patagoniadave
01-27-2014, 09:41 AM
Hello, posted an introduction in the forum for it. Quick synopsis, new full timers, mid thirties, working from the road, two dogs, 2003 Dodge Cummins, 2004 Montana front living fifth wheel. Never rv'd before.
I have so many questions, that it seems overwhelming. I was on another forum, but realized that I had a lot of rig specific questions, and thought I should sign up here. I have not had time to browse this site, or do searches for my questions, but wanted to run the mentor idea past you all?
I am looking for someone with a similar rig (not sure how long this floorplan was made) who has spent a lot of road time in it, and possibly has done some modifications to it. I am hoping this someone would be willing to take me under their wing, and answer a lot of seemingly stupid questions, to help me get up to speed? Our rig was bought private party, so I did not have the chance to have everything explained to me as I might have at a dealer.
I'll post a list of questions and thoughts I am running into. Not looking for answers necessarily on this post, just giving and idea of where I am at mentally. I fully intend to read the faqs, and wear out the search button.
Systems:
I have this nagging need to know all about the systems I have, how they work, where they are, what I should be planning for, etc. I am having a hard time finding it. The manual is fairly generic, and it seems that Keystone has a strict, no schematics release to the public. I know next to nothing about this rig, and it is making me nervous. I do not know what the walls, roof, or floor is made of, where the plumbing gas and electrical are, where joists are. Do not know anything about the appliances, do not know how the slides or jacks work, or how I am supposed to maintain them. I am scared to even hang a picture on the wall, because I do not know how the framing is done.
Modifications and upgrades:
I have questions about after market upgrades, such as slide awnings, and hydraulic levelers.
We want to change the finishes, but have questions about painting over vs stripping wallpaper, and can the cabinets be painted, and how hard is it to re-carpet, and can we paint the gold foil highlights on the fireplace and shower.
We need to put in office spaces, I want to tear out the front cabinets, put in a flat screen and a desk system for me. Not sure if I can hang the flatscreen from the front structure, or if I need to make it floor supported, because I cannot find structural layouts of the rig. We want to put a king size bed in the bedroom, but see that it will not fit when the slides are closed. Could we put a fold out extender, and use two smaller mattresses that would stack on each other when close? Is there a better system? Could we also incorporate some sort of half murphy bed to increase office space?
Improving existing systems:
I have questions about water filters, and pressure regulators, and surge protectors, and on demand water heaters, and composting toilets, and solar panels, and generators. There is only one battery, should I put in more? Do I need to put jack stands under the slides for support, if so where? Can I put hydraulic levelers in the back, can I separate the front ones to be independent?
As you can see, I am all over the place, and those are just the rig specific ones. I have questions about insurance, and parks, and traveling with the dogs, and my truck, and........As I said, I am not necessarily looking for answers in this post, just wanted to ask about the mentor idea, especially for best practices and things to watch out for with my specific model. I can probably find answers to everything be reading old questions, and fiddling with my unit. Thanks to all
I have so many questions, that it seems overwhelming. I was on another forum, but realized that I had a lot of rig specific questions, and thought I should sign up here. I have not had time to browse this site, or do searches for my questions, but wanted to run the mentor idea past you all?
I am looking for someone with a similar rig (not sure how long this floorplan was made) who has spent a lot of road time in it, and possibly has done some modifications to it. I am hoping this someone would be willing to take me under their wing, and answer a lot of seemingly stupid questions, to help me get up to speed? Our rig was bought private party, so I did not have the chance to have everything explained to me as I might have at a dealer.
I'll post a list of questions and thoughts I am running into. Not looking for answers necessarily on this post, just giving and idea of where I am at mentally. I fully intend to read the faqs, and wear out the search button.
Systems:
I have this nagging need to know all about the systems I have, how they work, where they are, what I should be planning for, etc. I am having a hard time finding it. The manual is fairly generic, and it seems that Keystone has a strict, no schematics release to the public. I know next to nothing about this rig, and it is making me nervous. I do not know what the walls, roof, or floor is made of, where the plumbing gas and electrical are, where joists are. Do not know anything about the appliances, do not know how the slides or jacks work, or how I am supposed to maintain them. I am scared to even hang a picture on the wall, because I do not know how the framing is done.
Modifications and upgrades:
I have questions about after market upgrades, such as slide awnings, and hydraulic levelers.
We want to change the finishes, but have questions about painting over vs stripping wallpaper, and can the cabinets be painted, and how hard is it to re-carpet, and can we paint the gold foil highlights on the fireplace and shower.
We need to put in office spaces, I want to tear out the front cabinets, put in a flat screen and a desk system for me. Not sure if I can hang the flatscreen from the front structure, or if I need to make it floor supported, because I cannot find structural layouts of the rig. We want to put a king size bed in the bedroom, but see that it will not fit when the slides are closed. Could we put a fold out extender, and use two smaller mattresses that would stack on each other when close? Is there a better system? Could we also incorporate some sort of half murphy bed to increase office space?
Improving existing systems:
I have questions about water filters, and pressure regulators, and surge protectors, and on demand water heaters, and composting toilets, and solar panels, and generators. There is only one battery, should I put in more? Do I need to put jack stands under the slides for support, if so where? Can I put hydraulic levelers in the back, can I separate the front ones to be independent?
As you can see, I am all over the place, and those are just the rig specific ones. I have questions about insurance, and parks, and traveling with the dogs, and my truck, and........As I said, I am not necessarily looking for answers in this post, just wanted to ask about the mentor idea, especially for best practices and things to watch out for with my specific model. I can probably find answers to everything be reading old questions, and fiddling with my unit. Thanks to all