Newbie trying to understand this whole new RV world

[rgreen45]

Originally Posted by Jon Mopar

Honestly, if you're not going to use it, there's no point buying new in my opinion.If you buy a used one @ $30k, it's a smart move

It's just a truck! (either Ford or Chev), how badly can it break??

Great advice here from Jon Mopar.

Shar, even a gasser chassis can get expensive but you're more likely to find a truck dealer (should you need one) to work on brakes, etc. at $70-$80 an hour as opposed to the $110-$130 per hour that RV shops get. A lot of TLC and PM on your part can save you a fortune as well. You can learn loads here. Be sure to visit the Chassis Club forum for whatever framework your coach is built on. Don't be afraid to ask questions as most all Irv2'ers are here to help.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Gocoffeer

I added a K&N air filter to my engine for some added horsepower and slightly better fuel economy on my drives.

And remove thousand of miles of engine life!
Filter testing by independent sources confirm this.

[rgreen45]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

And remove thousand of miles of engine life! re: K&N air filter) Filter testing by independent sources confirm this.

This is truly possible. The K&N's trap a lot of contaminants but overall increase air flow. Therefore, they minimize air restriction, allowing nasty stuff to enter your engine. The best air filter is a dirty one until it gets to a point of excessive restriction of air. This point is generally 20"-22" of water column restriction. A good new air filter on a DP will have about 5" opun installation and a cheapo won't have any.

[sharmanrn]

Thanks for all the suggestions and support. iRV2 is amazing...and I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.
Group (((hug)))
:-)Shar

[denforent]

Originally Posted by sharmanrn

Mgtr,
The reason i looked at class A is I have a Hinda CRV. I have no way to pull a 5th wheel from CO to AZ. Who knows I might want to go to the Grand Canyon. I might decide to take it on weekend trips and I will be teaching so I'll have summers off. I just don't know yet.

I just bought a little project... 2001 Georgie Boy 35', 2 slide outs, V10 with 22,000 actual miles on it. It's had some water damage inside so I have to patch a small area in the floor, paint the roof, add a microwave, might have a little attention to pay to the fridge ($250 max), needs 6 tires because she's running on originals... eeeeeek ($1800) but here's the GREAT news... I paid 18 grand cash for it!! The motor puuurrrss.. just drove 275 miles and it runs & handles GREAT. If you are handy or if you know some really good mechanics who are friends of yours then buying used with a few small problems can really end up being fun and worthwhile. Someone said buy it and USE it... AMEN.. I sold my 1993 Georgie Boy in 1 hour after puttin git on Craigslist - its in perfect shape, everything working fine, all tires 3 yrs old, a turn key deal for six grand!!

I wanted it gone so I could get started on making my 01 as nice as my 1993 was... I owned it over 3 years and just kept tinkering a little here, a little there... the joys of a motorhome LOL GOOD LUCK!!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by rgreen45

This is truly possible. The K&N's trap a lot of contaminants but overall increase air flow. Therefore, they minimize air restriction, allowing nasty stuff to enter your engine. The best air filter is a dirty one until it gets to a point of excessive restriction of air. This point is generally 20"-22" of water column restriction. A good new air filter on a DP will have about 5" upon installation and a cheapo won't have any.

I used K&N's on my racing motorcycles, but I rebuilt them every season or more often, just depended on if I blew the engine or not!
My Ecolite filter shows 15" of water with a new filter since I installed the Banks kit. What I have is supposed to be enough for a 450HP ISL but obviously it isn't for a 350 ISC with the Banks kit.
Gary Spires ("spike45" on the forum here) is a retired filter engineer and he has the specs and "dirt" on the K&N's and others.

[Jaycky]

I read your original post and that's it my answer to you is 30g is a great price or all those little add ons!
If I could have found a deal like that here in Canada I would have jumped on it!
I would love to have laundry in mine.
Anyways I just got into full time Rving and I'm in it for the longer run than I think!
I wished I would have done this 10 years ago in my life!
I had owned a loft apartment and honestly this life style is freedom!
I hate being tied down in one place to long and this allows me to do what I want live where I want and living in these things summer and winter is like camping and I hate camping btw!
It's an elite style of camping IMO,
You will love it! So just do it! I live work out of mine with 2 cats and a woman for now! It doesn't take long to catch on to how your rv works and what it needs.
I have no interest in buying a house anymore land yes but house no!
I will park a few Rvs on the land and call it a day!

I paid 10grand for my 94 firan raven 32 foot long out of the bazillion I looked at this was the cleanest!
I was looking at dumping 100,000 on a bigger dp right off the bat but I have my eyes on one in particular and will be spending way more than I want to in the end but it's worth it!

[beenthere]

seems like a lot of people try to talk future owners out of there decision..hope its not just me...but saying things like do this or do that without even knowing them or what they have gone thru ect...oh well i may be just reading things wrong..jeff

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by beenthere

seems like a lot of people try to talk future owners out of there decision..hope its not just me...but saying things like do this or do that without even knowing them or what they have gone thru ect...oh well i may be just reading things wrong..jeff

When people post and ask for opinions, they are going to get them. Some may or may not agree, but most are genuinely trying to help.

[stink]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

And remove thousand of miles of engine life!
Filter testing by independent sources confirm this.

If your engine has a Mass air flow meter on it (most efi do) the oil in a K&N filter will damage the mas air flow meter to the point that it will underestimate the air injested by the engine thereby running very lean. This could lead to pinging and possible engine damage and at the least a lean oxygen sensor code.

[rgreen45]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Gary Spires ("spike45" on the forum here) is a retired filter engineer and he has the specs and "dirt" on the K&N's and others.

That would be an interesting read for me. Thank you! I hope he picks up on this thread.

[Gocoffeer]

Shar: I have a ton of reasons I might be willing to give up all the great space of a 5th wheel and buy a class A. After owning the MH portion and doing some traveling....my reasons have been validated for myself. The fact that the driver seat and restroom are in the same connected area makes the MH so much more fashioned to my liking. Have had several occasions where I was exhausted and pulling into a rest area.... got a shower....a hot beverage....and a nap without leaving the vehicle. I called it a VISA moment but all the MH owners have this type of treatment. Let us know which type of vehicle you buy...it will be interesting after you test some what you like.

[sharmanrn]

Gocoffeer,
I did! Bought a 2000 Fleetwood Southwind. To see the drama visit thread Hand holding required...now I'm crazy busy packing. Leaving for AZ this weekend....
Shar

[Gocoffeer]

Drive safe and if this is your first trip in your Southwind.... my advice is to stay in the slow lane and get a feel for how the vehicle behaves as trucks pass you. I had added some steering control to my vehicle. My 1995 Bounder was being tossed all over the road as I drove along.

How To Install an RV Steering Stabilizer by RV Education 101® - YouTube

The Koni shocks and Steer Safe has made my driving so much easier.