Day 3 with our new Forester, lots of questions?

[Creativepart]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Had the refrigerator running for the past 3 days and the temperature doesn't seem to get below 43 degrees. I did see the thermistor on the fins and the label saying colder. I moved it up to the coldest with not much change.
My Winnebago's Norcold would freeze the water bottles and the overnight temperature could drop to 28 in the fridge. Usually set it down from 5 to 3

On our RV the fridge has to be level - the minute we lift the level jacks in our driveway the fridge starts getting warmer. But parked level and driving we see 35 to 37 when set to close to the coldest settings.

[Sagecoachdriver]

I'm going to miss my Norcold. We didn't have levelers and I was always off some. As long as I had the bubble touching the circle it ran great. Never a problem except freezing my jug of lemonade in the fridge.
I have it level and the temp is 42.
Freezer is -2

[Creativepart]

Our Norcord in the Arctic Fox didn't care about level at all. The Fridge was always cold-level or not.

[Sagecoachdriver]

I just put in 2 fridge fans along with more food . Let's see what it says in the morning. not exactly perfect level wise about 2/3 in the circle.. I have a good drop in my driveway and if I use the levelers, I will be off the ground. Used my drive-on yellow levelers for now.

Creativeparts, what mpg are you getting without the toad? I can live with 8-9.
And what tire pressure and air bag psi?
Thanks, Happy Labor Day!

[Bluepill]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Thanks for the quick replies.


Probably going to install the adjustable thermostat in the water heater. Getting 145 degrees currently. I was getting 155 degrees in the Winnebago. Replace it with the adjustable and got it down to 117 degrees. It's just the DW and I and we've never run out of hot water with that lower temperature.

Just a thought on the thermostat change. You might want to try this first:


On my old motorhome I always left the water heater off until I was ready to use it. It was a combo LP and 120 Volt electric. When I first got up in the AM, I would turn BOTH heat sources on, and we had good hot water within 10 minutes. After we both showered, I would turn the heater off and there was sufficient hot water left for dishwashing.

[Creativepart]

Sagecoachdriver - I'm getting 7 mpg with the toad and pretty much the same without the toad. I'm expecting 7 mpg and hoping to see some 8's on the expressway.

It is what it is.

Your 2701DS is 4' shorter and 1,400 lbs lighter than our 3051S... so 8 mpg would be a reasonable expectation.

I have 80 psi in the rear tires and 75 psi in the front. Air bags are set to 79 psi right now. I may fool around with that some. I took one short trip with the airbags at 10 psi and another with it at 79 psi. The vehicle handled better at 79, but the ride was noticeably rougher (obviously).

[Sagecoachdriver]

Creativepart- my fridge is down to 38 this morning. I guess the 2 fans helped a bit.
My Winnebago is 6 feet shorter and 2200 lighter than the Forester. The mpg was 9.5 to 10.5 until they changed the formula back around 05. Currently, I am getting around 9 and that's running at 70mph. The new one will be running slower at 60-65 in the slow lane with the truck. I never really kept track on the cost and don't want to start now.

Finishing loading today for the maiden voyage tomorrow up the California coast for 3 nights. Hope I can start relaxing now and enjoying it.

[Creativepart]

We are on the first night of a 3,000 mile one-month trip from Texas to Washington DC and back. So our shakedowns are officially over. We travel between 60 and 65 mph.

[Sagecoachdriver]

We are on our shakedown trip. Mpg was 7.5 for over half the trip with gusty winds. Then rose to 7.9 by the time we filled up at about 200 miles calm. That's per my scan gauge.

Did handle well in the wind.

I did notice on my scan gauge that the TFT transmission temperature runs hotter than my 2003 Ford E-350 with the 4R100. 180-200 Winnebago and 204-212 for the 5R110 in my Forester.

The refridgerator is 0 in the freezer and 39-41in the fridge. Not at all like my Norcold.

We backed into our campsite and I began to setup the Bigfoot levelers. I first put down 3 one inch lego type squares under the rear leveler feet. Per the instructions in the manual and by my salesman at PDI, I turn on POWER and red light came on. I then waited a few seconds then pushed the START button and the levelers extended. The fronts were fine per my level and only the rears needed to be extended. They automatically extended and raised up the front and reARS a lot. I pushed the Retract button and then the two front buttons. They retracted all the way up. I was still over extended on the rears, so I tried to retract them a little and they were bouncing. My DW said there was fluid on the passenger side read leveler foot plate. We still were not level but I then paniced and pushed the RETRACT all button and they all retracted. I called the dealer and they said it could be a few things. I opted not to use it until they see what's going on. I recall reading that some say they don't use the START button as it causes them to over extend and causes problems. I can see it lifting all the wheels off the ground, luckily not this time. The dealer's tech said I should have used more lego blocks almost up to the foot to shorten the throw. Will do that next time.

[Creativepart]

Your unit must have different levelers. On mine you push the on button. Then wait for the leveler to boot up. Then all you do is push the Auto button and stand back. Done.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Creativepart-my Bigfoot is the model with the controller in the step well not on the tether. No automatic button, power and start. Why is the unit on all the time when I drive and I can't shut it off by pushing power?

The "J" valve stem on the passenger side is leaking, only have 60 psi and the valve had moved while traveling yesterday. I don't know if my portable 12v air pump will reach to it and if I can attach it to the stem.

[Creativepart]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Creativepart-my Bigfoot is the model with the controller in the step well not on the tether. No automatic button, power and start. Why is the unit on all the time when I drive and I can't shut it off by pushing power?

The "J" valve stem on the passenger side is leaking, only have 60 psi and the valve had moved while traveling yesterday. I don't know if my portable 12v air pump will reach to it and if I can attach it to the stem.

Hey SCD, my Bigfoot is also in the stairwell - but it's fully automatic.

And, like you one of my J valve stems is leaking too. At some point I need to replace them all with new solid stems and get rid of the extensions.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Creativepart-My levelers say Platinum and the panel is green. The fully automatic is a darker color with gold print and says Bigfoot down on the bottom.

When I get home Friday, I will pull off one of the 5 1/4" truck valve extensions from my Winnebago and see if it will work for the Forester. It may not and require a long stem that can be bent. If the extension works, I can swing by Borg Tire supply (yourtiresupplyshop.com) and pick up the "J" valves, extensions and stabilizer boots. Then I can take the MH into America's Tire store and have them install the "J" valves on the outer two rears and I can easily install the extensions and stabilizers. Otherwise, I will have to buy their dually kit for $120 and have both inner and outer tires valves replaced. I did have to trim the steel wheel liners on the rear for the "J" valve to fit the opening on the Winnebago. Boy what a difference it made. Oh, the stabilzer boot is oval for the Forester and round for the Winnebago. I need to remember that.

Getting a lot accomplished on this shakedown trip. Will most likely stop at the dealer on the way home friday and have them do a quick check on the levelers.