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Re: B+ motorhomes
So happy to have found this forum. We are in the process of researching and hopefully purchasing a motorhome. Have been specifically interested in the 2004 Trail-Lite 6L Chevrolet 235S or the 251. We are very new to RVing, rented a rather rattly 29 ft. Tioga last spring and took our daughters (1yo and 6yo) to Mammoth Cave. Even though it was a less than stellar trip, we are seriously thinking about buying one of our very own. The closest Trail-Lite dealer is about 100 miles from our home...not real convenient if we end up with some repair issues. One of our dilemmas is that the sleeping arrangements in either set up seem less than ideal. The 235 has no place for one to go for "separation", like naps for our little one, or containment, like her crib at home provides. Although the 251 addresses that issue, it doesn't seem like the most economical use of space, or the most comfortable, for that matter. Also, is one model more marketable than the other if we decide after a year that RVing is not what we had in mind? Has anyone eliminated the gas oven since they currently have the microwave/convection oven? Why would you need both? Have not read any comments about the RVQ grill...any input on that option? Would a Fantastic Fan in the bathroom make sense? The rental unit we used was quite unpleasant and I would like to avoid that situation in our own motorhome. Is the skylight/fan adequate? Has the drawer slide issue been resolved on the 2004? Enough questions for now. Thanks in advance for any advice. Tim and Randi Welcome to the forum. Has anyone eliminated the gas oven since they currently have the microwave/convection oven? Why would you need both? You don't get both. You get the micro/convec oven and a gas cooktop. Handy for cooking or heating something up w/o hook ups or starting the gen set. Has the drawer slide issue been resolved on the 2004? I resolved it on mine by removing drawer, taking the front off of it and making a door out of it. Gain almost 6" of room that is wasted under the drawer. Also, is one model more marketable than the other if we decide after a year that RVing is not what we had in mind? Don't know the answer, but you might check NADA or RV Trader to look at prices of used units. Good Luck with whatever you buy. (or don't buy)475Views0likes0CommentsRe: B+ motorhomes
Like Dario and others, I have added a second battery sitting side by side in the battery tray. I did not go to the trouble of hammering or bending down the tray lip. Instead, I added some plastic spacer material (I used plastic nursery plant trays) cut to size that brought the tray bottom up to lip height. All has worked fine for the last year, but I am thinking about the slideout battery tray that Lance uses in their truck campers ... Slide out trays: http://www.kwikee.com/batTraysize.html308Views0likes0CommentsRe: B+ motorhomes
We have a question to trail-lite owners who have only one battery. Ours is a 225, 8.1, 2003 model and since most of you have the same size appliances, heater etc. wanted to post here for your input. We would like to start camping in parks with no hookups, however we are permitted to use the generator during certain daytime hours (8:00 am to 8:00 pm). We have one SRM-24 CCA 550 MGA 690 RC 140 Mins Interstate Battery Questions: For one night can we run:?? the frig on propane, the propane furnace, the LP detector (comes on automatic when battery switch on). We can use an independent battery lantern, bottled water/jug water for personal items such as toliet etc. We can think of no other charge on the battery. Tv booster off, no hot water heater, no water pump (however would be nice to know if water pump could be included). Would using just those three items (frig, heater, detector) run the battery down over 50% for one night? We would turn on the gen set the next morning to recharge up. We really like out rig - have had one and a half years (20,000 miles) had some of the fix-ups mentioned on the forum but nothing too serious. Have read about batteries everywhere but gets confusing trying to figure AMP hours. Some hints would be appreciated on figuring that. Love this forum and have learned a lot from all of you. Thanks J & W My wife and I routinely stay overnight without hookups with no problem. We run the fridge, all the detectors but only turn the water pump on when needed. (Once the water system is pressurized, it will usually be good for the rest of the night.) We use the 12 volt lights as needed and have never had a problem. Hopes this helps.369Views0likes0CommentsRe: B+ motorhomes
I originally had the 'FireBoom' (Firestone) tires. Never had a blow out, but the ride was terrible ... very rough. Four months ago, I mounted Michellins and the ride was greatly improved. Also, the original tires where LT225/75R16 ... replaced with LT245/75R16 to add more rubber. Ford offers LT245s optionally for this chassis., and I believe the LT225s are insufficent for the 211s. Seems I was right. The rig seems to have a firmer grip of the road, more stable, better clearence and smoother ride. Before you get larger tires, you might want to look here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/2002/137.pdf408Views0likes0CommentsRe: B+ motorhomes
If your water heater is a DSI unit (direct spark ignition), then turning on the switch will start the water heater. Flip the switch and listen for sounds from the water heater. I was not told how to manually light the water heater, since my unit is a DSI heater.508Views0likes0CommentsRe: B+ motorhomes
I installed a spare tire carrier on the rear bumper to fix the departure angle problem on the Ford chassis. When I gas up, I try to have the unit parked with the right front lower than the rest of the vehicle. The vent pipe is located aft of the fuel fill pipe. By keeping the vent pipe higher than the fill pipe, I can fill up the tank. I don't have any stability problems with the Ford while parked and have never had a problem finding a level spot. 11000 miles, 5600 on vacation last summer. No problems, except the stupid way the table is made. Changing mounting system this weekend.283Views0likes0Comments
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