DSMC_Whiz
Explorer
Joined 11 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Lightweight Bunk House Options
dsjsamuel is right about that last part. What fits your budget is important, because I am still discovering that travel trailers are like boats. They are simply holes in which you can pour your money. After you buy your trailer, you buy the hitch, brake controller, surge protector, generator, hoses, lines, hookups, toys, and the list keeps going and going. If they can invent something to pry you from your money for something that you never knew you needed in the first place, they will.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: About to pull the trigger on this combo. Thoughts?
I would get the 12,000/1,200 hitch. Better to have a little more than necessary, than be equal to or short of your needs. You may also want to consider the Andersen WDH. Theirs are all 14,000/1,500 (2 5/16" ball), so you know you will be in great shape. Theirs also use a very innovative design that is exceptionally quiet and includes weight distributing, anti-sway and anti-bounce features.445Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lightweight Bunk House Options
Shorteelaw wrote: Goldstalker wrote: Shorteelaw wrote: DSMC Whiz wrote: The Lance 2185 has a full length queen and three bunks in the back. A fully loaded one has a 4,400 pound dry weight and a 6,000 max weight. I know, I just bought one. It is very bright, well-engineered and comfortable as could be. I actually saw this one on Saturday but was shocked at how much more expensive it was than all of the other brands... by $10,000! Is that common or was it just a fluke? Camplites are pricey as well. Oh dang - yes it is!!! I wonder what makes them so much more?! Why is any trailer more expensive than the others? One would hope and expect that the differences are based upon the level of design work, quality of materials, hidden benefits and overall build. I can speak to the Lance and the Camplite, as I looked at both and then decided on the Lance. Both are aluminum framed and use Azdel for the walls. The Lance uses a very light wood that they have to import from Europe, rather than Luan in their cabinets and trim. The Camplites use aluminum for their cabinets. Aluminum is more pricey, but it is also lighter and less susceptible to damage from moisture. neither camper uses steel welded frames. The Camplite is all aluminum and the Lance is huck bolted. Both campers have slides (Lance 2185 and Camplite 21BHS) and those also add to the expense. Here is where I thought that the Lance became worth more to me. For that extra money, the Lance is a true four seasons camper. All three of my tanks have ducted heating going through them, the valves are in a heated area, the windows are all double pained, there is 2" block insulation, etc. The layout with the bunk beds (3 mattresses) along the back wall was perfect for our family, I have not yet figured out how to use all of the storage space, and because of the larger slide and the position of the bunk beds, the interior felt enormous compared to the Camplite. I also got the convertible sofa, so you can easily fold the very comfortable bed mattress in half (it is hinged with cloth) and have additional seating space. I was sold on the Camplite, until I saw the Lance at the RV Show. Do yourself a favor, before spending the money, compare what you are getting. If you can go to an RV show, even if it takes several hours of drive time to get to one, do so. These are not cheap, and you want the maximum value for your money. That said, the prices that are shown are always much higher than what you can expect to get your TT for, no matter which maker you go with.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Battery Charging and Management
I am planning to use the generator only when boondocking, but I want to be able to recharge the batteries at a quick pace, and from what I understand, it is much quicker to charge them directly, then it is to charge them if I plugged the generator through the TT power input. At home, I do have a pretty good lower amp tender that I use for my motorcycle, and it had various modes for other batteries. Thanks for the advice to just keep them on there in parallel while at home. Beemerphile, you are right, 12v in parallel is still 12v. I guess that there is no way to charge them in serial on the TT while still running them in parallel, is there? Being that the case, are there suggestions for higher amperage 12v chargers that I should consider using while boondocking, or do I just take the home charger with me? Thank you for your counsel. There is so much to learn still.290Views0likes0Comments- 307Views0likes0Comments
Battery Charging and Management
First off, let me thank all of you that have been posting to this board through the years. We just purchased our first TT (Lance 2185) and picked it up last weekend. I have been reading your previous threads for the past few weeks, and I have learned quite a bit. My question for the experts on here, is on how to create the easiest and most effective power system for my trailer. I have dual Interstate 27 batteries to work with, and believe that running them in PARALLEL is the most efficient method. I store our TT, so I will be removing them back to our garage during storage periods. I am planning to purchase a Honda 2000 generator for charging while boondocking. First, I envision running some type of a quick connect, likely just a simple ring connector attached with a nut. I would then put the TT feed over the top of that nut and hold it with a second nut. I would then have the other end of those quick connects compatible with a connection plug on the charger. Does this seem like the most reasonable approach and if I do that, can I just plug the charger into the generator as well while leaving the batteries connected to the TT, or are there problems posed by having a charger on those batteries while they are connected to the TT house power? Second, I am looking for information on 24V chargers you all like to use. What are the faster amperage chargers? How long do you take to charge yours fully? Finally, what battery maintenance should I anticipate and what are some more useful tools for that? Thank you in advance.2.9KViews0likes10Comments
Groups
Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts
