JDCrow

On my project list. When I switch out my inverter, I plan to switch house batteries to Lithium.  The charging system kinda becomes  void as the lithium’s suck a lot of amps and can overheat the Alternator. Also cannot not “combine” the house and chassis batteries anymore, so that can come out as you did. 
I will be relocating house batteries as well. 
 

I’ll mark this thread as reference, I appreciate you taking the time to post. 

Maybe in here?

One year older 

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B0qDSBIXOYN1YVJfYllHemp6V2s

Blown steer tire? Would they have to hit something very hard to have the house come off like that? 

Yeah, they are not cheap. We had bright brass and wanted a bit more modern, clean look. 

I bit the bullet and replaced them all. All new fixtures. These are dimmable 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Facon-3Inch-12V-LED-RV-Puck-Light-LED-Down-Light-with-Magnet-Metal-Trim-2W-/303046078787?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

On 7/28/2021 at 5:54 PM, Chargerman said:

Wow. Congratulations!!!

Thanks. It’s a BIG improvement in our mental health. Just to have windows and a walk in closet have my wife more excited than I expected. 

Well, checked over the 05 Patriot, and wow, just wow. The poor coach is on life support. Slides leak, Aqua hot is a mess, paint peeling, cabinets a wreak and on and on. Needs so much work. 
 

We really liked the 06 Marquis, but even then new flooring, updating appliances, lack of cabinet space and the very dated 1/4” lacquer fogged cabinets. 
 

We looked at a Riverstone 5th wheel, while 3” walls and 5” ceiling insulation was nice, the fit, finish, and quality was way lacking.

Then we saw…. It. And it’s ours 

You are on the right track. Anything that comes in contact with the ground or stuff that moves (wheels, drive shafts)

I’ve overheated semi brakes using Johnny bar to brake the trailer. The drums bright red and linings on fire, but no sparks. But it’s not to say that you had a brake lining come apart and have metal grinding in there. 
 

Just a word to wise, with fire season, any of us would be in the hook for millions $$$$ if it was found out we sparked a fire with our gear. Stay safe out there

20 minutes ago, Ivylog said:

Day tripped to Zion which was a zoo trying to find a parking spot to catch the shuttle. Once in the valley the crowds were not to bad but worse than anywhere we’ve been this summer.

Arrived at Jacob Lake Saturday at 10 AM getting into the USFS CG without any problem… plenty of vacant sites in the no reservations half of the CG. Was able to get a 2nd site close by for our daughter’s 45’ Navigator…first time dry camping for them. They are learning you don’t have to go from 50A to 50A expensive CGs.

Headed to Zion on Oct. Staying in Hatch UT. Not quite ready for a full dry camp vacation! LOL. We might have to inch closer to Zion after Bryce as Hatch is 1.5 Hours from Bryce. Waiting to see if there will be an opening at Watchman. Haven’t looked to see how far Horseshoe is yet

The mobile oil change guy in Yuma had some Custom stands that were awesome. 2” steel square tube welded to large round bases. They worked great. Had had a couple of bases to switch to height he needed. I guess you could get 1 set since we had just one coach. I believe the steel tube was 1/4 inch 

5 hours ago, Ray Davis said:

Good morning JD,   I can see you are both thinking and planning.  I like to see young people looking ahead,   so many just coast along with no plan.

Thinking of your parents shows they did a good job too.  The good book says to honor thy father & mother 👍

We oThe country is changing so fast who knows what the future holds.  Hopefully sanity will return and we'll get past this covid and gov insanity.

We have a real estate bubble of sorts here in north Tx prices are sky high, but I'm sure it will burst eventually.     I just hope I'm still around so I can buy something.  🤑

Tons of Californians are moving here and everything looks cheap to them.   I just hope they leave their Ca. politics back there.👎🏼

Back to the subject at hand,   you give valid reasons and as long as both of you are in agreement you can absolutely make it work.  

I bet after driving the Patriot Thunder, that's the one you'll be traveling in.

 

BTW really enjoy your posts

 

Thanks very much. My wife is an only child and she is very close to her folks. I never was close to mine. We just have always had the understanding to call when help is needed. This last winter I went to check on my folks and they had no heat for 3 days! Said they had a company come out and it was $3-$5 to fix their furnace. I was disgusted as we put the ohms meter on and had it figured out in about 30 mins, but my folks were insisting a tech come out again. For that kinda of money a whole new unit should have gone in and not a repair. I called a buddy and he had a tech friend and for $100 had it diagnosed. For $1500 we had it all fixed. Moral was, I need to check on my folks more and make sure who they are dealing with so they don’t get taken advantage of. 
 

They also tried to by a Truck in Maine of Craigslist way below wholesale. Woman wanted a “small” deposit in EBay escrow (no such thing) to ship it out and let them try it out. Stepped in on that one in time as well.

