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G has a "swell" time kayaking

G has a "swell" time kayaking
G has a "swell" time on Lake Michigan in an inflatable canoe

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico
Dawn on the Gulf of Mexico

Warren Dunes Sunset

Warren Dunes Sunset
Warren Dunes Sunset
Showing posts with label 22000 miles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 22000 miles. Show all posts

Friday, January 6, 2017

Observations on reaching 22,000 miles, and a detour


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22,000 miles of adventures, breakdowns and discovery
This post will be about my observations and musings after travelling nearly 22,000 miles in a Class B RV [since December 2013]. One thing I've observed is that whatever type of vehicle we choose to use for our treks, there will be compromises. Another observation is no matter our plans, and no matter our preparations, "things happen."

During that 22,000 miles I've participated in a few discussions on social media, and read even more. This has been helpful. I'm also a member of the FMCA Roadtrek International Chapter, which includes email communications via their "cyber-rally".

I prefer the cyber-rally to the social media sites because it is a requirement to be a paying member of the FMCA and the Roadtrek chapter in order to participate. That keeps chatter and onlookers to an absolute minimum. Everyone who participates has some "skin in the game." It is a hands on "I need to know how to do this" or "anyone ever been to [wherever]?" or "I learned this today" or "this is how I solved this particular problem" or "Help!" Via cyber-rally the respondents are knowledgeable and know the specific rigs.

Over at the social media sites there are many helpful people. There are also onlookers and those who mean well but aren't familiar with the specifics of the rig in question. We all have our opinions, and at Facebook they ask "What's on your mind?"

Over at social media there seems to be some recurring questions and complaints. Some will ask "Which is the best" RV. Others will complain about the POS they bought and which didn't live up to their expectations. Sometimes the complainers will hijack a thread.

Beyond the Rig - Breakdowns, Discovery and Insights
Even after getting the rig of our dreams, or the one that seems best suited to our use, there are external factors. These include health and well being, financial well being and even the weather. Situations can change. None of us are immune from reality.

It's Big Business
It's estimated that there are about 9 million RVs in the U.S. According to the PRVCA "Today's typical RV owner is 49 years old, married, with an annual household income of $68,000 - higher than the median for all households, according to the Michigan study [in 2005]."This is big business. According to the RVIA " There are more than 12,000 RV-related businesses in the U.S. with combined annual revenues of more than $37.5 billion."

Is there a "Perfect" RV?
We concluded there is no such thing as the "perfect" RV. These things are complex mechanical beasts and everything may work on day one, but then there will be "wear and tear." Some will have problems on day one; that's what some would call "Infant Mortality." Most RVs are assembled from components from a variety of manufacturer's and so the builder may be nothing more than in integrator. Very few RVs are capable of long term daily living, and that's my opinion.

Yet, we may be inclined to expect more than can be delivered. This is certainly something to expect from a Class B costing $150,000 or more. But is it reality? Apparently it isn't the reality for some RV owners and of course it will be for a few.

Learning By Experience
We also had the experience and analysis of our previous rental.  We deliberately rented in the fall when temperatures would drop below freezing. We also rented a vehicle which seemed to be on the edge of our acceptability. We weren't sure we wanted an all electric, solar coach and had concerns about it. So we rented one with about 220Ah of DC battery and 200 watts of solar. With that experience we were able to make a "pros" and "cons" list as well as a list of "wishes." With this we honed our choices and we also had a list of modifications we wanted to make based upon what had worked for us and what hadn't in our earlier experience.

After purchasing our Class B and as we trekked that list grew. We've made over 20 additions, modifications and tweaks since purchase. But these work for us. They might not work for others. There's a link to the modifications near the end of this post.

Detours and the Unknown
It is helpful to be flexible in our wants, needs and desires. RVing is an adventure and as such there are always unknowns. One of the expected outcomes of adventuring is discovery. So breakdowns may provide opportunities and insights. It is helpful to keep an open mind.

