Observations and Lessons learned from our 1st long trip with 2017 Axis 24.1

[Hudsoner]

My husband is looking into sumo springs. If you care to comment on your experience, it would be most welcome.

I can share my experience with you. I drive a 31' long Hurricane on a Ford F53 chassis, and had all the driving problems almost everybody driving an F53 has. I first installed the CHF (cheap handling fix) to the front and rear sway bar links. This was followed by changing the stock shocks for Bilstein shocks, followed by the installation of a rear track Bar (Blue Ox Tiger Track). These modifications improved the handling a lot, but passing trucks still blue me o the side. Prior to a more than 4000 miles long trip this summer, I installed Sumo Maxime springs in the front. And that helped a lot! Trucks don't bother me anymore, in fact most of the times I don't even realize that a truck is passing me until I see it through my side window! My trip was to the Pacific North West, and I did a lot of mountain driving, some of it on rather small and very winding roads. That was not really fun, but not because of handling problems but rather because of the size of the vehicle.
Handling is no problem anymore, but I am still driving a truck and it is still rather harsh suspended when bad road sections are under its wheels.
I could install a Kelderman suspension system that would provide almost air ride qualities, but that would set me back about $10,000. I am currently investigating how I can achieve a similar ride for way less money. It helps that my son is a master mechanic with the largest Ford dealer in the state, and that we have a full equipped automotive shop at home.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by jimbo21793

Where did you get that windshield cover!? Thanks

If you are asking about ours as shown in this pic:

The windshield cover is a Sunguard RV windshield cover.

[Mitch S]

Jamiegeek, are they ever going to have all the lanes on the Rouge River bridge open? We used to travel to Royal Oak about once a year, and I remember very few times that all the lanes were open. Haven't been to Michigan but once since my sister retired and it was a quick pass thru trip. I'm hoping to get back up that way to see relatives that live in the Metro Detroit area.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Mitch S

Jamiegeek, are they ever going to have all the lanes on the Rouge River bridge open? We used to travel to Royal Oak about once a year, and I remember very few times that all the lanes were open. Haven't been to Michigan but once since my sister retired and it was a quick pass thru trip. I'm hoping to get back up that way to see relatives that live in the Metro Detroit area.

Of course we only have 2 seasons - winter and construction... MDOT just started a 14 YEAR project on I-75 thru Oakland County (north of Detroit).

I should have invested in 'orange barrel' stock... lol

[sepesce]

[QUOTE=Hudsoner;49984]I can share my experience with you. I drive a 31' long Hurricane on a Ford F53 chassis, and had all the driving problems almost everybody driving an F53 has. I first installed the CHF (cheap handling fix) to the front and rear sway bar links. This was followed by changing ....

Thanks Hudsoner, your experience is very helpful. I expect this will be our next install. Sadly , Odie is going into storage tomorrow for the winter. Boo hoo.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Mitch S

Jamiegeek, are they ever going to have all the lanes on the Rouge River bridge open? We used to travel to Royal Oak about once a year, and I remember very few times that all the lanes were open. Haven't been to Michigan but once since my sister retired and it was a quick pass thru trip. I'm hoping to get back up that way to see relatives that live in the Metro Detroit area.

Originally Posted by gmc

MDOT just started a 14 YEAR project on I-75 thru Oakland County (north of Detroit).

Yeah and the Rouge River bridge has been falling apart lately--I think they will be working on that a while.

If you're really bored you can read this: MDOT Mega Projects update (pdf) (Go to page 17 for Rouge River Bridge schedule.)

[axis earl]

Here are my comments about your 24.1-

1. As far as handling is concerned, do you have a Saf-T-Plus steering stabilizer installed? Makes a huge difference in driving comfort, passing big rigs, etc...

2. Signals to your spouse when parking and backing? We bought a pair of Midland walkie-talkies.... I have a headset with a boom mike for the driver. Worth every penny.

Other than that, sounds like you all did pretty well.

[SuperD]

Always puts a smile on my face when I read about folks enjoying their RV!

I have a cellphone mount on the dash, I put the phone on speaker and get directions from my wife hands free that way. My wife gives good directions but had no concept of distance, to her it's "close, closer, or really close." I figured out "really close" means about a foot so I'm ok with that! Lol.

I used to be a pilot and use checklists religiously, I keep one inside for my wife and one outside for me. I typed up my own checklists based on our coach, one side for departure, and one for arrival. I laminated our checklists so I don't worry about getting them wet. Don't have to worry about having a "senior moment" and forgetting something.

[bevedfelker]

Sandy:

I don't know if you ever downloaded the Owners' Manual for Vegas/Axis that I compiled. In addition to providing a wealth of information not included in the Thor generic manual, it also contains a series of checklists.

Like SuperD mentioned, the first checklist in the manual is a setup and tear down checklist. That checklist can be laminated and kept separate from the manual for ready use. Each step in the checklist requiring switch configuration, connections, or adjustments is cross referenced to the page in the manual containing additional information for that step.

Here is a link to download the manual. It can be downloaded in either MSWord or PDF format.

https://1drv.ms/w/s!AiYx6DLSeiiP6UNyy_VYGDO0BW6L

[NBThor4]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience We too have a Vegas 24.1 with 2 teens and are heading out for our first road trip over Thanksgiving from Texas to Universal Studios Orlando 7 fun filled days of mandatory family fun! Yipee!!! Love the using the back pieces for a foot rest my girls will appreciate that. And LOL backing up at any time is a marital challenge! We will keep in mind the dumping tips too as we are staying at a State Park without full hooks ups! I also have yet to drive it so this will be my first experience...Say a little prayer for me.

[vkb]

realizing this thread began in June and we all have had a summer full of travel..this might bit of information may be stale....however, here it goes.
Do I like the charging station in the bedroom of our 24.1..absolutely...
do we need more charging stations in the living area..sure...
in the interim...I have 2 usb charging sticks which come in handy..and we bring along the inverter we got for the car/truck which plugs into the lighter slot, and sits in a cup holder...it has 4 usb ports and a plugin as well. This item has served us well in our daily & cross country travels.

[JamieGeek]

The extra USB charging ports I've added (detailed here: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...orts-3116.html ) have come in really handy--our son now only asks for the generator to play with the Playstation instead of having it running all the time to charge his phone (he typically sits on the couch).

In addition: I'm always using the one I added in the bedroom (yeah our 24.1 had none of that stuff in the back: no radio, no USB charging, just the TV).

[vkb]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

The extra USB charging ports I've added (detailed here: http://www.thorforums.com/forums/f27...orts-3116.html ) have come in really handy--our son now only asks for the generator to play with the Playstation instead of having it running all the time to charge his phone (he typically sits on the couch).

In addition: I'm always using the one I added in the bedroom (yeah our 24.1 had none of that stuff in the back: no radio, no USB charging, just the TV).

Surprised, Jamie..that your Axis did not come with the charging station...just shows how, each year, improvements have been made !
I, now, understand why you added those extra stations !
We appreciate the charging station in the bedroom, as it is powered when driving down the road..our phones are charged there, or with our optional items we have up front.

[tigwelder]

how does the pioneer avh-4100 nex work with backup camera and side mirror camera's?