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Tom Whitlow

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Posts posted by Tom Whitlow

    Slide undercarriage damage

    in Body, Awning, Roof, Slides, & Steps

    Posted · Edited by Tom Whitlow
    Correction of misrepresentation

    I dropped our coach at Talin in Brooksville, FL late on May 10th.  Picked it back up on the 12th.  Chris did a fantastic job!  Very pleased with the quality of his work.  I believe he also fixed the air whistling I was having with the entrance door.  Beautiful polished stainless steel plates.  If my coach wasn't in the shop, I'd take some photos.   Impressive job.

    Camera Fell Off Windshield

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    I've had good luck with a different product from J-B Weld.  It's called SuperWeld.  It dries clear in 10 seconds.  It's a light activated instant glue.  It's kinda like the glue that dentists use, I think.  I got it at WalMart, back in the hardware section not far from the automotive stuff.  It was with the other fast setting glues.  There's a similar product I got at Home Depot from FiberFix (YouTube.com/fiberfix) called Total Repair Light-Accelerated Super Gel.  Maybe someone else will chime in with some better ideas.  Good luck. 

    Condensation between windows

    in Body, Awning, Roof, Slides, & Steps

    Posted

    I also used Suncoast Designers in Hudson, FL for several windows on our 1996 HR Endeavor, many years ago.  They made completely new windows and replaced them.  I wasn't really happy with the way they did one of the rounded corners on the driver's side sliding window.  But, overall, nice job, quick and reasonable price.

    TOAD Braking Systems

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    There are many towing and braking systems available with many pros and cons of each.  Some are almost bad enough to be a rip-off.  Some are easily portable.  Some are easier to use.  Some prefer dollies, some don't.  Some prefer car-hauler trailers.  Different reasons, different opinions and different costs.  If we don't discuss it, we don't learn from other's experiences.  If debate is what you call sharing your experience and opinion, then we need to debate it.  If your feelings are bruised because your opinions are challenged, sorry.  I really wanted to hear more from M&G system users as I may want to try that on my next toad.  And, to me, if you go to the expense of installing breakaways and baseplates on multiple vehicles then why do you want to cut costs on a completely portable box?  I use my AFO on two vehicles but they are similar so it's not difficult to move the control box between them.  But, it definitely ain't a portable system.  I used a portable system and a car-hauler on multiple vehicles for 15+ years and I considered both a PIA.  This is my experience (and just my opinion).  I don't feel that's debate.

    • Like 1

    TOAD Braking Systems

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, David Pratt said:

    There is no Way that the M&G Aux Brake System is easier to use than the RVi2 or 3 Aux Brake System. Every one has a different opinion about what, why and how they use the Aux Brake System they select to install in their toad and unless you have tried them all it would be very difficult to ascertain which is the best or easier other than the reviews posted by others. The M&G system may be just as simple after it has been permanently installed.

    I have used four Aux Brake Systems in my Coaches and M&G being one of them and from experience it is not any easier than the RVi system. The M&G System has to be installed permanently in your Toad and the going Labor rate is between $1200 to $1600 bucks and you cannot move it to enother vehicle without removing and installing it from one vehicle to another. To Move the M&G system from One vehicle to another will cost you about $2300 to $2500 bucks. Nothing wrong with this method if you like to spend your money. The M&G system is a good system if you want a permanent system.

    The RVi 3 System is Small,Light and portable and can be moved from one vehicle to another and can be set up in less than three minutes. Just like all Aux Brake Systems you will have to have a Emergency Break Away installed in each vehicle. It is a very good system if you trade up every few years.

