Is there a group of Astoria Owners?

[bbunner]

Jim, what wax did you use on your MH? We are planning to wax ours but haven't figured out what to use over the clear coat.

We are heading to the factory on Saturday to have some work done. All of the doors in the storage areas leak and the doors should be better aligned. Also the windshield wipers are a safety hazard because they don't stay on the windshield effectively in the rain. They have been adjusted once but before we make the 700 mile drive to Elkhart this weekend we are changing them to 28 inches. We will be driving in the rain so hope the shorter length works.

We have the same year and model MH as you and we like it except for the leaking storage area and the wipers. Have you driven in the rain yet with yours? We have only been out in ours once for a shake down but drove home in rain so that was how we discovered the leaks.

Anyone else with these issues?

Barb

[dsbear]

Barb, we have the same model and have the wiper issue but not the leaking bay doors. Good luck at the factory and travel safe!

[Jim Estes]

Have not driven in the rain yet..only put about 200 miles on her...not sure if my bay doors leak or not...they seem to be well aligned and snug when closed...I remember several threads about shortening your wiper blade lengths...Bear might have posted...as far as wax goes...I use Meguiars Yacht Wax...I put it on with a wet sponge...very light coats...go to Wally World and get at least a half dozen microfiber towels to buff it off with...once a towel loads up with wax residue wash it...use clean ones for best results...

You guys got me paranoid about my wipers now! They are very long...and I bet the wind or a big truck could make them go hay wire...I might put shorter ones on...let us know how your visit goes...

The other thing I think I learned is that when killin power to the coach...there is a time delay for the "store" switch by the door...something to do with the steps I think?

Good Luck

[powerboatr]

2 notes

I used mothers paste Brazilian cleaner wax
WOW
went on easy enough and i used a random orbit buffer to remove it


killing all power to the coach; I added a small switch near the forward bottom of the door inside that will, once flipped cause the steps to retract and stay retracted if you open the door
i put it down low so there is little chance of flipping it whilst we are inside.
this way you can flip the switch, steps retract and then flip the kill power switch and your all good. no more reaching in a t funny angles. the switch interupts the ground connection for the magnetic door switch near the screen door jamb

[bbunner]

Fellow Astoria owners, we had a very successful trip to Elkhart, IN to the Thor factory.

We arrived on Sunday and the tech team arrived at our coach promptly at 7:15 am on Monday morning. The sewer opening was one of the first things to be changed with a much larger opening made. The leaking shower was fixed, windshield wiper apparatus was tightened and the 28 inch wiper blade secured.

The leaking bays was an interesting solution being 2 part. The first part was that we (husband and I) thought the water was coming in from the bottom of the bays, however it was coming off the tire back splash at the top where wires go through the bay at the top right of both bays. Secondly the ran the coach through the rain bay and replaced all the seals around each bay door. They also aligned the doors perfectly which was an issue for us.

They replace the two broken side chairs in the coach, fixed some items we didn't even know needed repair. Reprogrammed the day/night shades so they work properly. Oh, repaired damaged paint from the errant wiper blade episode and weather stripping around the door.

All in all it was a very successful trip. Forgot to mention they actually moved the water pump so it is accessible for winterizing and cleaning the filter.

Everything Thor did Camping World had told us couldn't be done.

Barb

[dsbear]

Barb,

Glad to hear that Thor was good to you. It makes feel better about the quality.

[Jim Estes]

Wow Barb

That is really nice! I would love to move that waterpump as well. Glad to hear Thor provided good service and cares about customers...

Take Care

Jim

[Jim Estes]

Here is perhaps a dumb question...

With the A/C cranking full bore water condensate is a known fact...but the front A/C water drains to the front passenger side and trickles right down and drips on the entry steps...anybody have any ideas...the only thing I can think of is to raise the nose a bit and get it go aft and drip off at the end of the awning...the coach is perfectly level...autolevel works quite nicely ;-)

Jim

[dsbear]

Jim,

I have the same issue. I have been looking for an after market gutter. The one that seems best is EZE R V Gutters.

I have not put these on yet but am leaning towards doing so.

[powerboatr]

Originally Posted by bbunner

Fellow Astoria owners, we had a very successful trip to Elkhart, IN to the Thor factory.

We arrived on Sunday and the tech team arrived at our coach promptly at 7:15 am on Monday morning. The sewer opening was one of the first things to be changed with a much larger opening made. The leaking shower was fixed, windshield wiper apparatus was tightened and the 28 inch wiper blade secured.

The leaking bays was an interesting solution being 2 part. The first part was that we (husband and I) thought the water was coming in from the bottom of the bays, however it was coming off the tire back splash at the top where wires go through the bay at the top right of both bays. Secondly the ran the coach through the rain bay and replaced all the seals around each bay door. They also aligned the doors perfectly which was an issue for us.

They replace the two broken side chairs in the coach, fixed some items we didn't even know needed repair. Reprogrammed the day/night shades so they work properly. Oh, repaired damaged paint from the errant wiper blade episode and weather stripping around the door.

All in all it was a very successful trip. Forgot to mention they actually moved the water pump so it is accessible for winterizing and cleaning the filter.

Everything Thor did Camping World had told us couldn't be done.

Barb

that is great to hear thor fixed you up
our front bays leaked at the same place on both sides, as well as the lower edges. I did the same fix with new splash guards and sealants
water under pressure is a bear to stop
no more wet bay floors for you

[dsbear]

Yesterday we put in 650 miles, Houston to Lubbock via San Antonio. "Thor" did great. I had my foot in him pretty hard, and through the hills towing a 1/2 ton Silverado crew cab eeked out 8 mpg with the genny running hard. VERY HAPPY!

[Jim Estes]

Originally Posted by dsbear

Yesterday we put in 650 miles, Houston to Lubbock via San Antonio. "Thor" did great. I had my foot in him pretty hard, and through the hills towing a 1/2 ton Silverado crew cab eeked out 8 mpg with the genny running hard. VERY HAPPY!

Sounds like it did very well! We are headed out to Cherokee NC to a bluegrass festival and some mountain trout fishing next week...will run about a 1000 miles round trip...

Only complaint I have is the size of our awning! Wish it was about 2 feet wider and angled down more...but love " 16 ton Tessie"

[dsbear]

Jim I totally agree on the awning size. I may have a larger one installed before next summer.

[bbunner]

Well, we spent most of the weekend waxing the motorhome--must say it really looks great but it was a huge amount of work. Hope it doesn't need to be done again real soon! It is stored inside with heat and no natural light so that should help preserve our hard work.

Taking it to Des Moines, IA leaving tomorrow to attend the Champions gold tournament, hope we don't get rained out.

Has only taken their Astoria to Alaska yet? I'm working on DH for us to do this in the next year or two. If anyone has done this trip please let me know so I can get some pointers. Safe travels to everyone. Barb