[Ken]

Thanks Jon,

We’re on the same page as there’s no Walmarts on the itinerary. We’ll be staying at the nicest campgrounds/facilities available at specific locations during the trip. A series of conference calls with the Goss RV so far have shown to be helpful in the planning process. Some of the stops will be overnights and some will be up to three nights at a specific destination. There are a few nights where I’ll plan on staying in hotels…for example, I need to be in NYC for a few days during the trip and the XL will be sleeping in Jersey City. I’ll be in a hotel those nights. Whether it’s me or the driver behind the wheel, I truly don’t see the joy of attempting to navigate the XL towing a car through midtown Manhattan! Maybe someday, but not on this trip.

Yes, we will be towing a SUV and there is a planned maintance stop halfway through the trip. Right now it’s scheduled where I’ll fly home for a few days while it’s being transported for planned service, but after reading your post, maybe I’ll change my schedule to see that specific service facility.

I have a shakedown trip to the Bluewater resort coming up prior to the big trip and considering I’ve produced a few videos in my day and published a few words, I’m hoping to document part of my first night’s stay and share it here.

All in all, I’m planning A Trip of a Lifetime and it could result in change of my recreational lifestyle. I have a lot to learn and I’m not getting any younger! Please note that this is a one-time type of itinerary, and if I proceed to purchase, future travels will be much more relaxing.

I realize we’ve gotten off topic in this thread and I hope I’ve made the point that I’m taking potential ownership seriously and attempting to learn as much as I can before making the decision to write the big check and the input received is valuable to me…Thank You! I’ve run forums in the past (any VOG Members here?) and I’ve seen some crowds be brutal to newbies and that’s not the case on PC….again, Thanks.

To get back on topic, reading about what the King Aire owner is going through and solely based on his posts, understanding that Newmar is not jumping through hoops to assist the new owner in rectifying the issue and providing timely solutions is puzzling to me. If I was running Newmar and this situation was brought to my attention, I would have someone on an airplane an onsite to assist the new owner asap. If this situation is accurate (yeah, I know not to believe everything I read online and that there’s always three sides to a story), not only is dispatching a tech asap good customer service and a way to stop this from being a PR nightmare, I would personally want to know why this happened and what can be done on the produciton side to make sure this same mistake doesn’t happen twice.

My purpose in posting this King Aire issue on PC was an attempt to learn what’s a reasonable level of after the sale customer service should I buy a new Prevost conversion, (or a pre-owned model from a converter that still has some sort of warranty) and something goes wrong during the warranty covered portion of ownership.

I’m glad the OP posted this story of his three day old King Aire in public view as it may give potential purchasers such as myself pause before wanting to deal with a specific manufacturer.

One more thing…

The reason I’m planning to visit Foretravel is because there’s little if any ownership experience information from IH-45 or Realm owners. I realize the Realm is a new model, but theres a number of IH-45’s out there. Understanding that many owners only turn to forums when there’s a negative issue, I’m wondering if the owners are simply satisfied with their after the sales experience? So, that’s why I’m stopping by the Foretravel facility.

Again, a Prevost is top on my list, but I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors by not exploring other options and hopefully, making this a pleasurable learning experience.

Sorry for the long post!

[Ken]

Stuff happens. I cannot speak about how major problems on new coaches are handled because I have no experience in that regard, but I would be totally surprised if it did happen on a Prevost conversion of roughly the same age and then the owner would be made whole, no matter what it took. I know of owners who have had entire paint jobs redone at no expense to them and the bill for something like that would have been very expensive. Two companies stand behind a coach, Prevost and the converter and both will set the standard for quality.

Bear in mind however if your target purchase is approaching 10 years or so you are on the hook for repairs. A lot of the reports of problems you see on the forum are people with older coaches, not to say just because they are old, but because neither Prevost or the converter have an obligation to pay for repairs.

Don’t dwell on repairs. It is skewing your selection process because we talk openly of needed maintenance and repairs. No matter what we experience it is probable those of conventional motor homes go through exactly the same level of needed repairs and maybe more often.

A well maintained coach kept on a good maintenance program is going to deliver a lot of trouble free service. When service is needed I am of the opnion it is going to be of better quality and done more efficiently that that provided by those who service a conventional motor home. Read the comments about those who provide service. There are very few complaints even though we will not censor any negative posts that have a well defined problem.

[Ken]

You are right Dave great friends. AMF buddy .. It’s been the same months on my new one and I have put in as much work on this one and changed stuff , maybe more stuff but its in top shape now , ready soon for next owner to have no trouble with it !!!!

