Community Forums

bamaguy911 · 08-08-2012, 07:07 AM

Gary and Bev, here. We're both originally from Okemos, Michigan (near Lansing) and have been living in Huntsville for over a decade...and love it here. We also are not new to the RV world, but new to this fine Website!

We've owned about every type of RV, from a 17ft Scottie TT to a Monaco Diplomat. Two years ago, we sold the Monaco and bought a Jayco Eagle 321 RLTS 5th wheel and mated it to my 2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax. Nice rig, no problems. Unfortunately, Bev's MS condition made it increasing difficult to get in and out of the rig...so we just bought a 2010 Jayco Melbourne 29D, and are looking forward to continue our RV adventures.

nail40 · 08-08-2012, 07:12 AM

welcome to the site and enjoy the new trailer

**Petro** · 08-08-2012, 07:17 AM

Gary & Bev;

We are glad you found us. Browse the forums that interest you and don't be afraid to ask questions. Post often and share your RV adventures with us. I admire your desire to keep on RVing. Sorry to learn of Bev's health issues.

Don

whem2fish · 08-08-2012, 08:22 AM

Mother and law lived at 8th and governors brother in law lacy green

John H... · 08-08-2012, 08:28 AM

Gary, Welcome to the forum and congrats on the Jayco. Nice looking and good floorplan...

MSHappyCampers · 08-08-2012, 08:37 AM

Hi Gary & Bev! Welcome to IRV2! It's good to have you join the bunch here! Congrats on the new rig! WOW!, you've tried out lots of them! We pulled a 5er for 11 years before getting the MH a few months ago. Good luck & God bless!

historyljc · 08-08-2012, 12:02 PM

Hi Gary & Bev, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about Bev's health condition. You live in a pretty part of the state.

TheArnolds · 08-10-2012, 07:42 AM

Welcome to our forum and we are looking forward to hearing from you again!

bamaguy911 · 08-12-2012, 09:12 AM

Just returned from the quick trip from Huntsville, AL to Coloma, MI to trade our 2010 Jayco Eagle 29RLTS and 2005 Chev 2500 HD Duramax in on the 2010 Jayco Melbourne (Ford E450 Chassis, V10). Having owned a 1995 Winnebago Vectra on the F53/460 V8 powered chassis, I was pleasantly surprised by the handling of the Class C E450!

No, it did not ride like our 1999 Monaco Diplomat, of course, but a heck of a LOT better than the F53. Tracked very straight..no tendancy to wander or "hunt" on less than perfect road surfaces. Fairly quiet ride (much quieter than the F53/460 Vectra).
Good power, but not as good as the Duramax/5th Wheel Rig, which weighs 7,000 pounds more. I did not expect it to match the Duramax, as that motor mated with the Allison tranny really does not care what load it has to move, it just drinks more fuel! (11.5 to 12.4mpg when pulling the 14,000 trailer and 23 to 24mpg (highway) when empty).

Anyway, the E450/V10 combo seems very well suited for the Class C Jayco Melbourne 29D. I averaged 10.78 mpg on the trip back to Huntsville. I'm sure that the somewhat aerodynamic shape of the front cap and the lack of a headwind, helped contribute to that figure. I kept the speed between 62 and 65mph, and an occasional downhill speed of 70, or so.

Now, begins the task of seeing how much stuff will fit into the smaller Class C from the 34 ft 5th wheel, that had way too much storage space! Probably we were carrying way too much stuff, anyway....ya think?