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Old 09-16-2015, 03:24 AM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37KT
State: Texas
Posts: 155
THOR #2871
New Challenger Owner Needs Advice

I will be picking up my new 2016 Thor Challenger 37KT tomorrow (Wednesday) from Motor Home Specialists in Alvarado, TX. I'm not new to RVing (have had travel trailer, 5th wheel, and diesel pusher) but new to Thor and a gas Class A. Any advice on what to watch for or anything else you think I should be aware of regarding this motorhome would be appreciated. I look forward to participating in and learning from this forum. Wish me luck.

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Old 09-16-2015, 03:45 PM   #2
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THOR #2628
Our Fireplace rattled a lot. Also when using the awning make sure you don’t open them to far as they can rewind backwards.

Check the Fireplace and Rapid camp all features.

Also check the shower floor make sure it is not soft.

If your going to use the Mirror function on the radio get all the cables and make sure you get the updates.

Good luck, we love ours

KC
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Old 09-16-2015, 03:51 PM   #3
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THOR #2628
Make sure the dealer goes through everything!!!! Take as much time as you need.

Have fun!!!!

KC
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Old 09-17-2015, 01:07 AM   #4
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THOR #2871
Thanks

Thanks for the advice on the new Challenger 37KT. We spent about 3 hours in the coach before driving it off the lot. One of their RV techs spent 2 hours going over all the systems with us and we recorded most of it. After that we drove it 200 miles back home. So far so good. I think we are going to enjoy it.
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Old 09-17-2015, 10:20 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbmartiniv View Post
Thanks for the advice on the new Challenger 37KT. We spent about 3 hours in the coach before driving it off the lot. One of their RV techs spent 2 hours going over all the systems with us and we recorded most of it. After that we drove it 200 miles back home. So far so good. I think we are going to enjoy it.
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the Challenger.

Sorry I didn't catch this beforehand but I'm travelling for business this week.

In a couple of days, after the dealer registers your warranty with Thor, call or email Thor and ask for the fresh and waste water diagrams as well as the electrical diagrams for your coach. Those will be good items to have in your manual bag.

During my PDI I forgot to take a DVD. Later I found that the DVD player and the televisions were cabled incorrectly. It was an easy fix once I figured out what had happened. Also Thor forgot to install a bulb seal on the inside of one of my slides. Since the seal serves as a wire chase during my shakedown the slide motor came unplugged with the slide partially extended. Thor authorized a mobile tech and then sent me the seal which I installed. No problems with the slide since then.
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Old 09-17-2015, 04:53 PM   #6
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Thanks for the info, Dave. I'll check out the DVD and TVs today. Didn't get it home until after 6PM last night due to 2 wrecks on I-20 from Dallas. It was a nightmare! All the family came over after I got home to look at it so most of my time was simply showing them around. I've been going through all the manuals this morning just to see what was there and i have downloaded some additional info from the internet. I'll be putting together a file box so I can locate everything easily. A gas engine is definitely different from a diesel but I had no power-related problems. It actually drove better than my 2007 Fleetwood Discovery did and unless I was on a steep hill and the transmission downshifted a couple of gears, it wasn't as noisy as the Discovery was. I stopped to fill up when I got home and wasn't real fond of where the gas fill is located. It was up front just behind the driver on each side and easy to see when you were in position. With the filler in the rear I had to get out to see if the hose would reach and then get back in and move it a couple of times. Then when the rear end is even with the pump the coach is blocking a lot of real estate at the pumps. That will take some getting used to and looking for stations where I will have ample room. Another little thing that disappointed me just a tad is the rear and side view camera monitor. The screen is only 6" (was 7.2" in the D), the display is not as crisp/clear, and there are no backup guides on it. But for $100,000 less than a new Discovery I can live with all of that and more!!!!

I look forward to participating and learning in this forum. Thanks a bunch.

Robert
Nacogdoches, TX
2016 Thor Challenger 37KT
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Old 09-17-2015, 05:02 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by rbmartiniv View Post
Another little thing that disappointed me just a tad is the rear and side view camera monitor. The screen is only 6" (was 7.2" in the D), the display is not as crisp/clear, and there are no backup guides on it.
We get a lot of glare on the camera monitor which makes it very difficult to see except at night. Looking to see if I can find some anti-glare film to put on the screen.
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Old 09-17-2015, 05:09 PM   #8
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Yes, the glare was quite bad. I was hoping there was a brightness adjustment, but haven't found one. I would also wish it were a tad higher and closer to the driver. I don't like to have to move my head to look at it. Would rather just flick my eyes over and back without moving my head.
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Old 09-17-2015, 05:28 PM   #9
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To be honest, I mostly just use the mirrors like I have since I learned to drive. Visibility in the mirrors is very good and much better than on the small screen.
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Old 09-17-2015, 06:45 PM   #10
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THOR #2871
I also use the mirrors mostly, but I like to have the rear camera on the screen to keep an eye on my toad.
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Old 09-17-2015, 06:53 PM   #11
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That is really the only thing we use it for. But I have not yet been able to figure out how to use the radio and the rear camera at the same time. I know I read that it can be done but doesn't seem to work for me.
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Old 09-17-2015, 06:57 PM   #12
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I have a lot to figure out!
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Old 09-17-2015, 07:21 PM   #13
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I've had mine since the end of July and still trying to figure every thing out. Took me about three weeks to find the water filter but it was we'll hidden.
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Old 09-17-2015, 07:31 PM   #14
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I use my mirrors most of the time as well!! I also have not made the Mirroring function to work yet? Has anyone?
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Old 09-17-2015, 08:22 PM   #15
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I have it working but the screen is so small and the angle is such that I can't see it anyway. I have an HDMI connection and a USB connection on the dash just below the radio. I have a connector that allows me to plug the HDMI cable into my iPad. The USB also plugs into the connector for charging. As soon as I turned on the iPad it came up on the screen.
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Old 09-17-2015, 08:27 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by pstandiford View Post
I have it working but the screen is so small and the angle is such that I can't see it anyway. I have an HDMI connection and a USB connection on the dash just below the radio. I have a connector that allows me to plug the HDMI cable into my iPad. The USB also plugs into the connector for charging. As soon as I turned on the iPad it came up on the screen.
Wow, I have not been so luck yet. I hope with this new HDMI plug I can get mine to work.

KC
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Old 09-17-2015, 09:32 PM   #17
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There is a selection on the main menu. I can't remember exactly what the icon is but if your device is not plugged in it gives you an error message. When you say new HDMI plug I assume you are talking about the Apple AV Connector?
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Old 09-17-2015, 10:05 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by pstandiford View Post
There is a selection on the main menu. I can't remember exactly what the icon is but if your device is not plugged in it gives you an error message. When you say new HDMI plug I assume you are talking about the Apple AV Connector?
No I have the Apple AV connector, but I was told I need a active HDMI. We will see.

KC
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Old 09-17-2015, 10:33 PM   #19
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37KT
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THOR #2871
I just realized the Axxera radio has no AUX input. The Apple digital AV adapter has a Lightning connector on one end (for the iPhone or iPad) and an HDMI on the other end. You will need an HDMI cable to go from the adapter to the HDMI input for the radio. I was just looking at them. About $50 without HDMI cable.
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2015 Ford Focus
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Old 09-17-2015, 10:38 PM   #20
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They are made with either the original connector or the Lightning connector.
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD...tal-av-adapter

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD...tal-av-adapter
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