Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Class C Motorhomes: B+ motorhomes

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Topic: B+ motorhomes

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 11/15/13 03:37am

We also use the FW tank water for everything in our 213 .. even though the shower makes a much better closet than anything else. Especially true, if the showers aren't up to ours standards of cleanliness and we check every-time. But that said, I took to filling about 2-3" from the top of the tank on our Alaska trip, by visually checking the tank level.

'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

Posted By: Snowman9000 on 11/16/13 05:05am

We are on a trip right now, using SPs. I prefer to not have the FW hose hooked up. That makes it easier to get up and go to town. So we use the FW tank for everything. I am filling it from hoses with unknown rates, so we just fill it and use it. You'd think it'd be okay to fill the tank. But no! [emoticon]

Currently RV-less but not done yet.

Posted By: quietjake on 11/17/13 06:57pm

Well so far we've had no FW tank dribbles. I filled the tank for our first outing in spring 2013 and it remained 'full enough' until drained for winter.....the process which, by the way, at the RV service center, took way too long even using the tekkies pump gizmo.

Even the tekkie got tired of waiting, we ended with these drains open:

1) main low point tank drain;
2) hot water drain plug pulled;
3) bath AND kitchen taps open with RV pump activated;
4) the tekkie pump was attached to #2.

It still was draining after about 30 minutes, but we finally got it done.

I really love driving this unit on the road. It rides better than my pick up and is just as comfy as anything we drive. Plus I can work in a nap or a sandwich....although Old Blister....er, my Sweet Bride.....has yet to give a try at driving herself.

Posted By: Snowman9000 on 11/17/13 07:15pm

The drain for the FW tank is a teeny valve. It takes a long time to drain. I tried to fit a bigger something into the space available but it would not fit. The alternative, which I mean to get around to, is to just plumb a line without a valve down to the underside, and put a removable cap on it, like trailers typically have.

Posted By: Gene in NE on 11/17/13 09:44pm

quietjake - Draining the Fresh Water tank takes pre-planning on these units. If you remember to open the drain the night before - the tank will be empty in the morning. In those cases where I wanted to hurry up the process, an electric leaf blower can be used to blow into the gravity fill connection. I usually use the blower to dry out the FW tank.

I purchased one of those 3 way valves from Camping World and inserted it between the pump and the tank to use for sucking in the pink RV antifreeze into the water lines -

Our RV drives about like a 1 ton dually pickup. And...contrary to some others - is spooky quiet on those "blacktop" highways. Did spend some time in the back while my wife drove the unit looking for rattles or noise. Leg supporting the dinette table, support legs under couch, convection oven internals, lid on the gas stove and burner grates were some of the culprets. We do not have china in the cabinets - use plastic cups and plates. Bubble wrap in the utensil drawer solved another problem.

My wife loves driving ours.

2002 Trail-Lite Model 211-S w/5.7 Chevy (click View Profile)
Gene

Posted By: quietjake on 11/21/13 11:28am

appreciate the ideas gents, for sure will do the 'previous WEEK' drain approach next time

despite Old Blister/Sweet Bride's verbal assurances of intent, now 6+ months post purchase she STILL avoids the initial 'First Driver Moment'. I'm sure she can do it fine, but as the grand daughter of Irish immigrants, she remains a woman of Strong Opinion....

I did solve a large noise component from the stove top cook rack but installing a prefab cutting board designed with special grooved rubber mounting feet on the rack.

Our last outing, I was totally surprised by a sudden LOUD harsh rumbling noise, coinciding with driving across a new overpass section. By the time I interpreted the noise as related to tires/concrete surface, we crossed onto the old surface, and immediate quiet returned.

The RV is amazingly (mostly) quiet on good asphalt. Most any county or state highway, as well as concrete freeways, are very satisfactory. Some of the smaller county or city streets cause a LOT of general small-item noise.

I made the trip to a tekkie consult on the TV reception. He fiddled with some remote buttons, and found a tiny switch on the antenna plug connecter, and found a way to load a zillion (OK, maybe about 20) stations. Said it would likely have to be done each time/location. Came home. Turned on. Zippo blue screen/no signal again.

Have been too busy to do what he showed me, but will get around to it soon. Did find the amazingly well hidden external cable connector.

We are finally in the hard-frost/around freezing temp first time this season.

Wondering whether others have used such as small electric space heater on low for humidity control?

Posted By: 2wheelluge on 11/23/13 06:05am

Happy winter from Minnesota! Supposed to get below zero here tonight.

We've had our 213 for a season and found it easier to fill the tank and work out of that than hook up a fresh water hose at the campground. Then all we have to do is unplug the power cord and toddle off. When we fill at home, we put soft water in the tank and we live in the lap of luxury. [emoticon]

I haven't noticed any leaking inside, but I'll pay more attention now.

I can understand someone being reticent about trying to drive this the first time. But once one gets the maiden voyage out of the way, these things are a breeze to drive. My wife is sitting here and says, "go for it!" She loves driving ours. One of the reasons we went from a TT to small MH is that she didn't like driving our hookup. She also likes to take the rig and the dog and go off by herself for a couple of days if I have to work.

The size and maneuverability of these rigs is what makes them so great.

Dennis Siemsen
Cresco, Iowa
2007 Holiday Rambler Augusta 213 B+

Posted By: burlmart on 11/29/13 09:31am

I was wondering what material (plywood, pressboard, sheetrock...) the the vertical flanking panel behing each cab seat that cover the gap between the coach and the cab. Ours are green, vinyl covered, somewhat padded, and have big vinyl buttons covering screws.

Thinking about a small full motion mount for 19" TV behind passenger seat so I can see it up close sitting on sofa.

2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 11/29/13 02:06pm

It appeared to be press-board/heavy cardboard when I removed it to run some cable in our 2004, 213.

Posted By: Orion_42 on 11/29/13 02:57pm

Burlmart, I had done what you're doing and showed some pics behind that panel where there is a solid mounting point to mount a larger piece of plywood to create a solid support. Is starts on page 233 of this thread with a post from 11/25/09 11:28pm. Hope it helps.

----------------------
2001 Trail Lite B+ 211

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