Community Forums

ronboc · 07-20-2005, 09:08 AM

Wahooo! Finally got our new 2004 Gulfstream Atrium moho. Took delivery last week, and already put almost 1k miles on it. Thanks to all for ideas/suggestions/tips/etc here, and for keeping me company while waiting for the dealer to call.

Lessons learned already:
1) If you don't attach the toad-chains hooks just right on the mohm hitch, one can twist barely-enough to work the receiver hitch-pin cotter-key loose and cause the receiver to drop out, causing the toad to be conected by only said-chains. Gotta love that rear-view camera and watching the Jeep wander back-and-forth while trying to find a place to pull over on a 4-lane hiway. Only minor damage done to both vehicles (but major damage to my stress-level).
2) A LOT of water can get pumped out the frig icemaker-hose in a hurry when the flare-fitting comes loose and 'rinses' the frig and surrounding items. Again, only minor damage (none permanent, hopefully).
3) The Workhorse manual set isn't available from Transworld anymore, and hopefully you get a much nicer person than I did on the phone if you call them. Gotta get it from Workhorse now, and the CD is $90 plus $12 order-processing (what's that all about??) plus shipping. Sorry, but don't recall their phone-number offhand.
4) With 3 slideouts, your head/back/arms/shoulders must be under control at all times. I've already ran into the slide-edges so many times, my wife may get arrested because I look like I'm a victim of spousal-abuse.
5) A grass backyard is no place to park a new 20k+ lb rv just before it rains, even if the driveway is too short for it to fit. I now know how far it'll sink into the mud, and how big of a mess it'll make when you spin the tires (that's right, I said SPIN MY TIRES! Ok, so it was in soft dirt, but they did spin!) trying to get it out. Got a crew coming out this afternoon to make it a proper parking area, either crushed rock or concrete.

Stay tuned...

Ron

ronboc · 07-20-2005, 09:08 AM

Wahooo! Finally got our new 2004 Gulfstream Atrium moho. Took delivery last week, and already put almost 1k miles on it. Thanks to all for ideas/suggestions/tips/etc here, and for keeping me company while waiting for the dealer to call.

Lessons learned already:
1) If you don't attach the toad-chains hooks just right on the mohm hitch, one can twist barely-enough to work the receiver hitch-pin cotter-key loose and cause the receiver to drop out, causing the toad to be conected by only said-chains. Gotta love that rear-view camera and watching the Jeep wander back-and-forth while trying to find a place to pull over on a 4-lane hiway. Only minor damage done to both vehicles (but major damage to my stress-level).
2) A LOT of water can get pumped out the frig icemaker-hose in a hurry when the flare-fitting comes loose and 'rinses' the frig and surrounding items. Again, only minor damage (none permanent, hopefully).
3) The Workhorse manual set isn't available from Transworld anymore, and hopefully you get a much nicer person than I did on the phone if you call them. Gotta get it from Workhorse now, and the CD is $90 plus $12 order-processing (what's that all about??) plus shipping. Sorry, but don't recall their phone-number offhand.
4) With 3 slideouts, your head/back/arms/shoulders must be under control at all times. I've already ran into the slide-edges so many times, my wife may get arrested because I look like I'm a victim of spousal-abuse.
5) A grass backyard is no place to park a new 20k+ lb rv just before it rains, even if the driveway is too short for it to fit. I now know how far it'll sink into the mud, and how big of a mess it'll make when you spin the tires (that's right, I said SPIN MY TIRES! Ok, so it was in soft dirt, but they did spin!) trying to get it out. Got a crew coming out this afternoon to make it a proper parking area, either crushed rock or concrete.

Stay tuned...

Ron

edgray · 07-20-2005, 09:35 AM

CONGRATULATIONS on your new coach!

And thanks for the humorus way you presented, in a POSITIVE fashion, your recent "learning" experiences. Too many people, I'm afraid, would have screamed loudly, and blamed everybody below the Pope for your experiences. I think you've got a great attitude, and look forward to hearing more from you as you learn to enjoy the ride!

While the info is fresh in your mind, may I suggest you go into your profile and add the coach and chassis info to your signature, so our members can better help you in the future.ED

sraab928 · 07-20-2005, 11:49 AM

Congrats on the new rig.... I enjoyed the story and Im happy to see your spirits are high all things considered.

Best of luck to you!

YosemiteBobR · 07-20-2005, 12:44 PM

A good refreshing experience, and you had fun. What a combination

Happy Trails and Tread Lightly

Mahlon · 07-20-2005, 04:47 PM

CONGRATS on the new baby! And I agree, those slide-outs can be deadly. They're the sort of thing that you run into approximately once.

ronboc · 07-22-2005, 08:02 AM

Oh wow. Have I got some new stories for y'all. But they'll have to wait a bit longer til things play-out.

And as far as Mahlon saying you run into the slides "... approximately once...", you gotta remember how long it took us to learn to tie our shoes as kiddos. These are a LOT bigger and MUCH more complicated to avoid, especially since they can pop in-and-out at a moment's notice (hey - that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!).

RRT2 · 07-22-2005, 12:51 PM

Go Ron!

Since I am barely 5 feet tall...I, too, have smacked my head on the bedroom slide a couple of times! The last time brought on a big goose egg (and I let everyone think spousal abuse)! I totally understand how those things pop in/out on a moment's notice (that's what I told hubby and he just wouldn't believe me!)

We now have foam rubber waterpipe insulators (minimal cost) that we put on when slides are out. But THEN you gotta remember to take 'em off before you bring the slides IN!!

Life is good!! Happy learnings!! (And stay tuned to iRV2.com for all your answers!!

Rose