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Forum
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RE: Thanks
Congrats! Born Free's are VERY nice - 'bout the only c's we have ever considered ('cept maybe Provan or Lazy Daze).
We go to Disney World almost every fall and, most years, we stop by the Born Free lot in Cleremont? and drool for a bit. :B
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ARcruiser
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08/02/08 09:28am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Intro and DIY Wanna-B #2
My next steps are to mount the AC in the left rear door below the window
...that's what I ended up doing a few weeks ago. I wish there had been a better alternative. All things considered, it looked to be the best option for me.
I ended up with a 8,000 btu Frigidaire which had the same size chassis as the 6,000 btu unit.... $188 at a local lumber place.
A local upholstery shop made a vinyl cover for it - $75.
I'll take some pics soon and update the thread on my van.
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ARcruiser
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07/21/08 01:27pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Does your B have a name?
"The Big Van" is it's common name around our house.
Official Manufacturer's Designation would be "ARcruiser Camp-O-Matic 3000 Deluxe - Diamante Edition" or some such....
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ARcruiser
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07/21/08 06:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Roadtrek Custom Cover from Calmark
they say they don't have an SS Agile to try it on.
Do you really expect a cover manufacturer to have one each of every brand/model rv on site to test fit each cover on?
Sounds to me like they have made every attempt to 'make it right'....
they have again offered to pay freight and fix it - or give refund.
I'm taking your post as a testimonial to their good service.
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ARcruiser
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06/14/08 11:38pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Smallest Window A/C Unit
There are a number of small suitcase style AC units that just run a hose out the window to work.
Got any links for those - or just one example?
I'd be very interested.
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ARcruiser
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06/07/08 03:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Spray foam interior in Sprinter cargo van
Dan did it in his Sprinter.
Check out
his gallery - you'll learn a lot!
http://danbertko.smugmug.com/photos/49032295_VtbYW-M.jpg
http://danbertko.smugmug.com/photos/51146756_ngJXo-M.jpg
You also may wanna look at my conversion project...
I'm sure you will see a few things NOT to do. :p
In that thread there are a lot of links to others going the DIY route.
I'm installing an air conditioner in my rig this weekend... and the plans are very fluid. I went from a 6,000 to an 8,000 with the same dimensions - and am working out how to make it easily removable so I don't hafta have it hanging out the back door the 350 days or so it's not getting used.
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ARcruiser
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06/07/08 12:41pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: ARcruiser's Camping Van Conversion Project (lotsa pics)
Thanks!
It's a 6,000 btu frigidaire - highly rated by CU and the rep we buy a/c's from at work - $125 last fall at Lowes. If it cools the van, I will be pleasantly surprised. I have not ruled out the idea of also having a portable unit toward the front of the van OR installing a second 6,000 in the other rear door.... I don't like either idea, just not ruling it out. When I'm camping and it's 100 outside, I want a place I can go cool off.
No fixed plans for a genset - maybe a Yamaha 2400 on a hitch mounted carrier someday?
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ARcruiser
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06/06/08 08:55am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: ARcruiser's Camping Van Conversion Project (lotsa pics)
Well.... 5 weeks of no work - then this week it's in the 90's every day and I'm working on the van.
OK. Finished trimming out the upper wall sections where wall meets roofline.... installed lights....
trimmed around the back doors...
removed the main cabinet and installed the microwave, finished wiring connections to fridge / microwave outlet / added 2 12v oulets and another 110v outlet, and installed smoke alarm....
finished trim / installed light at 3rd seat....
installed map light in cab area - will be powered by coach system...
finished / wired panel at galley - 12v / 110v / battery monitor / light / switch for porch lite...
installed porch light...
NEXT: install a/c in rear door / build dinette / install power converter charger and battery and finish out the wiring connections.
And remember - cabinets will come out again at some point to redo the trim, maybe adjust some shelves and apply the finish.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0032sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0031sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0035sm-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0040sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0050sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0055sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0043sm.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/PICT0052sm.jpg
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ARcruiser
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06/05/08 10:21pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Home built 2007 Ford E150 van RV with Sportsmobile top
Nice work once again, Terry. :B
Lessee, the last three were a Dodge/SMB top.... then a Chevy/GTRV top and now a Ford/SMB top.
And you converted a couple of others before those three?
If I ever get done with my conversion, I think I'll hold for a while.
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ARcruiser
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06/05/08 09:02pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Where do you store your Travasak?
We often use plain ole' sleeping bags. When not in use, we roll 'em up and use them as cushions, armrests, stick 'em behind seats, in front of my son's chair so his feet will 'touch the ground', under the bed, wedged between the cabinets and the bed.... just about anywhere except the basement storage area.
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ARcruiser
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06/04/08 07:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Outside shower
These showers are, how do I say it: Kind of boring as there is only room for one person!
