Upgrades

[clev]

My wife and I have done a lot to our DRV and here are a few upgrades; thought that I'd post a picture. We covered the vents and then color match painted the covers and the A/C covers, plus painted over the skylight. There are 4 solar panels on the roof, dinette awning, side awnings, and rear awning; you can't see them, but there are two side roller wheels for low clearances, and the hitch has been beefed up on the sides and a wide metal tab welded in the center up to the frame. Finally, the swivel wheel trailer for carrying the generator and fuel can. This weekend, we're installing an ultra guard mud flap across the back.

[porthole]

You've been busy!

I'd like to see your rollers. I expect that to be a problem on our rig if it ever gets here.

[OneReallyOldGuy]

I'm curious about the "low clearance rollers" too. What are they and how do they work?

[clev]

Good morning, OldGuy. These rollers were really a must have on lower trailers. They prevent dragging the rear of the trailer over low places in the road or inclines. With higher trailers, not really needed. I had mine on a low TT many years ago and then traded it to a 36 ft Holiday Rambler that sat really high and didn't need them. But, because they were pretty expensive, I took them off of the trailer before I traded it. Not needing them, they've sat on a shelf in my garage since 1994, when I got the HR. While under my MS last month, checking the bottom for possible leak areas and generally just rolling around and looking, I saw that the bottom of the trailer hitch, just below the receiver hole, had pretty serious drag marks. So, I called in a welder and installed the wheels; they're rated at about 10k pounds.

I posted a few pictures on the SOITC under General Topics, "Wash and Wax". I haven't had to clean them up and paint them; maybe this weekend.

[oldbird]

Just curious, why paint the skylight?

[clev]

Here in South Central Texas, it can exceed 105 degrees in summer months. Even in the 80’s, have you stood under one of those sky lights in full sun? The heat is enormous. Painting them reduces the amount of heat that enters the coach. Also, installing and painting vent covers aids in keeping the coach cooler. Inside, cushions in vent openings and foam insulation around each window helps the ac keep it cool.

[Cummins12V98]

Personally we like the light the Skylight brings into the bathroom/shower area. We stay in Palm Springs, CA area sometimes into June when temps are above 120. NEVER have felt the "enormous" heat coming thru the Skylight.

[porthole]

My wife likes skylights - I don't ......

So the new rig, which finally came in yesterday - has no skylight

[clev]

Good morning, cummins, port. It’s all in individual perception, and perhaps ‘enormous’ was a poor choice of words. But, I did feel heat through the sky light, both in this coach and my last, and when we pull into a campground with a hot rv, and the ac is struggling to cool it down, any unnecessary heat is too much...for me.

[porthole]

Terry - I'm with you, never cared for skylights in my house, cars and trucks or my RV. Now if I was 6'+ tall maybe I would have a different opinion.

Besides, that shade DRV uses really does nothing for me.

This could all change once we get the rig and start using it. We have the front bath model, and there are no windows.

[Cummins12V98]

Good morning, cummins, port. It’s all in individual perception, and perhaps ‘enormous’ was a poor choice of words. But, I did feel heat through the sky light, both in this coach and my last, and when we pull into a campground with a hot rv, and the ac is struggling to cool it down, any unnecessary heat is too much...for me.

That is why we have 3 AC's because I don't want to worry about every place some heat may come in.

YES nice to have choices!!!

https://i.imgur.com/gNonrI7l.jpg

[clev]

Good afternoon, cummins. Maybe it’s my VietNam paranonia, but since we had the disagreement over the SRW pickups, you seem to knit pick me a lot.

Yes, it’s great to have choices, but I don’t think, and I could be wrong here, most of us don’t have 3 AC’s. BUT....even if I did, I would still be energy conscious; whether in my RV or at home. Anything that compromises the interior comfort of my home, either on the road or at home, gets fixed. When I designed and had my home built, I had the best windows that were available installed. But, in the late afternoon sun in the summer, I still pull the drapes on the western side. Your post makes no sense; “I’ve got 3AC’s and don’t care about heat entering my RV, I just lower the thermostat”. Read that a few times and maybe you’ll comprehend how ludicrous it reads.

[clev]

I took another look at the top of your coach, cummins, and you haven’t covered your vents. You have three 14 x 14 holes in your roof with only a thin piece of plastic over them. You have 120 degree heat/sun boiling through them, plus the sky light, and you don’t feel heat? I really don’t see how even 3 AC’s could cool it down in 120 degree heat.

[porthole]

This picture makes the trailer look 60’ long !

“The Long LongTrailer”




https://i.imgur.com/gNonrI7l.jpg

[porthole]

, and when we pull into a campground with a hot rv, and the ac is struggling to cool it down, any unnecessary heat is too much...for me.

On really hot days I’ll stop about an hour out and turn on the genny, get the AC’s going.

