Schooner
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Re: Continual running of Onan microquiet 4000
I asked a Onan guy once what the reasonable life of the 4K Microlite was and he said about 1200 hours. I've run them for days at a time and had 750 hours on one. I agree with the comments about CO detectors and checking the oil enough to get a idea of how often to shut it down. Mine used to trip the propane detector sometimes when I opened the roof vent. Never had a problem at neutral pressure. Be aware of dry grass or such near the unit.471Views0likes0CommentsRe: Generator vs. 2nd Deep Cycle Battery
I spent a lot of time boondocking and have always kept a open mind to solar and wind, but the cost and complexity of these systems, so far has kept them out of my reach. I had the opportunity to boondock with a group of 15 units that were into that and I was not impressed. The camp was pretty dark after sunset. The camp host in the National Forest where we were had a large solar system provided by the FS that he was always fixing and he was using his generator to charge those batteries. I had a DP with a 5K inverter and 4 golf cart deep discharge batteries, but still had to run the generator about 4 hours a day to top them up.You can't push charge into a battery any faster than that and it is important to fully charge them. Friends of mine who spent 6 years off the grid had a deep discharge battery a portable 3 stage charger and a Honda generator for their Roadtrec and I think that Honda had 1,000 hours on it. They watched TV on their laptops with a converter. I did a inventory on my coach and the largest draw was always the laptops trying to charge old batteries. I could never get a 600 watt inverter to handle the load. In hindsight it would have been worth it to invest in a new laptop battery. The best system for a small unit IMO is a Honda 1Kw generator and a good 3 stage portable charger. You could upgrade your chassis battery to the largest deep cycle that will fit or add a deep cycle that can be charged manually.392Views0likes0CommentsRe: Buying a Former Rental Class C. How many of us out there?
I'm looking at a small former rental Class C primarily because of the savings. The ones I'm seeing in the 2006 age range can be had for around $20K vs $40 or $50. That's a lot of budget left over for the fun aspects of full timing. Newer means more modern floor plans and savings which can go toward customizing for my use. My first RV was a 26' Class A. At the time I bought it it felt huge compared to my small sailboat. Space is a relative thing. My 2nd RV was a beautiful DP with two slides, but I had a lot of money tied up in it and and there is a big depreciation hit. It is all a compromise. Full timing in a former rental will provide the same experience as paying double for a non rental. As far as maintenance issues go, the rental company has a interest in maintaining these vehicles and a well maintained gas unit should be capable of 200K miles with routine repair and replacement. When I sold my 26' Chevy 454ci we checked compression and with 126,000 it was still like new. One of the rental companies claims to have sold 120,000 former rentals and if there were problems specific to them, it would be showing up.610Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford vs Chevy Chassis for larger divers
You didn't say what your budget is, but I think the rule of thumb is to check out as many different units as you can. It's a lot of work, but your more likely to end up with what you want. I started out with a A gas 26' Fleetwood then a Newmar 40' DP and now I'm thinking of a class C 25' with the primary consideration of how I'm going to use it. Having lived on boats for years, space is not a big issue for me; simplicity and access to remote sites is. I'm thinking of a former rental unit. They will be high mileage, but you get more modern designs and most of these chassis should go 200K with minor replacements. Another option you may consider is older DP's. The shorter ones are scarce but I just saw a '92 Country Coach Magna 34' (asking $45K)that appears to be super clean and well maintained. Look for high mileage DP's, they are better than low mileage units which have been sitting too long. There are some nice late 90's and '00 DP's which will give you the larger shower, more water and comfortable seating in the $50's. My 2000 Mountain Aire was a beauty with a large living room slide, garden shower and they can be had in the high 50's. Good luck. Check out some tiny apartment sites. They have some amazing fold away beds and you could always hang a bed from the ceiling like on the Trek.783Views0likes0Comments
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