tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178799821742584252.post3815691766343648577..comments2015-08-28T03:58:28.159-07:00Comments on NextMillionMiles... Frank, Annie and Bush Baby (our XP Camper): What has worked for us and what has not worked.NextMillionMileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03480237089275599751noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178799821742584252.post-51918646379075437402012-08-29T11:41:09.456-07:002012-08-29T11:41:09.456-07:00Steve,
You must remember that ours was the first ...Steve,<br /><br />You must remember that ours was the first production XP and the first flatbed that Layne built and keeping that in mind when we picked-up the XP and went on a shakedown camping trip with Marc and the steps actually bent under Marc’s weight (he is bigger than you think, maybe it’s all that beer!). So we went back to Layne and he redesigned the steps to what we have today. We have not had any problems with the new steps at all and we obviously use them daily and most days we will have visitors and they may stand a couple abreast on the steps to see inside the camper!<br /><br />No problem on the questions, I find it fun to answer them.<br /><br />Frank<br />NextMillionMileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03480237089275599751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178799821742584252.post-26533183535373906532012-08-29T10:36:03.727-07:002012-08-29T10:36:03.727-07:00Frank - Thanks for the great information. It's...Frank - Thanks for the great information. It's very helpful hearing from someone who is out in the real world (actually, much harsher than most of us will encounter) with the XPCamper.<br /><br />One more question (always seems to be just "one" more) how are the steps holding up? That's the only part of the XP that looks a little shaky to me.<br /><br />Again, thanks.<br /><br />SteveStevehttp://www.panamanotes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178799821742584252.post-75975436282600508932012-08-29T05:06:25.859-07:002012-08-29T05:06:25.859-07:00Hey Steve,
Answers:
1. The Michelin XDS are 245 ...Hey Steve,<br /><br />Answers:<br /><br />1. The Michelin XDS are 245 70R 19.5 on Rickson steel wheels. If you go with Rickson 19.5 wheels, depending on the tire, you might need to go with drive treads at the back and steering treads up front, but we found that the XDS work great both as drive and steer tires. Although we raised the front about 2 inches we still needed to modify the wheel well a little to accommodate the much larger tires.<br />2. Torrential down pours and the tent does not leak at all. We will get some condensation, when it is cold, on the clear plastic windows but it is minimal compared to other experiences we have had. Camper is extremely dry during the rain if you remember to close the vents….<br />3. Do have the ‘hard side panels’, but didn’t bring them with us as we found the soft sides to be better and have not missed them at all.<br />4. Between the huge over the bed vent, all the windows and the 2 vents we have found the ventilation to be more than adequate. We have a 12 volt Fantastic Box Fan that we move around to be the ultimate answer for the very hot days and nights. Because it is movable you can blow the air directly onto yourself. Having 2 vents is great, suck out kitchen fumes from right over the stove and suck out bathroom air directly both smelly air or damp air while showering. With one vent you would suck air through the camper before it is expelled.<br />5. We have 2 solar panels. Opted to remove 1 panel to save the weight. As we seldom sit for more than a couple of days at a time the 2 panels have worked very well for us. We did bring a small 1000 watt Yamaha generator, just in case and we haven’t even put gas into it yet. Biggest waste of space and money so far.<br />6. 2 x 6 volt AGMs. Again opted out of 4 batteries because of the weight. <br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Frank<br /><br />NextMillionMileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03480237089275599751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4178799821742584252.post-80084936020640352702012-08-28T14:20:17.855-07:002012-08-28T14:20:17.855-07:00Frank - Happy to hear that all is well.
Some ques...Frank - Happy to hear that all is well.<br /><br />Some questions (when you have time):<br />1. What size Michelin XDS tires do you have?<br />2. Have you encountered any heavy rains? How do the cabover softsides handle it?<br />3. Do you have the "hard sided panel" option? Use them? <br />4. With the heat you've encountered - are the two ceiling mounted fans able to cool things down? I've talked to Marc about replacing the two with a single MaxxAir fan, thinking that one very good fan should work. Any thoughts?<br />4. How many solar panels do your have?<br />5. How many batteries? <br /><br />Thanks - travel safe.<br /><br />Steve Stevehttp://www.panamanotes.comnoreply@blogger.com