RE: semi full time no generator
Espar in our Rig under sofa/bed. More info below with signature link.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/77043_1718227000064_6580408_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/148506_1718228920112_7642276_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/148476_1718228800109_1282828_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/75859_1718227920087_6307355_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/73877_1718228160093_6299575_n.jpg
RE: Can you heat a Class B motorHome the sam way as a car.
That wont work because it has a fuel consumption of l/h 0.15
0.15 gallons per hour which depending on the full type costs about 300-400 dollars per month.
1/h .015... is .015 liters per hour
Gal/h .04... is .04 Gallons per hour
Divide estimated 300-400 dollars per month fuel cost by about 4 to compute for gallons... $75 to $100 per month.
RE: Can you heat a Class B motorHome the sam way as a car.
Profane is way to expensive I don't have $10,000+ extra dollars a month. I called the company campingworld they said I could. So can I heat a class B RV the same way as a car, and if not why not? Cars stay nice and warm and don't require a s-y generator.
Espar makes Gasoline and Diesel fueled heaters.
Very low fuel consumption.
Semi Trucks use them to heat sleepers when parked.
We have one in our Rig.
Check out my signature link below for more info.
http://www.espar.com/html/products/airtronic5.html
http://www.espar.com/Images/trech_airheater.jpg
RE: RV Crash Safety & Illusions of Safety
Not what you are looking for, but a Motor Home can be custom built to meet much higher than RV, Federal Bus safety standards.
http://www.turtletop.com/
Safety was main reason for having Turtle Top construct our custom Rig.
Steel frame construction. Picture doesn't show all the steel bars on lower half. Note two black painted steel hefty roof supports.
There are a lot of trade offs compared to traditional RV amenities but we get by with 2 Adults and 2 small children.
Its all about the children ;)
And yes I agree with other posters; even though our Rig is somewhat safer than a RV Class C in some accident situations, a modern pick-up truck or full size van Tow vehicle would be safer.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/13834_1311193424479_3301327_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/5575_1188362673787_7678109_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/5575_1188362873792_7533551_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/5575_1188362993795_6161890_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/388998_4370306780401_258370593_n.jpg
RE: semi full time no generator
What about an Espar heater that runs from vehicle fuel? Lots more efficient than idling the engine. Ready secondary fuel source from propane. Can also function as a block heater in some models.
I think these are what the ice road truckers use to conserve fuel and/or have extra heat in similar conditions. Basically any technology used in trucks going to the North Slope is worth considering IMO since the functional and non-functional requirements are similar to PTs use cases.
You don't see those guys fussing with a genset below -20.
Jim
^^^^^^^
From cold weather camping experience using our Espar AirTronic, I highly recommend them. All the heat you'll ever need and very efficient fuel and electric draw.
Easy install too.
RE: Smokin deal on Milwaukee Craigslist
Thanks boosTT for posting the craigslist info!!!
I purchased this Aliners today.
It's in excellant condition.
While I was there purchasing it, another buyer called and offered more money :)
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/530211_10200948972471109_1116085535_n.jpg
RE: How is a Wrangler Unlimited when NOT being towed?
Need some input from Wrangler Unlimited (4 door Jeep) owners. I am giving serious thought to getting a Wrangler Unlimited to flat tow. I think it would be great for that, but how does it ride, drive, handle, comfort etc as a regular everyday kind of vehicle?
We have a 2010 JKU for flat towing:
Compared to most modern SUVs of similar size and cost, the JKU has more wind noise, steers twitcher, no insulation in top (colder in winter, hotter in summer)rougher ride and less engine power.
Don't get carried away by the talk of 2012+ models with the new engine, they offer a little more power but not that's about it.
It's OK for a daily driver but many better SUVs to choose from.
For us, ease of flat towing and back road exploring far out weighs above daily driver short commings.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/388998_4370306780401_258370593_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/533026_4493384097257_237878939_n.jpg
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/284827_2290879076008_7407179_n.jpg
RE: Where does the money go?
Check out our Rig (signature clicky) for something a bigger than a Class B and meets Federal Bus Safety Standards. They Build Chevy Cut-a-ways too with shorter wheel base than ours.
RE: Class b or class c which is better?
FWIW many people worry way to much about where to overnight while in route.
From decades of experience, we park anywhere we feel is safe.
Church, retail store, restaurants, hotels, National/State parks, Truck stops and Gas Station parking lots all are good.
We never ask for permission and never had a problem or have been asked to leave. Just use common sense.
RE: Winterizing and Winter Camping. How do you handle it?
We winterize the Rig, by-pass the water heater and put 3 to 5 gallons of RV safe antifreeze in the fresh water tank for toilet flushing. Add more antifreeze if required during the winter. Bring bottled water for drinking and a few one gallon jugs of tap water for sink use. I haven't had a problem with the mixture of appox 50% toilet antifreeze and 50% fresh water from the sink freezing solid in waste tank in temperatures above +15F or so.
