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New Owner

Yahoo Message Number: 8390
Our ordered Inspire (40' Da Vinvi) comes off line in two weeks. This is our first motorhome and we expect to be on the road every third weekend and the entire summer. We are both teachers so we have lots of time to travel over the next 10 years before we retire. What types of basic problems and challenges should we be expecting from both the coach and the road?

Re: New Owner

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8391
I am finding the co-ordinating towels, sheets, pot holders an interesting pasttime or activity.
There are lots of tips including adding different storage units for supplies in the bays (underneath the unit) depends on your activities.
Take your time and ask questions and observe other RVers to see how they do things.
Then take what works for you and incorporate it for yourself.

Re: New Owner

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8392
Hi

Expect everything - and hope for the best.
Despite the fact you've purchased "The World's Best Motorhome" I absolutely guarantee you will have issues.

PLEASE - plan to spend at least one week at Camp Country Coach before heading anywhere. Use every single system in the coach at least twice, then go up into the beautiful Oregon mountains and/or beaches (I live here in Oregon about 1 hours from Junction City), then plan to come back to Camp CC and them correct the problems that came up from rolling down the road.
Then - say a faithful prayer and begin enjoying your new lifestyle.....
Enjoy the trips and welcome. It's never been promised to be a trouble free lifestyle.....but it's the greatest!

Tom Sims

Intrigue 2002

Re: New Owner

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8395
Don't try to do to much or drive to far, just enjoy, and stay off the free ways. TOM/CAROL Intrigue 11731

Re: New Owner

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8397
4 trips back to CC fpr warranty work. Remember that RVing is a sport.

john drebick
affinity 6194

Re: New Owner

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8416
From: "morphdorph"

Quote
Our ordered Inspire (40' Da Vinvi) comes off line in two weeks. This > is our first motorhome and we expect to be on the road every third > weekend and the entire summer. We are both teachers so we have lots > of time to travel over the next 10 years before we retire. What types > of basic problems and challenges should we be expecting from both the > coach and the road?
It's better to expect "everything" to go wrong than to expect "nothing" to go wrong. That way, you won't be surprised when "something" does go wrong.

That said, make sure you join an ERS (Emergency Road Service), like Coach-Net (http://www.coach-net.com) if your warranty doesn't cover roadside problems. It's also a good idea to carry a basic assortment of quality tools, although odds are that the tool you'll need won't be one of the ones you have (not really ... but it's a good legend ). Perhaps one of the most important things is to ensure that tires are inflated properly for the load that's actually on them. Practice checking tire pressure before you leave to ensure that you have the proper (push-pull) tire gauge. The posted tire pressures don't "know" how loaded the coach will be, so it's important to have it four-corner-weighed, so you can inflate tires IAW the tires' load/inflation chart. Also realize that you shouldn't go nutso trying to keep the engine oil level perfectly at the "full" mark. It'll surely go down and find its own level and stay there for a long time. At least that's common experience.

Also realize that your tires have a sustained speed rating ... probably 75mph. So you shouldn't drive at sustained speeds over 75mph, especially when it's hot out. And, of course, it may be unwise to drive that fast in the first place .

If you'll be towing a toad (towed vehicle), strongly consider installing auxiliary brakes on it. Law? I don't care about no stinkin' law. I simply want to stop as quickly as possible in an emergency situation, and an auxiliary braking system facilitates that.
Ignore highway weigh stations, since they're for commercial vehicles, only.
You'll get other good responses, I'm sure. And keep asking questions.
After 37 years' RVing, I'm still learning

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

(in Key West, FL)

Re: New Owner

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8421
I believe towing is included in your coach first year warranty. I had to be towed during the first year and the tech at CC called the same company I now use.
You may want to check this out and save a year on the premium. Also, if you buy an extended warranty, consider purchasing it just before your factory warranty expires.
In the car business, the rates are lower if the vehicle still includes factory warranty, even if only for a few miles.
It seems unnecessary to carry after-market warranty when you have the factory warranty during that first year.
Who know, you may luck out. I've talked to several folks with only minor nuisance problems for the first year. Lets hope you fall into that category. Happy trails! (Not trials)

Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: New Owner

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8425
The advice about staying close to the CC factory is excellent.
Reason I agree? I have an '04 Inspire Genoa 40' which I've had since September '03. Have put about 6000 miles on it and have an appointment with the factory service dept to repair 30+ problems I have with the coach. The issues range from the position of the toilet to damage done to the wall while installing stuff in the bathroom. The flange in the floor was installed crooked so the installer turned the toilet to make it face correctly. Caused damage to a seal and it leaked the first two months I had it until the staff at Interstate RV in Lodi, WI found the error. I now face the corner when going potty, but at least the darned thing doesn't leak right now! The projection TV stopped working after three movies...it was running hot before then and I had to remove the cover to keep it running. There is a tile loose in the toilet area, a bad vibration when I'm driving at highway speeds and the bedroom slideout leaks...the list goes on and on. I'm not sure if I am happy with my purchase or not. It realy depends on if the problems are fixed to my satisfaction so that I can get on with my retirement.

Carol

'04 Inspire Genoa (full time)

'03 Explorer behind it - pushing??

Re: New Owner/Tips for adding storage units for supplies in the bays

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8426
Quote from: stephen burdick\[br\
] > I am finding the co-ordinating towels, sheets, pot holders an interesting pasttime or activity.

There are lots of tips including adding different storage units for supplies in the bays (underneath the unit) depends on your activities.



Where can I find those tips? Have a lot of "stuff" that needs proper storage!

Also need some tips for storage in the living area. (When will manufacturers at least design cabinets in which those Rubbermaid storage boxes fit??)

Thanks,

Carol

'04 Inspire Genoa
'03 Explorer

Re: New Owner

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8427
Sounds like you bought a National RV product with a CC name on it. The Inspire is the end product of CC selling out to National RV. The Inspire is a National product with a CC name on it and the same quality control problems being experienced by National owners.

Re: New Owner

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8429
Carol, personally I do not think it makes much of a difference which model you purchase as to the problems (or number of problems) you encounter. We have purchased two Affinities and have had numerous issues with both. On the contrary we also know other CC owners who had little or no problems after factory delivery. It seems like luck of the draw (or the line it was on) or the experience of the line during that time. Just hang in there, it will all work out. Dale & Candace Hollick

Re: New Owner

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8430
I totally agree, and you will find they will stand behind their product. TOM/CAROL 11731

Re: New Owner

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8431
100% wrong. You are thinking of the Mystique, which failed miserably.

The Inspire is made at Country Coach by Country Coach on a Dynomax chassis. It shares nothing with a NRV product.

Damon

Re: New Owner

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8432
Damon

From my perspective, you can call the Inspire a CC if you like, but simply building a coach in Junction City on a dynomax chassis does not make it a CC. When you look at the Inspire, it closely resembles a National RV Product and looks very much like so many other entry level diesel pushers. To be perfectly honest I don't understand what CC is doing. They have pushed the prices of their other coaches up so much they have limited their customer base to a relatively narrow segment of motor home buyers. In addition, there seems to be a never ending number of people building diesel pushers at the Inspire price point, and the competition seems to be continuously expanding.
Have a great week and I recommended that Gabie Ingraham in Kershaw, SC give you a call. He has a early 1990 Concept that he would like to trade for a coach with a slide.

Gene

Re: New Owner

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8433
Gene,

I understand what you are saying. I was around when the Mystique came out & flopped, and I have watched the Inspire take off. I do not think it resembles a NRV product at all, it does not have the curved compartment doors and goofy twist handles, among other items.

Country Coach has a huge back log on Inspires, and the finished product looks better than ever. The Inspire has a lot the Mystique never offered, first & foremost being the Dynomax chassis. The floorplans are much better, Country Coach recently changed to larger 10R tires on all Inspires & also changed the front overhead from ABS plastic to hardwood like the Allure's & Intrigue's. They have a new LCD option up front, adjustable pedals, and a higher ceiling, and much more. I feel at the price point, this coach represents the Country Coach name very well. The Isnpire is also built here in Junction City at Country Coach from head to toe like the rest. In that price range it is very tough to find a competitor with everything the Inspire offers, in my opinion.

