nwgs motorhome addiction and therapy thread - Page 101

PirateJohn · 07-13-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

You know, 12.5 KW is a lot of power-even for an entire house. You mentioned before installing piece of metal on top of your bus with air space in between-I don't recall the term.

Wouldn't that be more economical in the long term vs. maintaining that many units?

The comment about the metal on the roof is that Bluebird installed a large aluminum plate as a walkway over the entire roof, creating a de facto tropical roof.

That helps, and the thing is well insulated, but sometimes we wonder if a conventional fiberglass motorhome would be cooler in the hot sun than an all metal motorhome.

Oh well ... you pays your money, etc.

Ken · 07-13-2010, 10:41 AM

Anything over 25-26 feet looks too heavy for the truck in the C class

MeterPig · 07-13-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

The comment about the metal on the roof is that Bluebird installed a large aluminum plate as a walkway over the entire roof, creating a de facto tropical roof.

That helps, and the thing is well insulated, but sometimes we wonder if a conventional fiberglass motorhome would be cooler in the hot sun than an all metal motorhome.

Oh well ... you pays your money, etc.

Fiberglass has it's own issues-namely being seams and the fact it cracks/fades over time.

Metal is the way to go.

The other thing you could do is make the top reflective. How, I am not sure...but sure it is possible.

PirateJohn · 07-13-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

Fiberglass has it's own issues-namely being seams and the fact it cracks/fades over time.

Metal is the way to go.

The other thing you could do is make the top reflective. How, I am not sure...but sure it is possible.

Well ... it's a big piece of diamond place aluminum. It's not going to get any more reflective unless I climb up there and polish it.

But yeah ... galvanized steel construction is the way to go with a motorhome like this. Some modest heat retention is just a trade off.

MeterPig · 07-13-2010, 02:53 PM

I have it pretty good with metal siding over wood and insulation. But I do have solid metal window frames which sweat.

Twinsteel · 07-13-2010, 04:05 PM

The diesel Sprinter rigs are awesome and come in many variations. I love this custom job, which just sold for $29k in California:

They're a great platform, but as somebody already mentioned, you need to weigh the purchase price against the fuel savings. Consider how many more trips you can take with the money you would save on a cheaper RV, for instance.

A big limitation of this platform is the load carrying capacity. If you plan to live aboard, or carry a lot of toys, it's likely you'll max out the chassis and possibly create a safety issue. So pay close attention to that.

Both factors convinced me to go with a gas-powered motorhome (Ford chassis) for a liveaboard RV. I spent half as much money as a Sprinter would have cost, and got a lot more room, more carrying capacity, and bigger storage tanks to boot. I will get about 60% worse gas mileage, but the money I saved will cover my living expenses on the road for nearly two years.

It's just too bad there aren't more diesel RV options in the US. But maybe the Sprinter is the start of a new wave.

adiablolex · 07-13-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

Fiberglass has it's own issues-namely being seams and the fact it cracks/fades over time.

Metal is the way to go.

The other thing you could do is make the top reflective. How, I am not sure...but sure it is possible.

I used a reflective elastomeric roof coat. Got it at Home Depot, the manufacturer claims something like 50% more reflection than normal white and it will stretch to about 30% its size, made for building flat roofs and sticks like glue.
Can't remember the name though..

DELTATANGO · 07-13-2010, 07:20 PM

diamond plate

PirateJohn · 07-13-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeterPig

I have it pretty good with metal siding over wood and insulation. But I do have solid metal window frames which sweat.

What do you have?

In our extremely tropical climate at the moment we are having some weird things happen that never even happened in Florida. Like the laminated woodwork warping.

I'm not too worried. I'd rather be in my RV in south Texas than a house or apartment in Florida, but it's "entertaining" all the same.

RedRocker · 07-13-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

They have one version of the View with "fold-up" bunk beds in the back. Fold the bunks up and put your bicycles there while traveling and sleep two dudes at night. Perfect for my needs.

You wanna sleep with two dudes at night?

Ken · 07-13-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRocker

You wanna sleep with two dudes at night?

Bastage...

PirateJohn · 07-13-2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRocker

You wanna sleep with two dudes at night?

You might want to rephrase that Amigo ... it sounds like an invitation.

MeterPig · 07-13-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

What do you have?

In our extremely tropical climate at the moment we are having some weird things happen that never even happened in Florida. Like the laminated woodwork warping.

I'm not too worried. I'd rather be in my RV in south Texas than a house or apartment in Florida, but it's "entertaining" all the same.

1960's camper. Think wooden box with metal siding.

MeterPig · 07-13-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRocker

You wanna sleep with two dudes at night?

yeah, I caught that too. Sort of funny.

nwgs · 07-13-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PirateJohn

You might want to rephrase that Amigo ... it sounds like an invitation.

07-13-2010, 10:41 AM	#1502
Ken Rowboat Captain Joined: Dec 2001 Location: A dark hole... Oddometer: 50,317	Anything over 25-26 feet looks too heavy for the truck in the C class __________________ "God made hobos to make other men yearn." -Steinbeck

07-13-2010, 02:53 PM	#1505
MeterPig Meh Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Parker, Colorado... Oddometer: 15,753	I have it pretty good with metal siding over wood and insulation. But I do have solid metal window frames which sweat. __________________ COHVCO Member and Blue Ribbon Coalition Member I have a DR problem

07-13-2010, 04:05 PM	#1506
Twinsteel Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Sacto, CA Oddometer: 464	The diesel Sprinter rigs are awesome and come in many variations. I love this custom job, which just sold for $29k in California: They're a great platform, but as somebody already mentioned, you need to weigh the purchase price against the fuel savings. Consider how many more trips you can take with the money you would save on a cheaper RV, for instance. A big limitation of this platform is the load carrying capacity. If you plan to live aboard, or carry a lot of toys, it's likely you'll max out the chassis and possibly create a safety issue. So pay close attention to that. Both factors convinced me to go with a gas-powered motorhome (Ford chassis) for a liveaboard RV. I spent half as much money as a Sprinter would have cost, and got a lot more room, more carrying capacity, and bigger storage tanks to boot. I will get about 60% worse gas mileage, but the money I saved will cover my living expenses on the road for nearly two years. It's just too bad there aren't more diesel RV options in the US. But maybe the Sprinter is the start of a new wave. __________________ Bikeless for now.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

07-13-2010, 07:20 PM	#1508
DELTATANGO Motorcyclist and Dog Walk Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Alabama Oddometer: 12,665	diamond plate