Mechanical Drama

Full time RVing isn't for everybody. Homes on wheels have the same issues to deal with as homes on foundations. Plumbing, furnace, water heater, air conditioner, drafts and leaks around doors, windows and roofs. Plus issues having to do with the wheels and associated suspension, engine, transmission, etc.

Before we weighed anchor from Ash Meadows the RV battery bank was (over) due for service. The water level was alarmingly low. After adding a half gallon each to both batteries the plates were still high and dry. Almost another full gallon later all cells were finally flooded. They'd apparently boiled dry. My dang. I didn't expect 5-year old batteries to recover. But they did. They don't hold full charge anymore. But they got us up the road for 2+ weeks of spring migration north last month. I see new batteries in the RV's future. But that expense's at least punted down the calendar for now.

Car Hauler

When Loretta and I started traveling together we had a problem to solve. Between motorhome, camper, car, truck and motorcycle we had 18 wheels! LOL

Sharing the more accommodating 25' motorhome was a no brainer. So I parked the 19' Scamp and stored the motorcycle, which helped. But added to our fleet was a 13' Scamp. Still, 16 wheels. (shrug)

The car couldn't be towed by the motorhome so we rented a car hauler. We trailered the car behind the truck and hitched the little Scamp to the motorhome.

Trailer Lights

Two years ago I built a car hauler. As far as road manners go it's been one of the most well behaved trailers I've ever had. What hasn't worked so well were the tail lights. They were the typical off-the-shelf product just like these.

The problem was: they weren't reliable. The bayonet bulb holders didn't maintain good contact. I had to remove the lens to fuss with one/both bulbs at least once every trip it seemed. So I replaced both with LED versions. Hopefully they will prove more durable. Time will tell. They're brighter, regardless. So it's already a value add.

Maxx Fan

One requirement for lil' yeti's makeover was fresh air. The Scamp originally had a ceiling vent. It was actually pretty neat technology in some ways. I just wasn't satisfied with how it was installed. Roof integrity was compromised by the old vent. The roof had actually sunk enough around the old vent to leak water inside when it rained. Unacceptable.

I removed the old vent in 2015 while summering in the precipitous White Mountains of NH. The roof hole was patched over. During the patch the ceiling was propped up and reinforced with extra fiberglass inside to correct and maintain proper shell geometry. Leak begone, permanently!

Propane System

Lil' yeti already had hardware for securing twin LP tanks on its tongue.

While adequate for its task, I wasn't satisfied. The sheet metal base was just flexible enough. Amplified leverage of the tall center rod let the tanks rock fore-aft in their base. Four sheet metal screws didn't seem durable enough to me. Sometimes rough road vibrations worked loose the clamp bracket on top under the big wing nut. Didn't loosen up a lot. Just enough to bug me.