[Ken]

A couple of months ago I brought this up and Jon gave some past history and very valid concerns. In the scenario you outlined Tom, it can work. With PC’s commitment to protecting the list of those who elect to be on it and it being on a private part of the site, there should be enough security to maintain confidentiality from nonmembers. The greatest risk would be from those members, be they regular, commercial or sponsors who comprise its integrity.

We will welcome those passing through our area to touch base with us if they have issues, questions or just want to say hello or visit. We will begin traveling in a couple of months for extended periods of time over the next few years. When there are others in a given area willing to do the same for us or any part there of we would be most appreciative. As we say in South Louisiana, “Un coup De main”, “A helping hand”. Sooner or later we will need one. The sharing on this site already attest to that.

If this gets off the ground, I would be willing to assist in any way I am capable. With that said I am not very astute with computers but will do what I can.

[Ken]

Tom

Since
it will be PRIVATE and for members only, I think it would work very well. I
will volunteer to carry some of the load if others are interested in a
Directory. I can work up a form, get you and Jon to check it over, then members can fill it out and email it to me. I will even set up a seperate email account to accomodate it. Then a simple transfer of data to the existing forum file.

Fred

[Ken]

WOW…I’ve got 350,000 miles on an Isri seat. I’ve replaced the main air switch once and replaced one plastic air line because it rubbed through on the seat frame. I guess, for once, I’m out of step.

[Ken]

I cannot answer the question but if you can get some measurements of the differential housings on each type you will likely have the answer. Both use the same pattern on wheel studs, but the drive axle shoes I think are 10″ wide along with the wide drum so the differential carriers might be different lengths. I can’t remeber either well enough to guess if the brake chambers mount the same. The vintages you talk about both use 30/36 combo chambers, but the caliper might require a different position than the “S” cam type drum brakes.

To make the change it might just require a full differential swap or maybe nothing more and to swap drum parts for disc parts. I do know the hub seals are the same so the bearings and machined parts are at least all the same diameters.

As to stopping, I think disc brakes are better but I have no data or proof to suport that. Prevost certainly does, but I doubt if they will share that information. The most effective improvement in braking in my opinion has come from the retarder compared to a Jake.

[Ken]

I talked to John Starr awhile ago , I was trying to get the paint codes for my coach,unfortunately he was unable to find them. He is now painting airplanes.

[Ken]

Diane, you tell Lary if I don’t get treated right I will be sending him a retainer check.

I am half Texan so I know he will take care of me.

[Ken]

Don and Joanne:

I previously owned a 1990 with 8V92 and 5-speed auto…you have 4-speed?

I towed a single level trailer extensively grossing at 12000# in high ambient temps. I removed the rear flap, installed vented rear doors, replaced the radiator, hoses, water pump and coolant. I would often have to gear down manually and reduce speed on hills to maintain 205. In addition, I would expect you to run high rear axle temps.

Sorry,ouut

[Ken]

We have attempted to get this going in the past and had no interest from the Converters, Coach Sales entities and especially the various groups. The groups all want to do their own thing and maintain their nitch and are reluctant to get involved. Why, I haven’t a clue.

If the groups would all come together on the concept, the industry would follow and it could probably happen. The various groups could maintain their individuality, be parked together and everyone could come together for the various functions.

So I agree, the venue could be just about anywhere that could accommodate the large group. The Indy Fairgrounds can accommodate large groups and that’s a good example.

I’m good with a committee if there is an interest. Jon and I have our plates full, so the committee could do the research and try to get some interest from the groups as well as idea’s on venue. You would have to have everyone in on the concept to make it work.

Jon and I can provide the direction, but we can’t do the heavy lifting right now.

[Ken]

Alrilght, after that comment on CC’s I knnow who my friends are.

I demand my dues money back and will move on to the other site, wait, there is no other site!

Jon, I wouldn’t fix toilets, I would just buy a new bus !!!!!!!!

[Ken]

Mark…

Can you see these pictures now?

Diane

[Ken]

Charles: At what temp do you start to run the Webasto to warm the engine up?

We were in Marion, VA a few weeks ago. Knew it would be cold that night. We had only 30amp service and quickly tripped the breaker which was behind a locked door so we fired up the Webasto. It was 21 degrees when we got up. That was the high for the day. An hour after getting up I turned the key to start the DD.The engine temp gauge showed 170 degrees! I was really surprised the Webasto was able to get the water that hot. Granted, when I turned the Webasto on the engine was already at full temp.

[Ken]

We are about 290 miles away in a compground and should be there in Kemah by tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to it.