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Lippert Solera 18 volt Awning Arms
Note: This product review is not based on a DIY project as I had the awning arms installed by a dealer. But, I felt that this forum was the most appropriate place to post it. https://store.lci1.com/18v-universal-awning-hardware-kit-69in-various-colors-uni-awn-hardware-kit-18v-69.html I decided that it was time to convert our manual Dometic awning to a power awning. After having an electric awning on our last travel trailer, I found the manual awning to be a major pain and longed for the joy of simply pushing a switch to open or close the awning! Since our awning fabric is almost like new, I decided to upgrade the awning by having the Solera battery powered awning arms installed. I had the work done by RCD sales in Sunbury, OH and they were very professional in all aspects of the job. I had contacted quite a few RV dealers and the service manager at RCD was the only one to respond to my emails and phone calls. I picked up the MH yesterday and felt I would give an initial impression and review. When I was researching this product, I couldn't find many reviews, so I hope this review will be helpful to folks that may be thinking about converting their manual awnings. After getting home with the rig, I operated the awning a couple of times and it works well. Once opened, the arms are within reach so you can pull down one or both sides to change or adjust the angle of the awning. The joint in the arm mechanism that controls the amount of tension needed to retain the adjustment is adjustable and I may be making a slight adjustment to one arm. The replacement arms installed beautifully, and the only tell-tale signs of the manual arms are the lower metal brackets for attaching the manual arms. I've read where other owners have removed these brackets and replaced the with reflectors which is something I may do. One advantage of these replacement arms is that no wiring was required (tapping into the coach's wiring system, adding switch, etc.) which reduced the amount of labor time. The trade-off is that the power switch is located at the bottom of the right awning arm which means you may get wet if you have to retract the awning when it has started to rain, but that wasn't a deal breaker for me. And, I've thought about the possibility of relocating the switch inside the motorhome as it doesn't seem that it would be that difficult. Lippert claims that on one charge of the 18 volt battery, you can operate the awning 20-25 times. The charging cable has a fairly long cord and will easily reach a nearby 120 volt outlet in a basement compartment. In an emergency, the awning can be retracted with a socket and a drill, and a ladder (at least for my rig). You have to be aware of the fact that due to the nature of the switch and operating system, the awning can retract with the awning tube below the fabric rather than on top. Once you know that, you can easily correct it as you begin retracting the awning. Based on just my first impressions, the weight of the Lippert arms combined with the weight of the awning fabric (17' awning) will make this awning fairly stable in moderate breezes/wind. The awning is definitely more stable than the electric awning on my travel trailer. Lippert states in the manual that the awning should not be tied down as damage could occur to the arms. I'll see how it does when we make our winter trek (hopefully) or when the camping season resumes next spring and I'll update this review. Based on my research, I saved at least $1,000 compared to having the awning replaced. The kit is designed to be a DIY project and if one can do the installation, the Lippert kit is definitely one way to save a lot of money, especially if you don't need to replace your awning fabric. If you have a question, simply reply or send me a PM. Obviously, I need to use this awning in the coming year before I can say too much about durability, operating cycles between chargings, stability in wind, etc. Thanks for reading this review!1.3KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Steering stabilizers
I had a Roadmaster stabilizer installed on our Bay Star and I'm pleased with the results. It helped to minimize any push from passing trucks, and it's good to know that it's there in the event of a front tire blowout. I'm pretty sure it has also helped a few times when you have to move over a bit and the shoulder of the road or ground beyond the road is at a lower level. When I have the oil changed, I always have the shop take a look at the whole chassis (brakes, belts, etc.) and specifically mention checking the stabilizer bolts and they are the shop that installed it for me. Before adding the stabilizer, I had the front end aligned (after replacing tires) and adjusted tire pressures based on axle weights, adding a bit since I couldn't get four corner weights. The alignment helped a lot, and just last month, I had the alignment checked and it is still good. So, I'm very comfortable with how my rig handles and find that keeping the speed to 60-62 mph seems to be the sweet spot and my upper limit is 65 due to the towing requirements of the Malibu.732Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tow hall mode
I use tow haul mode all the time for two reasons. First, it prevents excessive braking, especially when headed down hill. Secondly, it helps to make the motorhome stop more quickly as you can press the brake pedal and force a downshift. From what I've read, the transmission can handle it. I just came back from traveling through a lot of the mountains in Pennsylvania and when downshifting, the RPMs usually stayed at 4K or less. Without using the tow haul mode, I think it would be very easy to overheat the brakes and damage them. Years ago, I didn't really understand the importance of downshifting when towing a trailer with a Dodge dually (gas) and I ended up having smoking brakes and had to pull over to let them cool down. Obviously, it wasn't good for the brake pads.650Views0likes0CommentsRe: Class As in cold weather?
We've been in cold temps in the teens with our Bay Star and stay quite warm and toasty. I get enough heat from the gas furnace in the water bays to keep them from freezing, but I have remote temperature sensors in the bays and have two small personal electric heaters that can be turned on if necessary. The Bay Star is well insulated. When the temperature is closer to freezing or above, I use an electric heater at times to help save propane as I'm usually at a campground with electric service. We don't winter camp, so our experience with cold weather is usually when we head south in the winter and have to travel from Ohio to wherever it's much warmer!1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Carbon Monoxide Detector
For safer use of generator, you may want to get the Camco Gen-Turi system: https://www.amazon.com/Camco-44461-Gen-Turi-Generator-Exhaust/dp/B000BUU5XG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=RB6U6JNTTO2I&dchild=1&keywords=rv+generator+exhaust+venting+system&qid=1630327466&sprefix=rv+generator+e%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-3 Shop around as you can probably get a better price than the current Amazon price, or find one slightly used. I recently picked one up just in case I need to run a generator while sleeping, and I also purchased an extra carbon monoxide detector for use in the bedroom. If you have an Onan generator, their web site has a link for finding a nearby service facility, or simply do a Google search for generator service. Basic maintenance on a generator isn't that difficult (oil change, oil filter, plugs) and I've learned to do it myself. I did have to buy a oil filter wrench that helps me remove the filer as it is recessed on my generator. Supplies can be ordered directly from Onan or can be purchased online.486Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tent Trailer Set Up Question
Have you considered something such as the Winnebago Travato? DW and I have discussed what we would consider when we feel we need to downsize. Just yesterday, I got to see a fellow camper's Travato and it really looks quite nice with a full wet bath in the rear, two twin beds that can convert into a king, nice galley and creative use of tables for use with the two captains' chairs. If I went with that, I'd have one of the nice popup style screen rooms to use (along with the awning on the camper. It's small enough to drive around like a pickup truck and no hitch to worry about. We had tent campers when we started out and I wouldn't want to go back to dealing with bunkends and rain and having to dry them out. Before that, I agree with looking at a smaller travel trailer. Or, look at some of the class B rigs. Good luck in your search, and stay healthy!656Views0likes0CommentsRe: Window fog
Good info posted here! Fortunately, I haven't had any dual pane window problems since purchasing our rig in 2018. But, if I were to have a problem, I would not want to replace one with a single pane window. Dual pane windows are so much better in terms of not having condensation problems, and they definitely reduce noise. Our Bay Star is our first rig with dual pane windows, and combined with the wall construction used by Newmar, we were really surprised at how well noise is blocked.645Views0likes0Comments
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