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09-21-2014, 04:37 PM
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#1
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Allure; First Long Trip Report
We just returned home from our first extended post-retirement trip in the new-to-us Allure. I retired on May 1, we left home on June 6 and traveled for 106 days. We traveled from our home in Virginia thru the Midwest, into the West and on to Oregon. Total miles traveled was 7,952, 1,012 gallons of fuel purchased, and 1,158 gallons consumed (from the Silverleaf trip gizmo). We averaged 7.4 mpg over all terrain. Best mpg was 9.4 on dead level ground with no wind heading east on I80 thru NE.
The trip was expensive (in terms of getting stuff done to the coach.... some necessary, some optional) but not so bad if we factor out those exceptional items. I kept track of costs for fuel, meals, groceries/provisions, entertainment, and RV park fees. We 'boondocked' some, spending 10 nights free at Country Coach in Junction City, 4 nights in Walmart, one night at Cabelas, and 7 nights at a family member's home. Otherwise, we used commercial RV parks, some very nice, some only so-so. Not including the repairs and other stuff we bought for the coach, our cost per day was about $115. I thought that was good for a first time on such a long trip.
Overall, the Allure performed very well. In spite of some steep and long grades in the West in pretty hot weather, coolant temp never exceeded 197F. All the comfort features performed flawlessly. Late in the trip, we did have some concerns with the generator. It mysteriously quit running three times during our overnight stays off power. Foolishly, I never checked the error codes displayed by the light on the switch before restarting the generator so I have some detective work to do. The Silverleaf display for the generator shows 3-3-2 but that code is not to be found in my manual. It would seem to stutter or miss, then quit. I was always able to restart it manually and it would run fine for many hours.
The coach drove like a dream and the ride is outstanding. We had no real rattles until after some work done at CC and I think I have found the culprit (a piece of wood trim on the galley slide) and I will fix that.
I do have an oil leak on the ISL. I believe it is mostly coming from the timing chain cover area and maybe also the oil pan gasket. I have an appointment at my local Cummins Coach Care shop next week to address that issue.
We stopped at RV Fog Doctor in Searcy, AR to get four fogged windows fixed. One of the repaired windows fogged a bit two weeks later so we stopped again on the way home and they re-did that window, with apologies for the inconvenience. Actually, they offered to pay RV Glass Solutions in Coburg, OR to fix the window but they were too busy to get to us while we were there.
We stopped in Altoona, IA at Summit RV Stainless to get a little 'bling' added to the coach. While there, DW broke a tooth requiring some dental work (root canal) extending our stay there for a few days.
While in Junction City getting a few things done at CC, DW visited Countryside RV Interiors so that cost us new recliners and a new sofa  .
Overall, it was a wonderful trip and we really enjoy the coach. No regrets buying it for sure. DW wants to sell the stick house and do this full time but I like to catch fish (striped bass) from the lake where we live so I have lobbied for half time traveling for now. We really are blessed with the best of both worlds.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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09-21-2014, 05:57 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,451
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smlranger - Good to read your report. I meet you at the CC campground this summer. We have the burgundy and cream colored Affinity, and a tan and black Airedale dog.
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B Bob
Currently Coachless
2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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09-21-2014, 11:44 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Over the next hill, around the next curve...
Posts: 5,703
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So cool to hear how well this went for you - sounds like a great way to start retirement... Glad your CC visit went well in setting up your coach for years of enjoyment.
Salute!!!
Smitty
__________________
Pausing 4 Family Opportunities - We'll be back!
04 Country Coach Allure followed by 07 Magna
OnDRoad for The JRNY! Enjoy life...
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09-22-2014, 12:17 AM
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#4
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Between the Oceans
Posts: 8,097
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always enjoy reading first hand writing on trip experience. glad to know all things went your way... go rving and enjoy life!!
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Steven & Polly
2000 Country Coach Intrigue 40' ISC 350
2018 Ford Explorer 4WD
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09-24-2014, 10:01 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 81
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Sounds like a great maiden voyage!
Cheers
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Dale & Suzi C.
2005 Country Coach Inspire - 2004 Jeep Rubicon Towed
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09-28-2014, 01:46 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Country Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2
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Congrats on your long haul!
sounds like a great trip!
My wife and I live on the Central CA coast, and we are looking to go back to Appalachia and the east coast in the next few years -- so we will be doing kind of a reverse of what you just did.....
Love hearing about your experiences!
- Harry
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09-30-2014, 08:10 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Fulltime/ SE Minnesota
Posts: 3,138
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Gary, any chance we could get a picture of the Summit Stainless, as we have been thinking of going to see them.
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08 Foretravel Nimbus 40 ft tag axle / 1000 watts of solar
2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi 4x4
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09-30-2014, 09:06 PM
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#8
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Quote:
Originally Posted by becks
Gary, any chance we could get a picture of the Summit Stainless, as we have been thinking of going to see them.
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Sure thing. I will take a few pics tomorrow and post them.
If you are handy and like DIY, you can order the kit and install it yourself. It is not hard to do, just takes time to make sure the pieces are aligned. I did the initial install myself but Summit shipped me four dented pieces (couldn't tell until after they were installed, adhesive cured, protective top coating removed). Getting them off after the adhesive cures is really hard so I let the folks at Summit do it.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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09-30-2014, 10:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,718
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Sounds like you had a good trip.
On a long trip, such as yous, we average about $100 a day for everything so you are in the ballpark.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
The train is off the tracks.
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10-01-2014, 09:06 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Pics as promised
Quote:
Originally Posted by becks
Gary, any chance we could get a picture of the Summit Stainless, as we have been thinking of going to see them.
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We got the 6" Premier armor which wraps under the bottom of the door. We also got the step kit.
While at Summit in Altoona, I had them make some trim for the bottom of the radiator grill. I installed it myself later on the trip.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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10-01-2014, 09:40 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: San antonio, TX
Posts: 624
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Looks very nice, Gary! Coach has nice color, too!
__________________
USAF Retired
2000 Prevost Marathon H3-45
Towing 2019 RAM 1500
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10-01-2014, 11:19 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,718
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In the picture of the rear of the coach, is that a black power cord?
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
The train is off the tracks.
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10-01-2014, 01:09 PM
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#13
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland
In the picture of the rear of the coach, is that a black power cord?
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Yes.
__________________
2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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10-01-2014, 01:28 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Over the next hill, around the next curve...
Posts: 5,703
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smlranger
Yes.
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Come on Gary - don't cut corners now. I'm sure a chrome option is available to wrap that power cord!!
Like the addition, dresses it up quite nicely. Reminds me of some of the 2000's era Beaver Patriots.
Good looking combo on your rig!
Smitty
__________________
Pausing 4 Family Opportunities - We'll be back!
04 Country Coach Allure followed by 07 Magna
OnDRoad for The JRNY! Enjoy life...
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