We have watched grandparents in homes, and been depressed. We will do our best to care for our parents, but knowing our limits. My Step dad wants the old Indian way out with a bottle of Jack left to die in a snow storm, uggg. 
 

We don’t have 401, Roth whatever. I’ve invested the best way I know, in myself. Our biz has grown, and will sell for retirement barring any big catastrophe. 
 

But again, just a plan. 
 

9 hours ago, Ray Davis said:

For the price of an 05 Patriot that may sit stationary, couldn't you get a really nice and roomy 5th wheel?     Or do you need 2 motor homes?    His & hers?

This is a good question, and we are kicking a 5vr as well.

Biggest things is quality, and resale. The 5ver we live in now “looks” good, but nowhere near the quality of a coach. Rubber roof, questionable wiring, etc. Storage is horrible and we have a basement model. 
 

I believe a 5th wheel would be harder to sell, and depreciation would be high. I kinda think a 15-20 year coach is pretty depreciated out. And might sell faster? But you never know where the bottom is. 
 

And then the truck. My current truck will not pull a 5th wheel the wife wants. I can probably get the same payment trading in as my truck is desirable and has value more than I owe, but payments for another 5 years when this one has 1.5 years and paid off. 
 

All maybe moot. Might try another winter. Master plan is to have RV garage  with apartment here, and a winter home in AZ. We are in our late 40s parents early 70s, so we figure 10-12 years of time to ourselves before we need to build a home on our current acreage here in Oregon  that will accommodate aging parents correctly. (Wide hallways, single level no stairs inside/outside). 
 

Our business will be sellable in 5 years, either with the building/property or lease it and just sell the biz. Either way all this is just planning. The big coach is a stop gap till home prices find a down trending level in AZ (Havasu)  So a big coach lets us go south for a month or two. 

So there is master plan, and it’s just a plan as life is fastballs and curveballs. Lots of swings, misses, base hits, and the proverbial home run That allows us to retire. Who knows. 
 

Thanks for everyone’s input. It’s greatly appreciated here and in my other threads 

2 hours ago, Ivylog said:

We almost bought a 04 Patriot…bought a 04 Dynasty instead which we sold to our son after 14 great years so it’s still in the family for many more years. 
Brochure says “Roadmaster M10S–Series Chassis” and the only difference from a S-10 I can see is the house structure is aluminum bolted to the chassis… not as strong in a rollover. A S-10 rig will show the all steel framing in the brochures. I would rate the aluminum house a negative but not a deal breaker.

While on negatives but not deal breakers , the Emergency Window over the head of the bed is colder and noisy than one without a window. In the Dynasty I added a hinged metal grate over the window so we could recline against it to read and watch TV.

I like that the bedroom is more open…. extra cabinet next to the bed and double sliding doors into the bath area making the bedroom more open feeling. I rarely used the bedroom during the day with our Dynasty and currently I’m typing this in the bed (it’s 7:30 here) as the Nav BR is very open with a larger cabinet and the 2nd sink in the BR area.

In the current inflated market it’s hard to say what it’s worth. Helped our daughter buy a 06 45’ Navigator, couple months ago with a DD60 engine, 45K miles for $110K. Been a good rig with no major $$$ problems…put two 315 tires on the front. Had fairly new batteries, new carpet, a new 600D AquaHot and it was only 100 miles away. Fortunately put a deposit on it on the 2nd day it was listed as if they didn’t buy it I would and flip it. 
I like the big windows Monaco used in these years… makes dry camping easier as you get good airflow. Not sure the tall windows in the LR open 50% and if the awning is big enough to shade the bottoms?

Good luck and a 05 doesn’t have the multiplex system…a goog thing.

I appreciate your post. When I first started the thread I could only find an 2006 Patriot brochure, I found the 2005 30 mins later. So I misquoted the S10. The 2006 differs from the 2005 in the structure, like you mentioned.

I might hold off Then on this one and shoot for a year or 2 newer to get the steel semi-monocoque chassis. I’ve also really been looking at country coach for the live-in (thanks Scotty). And they are still in play. We group up here where Beavers are made and always dreamed of owning one, so I have a soft spot for them. 

30 minutes ago, Ivylog said:

I’ve put 120+K miles on the S-10 chassis  and describe it as rock solid handling. Multiple 750+ mile days are a pleasure… had to adjust the TRW in the Navigator after the first 200 miles as it had 2” of slop. I question how a tag axle 44” behind the drive can solve all the “handling problems” of the none tag rigs, but it does.

The Cat engine is not noted of great mpg but a 05 is before even more restrictive pollution stuff.

Beavers are noted for their woodwork…some day that’s why Monaco bought them.

We are only half timers but have some definite ideas on what works for longer usage. Fortunately the bath and half fad had not started in 2005. What floor plan is it?

