Designer 35RLTS and Jayco Talk...Thanks Frank!!

[sanderson_66]

Since there does not currently seem to be a Jayco owners forum, Moderator Frank has graciously allowed this thread. It will be for discussing Jayco related questions and comments. Anything not Jayco related will be deleted. Sounds more than fair to me. Thank-you Frank!

[M_GO_BLUE1]

Well back from our 1800 mile round trip down south with a few observations:

- The slide awnings are a pain when the wind really blows but still would not be without them...ran into many nights with some violent storms of wind and rain and the Designer came through OK

- Mostly boondocked the whole time and the fridge worked fine

- One of the better decisions we made was to get the built-in generator and the dual pane windows

- Only had a chance to use the AC once and did fine...I'm sure the future will bring the installation of a second AC in the bedroom

- Had an incident one time when we got sewer gas smells in the bathroom...at the time the toilet was holding water, vent was clear and I had the bathroom and bedrooms fans blowing out so not sure how that happened

- Hand held shower head leaks like a broken pipe (even when turned off between rinsing off) so will have dealer replace (or better yet buy a good one myself)

- Bed is wonderful but still have to work on keeping wife from sleeping on the edge of the bed with all that room...

- Water pump is very loud (as I mentioned before)...may have to replace

- Used the 1/2 time oven and microwave with no problems (and don't miss the gas oven at all)

- Need to work on getting more of the movement out of the Designer (even with rear stabilizers down and RotoChoks between the wheels...


- The TV's sure do take a long time to program but the picture is great...

- and most surprising? The Designer is 38' long and weighs ~ 13,000 lbs (old fifth wheel was 33' long and weighed ~ 9,750 lbs) and towing I got 12 mpg, which is an INCREASE of 1 mpg from the old fiver...maybe the Designer is more aerodynamic?


That's it for now as I need to wake up here and get used again to waking up at 5:30am as compared to when we woke up while on vacation...

P.S. Congrats to all of you who picked up their new Designers while I was away...

[loydt]

There should already be a fan in there. On my '05 Designer you could hear it running on a hot day if you walked around the outside of the camper where the fridge vents are. I have not heard this one yet, but I am sure it is in there.

Also, back to the gas tank issue. has anybody else noticed the guage is off?

[CHV_FRK]

Ok, I'll bite. Where did you wire them up to and are they on all of the time. Also I just wanted to make sure you said you installed them on the outside? Maybe you can make a quick write up and link it here or link the other link that you followed.

I am also a little frustrated with the stove cover. I'm not sure that I will move or remove it, but my biggest peeve is that it basically blocks the venting on the microwave. The burners are way out front. I may be fabbing up an extended range hood to allow for more catching of the vapor.

Also you can't say customizing and not throw a list of mods out there!

Dana

[cdelv66]

Congrat's Sanderson.66. I'm with Melissa - Send Pics!!!

Carla

[Dale_s_Jayco]

Congratulations Sanderson.66, hope you have fun with your new rig!!

Dale & Sharon

[cruz]

Doug ... Congrats and ENJOY !!!

[L_MMusic]

Sanderson.66 -- congratulations! So glad you're both having fun! Send pictures!!!

eaherrmann -- The only thing we're keeping behind the stove is a decorative piece in the corner that is "blued-down" and a trio of oils. If an oil is going to be used, we get it out before starting to cook.

Did you know that the grill-like cover comes completely off? I thought it only raised up in the front. The back ends stayed in tight, until I wiggled it enough to remove the whole piece. Makes for much easier cleaning!

We just removed the bar that stuck out under the stove-top controls. DH hated having the dish towels hanging from it since they blocked the drawers beneath. We're now thinking of installing a double hook under the left side of the kitchen sink window.

Night, all!

Melissa

[sanderson_66]

Well Folks...The wife and I are officially "in the club". Picked up the RLTS yesterday, took it to a local campground and set her up. We are both very impressed with it. What a slick piece of machinery! I've been in my glory playing with all the do dads and systems and the wife has been in her glory adding the interior touches. Everyone's advice and experience sure made this easy for us! Thanks to all!! Doug

[eaherrmann]

Hey Folks, Those of you having issues with the fridges...get a couple of 12vdc fans and install them outside at the base and the top vents. With a decent airflow you'll improve it's efficiency by over 60% (There was a tech article a while back, took me 1 hr and $12)

winklejj
You can get a front A/C installed anytime you want, all power and cabling is already installed.
Where did you find the pull out shelves??

DW wants to know if anyone else is having issues with the stove cover? When ours is up it blocks all access to back of counter, our cover is riveted in place so we can't remove ir without damaging it.


We've spent all weekend "customizing" ours, now if I could only get all this expanding foam off my hands 😞

[CHV_FRK]

I have not run our fridge for more than 2 days on the propane. During that time I actually had to turn the unit down and kept it on 2 to maintain 0 deg freezer and 40 deg fridge. I would suggest grabbing a couple of thermometers to chart you temps and outside temps to aid in the diagnosis. I doubt what your experiencing is normal.

[Dale_s_Jayco]

Winklejj:
Did your cupboard beside the fridge get warm like Cruz's?? After reading Cruz's post was thinking we need a to add insulation of some sort as we also keep food in there, gets hot & humid in the summer here in southern Ontario. May also have to add a couple of those pull out pantry selves, neat idea!
Frank, we are thinking of you and your Lady and hope she is feeling better. Take care.

Sharon

[cruz]

in central AZ ... temps were in the high 80's ... low humidity ... probably 15 - 20%

CRUZ

[winklejj]

We have just spent 6 weeks in our new RLTS in Key Largo, Florida and love it. We had a pull out pantry installed where Jayco had shelves. Makes the kitchen so much more convenient. We do wish we had gotten the 2nd ac. In Florida's heat it was difficult to get and keep the bedroom cool.
I too loved the Jayco35RLTS forum. Before this trip I learned so much about it- like replacing the floor vent in the bathroom with one that closes.
We look forward to seeing other owners at the Jayco 40th anniversary in Elkhart in August.

[CHV_FRK]

How warm was it outside and what was the humidity? I would wonder if something on the outside of the unit was freezing up.

[cruz]

35 RLTS Fridge help ...
OK ... a couple of weeks ago we went remote camping for 4 days. Fridge was on propane for those 4 days. We've never had this size of fridge in our "little campers" ...
Noticed a couple of things I would like to know if anyone else has seen.

Fridge and freezer temp (set on 5) originally was nice and cold ... Filled Ice cude trays early morning the first day, and they were cubes by early afternoon. 2 days later we noticed a frost build up on the back of the fridge and freezer, and the ice cube trays would not freeze completely, even after some 18 hours! Stuff in the freezer started getting a little soft.
We were careful not to open the doors too often or for too long ... and boosted the setting up to 8. That improved it a little, but still not like it should.

Second concern was the pantry on the 35RLTS to the left of the fridge got very warm inside ... enough that the creme in my favorite OREO cookies actually got very soft, and my sourdough pretzels felt they were frsh from the oven !!!

We've never noticed this when plugged in to AC, but common sense tells me the propane operation would cause more heat than AC ... but shouldn't be to this extent. :h

Any thoughts.

CRUZ