| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: AquaHot vrs propane
Certainly not our experience when dry camping. We have over 60 days this year already and find your info questionable! Two tanks of propane so far! And yes we use the propane for heat(Alaska), cooking, and hot water.
I think you are validating my point, not questioning it. So you had to fill up propane twice! If you had aqua hot you would not have had to fill up at all! Not once!
My point is the coaches with aquahot typically cost $300k-1mm++ and these coaches have many luxuries. Floor heat ($$$), separate washer/dryer ($$$), dishwasher ($$$), electric shades ($$$), fancy audio/video setups ($$$), so why not aquahot and do away with the propane tank? yes, it costs $$$ and in my opinion it is worth it because when I was in alaska, I didnt have to go looking for propane. That is worth somethng to me. Maybe it is worth $500/yr as a convenience factor to me and only $50 to you, but MSRP on my aquahot i think was $7000. after the discount it probably really cost me $5000 and when i sell my coach i am sure it will add at least $3000 value. So $2000 for the life of my coach to never deal with propane and having unlimited hot water? good deal
|
scabello
|
08/12/09 08:55am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: AquaHot vrs propane
In a high end coach you are paying a lot of money for bells and whistles. Shades that automatically close, bay TVs, etc etc. I prefer to go "all electric" and not have to deal with the hassle of propane. Is it worth spending $7000 to never run out of hot water? no, not really. But not having to deal with propane ever again? That is a huge plus in my book. If you boondock a lot, aquahot is fantastic. If you are always hooked up to 50A then not so much.
In a big coach you will use propane or aquahot if you are on 30A otherwise half your power is going to heating the water. So you will end up buying lots of propane. So if you boondock or sometimes hook up to 30A you will be thankful for it.
|
scabello
|
08/11/09 06:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: CA to Alaska
forget the ferry. with all due respect it is a terrible idea. why not just take the family on a cruise to alaska? sure would be cheaper and much more comfortable. You cant stay in your RV 24x7 either on the ferry. If you just get tired of driving and need an easy way home, OK -- i guess i could possibly recommend it, otherwise, it is best for your 2nd or 3rd trip to alaska.
1. get milepost. it is a must
2. go up alaska canada highway (lots to do--read milepost)
3. enjoy alaska for 6 weeks (lots to do, use the milepost)
4. come down the cassiar and go home (lots to do)
DO NOT DO THE FERRY !! If anyone disagrees with me, speak up now before gary skips the ferry!
|
scabello
|
07/03/09 02:08am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Which route through Canada going to alaska?
It depends what time you travel.. i personally would avoid the caravans and the crowds and go a different route each way. Cassiar we saw lots of bear right off the road; didnt see any on the alcan. We did drive later in the evening on purpose to see more wildlife on the cassiar. I would lean towards cassiar southbound because there is not as many "stops" and usually when you are coming back home, you are in more of rush than when starting the trip, so cassiar is perfect for this. Hyder is your best bet on the cassiar
|
scabello
|
07/03/09 01:58am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: boondock off highways in canada
Common Sense will always prevail!
There are a few places that are "No stopping" but these are places where it would be "Dangerous" to Park due to Traffic!
Canada is a Huge country , there are Lots of places to enjoy other than Roadside rest areas. Plan to stay twice as Long and Travel half as far then come back again and again!
I assure you I have common sense. The "no overnight parking" was not a "no parking" sign.
|
scabello
|
06/22/09 11:57pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
boondock off highways in canada
While travelling through canada (less travelled roads like the alcan), we would stop (and other RVers) stop at various pull-outs along the highway. some with incredible lake views.
some were posted "no camping" or "no overnight parking", but most were not.
What is Canada's rules on boondocking in the non posted areas? Is it illegal and just tolerated or is it legal?
twice we spent the night at posted "no overnight parking and no camping", but we were tired, there was lots of space, and were not causing any harm. both times we had no issues. obviously if we got a ticket then i would have been happy to pay it.
