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Old 04-16-2013, 07:59 AM   #1
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Joining the club

After a lot of shopping and comparing and haggling we are the proud new owners of a 2013 390BH. We take delivery in two weeks. I do have a couple questions that need y'all opinions.

1) Is the Serta mattress upgrade worth it or will an extra pad from say Walmart be just as good?

2) I've read a lot of threads on this one. Should we do the upgrade to the 15,000 btu A/C?

3) Type tow bars? I will be using a 2009 Sahara JK as our toad.

4) In motion dish or the Winegaurd Travler?

Any other suggestions on what I should do or get before I drive it off the lot?
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Old 04-16-2013, 09:06 AM   #2
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Cajun,
congrats on your new coach. Hope you have many trouble free, fun trips with it!!!

We didn't do the Serta upgrade but just purchased a foam mattress topper and are very happy with just using that.

If it is possible, I would go with the 15k btu AC. It will help quite a bit if you camp during very hot weather.

Sorry, but I can't help you with the tow bar or dish/winegaurd questions.

Again, congrats and welcome to the forums!
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Old 04-16-2013, 10:20 AM   #3
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Cajun,
congrats on your new coach. Hope you have many trouble free, fun trips with it!!!

We didn't do the Serta upgrade but just purchased a foam mattress topper and are very happy with just using that.

If it is possible, I would go with the 15k btu AC. It will help quite a bit if you camp during very hot weather.

Sorry, but I can't help you with the tow bar or dish/winegaurd questions.

Again, congrats and welcome to the forums!
2X the upgraded AC.

On the towbar Blue Ox or Roadmaster.

Finally, the Winegard Carryout has worked well for me. 'Course I don't have any ruggers along.

With it you can watch multiple channels on different TV's, but they all need to be on the same satellite. It only has a single LNB which moves from one sat to another as needed to change channels.

IN motion...... Only if you have someone to watch as you drive.

The Travler has 3 LNB, so no restriction on channels. Not sure about the in motion.

The most positive thing about the Carryout is cost, and if you ever get under some trees, you can set it a good ways from the coach in order to be in the clear.

Enjoy that new coach.

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Old 04-16-2013, 10:34 AM   #4
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Welcome to the forum and congrats on your 2013 390BH. I don't own a coach but can comment on two of your questions.

We went with the Serta upgrade and while comfortable we still put 3" memory foam on. Big difference! IMO skip the upgrade and spend the $ on the memory foam.

Gotto go with the 15K AC unit.

Make sure you get covers on the roof vents. Easy to do.
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Old 04-16-2013, 04:02 PM   #5
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We have roof mounted satelite dish, works fine. In our HM can't see the TV with the slide in so no inmotion sat.
Memory foam mattress I Heard is the way to go.
Since your getting in two weeks, I Assume you didn't order it so it's comming with what ever AC units were installed at FR, so dealer would have to swap out. We have two standard ACs and have been ok, we just turn them on early in the day when it's going to be hot.
Have your dealer include vent covers for sure. And dependng on how you are getting along with him, thnk about a built in surge protector. Happy camping
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Old 04-17-2013, 10:27 AM   #6
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll talk to my salesman about changing out the AC. I'm thinking I just may go with a portable HD satellite on one of those tri pod stands.

Memory foam sounds like the way to go also.

Thanks again!!
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Old 04-17-2013, 10:34 AM   #7
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Such as this?

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This whole setup and as free.

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Old 04-17-2013, 10:48 AM   #8
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Yep just like that except for Direct TV.
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Old 04-17-2013, 11:05 AM   #9
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Yep just like that except for Direct TV.
Once you get a handle on aiming it, it takes no time at all to set up.
imo.

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Old 04-18-2013, 11:06 AM   #10
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Once you get a handle on aiming it, it takes no time at all to set up.
imo.

Turbs

Not sure about DirectTV (number of LNB's) but I used to do it myself on a 3 LNB unit just like the one in your pic.

Many times I could nail it within 5 minutes, but sometimes I couldn't hit it at all (all three birds at once). You can use a trick with aluminum foil and that helps.

Anyhow, I finally got tired of fiddling with it and bought the CarryOut. Just set it out, connect two wires, watch TV. After having it for a year, you couldn't get me to go back to the tripod. Only disadvantage of the CarryOut is $700 - Ouch!!!

As always, YMMV...... The OP should probably try the tripod and if it works for him, great. Other wise bite the bullet for the CarryOut.

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Old 04-18-2013, 11:28 AM   #11
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Not sure about DirectTV (number of LNB's) but I used to do it myself on a 3 LNB unit just like the one in your pic.

Many times I could nail it within 5 minutes, but sometimes I couldn't hit it at all (all three birds at once). You can use a trick with aluminum foil and that helps.

Anyhow, I finally got tired of fiddling with it and bought the CarryOut. Just set it out, connect two wires, watch TV. After having it for a year, you couldn't get me to go back to the tripod. Only disadvantage of the CarryOut is $700 - Ouch!!!

As always, YMMV...... The OP should probably try the tripod and if it works for him, great. Other wise bite the bullet for the CarryOut.

Boowho??
Yes your correct "sometimes" finding all three can be a challenge.
"Normally" its the hd lnb that gives the fits.
I couldn't care less about hd and more often then not unless we are in local channel spot beam we cant even get locals so we "really" only have to hit one spot beam to make our viewing pleasure possible.
Getting the skew and azimuth correct for your area is the first make sure then get it pretty level and the rest should be easy.


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Old 04-23-2013, 08:23 PM   #12
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Does anyone use a Birddog to line up the satelite?
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Old 04-24-2013, 10:30 AM   #13
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Does anyone use a Birddog to line up the satelite?

Never even heard of it. I'm still sticking with my CarryOut as the BEST solution for me. Negative is the price.

For those that need to align a 3-LNB Dish Network it can be downright tedious.

This can help:

1. Turn off power on receiver (important).

2. Cover the the 2 outside LNB's with aluminum foil leaving only the center one "un-blinded".

3. Turn on the receiver and do a check switch. This will take awhile (38 steps)

4. Now get your dish pointed as exact as you can on 119.

5. Remove the tinfoil.

6. Do another check switch.

7. Voila!! Watch television.


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Old 04-24-2013, 05:01 PM   #14
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We just bought a tailgater off Amizon with the receiver and 100'of coax for 409. The best price I found. I know it only works with dish but the have a nice pay as you need it plan that I hope will work for us. I didn't want to change our house as we are happy with u verse. I. Like the idea of the auto find. Hope it works as advertised.



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