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Old 11-18-2015, 01:40 PM   #41
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Originally Posted by Dave de Graffenreid View Post
...cut.... Any and all ideas welcome.
California Dave
Dave, just that you enjoy the trip and the motorhome. It's a great route I'm sure you'll love if you haven't taken it before.

And as you cross the Rockies, will you report back on how the new 6-speed transmission reacted to the mountains?

If you happen to keep track of fuel economy, it would also be interesting to see if the new model does a little better.

Congratulations.

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Old 11-18-2015, 03:07 PM   #42
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Congratulations! Check the shifter cable (although there has been no evidence that the issue affects the E450 chassis as it did the E350 chassis but they are both built at the same plant--e.g. no evidence that the issue isn't there either).

Take your time on the trip home and enjoy the country.
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Old 11-18-2015, 03:14 PM   #43
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Dave, Congratulations and welcome to the Thor Axis world. Hope you found the plant tour informative and the folks at Total Value RV met all your needs.


Have a safe and enjoyable trip home.
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Old 11-18-2015, 03:41 PM   #44
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Dave, welcome and have a blast.

My two cents:
1. Be sure to check that your's is not involved with the AC/Heater Safety Recall that came out on some of the 2016 Vegas/Axis models (mine is and E350); may not apply to the E450 setup.
2. Check your house batteries, if they are Harris find out what warranty covers them if they go "Sulfated Dead" during the first year. It happened to mine and Harris says it is WFCO's (the converter maker's) fault, and WFCO says it is Harris batteries and I had the out of pocket expense for two dead batteries that needed to be replaced in under 5 months.

Doc
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Old 11-18-2015, 05:18 PM   #45
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Use the PDI checklist in the manual I sent you. It is specific to Axis & Vegas. Let us know how you make out -- and also your impression of the build quality.

My dealer took out the two bottom drawers in the kitchen and also raised the passenger side bed to show me that they cleaned out all the construction debris, screws, sawdust, bits of wood, etc. Also look where every cable, hose, tubing, plumbing, etc penetrates from the exterior to the interior and be sure the holes are sealed with expanding foam. We talked on the phone about the passenger side mudflap -- just be sure they have it between the two pieces of metal so that it doesn't blow back against the exhaust.
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Old 11-18-2015, 06:00 PM   #46
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Originally Posted by bevedfelker
We talked on the phone about the passenger side mudflap -- just be sure they have it between the two pieces of metal so that it doesn't blow back against the exhaust.
My solution was to just install some truck mudflap weights. They were pretty inexpensive and if the weight hits the tailpipe it isn't a big deal as they are pretty sturdy--and they have a nice chrome look to them LOL.
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Old 11-18-2015, 10:02 PM   #47
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Hello new Axis friends. Day one: I left S.J. California for Elkhart In. Day Two: I will inspect and buy the new 2016.5 E450 Axis 24.1.
This afternoon I'll take the factory tour with my salesman. Maybe tomorrow I'll head south, down to the 40 and then west to California. Any and all ideas welcome.
California Dave
I'll be very interested in following your adventures in buying your new Axis. I am close to starting the process for a 25.2 Axis. We have two dealers here in Tucson, Lazy Days and Camping World. Looks like the Motorhome Specialist Dealer in Texas will have it for less. This thread (and others) have good discussions on this issue. It's a risk vs rewards issue. The more info the better for risk assessment.
I want to be sure to get the 2016 chassis with the 6 speed. Your trip back home will be an excellent test of your new rig. Yes, be sure to post!
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Old 12-08-2015, 03:24 AM   #48
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Hello Everyone,
I bought a 2016 Axis 24.1 with all the options. The coach was built in October 2015 on an E450 2016 chassis with the six speed transmission.
I bought it at Total Value RV in Indiana a few miles from the Thor factory that assembles them. The salesman agreed to the price I offered including all the options. There was one price and California sales tax. No additional charges.
In California the dealers included fuel charges, delivery and who knows what?
My thinking was this was the best price, close to the factory if anything needed fixing or replacing and I could tour the factory. Why pay someone else to put 2500 miles on my new coach.
Thank you Ed, I did a complete inspection of the coach and it’s systems before purchasing it. However at the factory they do a very complete inspect before the coach leaves.
I flew to Chicago, rented a car, and drove to Elkhart, stated at the Best Western just around the corner from TVRV.
One morning I met with a Thor Salesman and he gave me a personal tour of the assembly line in action. The tour was very informative and interesting. From there I stocked up at Walmart and was on my way to California.
In the next six days and nights I got to know the coach, Garmin, Axxera Radio, my smart phone, the interstate highways, truck stops and the power of cross winds.
I spent four peaceful nights in truck stop car parking areas. I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable priced good food at night and hot coffee in the morning.
I spent two nights in campgrounds where the cable was questionable and the Wi-Fi nonexistent.
To avoid wind (so I thought) snow and cold, I drove south west through Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma to reach the 40 Hwy. I had lots of cross wind for two and a half days until after Oklahoma City. At the end of the third day I was able to use the cruise control at 66mph and pass trucks at 65-75mph. I when over lots of hills at 66mph, the six speed transmission gently down shifted to fifth and went right on over the hill. The coach has plenty of power. I didn’t notice a lot of noise, maybe they did some improvement with insulation.
I drove about 300 to 500 miles a day no problem. The mileage was the worst at 60mph in the wind 8.5mpg. The best was 10.37mpg using the cruise control at 66mph. I drove 2500 miles, used 273 gal. and averaged 9.35mpg. The total cost of gas was $583.72, The average price per gallon was $2.14
I’m home now in Southern California. I’m looking at adding a macerator first thing and a satellite dish. My wife has made beautiful bedding and we are stock her up. I think the coach will meet our need while spending time in the grand kids drive way in Los Gatos as well as dependable travel up the Oregon Coast and beyond. Thanks everyone for all the encouragement. Dave de Graffenreid
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Old 12-08-2015, 04:54 PM   #49
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Dave -- sounds like a great trip. Enjoy the new Axis. Maybe we'll run into each other on the road.
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Old 12-08-2015, 05:06 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave de Graffenreid View Post


