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Old 09-26-2018, 07:42 PM   #1
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Questions regarding the 2019 FR3

Went to the Hershey show this month and found a FR3 NEW 2019 30 DS floor plan that we liked. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Is there anything I should be aware of that would be a "deal killer". What mods do you recommend if we purchase this coach.

Ron & Betty; Ormond Beach, FL
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Old 09-26-2018, 07:56 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by bootsthecat View Post
Went to the Hershey show this month and found a FR3 NEW 2019 30 DS floor plan that we liked. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Is there anything I should be aware of that would be a "deal killer". What mods do you recommend if we purchase this coach.

Ron & Betty; Ormond Beach, FL
Saw it at FROG rally in Elkhart and loved the extra 12 inches they added to bedroom slide. I have the 2018 and it's a little struggle to get around the bed!
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Old 09-26-2018, 09:00 PM   #3
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We also saw the display 2019 FR3 30DS when we were at the rally this year in Goshen. Really liked the way they improved the slides and added the theater seat option. I would probably ensure it has the 50 amp system with 2 A/C's versus 30 amp. Living in the south this becomes a must.

After purchase most owners complete some level of suspension upgrades to improve the handling. Look it over good top to bottom and climb under and on top. Also try ever system before you take delivery. Some do not get exercised due to off seasons.

Enjoy!
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Old 09-26-2018, 09:21 PM   #4
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Just checked the 2019 Brochure and 50 amp system is standard. Glad they made that standard.
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Old 09-26-2018, 09:21 PM   #5
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Agreed that the X package is nice. Even though we have been in the south during the summer, we usually just use one AC at a time. We have the front on during the day and switch to the rear one when we go bed. It's nice to have the coming from directly overhead the bed on hot nights.
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Old 09-27-2018, 12:22 PM   #6
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jimlitwin,

we purchased 17 32DS had the same problem with space walking around king bed. we measured platform and had mattress made to fit. gained 8 inches space between bed and wardrobe, makes a big difference
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Old 09-28-2018, 04:52 PM   #7
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2019 30ds

Our 30DS has (so far) gotten a toilet replacement, a Fantastic fan for the bathroom as well as a medicine cabinet. I have a pullout drawer under the front dinette bench that comes out about 2 1/2 feet. I am currently completing the installation of a Xantrex 2000W PSW inverter which will power the microwave and all GFI outlets. I copied other mods from the forum, including nightstands, separate display for the rear and side cameras, and added a holder so I can use my tablet to run Sygic RV navigation. The factory display is completely useless, IMHO.

I am also adding a magazine/book rack below the mirror next to the dinette, and plan on designing storage units to replace the front overhead bunk, which we don't use.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed their ideas and knowledge for newbie consumption 😉
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Old 09-28-2018, 05:11 PM   #8
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I also want to add: no suspension mods or handling aids are needed on the 2019! I had a 700 mile trip home after purchasing the 30DS, and I was amazed at how well it did with crosswinds and oncoming air blasts from big rigs. I had asked the salesman about adding things to improve handling, and he said the coach no longer needed that because of FR adding MorRyde chassis upfits.

He was correct.
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Old 09-29-2018, 03:35 PM   #9
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I haven't driven the New 2019 30DS yet. It is on the way from the factory and should be delivered late next week. Looking forward to see how it handles.
As a side note, I did drive a original older 2019 and it swayed side to side terribly when I turned the steering wheel back and forth.

Ron & Betty
Ormond Beach, FL
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Old 09-29-2018, 08:58 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by bootsthecat View Post
Went to the Hershey show this month and found a FR3 NEW 2019 30 DS floor plan that we liked. Haven't pulled the trigger yet. Is there anything I should be aware of that would be a "deal killer". What mods do you recommend if we purchase this coach.



Ron & Betty; Ormond Beach, FL


Pleas3 please read through this forum... There are very few FR 3 owners that would actually buy it again. .. and why buy new... Buying new means you will spend the first year with your RV in the shop doing warranty work on things that were over looked.. we bought new twice... And never again... We would buy a couple of years old ... Better price and all the bugs are ironed out
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Old 09-29-2018, 11:34 PM   #11
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Pleas3 please read through this forum... There are very few FR 3 owners that would actually buy it again. .. and why buy new... Buying new means you will spend the first year with your RV in the shop doing warranty work on things that were over looked.. we bought new twice... And never again... We would buy a couple of years old ... Better price and all the bugs are ironed out
I found out the new year starts in April. I special ordered my 2018 FR3 28DS in December 2016 to be delivered in April 2017. You can tell from my SIG that I have installed a few things. I am happy with my FR3 28DS.

