Fleetwood Evolution

[CUL8R]

bnrevergreen,

Congratulations, I think you made the right choice.  Now you need to do an easy 1st trip.  Too bad you can't camp at the "Three Sisters".  Maybe Wellington Lake would be a good choice.  It's pretty close to you.  No hookups, but very pretty.

Jim

[Cnqwst]

Picked up a new 06 E2 in September of 07.  Priced at $10,500 which included AC.  Added a diamond plate tool box to front deck to carry hoses, fuel, tools, etc...

Only used it 2 days in October 07 in Cloudcroft NM.  Most of the campsites were already closed for the year.  Towed with a 2004 Lincoln Navigator, pulled it with ease.

Traded the Navigator in for an 05 Hummer H2SUT, Will post findings when we go out on our next trip.

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-85_1.JPG

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-58_1.JPG

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-60_1.JPG

Bob

[jeepmaniowa]

Picked up a new 06 E2 in September of 07.  Priced at $10,500 which included AC.  Added a diamond plate tool box to front deck to carry hoses, fuel, tools, etc...

Only used it 2 days in October 07 in Cloudcroft NM.  Most of the campsites were already closed for the year.  Towed with a 2004 Lincoln Navigator, pulled it with ease.

Traded the Navigator in for an 05 Hummer H2SUT, Will post findings when we go out on our next trip.

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-85_1.JPG

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-58_1.JPG

http://www.cnqwst.net/cnqwst-60_1.JPG

Bob

I have had my E3 for almost 2 1/2 weeks now.  Camp Driveway 2nd night, and state park on Labor Day weekend.

Great popup.  It's nice having a hot shower instead of going to the shower house/bathroom.

Later,

Bob

[He Ruide]

After much debate.... lots of homework.....talking to you guys........the purchase has been made!!!!!

I did purchase the fleetwood evolution..yellow!!!! I pick it up Thursday!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all for their input!!!!!!!!!


See you on the road!!!!!!

Congratulations on your purchase and I know you will love the Evolution.  If you would like to see some pictures of both an E2 and E3 you might want to look around my photo gallery ... plus there are lots of mods to think about as well as some instructional stuff.

Hope this helps.

Ruide

[jeepmaniowa]

Congratulations on your purchase and I know you will love the Evolution.  If you would like to see some pictures of both an E2 and E3 you might want to look around my photo gallery ... plus there are lots of mods to think about as well as some instructional stuff.

Hope this helps.

Ruide

I've already looked at some of your pictures.  And have already completed the under trailer sewer connections.  

Going out this weekend to another state park.  I think I've already spent $700 on goodies for the trailer.  I've already swapped out the overhead 1141/1156 lights with two types of LEDs.  Wired in a 12 volt receptacle in the interior.  Tapped into the radio wire and ran over to the hot water cabinet.  Will only use this to charge the cell phone and maybe run a small 150 watt invertor for charging the kids DVD player when dry camping.

Question.  My E3 came with a Group 24 battery.  Thinking of going to dual Group 27s.  I want to be able to dry camp for approx 5 nights without using a generator.  If need be, I will charge with my TV.

Later,

Bob

[wavery]

I've already looked at some of your pictures.  And have already completed the under trailer sewer connections.  

Going out this weekend to another state park.  I think I've already spent $700 on goodies for the trailer.  I've already swapped out the overhead 1141/1156 lights with two types of LEDs.  Wired in a 12 volt receptacle in the interior.  Tapped into the radio wire and ran over to the hot water cabinet.  Will only use this to charge the cell phone and maybe run a small 150 watt invertor for charging the kids DVD player when dry camping.

Question.  My E3 came with a Group 24 battery.  Thinking of going to dual Group 27s.  I want to be able to dry camp for approx 5 nights without using a generator.  If need be, I will charge with my TV.

Later,

Bob

Bob, here's a suggestion for charging the batteries with the TV.

TV charging can be problematic, especially when boon-docking.

Here are your obstacles, then a suggestion:

1. You will get very minimal charging through your TV trailer harness.
Because of the length and size of your charging cable, the voltage drop from the alternator will hinder charging up to capacity.

2. What charge you do receive will take awhile and won't get you to any higher than 13V.

3. Running your TV at idle for long periods of time exposes you to the possible risk of over-heating and engine failure.....not a good thing when boon-docking.

4. You will be exposing your trailer and campsite to high levels of carbon monoxide.

It's better to use a long set of jumper cables from the TV battery to the camper batteries. Maybe even take the batteries out of the camper and place the TV in a breeze, away from the campsite somewhat.

You may want to look into getting an inverter that you hook-up directly to the TV battery. Then run a 12g extension cord back to the trailer. That way you can use a 110V - 25A battery charger to charge the batteries. You will receive a faster, better quality charge. It will also allow you to move the TV exhaust away from the camper and campsite and possibly into a breeze. You can also use a large 110V fan to blow into the TV radiator for added cooling system protection.

The better remedy might be investing in a couple of 80A solar panels. The only problem is, you could have cloudy days that will limit or prevent charging.

[jeepmaniowa]

Bob, here's a suggestion for charging the batteries with the TV.

TV charging can be problematic, especially when boon-docking.

Here are your obstacles, then a suggestion:

1. You will get very minimal charging through your TV trailer harness.
Because of the length and size of your charging cable, the voltage drop from the alternator will hinder charging up to capacity.

2. What charge you do receive will take awhile and won't get you to any higher than 13V.

3. Running your TV at idle for long periods of time exposes you to the possible risk of over-heating and engine failure.....not a good thing when boon-docking.

4. You will be exposing your trailer and campsite to high levels of carbon monoxide.

It's better to use a long set of jumper cables from the TV battery to the camper batteries. Maybe even take the batteries out of the camper and place the TV in a breeze, away from the campsite somewhat.

You may want to look into getting an inverter that you hook-up directly to the TV battery. Then run a 12g extension cord back to the trailer. That way you can use a 110V - 25A battery charger to charge the batteries. You will receive a faster, better quality charge. It will also allow you to move the TV exhaust away from the camper and campsite and possibly into a breeze. You can also use a large 110V fan to blow into the TV radiator for added cooling system protection.

The better remedy might be investing in a couple of 80A solar panels. The only problem is, you could have cloudy days that will limit or prevent charging.

I'd probably use battery cables.  And see how that goes.

I am thinking of getting 2/0 gauge wire and run off of one of my truck's batteries.  (Dodge Ram with 2 Group 65 - 136amp alternator).
It is a diesel and it has the high idle fixture.  I would probably only charge for about 15-20 minutes.  And that would be around the noisy (lunch time period), so as not to disturb other campers in the area.

I'm also researching the solar panels, and most likely will buy some next year after I know what I'm doing.  

I'm also researching info about a larger capacity generator for the truck.

It's only time and money.  Right?