But I wonder if the goal is to just not let people "live" there or stay extended? or are the rules strictly enforced? and when not posted, what exactly are the rules?
|
scabello
|
06/21/09 03:15am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Why a Travel trailer vs a Class A or C?
my opinion... the trailer is more "camping". a class A motorhome is more a "home". a class C is somewhere in between. the + of a class C is you park it and take it almost anywhere, the - is that they are not ideal for a toad and not as spacious.
if your trips are weekend getaways to the state park, then why buy a MH? a trailer is perfect -- lots of living space for the money and if you have a tow vehicle already, then you are 75% there. if your trip is going to places that are very tight (parking right next to the river to go fishing) then a class C may suit you. if you want to travel and stay somewhere extended or you like to cover great distances and recognize your places to park are somewhat limited, then a class A with a toad may be your choice.
obviously we would all want a prevost over a TT, but if the goal is getting to a state park or parking on a dirt bank next to the river, then the prevost is just not going to work.
|
scabello
|
06/09/09 04:16am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: At what volt to charge deep cycle and calculating life
I can view amps coming in and out of the banks and inverters and I can see what the voltage of the banks are. But I like the idea of a monitor that tracks the amp hours and give a reading like a gas gauge. So this exists in the market place today? seems like a gas gauge for batteries, basically
|
scabello
|
06/08/09 02:51am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Roof air (RV Products/Airxcel 9000 series) wont start no fan
ok, i see the three capacitors..
how do I test the capacitors to figure out which one is bad? and more importantly, how do you get replacements? does a shop with regular hvac parts carry these or do i have to order from manufacturer?
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 09:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Just got back from the most horrid camp trip (rant)
except for the flooded water situation, sounds like my kind of trip :)
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 01:59pm |
Family Camping
|
|
RE: Roof air (RV Products/Airxcel 9000 series) wont start no fan
yes, the other roof air units work fine. i shut them off (so i can hear if this failing one turns on), turn this one on, wait a few minutes, and nothing. usually within 15 secons the fan would turn on and then it would blow cold air within 2 minutes. but no fans after 5 minutes. I also check the amp draw for the coach and it is unchanged. so it isnt pulling any power either
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 01:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Costs of Class A "Non-Use"
Rust/corrosion seems to be a reality for me and my coaches. Not sure you can get away from that. This is because you will travel someimes for two weeks, hit some salt roads, and there just isnt a place to stop and wash it. Or you park by the ocean for a few weeks and drive back. So I wouldnt worry about rust/corrosion. IT is going to happen and who cares? look at the chassis of any motorhome, 99% have surface rust. The steel is still strong for 20+ years.
As for keeping units stored, just keep it plugged in. IF I keep it plugged in, i have no problems. I would keep it plugged in and set the air conditioner. dont let it go below 50 in the winter or above 80 in the summer. fill up the sink or a bucket with water to increase humidity in the coach to prevent things from drying out. And that's all you need. yes, driving the coach around the block every week for an hour would be nice, but i have not had any leaks or issues like that by letting it sit for months. You need to enjoy the RV and not let it control you, so just do some basics and thats it
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 01:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
Roof air (RV Products/Airxcel 9000 series) wont start no fan
I have a RV Products (divison of airxcel) 9000 series heat pump -- this is the roof air unit. when i turn it on, it wont start. No fan, nothing. breaker in the coach is not tripped. The install and users manual do not give out much information.
I havent tried to tear into the unit because i am not sure what to look for and the manuals do not indicate there is much to look at. can anyone provide some guidance? i think i will need to open the unit up if i am going to troubleshoot from the roof, but it would be nice to have a checklist to go through
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 01:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
At what volt to charge deep cycle and calculating life
I have six 12v 245 amp hour deep cycle battery (model: deca 8A8D)
Our normal consumption seems to be about 800W on average.
So am i doing the math correctly:
245amp/hr * 12V * 6 batteries = about 17.5 kilowatts for one hour.
Since I am averaging, lets say 800W, batteries should last 22 hours?
