SJ-Chris
San Jose, Ca
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quasimatter wrote:SJ-Chris wrote:
When installing a 2nd battery: I'm surprised that the 28as only have one coach battery. Adding a 2nd battery to double capacity seemed like a no-brainer. I put it in the small, otherwise pretty useless compartment on the driver's side near the rear (this is on a 28a Majestic). I drilled holes for ventilation in the compartment. I purchased these 20' long super heavy duty jumper cables and then I cut off the ends and crimped on some connectors. I ran the cables under the coach and it was pretty easy to zip-tie it up along the way.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FZWBKNZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(~$35 which was a cheap solution for thick wires).
and this crimper:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V6V7XZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and these connectors:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083QC122B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also used one of these trays ($9) that I bolted down so I could strap the battery in place:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3ALEQM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
-Chris
Hi Chris - a quick question on above 2nd battery installation. I think the second rear compartment on driver side is ideal for second battery. However, I was wondering if you re-enforced it with something as it seems to be plastic. Would it hold weight of the battery (especially going over bumpy roads)?
Anyone else have done a second battery in 28A? What location did you use to put battery?
I looked at whether or not reinforcement was needed. I AM NOT AN EXPERT, but to me it looked to be well secured to the RV. You will need to judge for yourself. I did have another RV a couple of years ago and on that one I added some metal plumber strapping. Like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4-in-x-25-ft-28-Gauge-Galvanized-Pipe-Hanger-Strap-33530/301505501?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-301505501-_-N&
It made me feel better even though it was probably an overkill.
I don't think I will need a 3rd or 4th battery, but I have thought that if it was needed it could possibly be put in the passenger side front compartment. I'd use these bolted down to help hold them in place:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3ALEQM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You need to make sure you have proper venting in any compartment so that you don't get battery gas/vapor building up during charging. I'm told you want holes for venting at the top AND near the bottom of the compartment.
Good luck!
Chris
San Jose, CA
Own two 2015 Thor Majestic 28a Class C RVs
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quasimatter
East Bay, SF, CA
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Joined: 11/14/2020
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SJ-Chris wrote:
I looked at whether or not reinforcement was needed. I AM NOT AN EXPERT, but to me it looked to be well secured to the RV. You will need to judge for yourself. I did have another RV a couple of years ago and on that one I added some metal plumber strapping. Like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4-in-x-25-ft-28-Gauge-Galvanized-Pipe-Hanger-Strap-33530/301505501?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-301505501-_-N&
It made me feel better even though it was probably an overkill.
Chris
This is an awesome idea and easily implemented. Thanks!!
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Floridastorm
Orlando
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For those folks that have bought a 19G unit from Cruise America how do you like it? Does it afford enough room for two senior citizen adults. Most of the time I don't believe we would be using RV Parks as we normally like AIRbnb properties. Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
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TwistedGray
Monterey Bay, CA
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Joined: 11/16/2020
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Floridastorm wrote:For those folks that have bought a 19G unit from Cruise America how do you like it? Does it afford enough room for two senior citizen adults. Most of the time I don't believe we would be using RV Parks as we normally like AIRbnb properties. Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
Q. How do you like it?
A. First thing you oughta do is go back and read through some pages in this thread (if you haven't)...nothing but happy campers, I'd say. I don't recall seeing a post from someone who regrets their purchase of a 19G from Cruise America.
Q. Enough room for two?
A. Short answer - yes. Have you been in a 19G? If not, go inside one with your spouse and see how easily you two can get into and out of the over the cab bed. Don't they have a location local to you?
Q. (not a question) Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
A. Here's where you lost me. If you are just going to stay in an AirBnb and not a campground then what's the point? Or are you saying that your AirBnb locations would be so far apart that you need something to sleep in in the interim as you drive between separated AirBnbs?
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Floridastorm
Orlando
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TwistedGray wrote:Floridastorm wrote:For those folks that have bought a 19G unit from Cruise America how do you like it? Does it afford enough room for two senior citizen adults. Most of the time I don't believe we would be using RV Parks as we normally like AIRbnb properties. Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
Q. How do you like it?
A. First thing you oughta do is go back and read through some pages in this thread (if you haven't)...nothing but happy campers, I'd say. I don't recall seeing a post from someone who regrets their purchase of a 19G from Cruise America.
Q. Enough room for two?
A. Short answer - yes. Have you been in a 19G? If not, go inside one with your spouse and see how easily you two can get into and out of the over the cab bed. Don't they have a location local to you?
Q. (not a question) Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
A. Here's where you lost me. If you are just going to stay in an AirBnb and not a campground then what's the point? Or are you saying that your AirBnb locations would be so far apart that you need something to sleep in in the interim as you drive between separated AirBnbs?
