Is there a group of Astoria Owners?

[Britcanuck]

Quick update to replacing anti syphon valve. I removed the original which was a B & B Moldings model 571. Couldn't buy one at RV shops and on the net some stores had them and other said it was discontinued and recommended a brass replacement Swann UV 101. I emailed B & B and asked if they sold them direct. After a few days of no reply I ordered the Swann brass model. Got an email today from B & B saying they were sending a free replacement. I think I will try the replacement B & B plastic unit and if it quits again will replace with the brass one. On other RV manufacturers (Forest River, Heartland)forums there is quite a bit dissatifaction with the B & B unit

[Jim Estes]

Originally Posted by Raytaylor25

I recently had an Air Force One braking system installed and to facilitate the installation of a component I had to jack the rig to the highest point. Since doing that I now have a noise which is very annoying, it is a sound similar to a loose exhaust the problem is I am parked! The noise happens when we walk to the rear of the coach but it also happens when we are sitting outside and no one is in the coach (maybe ghosts!) very weird. Anyone have comments?

Ours creeks and cracks occasionally but not from walking around in it. Are you up on jacks when this happens? If you are try re-leveling again...

[Baldtbird.06]

Looking for advise on how we can improve Propane Gauge with a REAL METER. Not the darn colored lights that show nothing.
Im checking locally for the following Gauge to Install that others seem to be using on Class C and Class A. Any thought would be appreciated.
Hopefully the link is included for sample of the gauge we are considering.

[Raytaylor25]

Let me know how you get on I have been thinking the same thing. Hate those darn lights!

[Baldtbird.06]

Possible Propane Dial Install...any ideas appreciated
baldtbird06

G12846 Rochester Info..pdf

G12846PROPANE GAUGE Install Instructions.pdf

If anyone thinks this is a solution to the stupid colored Propane Lights please reply.

[Alltooledup]

Cant get the quote to work. but you state you can only get 110 from your air compressor. On my 3795 Astoria there is a quick connect attached to the manifold block that is shown in the online freightliner chassis info. I bought the coach used so the quick connect may have been added on. The connector is inside the front generator compartment on the left side of the firewall. My coach air system runs at 135 and I don't have to drag a bunch of hose out of the garage to fill tires I treated my jeep and nissan truck to some good filtered Astoria air when I set my coach tire pressures.

[Alltooledup]

Reguarding intelletec charger converter and wizard. My Astoria 06 has this mounted behind the top panel located in the passenger side water storage area. On mine I can see that it has the wizard module plugged into it. A bonus of the Intellepower with wizard that I have not seen mentioned before page 21 is that it automatically runs a desulphation cycle on all your batteries. It believe that it charges coach and starting batteries.
So my assumption is that a coach left plugged into shore power all the time will have healthier batteries. Not sure if the disconnect switch at the navigators station disconnects the intellepower from a shore powered coach. I am using a 50 to 30 adapter plugged into a 15 amp 120 circuit and have no problems with the intellepower but did trip a breaker when trying to run 2 1500 watt heaters inside the coach.

[Alltooledup]

So there is a NTHSC recall on my 2006 Astoria. I bought this coach used and thought if odd that the front tires had been replaced but not the back. The New fronts were 235-85 and the dealer replaced the rear with 235-85. So I was happy untill I read the recall Damon no. 05-115 this if for Astoria Pacifica models. What would be different in a regular Astoria? The addition of the inverter and if it had additional batteries. My regular Astoria has only 2 GC batteries besides the 2 engine batteries.

I had posted earlier about my actual weight measurments at a Cat Scale. I was close to the maximum weight for a 235-80=22.5 on the Michelien chart.

Thor said that that would be a chassis recall and freightliner would have it. Freightliner said they don't have a recall for my Coach. It is not a Pacifaca model but it seems I am bumping up against the 235-80 weight limit of the front. So there are 2 questions would a larger tire fit in the wheel wells and is it really needed or am I just obsessing?

[Britcanuck]

Further update on anti syphon device for others who can't get their black tank sprayer to work. I got free replacement from B & B Moldings and installed it. I got co-pilot to check for leaks when I turned water on. Flusher worked fine but device was vibrating and emitting screeching sound. I don;t know if the original one did that as it was never observed during use. I wrote maker for comments. I suspect it make be low water pressure as I have a 40 psi reducer attached. I am considering a variable pressure reducer for other reasons.

[Alltooledup]

Originally Posted by Baldtbird.06

#1 WE have two ( 2 ) different sized tires on our Damon 2006 Astoria 36'
All Four Small 235/80R/22.5 on Rear.
But Larger 255/80R/22/5 Steering Tires on Front.
Is this considered original or installed by a previous owner who has changed an original tire configuration by Damon ?