RE: Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK
McZippie, Good Link! When you think that the fuel cell cost over $5000 and $60 for a few days of methanol it sure doesn't make much sense.
Exactly... and to lesser degree Solar doesn't make a lot of sense either when comparing it costs, minimal power output and limited roof space on a Class B to a generator.
I understand the benefits of solar to top off battery banks but putting cumbersome boxy solar panels on a sleek stream-lined Class B seems counter intuitive.
I like the concept of the RS E-TREK as a one fuel RV!
My ideal Class B wouldn't have a Fuel Cell, Solar Panels, Roof top A/C, LP, generator or separate house and starting battery banks.
It would be one fuel, have only diesel or electric appliances, a large AGM or Lithium battery bank for both house and engine starting, protected with an automatic low voltage disconnect, and in place of generator an high output alternator and an engine that shuts off cylinders when used only to generate electric power and/or spin the A/C compressor.
RE: Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK
This is all very interesting. McZippie, when you are calculating usage time are you including the DMFC input?
Mick
Here's a LINK for a great energy calculator that has inputs for solar panels, battery bank AHs, fuel-cells and load.
I plugged in the following values to the energy calculator:
2000 watt A/C running for 18 hours.
600 AH battery bank.
200 watt solar panel at peak power.
90 watt fuel cell.
Results:
0.2 days until batteries need recharging.
Again it's just darn out silly, to claim that roof top solar panels with the help of a wimpy fuel cell and a huge battery bank is going to power an air conditioner for 18 hours on a hot summer day.
IMHO 20% of the day or 5 hours that was calculated isn't realistic, at best may get a few hours before battery bank needs recharging.
And nothing wrong with that, after a hour or so of running the A/C on batteries and with very little help from solar, start up the V6 diesel engine with it's high output alternator, while cooling the Rig with the engine A/C compressor, recharge appox 300 amps (50% DOC) into the AGM battery bank in an hour or so.
Repeat cycle as needed, while considering which is a Greener way to keep cool on a hot summer day, running the V6 engine 1/2 of the day or running a small generator all day?
RE: Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK
----------"at 50%" that's a silly test. "
Isn't a 50% discharge rate the standard? I thought that was as low as your were supposed to take them.
I don't know, I'm asking here, but I have seen the 50% battery level mentioned here often enough to wonder if it's really "silly".
My error, didn't explain enough. I added the following information to my original post:
The A/C would need to be set at a low setting to run 15 hours from a battery bank even with help from the solar panels.
It's a "silly test" because, during hot weather when an A/C is required for cooling, it's usually set at full power. At best the A/C could run for a few hours at full power from battery bank/solar panels.
We run a high tech split-unit semi-truck sleeper cab 13,000 BTU A/C in our rig, the manufacturer also makes fantastic claims about running it on batteries and solar.
Real world experience from myself and Truckers; can't carry enough batteries and solar panels to run it on high settings for very long in hot weather.
When the full spec's are listed for A/C btu, amps, battery bank size solar panels, I'll run the math to calculate hours A/C can run on high setting.
RE: Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK
According to the Roadtrek president, he personally tested the batteries and A/C and ran the A/C on the batteries for 15 hours and they were at 50%. The solar panels only require daylight, not direct sunlight. ...
"at 50%" that's a silly test.
The A/C would need to be set at a low setting to run 15 hours from a battery bank even with help from the solar panels.
It's a "silly test" because, during hot weather when an A/C is required for cooling, it's usually set at full power. At best the A/C could run for a few hours at full power from battery bank/solar panels.
We run a high tech split-unit semi-truck sleeper cab 13,000 BTU A/C in our rig, the manufacturer also makes fantastic claims about running it on batteries and solar.
Real world experience from myself and Truckers; can't carry enough batteries and solar panels to run it on high settings for very long in hot weather.
When the full spec's are listed for A/C btu, amps, battery bank size solar panels, I'll run the math to calculate hours A/C can run on high setting.
I like the Rig a lot!.. but marketing the E-TREK as a 'green' environmentally responsible RV, is more silly nonsense from Roadtrek.
Running the Diesel engine to recharge the batteries rather than using traditional generator/LP is only shifting to different fuels.
The solar panels add very little to reduce overall fossil fuel usage.
And bio diesel is pretty much a boondoogle joke.
We use the same concepts in our small Rig linked below.
An all diesel/electric one fuel vehicle, without the need for shore power.
All works fine, EXCEPT for the A/C on hot days, then need a generator along to run it.
RE: Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK
Let's do some simple math here. I can't get a couple of things they are claiming to add up. Eight batteries, I am assuming standard deep cycle batteries so that should be about a 960 to 1,000 amp/hrs battery bank. The A/C can be made to last longer on batteries by simply lowering the BTU rating of the A/C unit. RT 170, 190 and 210's all have a 12,000BTU model, but the standard RS only has a 11,000/BTU A/C, I don't know what the RS-E has. Recharge the depleted 8 batteries in 40 minutes - WOW I want to see that engine/generator that can put 960amp/hrs in those batteries in 40 minutes! How could a 240 watt solar panel recharge these 8 batteries, on a good day that panel is only putting out about 20amps an hour - it would take a minimum of 48 hours of daylight to fully recharge the battery bank.
