Month long trip is over - and Modifications review

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by newRVer

Where does one get their RV weighed? I was thinking about doing that now since it is brand new and I have nothing it at this point except what was delivered with the RV.

RVr

Sagecoachdriver is right. I've never seen prices that low (it's typically been $10-12 for me).

Otherwise, if you happen to be near any of the Escapees SmartWeigh locations- I strongly recommend doing that. The big difference is you get individual wheel weights this way. Coaches are rarely balanced on either side.

https://www.escapees.com/knowledge/smartweigh

[newRVer]

Looks like there is a CAT Scale only 5 miles from our House. I will have to run it up there when I have a chance to see what it weighs with a full tank of GAS.

[Creativepart]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Cost $7 but it only give you the front, rear and total axle weight. Doesn't do individual wheel weight.

On no Sage, it will give you individual wheel weights. All of these Cat scales have 3 weight sections. And while the front section has a couple of pillars and signage over it the two back sections don't and each have an apron on the sides of about 2 feet wide.

So, you don't pull up to the front weight section. You use the two back scale sections and pull up with two wheels on one side of the RV completely on the apron (not the scale) and two wheels on the other side on the two scale sections. Get a weight recorded and then reposition on the scale with the wheels on the other side on the apron and the two other axles on the scale.

You'll end up with two weight readings - usually $7 to $10 for the first and $2 or $3 for the second - and the numbers shown on the print out will be the individual axle weights of each side of the RV.

I also put the whole RV on the scale and got a complete weight too. The individual Axle weights I got added up to the total weight so I knew the apron method worked just fine.

You can find a Cat Scale at most Truck Stops, like Pilot, Flying J, or Loves.

[Creativepart]

Here's what a Cat Scale looks like with the apron on the sides that I mentioned. And before that is photo that illustrates the one side on and one side off method of positioning on the scale (It's a hwy truck scale but you get the idea).

[Garrette]

There is a great article in a last issue of Motorhome mag about how to weigh and get individual tire weights.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[GL1800Rider]

I have only got the all 4 together and rear only weighed so far. Our land fill does it free as long as you don't need it certified. At least it told me what my total loaded weight was loaded for traveling with full full, empty holding tanks and 1/3 tank of water and also what I had on each axle. If would be nice to know what is on each wheel though.

[Sagecoachdriver]

CreativePart, did you resolve the clearance light lens issue? Could this be it, or are yours orange?

[Creativepart]

Nope, that's not it and I did not solve this. In fact, it seems the only long term solution would be to replace all 5 of the lights. The company went out of business and I've found no supplier that has them in Amber. There are some out there in Red, so I've installed the Red ones on the two outside positions. So, now my clearance lights are Red - Amber - Amber - Amber - Red.

No doubt this is not proper and may not be legal - but it's a small thing and no one will notice.

When I added the Red covers I siliconed ALL 5 of the lenses to try to keep them in place.

[Steeljag]

GL - were you good with your weights on the 3011 ? Decent amount of CCC remaining ?

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by Creativepart

3. Winegard Pathway X1 Satellite Dish (roof mounted)
We've had a Winegard automatic sat dish for 3 or 4 years - but its the kind you carry out, run a coax cable to, run 12-volt DC to it and place it on a stand in your campsite. It's great and always works, but it's a big hassle to do all that - so much that you just skip it for shorter stays. I really splurged and picked up a smaller, newer, easier Sat dish and mounted it on the roof. The difference is you just turn on your receiver, select the State you are in and boom - you've got your Dish Network channels. No muss, no fuss. So, for overnight stops it's just as easy as using the regular TV Antenna. We still carried our older "portable" dish as a back up - and actually found it to come in handy once. But the roof mount came in handy at all other stops.

Following your lead and purchased the Winegard Pathway X1 dish. Will try it out over the next few trips before deciding on the roof mount or keeping it portable. Not buying the window mount yet either as no sense if we roof mount it. Maybe the ladder mount will be back out by then. Going to test it this morning.
Thanks, oh did you do the mounting yourself? Saw the mounting brackets at CW.

[Creativepart]

Yes, l mounted it myself. 45-minute project. Easy.

[CindyB]

So I took a look at the Thetford SaniCon video, but it isn't clear to me how you flush your tanks after emptying them. Wouldn't you still need your old hoses?

[Creativepart]

Assuming you have a San-T-Flush system you use it exactly the same way as normal. You connect a hose to the external San-T-Flush inlet and flush your black water tank as per usual. Then use the SaniCon system to empty the black water tank.

[sgtlm17]

No its not legal to have red to the front of the vehicle. If there small enough though it may not stand out

[radman]

When I went looking for a new motorhome, I had the dealer bring in the slide outs so I could seat in the drivers seat and make sure I was comfortable. I am 6'-3" so I need the drivers seat back. I found that the 3051 was the best for me.

[Creativepart]

Originally Posted by radman

I found that the 3051 was the best for me.

To me the 3051 is the perfect layout. We love ours. However, there are a few improvements that could be made. In fact, I'd like it if they made a deluxe version... the 3051S Plus. In that model they'd do the following:

1. Upgrade the dinette and bathroom counter top to the same solid surface material as the kitchen.
2. Put a non-plastic sink and metal faucet in the bathroom.
3. Install a rimmed toilet (Dometic 320 instead of 310).
4. Put a A/C-Heat Pump in the bedroom. (Upgrade to 50 amp service)
5. Slam lock latches on all bays and make most all bays either side or "up" opening with gas springs.
6. Gas Springs under Bed lift
7. Central lighting switches with built in dimmers
8. HDMI (rather than coax) wiring to all TVs - with improved Ant/Cable/Sat hookups in the main lounge and outside.
9. Dual Pane Windows

Other options could be:

• Residential fridge with inverter and 2-extra batteries.
• Solar Power option (installed or prewired)
• I wouldn't mind seeing a small, shallow slide opposite the bed in the bedroom to provide more room in the bedroom. I'd guess it would be the 3051SS Plus then.

If we were to upgrade to a Class A - I'd want the exact same layout with just more room in every room.

I can hear the response now - too much weight. Still a guy can dream can't he?

[newRVer]

Those are some good idea's there. As for the Solar Power option, our new 3011DS does seem to be pre-wired for solar or at least there is a label outside the door that indicates that it might be. I'll have to look at that closer....

[newRVer]

Actually, I had a pic on my phone of the solar connector, (see attached)

Is this limited to only ZAMP solar options? Warning sign indicates that.

[Sagecoachdriver]

I agree with most of Creativepart and would add
Cut sink lid for 17" round sink
Water pump switch at bathroom vanity
Light switches in user friendly locations
Clear entry door glass
Borg dually tire valves
As mentioned better TV/Sat/DVD wiring, dedicated outdoor Sat wiring.
Universal solar wiring


Here's my current solar in photo.

[newRVer]

Sage, what's the purpose of having a larger and then smaller panel?