If I was buying a new FR3, instead of buying now, I would wait for April 2019 to get a 2020 FR3 30DS. It would be just in time for the spring camping season.
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Old 10-05-2018, 09:16 AM   #12
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We have been looking at class As for over a year to replace our class C. Picked up a 2019 FR3 32DS last weekend of July an over the next 4 weeks put over 4600 miles on it. No problems, no suspension upgrades happy with handling and love the floor plan changes for the 2019 model. Noticed a minor tail wag while towing the jeep when big rigs go by, I think a rear track bar will help.
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Old 10-06-2018, 09:08 AM   #13
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Robert, Why did you put in a Inverter/charger?
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Old 10-06-2018, 11:07 AM   #14
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I like my FR3

Contrary to an earlier opinion expressed, I like my 2018 FR3 30DS and would probably buy it again. I guess I must be one of the "very few"? Yes, it's far from perfect but it's an amazing value for what it cost.
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Old 10-06-2018, 03:34 PM   #15
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Robert, Why did you put in a Inverter/charger?
Short answer: An Inverter/Charger solves the problem of shutting off the converter/charger when powered from an Inverter.

Long answer:
1> I need to use a CPAP to sleep. That means that I need about 60ah every night to sleep.
2> My wife wanted to use the Microwave and bring an Instapot to cook.
3> All the TVs are 120v AC.
4> I either needed more batteries or stay at a campground every night.

I looked at small inverters for the TVs but would need to pull wires for the 12v DC. No small inverter would power a microwave. I realize in Oct 2017, the only way to power everything was to install a whole house inverter. I researched every brand of Inverter on the that Amazon would ship free to Alaska. I decided on an inverter/charger with a transfer switch.

I purchased the Samlex EVO-2212 Inverter/Charger because it has two AC inputs. One for shore power & a 2nd for the Generator. It also has a DC input for a solar charge controller.
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In Dec 2017 I did not know where I was going to install it. I knew it needed to be within six feet of the batteries & I would need to double the batteries to four.

If I had more batteries, I needed solar to recharge them. Jan through Mar of 2018, I ordered solar panel, cables, circuit breakers, brackets, & other misc parts from Amazon needed for the install.

April 2018. I still did not know where to mount the 65 lb Inverter/Charger. That is when I found a hidden unused area next to the battery compartment.

Please read: Expanding compartment space for 2200 Watt Inverter/Charger. This will go into more detail of the install of the Samlex.

I now have a FR3 that I can Boondock in. A/C is the only thing that may force me to use campground power.
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A pullout we spent the night at July 30, 2018.

The Samlex EVO-2212 Inverter/Charger is on all the time. It is like a UPS for the motorhome. It is automatic and simple. As soon as I unplug from shore power, it is providing power to everything.

I watch my battery power with a Victron BMV-712. I learned on the last trip that the engine can recharge the batteries at 100 amps.

Today I have simple system that is transparent to my wife. When we park, I hit the auto leveler & extend the slides. 120v AC is available all the time.

I made a few mistakes, biggest was not installing the Victron BMV-712 sooner.

The FR3 28DS just turned 10,000 miles. (I purchased it new with 3,500)
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Old 10-06-2018, 06:19 PM   #16
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Our 30DS has (so far) gotten a toilet replacement, a Fantastic fan for the bathroom as well as a medicine cabinet. I have a pullout drawer under the front dinette bench that comes out about 2 1/2 feet. I am currently completing the installation of a Xantrex 2000W PSW inverter which will power the microwave and all GFI outlets. I copied other mods from the forum, including nightstands, separate display for the rear and side cameras, and added a holder so I can use my tablet to run Sygic RV navigation. The factory display is completely useless, IMHO.

I am also adding a magazine/book rack below the mirror next to the dinette, and plan on designing storage units to replace the front overhead bunk, which we don't use.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed their ideas and knowledge for newbie consumption [emoji6]
I'm interested in the magazine rack/book case you are adding under the mirror by the dinette. Doesn't the dinette side slide hit that when it comes in?
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Old 10-06-2018, 06:21 PM   #17
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I'm still in the planning stage, but yes, it can't protrude very far from the wall.
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Old 04-29-2019, 11:36 AM   #18
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I finally completed this project. One caveat: the wall is not square to the slide!Click image for larger version

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Old 04-29-2019, 12:01 PM   #19
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I finally completed this project. One caveat: the wall is not square to the slide!
Silly camper.....90* angles in an RV? What were you thinking 🤔
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Old 04-29-2019, 02:09 PM   #20
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Silly camper.....90* angles in an RV? What were you thinking [emoji848]
I know, I know. I just wanted to caution anyone doing this to understand that the gap narrows the closer you are to the outside wall.
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