RE: Alaskan following?
I owned an Alaskan up til about 10 yrs ago, loved it could go anywhere! Would still own it but I changed from a Ford to a Dodge & it wouldn't fit! So then I had to go out & buy a Lance, (most expensive darn pickup change for me!) I still look at used one's all the time but the wife won't go back to an Alaskan after being spoiled with the Lance.
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
I call this the "thousand dollar loose screw"! (I did say LOOSE). I decided on Sat to start with each wire in the system & check continuity of each wire & to check each wire seperately with voltage. (Me not being an electrician, this is how I did it anyway, I'm sure there's a better way. Check everything back to the fuse panal, well you guys were right it was a loose circuit, the screw on the furnace circuit was a little loose. I tightened almost one turn. Well under load over the distance to the furnace had to much of a voltage drop at times.(I know I should have checked there first!!) This is why the old furnace's fan would vary in sound & make some weird sounds I think. Anyway not all was lost, the old Suburban was so loud, I replaced it with there "quite" version + bumped it up from a 30,000 to 35,000BTU does warm up quicker & is more quite. Learned a lot on this go around, thanks for all of your ideas & suggestions!
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
On going saga: thought I would keep you guys informed of what's going on as it may save someone some $$$$$. Checked the voltage at the furnace the other night-had 13volts. So I removed the furnace, thought I would check the voltage again (with easier access) about 12+ volts thought I would check again with the thermostat switched to "furnace" it dropped to 4 volts! What the heck, so I switched it off again the voltage only went back to 10 volts, verified this several times, so I now realized it wasn't the Suburban (I do take back all the nasty things I said about Suburban). I took it up to Lynden Trailer, the hooked up the furnace to 12 volts hooked the two blue wires together furnace worked fine!. Talked to them about the voltage drop, they sent out a guy today & there stumped at this point. When he separated the two systems then he had 13vdc down to the furnace?? They don't know why were loosing voltage thru the AC system (a new dometic box) so now were taking about adding a 2nd thermostat one for the furnace & one for the AC, sure been one PITA!! I think I'm going to let them do it, then there kind of responsible for it. Sure in heck shouldn't have to re-configure a 7 yr old trailer. This is the 1st time we've had any problems with this Komfort Trailer. Not even a warranty claim when new!. Not blaming the manuf. yet by any means just a odd ball fluke I guess, my turn in the barrel I guess! any ideas?? Thanks
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
I don't have it in front of me here, but there was 4wires coming out of the furnace. Red wire to +, Yellow wire to -, & two blue wires one with a sticky tab with +++, & one unmarked blue. These (the blue) are the ones that I touched together, doing nothing. And of course I have checked the 15amp fuse on the board, but is OK. I do remove the fuse when I was wiring the circuits. I did check the installation sheets that came with it, I also jumped the furnace wire in the thermostat to the ground term it clicked but nothing. Thanks again
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
Talked to Brent at Lynden Trailer, he said to test for 12vdc at the furnace & to hook the two blue wires together & it should come on. Well I do have voltage at the furnace & tried the two wires together & still wouldn't run!. So now this brand new POS Suburban has to come out & I will have to pay to have the board changed out, which I understand because I'm in a hurry. He said that he will send the board back to them & they may honor the warranty. He says sometimes this turns into a *^&&( match & they say its ok, but it isn't. He said if he gets credited from Suburban, then he will refund me. You see I didn't buy the furnace from him, at the time I didn't know that they would do "housecalls" so this is what I get for buying online! My own damn fault! At this point anyway not to impressed with Suburban, won't buy another one! Not Brent's fault I'm lucky that he's even helping me!.
What I can't explain that on both furnace's (old & new) I've never blown a 12vdc fuse!, you would think that one of them would have, if the motor was shot & was shorting out?. Who the %&*^ knows, Brent going to look at it tomorrow, sorry for the long response, thanks again for all your help!
