370 miles, averaged 7.3mpg for the trip and I was running fast(65-75) as I realized near the end of the trip when I passed some roadside radars. Several speedo checks confirmed the odometer is spot on.
I pushed it pretty hard all the way and except for the terrible SoCal roads shaking a couple of screws loose(and the speedo), not a single problem of any sort
It's really about 150 miles through southern California and those have to be the absolute worst roads anywhere. Once clear of there, it was smooth sailing all the way through Cali and Oregon.
I have a lot to learn about this baby and will have many questions starting with the very basics.
I love this thing and can't wait to get it setup the way I want and get to the using it part!
Thanks for all the input here.

Dixieray53 · 02-11-2011, 05:51 PM

Congrats...Pictures Please....

Mike Canter · 02-11-2011, 08:35 PM

Glad everything worked out for you. I agree that I-5 in So Cal is really bad. The repairs on the road are worse that the original potholes and the expansion joints on overpasses are really bad. So did you drive that pass on I-5 going by Mt Shasta up and over into Oregon. I believe it is a 6% grade for six miles. If you did then how was it on the climb and coming back down?

adlerx · 02-11-2011, 11:06 PM

Yeah Mike, the socal freeways are just as bad as I have seen.
Yes, I came up through Shasta. The pass you're talking about is Mt Ashland. It wasn't really bad at all, I could pass all the trucks with ease and really only got bogged down once when some guy trapped me behind a truck and I lost my momentum. I was still able to accelerate after that though. I was pleasntly surprised at the power. Remember, I was not loaded or towing so we shall see.
I thought the transmission performed spot on in all those situations except a couple of times when I felt it held a bit long taking me all the way up past 4500r's and when I let off to get it to shift, I lost so much between shifts it wasn't worth it. I will learn it's quirks.
I gotta tell you, I have made that drive hundreds of times in both directions and there is nothing much prettier than going through Shasta in the dusk or dawn hours. This morning I came through right around sunrise and looking out that giant window of my new class A at the beautiful scenery really set the hook in me.
I can't wait to get out in this thing! Couple of things I need to do to get it comfy for me but I don't ever want to use the excuse again that "I am just not comfortable in a hotel room" whan my wife and I consider a getaway. I'm really not and never rest well and am never able to enjoy those "getaways" that much. This is a whole new world and I can't wait!

justimagination · 02-12-2011, 12:09 AM

...Adlerx, I must admit I was skeptible at first about your decisions, but I gotta hand it to you, what a wonderful story. I know you are so proud as we all have had that moment. It's wonderful that everything worked out for you and a safe trip home. As before mentioned, please post some photo's for us to see. Travel safe,
David G.

AZgl1500 · 02-12-2011, 01:02 AM

Really glad that having the 3rd part inspector go through it for you paid off in dividends.

Sounds like you are now going to be a very happy camper.

Mike Canter · 02-12-2011, 08:21 AM

Well the Mt Ashland pass was a real test to your MH. I guess you don't have a transmission or an over heating problem. With my fully loaded 48K lb MH pulling the toad was interesting going up and down the pass. Going up was the first major climb in my MH. At first I didn't downshift enough so the radiator temp climbed until I got a warning light so I downshifted once more and it cooled right down. The biggest problems for both trucks and MHs is the impatient cars that get in your way as what happened to you. Once you loose the momentum it is hard getting it back in that steep of a climb. Cars cannot stand to be behind you and just wait for 15 seconds. I stopped at a truck place in Grants Pass and had a long talk with a truck driver who went over that pass all the time and he told me how to do it. I guess I was afraid the first time to damage the motor because my boost guage was pegged at 32 lbs. My max RPM is 2100 and he told me to put it at 1800 (80-90% of max for horsepower) and keep downshifting so the speed was where I wanted it and the rpm at 1800 and not to worry about the boost because it is all software controlled. Coming back (which is worse) I downshiffted so I ended up in fourth gear at 1800 rpm which was right at 48-50 mph and was perfect for me. The MH just kept on pulling because I was using all 515 HP at that rpm. As everyone else has said I think you got a real good deal on your MH and I wish you a lot of luck with it.

JMonroe · 02-12-2011, 08:28 AM

Seeing is believing.

**JohnRR** · 02-12-2011, 08:30 AM

It's good to hear your first trip went so good for you.

RUNDLC · 02-12-2011, 09:42 AM

Congrats on the find and the great trip home. You will have fun "making" it your own, I have done it once and am in the process for the second time. It is a lot of work, but very rewarding too.