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RE: My Aliner Experience
We are very happy with our Idea i15Q and only wish that we purchased it first.
Very similar to Starcraft AR-One 14RB except instead of the sofa the Idea i15Q has a dining area. Having the always down bed and a separate dining area is a nice feature. I have a Starcraft AR-One 15RB (hybrid) which is similar to the Idea i16. I needed the extra sleeping space for when my daughter goes along.
Your 3.7L Jeep should have no problem towing. I have a 4.2 Ford Explorer and it does well with the 15RB. I also have an Aliner Classic and the V8 Ford hardly knows it is back there.
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gheicher
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05/23/13 07:44pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Aliner running fridge while traveling?
Using the 12 volt mode for the fridge uses a lot of battery power, anywhere from 10 to more than 20 amps depending on the size. Even if you have sufficient wiring from the tow vehicle, it puts a strain on the tow vehicle's electrical system (Older bulb type headlights use about 10 amps of power). Also an automatic disconnect should be installed to prevent draining the tow vehicle's battery when the engine isn't running.
If you must run the fridge when traveling, the LP mode is preferred. Some have difficulty keeping the heater lighted due to air turbulence and have added baffles to help out. Others always turn the fridge off when refueling due to the possibility of igniting fueling vapors.
The easiest and safest is to add some thermal mass (ice packs) inside the fridge and this will keep it cool for many hours. Keeping the fridge filled of cans of cold beer will have the same effect.
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gheicher
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05/12/13 06:44pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: exterior refrigerator fan
Computer muffin fans are cheap and reliable. If you have a bit of wiring knowledge it should be a simple choir to wire one up. Finding a small temp switch should be easy also to wire into the circuit.
My concern with the muffin fan is volume. I don't think there would be enough added airflow to be of much help. When its really hot and the outside temps approach the temp of the condenser, you need a lot of air going over the cooling fins to get rid of the heat. Just removing the vent doors will help a little so will shading this side of the camper. My approach is to use the largest fan you can on such days. When running on 120 VAC you can even use a home type fan to blow air onto the condenser.
Now the real solution is to have a compressor type fridge, but they are pricey, make a certain amount of noise, and won't run on propane.
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gheicher
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05/12/13 08:47am |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: My Aliner Experience
I have had an Aliner for the past 10 years. For me it is a "travel trailer" for two not a "family camping trailer". By that I mean it is great to tow behind my SUV, I almost never stay more than three days in one spot, and many times its just overnight and never unhooked. The quick setup makes it ideal for traveling but I will agree that the interior space is minimal, especially for more than two people. The hard sides provide some added security as well as no wet fabric to fold. So for me the Aliner is a specialty market, but I have seen a family of four camping at a state park in the smallest one, the Alite, and having a great time - Different strokes for different folks.
I do also have a semi-folding Starcraft hybrid for times when I plan to stay many days at one place rather than just travel. Much more spacious interior with a real bathroom and shower. My Campers.
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gheicher
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05/08/13 06:31pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Replacing a Thermostat
Most house thermostats are powered by the furnace. RV furnace has no provision for that. The only good reason to not get a digital thermostat is if you enjoy the wild heat swings you get with a mechanical version. Too hot followed by too cold! :)
The LUX heat-only digital I had in my popup was very stable as is the heat/AC Hunter in the Roo. The Hunter is $20 at Home Depot, not a big expense.
-- Chuck
I just replaced the thermostat in my folding trailer with a Hunter electronic one from Amazon. Only cost $20 and its the same as the one I have in my house. It uses two AA batteries so it does not require any power from the furnace. This Hunter thermostat is programmable but for the trailer I set all the temperatures the same. If you want a different program you have the choice to do so. The thermostat also has an off swich that is nice when you are not using the furnace. Since it is basically a house thermostat is also has an AC setting but I don't use that portion. The instructions tell you how to wire it for heat only.
Now that it is working well in my folding trailer I am going to put one in my Starcraft 15RB Hybrid. The big advantage is you can set how many degrees between when the furnace comes on and off (differential temperature or span).
Any electronic thermostat that has its own battery source should be able to replace the mechanical OEM thermostat in the trailer.
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gheicher
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05/06/13 08:04pm |
Hybrid Travel Trailers
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RE: Folding Caravans / Pennine Artemis?
The Apache was made for many years and I still see them being used.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/gheicher/Camping/eeda2d99-54d0-4e26-b58f-05eb77d7fea7_zpscd2e8781.jpg
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gheicher
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05/01/13 08:14pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Adding FantasticFan
Now if you plan to use the FF on high speed, you need to add a seat belt to the toilet to keep from being ejected from the bathroom…
Do remember to turn the fan off when flushing…
If the fan in blowing air in, no problem, but if reversed to the exhaust mode... phew, smelly, phew!! You only do that one time - My first experience was in a small wet bath with no vent in the door and I came out of there in a hurry. Yeah, now I know the hard way, flush then turn the exhaust fan on.
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gheicher
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04/26/13 08:34pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Adding FantasticFan
Nice. This is the first thing we will be doing to the new unit once the weather permits. I found several fantastic vents online for less than $100 dollars.
Bought mine on Ebay for $87.95 plus $15.87 S&H. It is a brand-new reversible 3-speed with a crank open cover. I have an electric open-close cover type on another rv unit but much prefer the manual one (at least able to open the vent if there is no electricity).
This was my first experience using DICOR sealant and was impressed with the product, so I purchased an additional tube of the stuff just to use around the house.
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gheicher
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04/26/13 06:43am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Alto trailer
clicky
Unique design similar to those made in Australia. Don't think with the roof collapsed it will make much difference in air resistance and at 7 feet towing height you will not be able to see over it out you rear tow vehicle window.
