bghouse wrote:
Before I put this to rest - I need to make sure I've given the Cruise America model a fair analysis. There are currently a couple things that make me pause, and I need to understand if there are potential solutions that I can live with - or move off CA for good.
1.) The single battery vs dual battery. I'm concerned that in the future if I want to add solar and an inverter that the Cruise America 23A will not allow it. Are there other options for the battery (even if it costs more) to be able to add the second one somewhere? Hanging bracket under the coach? Somewhere inside with Lithium maybe? I don't plan to boondock immediately - I'll be at campgrounds. Anything else that the single battery limits me on? Can I still run A/C or the microwave on shore power?
2.) Backup camera. I read somewhere that someone tried to install a backup camera on the Cruise America coach and couldn't run the wires, so had to go wireless - but the wireless was buggy and cut out. Is this true? A backup camera is high on my list for safety as a new driver.
3.) Anything else that is non standard that would be critical to know? Am I limited in what can be install on the roof? Does the hardwired electric cord cause any "gotchas". Stuff like that.
4.) Do the CA rigs have the black water flush like the Coachmen Leprechaun I've been looking at with El Monte RV?
Hopefully some of the folks that bought from Cruise America will be able to let me know if I'm worrying for nothing. The pricing difference for me is substantial, even when I add back things like the awning. Since the difference is roughly 5 months of living expenses on the road - I really need to make sure I'm giving the CA rig a fair evalution.
You don't say if you have a generator or not. My 19G does not have one so I used the space for a custom battery tray that holds 4 6V easily. Plus I have extra space and space for a 12V if I wanted one.
