I am a new subscriber and finished your van series. Thank you for the 60 hours effort each weekly videos. Reading Joe's book now. I am watching your old video along. That brings back a lot of our memories when your went thru your Class A rig. We started our full-time in 2002 with our new a Newmar 40 foot 5th trailer Mountainaire, pulling with a Class 8 Volvo. After 2008 financial crisis, our online job ended. We concluded our full timing in 2011 and took a break from travel. I went back to work in an office in the East. A few months ago after 6.5 years, I retired at 61. Resuming our RV life and excited to travel again after selling our house. This time, we are going for a B van for the close-up experience which what we missed in the last round. That was how we found you guys along with other Vanlifer. We decided to build the B van with the Promaster diesel 3500 cargo van next year if not an expedition 4x4. So it will be a while. I feel the best when I build things as we both engineer and have itchy feet. Will meet you up down the road. My wife is German and I am Chinese, will love to RV both in China and Europe but no plan yet.
@nancypatrick518 жыл бұрын
LOVE the simple idea of the sticky note for locking the full side slide! We have a Ventana diesel and believe when we took it in for some warranty issues the maintenance crew did NOT check to see if they were locked before attempting to put it out. We like the security of having it locked even though they say it isn't necessary. LOVE your videos.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks Nancy! The sticky note makes a big difference especially when it's bright pink. :) Hope your slide was fine and they didn't put it out in the locked position.
@downundasvideos64028 жыл бұрын
Without a doubt this is the most detailed and easiest to understand walk-though I've ever seen. Its a pity that dealers didn't do it like that. I would recommend this as a tutorial for any novice considering buying a large motorhome as it shows them what is involved and how the features work. Downunda - Melbourne Australia
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Wow thank you for the compliment. We agree, especially since there are so many complex systems.
@MultiRabe7 жыл бұрын
Humm, 5th time watching all 47mins of this video lol! This rig was like a mobile storage unit! Now I fully understand what a tumultuous task it was for you to get rid of things! Btw, after looking at this video NOW, I have to say that you & Kait did an EXCELLENT JOB of downsizing to fit what's essential in your Aktiv...🍻🍻🍻
@raymondrace48376 жыл бұрын
Great tour, I’m very tactile and appreciated the tour and demo. I am 6’6”, the driver seat is an important consideration with regard to the slide out distance behind the driver seat!
@awakeningsister7 жыл бұрын
Wow! Thank you! Awesome video, I'm a complete newbie to this RV thing and haven't gotten an RV yet. This is so helpful.
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome and glad we could help!
@l-bird7 жыл бұрын
LOL... I'm close to finishing your awesome book. It made me desire to come back and re-watch the tour of your Class A... it gave me a good visual of details in the book, and a good smile... thanks J and K :)
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I don't remember if I already asked but when you finish it, I'd love it if you left a review on Amazon. Thanks!
@l-bird7 жыл бұрын
Absolutely! Not quite there yet, but when I finish, I'll head over to Amazon.... hope people are buying the book, it's well worth the read :)
@SuperDv87 жыл бұрын
Thank you for taking the time and explaining everything and what every button does. Pretty sure someone already said that but I didn't want to go thru all the comments. It was very informative since I'm looking/considering buying one one day. You're one of the few rv-ers that actually takes us with you on your road trips. Keep up the good work....
@tomriley60068 жыл бұрын
Excellent walk-thru, thank you! We replaced the foam for the dinette seat cushions because when seating four, the outboard persons were always uncomfortable and sliding off. With firmer foam, they are very comfortable and the cushions also stay "locked" in to the seat frames. Thank you, Kait, for demonstrating the slide locking tool. Our dealer did not and I could not figure it out. You guys are great! Tom
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Tom Riley Great idea with the foam...never would have thought of that. We didn't get an explanation on how to lock the slides either and were wondering what this funky steel tool was for.
