some mods .. are they really worth it????

[D-mo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wPo1fcFdhw

kinda like the twin dormers and the way the door opens tho ...

d-mo

[Paradise115]

Wow...that sure makes it look complicated!

[OldCoot]

Actually it is pretty simple design and it does allow a woman to do it by herself without having to lift anything.

[Pooneil]

If a set up routine needs to be that ingenious, you have the wrong camper. High wall A Frames are not right for petite women with reduced upper body strength. A small travel trailer, like a Casita, would be much simpler. So would a simple assist bar that fit into the lift handle of rear roof panel to allow the use of leg strength. I guess it largely depends on one's tolerance for fiddlieness and set up times.

Also if you are going to post a video on YouTube, get everything ready before you start shooting. The fist few minutes of watching her untangle wires and reposition things were rather dull. At least the winch was in place before the video started.

[dcheatwood]

Never knew A frames were so much trouble.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

....and that's why you don't buy an Aliner! LOL
I'd hate to be caught in the rain doing that setup process...inside would be soaked!

[Pooneil]

The video brought up another question about Aliners. What are those poles attached on the side of the upper roof panel for? Are they an OEM or aftermarket wind kit or something else? Having to reposition them around the protruding AC on the service side of the camper seems a bit too much trouble.

The protruding AC is a deal killer for me with Aliners, as nice as they are. I have a fairly tight back-in/pullout opening from the home storage area. Having to worry about striking that AC is one too many things for me.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by D-mo

kinda like the twin dormers and the way the door opens tho ...

d-mo

I go back and forth about the dormers. They are nice, but then there is CANVAS. The stuff I got an AFrame to get away from.

This concern changed somewhat last weekend when I packed up in a mild rain. On getting home, I realized the sides were still quite wet so I needed to open the roof to let the camper dry out. Popping open the dormers would have been very little extra work.

I also like the left hinged door. It certainly works better with a canopy that attaches to the camper.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

If a set up routine needs to be that ingenious, you have the wrong camper. High wall A Frames are not right for petite women with reduced upper body strength. A small travel trailer, like a Casita, would be much simpler. So would a simple assist bar that fit into the lift handle of rear roof panel to allow the use of leg strength. I guess it largely depends on one's tolerance for fiddlieness and set up times.

Also if you are going to post a video on YouTube, get everything ready before you start shooting. The fist few minutes of watching her untangle wires and reposition things were rather dull. At least the winch was in place before the video started.

Keep in mind, some folks are on a very limited income and have to make do with what they have. I applaud & admire the lady regardless of the unwarranted criticism of the video.

[wana65stang]

Hats off to the lady in the video for doing it, I like the fact that she hasn't got things preset to film, it shows what it is really like doing the task. But I have to say I am on my third beer being in the C-class by the time she is set up

[dcheatwood]

Yes. She did great. Methodical and safe.

[campncrazy]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Keep in mind, some folks are on a very limited income and have to make do with what they have. I applaud & admire the lady regardless of the unwarranted criticism of the video.

X2 Amen

[Terier]

This method isn't for everyone but she found a way to get the job done and as a petite woman with lack of strength I can relate!

When I was RV shopping I couldn't find any small trailers like the Casita in my area except for a not-so-gently used unit. I started looking at the A-Liners but had a lot of trouble getting the walls in place. After taking delivery of my TT it became clear that being independent wasn't going to be. I even considered selling it the day I brought it home. I had to find other ways to overcome lack of strength & medical issues so that I can be independent. I am happy that I didn't sell it after all.

The unit I have is is due to the budget I have.

[Terier]

Question:
Some mods...are they really worth it????

Answer:
Yes, to some people.

[Big Red Camper]

Dang - some folks can sure be critical. Some folks may not enough to do during their day other than to find fault. Sometimes it might be better to say nothing at all. Looks to me like she had a challenge and found a workable solution in spite of not being a professional film maker or having the necessary upper body strength. At least she had the guts to post her video and provided information that maybe could be useful to others. I don't think I'd have been able to come up with this particular solution. This is what is so good about this forum.........people share and one can pick and choose a modification that works for them and their specific needs.

[jwedell]

Originally Posted by Terier

Question:
Some mods...are they really worth it????

Answer:
Yes, to some people.

I went from this with no sofa



And built this for our comfort



It converts from a sofa to dinette table and a 50 X 75 bed
I think the time and money we're all worth it.

[pjnlorrie]

I thought it was a great demonstration of a mod that could allow someone, woman or man, to continue camping for years. We all get less able as we age.

[Gilm2113]

Having worked in R&D for 26 years I have never observed a prototype that was perfect or even close to it. I admire the ingenuity and the developers first attempt to solve a problem for them. Engineers are paid a lot of money to take ideas and commercialize them to make more user friendly for the masses. I am sure if you asked the original poster if there are things that could be improved they would most likely say yes but this a great attempt that solves their problem. My hats off to the developer.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by Pooneil

The video brought up another question about Aliners. What are those poles attached on the side of the upper roof panel for? Are they an OEM or aftermarket wind kit or something else?

They could be OEM or aftermarket. A couple of the new A-liners we looked at had them factory installed to use as a push-pull pole, to help open and close the roof, and then they could be fastened to the top's other half to work as a wind kit.

[Pooneil]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Keep in mind, some folks are on a very limited income and have to make do with what they have. I applaud & admire the lady regardless of the unwarranted criticism of the video.

A brand new Aframe (which is what was in the video) is about the same price as a similarly equipped small travel trailer.