The sleek design may have some advantages over traditional non-folding trailers but I don't see it impacting the popup crowd significantly
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gheicher
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04/22/13 06:10pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Debit or Credit Card?
A couple of students at Carnegie Mellon Univ has developed a fingerprint pad that reads your fingerprint. This bio-metric being previously associated with your credit or debit card will allow you to only place your finger on the pad to make a purchase. The system is now in beta trial at the university's cafeteria.
Will not have to worry about losing your card, just have to be careful not to burn your fingers on the camp stove.
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gheicher
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04/17/13 06:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Newbee lookin' at a Chalet.
I had an Alite, but just didn't go enough by myself and was too small for two. Now have the Aliner Classic and installed a Thetford cassette toilet. The new Ranger 10 Aliner is bigger than the Alite, which is no longer produced, and weighs 1200 lbs. Considerably heavier than the old Alite, but a lot more interior space and amenities.
See mine at "clicky" or checkout the Aliners at "clicky"
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gheicher
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04/12/13 07:10am |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Adding FantasticFan
Finished adding a FantasticFan to my AR-One today.Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on the Dicor caulking. Never used it before but its appears to be a really good sealant. Bought a 10.3 oz tube of the Dicor 501LSD1 from Amazon for about $11 and combined with other items to get free shipping - Amazingly it arrived at my front door in two days.
See pics at "CLICKY".
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gheicher
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04/10/13 03:53pm |
Travel Trailers
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Adding FantasticFan
Installing a 3 speed FantasticFan power vent to the bathroom of my 2011 Starcraft AR-One. Removed the roof calking today with much effort and patience. Not sure what this caulk stuff is, but it sure sticks to the roof material (which I think is vinyl) much more than the metal vent. Looks like good caulking and would probably use it if I can buy some new. It is white, very rubbery and pliable and they used a ton of it around all the roof vents.
Anyone have an idea what it is?
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/gheicher/caulk1_zps0ba259c3.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj205/gheicher/caulk2_zps894bfb47.jpg
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gheicher
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04/08/13 09:06am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: A-liner questions
My Aliner classic weighs 1000 lb dry and I tow with a Forester. The Aliner has electric brakes and the Forester is manual 5 speed so no tranny cooler needed. While towing on the level is great, you certainly know it is back there on the hills of PA and WV. I also tow the Aliner sometimes with a V8 Explorer and with the V8 you hardly know you are towing anything.
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gheicher
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04/06/13 06:38pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: FIRST TRIP OF 2013.......FLAT TIRE!!!!
I keep thinking a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) would be a good thing on the trailer to constantly know what's going on back there. I believe some of the newer TTs either come with it or have it as an option.
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gheicher
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04/03/13 06:19am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Aliner air conditioner install.
Does it just start flowing when the switch is turned on, or do you still have to lift the faucet handle?
Just turn on the switch "clicky" when pumping water from your tank. The same faucet is also used when connected to a "city" water supply, thus the faucet handle is raised to turn the "city" water on.
The volume of my pump is not great but is at least as good as manual pumping. You could get fancier with a automatic pressure pump but my pump only cost $30 from JC Whitney (Don't know if they still sell it or not).
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gheicher
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03/29/13 06:34pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Casette Toilets
I added a Thetford C4 manual flush cassette under the front bench of my Aliner clicky. It was more accessible inside the camper to install it in the center of the trailer but this location requires a longer reach through the access door to empty the cassette (not really all that difficult). I bought my Aliner used and the toilet was a relatively easy modification. The manual flush has the advantage of being self-contained not needing any additional plumbing or wiring.
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gheicher
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03/28/13 02:26pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hard Sided Folding Pop Up Trailer Information/Reviews?
Can you give some examples of the features that the Chalet has? We don't have a dealer local so I didnt get to look at them before we bought.
My knowledge is mainly from the Chalet website. The one feature that interested me was the full front dormer that could contain either a kitchen or a full bathroom clicky. The front storage box I believe is also unique to Chalet although Aliner has offered it at times. Also they offer the electric lift system that might be good for some that find the manual lift cumbersome (some ladies and/or physically challenged).
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gheicher
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03/27/13 04:24pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Hard Sided Folding Pop Up Trailer Information/Reviews?
I believe that. We like features offered from 3 different brands....
Want to do a fair comparison.
We wish the Chalet brand was sold on the East Coast, appears they are not sold here. Worst case it will require a trip West to check them out,not the worst thing in the world!
Chalet has some nice features the other A-frame TTs don't offer, but Chalets are low volume products (much less than even Aliner) so dealers are not eager to expand slow selling inventory. Now Casita and Scamp sell factory direct to eliminate the dealer inventory problem, but many people want a dealer that will service the product. Casita and Scamp do have owners across the USA that will show their units. I don't know if Chalet has any sort of arrangement but may be worth a call to Chalet to see if there might be a unit near your area.
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gheicher
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03/27/13 03:18pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Aliner air conditioner install.
I also added a water pump. It was an inexpensive one that must be turned on and off. Works good and I did use the same pump type faucet. Now I can get water by either manually pumping or turn on the electric pump. For pic click here- Scroll to bottom of page.
Cool, thanks for the responses and pics. I can use all the tips and trick available.
The other question I forgot to ask about was 12v water pump. Currently my folks trailer has a fresh water tank (10 or 17 gal can't remember off hand). The faucet is a hand pump unit that mom hates.
What pump will work with this faucet, or should I just replace the faucet too and go with a 12 volt pump with a pressure switch like used in most RV's?
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gheicher
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03/26/13 08:08pm |
Folding Trailers
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