Bruce Hull

Hi I noticed last fall that the water in my hot water tank was Rusty! and again this spring! what can I do or is it time to change the tank?  Thanks in advance ☺️Bruce

2 hours ago, tmw188 said:

What type of battery are they? Is your camping style one that would benefit from Lithium?

They're 100 or 200 amp hour lithium!!  Hopefully will like to Boondock !! 200 ah $600

I've been on the fence about upgrading to lithium batteries, i saw the goldenmate batteries and was wondering if anyone else got these batteries and is satisfied with their performance?? Cheaper isn't always better!! Look forward to hearing your comments thank you

2003 Monaco windsor, 2 silde outs! The main slide gasket, (looks like a wiper blade) is new from the dealer, and on the back side it. I'm always finding it out of the channel about a foot or 2. Keep going up and popping it back in! Is there a trick??should I be glueing this? It used to pop out in the corner, then I glued it, Now it's on the side. Below the corner!! Just wondering the best way to repair this tired of going up there and fixing it!! Thanks Bruce

1 hour ago, Gary 05 AMB DST said:

What is his age? That is important for a good life.

Gary 05 AMB DST

He's 65 and good health,, and already has all the tools,, worked on small engines in his 20 the start over the road truck driver in his 30!! Even went ower operator for 5 years, just looking to earn a living and be home, 

46 minutes ago, Tom Cherry said:

As one who figured out that my personality was not that entrepreneurial….in that running a small business was not my forte….I TOTALLY have the utmost respect for my friends that did it…but seeing a high failure rate for folks that did it too late in life and cost themselves financially,  I would be cautious.  The $14,000 sounds a bit steep.  I base this on funding and planning for my GK’s education.  There are some private tech schools that do not offer good value and the career paths do not produce the expected earnings.

ONE alternative, do some research and see if there are any public funded tech schools or community colleges that offer an associate degree in RV Repair & Maintenance. See the photos below.  When I started googling this, the list of “sponsored” ads was a bit overwhelming.   See the two screen shots below. Typically…BECOME a certified RV Tech in 90 days…..online availability and excellent payment plan options!  I had friends and employees that had “correspondence degrees” and most of them said that they would have spent less and had more lucrative careers if they had gone conventional…..  I might point out that a large amount of the Trillions of dollars in Student Loans that are a major government concern were to “private” entities….yes….one can run up debt quickly at a public (state or municipal) institution…..but many of the horror stories were for becoming a “Game Designer” as well as “Microsoft Certified”…..what ever that is.

I know from personal experience growing up in the heart of NASCAR (would be similar to Elkhart & RV’s) that at least 5 or so community colleges in NC have “automotive degrees” focused on NASCAR skills like fabrication, design, engine building, etc.  My cousin was was the instructor at my old high school and had a 5 bay multimillion shop and his graduates were the prize students at one local community college and they did well.  But they had had at least 5, maybe 6 years of total instruction when they got their Associate Degree…..and they were well covered compensated.

One pathway might be to become an apprentice to a RV shop or repair or Mobile repair and learn the ins & outs….while making $$ and not spending money.

We have many folks here that are more experienced and can trouble shoot issues in all areas.  Some are more hands on and are really nut and bolt snd wire and whatever experienced.  We have others that help out and do research and learn the technology or how the systems work,,,,and keep folks focused….as well as some that have both skill sets.

Retirement decisions come from many sources, challenges, necessities, physical issues, etc.  I have, unfortunately, seen folks that were going to semi retire and “sell”….real estate, time shares, you name it….and had to pass state “boards” to be registered and licensed…..only to find out that there was a WHOLE lot more involved and competition was tight and the hours were excessive….  But, we have former members that could afford to full time and visit families and travel….then settled down.  One was a successful small business person….who specializes in “swimming pool pump and motor” rebuilding.  He has a niche market in FL and says he could hire employees and such….but limits himself to maybe 6 hours at a time and then only 2 - 3 days per week and is demand….and is financially rewarded…

Just depends on one’s skills and such.  Also remember that a self employed individual that reports their income pays TWICE as much in FICA, Medicare & SS tax as does a “real” employee….Yes, my wife is a very learned tax preparer who has seen folks almost faint at their tax bills after all their “they told me i could write this off” deductions were disallowed….and then the 15% “self employed” tax bite….in addition to the normal Federal & State taxes….

