Gemini and Compass

[mountainsam]

Originally Posted by PupPup

I'd like to take out the drawers out to see whats behind them. I can't figure them out and don't want to damage them. Anyone know how to take them out?

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1528321274

[PupPup]

Thanks guys. I did not realize that one tab went up and one goes down for drawer to pull out.
Meanwhile.... the Compass has been performing very well. I use it every Sunday at our flying field. I made my drone "follow the Compass" here's a clip.
https://youtu.be/desPhZhhSQ0

[mountainsam]

That pretty cool PupPup. Thanks for the clip.

[Bfdchief24]

Cool video. Need to get me a drone. What kind do you have?

[PupPup]

That was filmed with a DJI Spark. It does so many cool things.

[JamieGeek]

Cool, been wanting a Spark since they came out...

[vfrhugh]

On a long planned trip to Fort Wilderness Campground I had the scary experience with breaking down a thousand miles from home. We planned two 500 mile days for the trip. First day went great, 18mpg driving 60 mph. Next day we realized we weren’t going to make it on time driving 60. Set the cruise to 70 and things were great for 300 miles, 16mph. I-10 has rolling hills in the Florida panhandle where I noticed a small decrease in performance. By the time we turned south on I-75 exhaust filter clogged “drive to clean” messages started. Since I was already driving, it didn’t make any sense. About 100 miles from Disney I had low power but was able to make it to Fort Wilderness campground. Just as we turned into Disney property an”exhaust filter cleaning” message popped up but I couldn’t do anything but basically idle. I knew enough not to turn the engine off till the cleaning cycle completed. It didn’t work and still had “filter clogged drive to clean message”.
I called a couple of Orlando Ford dealers with expected results, we don’t service RV’s, I’m short a diesel tech, we’re covered up. One of them told me to try Rush Truck Center. All I can say is my faith in humanity is restored. I’ll spare y’all the details but in spite of them being “covered up & short a tech” I was assured they would take care of me and they did. Mikey met me in their parking lot with a tech to read codes and determine it needed to go back for more diagnostics. Even though Rush’s waiting room was awesome I decided to Lyft back to Disney to be with my family. Through out the day Mikey kept me informed. They did the PCM recall and a manual exhaust filter clean. All in all Rush spent about 5 hours on my motorhome. Can’t decide if it’s good or bad but they couldn’t find any broken parts so Ford wouldn’t warranty the work. At this point I was happy to not be stranded. Because I only have 7000 miles on the clock Rush didn’t charge me anything. Said it’s just not fair.
I don’t know about Rush Ford’s car business but their Truck Center on Diversified Way in Orlando gets A+ from me.
Also thumbs up to Lyft drivers Francisco & Alivith.
Hugh

[Paul N]

For what it's worth...On your way back to Texas, if you need another diagnostic look at your engine, stop at Gator Ford in Seffner, FL just East of Tampa - Exit 10 on I4. Gator Ford is one of the only Ford RV service centers in the area. It is also right next door to Lazy Days RV Center and just past Camping World if you need anything LP and etc. I have an appointment this month to take care of the tow module recall and reprogramming FSA.

Glad everything turned out good for you. Fort Wilderness is on our list for "in state" camping now that the Snow Birds have vacated and camp sites are available again.

Paul

[Chance]

Originally Posted by vfrhugh

On a long planned trip to Fort Wilderness Campground I had the scary experience with breaking down a thousand miles from home. We planned two 500 mile days for the trip. First day went great, 18mpg driving 60 mph. Next day we realized we weren’t going to make it on time driving 60. Set the cruise to 70 and things were great for 300 miles, 16mph. I-10 has rolling hills in the Florida panhandle where I noticed a small decrease in performance. By the time we turned south on I-75 exhaust filter clogged “drive to clean” messages started. Since I was already driving, it didn’t make any sense. About 100 miles from Disney I had low power but was able to make it to Fort Wilderness campground. Just as we turned into Disney property an”exhaust filter cleaning” message popped up but I couldn’t do anything but basically idle. I knew enough not to turn the engine off till the cleaning cycle completed. It didn’t work and still had “filter clogged drive to clean message”.
I called a couple of Orlando Ford dealers with expected results, we don’t service RV’s, I’m short a diesel tech, we’re covered up. One of them told me to try Rush Truck Center. All I can say is my faith in humanity is restored. I’ll spare y’all the details but in spite of them being “covered up & short a tech” I was assured they would take care of me and they did. Mikey met me in their parking lot with a tech to read codes and determine it needed to go back for more diagnostics. Even though Rush’s waiting room was awesome I decided to Lyft back to Disney to be with my family. Through out the day Mikey kept me informed. They did the PCM recall and a manual exhaust filter clean. All in all Rush spent about 5 hours on my motorhome. Can’t decide if it’s good or bad but they couldn’t find any broken parts so Ford wouldn’t warranty the work. At this point I was happy to not be stranded. Because I only have 7000 miles on the clock Rush didn’t charge me anything. Said it’s just not fair.
I don’t know about Rush Ford’s car business but their Truck Center on Diversified Way in Orlando gets A+ from me.
Also thumbs up to Lyft drivers Francisco & Alivith.
Hugh

