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Roof Rack
Yahoo Message Number: 19339
It seems I read here that recent (2003) 26.5 models come equipped with a roof rack.  Is this so?  And, if true, is a roof rack standard equipment or is it an option?  I just don't remember reading about it in any LD written material.
 I can't see a use for the roof rack right now....my main concern has to do with the replacement of the stock bathroom vent with a Fantastic Fan, one of the first modifications I intended to make.  Question is: Will the roof rack interfere in any way with the FFan installation? Is there a particular size fan that will fit better than another? Before asking LD to delete the Roof Rack, what else do I need to be aware of?
 OR, is my mind just turning to mush while my toes grow moss in still- sunny Washington? Lorna
2003 RB

Re: Roof Rack
Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 19342
Lorna,

The roof rack is a standard feature with your LD and I am quite certain that LD will not let you "delete" the rack. I don't think that it will interfere with your plans for the vent.

Mike

Re: Roof Rack
Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 19343
Lorna

I would wait on buying any type of fan or cover until delivery. This would give you a chance to measure things beforte buying.
I had wanted to install Turbomax fan or a Fantastic Fan with a MaxxAir Fanmate cover but the rack was so close to the vent that only the standard MaxxAir cover would fit (with the Fantastic Fan). It required trimming both the Fantastic's lid and the MaxxAir cover to fit. This is on a 23.5' Front Lounge.
I do not know what model you have ordered or where the fan opening is located. You may not have the problem that I did.
I'm not pleased with the Maxxair cover. It restricts the airflow, even on low speed. I removed the internal screen to improve the flow but it is still restricted. I had a Fantastic Fan on our old LD, without any cover, so maybe I'm spoiled.  I do like having a cover for all-weather operation of the fan. It is still a good idea.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Roof Rack/Fantastic Fan
Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 19344
Fantastic Fan fans,

Talked with a factory rep. recently regarding the, "Maxxaire problem". He said that in their tests it restricted the airflow about 48% from various causes. He suggested a simple, (no-cost) alternative.

1. Crack the fan cover about an inch or two.

2. Set the fan to: "Out" (exhaust).

3. Use speed #2 or higher.

Though this obviously will restrict the airflow but it will create a strong blast of air that will keep out the raindrops in all but very heavy rains. The fan cover fits down over a coaming that projects above the roof which also helps. Under dry conditions the fan remains unencumbered.

Jim Flint

Re: Roof Rack
Reply #4
Yahoo Message Number: 19346
Quote
I'm not pleased with the Maxxair cover. It restricts the airflow, even on low speed. I removed the internal screen to improve the flow but it is still restricted. I had a Fantastic Fan on our old LD,
Larry, mount the cover up higher off the roof, to improve airflow from underneath - you can add a lot of cross-sectional flow that way before raindrops bouncing or wind-driven find their way in.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

Re: Roof Rack
Reply #5
Yahoo Message Number: 19350
"mount the cover up higher off the roof, to improve airflow from underneath - you can add a lot of cross-sectional flow that way before raindrops bouncing or wind-driven find their way in"

Steve

That was a no-brainer. Thanks for the suggestion. Now all I have to do is cut even more of the vent off to fit around the rack.
See "Rear vent cover" at: http://photos.yahoo.com/lw5315us

LD mounted the rack just a little too close to the vent to make this an easy installation.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

water filler - was Re: Roof Rack
Reply #6
Yahoo Message Number: 19354
Larry,
 While looking at your pictures of the Maxxair Cover, I saw your water filler thing.  That is a great idea!  I'm going to make one just like it.  I have one of those clear plastic hose deals, and it always falls out while filling the tank.

Thanks for another great idea.

-Victor

water filler - was Re: Roof Rack
Reply #7
Yahoo Message Number: 19358
"While looking at your pictures of the Maxxair Cover, I saw your water filler thing."
 Water tank filler @      http://photos.yahoo.com/lw5315us

Victor The water tank inlet on our '83 LD was large enough to push the hose far enough into it to hold the hose in place. The new LD inlet is smaller and the hose will not fit. I bought one of the plastic fillers from CW. What a waste of money. It would either bend or fall out. The copper one works much better. The hose adaptor and copper fittings are all available at your local hardware store. It does require soldering. You could probably glue it together with epoxy.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: water filler - was Roof Rack
Reply #8
Yahoo Message Number: 19368
Larry, I looked at that also after reading Victor's comment and like the idea also. I think I have most of the parts needed to make one already.

I have one of those plastic fillers from CW and have experimented with it using a few methods including a longer tube to not have to hold it myself the whole time and not let the tube fall out or crimp the tube so it slows the flow down. I currently use a "high tech" method, a wire hanger bent out of normal shape and hang it from the kitchen window aluminum frame on my 26.5MB. I have it hold the filler at the hose connection and it works fine but your idea is much better and not hard to make at all.