@jonthebru8 жыл бұрын
This is the best pitch for owning a small Class A over a small Class C. The front end looks very comfortable.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Yes it's really comfortable and we enjoy it!
@niinjoosum7 жыл бұрын
Yeah I also have the residual water issue in my dump tank area. I added a another value as well. You only want that surprise to happen once. But love my Canyon Star.
@cececl8n357 жыл бұрын
The Newmar Company should be paying you for this video.
@EtzEchad8 жыл бұрын
To keep the cushions from sliding, you might try using adhesive Velcro strips. Thanks for the very complete walk-through. It is really helpful.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+David Messer Thanks for the tip David and glad you enjoyed the video.
@NewBeginningswithBudhiandCyndi8 жыл бұрын
That was a very detailed tour of your rig. Very nice. I hadn't seen the option of locking or unlocking the slides, thanks for that info.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome.
@newsigmundfreud30238 жыл бұрын
Hi. Mr. & Mrs. Russo,.. This thorough video is very helpful. Going at length showing it all, the big, the small and the inbetween in immensely appreciated. Please keep on doing more such videos by showing it all at length and thoroughly. We who dont have an RV dont know how it all work and feels. If I may suggest taking video of while you driving, how it all looks while slides are in. Take as along with actual footage. I think many will say that we want more of actual and thorough footage of not just highlights of RV living and RV experiences and looks. We want the small and not just the aprkling beauties of RV/mobilehomes. Thank you very much, and I hope it gives you lots of high ratings and thumbs up.
@jamessitati23258 жыл бұрын
If I had this beautiful couple as my maths teachers I would score As, you really know how to explain stuff even to a layman like me, I wish you happy travels.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+James Sitati That's hilarious considering our math skills ;) Thanks for watching James!
@lutinab52656 жыл бұрын
I will be picking up my 2015 Bay Star 2903 in a few weeks. I'm a newbie and very nervous but your walk through has given me some peace of mind. Thank you for such a wonderful detailed video. And thank u for keeping this video up even though you no longer have this rig.
@MultiRabe7 жыл бұрын
This vid popped up on my homepage this morning! How do you spell define dedication: watching this vid, for the fourth time, in its entirety (and the four multi minute ads in between)! For me, this is MY official "goodbye" to the only RV I know, thats associated with my falling in love with you guys! #BaystarsRock #SheWasAGoodShip
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
Yeah, she was a good ship. It was sad to see her go and I really do miss here at times like these when we are "stuck" but really looking forward to what's ahead.
@MultiRabe7 жыл бұрын
We're the Russos Yes indeed! 🚐
@LowsJuan8 жыл бұрын
Depending how hot the drawer underneath the stove top gets heat can age spices prematurely. 24:36 Another thing about the side window (awesome that they open) is it really let in a lot of light in. Less so in this case because of the width of your slide but if you have a small slide just for a love seat it actually creates a tunnel when extended. This darkens the interior, the side windows diminish the tunnel effect. Look at any class c with a murphy bed up front and see how much you miss the light from a window on that side. Looking at the windows in the bedroom have you though about getting a escape window/hatch in the back and a normal window on the slide. That is if they are not custom windows. There has to be a wrecker yard where damaged motorhomes go after a bad baker. Enjoyed your video!!!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestions and things to look for. If we were to replace the rear window with an escape hatch it would be a completely custom job. We keep something in the bedroom we can break the window with if we need to get out...otherwise we have the smaller escape hatch on the side.
@michaellee4958 жыл бұрын
Excellent! Very nice review. Best review I have ever seen.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+michael lee Thank you! We have more we're working on so stay tuned.
@duathlete8278 жыл бұрын
I've seen a lot of walk-throughs but your's is by far the best I've seen. I felt like a buyer being told how to operate all of the systems. Great job! Very nice RV. Only thing I would not be thrilled with is how low you have to get to access some of the outside storage bays. Particularly hard with the slides out. Maybe not a big deal for young folks.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Brian K Kinney Thanks Brian. I [Joe] have some issues getting into the bays when the slides are out because I have a bad back. That said, when they are in, the doors lift up fairly high and make life a lot easier. If we were buying another coach, we'd look for the doors that swing out to the side.