1. Is this 22 hrs for 100% discharge of battery?
2. If I charge at 50% depth of discharge, then i would expect 11 hours? (it is a linear relationship?)
3. I am set for the generator to charge at 11.6V, is this a 50% DoD ? what is recommended voltage to start charging?
4. I hit 11.6V (starting at 12.6V) in about 6-8 hours. is this normal for my scenario?
5. How long should i run the generator for when charging? Do I basically stop it periodically to check if it is 12.6V (under normal loads, 800W) and if it is then that is the ideal "recharge" time? Any guesses what it would be? an hour or four hours ?
5. A year ago, the batteries discharged 100% (in storage for months, fully discharged for months due to some mystery load). Should i be concerned about this given the facts above?
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 03:33am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: good time to go to Alaska
leave now for alaska. if you want to fish, that is the only reason to leave later. getting busier every day
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 02:28am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Top of the world highway
I drove it four days ago with a 45' MH and a tow car. Alaska side is bad -- terrible. Length of RV is not important.. it is the width on top of world hwy.
Here is the deal: your tow car will get covered in dust inside and out. But given your RV is filthy as it is, and gets dirty twenty minutes after you wash it, i guess you can deal with it. the inside of your tow car getting filthy sucks and we only experienced that on top of world highway, but it depends how much you care about these things. i like my vehicles squeaky clean, so when i get back home i will get it all detailed up nice then.. until then it is a wreck.
You must drive very slow (some parts we were going < 10mph but usually 15-25 and in some areas could race 35-45 before you had to slam the brakes). All of this is not a problem, the only issue, and i dont want to scare you out of a wonderful drive, is that some areas are very narrow, you can fit width of < 2 RVs side by side. The key is to look ahead and if you see another rv, bus, truck, or a car coming, then find a suitable place to pull over (and if you cant pull over, hopefully the other vehicle will find a place to stop). Dont drive too close to the edge (dont want to tip over) but just find the mini turn-outs and use them. and when in doubt dont do anything hasty -- let the other guy figure out how to get around.
So I think you will have no problem driving this road. it is quite spectacular and in a MH (higher ride height) you really get a feel that you are on "top of the world". So I strongly recommend taking it with the MH (hope you arent afraid of heights) and definitely stop in chicken. plan to stop and eat in chicken.
|
scabello
|
06/07/09 02:15am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
country coach roof air doesnt work
one of my roof airs does not work. rest are ok. breaker in house is not tripped. what should i do next? i guess i could go on the roof to the unit and see if it is "calling for cold", but what else can i do? not sure what unit they package on the roof and what to check for (fuse, breaker, anything else?). anyone have a list of common problems so i might have a shot at fixing it? or do i call a hvac guy to come out?
|
scabello
|
06/05/09 11:17pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: went to fairbanks, got a free rodent, what is it?
well i went to walmart .. they didnt sell rat traps so i guess not many rats in alaska? mouse traps, ant poison, and mosquito spray i guess are the big three. see what the mice trap does ....
|
scabello
|
06/05/09 11:01pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
went to fairbanks, got a free rodent, what is it?
So while at a CG in fairbanks, i noticed in the compartment with the sewer hose and water hoses that my paper towel had been eaten (by a rodent i presume). Apparently, rodent climbed up the water/sewer hoses into the compartment. I didnt worry too much about it until i found the paper towels were used as a nest in another compartment a few days later (electrical compartment). So I now seal up the sewer compartment opening where the hoses slip through each time we set up camp, but i got to deal with this little critter first.
So ... I cant find the critter. i poked my head with a flashlight everywhere in all the bays. I dont see any droppings and no more paper towels are being eaten.. But still, there are lots of places to hide. once you get into the electrical compartment you can pretty much move to the roof areas and run up and down all the walls with all the outlets and stuff.
I really do not want to have any wires chewed up -- this can get expensive quick if he is still around.
So the question is, what rodent do i most likely have? simple mice or is there some other rodent common in fairbanks? i want to get the right trap, i dont like poison.. dont need a dead stinky critter
|
scabello
|
06/05/09 06:18pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
|
RE: Dalton Highway
Stay where you are at if you like the CG or go to one in fairbanks (river's edge is good). but for the mileage we are talking about, you are maybe 10-15 miles more.. not worth moving the rig in my opinion
|
scabello
|
06/05/09 02:43am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
|
