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Old 06-18-2010, 09:41 PM   #1
cd6400
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Leonardtown
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Default First Major Trip in the 2011 SN 6400

Just returned from our first major trip in the SN...Leonardtown, MD to Nashville, TN and back. Just over 1400 miles round trip. Overall a good trip. The SN traveled well...although a bit rough in spots. I averaged 7.5 MPG which I don't think is too bad considering it now only has 2400 miles on the odometer and there are a few decent grades in western VA and eastern TN. I found that there is a fairly noticeable difference in performance running with the A/C on vs off. With A/C off I was able to hold speed (approx 55) during the climb at about 3K RPM. With A/C on could hold 50 MPH. Coolant temps definitely run higher and the clutch fan kicks on and off a lot more to manage the temps. Fan noise is a bit agrivating and loud enough to drown out the stereo. Similar experiences anyone? Also, anyone else have an obnoxiously squeaky convection oven when traveling down the road? When we got to Nashville one of the first things I did was pull the oven and install a combination of velcro and thin pieces of flexible cutting board between the wall mount and the oven. That did the trick. Much more quiet on the way back. Unfortunately the rear A/C failed the 2nd day there and local temps hovered around 93 each day. Thank goodness the front until performed as advertised. I'll be headed to the dealer ASAP so it will be ready for the trip on 4th of July weekend. Its under warranty to I expect it to be replaced without a question.
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Old 06-19-2010, 01:51 PM   #2
Georunner
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Glad you had a decent first trip. I agree the fan noise can be agravating. I know a few folks have put in electric fans and I am looking into that myself. I do almost all of my trips in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana and I notice the drop in available horsepower when the fan is running. The A/C takes about 12 horsepower to operate, and the engine fan runs more when the A/C is running. I suggest you go through the coach carefully with a screwdriver, pliers etc and check every screw and bolt you can find. After our first trip a couple of years ago, we found quite a few things coming loose.
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Old 06-20-2010, 12:58 PM   #3
Texas TC
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I guess I must be the only one that does not really think the fan noise is all that bad. Mine is one of the originals and I don't have any of the noise reducing padding that was added to many of the later models. I think the wind noise off the mirrors is much more irritating. That being said, I don't usually listen to the radio when I drive. I am not in to music and only listen to talk radio when I do have it on so I have not noticed any reduction in sound quality due to noise from the fan.

My rear A/C went out about a week ago. I have an appointment to take it in to the shop on June 28. On mine, it was the fan motor that quit. The compressor comes on but not the blower. I took a dowel rod and turned the fan to get it to run again when I got home from my trip. My service technician said he feels that the capacitor for the fan is going bad. He said now that I have it running, it will run for a while but as the capacitor continues to get weaker, it will eventually go out. We are going to Arizona in July so I am going to take it in and have the repairs done before that trip. I cannot imagine being in the desert without A/C for any length of time.

I have 38000 miles on my coach and I still only get 7-8 mpg towing my '07 Jeep Wrangler. I do tend to drive 70-75 mph on the highway so that definitely has a bearing on my lack of fuel economy.

My 6331 will pull hills/mountains at any speed I wish. I can easily go up a grade at 70 mph with or without using the A/C as long as I speed up about 5 mph before I hit the grade. You will notice an increase in power when you get about 33000 miles on your coach. The diesel starts to break in at about that time and the difference is noticeable.

I cannot emphasize enough the improvement in ride and reduction in rattles when I added the American Carrier Equipment air suspension to the coach. I am really sorry that I did not find out about it when I first bought the coach. The last year with the air ride has made the coach much more enjoyable to drive and I feel it is better on all the components and structure by not having that constant jarring and bouncing due to the stock spring only suspension.

I hope you have a great time with your new coach. My wife and I definitely enjoy ours. We have our granddaughter visiting us for part of the summer and I am looking forward to taking her in the SuperNova to the Grand Canyon next month when we take her back to her home north of Phoenix.



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2011 Jeep Wrangler (Toad)
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2011 Silverado 4x4 Texas Edition Extended Cab (Toad)
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Old 06-26-2010, 11:15 PM   #4
cd6400
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I can understand how your still satisfied with your coach. We enjoy ours too and realize that things will break/stop working until things settle in. Was definitely surprised with the AC failure. The good news is that I purchased the coach from very reputable and customer oriented dealer, EastCoast RV Specialists, Roaring Springs, PA. With a phone call when I realized the failure wheels were put in motion and after a visit this Friday, they replaced the AC unit without question. Back in business for the 4th of July weekend. Thanks EastCoast RV's...
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Old 06-27-2010, 10:18 AM   #5
Texas TC
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I have to agree with there. A good dealer will often make the difference in a good experience and a total nightmare. My dealer, like yours, has been extremely helpful during my ownership of my coach. I have also found all the International dealerships around the country to be helpful with the exception of Mauldin in Florida. I hope you folks in the Southeast have better results from them than I had.

My dealer, Mc Clain's RV in Denton Texas, which happens to be about a mile from my home, has also been extremely helpful with my Star extended warranty issues.

Good luck with your 4th of July trip and keep enjoying your coach. You have many great experiences ahead of you.



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