My name is Chris Dow and my wife and I live, work and travel full time in our RV - a 2020 Grand Design Momentum 397TH fifth wheel toy hauler.
Before becoming full time RVers, I had no idea how many people were interested in doing the same! I’d never thought of living in an RV until the day we actually went to a dealership to look at rigs. But every time I told someone what we were planning on doing, “I’ve considered that…” or “I’d like to do that one day…” was the common response.
With that in mind (and also the realization that pulling this off was going to take a huge amount of research and planning) I decided to document the entire journey.
My plan for this channel is to release my experiences chronologically for anyone thinking of doing something similar. From how-tos and tutorials to reviews, tips and my thoughts on RV life.
I hope to create videos that are informative, helpful and maybe even a little inspiring :)
Appreciate your thorough video, very informative! Did you consider the roadmaster comfort ride system with shock absorbers and if so, why did you not go with that?
Glad you enjoyed the video! Our factory installed rubberized equalizers had done pretty well for us over the past 4 years (no failures), so when MORryde release a new and improved version of a rubberized equalizer, with even more shock absorption, I was immediately interested in them. I also knew I wanted the X-Factor crossmembers from MORryde anyway (to sure up our spring hangers), so when I learned the AllTrek 4000 kit for triple axles included crossmembers, it all just clicked for me. Plus I was already wanting their heavy duty hardware kit as well. I’ve had great experiences with MORryde products in the past, so I was pretty confident the quality would be top notch. Long story short, I was very comfortable installing a similar (yet upgraded) system to what had worked well for us in the past, and I already trusted the MORryde brand, so I didn’t consider a lot of other options, including the Roadmaster system. Just my personal thought process! The other styles may be great!
Really great video. We have a 2015 Montana 3720RL with the 2118 fridge nd also would like to replace it. The Samsung fridge has a 28" depth while the Norcold is 24" deep so I don't know if we will have a clearance issue when closing the slides, from our island. Unfortunately we are away for the summer so I have to wait until we are back home to measure. Meanwhile we are traveling in a Georgetown motorhome and a few months ago installed the RF18. Love it!
Neither is sex in a hot tub, but people gotta try it once until they realize that all the water does is flush all the lubricant out and make it very painful for both parties
Well mine hooked to my F550 with a Jeep Wrangler in the back, weighs on average 28,600 and change. Without the 90 gallon aux fuel tank in the truck, fully loaded with water, fuel and gear I've weighed as much as 33k, I use to haul mine with a GMC but it couldn't handle it. The 23 F550 is more than capable.
Well, stay their again. Rent a really expensive car, have someone else check in, and get a room with the windows overlooking the car. Just wait and do what needs to be done when the time comes.
That’s some wild accusations. Good thing she wasn’t married to a cop or you would put the whole force on blast. Ghetto drug addicts do ghetto drug addict things. Get a better hotel next time in a better area.
Be careful where ever you stay pay strict attention to the surrounding area bring your own sheets They have become havens for drugs & addicts & criminals. Fact is lucky nothing was taken & highly unlikely they were scared off None are scared of the police anymore since all over the top crazy leftist defund & decriminalize crime /drugs >just facts in most areas/Calif bring your A game Pay for more expensive & security oriented Hotels better luck but even then 🤷♀️don’t leave your stuff in car
File a lawsuit and demand the security footage for the however long the person who's husband owns the body shop has been an employee or as long as the hotel keeps the recordings. Then spend countless hours going over the footage and provide the evidence to back up your theory otherwise you are just being human doing stupid primitive human things such as trying to connect invisible dots to justify your burden.
you have my condolences on having a 10 speed be sure to have it checked every 10 thousand miles the aluminum clutch drums are what kills an otherwise great transmission and no one makes a steel replacement yet
I was looking to buy the Lippert solid steps and getting the lift assist kit with it, however I was dissappointed to find out the lift assist is no longer being offered and I could not verify if i would be receiving the newer revised model or the predecessor version. From what i can tell the stickers changed from yellow to red writing - but even though some websites show pictures of both - I cannot be sure its the updated verion. I cant believe they would not sell the lift assist anylonger, i wonder if they are waiting till the new model comes out?
@@reygabrielgarcia3473 that is definitely a possibility and seems to make the most sense. I haven’t had any direct contact with Lippert in quite some time though so unfortunately I don’t have any additional info for you on this.