[clev]

Now that I have my remote control generators effectively set up, I will probably do the same.

[Cummins12V98]

Good afternoon, cummins. Maybe it’s my VietNam paranonia, but since we had the disagreement over the SRW pickups, you seem to knit pick me a lot.

Yes, it’s great to have choices, but I don’t think, and I could be wrong here, most of us don’t have 3 AC’s. BUT....even if I did, I would still be energy conscious; whether in my RV or at home. Anything that compromises the interior comfort of my home, either on the road or at home, gets fixed. When I designed and had my home built, I had the best windows that were available installed. But, in the late afternoon sun in the summer, I still pull the drapes on the western side. Your post makes no sense; “I’ve got 3AC’s and don’t care about heat entering my RV, I just lower the thermostat”. Read that a few times and maybe you’ll comprehend how ludicrous it reads.

Sorry I was NOT nit picking you!!!

As far as 3 AC's I can tell you EVERY DRV Alicia at RollingRetreats orderers for her stock has 3 AC's. I am also willing to bet at least 90% she orderers for customers have 3 units. I at first thought she was trying to up sell us until I listened to her reasons. We thank her all the time when it's HOT out and we are COOL inside. I have been in Palm Springs with our DRV having an AC go out. So if I ever have a unit go out and I will I will still be comfortable enough until I get it fixed.

“I’ve got 3AC’s and don’t care about heat entering my RV, I just lower the thermostat”.

I really don't see the issue with that quote. What am I supposed to do??? Live with a RV that is not comfortable? I am not going to have a skylight that I ordered or 3 roof vents covered to make it more comfortable. Plain and simple these LARGE RV's do not do well in high temps.

“I’ve got 3AC’s and don’t care about heat entering my RV, I just lower the thermostat”. I assume I said that but it was not from this thread.

Man sure did not intend to upset you into calling names "ludicrous".

[Cummins12V98]

I took another look at the top of your coach, cummins, and you haven’t covered your vents. You have three 14 x 14 holes in your roof with only a thin piece of plastic over them. You have 120 degree heat/sun boiling through them, plus the sky light, and you don’t feel heat? I really don’t see how even 3 AC’s could cool it down in 120 degree heat.


That pic is at Rolling Retreats before I took delivery.

I did add the Fantastic Vent covers so I could have my fans work in all weather, NOT for heat intrusion. I am sure the covers help some.

Plain and simple the 3 AC units cool the rig with no issue up to 122. Above that I don't know.


https://i.imgur.com/tx7fEqQl.jpg

[Cummins12V98]

"This picture makes the trailer look 60’ long !

“The Long LongTrailer” "

Yes and it's heavy just like Lucy's!!!

[clev]

Good morning, cummins; LOL, I’m not upset. I really find our conversations informative and entertaining. As far as the vent covers, the vents work the same with or without the covers. The main purpose of the cover is to create another layer so the sun is not penetrating the single thin plastic lid. But, a black one will also absorb and transfer heat and a light colored one will reflect it. Again, I may be more sensitive to incoming heat than you.
There was another thread, not sure if it was SOITC, fifth, or Thor, where the discussion was about better insulating the coach for better heating and cooling. There’s quite a few of us out here that share that concern. But, I know that school of thought is not for everyone. I’ve found over my 50 years of RV’ing, most buy an RV, use the dog crap out of it, and trade after a few years. It takes me longer than that just to ‘start’ getting it the way that I want it. My last coach was a 1994 Holiday Rambler that looked as good as new, and I was still upgrading it when I sold it in 2016, 22 years later. And yes, it had vent covers; LOL.

I started seeing and noticing DRV’s, probably 2016, I have seen no more than 5 or 6 on the road or in a campground, and I’ve only seen one really large one with 3 AC’s. I feel pretty sure that most larger ones have 3AC’s but not sure about the smaller one’s

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, cummins.

[clev]

And, a couple of other things, cummins, you may or may not be interested, but we are discussing insulation and heat control. The outside 'wipe/flap' under the kitchen slide is the only thing between the inside and the outside of the coach. The flap on ours, didn't make good contact with the bottom of the slide, and light could be seen from inside the coach. That allows for a lot of cold air infiltration during cold season. We removed ours, and repositioned it upwards so that the contact is good and no more light. However, we could still feel cold when walking barefoot inside by the slide. My wife and I cut door sweeps, like on your household doors, and using a drill with long philips extension screwed these strips to the inside lip of the slide; that stopped the cold air.

Two more things, and then I'll stop; LOL. When it's hot outside, we noticed that the bedroom closet was extremely hot, when we opened the door. I figured there was not enough insulation in the front cap. So, I called in an insulation company with portable equipment to blow insulation into the front and rear cap. We removed the 5 running lights on both, and with a 2 inch adapter, filled both caps to capacity. I don't recall the exact amount of cubic feet of insulation that they required, but it was 'enormous'. And, the difference in temperature is amazing.

