06 Damon w/F-53 Chassis Shakdown Report

[Redapple]

Hi All,
We took her out this weekend. Went about 65 miles north. Drives fine, but really needs an alignment. Steering wheel is about 3 degrees off to the left, tracks straight though, so it may just be a slight toe alignment. Steering does seem a little loose , maybe a stablizer will help, and it does have what I would call excessive body roll. Other than that it drove well. Power seemed fine until I hit a slight hill. It didn't like any inclines at all. I can deal with that though. Fuel mileage seems ok. The dealership filled it for us, but I don't know if they reset the trip meter, so I am assuming that we did a total of about 165 miles since driving it home, and we show 3/4 of a tank now, so thats about 8.8 mpg. I wasn't driving fast, between 45 and 60 most of the way (PCH is not inducive to fast speeds). All systems worked without a problem. Levelers worked great. I noticed some of the basement doors are misssing either a gas strut or a rod to hold them open (didn't notice on the PDI), and some wood was left in the heater ductwork (I removed myself). The plumbing system was fine, no leaks, pump made the standard noise (I need to install an accumlulator tank). Hot water was plentiful, and the slides worked fine. Fridge keeps things cold and frozen. I need to install an inverter and wire it up for my tv's, one outlet per room, and maybe the micro. I need to see how much that will cost. As it stands right now, I need to run the Genny to do anything that isn't 12v. Genny runs good. Ran it for about 30 mins over the 2 days we were there to top off the batts. In all a sucessful trip. We are happy with our Daybreak. It goes in on June 3 for it's first oil change, and to fix some of the other things noted. Next big trip is Twin Lakes, CA in Aug. 800 miles round trip though the Sierra's.

Bill

[Redapple]

Hi All,
We took her out this weekend. Went about 65 miles north. Drives fine, but really needs an alignment. Steering wheel is about 3 degrees off to the left, tracks straight though, so it may just be a slight toe alignment. Steering does seem a little loose , maybe a stablizer will help, and it does have what I would call excessive body roll. Other than that it drove well. Power seemed fine until I hit a slight hill. It didn't like any inclines at all. I can deal with that though. Fuel mileage seems ok. The dealership filled it for us, but I don't know if they reset the trip meter, so I am assuming that we did a total of about 165 miles since driving it home, and we show 3/4 of a tank now, so thats about 8.8 mpg. I wasn't driving fast, between 45 and 60 most of the way (PCH is not inducive to fast speeds). All systems worked without a problem. Levelers worked great. I noticed some of the basement doors are misssing either a gas strut or a rod to hold them open (didn't notice on the PDI), and some wood was left in the heater ductwork (I removed myself). The plumbing system was fine, no leaks, pump made the standard noise (I need to install an accumlulator tank). Hot water was plentiful, and the slides worked fine. Fridge keeps things cold and frozen. I need to install an inverter and wire it up for my tv's, one outlet per room, and maybe the micro. I need to see how much that will cost. As it stands right now, I need to run the Genny to do anything that isn't 12v. Genny runs good. Ran it for about 30 mins over the 2 days we were there to top off the batts. In all a sucessful trip. We are happy with our Daybreak. It goes in on June 3 for it's first oil change, and to fix some of the other things noted. Next big trip is Twin Lakes, CA in Aug. 800 miles round trip though the Sierra's.

Bill

[ISLAPP]

Thanks for the report, Bill.
Have you weighed the rig since you loaded it up? Some of your driving issues may be tire pressure related. Try and weigh all four corners and not just front and rear.
You have the new V10 and 5spd tranny? I would have thought slight inclines wouldnt be a problem for it.
Mike

[Frankie]

I am surprised you had probs on the inclines also.I can maintain 55 - 65 mph without much effort. I had some of the steering issues also,weighed it and adjusted psi in tires front and back and the differance in ride is night and day.

["007"]

Welcome to irv2 Bill and thanks for your follow up on your new coach many happy and safe miles.

[Redapple]

Thanks for the replies.

Mike, No I have not weighed it yet, and I do agree that tire pressure can infuence they way it handles, and I will check the pressures. Don't know when I will be able to wiegh it, but I will try to estimate for the pressures until I can get a bonified weight.

I guess I should clarifiy my statement about the power though the inclines. I could have pushed it to go faster as I was not maxed out, but I chose not to push it (It would have had to downshift into second as I was in third @ aprox 3000RPM). I am sure I could have got the rig to 55 or 60, but I just assume take it easy. I was not in a hurry, and my wife was already hiding in the bathroom (No I'm not kidding she was scared) so I chose not to push. When I go to Twin Lakes later this summer which is in the California Sierras @ 8500 feet, I will let you guys know how she does, and the RV too. LOL

Bill

[ISLAPP]

Hiding in the bathroom, huh?
Don't worry, she will get used to it.
Mike

[Redapple]

Well, I have taken "The Beast" on a short overnighter to Dockwiler Beach. Just down the street from me. It is literaly on the end of the LAX runway(Lots of Jets taking off & Landing). I just wanted to get it out on another systems shakedown before I go on my 400 mile trip later this summer. Everything seems to be okay. No systems issues at all. I do have some questions though. When I open or close my large slidout, it seems to jump a little, not much, just enough for me to say hmmm. When it closes, the top is completely sealed, but the bottom has a small gap, the gasket/seal is not fully compressed. Is this normal? I think I am talking about maybe 1/16". Seems to perate fine otherwise. Checked out the slide machanicals and all seems okay. We had some heavy rain here on Sunday, and I saw no evidence of leaks in the roof, windows, or either slide. I also noticed that there is no spare. Is this normal? Would be nice to have a spare. I will be asking some of these questions when I take it in on June 3 for its first oil change and service (Has just under 3k now), and to fix some small problems we noticed on the PDI like a small hole in the dash material. Oh, and by the way, the wife rode in the front seat this time, and has promised to actually drive it when we go to Twin Lakes.

Bill