#2 ALSO What Price are others finding for the Michelin 235/80R/22/5 ?


baldtbird.06

Well there was a tire recall for my recently purchased 10-15 2006 Astoria 3595 The NHTSC said it was Damon's, Damon says they have nothing, Freighliner says they have nothing. The issue was inadequate tires or wheels on the front by what the NHTSC said. You should weigh your coach fully loaded and then compare to the Michelien online pressure weight specs to see if the 235"s are heavy enough for the front service. My unloaded weights are showing the tires being within spec. My weighing experience was my first and talking by squawk box to a busy clerk (on a Sunday) was trying. The clerk was good She was a certified weighmaster and I got a legal document as to the weight and TA will go to court with you. (Cat Scale TA) but i had a hard time getting my coach on the 3 section scale. Ended up getting a total weigh from scale 3 the truck load (largest platform) Then pulled up to the drive wheel scale (scale 2) for the front tires. my # with no water or clothes but full diesel and no occupants were 13860#rear 8600#front total 22480. Looking at the Michelien book and halving the front weight to 4300 the M Spec is 95psi As we were not in the coach and we will add some more weight and :-) we might need to go to the max at 110psi which gives 4675 for a single tire. So we are still studying the issue.

Our coach had bad (cracked rears but kind of new fronts) the dealer added in new rears 235x80XRV's which he said were $2000 for the 4. I am interested which model you have as you have the larger front tires and they were not rubbing. Our wheel wells look very tight to the 235X80X22.5 XRV Michelien's.

[Moscow]

I have been looking at a 2007 Damon Astoria 3774 (Pacific model). Any comments as to whether this is a good rig to consider. thanks,

[SteveOGilroy]

I have a 2008 Astoria which is now over six years old. Routine chassis maintenance is key. If you do it your self and have the right tools it is fairly inexpensive. Freightliner is good. The house part of ours has held up well, but we have been "remodeling" it to meet our needs. We have looked st other manufactures and for the price have decided updating is cheaper than buying new. Have a freightliner or good mechanic look it over, get a long test drive with curves and hills, run all systems in all modes.

We are happy with our Astoria.

Steve

[Alltooledup]

Originally Posted by Moscow

I have been looking at a 2007 Damon Astoria 3774 (Pacific model). Any comments as to whether this is a good rig to consider. thanks,

I recently bought a 2006 Damon but not a Pacific. Some of the better differences are full body paint and 600 watt inverter. Our 2006 coach had had the tV's, microwave, maybe the coach radio, the dvd/vcr player changed. All that said that intertainment tech is quite inexpensive and widely avaiable for low prices.

The big good thing to me would be Freightliner chassis and Cummins engine. Seems the Astoria can get about 10 mpg if you drive at 55. That is the + of the conservative HP specs. The 2007 might have the 6 speed tranny which could help you stay in the max economy rpm range. I thought I really needed 6 speed but the 5 I have is working out very well.

Some deluxe coaches come with a fiberglass roof. The Damon uses TPO. So do high rise skyscrapers. So it is a quality material with good wear characteristics. No one is on the top of a skyscraper obsessing about the appearance of the roof and daubing on sinfully expensive ointments. So it should be good for 20 years but in any roof system the joints are the weak part so look for failed caulking on the roof. You need to check the roof caulking at least 2 times a year. So some might think that is high maintenance compared to a fiberglass roof. TPO is weldable and easily patched should you have an accident. Our coach is 12'-7" so we are into a new area of vigilance.

The 2006 Astoria Pacific had a 600 watt inverter. Ours has none. Our Kureig coffee maker needs +1000 watts. I think they were thinking of the infotainment centers with the inverters. Also our 2006 only has 2 golf cart house batteries. The Inverted Astoria would probably have more.

The full paint of the Pacific would be nice. Our gel coat is chalking but I might be able to buff and wax it to a gloss. Winter got here about the same time as the coach. Day night shades are also a Pacific upgrade.

Be careful to read the handling problems woes of non freightliner chassis. It is an eye opener. Good luck in your search for a good coach. There are many pristine condition coaches out there but you might have to drive a bit to find one. An example was in FMC classified 9000 miles, no pets, non smokers, store indoors. 12 trips. It could be better than new ( all the bugs worked out) or it could have some glitches that no one would fix. So caveat emptor is the motor home buyers mantra.

[dsbear]

Just ordered the Swan anti-siphon valve as the second B&B valve has given up the ghost. Will install ad soon as it arrives. Thanks for the research Britt!