Damon

Re: New Owner

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8446
If you will go back and look at 96 and 97 interiors of Allures and Intrigues, the small engines, the wimpy transmissions the small tires with metal steel wheels, poor paint jobs with gelcoat finishes, I beam front ends, crude step covers, inadequate instrumentation, horrible entertainment systems, crude floor tile, blah wall paper every where, one or two choices of wood, two or three floor plans each for only two lengths, one slide if any, single pain windows, manual awnings, crude bay door locks, dirty diesel engines, black trim, fiber glass insulation, the fact they were built on Gillig chassis, had inferior floor insulation, cheaper carpet, etc for todays price on an Inspire and there has been 40% inflation since then. It's a wonder they can build one at all, today. If you haven't noticed influences and ideas have migrated from Country Coach to National, not the other way around. Its like saying because a certain european car manufacturer bought Rolls that a Rolls is inferior, instead of the fact that they are now producing a Phaeton, quite a step up. Plus the driving forces of Monaco, Tiffen, Blue Bird Newell, and the custom convertors have done more to increase Country's prices than National.    TOM/CAROL, 11731 2004 Intrigue Ovation    From:Geneclend@...

Re: New Owner

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8448
Damon

I will have to take your word on the public's acceptance of the Inspire. I looked at one at the FMCA rally in Asheville, NC last fall and thought it looked really cheap. I guess if we all liked the same things, it would be a dull world.
I do have concern since there have been so many instances in the recent years where companies have tried to be everything to everybody, and that usually resulted in mediocre products/services. I hope that is not the case with CC, but only time will tell.
I plan to retire for the second time in August, so maybe we will see you at at CCI rally.

Thanks for your input.
Gene

Re: New Owner

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8449
Tom

I agree with the comments about the late 90's CC products and could never understand why they did such a wonderful job in some areas, but used extremely cheap stuff in other areas.
As to your comments about prices, etc. building diesel pusher motor homes must be a lucurative business since there seems to be a new company getting into the business with every time I pickup the FMCA magazine. Don't know if you saw in the last issue that Kingsley is now building a diesel pusher!

Gene

Re: New Owner

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8454
Congrats on your new coach!

Best advice of all is to videotape your walkthrough...have one of you the designated videographer and that person pays attention to only that. The other "goes through the motions" with the instructor.
You'll view and review those videotapes many times! It's amazing how much "Brain Drain" one suffers immediately after a walkthrough!

Then, don't even try to anticipate problems...just plan on total enjoyment of your time and roll with the punches. It's the best thing we've ever done! NO regrets. The people you'll meet are fabulous and SO helpful!

Jan McNeill

2001 Intrigue 11320
Fulltimer since 2001

Re: New Owner

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8455
Quote
The people you'll meet are  fabulous and SO helpful!
I agree.
 
When we started our thoughts were about all the new places we would see.  We now realize that the real joy is meeting fellow travelers from all the different walks of life.
 
David & Karen CA.
2000 Intrigue 11062
40 ft Single slide. PT
2002 Odyssey TOAD

Re: New Owner

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8458
Gene,

When they first came out they did have some area that needed work.
I will try to post some pictures of the new front overhead and larger tires, the Inspire has come along way in a short time and the sales have followed suit.

Damon

Re: New Owner

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8467
Gene,

All the trailer companies are getting into diesel pushers because thats where the RV money is. I just hope they know what they are doing but then again they are all using the standard chassies. I just would not buy the models that come out during their first year.

Bill G. 2001 Magna #5998

Re: New Owner

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8468
Well, heck...I used to feel pretty good about my old 1999 Allure, but after reading your post, I guess I should be ashamed of it, huh????...heh, heh...

Ray and Rue
99 Allure

Re: New Owner

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8480
I had a 98 Allure(w/ISC330) therefore it was a 99 chassis and Carol wanted the green interior and therefore it was a 98. I have pictures of it from all angles and it looks great. After having it to the factory twice and to a few rallys it worked great, too. But it is no 2004, alot of the things (options) we have today were not available then and technology marches on.
It was a big improvement over my 1984 Airstream Limited travel trailer, but yet it didn't have sealed gas filled windows, retractable power and water reels, or a Nutone food processor counter plug in, aluminum wheels, Michelin tires or vista view windows. It was my fault I didn't get an Intrigue. What I am trying to say is, that we are all influenced by time and progress. If you are happy with your coach, great, but one day you will see another one down the road that you will like better. Progress waits for no one.
TOM/CAROL

Re: New Owner

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 8487
Quote
If you will go back and look at 96 and 97 interiors of Allures and
Intrigues, the small engines,(snip) 
Whewwww. I didn't realize there was such a difference between the '97 and '98 Intrigue. We're thrilled with our '98, FWIW, which is quite different than the '96/'97's you described. .

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

(in Key West, FL)