I accomplished two of my planned "improvements" on the RV today. I spent from 07:00-9:00 on top of our 12'10'' rig installing two MaxxAire II vent covers. For the non-rv'ers out there.. this allows you to keep the powered air vents open, even in the rain or while driving. Not a difficult project but tedious and messy with the sealant that needs to be applied. The original sealant needs to be cut away to accept the metal brackets, then things resealed. Not fun on the roof for someone as mature as me.
This picture shows pine needles as well as the two covers, (one behind the round TV antenna,) and the front AC unit, fridge vent cover and bathroom skylight.
And, I spent from 2:30-4:00 underneath our rig installing a Steer-Safe system. For the non-rv'ers out there.. this device stabilizes the steering and keeps the rig from being blown around by cross-winds and semis. It also is a big assist in the event of a front tire blow-out from what the videos show. Info Here Again... not a difficult project but messy with the grease and wrenches and sockets and heavy parts. Not fun under the bus for someone as mature as me. (A complete description of what is involved is shown at THIS LINK when I installed one on our previous coach)
But.. I feel really good this is done. We will be ready for our next trip with Bob and Barb Diehl to Kerrville.
Two additional "improvements" yet to make... stay tuned.
A quick update... Since getting the new coach three weeks ago, we have spent 10 nights in it. We got back to Houston on Saturday having spent the previous 3 nights at Buckhorn Lake RV Park in Kerrville TX.. It is one of our favorite places. I am happy to say all is well with the rig and its occupants. Things are working as intended and I am getting used to navigating this boxcar through Houston traffic, I-10 congestion and south Austin construction.
We have about finished deciding how to fill all the storage space. However,our kitchen sink remains here in the stick and brick house since the coach has its own. In a few weeks we will return to Buckhorn for a week there with Bob and Barb Diehl.
We took the "old rig" to Dixie RV in Hammond LA on Thursday to trade in for our new one. They have RV pads on their lot, for new owner orientation and to swap out the contents.
The new one is a 2015 Allegro Open Road, by Tiffin. It is model 32ca, 34 feet, on a 22,000 lb. Ford F-53 chassis. 12"10"" high.
The Ford V-10 gas engine is the same one as on the Isata, but there have been improvements in transmission, gear ratios, etc. in 7 years.
We stayed Friday night in it at the dealer, and Saturday night 30 miles down I-10 at a KOA in Baton Rouge. I wanted to get some highway time and have down time fully checking things out. All worked. Nothing needed to be adjusted. Amazing. We then left Sunday morning and drove the 300 miles home to Houston. Very heavy rain Saturday and Sunday so we have determined nothing leaks.
Pilot and CoPilot did just fine on the interstate. It was a good test for breaking us all in. I thought it rode and handled as well as the Isata, but is quite different to maneuver of course.
It requires some careful planning for gas stops to be able to get in and out of the pumps. We towed the Honda both ways.. no difference there. It has an 80 gal. gas tank so has a range of 500-600 miles... I don't know about gas mileage yet, but will be happy with 7 or above towing. I am expecting a worst case of 6.5. The Isata got 8.5 with the Honda and 9.5-10 without.
There are more pictures HERE if you want a brief slide show contrasting "the Coffee Bean" with "the Coffee Plantation House."
It sure felt like a house for the first several hours of drive time... and, as I was backing it into the driveway for the first time at home.) It has a rear view, and left and right side cameras which help a lot.. for lane changes as well as backing into our driveway.
Pictures of the inside on the next blog post.