From the 2nd video the individual batteries look to about 75 amp hours each, X 8 = 600 amp hour battery bank.
Using the 50% discharge rule then only 300 amp hours need to be recharged.
Our Limo Bus/Motor Home uses the same 'all electric, no-shore power' concept and we can recharge our smaller AGM battery bank in about 20 minutes with 265 amp alternators. So it's feasible they can recharge 300 amps in 40 minutes.
I have serious doubts about getting anywhere near even an hour of A/C usage from the battery bank, on hot days, running the A/C on the highest setting.
RE: Need a unit that we can winter camp in.
If I were to start building a Class C sized RV from scratch today, I would use as the base a small Bus chassis, or a Mitsubishi Fuso / Isuzu NPR.
Would mount a box on it with compartments on the side that is insulated and heated, accessible, for water, etc.
Kind of like what we did. Turtle Top Bus that has good insulation with an Espar Airtronic Heater. Gasoline and Diesel models available.
Over size the heater a bit and it'll have the ability to cook you out of the RV at any temperature. Low amp draw and very efficient fuel usage.
We don't use the inside water tank system much and flush the toilet with RV antifreeze. Is that a no no???
Espar
http://www.polarmobility.com/images/heaters/fuel_fired_air_heaters/fuel_fired_air_heater_04.jpg
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/388998_4370306780401_258370593_n.jpg
Wanderings along Hwy 2, Michigan UP to Idaho
Below is a link to our in progress, three week of wanderings along Hwy 2, (the northern most US Highway) through Michigan U.P, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Idaho.
We don't do a lot of pre-planning, pick a direction, stay off of Interstate/Major Highways and let the back-roads and interesting terrain be our guides. Will also spend a week or so of the trip searching out Ghost Towns in North Dakota.
Trip Report Clicky
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/388998_4370306780401_258370593_n.jpg
RE: Again with the 235/85/16 Duallies for Ford E350/450
Update:
Just completed over 4,000 miles on the new 235/85/16 Michelin LTX AT-2 tires.
Drove many miles on gravel and dirt back-roads in North Dakota and Montana in search of Ghost Towns. Many time speeds on graded gravel roads in 45 to 60MPH range. Lots of miles on Interstate Hwy at 80 to 85MPH.
No Problems with the Tires, but our Toad's (Jeep JKU) front-end and windshield now has countless nicks and chips.
Link to trip report:
Wanderings along Hwy 2, Michigan UP to Idaho
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578868_4373531301012_1871604298_n.jpg
RE: just a question??... Would you stop?
We all know of the mythical Lone Ranger that 'Happens' upon people in need...
I've been a "Happenstance Ranger" all of my life.
Gitty-UP
For your reading pleasure; how I rescued a bicyclist while in Alaska:
I always wanted to tour Alaska and the Yukon on a Motorcycle. So I purchased a Honda XR650L Dual-Sport Motorcycle in Anchorage. I out-fitted the Bike with a 6 gallon tank and camping gear. The bike was a Dream to ride. I picked out 3000 miles of roads, staying on dirt and gravel as much as possible. One memorable section was the Denali Highway, which in Alaska means, it's a poorly maintain gravel and dirt road. The weather was bone chilling cold and wet for the two previous days, before I hit the Denali Hwy. At last the sun was out and I was itching to air out the Honda. The road still had many miles of wet and greasy stretches. Never having owned a street bike, but many dirt bikes, none of this bother me. I stood on the foot pegs, twisted the throttle to wide open and ran in the 70's and 80 's(mph) with the bike doing its see-saw like rhythmic dancing under me. I was still decked out in my white rain suit that was now mud brown. The weather was in the 40s F but none of this mattered. I was dressed for it. The wildlife was amazing, a large bull moose just off the side of the road, trumpeter swans in a pond. About a 100 miles into the ride, I had yet to see another person or car. So I slowed when approaching two bicyclist stopped on the road. A young woman frantically waved and shouted at me to stop. It was a a couple on their honeymoon. The husband was shivering cold, trying to repair a broken chain link. The wife confided in me, that he didn't know what to do, and asked if I would help.
This was one of those times, when you don't understand why things work out, the way they do. In my small tool pouch that I used for both Dirt Biking and Bicycling by switching a few tools, I purposely didn't remove my bicycle chain rivet tool, even though it would serve absolutely no purpose what so ever in a motorcycle tool kit.
The Husband was stopping every few miles to tie the chain together, with a shoe string. I quickly repaired the chain. As I prepared to remount the Honda and ride off the Wife shouted out, "Thank you Lone Ranger" and so with a twist of the throttle, I wheelied off with a raised arm and a loud "Hi Ho Silver" reply.