Tks,, a lot to consider, didn't know about all these schools,  I'll look into them

My husband is approaching retirement, And thinking about retiring early and attending school for repairing r v's. ??  Cost  about $14000.    He does all the repairs. On ours RV his self, Including small engine work (oil changes fuel pumps , starter, alternators, etc) and remodeling. And setting up our tow car!  So Is there a need? And do you think it would be a good idea??? What do you think? Thank you ,   Sue and Bruce 2003 Monaco windsor

Have to check, it makes sense, sounds like the same thing, can be irritating,, tks

4 minutes ago, jacwjames said:

Fan blower motor???

?? Is it by the dash ? Never thought of that, my mind set says that that is on the right side,, have to look!! That may just be it 😃

We have a 2003 Monaco Windsor that has developed a squeal that fades in and out as we are driving!! If we stop, it stops, and it comes and goes,  and changes pitch,  coming from  or behind the dash,  can't figure out what it is? Not the turn signal warning? Or low air, or jacks down ,, at least i don't think it is!  Does everybody have a idea what it could be? Thanks in advance don't know were to start!!

Sorry. so long to reply,, that makes sense,, thats whats its doing!!  Just not locking up?? The lock works if i used a screwdriver??  I'll play with it again thanks.  let you know if i get it!!! May be a week or two .. still have a full-time job!! Hope to retire in a couple year

 I'm having trouble  With the top pin in the door jam. Going after the  rattles and fond the top pin was not Laching so i adjust it, then closing the door 2 or 3 times the pin moves so i put it back and get it as tight as i can, work the door and it moves again?? What I'm i doing wrong?? Or what trick do i need to do? Tks Bruce  2003 Monaco Windsor  38PDQ

I just got up there and used a cleaner- wax. And then a good wax over that, 

On 6/14/2022 at 8:59 PM, tmw188 said:

It’s probably going to be upside down from your view 

Just now, Bruce Hull said:

 

Were is this tag at ?

On 6/14/2022 at 7:30 PM, tomevansfl said:

A couple of months ago we were on our way from Orlando to St. Augustine, FL.  The fuel gauge read 1/4 tank when we were about 11 miles from our campground so I knew I had to get fuel.  I got off I-95 just south of the exit for our campground but it happened to be bike week and the truck stop at that exit had at least 500 bikers around the parking lot and pumps.  I didn't want to deal with it so we continued on to our exit.  Unfortunately there were no gas stations with diesel on the side of the interstate we were on so we went to the campground about 2 miles away.  When we were ready to leave I went directly to a station I'd seen on the opposite side of the interstate that had diesel .  As my luck would have it, the engine stalled in the lane to turn into the gas station. 

After spending $730 for a mobile tech to come out and prime the system we headed back home.  At a point a few miles from my exit, the engine skipped a couple of times.  I assumed there was air in the lines.  The tech said there was trash in the tank and showed me a sample of the fuel in a plastic bottle.  With my eyes and wearing sun glasses I really couldn't see much in the clear fuel. 

Our next trip was from Orlando to Auburndale (less than 100 miles).  There was no problem on the way down, but the engine skipped a few times on the way back.  My wife didn't have any confidence in the engine and wanted me to have it inspected.  Long story already, but the Cummins Coach Care near my house didn't want to work on it at first because Monaco used the Roadmaster chassis and not the Spartan.  Apparently they are only certified on Spartan.  I promised the lady I only wanted them to do work on the engine.  She then agreed to make an appointment but I had to have the engine number in order to make the appointment.  Where on the engine do I find the engine number?  I have a rear radiator so the only access I have is through the bedroom floor or to crawl up under the RV.  I don't store it at home so the only access would be crawling on a gravel parking lot at the storage facility.

I needed some other service work to be done so I made an appointment with Lazy Days in Wildwood, FL (formerly the FL Monaco service center).  Their diesel tech drove it and nothing happened for him.  About 1/2 way home (of a 53 mile trip back) the engine skipped a couple of times.  Not bad skipping but skipping all the same. So it seems it only skips after the engine warms up.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm a detail oriented person.

Any suggestions as to what might be the problem? Any suggestions for a Cummins repair facility in the western Orange county/Orlando area? Any idea where the engine number is located on the engine?

Thanks for your patience in reading my life's history.

I had the same problem, changed the filters 2 times and drain the fuel tank and it got worse over 6 months, turns out it was a air leak and the lift pump was suckling air , i install a fass fuel pump and bypass the lift pump, runs great now,