Great objective report. Thanks for sharing.

I’m curious, if you had the option to go with gasoline V6 in your Transit, would you stay with diesel, or go to gas and take the MPG hit?

[mountainsam]

Hugh, thats the exact thing that happened to me last sumer coming home from the mid west. The ford dealer in Yuba City called the factory and it took two days but they decided it needed a computer rewrite and it was done and never been a problem since. And it was covered by warranty. Zero cost to me. Yuba City is a Ford Truck Service Center. Tuesday they are going to do the water intrusion recall.

[mountainsam]

Yesterday I finally had the window replaced the landscapper broke. The window was ordered April 11. It just arrived at the repair facility May 31.

Also last week the paint the dealer did not treat with the $1700 paint treatment I paid for was repaired (somewhat). I finished waxing it today.

And today I had the Sumo Springs installed. So I think we are ready for a great trip. Now just waiting for July 2 to come and off we go.

[safari]

Originally Posted by mountainsam

Yesterday I finally had the window replaced the landscapper broke. The window was ordered April 11. It just arrived at the repair facility May 31.

Also last week the paint the dealer did not treat with the $1700 paint treatment I paid for was repaired (somewhat). I finished waxing it today.

And today I had the Sumo Springs installed. So I think we are ready for a great trip. Now just waiting for July 2 to come and off we go.

please let us know the pros & cons on the sumo

thx

[vfrhugh]

From my original post:
Sumosprings showed up today. Hardest part was finding a socket & extension combination the correct length. I used the 1/2” spacer with the shorter bolts that came in the kit resulting in 1/4” clearance between axel housing and Sumo.
It’s windy here today (15 to 20mph cross wind on I-10). A quick run mixing it up with the 18 wheelers showed a noticeable improvement in stability. Compared to the way it handled when we drove it home from the dealer is night and day better. I believe it’s the combination of proper front end alignment, correct tire pressure (70# for me), and the Sumosprings SSR-121-54. I recommend them for anyone with a Ford Transit based Gemini/Compass.
Hugh

Follow up:
Currently on the road for the first trip since the install. 1300 miles in and still working great. Great upgrade!
Hugh

[Bob Denman]

Glad to hear that they've made a noticeable and worthwhile improvement to your rig!

[mountainsam]

I hit the highway today after the Sumo install searching out the trucks that roar up and down highway 70 about 2 miles from my house. They were all in hideing. I did notice a big improvement turning on entrance and exit ramps. Much more solid feeling.

[campy]

Originally Posted by safari

please let us know the pros & cons of the sumo

thx

yes, have put on about 3,000 miles so far and they have been great. the hardest part getting the camper in the air for enough room to get the socket in and out.

Wind and side sway is really much better. Noticed when leaving a parking lot and pulling onto the street it doesn't tend to rock back and forth like it did before.
I see no downsides at all. I really appreciated the information on these air-less bags.

[safari]

Originally Posted by campy

yes, have put on about 3,000 miles so far and they have been great. the hardest part getting the camper in the air for enough room to get the socket in and out.

Wind and side sway is really much better. Noticed when leaving a parking lot and pulling onto the street it doesn't tend to rock back and forth like it did before.
I see no downsides at all. I really appreciated the information on these air-less bags.

is the ride on the road the same ?

Great,thank you for the update

[campy]

Originally Posted by safari

is the ride on the road the same?

Great, thank you for the update

I think it is better. They start off soft and then get firmer as you have more tilt or movement. It raised the back end by 3/4" higher which is also better.

[safari]

Originally Posted by campy

I think it is better. They start off soft and then get firmer as you have more tilt or movement. It raised the back end by 3/4" higher which is also better.

thanks for all the updates

i like the way mine rides now with no mods

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by safari

thanks for all the updates

i like the way mine rides now with no mods

I'm not saying that you should "make the switch" to them...
But I've seen it many times: you'll just end up liking your ride even more!