@kawarthaleather66597 жыл бұрын
the best review walkthrough I've seen.... thank you .... Steve
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
+STEVE'S FACTS you're welcome!
@promises64148 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this very thorough walk through; have been looking at a Newmar and you answered a lot of my questions
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Tamara P you're welcome!
@polyplaner8 жыл бұрын
I'll be picking up my Newmar 3103 soon, thanks for this thorough video, it was very helpful and I'll be sure to check your others.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks and hope you enjoy our other of the videos!
@bud14128 жыл бұрын
Real good walk thru. This is one of the motorhomes we are thinking about, and you did a lot better job than the sales person. Look forward to more videos.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks Chuck! Looking back at our walk through that the dealer did, we found a lot of inaccuracies so thought this would be helpful for people.
@richt.51058 жыл бұрын
So nice to see a detailed walk through, thanks guys. Nice 1.
@danovido89468 жыл бұрын
Loved the video! You two have it down and answered a lot of my questions about this particular Newmar model. Thanks : )
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Dano Vido you're welcome!
@merrelljam8 жыл бұрын
Wow what a walk through. Great job.
@Tygerlady998 жыл бұрын
Thanks. You were very thorough.
@rebeccal18358 жыл бұрын
For the dinette cushions try a few strip of velcro to hold them in place. 😄 You have a beautiful home, thanks for sharing!!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestion - but question for you. We have strips of Velcro that had adhesive backing and they won't stick to the cushions. Would you suggest sewing them on?
@rebeccal18358 жыл бұрын
+We're the Russos - You could absolutely sew a fabric velcro strip on, or you could also purchase a heat activated velcro...you can find it on Amazon. Hopefully one of those options will fix those slippy cushions! 😄 Have a great day!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Sounds like either of those options would work well - thank you again!
@rebeccal18358 жыл бұрын
+We're the Russos - Happy to help!
@StarOne3116 жыл бұрын
When you were explaining on your TV Antenna> You mentioned a Check List that you had a link. I couldn't find it. Do you have it? Thanks!
@scentmyhome8 жыл бұрын
Beautiful home! Have you tried the Contact grip liner for the dinette cushions? It is non-slip liner made for kitchen drawers, but I use it under my kitchen chair pads and it works pretty well.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
That's a great idea and would keep us from having to attach Velcro to the cushions. Thanks!
@1disneynut28 жыл бұрын
Nice video. Regarding your cushions slipping, Have you tried using velcro? Doesn't need to be a big piece. We were planning on an Allegro, now you have given us something to think about.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+1disneynut2 Not yet, but it seems to be the consensus to try. We kind of prefer trying that rubbery drawer liner first - the problem with velcro is that you have to put it in exactly the same place on both cushions so it still works when you rotate them from bench to bench.
@MultiRabe8 жыл бұрын
Very nice looking rig you have! It looks like the Titanic, compared to my 19ft class b lol!
@dsm58628 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed your walk thru!!! My husband and I just bought a used 2013 Bay Star 2901 and are looking forward to getting out camping this summer (just picked it up Dec. 15th 2015. It went into storage right away). I love your idea about using the dinette for a lounge to watch movies, that would be wonderful. We also boondock so your suggestions are very helpful. Do you run the generator when you set up at your site where power is not available?? my old RV allowed me to keep the engine running while extending the slide room but this one does not. Enjoy and I am jealous. we have to wait for spring!!!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+11e We don't fire up the genny until we need to recharge the batteries. We have a small portable solar panel that will keep things topped off (weretherussos.com/renogy-100w-portable-solar-panel-review/) when its sunny. Otherwise we typically run the genny for about 2 hrs or so a day to make sure we recharge the batteries. We did swap the two 12v batteries for two 6v golf cart batteries and saw a nice improvement. Spring will be here soon enough and maybe we'll see you on the road!
