Currently RV-less but not done yet.
'06 Phaeton 40' QSH
'14 Ford Flex SEL AWD Toad
'04 R-Vision Trail-Lite 213
Scottiemom's Pet or husband to Dale
RV.net Rallies 13, Other Rallies 21, Escapades 7
Fulltimers since 2005, Where are we?
Our Travel Blog
Yeah, a two battery tray would not be hard for a welder to make and install. That's high on my list. AGMs would seem almost essential given the poor access. We dry camped last year in our 213 for a couple of different nights, and one healthy battery did fine, though. We have put in ebay-sourced LEDs, and that made a huge difference in drawdown.
On my Trail Lite 213, the rear cargo door is starting to show delamination across the bottom. Water is getting into the door panel. I found water sitting in the bottom of the aluminum channel frame that holds the filon panel. Once there is water there, it has nowhere to go but to be soaked up by the wood behind the filon.
I discovered two ways that water can get into/onto that lip. First, if I don't lock the upper (keyed) lock, it doesn't hold the upper part of the door tight against the gasket. I rarely leave it unlocked, but it could have been the problem.
Second, this door was designed to be mounted horizontal, not vertical. What would be weep holes in the bottom of the frame are now in the side of the frame. They are near the exterior edge, and in a prolonged rain, could probably take in a few ounces of water. Which would run down and sit in the bottom of the door as mentioned above.
Here is a photo of the holes. I'm going to plug them with caulk or cover them with eternabond, and drill a couple of new weep holes on the bottom. I would recommend others consider doing the same.
(You can't see the delam in the photo. It's a bulge across the bottom, buy only raised about 1/8", on both the outside and inside filon pieces.)
![[image]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rtqKwaJl_cE/UbhdHTM0riI/AAAAAAAABOI/qO0rnjuAyfY/s512/CargoDoorHoles.jpg)
You are amazing w/ such analyses of details.
Thanls, I will look at mine.
2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy
burlmart wrote:
Snowman,
You are amazing w/ such analyses of details.
Thanls, I will look at mine.
Snowman,
You are amazing w/ such analyses of details.
Thanls, I will look at mine.
Well, this is our 4th RV and I keep learning new ways that the companies cut corners. :/
The TL has a lot of good stuff but to get it into the second decade we are going to have to pay attention to some of the cut corners. Most of which involve poorly protected filon. I'm coming to hate the word filon.
![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
My 90 degree silicons caulk just ooed down the inside of the two existing
If you think of a simple everyday item to plug them, let us know. holes
You should be able to adjust the top lockset latch by simply bending it slightly. If you think you are adding too much stress on the door, then unscrew it and bend it off the rig.
Your door system is extremely common in the RV industry. You'd have to spend really big money on a high-end rig to get a better door system. Most of us are in your boat, me included. Fortunately I have not yet had any such trouble. I did adjust my latches so my two sealed/gasketed doors require a bit of a push at the lock with my other hand while turning the key to assure the gasket makes good contact.
You got the right idea on drilling two new pin-holes at the bottom. But I would leave the side drain holes alone, allowing the inside of the door to breathe. If that is later determined a bad idea, then dab them with a little silicone caulk which is easy enough to do anytime, even during a trip.
2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow
Snowman9000 wrote:
...a two battery tray would not be hard for a welder to make and install. That's high on my list.
Our PC has an off-the-shelf 2 battery tray. I think you could easily order one, with or without drawer glides. If you want, I could get the manufactures name and maybe part number off mine which has latches and glides.
...a two battery tray would not be hard for a welder to make and install. That's high on my list.