Checklist and Procedure for Purchase and Delivery.

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Checklist for Pickup

COACH:

Outside

    1. Roof sealing – Climb on the roof and inspect seams, gaskets, and any other place where the roof material is cut or drilled. Check closely around air conditioner, vents, antenna, sewer vents, end-caps and side seams. No bubbles, nails or protruding screws! Check for rust spots near cut-away roof joint.
    2. Windows – Check closely around each window to make sure it has been properly aligned and sealed. A narrow gap between trim ring & frame is OK, but it should be nearly even all the way around.
    3. Cab & Entry Doors – Check the gasket for proper adhesion and coverage. Check from inside that it is flush against the door jamb. Check keys, lock & unlock. Check that screen door opens smoothly alone, locks to main door easily and does not have gaps to let mosquitoes in.
    4. Basement Compartments – Open and close each door, checking for alignment and gasketing. Lock & unlock. All hinges should be tight and secure, latches should hold the door tightly closed and be easy to open. Look for any signs of moisture that might indicate rain leakage. Gas cylinders used for keeping door open should be installed so as to not interfere with items stored. Check for protruding self-tapping screws.
    5. Utility Compartment -Where are the low point drains for the fresh water tank and water heater?
    6. Propane – Check the LPG compartment to verify that there is proper ventilation downward. There should be no possible way for propane to enter into the RV or any other compartment. Confirm that a leak test has been performed on tank, regulator and the complete system.
    7. House Batteries – Make sure the battery compartment is ventilated. Verify that battery cables are not rubbing.
    8. Paint & Siding – Sight down the sides for bumps and depressions. Check the paint finish. Check vinyl film to make sure it is free of air bubbles. Look closely where masking tape was used for paint graphics to make sure there is no over-spray. Check for surface smoothness (no indentations!), color variations in gel coat and paint and any place where paint coverage is marginal or paint bubbles.
    9. Tires and Wheels – Inspect tires (incl. spare) and wheels and check tire pressure. Ask for proper jacking points.
    10. Awnings and Step – Check operation of manual awning and automatic step.

Read more “Checklist and Procedure for Purchase and Delivery.”

Do You Need Solar?

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Terminology

Talking about solar and RV’s first is premature. Solar Panels (Photovoltaic Panels – PV’s) are a method of generating energy for storage. They are only one of a number of options to generate electricity with a RV.

We should understand energy first. There are three components regarding a RV.

  • Generation (production)
  • Usage (consumption)
  • Storage

Read more “Do You Need Solar?”

Propane Regulators:

VN Motorhomes

By Len Casella

How much LP flow do you need from the regulator?

An LP generator uses about 65,000 BTU/hr.; the Furnace about 35,000 BTU/hr.; Water Heater 12,000 BTU/hr. and Refrigerator 1,500 BTU/hr. for a total of less than 115,000 BTU/Hr. if all are running concurrently. All the regulators I listed below provide a minimum of 175,000 BTU/Hr.

The propane regulators installed on the Views and Navions have all been 2-Stage, 11” horizontal mounted propane regulators. Up though 2012, the regulators were supplied by Marshall-Excelsior and usually the model was a MEGR-290-1. These are no longer available. Some models of 2007-2010 Views and Navions may have two regulators. Probably those with the LP generator, parts documentation provided by Winnebago has improved over the years so some of the early data is not as complete. For the RVs with two regulators, one is the same part number as the regulator on the 2011 and 2012 Navions and Views, Winnebago Part Number 106150-06. The second regulator listed has a Winnebago Part number of 106150-05 and I cannot confirm the manufacture or model number for those. Winnebago switched to Fairview Regulators, specifically model FF-KIT7 in 2012, for some models made after Feb 2012. All models newer than that date have the Fairview regulator installed. The Winnebago Part Number for those is 182-108-02. Winnebago Outdoors lists part number 182-108-02 as a Fairview FF-KIT7. Fairview does not have that model on their inventory, they confirmed that the model designation is specific to Winnebago but it is a model GR-9959 regulator. Read more “Propane Regulators:”

Installing GC2 (Golf Cart 6 Volt) Batteries in Views and Navions

VN Motorhomes

Installing GC2 (Golf Cart 6 Volt) Batteries in Views and Navions

  1. Disconnect batteries using disconnect switch
  2. Remove the ground Cable off the existing batteries.
  3. Remove the remaining cables
  4. Remove the Batteries
  5. You will need one of the short jumpers that went between the two batteries (red)

Installing new batteries: Read more “Installing GC2 (Golf Cart 6 Volt) Batteries in Views and Navions”

Solar Install

VN Motorhomes

By Bob Kelly 2019
Updated March 24, 2022

Solar Install

This kit from Amazon is a good start. It contains three panels, support feet, a through roof appliance with compression connections, wire from the panels to the controller, a controller, and wires from the controller to the batteries/inverter.

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocrystalline-Off-Grid-Controller-Connectors/dp/B015DFMTS2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2WKWXBKF1A1WF&keywords=renogy+300+watt+solar+panel+kit&qid=1567021822&s=gateway&sprefix=renogy+300+w%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-3

Read more “Solar Install”

Utilities for a RV

VN Motorhomes

By Bob Kelly

I realized that a RV is not a large SUV with more space.

I returned from a 6,800 mile trip that started in mid July 2019. I brought my nieces, who are new to RV’s, with me. There were a couple of things at the end of the trip, after 30 days of traveling, that provided insight as to why some new RV owners are timid/encounter problems with dry camping or boondocking. It was one of those AHA! moments. I’m sorry that I never saw the component before. Read more “Utilities for a RV”

Things to Do in Michigan

VN Motorhomes

By Scott Ellis 2018

I’ve been asked to list things to do in Michigan.  With any of these items listed you are encouraged to do your own research.  It is by no means a complete list of things to do in Michigan.

Keep in mind that the pronunciation of some of these places are Native American words spelled by the French and English. That’s why Mackinac is pronounced the same as Mackinaw.  Up North and Northern Michigan means the same thing.  Generally, it is north of Bay City and south of the Mackinac Bridge.  The Upper Peninsula is north of Northern Michigan.  Go figure.

The Lower Peninsula (LP) is shaped like a mitten.  Many references to places in Michigan (MI) use this guide, such as the Thumb area.  As kids we would place our left hand on a paper and trace it to make the outline of this half of the state.  Other abbreviations I use are: UP for the Upper Peninsula, SP for state park, NP for National Park and CG for campground. Read more “Things to Do in Michigan”