Re: [A/S] Later model skin coatings

["Lewis Leistikow" <LewLei@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Charlie and Sam, thanks for the reports on the finish.  This will be 
my 3rd 34 (two Argosy's before that).  You guys give me a lot of 
hope.  From past experiences, I just figured that when this one 
began to peel, I'd not mess with it, but have it painted.  

Hunter, I moved the bike loader into the new truck (El Gran Rojo).  
This is the 3rd truck it has been in.  The only problem is that 
being a 4wd one ton and 17 inch wheels plus the service body, it 
sits a good deal higher than the others.  When the loader is all the 
way out, it still lacks about 6 inches of touching the ground.  But, 
that is a minor irritation, and no more.  I compensate with a couple 
of boards to fill the gap.  But, this sucker is Big (the truck).  
I'll send pix in a few days.

Tom, yes, mine has the linoleum in the galley area.  The dealer 
didn't know about the change.  He thought I'd get matching Hickory.  
When I was looking at it for the first time, it was in a barn and 
was hot (100 outside) so I didn't linger too long at any one time.  
At first look, the lino seems dull, but may have some sort of 
coating or just need a cleaning.  We'll see.  It is a 34 Limited, 
slide lounge with the file drawers vice fireplace in front.  I also 
had the knee hole enclosed with cabinetry.  I was concerned that the 
pull out part of the desk in the center would be at a good height 
for my laptop, and at first inspection, it is perfect.  I deleted 
the lounge chair and will buy an executive type office chair 
instead.  I'm looking for something that will be comfortable to work 
on the computer while also doubling as a comfortable lounge chair.  -
 -  The carpeting isn't very impressive either.  But, it is a lower 
pile than in the past, is not a plush but has a sculpted pattern to 
it.  It is more brown than the beige I expected.  In fact, I thought 
I was getting blue.  The dealer said that it would be blue.  But, as 
I expect to eventually change to pergo, I don't really mind.  And, 
at that, the lino in the galley solves a problem; matching pergo to 
what would have been wood in the galley.  One other disappointment.  
On my motorhome, I have a Thetford all porcelan toilet.  I really 
like it as it is easy to clean and doesn't stain with time like the 
plastic can.  The dealer assured me that the porcelan was standard, 
but it came with plastic.  

Two or three minor disappointments, but many pleasant surprises.  
DVD player as well as a VCR.  Surround sound (but the service 
manager who was with me going through it didn't know if the radio 
used the surround sound or just the TV - ???  Doesn't make much 
sense not to be able to play the radio through it, but when we 
turned on the radio, it played through the small built in speakers 
only).  It has a 10 cu ft fridge that is fantastic.  It will be 
perfect for me.  I've seen RV's with the side-by-side models and for 
just me, they are too big.  Electric jacks, two Fantastic Fans and 
on and on.  Hope to begin to move into it tomorrow.

As to handling, I strongly recommend that you use a Hensley Arrow 
hitch.  It is rock solid, no sway or wind push whatsoever from 
trucks, and a kind of neat side benefit is that when you turn, the 
trailer actually tracks a bit to the outside of the turn compared to 
a standard Reese type.  Making right turns isn't bad at all.  As 
with all long rigs, you do have to swing wide.  When I have to make 
a right turn, I try and stay as far to the left of the lane as 
possible and swing as wide as possible.  Yes, there have been times 
when I went over the curb, but very seldom.  And, you can watch in 
your side mirror and if you see you are going over the curb, go very 
slow to prevent wheel/tire damage.  More often with the 34's I have 
drug the rear going through a dip.  The trailers sit low anyway and 
with the length, you are just going to drag from time to time.  But, 
on past trailers, there were a couple of extra pieces of steel 
welded under the rear that act as skids and prevent any damage to 
the bumper and drawer.

Gettin' very excited.

Lew