What do I mean by a "detour"? There was one trek in which we expected to get to the southwest with mild, above freezing temperatures all the way. But a fast moving storm out of the Pacific Northwest changed that. We spent a day in icy conditions as we continued on our way. But that storm accellerated in speed and intensity. By nightfall conditions well below freezing were expected. I do carry sufficient "pink" antifreeze for these things and so as darkness fell we stopped at a gas station, drained both fresh water tanks and winterized right then and there. Then we continued on our way to our overnight stay in NM. We drove through lot's of standing water but it was expected to really freeze by morning. Here is what we found when we arose in a campground at 5:30am:


There are other surprises in addition to weather and mechanical issues. For example, this winter we had plans. We put things in place and by mid-November we were ready. However, these plans were interrupted on November 22 by a fall, mild concussion and broken bone. The result has been an eight week schedule detour. We're about half way through this recovery period and on the second cast.  The pins holding bone have yet to be removed. We're about 1800 miles from summer home base and stationary. We need to keep near the doctor and there are physical restrictions.

This was certainly not the plan.

Driving anything one handed is not a good idea, and in fact, mobility is severely restricted to allow proper healing. Bummer. However, the latest cast is less restrictive than those prior. This is the third.




As a consequence our December-January plans have been severely altered. Travel has been restricted. I'm in the role of "househusband" and G has had to put aside all of the things she was planning because most require the use of her right hand and the fine motor skills she's developed over years. Bummer.

However, if one needs to convalesce there are certainly worse places. She can hike as long as the going isn't too strenuous or would require the use of that right hand. So we can hike, and visit museums and so on. And that's what we've been doing. And the weather has been glorious.

Living in a  B  with a concussion and a cast
Another issue is even attempting to live in a Class B. If one has their mobility severely restricted then a Class B might not be the best thing to recuperate in. The casts must be kept dry. Ever try taking a shower with one arm vertical and in a plastic bag? Not easy and your husband or spouse in the same shower in a campground is generally frowned upon.

So the Roadtrek is sitting nearby while we live in something larger. Fortunately, we had made plans for this in the Spring. We didn't intend to be stationary and we thought our "winter base" would only be used part time. Well, it has become full time.

So we are taking advantage of this, are working on the winter home base and a currently living in a "candominium".

Has the fundamental plan changed?
No, it hasn't. We purchased our Class B because we wanted to be able to go wherever there is a road and to park almost anywhere; there is no campsite too small for us. However, we never intended to live in a 700 cubic foot RV full time.

We have many, many places we still want to go. Yet, we've been from the Florida Keys to the Columbia river gorge to San Francisco to Connecticut and many places in between. Yes, this is a really large and grand country. There is more to see and the clock it ticking.

Since Dec. 2013 we have travelled about 22,000 miles in our 210P. It has about 180 sq. ft. of floor space which is less than a "tiny home" although it is better appointed than most such homes.

The Roadtrek has performed very well and it has lived up to our expectations. To adapt it to our specific expectations I've made about 20 modifications or additions. But not everyone treks from 6F to 103F and not everyone lives in their Class B for 90 days or more. And, we haul a lot of stuff so we are comfortable for 3-1/2 seasons. And, I also carry additional technology.

How we do it
First, we began with a great foundation. We decided on the 210P because we had decided after a lot of research and even renting a 19ft. camper van that this was going to work for us. Then we made a list of modifications and additions and I began making them. The list grew with experience. Yet, nearly all of the mods were completed within the first two years and 16,000 miles.

We also make a detailed plan prior to leaving on any trek. We do carry pink antifreeze, we do fill the propane tank, we do carry "sea foam" gasoline additive for the generator and so on.

We've read all of the manuals and we have learned all of the mechanical systems. I carry spare parts for some items with me. Most of these are typical, such as fuses. However, we also carry some that aren't, such as a spare macerator pump.

Here's a current list of the more significant modifications, additions and tweaks:

http://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/2015/09/18-months-of-tweaks.html

The foundation remains intact, but the circumstances have changed this year.



