Bob_N_
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Re: Rooftop AC for 144' Sprinter Conversion
For several years we camped in a home-converted B-minus. This was on a short wheelbase ford van with tall top for standing head room. We had a 5000 btu AC unit mounted in the back wall of the top, and the cooling capacity was inadequate in hot weather. We never used it while driving(no generator)and it took forever to cool down the vehicle after stopping and hooking to shore power. These vans are not very well insulated, and even with added insulation, the heat gain in hot weather is severe. For the size van you have purchased I would suggest no less than 10,000 to 12,000 BTU.581Views0likes0CommentsRe: Falcon 170
The gizmo pictured looks like an isolator I had on a previous van camper. The isolator splits the alternator charge to both the house battery and the vehicle battery to keep the house battery charged while driving. It also isolates the house battery circuit so that the house current cannot drain the vehicle battery while camping. Can't tell you how to test it ---might try googling "isolator" for info.451Views0likes0CommentsRe: Leveling block theft
We had the same experience a number of years ago in Pigeon Forge, TN. We has left the site, leaving our levelling blocks (home made so easily identified) and leaving a "site occupied" sign on the picnic table. Upon our return our levelling blocks were under the back wheels of a $350,000 class A across the way. I guess it takes all kinds.440Views0likes0CommentsRe: suspension on dodge 3500 based class B campervan
Hi, We have a 2002 LTV Freedom 2a on the 3500 Dodge chassis, and while we have limited experience on dirt roads, we find ours handles best with the air lifts at 30 to 40 psi, and the tires at 65 psi front and 80 psi rear. If the roads you are travelling are very rough, I would think you may be bottoming the spring travel if you have the air bags at low pressure. With the air bags at 30 --40 lb psi the ride is firm. At lower air bag pressures handling is very poor with considerable side to side rolling and difficult steering. We also have the wheel spacers on the rear to make the rear tread width the same as the front, and that has helped handling some. These are heavy vehicles at best, and it is very easy to load them beyond their design limit. I suggest you get the unit weighed loaded as you plan to travel and check the weights against the listed load limits. We try to travel light----it's very easy to take more stuff than you need. Most class B units have a limited payload as the coach additions put the chassis close to the design weight limits.314Views0likes0CommentsRe: Larger Diameter Tires - Odometer / Speedometer
Hi, It's very easy to get a pretty accurate calibration of both odometer and speedometer by driving a few miles on the interstate. The mile markers posted on the side of the road are usually quite accurate in their placement, so you can calibrate the odometer by recording the odometer reading at a milepost, then driving 10 or so miles by the posts numbers and recheck the odometer reading. From this you can calculate the percentage of error. Speedometer calibration involves driving at a constant speed for a mile or two and recording the time between mileposts with a stopwatch. At 60 mph it takes 60 seconds to drive a mile, so divide 3600 (seconds per hour) by the number of seconds it takes to drive a mile and the result is your true speed in mph for any one indicated speed. Accuracy will improve if you check the time for 2 or 3 miles. Bob N.391Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2010 Roadtrek Mercerator / Pump
Hi, There is a Camping World right off I-77 at Statesville, NC, I think at exit 49. I cannot attest to the quality of the service department, but it is less than a half mile off your route. You might check it out before detouring to Claremont. The other RV place Handbasket is referring to is on I-40 at Mocksville. I have no idea about their service.180Views0likes0Comments- 552Views0likes0Comments
Re: Late Model Excel Firestone Remote Air Ride Control
Hi, We have an older LTV on a Dodge chassis and our Firetone air ride works as dicktill describes in one of the above posts. Very simple and straightforward. I don't understand why manufacturers insist on taking a simple system that works well and making it so complex that people can't understand it---I guess that's what they call progress.491Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fan Noise 97 Dodge RT Versatile
Hi, The fan clutch locks up to run the fan as a function of coolant temperature, so when driving slowly in traffic, or up hills, or in hot weather you can expect the fan to run much more than at cruising speed in flat country or cooler weather. I think the weatherman reports you have been having near record temps in your area this summer, so that may have a bearing on your problem.266Views0likes0Comments
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