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Devocamper's avatar
Devocamper
Explorer
Jul 23, 2017

First extended trip with new Host

First off I wanted to thank those that answered all my questions over the last almost year as we transitioned from 5th Wheel to TC. Also some of the changes I have made were suggested by fourm members, thanks for the ideas . We are near the end of a three week trip with the camper and it has been great so glad we made this move . The host has been great other than a few things that if I could I would have changed . The window shades are not day night or room darking and it gets pretty bright in the mornings so the wife made up some curtains on a spring rod for the bedroom windows, I think the factory should install day night shades at least in the sleeping area . Of course the generator is loud I knew that going in , I did add the onan resonator , cut the exhaust pipe and installed it inline which helped but have relied on our portable solar panel when we can . I think on the next long stay in one place I may find some place to bring along one of my hondas and a gas can but for traveling or short stays the on board gen is fine. The windows are all slide type windows so in heavy rain you have to close them it would have been nice to have a Jalousie type window or two for some air flow in rainy weather since the windows can't be left open how ever the slide windows are huge and get lots of air flow in nice weather . It would have been great to have the fantastic vent fan with rain sensor so you could get some ventilation and not worry about leaving the vent open since the standard vent is manual open close and manual speed control. The domestic fridge came with a cooling fan because the fridge is in the slide and sounded like a buzz saw running, very annoying at night , I replaced the 75 cfm high rpm fan with two 50 cfm fans that run slower and have better bearings and you can not here them at all and the fridge preformed a little better with two fans in the hot weather . Had a set of wobbler stoppers installed because we were going to be off the truck a lot they worked as advertised. The propane tanks are a bit of a pain to remove and fill . You would have to fully remove both tanks to fill the back or inner tank so I added a four foot hose so the front tank can be set on the ground and still have propane supply while filling the rear tank a slide tray would be the answer but as the compartment comes from host there is not enough room for a tray but if the lines were run differently it could work. We are Completely satisfied and happy with the new host mammonth and the process of ordering it as well as with our dealer Truck Camper Warehouse in NH. these just somethings that I have noticed or changed that would make the mammonth a bit better for us. Our next adventure is to order a new truck in the fall and retire in the spring , oh and sell the 5th wheel which is turning out to be harder to sell than I ever thought it would be , there is no market here in the northeast for big used fifth wheels, who knew ? Thanks again for all the help I am sure I will have more questions with the truck purchase since I already can't decide on air assist or standard.rear suspension on a ram 3500 but that's another post .
Mike
  • mike/kellie wrote:
    Devo, nice report! I ordered 2 fans last night. Just removing the upper panel cooled that back cavity nicely. I see the factory placed single fan and will eliminate that. I do like the other windows seen on other rvs. Ditto on the generator but our solar keeps things up and running. Did you get the double couch? That is what I would want if starting over. Our build was 2014 and there have been many improvements. Host sent me the track and hardware for the bath radius panel door. Good factory support with just a phone call. Enjoy


    Thanks, We did get the double couch with the high low table in the pecan wood, we had ordered the cherry but host changed the model year and started the new decors before ours was built , we actually like the pecan a bit better than the cherry, They also added the black tank flush as standard for 2018 as well as the new graphics which I am sure you have seen. On ours the fans were an easy change the bracket was there for two 92mm case fans I would have liked to go bigger than the 92mm but did not want to start drilling holes in there and have the chips falling down the wall into the fridge controls and wiring, so far the 92 mm size fans are working well but if I were in really hot weather all the time I would look for some larger fans to move some more air but for now I am good , what cfm fans did you order? it is hard to find much more than 50 cfm in anything that's quiet. you should also check your inline fuse mine was a three amp which is more than enough for the two fans I installed but once you cant hear them the only way you will know if they failed if buy poor fridge performance, or a really hot closet, I am a little surprised at how warm or hot the closet gets next to the fridge I took a temp and the wall is 100 degrees but no way to vent the closet so more air out of the fridge should cool off the closet .
    Thanks
    Mike
  • GeoBoy wrote:
    If you are replacing your current truck, you should look at a 550/5500 model truck. Ask Bedlam why he upgraded.


    Thanks for the reply I had followed Bedlam through the truck and the host mammoth . In our state the 5500 would mean a higher registration fee because it could only be registered as a commercial vehicle which then raises the insurance cost. Bedlam tows a pretty heavy trailer we are not planning to tow a trailer and I think from the weights I have taken so far on my current truck That a new Ram 3500 with the 14000 pound GVWR will work for us if I recall that would be a 9700 lbs rear axle weight? I think in the camper guide the rating is over 5900 for a slide in ,in the configuration I am looking at. And the biggest reason against the 5500 is the wife doesn't like the way the campers look on a flatbed body !!!
    Thanks
    Mike
  • Kayteg1 wrote:
    What generator was so noisy? My build in generator failed and I am carrying Honda 3000 on front, but that brings issues as well.
    Happy camping.


    The Onan 2500 built in is what I was saying is noisy I knew it was going to be and we don't use it that often but I may take one of my Honda 2000I's for our next extended stay in one place trip mainly for battery charging when we get a run of rainy days. The onan
    resonator did help and was a n easy install to cut the pipe and add it in line with the existing exhaust pipe did learn 1 1/4 inch clamps are hard to come by have to visit a out door equipment shop not a auto parts store to find them. It is mostly mechanical noise now nature of the beast at 3600 RPM
    Mike
  • Maxxair window cover looks a lot cheaper than window awnings.
  • If you are replacing your current truck, you should look at a 550/5500 model truck. Ask Bedlam why he upgraded.
  • Devo, nice report! I ordered 2 fans last night. Just removing the upper panel cooled that back cavity nicely. I see the factory placed single fan and will eliminate that. I do like the other windows seen on other rvs. Ditto on the generator but our solar keeps things up and running. Did you get the double couch? That is what I would want if starting over. Our build was 2014 and there have been many improvements. Host sent me the track and hardware for the bath radius panel door. Good factory support with just a phone call. Enjoy
  • Devo, thanks for the report. I am thinking about our fourth truck camper and your information is useful.
  • What generator was so noisy? My build in generator failed and I am carrying Honda 3000 on front, but that brings issues as well.
    Happy camping.