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Forum
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RE: Rear Sliding Storage Draws Under Sofa/Bed
That's a great idea Ron. It'll be easy to get items in and out without having to unload everything.
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markopolo
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05/19/13 06:10pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: NEED MY A/C
For running a 13,500 BTU A/C and if you really don't want to install an Onan 2800 generator or carry a portable generator then look into under the hood mounted generators. One of these might be what is used in the E-trek
Mobile Electric Power Solution, Inc. (MEPS) - http://www.meps.com/products.html
Aura Systems Inc - http://www.aurasystems.com/pages/prod_intro.html
Raven Technology - http://raventechpower.com/
Fabco Power - http://www.fabcopower.com/generat/bgen.htm
It might be best to have an Onan 2800 generator installed under your Roadtrek though.
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markopolo
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05/17/13 07:31am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Window AC project
What kind of inverter do you have? I don't really understand them but would like to be able to use the microwave.
It is done all the time but it takes the right combination of inverter, wiring and batteries.
As BillMFl pointed out check the label on the microwave oven and look for power consumption or running watts. My 600 cooking watts microwave oven is 900 running watts. My 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter will just run it (it is really maxed out). A 1200 watt or even 1800 watt inverter would have been a better choice for me.
On two fully charged marine/RV AGM batteries my inverter sounds an alarm when I run the microwave oven. On four batteries it runs ok. I measured the DC amp draw and it was 103 amps! It is wired using 4 gauge which is a bit on the light side. Bigger wires would be better.
For a small microwave oven like my 600 watt unit you need a battery or more likely a combination of batteries they are capable of delivering the needed 100 amps DC.
BillMFl - have you had a chance to try either the microwave or the air conditioner on the inverter?
I recommend some sort of travel cover for the air conditioner. I've seen photos of a cover made of vinyl with snaps. The cover will keep the road dirt and bugs out. Only problem with the cover is that you have to remember to take it off to use the A/C.
I have a window type a/c in my van probably the same size as yours Bill. It cools the back area quickly. It takes a while for the cooling to get the cab area but it is better than no cooling at all. I've been woken up by birds hopping around on the a/c at dawn. I guess it is a nice place for them to land on.
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markopolo
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05/10/13 08:24am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First Ram Promaster van class B
Here's the spec sheet and floor plan. Note: this is still pre-production so there may be changes.
http://classbforum.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10002/Winnebago_Travato_Specifications.jpg
http://classbforum.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10002/Winnebago_Travato_59G_Floorplan.jpg
Maybe not for everyone but I can see a family with young kids choosing this a second multi-purpose vehicle.
It would be like a small apartment for a single traveler. Leave the rear bed set-up, permanent dinette.
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markopolo
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05/07/13 04:29pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: 2003 MB Cruiser (near) Complete Rebuild
Nice up-to-date modern look!
You've probably easily added what you spent to the value of your RV.
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markopolo
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05/07/13 04:02pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: How to remove LTV Removable Pedestal
Link to Springfield Marine Company:
http://www.springfieldgrp.com/products-2/barbeque-grills-tables/table-pedestals
They also have a frequently asked questions section on their site that might help. If no one here knows the answer then give the company a call.
Beautiful day in New Brunswick today.
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markopolo
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05/07/13 03:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First Ram Promaster van class B
Lichtsinn Motors sent me info and photos which I posted here:
Winnebago Travato photos and details
I think they'll be putting the photos up on their Facebook page soon as well so you can check there as well.
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markopolo
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04/30/13 06:37pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: First Ram Promaster van class B
http://classbforum.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10002/Winnebago_Travato.jpg
Looking forward to seeing more photos and detailed specs.
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markopolo
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04/30/13 06:33am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: What does your RV forum name mean?
markopolo is just a blend of my name - Mark and the traveler Marco Polo.
People often give me a nickname: Marko, Marco Polo, Markus, Marcus Welby, M.D. (showing my age a bit with that one ;) ) Even Markle Knarkle after Evel Knievel because of a airborne motorcycle misadventure.
On forums I'll try for marko but it usually already taken so I work through my nicknames.
Fun topic!
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markopolo
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04/29/13 06:39pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek Awning Attachment Broke, need help!
This pdf file from 2000 190, 170 Dodge RT Awning Installation indicates the bracket was installed using rivets.
If you can get a backing plate or washer on it that would be better. Or a bolt, washer and nut. If not, does the awning installation instructions that you have allow you to move that bracket a bit to either side? If so you could mount it again with rivets and patch the old holes.
If you have to use rivets again then try to find "banana peel" type rivets that spread the load out better.
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markopolo
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04/21/13 06:51am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Window AC for B Van
The Danhard A/C is stealthy and a cool option (pardon the pun) but is listed at almost $3,800 on a Sportsmobile option price sheet.
I searched for a 12 volt A/C for my van but kept finding prices similar to that. The window a/c suddenly started to look not too bad :)
Lower BTU in a small window type a/c means lower wattage so running the a/c on an inverter is doable without a huge battery bank. Lower BTU = less cooling though.
For price combined with performance it is hard to beat the standard rooftop RV type air conditioner. It is probably 1/4 the cost of a Danhard and there are low profile units available.
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markopolo
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04/18/13 06:33am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Window AC for B Van
I installed one that is built to be removable when not needed.