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
Hey thanks LVJJJ, I will probably call them this morning. I switched the blue wires at "the box" over head didn't make any difference. I checked all my wires seemed fine. Checked the voltage at thermostat jumped the furnace to ground still nothing but the click overhead. It can only be A) I've got a wired switched or B) a faulty new component. Would have liked to have fixed it myself but oh well! Thanks for the help, will let you guys know when I find out
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
Wow thanks for the response's! I may have to phone Lynden Travel Sales, thanks for the tip. Never realized that they would go out to one's place, I know Vacationland won't. I would like to at this point try & fix it myself though, as you stated LV If I switch the two blue wires either at the electronic mod. or at the furnace it should do the same thing. What has me puzzled is that the original furnace quite working, either the furnace or the module, so I replaced the furnace, still didn't work, so either I got the blue wires switched at the furnace (which I guess doesn't matter) but the problem must have been the overhead AC module, so I put in a new one but must have switched the blue wires at the module which I guess does make a difference, so maybe I will try switching these first tonight when I get home. If it still won't work, then I must have a faulty module, it wasn't wrapped to well when they shipped it across the country, but who knows. If I understand you guys right I should be able to jump one of the blue wires (at the furnace) to the 12 volt + wire & it should run the fan etc, am I right? thanks again
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
We did get a couple of floor heaters, but now the Wife's sick of it, she want's "her" furnace running. I'd be ok, but of course the money'a already been spent. Not knowing rally how it works, but I assume that the thermostat activates a relay in the overhead box which in turn sends 12vdc to the furnace. I haven't checked the wiring at the furnace for voltage, is there always 12 volts there then turned on by the therm. The two blue wires both have a white tracer (at the overhead box) I don't see how one could have those hooked up wrong? I could try switching them & see. As I recall they both go to the furnace, (I don't have the wiring diagram in front of me here). If I jump these together it should fire off the furnace, right? When this all started I did take one of the wires in the thermostat marked furnace to the other terminals but didn't do any good. I would be nice to be able to eliminate one component at a time, I mite add that actually this is our 3rd thermostat, we replaced it once, & then one came with the dometic box so I put it in. Appreciate all your help, thanks
RE: BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
Thanks for the ideas, actually it is the 5 wire style, non digitol, fairly simple. I don't have anything in front of me now but what wires do I short? I know the wire marked furnace but which one would I short it to? the grnd or fan? there's only one marked furnace. Now over head in the electronic part, there was two blue wires w/white trace that went to the furnace, I could probably hook those together & it should fire off. There is gas, even if there wasn't it still should try & fire off I would think. Thanks
BIG BUCKS SPENT STILL NO HEAT!!
Any Dometic experts out there? We keep a 271 2006 Komfort TT out at my Mothers place to help look after her during the winter months. Well our furnace quit a couple of wks back, its been making a funny sound over the last yr so I figured I would replace it. It being a Suburban 30 so I updated it to a 35 "quite model" Suburban, put it in fired it off & still made the same clicking sound overhead in the dometic AC area. So next I replaced the therm. still no difference. So finally this weekend I replace the overhead electronic relay box it still doesn't work!! Still sounds the same when you slide the thermostat up to kick on the furnace it just clicks once overhead & that's it!. I might add that this trailer is all skirted in & not able to tow anywhere for now at least. The little lady's getting a little excited now & not in a good way!. Anyway any ideas? whats left to replace!. I'm begining to think that maybe I've got some faulty new parts?? Trying to find a Dometic Tech who will travel darn near impossible around here. I just wish that you could seperate the two systems one thermostat for the furnace & one for the AC system,why try to marry the two together, what a bunch of over complicated crap. That's an RV for ya! Thanks for any help!
RE: Truck Camper Slideouts - Are They Really Worth It?