Thursday, September 24, 2015

18 Months of Improvements [Now at 84 months]





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Note:
  1. You will find posts elsewhere in this blog for some of these, which detail the actual install and provide further insights.
  2. I also have videos detailing some of these as well as treks on my YouTube Channel. Here's a link:   Link to My YouTube Channel
  3. If you are a new Roadtrek owner I suggest you consider 1) A power protection device, 2) A water filter, 3) A water pressure regulator, 4) a 750/1500 Watt ceramic heater. All of the other modifications I made were based upon my actual experiences and perceived needs. You should use your actual experiences to be your guides for what you add, or purchase, to your Roadtrek.  
  4. Some of the following I'd call "gadgets" and one of these days I'll post a complete list of the gadgets and useful things I've added. 
  5. It is my understanding that Thetford no longer makes the Sanicon hose.  (2020). However, Home Depot sells 1-1/4" diameter flexible sump pump hose. I haven't tried it. 


Edited to add #15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.
Added #23, 24, 25
July 2017, updated #25, added #26"The list goes on."
January 2018 added electric heater info
October 2018 added water meter.
March 2021 Added Sanicon note (item #16)

Originally posted as "18 Months of Tweaks"

Thursday, September 24, 2015


Note: These were all a consequence of our experiences during our first several treks. "Official" outdoor temperatures ranged from 9F to 103F. We completed the first 13 modification in the 18 months of purchase and the first 15,000 miles. We have added modifications #14 and so on in the months thereafter.

This is a brief list of the tweaks or additions to the Roadtrek. I thought it might be useful to list the mods to my 210P. Not that many, actually. Most of these were documented elsewhere on this blog. These are in no particular order. [I'll update this from time to time with more recent modifications.]

1. I added a 50 watt solar panel and solar charger for the AGM coach batteries. This primarily because for the first two winters it was stored in a place which doesn't have 120VAC available and I didn't want to remove the batteries for the winter. I ran the generator about every other week to supplement the solar charge and exercise the generator, weather permitting.
2. Progressive Industries hard wired power and surge protection device with readout mounted in the coach. The device was installed in an exterior compartment with 30A twist-lock connectors for easy bypass or removal. The coach readout does include a bypass select, current, Hz, volts, fault and previous fault readouts. 
Progressive Industries Power Protection Device

3. Improved backup camera - color with transmitter/receiver (no front to back wiring required). This became a necessity when the onboard radio/GPS/monitor died. With a trip about a week away I decided it was expedient to add a second "selectable on" camera and deal with the radio issue at a later time. With Roadtrek's assistance it was determined it was the Scosche intelligent bus controller. To get to it required tearing the entire dash apart. After fixing the power to the radio we decided we like the improved all-time color monitor and camera and use it in traffic situations. 

4. Internal/external temperature monitors. Simple home, battery operated system with a wireless remote mounted in rear storage compartment to monitor outside temperature. The smaller can also be used to monitor the interior temperature of the refrigerator.
Ambient and remote temperature monitor - great for refrigerator

Ambient and remote temperature monitors - the remote is in an outside compartment

5. Improved LED dimmable lighting. Added a 16 ft flexible strip the length of the coach and around the rear. Includes remote control for selection of color and intensity. Wonderful nighttime lighting improvement.

Dimmable LED light strip
6. Outside 120VAC receptacle. This is a "made to fit" heavy duty extension cord permanently routed to the coach battery compartment. When not in use it is unplugged, depowering the outside end. I plug it into the ground fault protected outlet inside the side door when I want to power it up. This became a necessity when I found that many of the 120V auxiliary receptacles at campgrounds don't work; this is because the ground fault protectors are always tripped and won't reset, even with nothing plugged in. So my extension cords for inductive cooking or outside lighting were useless. I didn't want to run them under or through an open door so this was the solution. 

