- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 12,373
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
So happy to leave Yakima, WA and head east and excited to get to Coeur D'Alene I've been wanting to see for a long time. Didn't sleep well last night, up early, 30 minutes into the drive I was struggling. I got my 8th wind and felt better after getting more caffeine installed, pressed for the 4 hour drive. Approaching Coeur D'Alene, about 15 minutes away a trucker paces me on the left side, honks, gives me the rear pointing thumb signal. Oh great, my new bike is gone!!! I looked at the rear view camera, I see bikes, I think!
I immediately exited the highway (or freeway) whatever it's called here on I-90. I pulled off on the exit ramp and went back to see what's going on. I expected a flat tire, basement door open or missing, something with the bikes. I'm not seeing it...wait, I see it, the ROCK GUARD is dangling down on the right side dragging on the road. Stupid Newmar crap rock guards, they are made of vinyl or something, not sure. The right side had given way from the top bracket that the material slides into. I haven't had issues like others with the rock guard so I left it on, others removed it as it was the cause of rock issues for them...not me.
So now I have to figure out how to remove it. I know it's two nuts but the right side is right next to my exhaust which is 2.2 million degrees centigrade! This is going to be fun. Luckily I had a wrench large enough, 3/4" crescent. I got the left side off but was sure I was going to get plowed by ramp exiting drivers, figured this was it! Should I put my orange cones out? Naaah, just keep doing what needs to be done. Right side was more difficult and yes I accidentally slipped and tested the temperature of the exhaust, instant blister, but very small, lucky! Right side was tough but got it off.
The dang rock guard has been a pain dragging on curved roads while parking, where I was the past few days it was compressed under the rear when not aired up and leveled using air leveling. So I'm not sure I will replace it and knowing the price is north of 1K I believe that's pretty much a NO. I like waiving the Newmar banner ad but I don't think it's necessary so we'll see how things go without it. I feel naked but so be it, I'll get over it.
Interestingly enough one of the bike locks from the kuat rack was missing off the end of the cable. 99% chance I didn't secure the cable lock properly, my bad. But the cinch straps on both bikes were not tight, I don't know what happened there, I pulled down on those for sure when loading so be sure to pull down on yours from time to time if the bikes have been sitting on the rack as mine have been the past few days.
Not as bad as I thought it was going to be...but had to share. Goodbye rock guard, it was a good four years until the crap you are fell apeart.
I immediately exited the highway (or freeway) whatever it's called here on I-90. I pulled off on the exit ramp and went back to see what's going on. I expected a flat tire, basement door open or missing, something with the bikes. I'm not seeing it...wait, I see it, the ROCK GUARD is dangling down on the right side dragging on the road. Stupid Newmar crap rock guards, they are made of vinyl or something, not sure. The right side had given way from the top bracket that the material slides into. I haven't had issues like others with the rock guard so I left it on, others removed it as it was the cause of rock issues for them...not me.
So now I have to figure out how to remove it. I know it's two nuts but the right side is right next to my exhaust which is 2.2 million degrees centigrade! This is going to be fun. Luckily I had a wrench large enough, 3/4" crescent. I got the left side off but was sure I was going to get plowed by ramp exiting drivers, figured this was it! Should I put my orange cones out? Naaah, just keep doing what needs to be done. Right side was more difficult and yes I accidentally slipped and tested the temperature of the exhaust, instant blister, but very small, lucky! Right side was tough but got it off.
The dang rock guard has been a pain dragging on curved roads while parking, where I was the past few days it was compressed under the rear when not aired up and leveled using air leveling. So I'm not sure I will replace it and knowing the price is north of 1K I believe that's pretty much a NO. I like waiving the Newmar banner ad but I don't think it's necessary so we'll see how things go without it. I feel naked but so be it, I'll get over it.
Interestingly enough one of the bike locks from the kuat rack was missing off the end of the cable. 99% chance I didn't secure the cable lock properly, my bad. But the cinch straps on both bikes were not tight, I don't know what happened there, I pulled down on those for sure when loading so be sure to pull down on yours from time to time if the bikes have been sitting on the rack as mine have been the past few days.
Not as bad as I thought it was going to be...but had to share. Goodbye rock guard, it was a good four years until the crap you are fell apeart.