Here's my 2cents. The Wife & I have had a Lance 880 (non/slide) for over 15 yrs or so. We get by, we some times go on rough roads & I appreciate the lower height over the new TC with the basements & slides. I recently looked at a Lance (05) 1181 that came up on a local auction, I did love the layout. However when I walked into it, most of the floor was very spongy. I looked all over for any water damage, couldn't see anything or where it came in. However there was some delamination under the slide window, by the dinette. I finally figured that maybe water had run down on the inside wall & made its way down thru the slide floor into the main floor, who knows. But this has a aluminum frame, however the floor was rotten already! maybe the tanks leaked but I tend to think that it had leaked around the slide. It looked quite clean inside, floor vinyl looked ok, but I'm sure was always stored outside. I can't help believe that the life span on a slide model is shorter than a non-slide unit, especially after seeing this 8 yr old model.(I realize that not all models this old would have this kind of damage, but sure make's one think before buying that slide model)
RE: Re: Tow Jeep
I to flat tow my YJ Jeep behind our Lance 885. I use a solid steel stinger & HD towbar, with no additional braking system in the Jeep. I know that it should have a brake system installed but I take it pretty easy & never have had a problem. Not that this makes any diff. but I never tow on the Interstate's. We love this setup!
SPONGY FLOOR LANCE 1181
Hello All! Attended a local auto auction this last weekend. They had a "bank repo" 2005 Lance. Actually in good condition, till you walked into it. Right about in the middle of the floor was a 18" soft spot, the floor was very spongy. Also in a couple of other spots, near the stove, then in front of the bathroom door. It was solid around these spots, however this did not seem right to me. (It was being supported on its jacks up a foot or so, with no support under the camper). And I would think that the tanks were empty also, anybody ever seen this in this model?. Couldn't see any water intrusions anywhere. Because of the lack of support & no fluids it still shouldn't be like this, should it? Just couldn't see what ever had leaked if it had, the floor vinyl was not discolored etc. Anyway because of this I passed on it, I just didn't want another project (it could have been a can of worm). Also on the slide down at the bottom, the outer f/g wall was pushed out at least a 1/4" out like the aluminum frame was pushing out on the F/G. Somebody did get a good price at $9000.00 + a 10% buyer premium. It was all I could do not to bid on this one, we never see any 1181's around here, and they are one of my favorite campers, oh well! I guess I'm nut for passing on it, what do you guys think about its problems??
RE: Alaskan Camper-What's it worth??
Looked at the 84 on Sunday, kind of disappointed it had a fair amount of rot on the overhead corners above the cab. Also apparently never came with a port a potty. Had a furnace in there instead, would have had to remount it to put in a pot. Just needed an awful lot of work to make it look good. The 84's cabinets & hardware doesn't compare to the earlier years for quality, (kind of cheesy, IMHO. I had offered $2500.00 but retracted the offer & resumitted it for $1500.00. I honestly don't think its worth more than $1500.00, maybe I'm just cheap, but seems to me that when one has to start "opening up" a 25 year old Alaskan to start replacing wood its not worth a whole lot. Even if its an Alaskan, (seems like by there nature there so vulnerable to rot on there overhead joints). If I was going to order a new one I would specify that the wood be covered with a marine epoxy before the metal goes on. Seems to me that going down the road at 60 with a heavy rain would pretty much drive the water in around the front seams.
Alaskan Camper-What's it worth??
Looking at an 86 10ft overhead with a side dinette. Haven't seen it yet in person but appears to be in fair to good cond. Its the crappy years when they used the brownish paneling in them (the 80's). As far as the NADA goes they show a value of about $600.00, but according to Alaska Mfg. you can't go by the "blue books". They are hard to find in the overcab model, seem to be all over the board in price. I've seen ones in the late 60's to 70's go around $1200.00 or so. They are asking $3500.00, which I think is to high. Appreciate any thoughts out there on value & or if anybody knows of any around for sale. I'm looking to add one to my camper stable along beside my old Lance 880, for taking out into the boonies.(I see a couple of 02-05 for around $13-15 thou.,way to much for me, they do seem to hold there value) Thanks for any ideas!
RE: Alaskan aluminum siding dirty, help please....
I owned an Alaskan about 12 yrs ago,(and deeply miss it). I was painted white, along with every other Alaskan that I ever saw,(except for any painted trim, to match the pickup, later versions). Anyway I to would recommend any top brand (automotive or marine) cleaner & polisher. Awesome campers!, I will own another someday! Good luck.