    Well, do you also move the breakaway and towbar baseplates quickly between the various vehicles you use the RVi with?  I don't understand the logic.  I use two different toad vehicles also.  The AFO is not more difficult to switch between vehicles than getting down on your knees and hooking up a plunger to the brake pedal, connecting the wiring and breakaway, etc.  And, I don't need to deal with that extra piece of equipment.  Surely you noticed the better braking with the truly proportional systems connected directly to your coach aibrakes instead of the floorboard box.  Personally, I don't want to use a braking system designed to be temporary.  I can park my coach, unplug the airline, disconnect the breakaway, push a button to put the Tahoe or Escalade into gear and drive away - all in the time you'll still be getting your RVi disconnected from your brake pedal, disconnected from the vehicle and stored in one of your bays or stashed banging around in the back of your SUV.  The braking system, for me, is a one-time investment in a vehicle I specifically purchased to be towed.  Back when I wasn't sure I was going to keep the toad, I used a Remco system on the transmission and a crappy Brake Buddy braking system. 

    6 minutes ago, jjroxus said:

    I just had another look at my coach and it must have had a Brakemaster system once upon a time as there is an air hookup at the hitch and I think there may even be an indicator light on the dash.  However, the Ford Fiesta TOAD is the big barrier for that system...No room under hood for the break away cylinder.   Might be able to mount it under the drivers seat...but it would be a job!  I have to many other projects going as we try to get ready for our departure on June 1st.  So its looking like a RVIBrake or a Patriot3.  Wish I could find a good pre-owned one.

    I've got a Brake Buddy I can sell you.

    TOAD Braking Systems

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    Since you already have the air connection at the back of your coach, you should check to see if you already have the reservoir, etc on the coach required for the Air Force One like mine did.  After connecting the permanent cable to the brake pedal, the control box under the hood and routing the wire and small airline, the installation is done on the toad.  It's not difficult.  I'm 76 and I did it last summer on two different vehicles (2004 Tahoe and 2017 Escalade).  I also purchased the a second vehicle kit at etrailer.  You won't need to lug around a box that must be installed and uninstalled on the floorboard every single time.  To hookup, plug the airline and breakaway cable between the coach and toad.  Takes a couple seconds.  I used the Brake Buddy (similar to the RVI Brake) for more than 20 years.  It's easy to use - but a PIA.  And, you still must route and mount the breakaway cable.  No comparison to the AFO.   M&G also makes a system that's proportional and easier to use than RVI Brake.  Just IMO - but I've been flat towing behind a diesel pusher more than 20 years.  You can keep those boxes that must be connected and disconnected to your brake pedal - time after time.

    TOAD Braking Systems

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    I used a Brake Buddy for years on my previous coach.  I pulled a 2004 Chevy Tahoe using a Roadmaster system.   It was a PIA.   When I bought the Dynasty it came with an Air Force One pre-installed.  So, I installed the AFO on my 2017 Escalade toad.   There's a cable that pulls the brake pedal and air and electric that goes thru the firewall to a control box under the hood.  The control box has an airline to the front of the toad.  To hook up, you connect an airline on the coach to the airline on the toad.  I really like it as there's nothing to put on or in the toad when hooking up.  Just hook up the air line, lighting cable, and breakaway wire.  The braking is proportional and there's a small wireless box inside the coach that gives an audible and visual notice when the toad brake is being applied.  Works great.  It takes about one second to hook up before and after a trip.  I installed it myself.  It's not really difficult, depending on your vehicle.   However, my Dynasty came with a Blue Ox tow bar/system and getting the base plates onto the Escalade was a bitch - not for the faint of heart.  I wouldn't do it again.   

    Avoid Kevin Goodyear Towing in Troy Alabama

    in General Motorhome Discussion

    Posted

    Back in 2003 I got my 96 Holiday Rambler stuck in sand at the Gulf Islands National Seashore National Park.  I called Bayside Towing & Recovery our of Gulf Breeze, FL,  The operator, Glen Garrow, managed to smash and ruin our Kwikee steps, bend the  right rear storage compartment door and damage the cargo bay.  He then complained because he broke one of of his tow cables and doubled the charge for the tow.  I also got my Monaco stuck in soft dirt last year (during the rainy season) and had Talon Towing, North Port, FL pull me out backwards.  They scratched the paint when it come out of the mud and the coach rolled back into their equipment.  I'm thankful that's the only damage.  As you can see, I haven't had good luck with towing either.

     

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