Day 1 with Roo: the takeaways so far. - Page 2

yetavon · 05-24-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

Why didn't anyone tell me about the awesome forest river grill spatula? I just found that in a drawer...that thing is pretty nice!

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I thought it was a flyswatter/beer opener....
RooVader, do yourself a favor and get an O2Cool fan.
10-Inch Portable Fan - Fan Model FD10001A | O2COOL
They move more air....ALOT quieter and you can make an adapter to plug them into the bunk end power.

Evereddie · 05-24-2015, 09:29 AM

Here's a mod idea I'm working on that would help with your fan issue. There are some EXTREMELY quiet 12 volt computer case fans that blow quit a bit of air. They have about a 6 inch blade. I'm working on a mount for various locations. BUT, some people run fans because they like the white noise as well as the air. A quiet fan may not suit your partner.

Edit: or the O2cool fan posted above.

wicked1 · 05-24-2015, 09:42 AM

There are apps for iPhone just for ppl who need fan noise to sleep...lol... I am not kidding either

2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

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KateE · 05-24-2015, 11:16 AM

RooVader-I'm going to try attaching self made PUG's to this. It might work for yours. I found it on Pinterest. I'm sorry I don't know the Original Poster so I can give credit where credit is due.

RooVader · 05-24-2015, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the fan advice...for her it is entirely about the noise. She always has it on at home too. These are just so noisy. Do the ones you suggested still give some white noise?

Thanks for the pug suggestion...going to look at your info in just a bit.

So far the theme of day 4 is the ship is taking on water and it is up to me, the human sponge, to fight the good fight.

I am facing a paper towel shortage that threatens to turn the tide of this war and not in my favor. Hey good Sam...is paper towel delivery part of your elite member coverage? I am about to give roo the shirt off of my back...literally...to use as a sponge.

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captainperry · 05-24-2015, 03:15 PM

Sorry to hear about the water!...hope you can fix that

RooVader · 05-24-2015, 03:55 PM

Well, still holding out hope that my canvas is like my cooking...too little seasoning!

To quote sir William Wallace, they will take my dryness, but they will never take...my freedom!

In a positive turn of events, I found a bunch of those silica anti-moisture packs in the boxes of some of my new camping accessories. I am considering a human mod where I glue those to my body and roll around on the wet mattresses.

I am in the business is problem-solving...and business is good.

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Marines0811 · 05-24-2015, 05:41 PM

Packed ours up in the rain today because I have to work tomorrow. But I tell you what much easier the packing the popup up in the rain. No water instead and no leaks. Thumbs up

RooVader · 05-25-2015, 07:00 AM

I concluded day 4 of ownership with a pack up in the rain. Not ideal but not entirely awful. Here are a few thoughts that might benefit other future hybrid owners.

The decision to take a lightweight stepladder was gold. I would not have been able to attach the stock pugs very well without them. Maybe with future mods this will be less important. Of more importance though was the ability to climb up and towel off the slide roof. I really liked what I saw up there as the water pooled away from the camper and was running off nicely. I actually feel pretty good about going without slide toppers on my small slide dk. A pretty easy task with the ladder.

We purchased a patio rug designed for beaches that allows sand to fall through but not come back up. I assumed a gimmick but I assumed wrong. This thing stayed pretty clean and dried out relatively quickly.

I realize for the pros out there this is a non-issue but for a rainy day rook like me I really really appreciated the fully open bunk end of this model (I know other models share the design). Not only do I absolutely love the open, spacious feeling it provides but it also has a very practical value. When closing up wet bunks, or really anytime for that matter, we found the front to be far easier than the back with the half wall. My wife was able to work both sides from the inside and we could easily deal with any drips. I strongly considered the bd and consider it a great model but there are practical advantages to a fully open bunk beyond aesthetics and a great place to hang and still be part of the room.

I realize most do not have this option but really loving the fact that I rent indoor storage. In a shrewd move that implies intelligence far beyond reality, my decision to rent an extra 3 feet so I can open the wet bunks to dry...well, the value is far greater than the 9 dollars extra per month.

My pathway over tailgater was good and bad. Good because I could hit the east birds, no shot at the west. Bad because I miscalculated and it is too large to travel in the tub. Bummer. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have gone tailgater and simply use it if I could. I may consider selling and switching down the road.

The dk entertainment wall is fantastic and I was dead wrong in my negative, pre-ownership view of it. The shelf is perfect for sat receiver, the cubby above is such a perfect place for keys, wallets, cd's and several storm trooper figures to guard the goods. The top shelf gives you connectivity, guts, and keeps cords contained behind the TV. Great use of small space fr design team.

Use the vent fan method to pull those tents in. Why wouldn't you? Here is a pro tip for free. If you stand outside and pretend you are using the force to push them in, straining a little under the tension of it all...it really helps sell it. Just remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

Speaking of great power, I have to again state that the combo of ecoboost, equal-I-zer and roo almost seem like they were designed together. Well, assuming the truck is roovader black of course as that gives a few extra horses I am pretty sure. It just tows like a dream. This hitch has to be 3 times faster to hitch/unhitch versus my chain and friction days...or as I like to call them, the uncivilized days. It used to take me 4 or 5 attempts to back into storage with a 28 footer. The 21 footer slid in there like it had a Death Star tractor beam on it.

