$48,447

pjay9 wrote:
TAD...she better learn or Jerry will sic the drought cops on you!!!

No kidding. She's coming around, slowly but surely. Next thing to work on the distance problem.. Nothing good around SF that is not packed that isn't a +3hr drive to get to.

As for pics of the system - It will be awhile, I'm so stinking busy at work (moving a a HPC data center) that when I come home, I am just exhausted.

What I can tell you is, the solar controller and panels are no longer made. The inverter/charger is GFX1312 from Outback, with a Mate2 hooked up. This is a grid tie inverter/charger, with generator support, high-battery transfer (HBX) support, and can actually backfeed the grid. It is not mobile friendly (no auto-tie of ground to neutral when off hook ups).

69 Avion, I'm thinking mine will top out at about $10,000 as well. Maybe as little as $6500, but because I'm re-using so much (appliances, etc.) it may be quite a bit less.

Also, many new units have to be de-bugged and modified for user enjoyment, all of which adds to the initial price. For example, I have to replace the failed stereo in my new TT. The display went blank about one month after the warranty expired.

My 1969 Avion listed for $4,500 in 1969. My grandfather paid around $3,000 for it. That was a lot of money in 1969.

I bought it from him around 1983. In 2012 I rebuilt it and it cost me around $10,000 for the rebuild. It should last another 50 years.

WVbassmistress wrote:
SWMBO
OK...I'll ask...what does this mean?
I may be one!!!!!!!!!!!

she who must be obeyed

SWMBO
OK...I'll ask...what does this mean?
I may be one!!!!!!!!!!!

Jfet wrote:
Garry, I am surprised you found rebuilding a camper to be inexpensive!

Maybe if there was a lot there to work with...

Not cheap, but a lot less than new. To get the Avion, and then get it to a point of use, we had about $3500 into it. We now have maybe $5000 in it. It's not done, but it is very functional and useable. I am also a scrounger, so I try to find stuff to recycle. Like the counters and back splash are leftover pieces from an old cannery and the first stove was a $2 garage sale find. Even the current stove was a take out off EBay. It has character just like me ;-)
Garry

tad94564 wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:

tad94564 wrote:
Oh, and when buying new, things I thought was ridiculous pricing:

1) 2.5kw, propane fired generator - $4.5k
2) 100 watt solar panel & controller - $1.2k
3) second 100 watt solar panel - another $1k.

yea, not going to happen in my book.

Is that dealer installed pricing?

I ask because I just installed 2 100 watt monocrystaline panels and a 30amp controller for $375 on my Lance

That is factory pricing. There was just no way I would pay those prices.

I did a complete system, 2x158watt panels, 35amp controller (rogue), 2 more GC2's (for 4, in a 2S2P star configuration), remote start 2kw Powerhouse gas generator, and a 1.3kw sealed outback gfx1312 inverter/charger with generator support for under $2.5k. That generator compartment came in handy. :)

Dealer charge 100 watt solar panel & controller - $1.2k
DIY cost installed 2 100 watt monocrystaline panels and a 30amp controller for $375 on my Lance
The satisfaction of a job well done - priceless

Kudos Garry. My appreciation to you, your son and your family for oldest son's service.

First weekend in our new/leftover '13 Eagle Cap 850.

This camper is exactly what we wanted (it is our 5th TC)

Was it dirt cheap? No, $27.9K. But SWMBO really likes it...REALLY likes it, and that is the most important thing.

Much larger wet bathroom, great rear steps, lots more storage, good room for her dogs, larger tanks and a better finish than our '12 Lance

Life is far too short not to have the things we enjoy and make us smile.

BTW, Truck Camper Warehouse has a used 2014 Chalet TS116FB for $56.5K. USED!

Garry, I am surprised you found rebuilding a camper to be inexpensive!

Maybe if there was a lot there to work with...

Dave Pete wrote:
That's probably the MSRP. So when the savvy buyer negotiates down the generally accepted 35% to $31,490.55, they THINK they got a good deal. But then you ask, $31.5K? Is that a good deal?

I think that's actually kind of a "low price" if you want quality of build and materials (sarcasm BTW). Anybody will tell you - you get what you pay for. Trim that falls off, stereos that fail, vinyl flooring that scuffs from the slide pads, high r-value insulation that was "stuffed" instead of "placed", cheap carpet pad and carpet that must be replaced too soon (see latest Trailer Life article on RV renovations), cold air drafts in the bedroom at the headboard - these are just some of the things such a "cheap" price will net you. (Nothing against Lance here, it's the industry).

But then I might be considered a Negative Nellie.

I have a few of the same sentiments, in that while I have purchased 2 new vehicles since I began driving in 1982, I have never paid sticker price. In 1994 it was 8% under sticker, which was 1% over deal invoice. In 2005 it was 25% under sticker which was .5% over invoice. That all to say I tend to be more fugal and cheap than some. I have bought over 30 different vehicles in that time period. 5 RVs. After first moving to Alaska, we realized we wanted to continue camping, but that we would have to reasses how. Trailers are challenge for clearance, maneuverability, and cost on the Alaska Ferry System. Motor homes are another drive train to maintain, and if not driven often, and the damp wet environment of Kodiak, combined with the afore mentioned concerns about clearance and ferry costs steered us to the TC world. I already had a used, low mile F350 CCSB 4x4 that was my daily driver, and all around work truck, the big challenge was finding a TC that would handle my family of 6, handle the rough terrain of Alaska roads, fit in a short bed truck, deal well with a damp wet climate and still fit in a budget... Buying a well built 1960s TC and rebuilding it to suit our needs has been the solution. I know that this is not for everyone, but my family, while now down by one as he is in Marine Corps Boot Camp right now, by building a rather inexpensive TC from our 1966 shell, allowed us no loans, no payments, and a functional TC and money still allowing us to take the kids camping all around Alaska while they are still home, making memories. I see our younger generation not as wiling to tackle projects themselves, and save considerable cash, while learning things, doing the work with the kids teaching them, than being able to get out camping on a budget and still live the dream of living in Alaska to boot!

Sorry for the long post, just the drabbleings of a gray haired ole dad who enjoys tinkerin' and not spendin' tons of cash...
Garry