@dsm58628 жыл бұрын
I was wondering if your Bay Star came with Tru Center on the steering?? I just noticed we have it on our 2013. If you have it, how do you like it??
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
No we don't have that on our coach and haven't heard of it. Was it factory installed? We ask because many people upgrade the suspension and steering with these gas coaches and that may not have been a factory add on (but probably good you got it).
@dsm58628 жыл бұрын
We just bought this Coach in Dec 2015 (had a Itasca Navion that we traded) so it was already there, must have been an add on. I have not used it yet but I hear good things about it. I am still learning/discovering things about RV, will be for a while!
@jrboudreau8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great walk through. I'm used to the sales walk throughs and your's was very educational. We're in the market now and wondering how you like your rig? Many warranty issues?
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
John - we love our rig and we have had some things that needed to be taken care of via warranty but nothing major. This is to be expected with all RVs.
@peggy10467 жыл бұрын
we have missed your videos. are you back on the road soon!
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
Thanks - we hope we'll be back on the road soon but we still don't have a delivery date on the new RV.
@timsiddle11347 жыл бұрын
Nice RV / great video good job ! - I'm shopping for one; I just have a quick question for now: you mentioned having some special stuff to clean bugs off the front; what do you use?
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
Used dryer sheets...works really well.
@timsiddle11347 жыл бұрын
You specifically said you had a special cleaner? Is it the dryer sheets you mentioned or do you have some sort of special cleaner solution that works really well with the diamond shield treatment - I’m assuming diamond shield protection comes on all the Newmar coaches; I’m looking to buy a used 2014 in few weeks. I had a Class A once, and getting all the bug splatter off the front was an issue for me.
@jrboudreau8 жыл бұрын
Thanks!!
@robertobeltramelli41388 жыл бұрын
This is a very nice RV, thanks for the tour, you answered any questions in the next video. I am not familiar with class B? Have a wonderful travel year #2. I owned a Ham Radio Store in Chicago's western suburbs for 20 years, if either of you have any questions! Some Clubs run weekend crash courses for the Ham License. Check ARRL or VEC testing online. Practice tests are also available on line. One channel that I enjoy is "Mr Aviation 101" josh has 70,000 subscribers at age 21 and posts one every Monday since he is a Junior in College. Have a look some time, he narrates very nicely and has a gift for editing and audio mixing.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks Roberto, we'll look Josh up and check out some of his stuff. Class B are the camper vans :)
@jeffhoward91866 жыл бұрын
Even through you don’t have a class A anymore, but you asked how to stop the cushion from slipping out. Use Velcro not the black stuff, but the white stuff.
@amosjsoma8 жыл бұрын
When you bought this motor home did you give any consideration to having a composting toilet installed to replace the water flush toilet? I don't know for sure because I'm very new to all of this but several videos I've seen claim it an eliminate the need for a black tank. I seen enough on cleaning and draining the black tank to make me believe that getting rid of it would be a good thing. I repeat, I'm a newbie to this and could well be out in left field with this thought.
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
We did and actually tried one for a while...it wasn't for us and unless we wanted to cut holes in the RV, we couldn't go with something like the Nature's Head. There is a lot of misinformation about the black tank and its very easy to dump and deal with, not the nightmare some people make it out to be. Here is the article we wrote: weretherussos.com/composting-toilet-in-a-rv/
@urbancowboy95117 жыл бұрын
Sticky sticker velcro for your cushion so they won't slide out..
@chelseafn1048 жыл бұрын
Excellent video!! Very well done!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@erindavis12008 жыл бұрын
try velcro on the bottom on the cushions
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestion Erin!