Thanks for the response. Yes, I have read over this thread a couple of times. However, just wanted more assurance from folks that may have bought the 19G specifically and what their pros and cons were for that unit. Just this week we stopped in at the CA Orlando facility, looked through the 19G, 23A, and 28A, and spoke at length with Jason who is the sales manager. We are most interested in the 19G due to its small size and subsequent maneuverability and also it seems to fit us quite well. Being very senior citizens I want to be able to park and travis areas where a larger unit would be a difficulty. We are not like most RV people. Really not into the RV lifestyle such as boon docking, RV parks, rallies, etc. Our purpose for a motor home is to get us from point A to point B comfortably and to be able to explore comfortably when we get to point B. For the last few years we have stayed in AIRbnb's and will continue to do so even with a motor home. The difference in expense is not really that great with decent RV parks now approaching the price of some hotels. I guess just different strokes for different folks.
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TwistedGray
Monterey Bay, CA
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Floridastorm wrote:
Thanks for the response. Yes, I have read over this thread a couple of times. However, just wanted more assurance from folks that may have bought the 19G specifically and what their pros and cons were for that unit. Just this week we stopped in at the CA Orlando facility, looked through the 19G, 23A, and 28A, and spoke at length with Jason who is the sales manager. We are most interested in the 19G due to its small size and subsequent maneuverability and also it seems to fit us quite well. Being very senior citizens I want to be able to park and travis areas where a larger unit would be a difficulty. We are not like most RV people. Really not into the RV lifestyle such as boon docking, RV parks, rallies, etc. Our purpose for a motor home is to get us from point A to point B comfortably and to be able to explore comfortably when we get to point B. For the last few years we have stayed in AIRbnb's and will continue to do so even with a motor home. The difference in expense is not really that great with decent RV parks now approaching the price of some hotels. I guess just different strokes for different folks.
Where will you stay during these jaunts between A -> B? All of the places you're not really interested in? Do you just want the extra headspace and lounge areas? If so, perhaps a converted Sprinter van might suite you needs better. Have you thought about that? Or do you want all the amenities even though you'll use them sparingly?
As far as the 19G is concerned, it is small but it is also kinda a perfect size for a couple (plus an animal or two or a child if you're into that). I can see it getting crowded quickly with more than that for longer than a few days.
It has everything you would need between your Points A / B (shitter, shower, stove, bed, fridge (aka cooler, ...).
I'd say one of the things I'm not thrilled about is that the grey water tank is NOT independent of the black water tank (at least on newer ones) meaning if you need to dump one you have to dump the other. I'd prefer to dump independently.
Another thing I'd like to change is allowing you to run outlets without the generator running. Kinda annoying to wake up and decide if it's too early to run it to make tea/coffee...don't wanna ruin people's camping trip by being woken by my generator running for 5min because I'm jonesing for a hot tea.
Move space on the stove top would be nice and better controls on the burner. It seems the left is LO and the right is HI. It doesn't seem you can run either on hi or low.
A second duct for the heater could improve it, too. Running it in the sleeping area would be nice, but with insulation on the windows, a cover on the front glass, a comforter and a quilt, we get hot (in sub-40° temps) under the blankets. In fact, I was sweaty last night, and the ambient temperature in the 19G was 53-55°.
Better storage design for the areas that are not in use such as the seat next to the door. There's nothing under it, but you don't have access to that area without some cutting. There's no under seat space for one dinette seat, but the other side has about 40% space for odds and ends. There's no easy way to access it without modifications.
That's all I can think of now...
My cat is on my lap, we're under the blankets, and my wife is reading a book as we sit sprawled out on the dinette bed. No complaints!!
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SkiMore
West
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Joined: 05/30/2013
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TwistedGray wrote:Floridastorm wrote:
Thanks for the response. Yes, I have read over this thread a couple of times. However, just wanted more assurance from folks that may have bought the 19G specifically and what their pros and cons were for that unit. Just this week we stopped in at the CA Orlando facility, looked through the 19G, 23A, and 28A, and spoke at length with Jason who is the sales manager. We are most interested in the 19G due to its small size and subsequent maneuverability and also it seems to fit us quite well. Being very senior citizens I want to be able to park and travis areas where a larger unit would be a difficulty. We are not like most RV people. Really not into the RV lifestyle such as boon docking, RV parks, rallies, etc. Our purpose for a motor home is to get us from point A to point B comfortably and to be able to explore comfortably when we get to point B. For the last few years we have stayed in AIRbnb's and will continue to do so even with a motor home. The difference in expense is not really that great with decent RV parks now approaching the price of some hotels. I guess just different strokes for different folks.
Where will you stay during these jaunts between A -> B? All of the places you're not really interested in? Do you just want the extra headspace and lounge areas? If so, perhaps a converted Sprinter van might suite you needs better. Have you thought about that? Or do you want all the amenities even though you'll use them sparingly?
As far as the 19G is concerned, it is small but it is also kinda a perfect size for a couple (plus an animal or two or a child if you're into that). I can see it getting crowded quickly with more than that for longer than a few days.
It has everything you would need between your Points A / B (shitter, shower, stove, bed, fridge (aka cooler, ...).
I'd say one of the things I'm not thrilled about is that the grey water tank is NOT independent of the black water tank (at least on newer ones) meaning if you need to dump one you have to dump the other. I'd prefer to dump independently.