Finally, I ordered a solar bronze, deep tinted safety glass, cut to fit for the door. I had done that on my last coach and it made a huge difference in light and heat transfer, so that's one of the first things that I did with this one.

Anyway, just wanted to share with you and anyone interested.

To everyone, from a 21 year combat veteran, take note, and appreciate the importance of this holiday.

[porthole]

Now that I have my remote control generators effectively set up, I will probably do the same.


Did you install the key fob type remote?

Did you add any indicator lights that you can see the gen is running by looking in your mirrors?

[clev]

They came with the remote control for starting and stoping; 3600 watts each, inverter type with parallel kit for 7k watts, ~60 amps. I can sit in my lift chair and start or stop them. Driving, I would have to stop to start them, and no, I wouldn’t be able to see them from mirrors.

[porthole]

Ah, you are using portable generators.

I was curious as I know the onboard Onan's have some type of remote available.

[Cummins12V98]

"As far as the vent covers, the vents work the same with or without the covers"

Not really. They close or they don't when it rains, ours decided not to close one time and we came home to wet carpet. Now we can leave the fan lids open anytime we want with no water intrusion. ONLY reason we added the covers.

[clev]

I ordered my coach gen ready, and intended to install an Onan diesel 6k. But, the weight would have added close to 500 pounds to my pin weight plus the weight of fuel. Secondary to that problem, was locating a place to mount a fuel tank. And finally, all of that would exceed $10k. I’ve used the remote control Champion generators for a few years, so opted to buy two with a parallel kit. Those and the fuel tank are carried on the swivel wheel trailer. I have less than $3500 in the set up.

[porthole]

"As far as the vent covers, the vents work the same with or without the covers"

Not really. They close or they don't when it rains, ours decided not to close one time and we came home to wet carpet. Now we can leave the fan lids open anytime we want with no water intrusion. ONLY reason we added the covers.


The rain sensors - sometimes they worked, then would just fail. I stopped replacing them.

But mostly after my wife wigged out one night.

Of course I never heard it, but apparently the vent in the bathroom would close because of the dew, then
dry out and open
close / dew
dry out / open etc

all night long.

[Cummins12V98]

There was a spot on our kitchen sweep that let light in and the factory fixed it. Sounds like a common problem.

As far as the door window I did not order one and I did not add the peep hole as I have a window right next to the door I can look out.

clev, thank you for your service!!!

[clev]

Yes, cummins, you are correct about closing in case of rain. I know that the vent sensors close when it rains, and the covers would possibly block that sensor. I suppose if the rain blows into the screened opening of the cover, rain could enter the coach.

[Cummins12V98]

The point is I don't have to worry about the darn things "NOT" closing now. The covers do not allow any water to come in as I have been in some horrific wind and rain conditions.

BTW the fantastic Vent Covers flow WAYYYY more air than the others.

[clev]

I have the Fantastic vent covers that were made for the Fantastic vents and have been using these covers for at least 25 years. In addition to those, we use the square cushions pushed up into the opening from the inside. LOL, cummins; no heat intrusion.

[Traveling Home]

What paint did you use for the skylight? and how does it look from the inside?

[clev]

And I missed it earlier, cummins; your are welcome for your 'thank you'. After I had finished my first term in the Army, I had no clue what I would do when I got out; so I just stayed, and have never regretted it.

[GlennWest]

Mine not a drv but I'm removing my skylight.

[clev]

TR, I posted a reply to your question, but don’t see it; not sure what happened. But, we had Lowe’s mix up a gallon of Exterior Acrylic Latex to match the white on the trailer. I sprayed the vent covers and AC, and my wife used a roller and brush on the skylight. It looks fine on the inside, but is really not even noticeable.

[jlsr]

Hello Clev,
First of all Thank You for your service!! We're very thankful to all the past and present service personnel out there. Our son was Army and is still military as he's National Guard now.

Your upgrades are awesome. Thanks for sharing them. I would like to know about the rear awning on your rig. Did it come with that or was it added ? Would love something like that to shade the rear window on our Lifestyle. We

Thanks again

[clev]

You’re welcome. No, the rear awnings were installed by my wife with me helping. We cut out the rear ladder and plugged the holes so it looks like a removable.

[Cummins12V98]

Our skylight came with a window blind.

[clev]

Ours also came with a pull shade, but heat could still be felt radiating around it.

[porthole]

Our skylight came with a window blind.

We deleted the skylight, but our door came with a pull down shade. First I have seen that.

[Cummins12V98]

We deleted the skylight, but our door came with a pull down shade. First I have seen that.


No window or peep hole in our door. Window next to door so no need for hole in door.

[porthole]

It was too late when I decided to eliminate the window. Originally left it in as we were planning on stained glass for the rig. But after seeing our color choice in person with a solid door, I tried to change the order.