Catching up from Thanksgiving! November 27, 2007, 09:58:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86410Hey Friends! I'm just bursting with things to share with you all that I don't know where to start - hope everyone had a great holiday.Camille, we must hear more! Pictures too, please! Denise and Pat- congratulations! All these new LD'ers are such great fun! The world just OPENS with an LD at hand. Andy, my parents were excited to get your Eureka! CD today as part of their Christmas present from me. Thanks so much! Even though they have an SOB, I think they'll get a ton of info from it. (Patting myself on the back for a good gift idea and shameless plug for Andy: http://www.andybaird.com/travels/eureka/index.htm )My other Christmas present for my parents is a year's membership in Passport America. We just happened to get a free year in the gift, but I think they'll really use it and save money. We used our membership for the first time this past weekend and almost paid for the year with the savings. Went camping over Thanksgiving and it was NASTY weather. We are not prepared for cold camping in Colorado yet, for sure. The dripping of the condensation from all windows, shower skylight, etc means I'd better perk up and learn about window insulation. I take back any nice things I said about my single-pane windows. Will figure it out with your good advice.Lia, my youngest, thought it was fun to lock the bathroom door from the outside and when we attempted to twist the coin slot to open it, the black plastic piece inside broke off - we had to remove the door hinges to open it! Will be emailing the Mothership for parts.Did you guys see our own wonderful Baja Barbara Allen's picture on the net??? Thanks for posting your Baja advice, Barbara! You've got so much great experience that can help. Here's Barbara's cute picture: Page 9: http://www.discoverbaja.com/images/pdf/DBNewsletter_nov07.pdf>I'm still working on your surprise, complete with a GAME for you competitive guys. I got in my RALLY 2008 official info!!! It's so exciting! Perry, GA -March 14-17th. I don't want to hear any crying and gnashing of teeth when I come back with grand stories about the acres of vendors and new RV products. Come join us! http://www.therally.comWhat are you Baja LD Caravan people up to? Are you having planning meetings and scheming and dreaming? Please share so we can at least live vicariously.Will post separate entries soon on some Ciao Baby improvements and pictures and a brewing idea…Missed you all,Tessa in TX '92 MB- Ciao Baby!
Re: Catching up from Thanksgiving! Reply #1 – November 27, 2007, 11:22:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86418--- "teresadhill" wrote: QuoteWent camping over Thanksgiving and it was NASTY weather. We are not prepared for cold camping in Colorado yet, for sure. The dripping of the condensation from all windows, shower skylight, etc means I'd better perk up and learn about window insulation. Tessa, I know there've been many discussions about cold weather camping here, but the only notes I kept on the topic was this link: http://www.gaidus.com/rvtrips/tips.asp?Topic=RV%20Modifications&Pri=7I always wondered how that window film worked through the years. Maybe Herb will read this and let us know how it held up.Andrew 1999 23.5' TK, SF Bay Area
Re: Winterizing (was: Catching up from Thanksgiving!) Reply #2 – November 27, 2007, 11:57:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86419Thanks, Andrew and Kate! Hey, do you know if I can buy from the Mothership the window panels that Herb mentions?panels that were secured by snap pins and Velcro.>>I see them
Re: Catching up from Thanksgiving!- cold weather solutions Reply #3 – November 28, 2007, 01:57:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 86423"I always wondered how that window film worked through the years."I have used the shrink film in home applications and while it worked fine, it is not totally clear and is not pleasant to look through. It is only good for a season or two before it starts to fall apart or it pulls off of the frame. If I was regularly camping in very cold conditions, with single pane windows, I would be tempted to cut 1/16" or 1/8" pieces of Plexiglas to fit all of the windows and attach it to the frames with sticky-back Velcro, so they could be removed in warmer weather. Our 2003 LD has dual pane windows and they are a big improvement. In out 1983 LD, I removed the front cab over window curtains and used the material to cover two pieces of 1" thick foam board that were cut to fit inside the front window frame. On the outside of the foam, I glued aluminum foil, providing a lightproof insulative layer. If I were to do this again, I would cover the foam with white nagahyde, cut oversized to cover the window frame to help prevent the condensation that forms on the cold aluminum. Velcro could be used to hold it to the frame. LD sells insulated window covers for the side windows in the overhead bunk. I used a pair of them in our 2003 LD. On the outside of the covers I added a layer of multi-layered insulative material made by Warm Windows. Once again it made them warmer and lightproof. http://www.warmcompany.com/wwpage.html> The stuff is sold at JoAnns or online. A couple a days ago I posted on how to insulate the escape hatch with closed cell foam. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602104741565/> Add the nagahyde cover and you are set for hot or cold weather.To seal the front cab from the rear of the MH, I bought 12' of 60" wide white polyester fleece to fit across the opening. I use the extra length to go around the flip-up center section of the bunk. It falls to the floor and is long enough to go around the front of the drivers and passenger seats, providing extra accessible storage inside of the heated area. I need to post a photo of this. It makes a great comforter for two when not used to cover the opening.I wrapped the sump valves with heated 120 VAC tape and covered them with foam tape. After thinking about it for a while, I added a section set of dumps valves, both located at the outlets of the holding tank. In cold weather, I close the second valves and opened the original valves, draining the lines so there is nothing to freeze. It's a simpler and fail proof way of keeping the dump vales and lines from freezing and eliminates the need for heated tape http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602095133892/>Larry Nursing a new cold, how appropriate