Rear Window Air Conditioner
It was made for Chevy Express / GMC Savana Vans.
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markopolo
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04/17/13 06:49pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: AGM batteries, overcharging on long drives
Like you, I start out with fully charged batteries (both house and chassis batteries) from being plugged in. Instead of a switch to turn off the charging voltage, I run the fridge off the inverter while driving. It keeps the voltage at the house batteries just below 14 volts during the drive. From memory, I think it is 13.9 volts which is a bit better I think than hitting them with 14.4 volts for hours when they are already fully charged.
If your fridge has a DC option then that might also keep the voltage at the house batteries at a more acceptable level.
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markopolo
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04/15/13 02:22pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Shore power not kicking in
1775 probably has indicated the likely problem. The power CONVERTER takes AC power(shore power) and charges the house batteries.If it is not working you may not notice until you check the 30amp fuse(or fuses).I had that happen and the CONVERTER had died and kept burning out 30amp fuses. THe house batteries slowly died too until I was in the dark! The Inverter uses 12 volt juice from your house battery to power up a tv,laptop, rv lights,furnace etc. They dont usually fail but an. I would bet it is the CONVERTER. A good RV dealer should have one or be able to get one in a few days.
AL
The OP's 2006 Roadtrek Popular would not have come from the factory with a converter Fastpaddler. Roadtrek installed Tripp-Lite inverter/chargers starting in 2004.
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markopolo
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04/12/13 06:39pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Shore power not kicking in
That is correct - you don't need your generator to run your furnace.
The exception to that would be if your 12 volt battery(ies) are discharged too low to power the furnace fan. in that case running the generator would supply 12 volts via the charger to the batteries.
Your RT has a Tripp-Lite brand combined inverter/charger unit not a the typical converter/charger unit seen in most RV's.
When you are connected to shore power the Tripp-Lite unit charges your batteries. So the 12 volt items in your RT run off power from your batteries which are, at the same time, being charged by the Tripp-Lite combined inverter/charger unit.
Sounds like you are ready to continue your adventure.
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markopolo
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04/12/13 08:50am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Shore power not kicking in
Looks like the battery disconnect switch in on.
In your first post you mentioned:
.......Microwave clock panel is on.......
That is a clear indication that you have shore power in a stock '06 RT 190P.
What isn't working?
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markopolo
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04/12/13 07:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Shore power not kicking in
Furnace fan and lights are 12 volt DC items. If they are affected by turning a 120v 15amp AC breaker on and off that means those 12 volt DC items are running on your 120 volt AC charger and not off the batteries.
Check the battery disconnect switch to make sure it is on.
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markopolo
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04/12/13 06:45am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Why class B's cost more than some C's?
If you take a look at published shipments and market share stats you see that Class B's can be assembled quickly if in a large production facility.
3,100 Class B RV's were reported shipped in 2007.
Roadtrek had approximately 50% market share that year so approximately 1,550 units shipped by them.
Now you need to make assumptions of number of production days.
Maybe 6 days per week so 312 days per year.
1,550 Class B's shipped by RT divided by 312 days equaled about 5 Roadtreks built per day that year.
Time for more assumptions :@
Maybe 120 employees worked that day, divided by 5 units equals 24 employees per RT. 24 employees each on 8 hr shifts = 192 hours per RT.
192 hours times $50 per hour at cost equals $9,600 labor per unit.
This is just guessing on my part to add to this discussion. The only published info I had to base this on is the 3,100 Class B's shipped and approx 50% RT market share that year.
I don't know how many employees can work on a unit at any given time. There's a limit else they'd be tripping over each other. I just happen to use RT in the example because the stats were readily available.
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markopolo
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04/12/13 05:25am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Why class B's cost more than some C's?
........... I'm still not clear, are fewer potential RV buyers wanting B's or are prices being kept up to maintain profit margins? ...............
I haven't been able to figure that out.
Is it:
high prices = fewer buyers (B vans too expensive for a lot of people)
or
fewer buyers = high prices (not much interest in the category so prices have to be high to make them profitable)
or a bit of both
I'm surprised by the low numbers though. 2,123 in a year is not many. I'd like to see that double or even get to 5,000 units per year or more. That would help buyers of new units and, eventually, buyers of used units.
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markopolo
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04/10/13 07:28pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Why class B's cost more than some C's?
I think another reason for the high prices of Class B's compared to other types of RV's is the fact that so few are made each year.
The manufacturers are in business to make a profit so the mark up over costs needs to be greater per unit when you produce fewer units.
RV Shipments for 2012:
Class B: 2,123
Class C: 11,493
Class A: 14,582
Fifth Wheel Trailer: 65,980
Travel Trailer: 176,900 !
2,123 Class B's shipped in 2,012 is not many units at all particularly if you compare that to the approximately 3,100 Class B's shipped in 2007.
Class B unit shipments really dropped off in 2008 and haven't recovered their pre-2008 volume yet.
Shipments for the 4 years from 2004 to 2007 totaled 11,300 units.
Shipments for the 4 years from 2008 to 2011 totaled 6,600 units.
There's almost a 5000 unit difference for those two 4 year periods!
Chart - Class B Shipments
Fewer units = higher prices.
Also, some Class B's start as a "luxury chassis" van loaded with options so that would add to the cost of the unit.
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markopolo
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04/06/13 06:09pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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