Good video. Some feedback for you and for others reading my comments: 1. After torquing, use a paint pen to mark the nut and hangar/component. That way you can do a quick visual inspection to see if the nut has come loose and only torque when necessary. 2. Use blue loctite thread locker (or equivalent) wherever lock washers/nylon washers are not used. Do NOT use the red loctite as you'll never get it off. 3. When giving the one or two pumps of grease in the EZ lube system, Dexter wants you to slowly rotate the tire. Thus, each tire will have to be slightly off the ground as you do it. I suspect that this may be the reason why you had so many grease seals fail. It's abnormal to see this many fail at the same time. Also, as you did in the video, only use a manual grease gun to do this as a powered grease gun can produce to high a pressure, thus blowing the grease past the grease seal. 4. This next point causes a lot of discussion. FYI that I'm an engineer. Run your tires at the recommended psi on the RV sticker provided by the manufacturer, not what the tire has on it for max psi allowed. If you run at max psi that is noted on the tire, yes, you'll get max load that the tire can handle, but you're also losing the dampening effect that the tires provide. Tires are part of the suspension, not only for load carrying, but also vibration dampening. The RV manufacturer recommends a tire pressure that will do both, i.e. provide the proper load carrying capability AND provide vibration dampening. A fully maxed out tire pressure will make the tire like a brick. Of course, it's your choice to run your tires at the psi you choose at the end of the day. 5. It's a good idea to give a light coat of grease to each bolt prior to inserting them in the equalizer or leaf eye. 6. If you can, I'd recommend re-routing your plumbing to allow for the installation of the third Morryde x-factor cross member. I can guarantee you that the two hangers at this point are taking more of a lateral load than the other two that have x-factor cross members installed.
@@stevenjefferys10 Thank you very much for this detailed feedback Steven! Many great tips here. I appreciate you taking the time to write this out. I’ll pin your comment so it shows up at the top 🙏
@@daveaugustine6327 I’ve never noticed them opening but they are sort of “suctioned” closed like any other residential fridge. I do place a large gun magnet across the doors though just as an extra layer of support.
Nice video. I have a Jayco with the Moryde steps, this means I have the bird etched out of the front of the top step. I have a large foot (size 9 women's) and I often kick that bird do to the shallow depth of that top step. Not fun in flip flops. Also that bird is bent and I'm sure I will cut myself one of these days. Thinking about making the chang now. TY.
I removed dining area and added a dual reclining sofa with storage and cup holders, with Ashley brand in microfiber. Fit perfect and microfiber will not peel, plus was about $450.
This is a great video - thank you!! We have already replaced our theater seating chairs due to the peeling. The originals were less than 3 years old. The sofa is now molting and we'll be replacing it soon. The theater seats we bought are the Thomas Payne fabric rather than the faux leather. Now considering taking advantage of the discount for replacing the sofa - this is the first I've heard of their offering discounts due to the peeling. We had received a discount last year because we were at Lippert attending their RV Owner's School and they had a discount as being an attendee. Definitely will look at the RecPro!!
Thank you I was about to buy a norcold or even furrion to replace / update the stock bs that came w my class a right. Not now might as well go residential and not have those problems like you said. I love the dc option but if it comes with headaches down the road I will pass and save a couple thousand. Thanks
@breannaolssen5076 You’re very welcome! But just to be clear, our 2118 was an AC / Propane combination. I don’t have personal experience with a DC version.
There could be a version of the 2118 I’m unaware of, but I believe the DC option also requires propane. So if it says the 12v/DC amp draw is 2.75, that’s how much power it uses while running on propane.
Great detail video. You sure are a great mechanic. Got a question, you did a video about a year ago on installing a residential refrigerator. How is that working out? Our Norcold 2118 just not doing it anymore. Thinking of putting solar on top of the roof and the Samsung RF18 in place of the Norcold. Any advice you can give me?
@@stevengoossen6019 Hey Steven! The Samsung has been going strong for over 2 years now. No complaints at all. I’d say all of the details I cover in that video still apply. It’s a great swap to do!
@@Insaiyanrider ours has full body paint which has been holding up fantastic. If you check out my Instagram or TikTok you can see recent videos of me washing it. Looks almost brand new!
Okay so where did you connect the two positive and negative wires that you cut from behind the fridge slide out…? I did the same and it keeps blowing the fridge fuse. I wasn’t sure where to reconnect them lol.
@@mementomori2353 I connected them to one another. I connected the positive to the positive and the negative to the negative. One of the positive wires is coming from the battery and one is going to the stove. One of the negative wires is coming from the battery and one is going to the stove. So you’re simply splicing them together so the power can flow from the battery to the stove.
Thomas Payne in the Ass. So much wasted energy making the kids use the couch carefully just to have it torn to shreds anyway within a year is ridiculous. I dont want a couch with lights, vibrators and heat. I just want something that can be sat on comfortably. Why does that cost a thousand dollars?! I unplugged all that crap right away. Still have a cup holder that cant hold a coffee mug nor do i have end tables. Weird designs when it comes to sofas.
@@AroundTheSunWeGo wasn't aware of the drop down brackets which us helpful because I can use those instead of making them when I decide to install a few crossmembers. Also the link kit is neat, wasn't aware of that neither. Thanks again, I'm now a subscriber.