Another thing I'd like to change is allowing you to run outlets without the generator running. Kinda annoying to wake up and decide if it's too early to run it to make tea/coffee...don't wanna ruin people's camping trip by being woken by my generator running for 5min because I'm jonesing for a hot tea.
Move space on the stove top would be nice and better controls on the burner. It seems the left is LO and the right is HI. It doesn't seem you can run either on hi or low.
A second duct for the heater could improve it, too. Running it in the sleeping area would be nice, but with insulation on the windows, a cover on the front glass, a comforter and a quilt, we get hot (in sub-40° temps) under the blankets. In fact, I was sweaty last night, and the ambient temperature in the 19G was 53-55°.
Better storage design for the areas that are not in use such as the seat next to the door. There's nothing under it, but you don't have access to that area without some cutting. There's no under seat space for one dinette seat, but the other side has about 40% space for odds and ends. There's no easy way to access it without modifications.
That's all I can think of now...
My cat is on my lap, we're under the blankets, and my wife is reading a book as we sit sprawled out on the dinette bed. No complaints!!
We had a quick look at the 19G a few years ago and thought the loft bed area was pretty small. Are you sleeping up there or in the dinette?
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TwistedGray
Monterey Bay, CA
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SkiMore wrote:
We had a quick look at the 19G a few years ago and thought the loft bed area was pretty small. Are you sleeping up there or in the dinette?
The loft bed is a queen size bed, so plenty of space.
We slept in the loft bed area just fine with a 4 inch mattress topper. There is plenty of room to get comfortable without feeling tooooooooo claustrophobic even with removing four inches of height in lieu of comfort. We are only up there to sleep...if we just want to lay and lounge, the dinette serves that purpose.
In the summer we'll probably split it (wife up top and me on the dinette) just to stretch out more and to not get too hot.
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TwistedGray
Monterey Bay, CA
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One of the pet peeves that I have with the 19G bathroom sink is that it leaves very little room to get under the faucet with your hands.
It would be nice if the spout sat further out and/or higher up or the basin was deeper and had a similar shape to the kitchen sink. I assume it'll be easier to replace the faucet, but considering that the shower head is mounted to the faucet system, I am not sure.
That is going to annoy me though, so something has to change there.
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Floridastorm
Orlando
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Floridastorm wrote:TwistedGray wrote:Floridastorm wrote:For those folks that have bought a 19G unit from Cruise America how do you like it? Does it afford enough room for two senior citizen adults. Most of the time I don't believe we would be using RV Parks as we normally like AIRbnb properties. Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
Q. How do you like it?
A. First thing you oughta do is go back and read through some pages in this thread (if you haven't)...nothing but happy campers, I'd say. I don't recall seeing a post from someone who regrets their purchase of a 19G from Cruise America.
Q. Enough room for two?
A. Short answer - yes. Have you been in a 19G? If not, go inside one with your spouse and see how easily you two can get into and out of the over the cab bed. Don't they have a location local to you?
Q. (not a question) Just interested in using the 19G traveling to and from and exploring wherever we land in comfort.
A. Here's where you lost me. If you are just going to stay in an AirBnb and not a campground then what's the point? Or are you saying that your AirBnb locations would be so far apart that you need something to sleep in in the interim as you drive between separated AirBnbs?
Thanks for the response. Yes, I have read over this thread a couple of times. However, just wanted more assurance from folks that may have bought the 19G specifically and what their pros and cons were for that unit. Just this week we stopped in at the CA Orlando facility, looked through the 19G, 23A, and 28A, and spoke at length with Jason who is the sales manager. We are most interested in the 19G due to its small size and subsequent maneuverability and also it seems to fit us quite well. Being very senior citizens I want to be able to park and travis areas where a larger unit would be a difficulty. We are not like most RV people. Really not into the RV lifestyle such as boon docking, RV parks, rallies, etc. Our purpose for a motor home is to get us from point A to point B comfortably and to be able to explore comfortably when we get to point B. For the last few years we have stayed in AIRbnb's and will continue to do so even with a motor home. The difference in expense is not really that great with decent RV parks now approaching the price of some hotels. I guess just different strokes for different folks.
Appreciate the response and information Twisted Gray
Let me explain a little more in detail. We are both Senior Citizens, 80 and 72. For the last few years we've been driving our SUV to various destinations and en-route staying in Hampton Inns. At our destinations we usually stay in AIRbnb properties for up to a week. As we get older it becomes more difficult to drive long distances in a car(SUV)having to stop every so often for bathroom breaks, food, and resting. The same difficulties entail when we get to our destination and having to use our car to get around. With a small motor home we can drive to our destinations and explore at our destinations in comfort. Still staying overnight at Hampton Inns and AIRbnb's will maximize our comfort over staying in an RV Park at night. No hooking up, unhooking, leveling, dumping the black tank a lot, lack of Wi Fi and TV, and putting up with typical noise to include rug rats and animals in RV Parks. If we did stay in RV Parks it would have to be in the higher end parks or adult only parks where the price would approach that of Hampton Inn and AIRbnb properties. I don't mean to sound officious. When you get to be my age you are not much interested in going along to get along. Only what's best for yourself and your partner.
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