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

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Topic: B+ motorhomes

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 12/15/14 06:02am

quietjake wrote:

TP:

re: "I made supports for the jack-knife soft using 2" schedule 80 PVC and 2" to 4" schedule 80 PVC couplings. 2" PVC pipe is slotted to fit frame of the sofa. I have a 1/4" sheet of plywood the size of the table (fits under a dinette cushion) that I lay over the crack between the sofa and knocked down dinette. On top of that we put a throw."

I'd love to see photos illustrating that frame. I'm having troubles visualizing the application of the slotted PVC. Maybe I can cobble something suitable together. We did get a Coleman air mattress...while it was 'better' it really didn't serve out needs very well. Got the little 12V air pump, could have used that back about 50 years ago...

Sorry Quitejake, no pix, we're in Mission TX for the winter in our class A, the B+ is in storage in the soon to be white north. I'll try to describe, others have posted here before about supports.
Our jack-knife sofa has about a 1½ x 1½ angle frame at the ends of the seat. I bought 2 2" x 4" PVC reducing couplers for the base of the support and inserted a piece of 2" PVC pipe around 8-10" long. I cut a 1/4" slot about 2" into the pipe end away from the coupling to fit the frame angle. When we set up for the night, we slide the angle into the supports as we unfold the jack-knife. The couplings make a nice solid base for the supports.

'06 Phaeton 40' QSH
'14 Ford Flex SEL AWD Toad
'04 R-Vision Trail-Lite 213
Scottiemom's Pet or husband to Dale
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Posted By: Orion_42 on 12/15/14 06:16am

Gene in NE wrote:

Seems as though you have some good information, but I'm a little bothered by this link http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluego........29_230146_connector_update_fuel_pump.pdf as it does not include the Chevy 3500 express which many of us have. That does not mean it does not apply. I also am concerned as our 2002 has almost 50k miles and I have not changed the fuel filter. Sometimes I operate on the philosophy that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You may be right in that the poorly-designed connector may or may not be on our units (I'll try to see if I can get a visual above the tank sometime soon). But, the factors that stress the pump seem like they would contribute to pump failure regardless of the connector, namely the clogged fuel filter and and lack of cooling in a low-fuel tank.

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

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 12/15/14 09:06am

Ok where is the inline filter on a 3500 with a 6.0. Our mechanic couldn't find one other than in tank on our 2004, 213 B+

* This post was edited 12/15/14 08:02pm by Teacher's Pet *

Posted By: mstanis on 12/15/14 07:57pm

Follow up on the Trail Lite B Plus,

It looks like the water pump is leaking. I guess the gasket/seal dried up over the years. It still pressurizes the system. I'm heading back to frigid IL, so I need to winterize in the next few days. I think I'll remove the pump when completed and look at it during the winter,

I put a plastic container under the pump for now:

Thanks all!

2001 Trail-Lite B-Plus 211 w/ 5.7L Chevy

Posted By: Orion_42 on 12/16/14 10:55am

Teacher's Pet wrote:

Ok where is the inline filter on a 3500 with a 6.0. Our mechanic couldn't find one other than in tank on our 2004, 213 B+

I looked under my 2001 Chevy 5.7L 3500 and found it above the rear tranny support crossmember, driver's side, in a snap-in bracket. The number on the filter there was "15778"

Posted By: quietjake on 12/16/14 10:11pm

re: ", we slide the angle into the supports as we unfold the jack-knife. The couplings make a nice solid base for the supports. "

.....sound of one hand smacking forehead....!!! Thanks, that may give me workable ideas.

Posted By: quietjake on 12/20/14 11:45am

TP: re: "When we set up for the night, we slide the angle into the supports as we unfold the jack-knife. The couplings make a nice solid base for the supports. "

thanks for the excellent description!!!

I have since fabricated a version that seems to be doing the job.

Don't know why ~I~ didn't consider this design in my unbounded dithering the last 12 months or so....I was trying to cobble a serviceable ledger-support along the edge of the dinette seat pods. Never came up with suitable hardware.

This simply pylon design is very promising, and we're planning a trip soon to visit the Oregon Coast whale migration watch.

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to ALL!!!!

Posted By: Teacher's Pet on 12/20/14 12:07pm

Make sure the angle sits on top of the end of the PVC pipe, instead of bottoming out in the slot, spread out the weight.

Posted By: quietjake on 12/21/14 08:14pm

Teacher's Pet wrote:

Make sure the angle sits on top of the end of the PVC pipe, instead of bottoming out in the slot, spread out the weight.

I had dithered about that a bit.

Finally as a trial test, I applied a conventional hose clamp around the bottom of the slot as strengthener.

I've still got enough of my 4' pipe to build more pylons if needed.

Amazing how much difference just an inch or so makes in the comfort level.

I've yet to actually sleep on it but laying there is improved.

Also, before last camp trip I removed the 3/4 plywood trim-cushion keep on the lower back/bottom of the dinette, as it jutted upward too far especially where the sofa-tongue hung down prior to this marvelous engineering.

Whale watch trip is less than 2 weeks away also.

Posted By: 2wheelluge on 12/31/14 08:41pm

Before we ripped out the jack knife on our 213, we used self-inflating REI camping mats on top and never felt the ripples. However, we got tired of crawling over each other to get to the bathroom, and there was no place for a third person.

I'd like to post some pix of my interior rehab project. What's the best external site to use for a link up?

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

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