7. Reflectix cut for all windows except the side entry.

8. Moveable sun sail. Usually we put this at the front of the vehicle. Significant improvement to the interior temperature when camping in full sun.
Sunshade and Reflectix

9. Supplemental Portable Electric Heat. We use a 750/1500 watt electric ceramic heater to put a load on the Onan generator. It also heats the interior when nighttime temperatures are below 50F. This allows us to become creative about energy use and is a backup for the heat pump and the propane furnace. Setting it below the thermostat of the heat pump allows for supplemental heat. It is also a great way to exercise the generator. Not really a "modification" but then, one does need a load when running the generator and this is it.
Portable 750/1500 Watt 120VAC electric heater

10. Additional supplemental electric heat. After nights down to 5F I decided I wanted a low wattage heater for the front of the Roadtrek, to help with that large glass frontal heat loss area. Even with Reflectix (R-1.0) a lot of heat is lost. I experimented with a flat panel heater in the travel trailer and it worked very well. We have a 250 watt version for the Roadtrek (about 18x23 inches and 1/2 inch thick). I also have a programmable digital thermostat because the heater only has an Off-On switch. So far this winter (2017-2018) we've avoided the circumstances in which it would be required. Caution: the surface of this type of heater panel can get HOT. Which is why we have not yet used it in the close confines of the Roadtrek Class B.

11. Front fan to distribute air in the front of the vehicle. This 12V rectangular fan with side air inlets sets in the tray above the passenger door and improves the temperature, both hot and cold, via improved air distribution. In the summer, when used with the sun sail and reflectix it makes for a much more comfortable front end of the vehicle, if parked in full sun.
12 VDC fan

12. Finger bump preventer for side door screen. Added an aluminum angle because it was too easy to push against the door to open it and bump the screen when exiting. Doing so would push the screen out of it's mounting.
13. Inductive electric burner. This is an electric appliance and is portable but it has proven to be so handy I included it here. We do a lot of cooking when on the road and when it's hot or warm, cooking outdoors is a natural. We even cook breakfast outdoors using this. [This week I made donuts at our site using a cast iron skillet - Lodge, of course!] The burner works best with cast iron skillets but I do have an iron plate for use with aluminum pans (shouldn't boil water in cast iron, or cook acidic things like tomato soup). To provide some idea of how little propane we use, we filled our propane tank this spring and use it primarily for hot water. The readout currently shows 2/3 full. But, as these readouts are known to be unreliable, we really don't know how full or empty it is.
Inductive electric cooktop with iron heat transfer device
Inductive cooktop requires iron and stainless steel pots do not work
Cast iron griddle on induction electric cooktop







Inductive electric cooktop with cast iron
14. A small propane BBQ. This is another appliance but we prefer to cook outdoors when possible. This keeps the interior humidity lower and ditto for the temperature in summer.We use small disposable (recyclable) cylinders. Not the cheapest approach and the 210P does have a rear connection for a propane appliance. But we usually cook on the exterior passenger side of the vehicle and in the shade of the awning (but not necessarily under it).
Propane BBQ

Preparing a small feast made with the propane BBQ and the induction electric cooktop with cast iron skillet
15. Hockey puck LED tap lights. These are powered by AA batteries and we purchased a pack of five and placed them in overhead compartments.
Battery powered hockey puck light


16. How could I forget? Replaced the standard Roadtrek Macerator dump hose with a Thetford Sanicon 21 ft flexible hose extension for macerator. Thetford #70424. On one of our first treks, the standard Roadtrek dump hose would not reach to the dump point. Had to start and back onto a road to dump. This was my [second] mod to the 210P. It is my understanding that Thetford no longer makes the Sanicon hose.  (2020). However, Home Depot sells 1-1/4" diameter flexible sump pump hose. I haven't tried it. 

Thetford Sanicon macerator dump hose, extends about 20 feet.