....cut....
To avoid wind (so I thought) snow and cold, I drove south west through Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma to reach the 40 Hwy. I had lots of cross wind for two and a half days until after Oklahoma City. At the end of the third day I was able to use the cruise control at 66mph and pass trucks at 65-75mph. I when over lots of hills at 66mph, the six speed transmission gently down shifted to fifth and went right on over the hill. The coach has plenty of power. I didn’t notice a lot of noise, maybe they did some improvement with insulation.
I drove about 300 to 500 miles a day no problem. The mileage was the worst at 60mph in the wind 8.5mpg. The best was 10.37mpg using the cruise control at 66mph. I drove 2500 miles, used 273 gal. and averaged 9.35mpg. The total cost of gas was $583.72, The average price per gallon was $2.14
....cut....
Thanks for report, particularly on new transmission and mileage.

I'm glad to hear the 6R140 6-speed downshifted smoothly without over-revving. I expected it would be quite an improvement based on gear ratios, but it's good to confirm that it didn't double or triple downshift sending RPMs sky high.

One thing I'm curious about is whether you have the ability to shift through all gears manually. When I saw one of the new RVs at a show recently, I did not see a button or other means to hold any of the 6 gears manually. I recall 4 choices on shifter, but I'm not sure how that works or about the other two gears.

Anything you can add on that aspect is appreciated.


BTW, every time I've taken a trip West from Texas, I've gotten higher MPGs on way East than driving West. Must be winds are frequently out of West. Anyway, your mileage seems great for a brand new unit going West and with crosswinds.
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Old 12-08-2015, 05:09 PM   #51
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Dave,


Good trip report and glad you made it back home safely.


We bought ours at Total Value RV also and have never regretted it in the least. Ivan and the rest of the family there are good folks.
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Old 12-08-2015, 05:11 PM   #52
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Thor Axis Electrical issues

We are en-route to Mesa AZ in a 2016 Thor Axis. Have had lots of issues, all covered under warranty but a pain to keep going to the dealership for service.
I will also say, we are 1st time RV-ers. We are pulling a Honda Fit and have had no problems until this morning when the radio, camera went out. Cannot get it to turn on even with the generator. Any suggestions on what could possibly be the issue? I have interior lights, the outlets are hot - what the heck?
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Old 12-08-2015, 06:07 PM   #53
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Sounds as if you may have a fuse blown. There are some in the forward storage compartment on the driver's side and on the firewall near the brake pedal. I would check the outside fuse panel 1st.
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Old 12-08-2015, 06:42 PM   #54
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"We have two dealers here in Tucson, Lazy Days and Camping World. Looks like the Motorhome Specialist Dealer in Texas will have it for less. "
I got a Quote from MHRVS and them made an offer at my local CW. They were able to come within $500 of quote (final price MSRP - 29%). Worth a try.
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Old 12-09-2015, 12:23 AM   #55
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That's what I did with my Hurricane....got the special click here email quote from MHRVS and the CW here near San Antonio matched it......in retrospect, had a few issues getting some warranty work done from CW, but I guess worth the hassle of being local, and I never left it overnight with them. Would have been a pain to drive up to FT. Worth for repairs.
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Old 12-09-2015, 02:13 AM   #56
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Flogger-
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase!

We had something similar happen, caused by a loose connection on a breaker next to the chassis battery on the curb side under the hood. Tech tightened the nut and problem solved!
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Old 12-09-2015, 03:49 PM   #57
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Dave , I have a 2016 24.1 also, let us know how you do incorporating the macerator. I don't why they don't include one on RV's as standard equipment. I have a VacuFlush toilet on my boat, too bad they don't use them on RV's.


Thanks for the great trip info


Andy
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Old 12-10-2015, 01:31 AM   #58
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Hello Andy, For 26 years I have had and still do have a 76 GMC 26' classic motorhome. I install a macerator on it 24 years ago, they are the only way to go. I just ordered one Portable Flojet Waste Macerator for the Axis. It has a fitting that will screw right on our swiveling tee. It will leave it connected all the time behind the door. The 10 foot 1"hose will slide into ABS pipe attached to the frame.


PPL RV Parts Superstore pplmotorhome.com
Portable Macerator 86-8178 $203.59
Adapter fitting 88-8663 $12.38
10' Extension hose 88-8658 $38.06


Parts should arrive by the weekend, I'll keep you posted on how it fits. Also order a Mission Satellite Dish.


I attempted to register the coach at AAA and discovered because I bought it out of state I have to smog it.


It sure is a nice coach.
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Old 12-10-2015, 05:00 AM   #59
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Congratulations Dave! Hope you enjoy your new coach. Thanks for sharing information about it and how it performed on your journey home.
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Old 12-11-2015, 12:50 AM   #60
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Someone once suggested one should change the Basement locks, that many keys match. Are new basement locks from PPL going to be any different?
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