Mike

water filler - was Re: Roof Rack
Reply #9
Yahoo Message Number: 19381
Quote
"While looking at your pictures of the Maxxair Cover, I saw your water filler thing."
 Water tank filler @      http://photos.yahoo.com/lw5315us
The hose adaptor and copper
 
Quote
fittings are all available at your local hardware store. It does require soldering. You could probably glue it together with epoxy.
Larry
Larry, even I might be able to handle making one of those -- would you mind posting a parts list? Thanks, Lorna
2003 RB

water filler - was Re: Roof Rack
Reply #10
Yahoo Message Number: 19383
"I might be able to handle making one of those -- would you mind posting a parts list?"

Lorna

The pieces are in this order.

1    Copper Female water hose fitting to 1/2" male threaded pipe 2    Copper 1/2" female threaded pipe to 1/2" copper pipe 3    2" X1/2" copper pipe 4    1/2" copper 45 degree copper pipe fitting 5    6" 1/2" copper pipe
 Before you go to buy the pieces, print the photo and take it with you to help match the pieces.
You should use a drinking water safe solder and flux when soldering.
Make sure to remove the rubber washer from the hose adaptor before soldering to prevent burning. Use teflon tape on the threaded pieces.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

water filler - was Re: Roof Rack
Reply #11
Yahoo Message Number: 19384
I found that the simple way to fill the water tank on my '95 front lounge was a pistol type hose nozzle. Get the kind that has threads on the front that is covered with a soft rubber cover. It fits snuggly in the tank filler and doesn't come out even with full water pressure. I find its handy because the shut off is right there at the tank, and I can go inside and watch the water level on the control panel.

Les Bowers

water filler question for Larry or?
Reply #12
Yahoo Message Number: 19394
I've noticed that the Factory has a "Fresh Water Tank Quick Fill" listed as available in their store.  It's inexpensive ($3.50) and I had it on my list as something to buy when I pick up our LD in a month or so.  However, after some of the recent discussion I'm beginning to wonder.  Has anybody tried it?  Is it the same as the plastic one from CW that someone mentioned earlier that bends and kinks?  At $3.50 it would be one of the cheapest accessories on my list, but if it doesn't work I might as well just pass and spend the money at Home Depot or Lowes buying the parts to make Larry's version.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Charles.

Re: water filler question for Larry or?
Reply #13
Yahoo Message Number: 19400
I've used it (or the CW one--it's a plastic tube with a hose fitting) for many years.  But I use a 90 degree hose adapter with it to take the hose weight off it.  Actually I hang a water filter off of the adapter with the hose on the filter just to keep sediment out of the tank.  I had to cut a couple inches off the plastic tube so that it wouldn't gum up with beeswax that LD uses as a nontoxic sealer in the internal fill fittings of my 2002. I've had no problems with it.
Steve T

Re: water filler question for Larry or?
Reply #14
Yahoo Message Number: 19403
Quote
I've noticed that the Factory has a "Fresh Water Tank Quick Fill" listed as available in their store.  It's inexpensive ($3.50) and I had it on my list as something to buy when I pick up our LD in a month or so.  However, after some of the recent discussion I'm beginning to wonder.  Has anybody tried it?  Is it the same as the plastic one from CW that someone mentioned earlier that bends and kinks?  At $3.50 it would be one of the cheapest accessories on my list, but if it doesn't work I might as well just pass and spend the money at Home Depot or Lowes buying the parts to make Larry's version.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Charles.
Charles, if it's the short plastic length of tubing that connects to the water hose, it works well - at least on our 2002 30'.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: water filler question for Larry or?
Reply #15
Yahoo Message Number: 19430
Quote
I've noticed that the Factory has a "Fresh Water Tank Quick Fill" listed as available in their store.  It's inexpensive ($3.50) and I had it on my list as something to buy when I pick up our LD in a month or so.  However, after some of the recent discussion I'm beginning to wonder.  Has anybody tried it?
I picked up a "Quick Fill" on last visit to Montclair, but I prefer the fitting that I was using before.
 If you use no fitting at all, you must hand-hold the hose-end "in the vicinity of" the water opening.  The hose-end is too big to go *into* the opening more than an inch or so.
 The Quick-Fill is just a small-diameter extension, so you can insert.

I found a simple nozzle at the hardware store -- a twist, not a pistol-grip nozzle.  That not only inserts into the watering hole, but it also is shaped so that it will hold itself into the hole.  So I do not even need to stand and hold the hose.

Incidently, I recommend an in-line valve on the hose, at the discharge end.  I am able to water-up without getting sprayed (and that's important to me because I hate getting wet)

John