17. First thing we added was a Maxx-Air vent cover. We went with the "smoke" color and had the dealer add this the morning we picked up the 210P. Now, I gotta say that on the 210P it is ugly. But, it is really functional. We don't worry about rain, or bugs or bird nests, or forgetting to lower the Maxx Fan cover when travelling, or parked on a bluff when a nasty thunderstorm comes up. 
Maxx Fan cover


18. Added two small fans with thermostat to improve the temperature in the area behind the refrigerator. We had experienced some difficulties, most notably in TX at 100F. Sun load on that side of the vehicle was sometimes a problem.  We can't always find shade or park in the orientation we would prefer to the sun. 
Whisper fans to help cool the Refrigerator compartment


19. Dual control electric blanket. This was a really pleasant addition. We camp in 3-1/2 seasons which means down to zero degrees F. An electric blanket is superior to a sleeping bag because it adds supplemental heat beyond that generated by the occupant. I'm a long term "ground camper" and so I do know all of the alternatives. But if one wants their spouse or anyone who is not an outdoors woman (or outdoorsman) to be comfortable when the outside drops below 32F, I suggest this approach.
Marketing photo of the electric blanket - Ours has dual controls


20. I added a custom screen to the passenger side window to improve ventilation. This is attached with magnets. 
Side window screening

21. I added custom screens to the furnace outlet, hot water heater grill and the refrigerator openings. These are held in place with magnets. For the refrigerator I epoxied steel washers to the inside of the cover. The magnets adhere to the washers. The purpose of this is to prevent 'critters' of any kind from moving in. 
Covers for furnace vent


22. Last year (2014) we spent extended periods of time in areas with very hard water. I do have a water pressure regulator and a filter on the RT. However, I noticed deposits forming on the faucets and then the check valve at the city water inlet stuck in the "open" position. I purchased an "On-the-Go" portable softener and it works well. However, that's one more thing to carry!. I did clean the deposits from the check valve by removing the screen at the inlet, and then with a short piece of hose I poured vinegar directly into it and with the hose full I let it set for a day, then removed the hose and pushed the check valve in, added more vinegar and so on. I did this repeatedly and it cleaned up the valve and it works fine.
Portable water softener


23. At 36 months I replaced the coach batteries. These simply didn't provide the capacity as published. This didn't seem to be a problem as we seldom "boondocked" for more than a day off of shore power. However, in the second year we spent longer periods off power and noticed that the batteries didn't seem to provide the expected duration of power. The status LEDs would indicate "C" for charging when on shore power or solar and then "F" for full charge when running on coach battery power. I measured the voltage at the battery terminals and began comparing to a charge table for AGM batteries. The "L-F-G-C" indicator would indicate "G" or Good when the battery was at 60% DoD (depth of discharge) or lower. While AGMs can be discharged 80%, it is my understanding that repeatedly discharging below 50% will shorten the life significantly. I decided to put a better battery monitor on my list. See item 25. I measured the amperes draw and concluded the battery terminal voltage was dropping more rapidly than expected. We probably were getting about the equivalent of a 120Ah battery, and I assume the batteries were nearing end of useful life. 
Approximately 220Ah AGM batteries

24. Purchased a battery monitor with shunt. I am also considering adding a disconnect for the coach batteries, but I have concluded that would not be easily accomplished. Shortly after purchase of the Roadtrek I added a portable 50W solar panel and controller to charge these batteries. However, there are now times I store the RT and disconnecting the coach batteries is probably the best solution if I don't want to use the solar panel.  I've assembled the case for the meter, run the wiring and installed a shunt. Next will be the actual installation (July 2017).
Digital voltmeter-ammeter for coach batteries.

25. I got tired of struggling to attach the fresh water hose. It took two hands to unscrew the plastic cap to the plastic fitting inside the compartment. After some research I purchased a fitting of brass which I attached to the fresh water inlet. As a bonus it includes a ball valve. I attached a small length of hose to this, which I never remove. I can now more easily remove the longer length of hose. The photo includes "after" and "before" views, but without the short piece of hose attached.


26. Water Meter.  Helpful when filling the inside tank, which has approximately 10 gallon capacity.

Water meter for hose

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