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Old 04-04-2010, 05:53 PM   #1
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Shake Down Trip

We took the new Georgetown 378 out for the 3 day weekend. We picked a campground 100 miles from Spokane. Stayed at Steamboat Rock SP near Grand Coulee Dam, nice campground.
Left Spokane and went west into a stiff headwind, MH handled it well although the alignment is off. Checked into the park, and set up for the night, everything worked as designed. We had no leaks in the plumbing, heaters worked, stove Microwave and all other appliances. Slides slid, and jacks lifted.
During the night the wind started blowing, and it got cold. The MH seemed air tight, although one of the vents was whistling. On Friday it started raining, then snowing and blowing, but we were warm and comfortable. It was coming down hard, so I checked for leaks and found none.
Saturday cold and windy, but some sunshine. We were able to climb 850 feet up to the top of steamboat rock. What a climb, I hadn't noticed I was getting old.
Headed back to Spokane today, wouldn't you know it, the wind had shifted so we fought a headwind all the way home. This is wheat country with lots of rolling hill, combined with the wind did not help MPG's. We towed the Escape, and averaged 6 mpg. We figure we should get 8 mpg when the wind dies down in May.
I have to admit I am impressed with the MH, no problems at all.
John
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Old 04-04-2010, 06:05 PM   #2
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It sounds like lots of fun, John! Glad that you are happy with your new rig. I can't wait to get out but in the meantime am enjoying reading about everyone's trips this Spring.

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Old 04-04-2010, 08:26 PM   #3
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johnnyjoe,
Sounds like you had a great time. My DW doesn't care much for the white stuff when we're on the road. Sounds like your coach is nice and tight. That "getting old' stuff just kinda slips up on you when looking. The body forgets to tell the mind your age. Your mind still thinks you're still 18 and continues to write checks that your body can no longer cash. Use and enjoy the motor home.
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Old 04-05-2010, 06:32 PM   #4
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Hi John
It all sounds good - and good to hear there were no unwelcomed surprises.
We are about to do our very first shakedown trip (April 15) wherein we are off to Mt. Vernon (WA).
regards, peter
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Old 04-06-2010, 07:28 PM   #5
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Sounds like a good shake down trip. send a couple pics of the new MH in action.
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Old 04-07-2010, 10:18 PM   #6
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John, sounds like your 'shake down' trip was a success and a real test of man and machine! Steamboat Rock SP is our vacation destination for at least a week or more in Sept every year. Nice state park. Weather is much nicer that time of year. You will need to go back then and just enjoy. The climb to the top of Steamboat Rock is a little bit of a challenge, old or otherwise! Done it...once...now I just look at it from the campsite and remember the view from the top. Don't have to go there again. So others can appreciate, here is a picture of Steamboat Rock from our campsite last summer. This is a 'waterfront' site with a sandy beach of Banks Lake just beyond the edge of the campsite. A little slice of paradise!
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Old 04-08-2010, 07:05 PM   #7
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Here is picture of new home. Steamboat Mountain in background. We had a great time, and look forward to hearing from others on ther shakedown trip. Thanks for the replies!
John
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Old 04-09-2010, 07:22 AM   #8
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John,
Congratulations on the new MH. I'll mildly rain on your parade. We have a 32' Pursuit on the same Ford chassis. This past week we traveled Dallas to Port Aransas, TX (505 mi.) and then returned four days later. We had high headwinds (~20 kt.) going and the same level of tailwinds returning (typical south wind in TX). Mileage was 7.0 going and 9.1 returning (this is typical in our experience for two different class A motor homes). We traveled at 63 MPH by the speed control. Apparently, the wind made about a one MPG difference either way. It may vary for you, but probably not much since the equivalent flat plate area is about the same for all Class A motor homes. Few people seem to appreciate that drag (a function of velocity squared) is the major determinant of mileage in most cases; after all, we go back down the hill (and weight is a linear contributor).
Ernie
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Old 04-15-2010, 09:54 PM   #9
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sounds like you did ok.... our first trip, on older Class C, the alternator adjustment bolt was stripped and about halfway to Virginia, just past Mineral Wells exit, the belt came loose and broke... my brother was following behind us in his pickup. He drove back and picked up a couple belts, found one that worked... had to drill through and install a nut on a longer bolt to hold the alternator in place... other than that, RV did ok... mileage was around 10 mpg on a newly rebuilt motor, hoping after a little more break in the mileage will pick up at least a couple more mpg...... carbourated small block 350, makes 25' Class C Yellowstone Cavalier a little under powered.
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Old 04-29-2010, 07:44 PM   #10
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This is the first shake down cruise I have ever heard of that didn't have a myriad of problems. Congratulations!!! We, too, tow an Escape. Haven't had any problems with that although have been over some pretty rough roads in TX, OK and CA this spring. How is yours holding up?
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Old 04-29-2010, 08:16 PM   #11
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The Escape is great, that is why we named it Steve. It is a comfortable vehicle to drive and see the sights. Gets great mileage, hopefully the MH will get better mpg when it gets broke in.
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