It’s a Vicksburg 4

https://www.beavercoachsales.com/Pre-owned-Inventory-2005-Beaver-Motorhome-Patriot-Thunder-Vicksburg-IV-Beaver-Patriot-Thunder-10414367?ref=list

40 minutes ago, vito.a said:

A 2005 Patriot Thunder should be a 525HP Cat C13.  Lots of power.   The only criticism may be low fuel mileage.  

Yeah brochure says base is 400 C-9 but “thunder” package is a 525 C-12. Most seem to have the bigger engine, this one isn’t listed so won’t know till I look. 
 

http://library.rvusa.com/brochure/2005_patriot.pdf

Would the 400 cat be a bit underpowered for this size coach? It’s 42’ with a tag. 
 

And is this an EGR motor? I know 03 Fords went to EGR. But also know Cat got out of the over the road engine biz because of emissions 

16 minutes ago, vito.a said:

Monaco purchased Safari/Beaver in 2002.  Up until that time they were built on the Magnum chassis.  

Correct. 

All of us know life is full of curves. We love our Dip, and will keep it as a camping motorhome. We are thinking of adding a "live in" coach for a few years as things unfold in our biz and life. 

We currently reside in a Alpine 5th wheel and feel the floor plan while great when we were vacationing in it, is cramped for everyday living.

We are looking at a 2005 Beaver Patriot Thunder Monday to just get a feel for it.

Anything to look for? It has a Roadmaster s chassis, so kinda same issues as my Dip? Will benefit from Watts set up?

Thanks in advance for any info

39 minutes ago, Gary Cole said:

Thanks, That was an informative video. I would only add that I would have disconnected the air bags from the leveling system and inflated them using a tire gauge to a level air pressure using a brass  air stem and a couple of plumbing fittings available at any hardware store and driven home.

Would you need blocks to hold up the suspension while removing the fittings? You’d have zero air? 
 

I’ve been under my coach a few times, and not sure if it’s one of those videos or one before but he talks about a tech he knew was killed by air suspension 

Similar?

29 minutes ago, Larry Laursen said:

Based on several plant tours, Monaco used 2 different wall construction based on the model.  Diplomats, Knights, Cayman and Endeavor, Ambassador, Neptune, pre 2009 used aluminum frame that was installed with the interior surface pre-mounted.  The frame was then filled with insulation after wiring was installed.  The exterior then glued and clamped to the frame.  The exterior layer was luan plywood with sprayed fiberglass and gel coat.  The high line coaches used a fully bonded wall structure that has solid foam as the insulation.  You can tell the difference by looking at the electrical outlets.  The fiberglass sidewalls have outlets, whereas in the bonded walls, the outlets are in the interior cabinets because the wiring doesn't go through the walls.  

I have used Gorilla glue with a hypodermic syringe to repair delamination on the slide bottom.  It might work on a small area of the side wall if it is going into the luan.

Thanks for clarifying. Yes I have outlets in the walls held in by slim boxes that have tabs that grab the luan backed interior walls 

1 hour ago, Chargerman said:

There is a very thin Liam layer that is boded to the fiberglass. Delamination with this material usually is caused by water intrusion that deteriorates the Liam and it looses its bond to the fiberglass skin

Sounds like luan needs to be eliminated from the process. Still used extensively today. 
 

I know my slide boxes have it in them, as they came apart but really didn’t delam. The Guardian plates fixed the issue very well 

Thanks for chiming in, goes back to keeping water out, at all costs 

Thanks everyone, I’m trying to figure out the construction to learn how to best care for my coach. Can never know enough 

4 minutes ago, Gary 05 AMB DST said:

My 05 Ambassador's passenger side roof beltline caulking dried out and cracked. It caused the luan to delaminate. I wasn't aware of this potential problem and never checked it. This was within 4years since bought new.  All those days facing east with the sun beating on the roof. I watch it closely now.

Gary 05 AMB DST

So there was luan between the metal framing and the fiberglass delaminated away from the luan? 

1 minute ago, tcbrow said:

Thanks for the replies. I watched both videos and am not prepared to go that far. Minor delamination under the window and extra, added sealant around the window frame tell me that it was leaking. The delamination was a small area and wasn't causing any problems. I just thought I might try something while I had access. Thinking more about it injecting epoxy probably won't do much to help the issue without replacing the luan. Thanks again for the discussion.

I agree, can’t hurt. Anyway to clamp it to being it back straight? 

4 minutes ago, Ivan K said:

I would say yes, thin layer that looks like plywood,  same on the inside. It's been few years since I resealed the windows and the pics are all I have.

Ok I haven’t pulled any windows on mine to be 100%. I only say this as I purposely sought a Monaco/HR because of the way they were built. I haven’t seen one delaminated. If it’s around a window, then perhaps the glue/adhesive has lost the bond on that framing. 
 

Again, I’m going off what I’ve researched having never seen the construction first hand.