RE: NEED SOME TC SUPPORT! AM I NUTS??
Thanks for all your reply's & therapy! I feel so much better now!. To clarify when I said an overhead I meant that I would want the overhead model of the Alaskan as I want the bed over the cab. Still drops down low enough for me at least where I would want to go with a full size pickup. I think that I may just go for it when I find one again.
NEED SOME TC SUPPORT! AM I NUTS??
Here's my dilemma: We already have a nice Lance 880 on a Dodge dually, which we plan on keeping. But I feel like I can't really off the road to much ( I mean really up in the boonies) like I use to with my old SRW F250 4X4 with our older Alaskan Camper, which I had to sell when I went to a Dodge 4 x 4. Anyway I have access to a 95 F250 4x4, now I want to buy an old used Alaskan Camper that I could use myself (my wife won't always go way out "in the bush" she gets paranoid). She thinks I'm nuts! we don't need another camper! I think I missed out on a clean 10fter overhead one for $1200.00 bucks, cause I dragged my feet. I don't want to spend to much, (I can afford it) & can keep it stored dry just like our Lance. I don't think one can have to many campers do you?? When she goes she wants all the comforts & room of the Lance. Thinks the Alaskan's are to small, & the toilet setup sucks! Otherwise I would have a new Alaskan!. Appreciate fellow TC owners thoughts, I guess I have a "hangup" for campers, was raised with one as a kid in the 60's when my folks bought a used Aloha 8fter! Sorry for the long post!
RE: Dream Boondocking truck camper??
Back in the mid 90"s I had a new F-250 4x4 decked out with a heavy Warn Winch, mud tires etc. I had a Used Alaskan Camper (10ft overhead) anywhere that I could get that truck into the camper never held me back!. I never really outfitted the camper out for long stays out in the "bush", however with proper batteries, solar panels, ways to catch water, for showering (outside shower) this again would be my choice for a Pop Up camper with its hard sides for security. I loved this camper, however had to sell it when I traded my Ford for a Cummins Dodge, (the older Alaskan will not fit a Dodge truck of this era). Used Alaskan's can be had rasonable, (check there website). I honestly don't know why there hardly mentioned anymore on this site. I enjoy my Lance now on my Dodge, with all the creature comforts & room with the larger Lance, however if it was just myself I would again have a New Alaskan on a SRW Diesel probably a flatbed box or a Utility style for the added storage, IMHO Good Luck!!
RE: Why do you camp, and why a truck camper?
My parents always camped (in the 40's & 50's in a tent). As a child we camped in the early 60's in a tent, then my Dad bought his 1st camper around 67, an Aloha Camper. What a step up!!. We always loved the outdoors, & loved to "get away from it all" in our camper. The only restriction being his 65 Chev. 2 wheel drive, he could go almost anywhere up in the wilds of BC CA. Finally he bought a Ford 4 X 4 in the early 70's what a truck!. I always tented it on my Harley, & Jeep in my younger yrs. then bought my 1st used camper an Alaskan Camper we went almost anywhere we wanted to till we bought a different truck & found out the old camper wouldn't fit the Dodge. So we ended up buying a used 880 Lance about 12 yrs ago, & love this camper!. Our family (including my Mom at 87) still used her old S & S till a year ago to go camping!. I believe it gets in your blood! once a camper family always a camper family!!(We also own a 06 Komfort TT that we love but never use for camping other than keep it out at my Mom,s to stay in twice a week to look after her & place. My wife who never camped growing up, I asked her a while back if she could go for a month & camp & travel what would she take? our old Lance or the comfy TT she whole heartidly said the CAMPER!! because of it convience & ease of setting up & breaking camp!. Sorry for the long post just my thoughts. ( did notice on line the other day about a Tiger brand class C 4 X 4 on a Chev. that looked kind of cool! all fiberglass. I guess one other reason I have a camper is that I can unload it in the winter & drive my truck all winter. Where as a class C is a total different vehicle that would requires maintenance etc etc