Re: Catching up from Thanksgiving! Reply #4 – November 28, 2007, 06:52:11 am Yahoo Message Number: 86425Hello All, If you can apply the window film evenly, using the double faced tape, and then remove wrinkles with a hair dryer - the window film looks pretty good. However, it IS always visible, and although I kept it on the rear window for 1 full year - I now only apply it at the start of a winter camping season, and remove it in the spring. (I kept it on the Kitchen and Side Door for a couple years so it's probably pretty durable if you don't mind the the slight distortion.It does do a great job of insulating the windows. You have clear windows without condensation in temperatures down to the single digits. And except for the labor involved, it's a pretty cheap solution.If I were doing a lot more winter camping with single pane glass I would reconsider fabricating a plexiglass window cover. I did this for the bathroom window (where it's easily removable), and at the base of the shower skylight, (where it's been pretty much permanently in place for 5 years). The only challenges I saw at the time were that getting a correctly sized piece of plexiglass is neither cheap, nor easy to cut accurately. And it seemed somewhat problematic to mount with the stock valences in place. On another topic, I'm halfway through the replacement of my generator mounting box. If anyone else has winter camped with a '99 mid-bath or similar vintage rig with the old style, non-galvanized steel generator box, it might be prudent to check it for rust. An on-board derusting and POR-15 painting repair would be far preferable to what I'm going through now. I'll try to post details when I'm complete.Safe travels,Herb
Re: Winterizing (was: Catching up from Thanksgiving!) Reply #5 – November 28, 2007, 10:41:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 86434--- "teresadhill" wrote: QuoteHey, do you know if I can buy from the Mothership the window panels that Herb mentions? Tessa, I think there are 2 parts to Herb's window insulation treatment. The first he made himself from "pink Styrofoam stuff that is sold at Home Depot for this purpose". The second is the Naugahyde covers sold by LD.I thought I had read about someone using Reflectix insulation on windows & vents, but I didn't keep a msg# for that post. I've considered either using this for the cabover bed windows or Andy's setup (which is more attractive, but more labor-intensive).Andrew 1999 23.5' TK, SF Bay Area
Re: Catching up from Thanksgiving! Reply #6 – November 28, 2007, 12:27:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86440Ken, thanks for the good info on the padded covers. That mystery box is an official "ankle-buster". Everyone needs one! Seriously, it is the controller for HWH levelers. It was bolted to the floor by the driver's seat when I bought Ciao Baby and is constantly in the way. I unbolted it so that it can swing to in front of the refrigerator cabinet, so I can swivel the cab seats. I don't know where else to put it.I had all the hydraulic lines re-run (leaking- did you know you're not supposed to use "hydraulic jack fluid" in your HWH hydraulic jacks -yes it says so in the manual. Who knew? Now I know) this summer by a big-truck guy and he put these enormous lines in that "will never leak" and of course, then he had problems fitting all the big lines in the box itself and through the door () and I had to rig washers under the top screws for the electronics to work right (this is after I had to return to the shop because the leveler controls were criss-crossed) so I just deal with the box now. Suggestions welcome on where to move it! I sure do love those levelers though.Larry, thanks so much for the winterizing info- will print, study, and make a plan. As for that awful cold you've got, we love Airborne (that was developed by the schoolteacher and available in any drugstore or grocery) as it really seems to shorten, if not completely prevent, an oncoming cold. Even skeptic Ned believes it works! Hope you feel better soon.Gary Allen, I love your "non-procedure". Safe delivery of BabyBlu next week. I think BB's owner chose well- your sense of humor and skill in handling the adventures was critical in its journey home.Herb, thanks for the winterizing help. Your website, as I've told Lolo, was the first I'd heard of a Lazy Daze and here I am now. You're one of my heroes. What is POR-15? Is that a special rust- proofing paint? I might try that Plexiglas solution too.Hooray, Ruth! Thanks for sharing (you did great on your first post!) Tessa in TX '92 MB – Ciao Baby!
Re: Winterizing Reply #7 – November 28, 2007, 01:11:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86445"I thought I had read about someone using Reflectix insulation on windows & vents, but I didn't keep a msg# for that post. I've considered either using this for the cabover bed windows or Andy's setup (which is more attractive, but more labor-intensive)." Just as a reminder, the setup Andrew's talking about is explained here:http://www.andybaird.com/travels/gertie/bedroom.htm>It consists of placing Reflectix (bubble wrap/foil) inserts in all overcab windows, then adding 1" foam insulation panels to cover the overcab walls and windows, with double-layer quilted muslin fabric stretched over the foam panels for both looks and (minor) added insulation. As I recall, it took a little over half a day to do the whole job.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Winterizing Reply #8 – November 28, 2007, 03:02:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 86455--- "Andy Baird" wrote: QuoteJust as a reminder, the setup Andrew's talking about is explained here:As I recall, it took a little over half a day to do the whole job. Right, that's 4-5 "Andy-hours"...fully equipped with glue gun, proper shears, iron, etc. For us mere mortals it'll take twice the time and turn out half as good.Andrew 1999 23.5' TK, SF Bay Area
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