:E
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ARcruiser
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06/04/08 06:53pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Outside shower
wiltonh posted about his external shower waaaay back in early '04. He used a pvc frame - it hung from the drip rail on the side of the van.... even had a part to hold the shower wand. :B
The original thread on showers.
http://windsurf.mediaforte.com/roadtrek/shower/Shower2.jpg
http://windsurf.mediaforte.com/roadtrek/shower/Shower3.jpg
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ARcruiser
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06/04/08 10:04am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: My First B-venture (Ow!!): The Grand Canyon
Well, sounds like ya learned a lot!
Renting turned out to be very worthwhile, it seems.
As-much-as-I-hate-to-say-it, the Sprinters should not have the head bump obstructions, are available with aisle showers, and long comfy beds, and without gensets.... just a thought.
Some folks buy / sell 8 or 9 rigs and still don't know what they want. :B
For something that drives well, you still need to try a Chevy RT 190 Popular or P'Way Lexor - there really is a big difference in road manners.
Lastly - showers - we have used both types and still like 'em both. We liked the enclosed bath in our '98 P'Way Excel - and I'm pretty sure it was smaller than the one in the Ford Excel. We also like the aisle shower in the Roadtrek 190.... but our favorite was probably the enclosed shower.
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ARcruiser
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06/02/08 09:24pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: MSRP Discount
RT, P'Way, etc all have MSRP's....
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
and, since it a suggestion, the dealer is free to post any price they see fit as their MSRP and is not obligated to disclose otherwise.
AFAIK, and as Rodger pointed out, motorhomes are not required to display the 'Monroney Label' which is required by law on passenger vehicles.
I think the law oughta cover rv's, boats, etc... but it doesn't.
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ARcruiser
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06/01/08 08:57pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Carpet Out - Tile In
Very Nice Job!
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ARcruiser
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05/30/08 09:07pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: I think I found a Van??????
Well, it may be a '98 Coach House but it's on a '97 Dodge Chassis - and that is not uncommon. Our first van was a 98 P'Way on a 97 Dodge chassis... twin beds - probably was our favorite van out of the 8+ we have owned. There was a mild redesign in '98 - this is the model before the redesign. Good news is that the really bad handling issues with some Dodges didn't appear till the redesign, so in that respect it oughta drive as well as any Dodge of that era and not be a particularly 'bad driver'.
So, I would not be afraid of that chassis at all.
IMO that's a pretty good price - IF it's as nice as they claim.... with the new tires and all. Make sure the tires are Load Range E.
Sure would be nice if they had more than just those 3 pictures.
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ARcruiser
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05/26/08 08:46pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Smallest Window A/C Unit
Hmm... width may be a problem.
I'm probably gonna use a 6,000 btu Frigidaire....
they list 2 models at 5,000 btu (their smallest) and show the width to be 15 1/2" and height at 11 2/5".
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ARcruiser
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05/15/08 01:19pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Any suggestions for leveling Class B RoadTrek on a driveway?
I needed 10" for mine - built 'em out of 2 x 8's (probably should have used 2 x 10's due to tire width)... relatively inexpensive and worked well, but were pretty heavy.
Just don't drive over 'em. :E
Probably a better idea would be a pair of ramps - the kind ya get at parts stores to allow driving onto for DIY oil changes.
I'd imagine you'd pick up at least 8" using the ramps?
I need to get a pair... Handbasket seems to like his....
(Jim, from 8-23-06 in this thread...)
I was in WalMart in the auto dept. getting oil last night, and saw the gray plastic drive-on Rhino 12,000 lb.* capacity ramps that I've often mentioned. Less than $29, and as good for 'B' DIY wrench-twisting as you'll find, IMO. IIRC, I paid about $40 at the auto parts store, several years ago.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/arcruiser/Pict0021ssm.jpg
Hmmm... a review at Amazon says the actual 'cradled' height is just 6"... but I'm sure they are safer (raised lip to prevent driving too far) and lighter (plastic vs lumber).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410TQWYHZJL._SL500_AA280_.jpg http://rhinoramps.com/rramp12000.jpg
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ARcruiser
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05/14/08 06:31am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: A Combo GPS/Wireless Backup Camera Worth Investigating
AFAIK, those POI files are for any updateable unit - Garmin, Magellin, Tom Tom, etc. Just search around a bit and many POI's for SPEED TRAPS and RED LIGHT CAMERAS are around.
GPS Passion
POI Factory
And, yes, there are POI's for Campgrounds, Trails, State Parks, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc. - just about anything you can think of.
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ARcruiser
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05/03/08 12:47pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: PW Lexor vs RT 109 P
2 big differences come to mind:
The Popular has the 3rd seat up front (unless you have the optional armoire)....
The Roadtrek has the a/c 'built into' the rear roof and I think the P'Way has a 'standard' rv roof air.
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ARcruiser
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05/01/08 09:14pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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