@dawnbates75337 жыл бұрын
Strips of velcro to keep the seats from sliding
@LaurieandBillRetired5 жыл бұрын
Very detailed, thanks!
@vegasdavetv8 жыл бұрын
enjoying watching video now
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+vegasdavetv Thanks Dave!
@christinerusso78228 жыл бұрын
So informative!
@rpodadventure Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this tour. I am considering upgrading my living space to a 2015-2016 Baystar Sport 2702 and I greatly appreciate seeing this tour. Can you please let me know what the fuel "economy" was for your Baystar Sport?
@Weretherussos Жыл бұрын
We were getting 6-8 mpg. It really depended on the terrain, etc
@rpodadventure Жыл бұрын
@@Weretherussos Thanks!
@gvc561008 жыл бұрын
very good job..... Guy
@gfmucciАй бұрын
I, too, love that folding desk on the right of the passenger seat. I was looking at a 2016 Sport 2903 and it just had a dinky folding cup holder. Can that desk be acquired as an add on?
@WeretherussosАй бұрын
I have no idea. I’d call Newmar and ask them
@satnitelivegirl637 жыл бұрын
just watched. ty for vid. and, oh ya, go pack go.
@werrenskis8 жыл бұрын
Fun video! Home from Cuba and South Florida, Bokeelia. Cuba very very interesting - you'll see it a lot now that Obama is there! We paved the way for his visit!
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+werrenskis Ha! You're trail blazers! Glad to hear it was an interesting trip.
@markzwilsky35097 жыл бұрын
BETTER Deliver info then the dealer... thanx
@Weretherussos7 жыл бұрын
You're welcome Mark!
@travelingwithrick7 жыл бұрын
I may of missed this, but does your coach have a gas or diesel engine?
@BridgetStuart7 ай бұрын
Gas
@markfinley68998 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. My wife and appreciated your videos. My wife is asian also and we have not ever seen a couple who is asian and american. We have a 25ft winnebego but will get a Newma this year. We want to meet you both one day. Please reply we you can and tell us more about you. Thanks
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Mark Finley Hey Guys! So happy you enjoyed the video. Not sure I could fit everything about us in this comment, but check out our other videos and website, weretherussos.com and you'll quickly learn more than you wanted to know - especially about Joe's coffee addiction. We love meeting fellow RVers so hopefully we can all meet one day.
@kb3mpx3 жыл бұрын
I have several questions about the rv. Do you think that you can remove the sofa and replace it with a rv recliner couch or rv recliner chairs ? Would you be able to replace the rv couch with full size lazboy recliners like the on in somebody's house ?
@enyoc3d8 жыл бұрын
33:40 what is 'screen mirroring' (rear tv) - can you broadcast from phone or tablet? Thanks for this great video! The only item I'm left wondering about is under the doghouse, how easy is it to get to the engine from the inside, and how much space is there for additional sound insulation?
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
John - for screen mirroring, both TVs have it but we haven't used it. We typically plug our laptop in through the extra HDMI connection and we've done the same thing with a Chromecast. We have not removed the dog house cover but have been underneath to change the oil. There is quite a bit of room under there and we've seen others who have added extra insulation (but been disappointed in the results). Our Newmar did seem quieter than other similar coaches we test drove.
@aa9zz8 жыл бұрын
You showed an extra dump cover/handle to help stop the extra water from the dump. What Where did you get it?
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+Phillip Smith it's the Valtera valve on this page weretherussos.com/our-store/
@fredrodriguez72207 ай бұрын
Best review
@craigwhite64898 жыл бұрын
Does Kate drive the Motorhome
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
Yep all the time!
@drewpeacock62347 жыл бұрын
Did you shave to save space? 😂
@williamduffy45858 жыл бұрын
Velcro tape
@Weretherussos8 жыл бұрын
+william duffy thanks for the suggestion William!
@williamduffy45858 жыл бұрын
It feels good to be acknowledged. The Velcro tape will work