So the shakedown cruise is complete. Yes, there was a disturbance in the force. I had water and wet beds. No, I am not freaking out about it. It was pretty intense while battling it but I will get it back out there in a week or two and take inventory. I am hoping a good percentage of it was inadequate seasoning but we will see. Even after the waterworld battles and the wet pack up and the blender fans I would still walk to the store tomorrow and buy the same model again. There are just so many great things and being able so sleep with the outside in (or is it inside out?) makes everything a great adventure. I have learned so much from the great community here so hopefully sharing experiences helps someone else down the line.

Camping day 5 is around the corner...

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wicked1 · 05-25-2015, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

Thanks for the fan advice...for her it is entirely about the noise. She always has it on at home too. These are just so noisy. Do the ones you suggested still give some white noise?

Thanks for the pug suggestion...going to look at your info in just a bit.

So far the theme of day 4 is the ship is taking on water and it is up to me, the human sponge, to fight the good fight.

I am facing a paper towel shortage that threatens to turn the tide of this war and not in my favor. Hey good Sam...is paper towel delivery part of your elite member coverage? I am about to give roo the shirt off of my back...literally...to use as a sponge.

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What about tarps over the ends just to keep you dry until the monsoon is over

2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Jimandchris · 05-25-2015, 07:18 AM

@ RooVader, sounds like a successful trip! Keep the faith, I thought I had successfully seasoned the bunk ends last spring before our maiden voyage. Wow, was I wrong on that one. Had a several hour downpour the first night, as you did, I was up in the middle of the night with a flashlight looking at the seepage coming in. That was the last time we've had any leaks and have been in several downpours since with no issues. Enjoyed reading your "diary" this weekend!

yetavon · 05-25-2015, 08:20 AM

Kate ...Thanks for the noodle idea...It may fix my homemade PUG problem.

RooVader... Our ends leaked several times in the first week while it sat open and rained everyday at the house...couple trips a day looking and mopping....and Lexell treated every staple spot I could see. From everything I could find it takes several wet dry cycles, and seems to have worked on ours...
The entertainment center....It seems to be a continuous of source negative entertainment for us. Don't keep anything on that shelve that can slide or fall out while traveling....It ends up behind the slide out...
We moved the TV out yesterday to watch the race, and discovered more issues and misinformation about the system from the salesman....I'll be looking into the HDMI Mod someone here done.
Your choice for the inside storage in nice, If we come home wet its set back up in the yard until dry.
Glad to here the Force was with you......

RooVader · 05-25-2015, 10:57 AM

Thanks guys...at first it seemed like one defective spot bubbling up around the door but the more I watched the more I realized it was coming in from multiple areas and dripping into the tracks and pooling in the corners. I am hoping that is at least a large part of the problem...simple seasoning. It is hard to really simulate a rain with the hose. I appreciate hearing your experience and I am going to definitely give it a few more times and watch it before trying to diagnose any problems.

I am confused by the pool noodle even after seeing the photo. How would you attach the pug to the noodle? Does the noodle just stay hooked under the ridge?

What happened with your outside tv setup that was disappointing, just curious?

I put the dish receiver in the wardrobe when traveling but I will check how the things in the cubby survived the trip. Thanks!

T2mcnulty · 05-25-2015, 03:30 PM

You roo vader are hilarious. Congrats on the new camper. The force is strong in this one I see.

RooVader · 05-25-2015, 03:44 PM

Thanks McMulty...I am really not very funny but I did stay in a holiday roo last night.

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jgoldwood · 05-25-2015, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

What happened with your outside tv setup that was disappointing, just curious?

Ditto... and do you have any details about the HDMI mod you referenced?

merrykalia · 05-26-2015, 09:46 AM

We no longer have a hybrid, but I used homemade PUGS and attached them to the top drip edge using binder clips.

Those worked great for 3 seasons and a couple of times, I forgot to remove them before closing it up!!

RooVader · 05-26-2015, 09:56 AM

I just don't trust clamping them to the drip edge because I think it would compress/deform the seal and I don't want to do that. If I had the older style with the gutters I would clip to that for sure. I had an idea of using bungee balls around the clamping mechanism at the sides of the door but those clamp rods seem really flimsy.

I might try stronger clamps just sort of clamped onto the canvas trim near the top but that is less than ideal. It really seems like the velcro is the best long term. I have been having trouble finding velcro without the sticky side to sew to the pugs but I haven't had a chance to look extensively.

Evereddie · 05-26-2015, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

.....I have been having trouble finding velcro without the sticky side to sew to the pugs but I haven't had a chance to look extensively.

Try a fabric store or the fabric department in Walmart.

deartruc · 05-26-2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RooVader

Thanks for the fan advice...for her it is entirely about the noise. She always has it on at home too. These are just so noisy. Do the ones you suggested still give some white noise?

Thanks for the pug suggestion...going to look at your info in just a bit.

So far the theme of day 4 is the ship is taking on water and it is up to me, the human sponge, to fight the good fight.

I am facing a paper towel shortage that threatens to turn the tide of this war and not in my favor. Hey good Sam...is paper towel delivery part of your elite member coverage? I am about to give roo the shirt off of my back...literally...to use as a sponge.

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Sounds like you forgot to add your R2 unit as part of your checklist

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