2013 Encounter

go6car · 02-06-2013, 07:34 AM

Figured I'd start a new thread since I have one.

The Coachmen Caravan "owner website" doesn't contain any kind of message board/forum, though I've heard that Coachmen (in general) is redoing their whole web interface. Still evolving from becoming part of the Forest River family a few years ago.

The Encounter is fairly new to the Coachmen gas lineup (~2011), so there's not a whole lot of info out there on the 'net.

It's been great for us so far and ours has a bunch of upgrades that came with it (ceramic tile floors, solid wood cabinets/trim throughout) at a fantastic price-point. We've added a bunch more upgrades ourselves as well.

Be happy to answer any questions for anyone looking at them. Encounters on the lots vary a lot depending on what's in them, so a lot of the rigs will "look" different (and are priced accordingly) depending on how they're optioned out.

Happy Camping!

Roll · 02-23-2013, 09:39 AM

thanks to Triguy I have an active account. Looking forward to sharing info and problem solving with folks that have Encounters since we all may face some of the same upgrade questions and issues.

Roll

1nshort · 02-23-2013, 06:36 PM

Hello,
I have a '13 Encounter 37TZ and am looking forward to comparing notes with other owners. Picked it up at the Hershey show and took delivery the end of September. Dud a minor shakedown the end of October. Identified some minor issues for the dealer to address. Got it to them in December. They have had it for two months (they shut down for 2 wks Christmas) should be getting it back in a week. They are slow but not cocerned since it is winter. Roll, you know me as mlvideo...I will post differences shortly.

go6car · 02-23-2013, 08:02 PM

Glad to have a place finally! Hopefully we can spread the word.

Cant wait until Spring!

Roll · 02-24-2013, 08:03 AM

If anyone is interested, I put together a list of mods, changes and some repairs. Thought it might be helpful if someone was considering an upgrade or mod and wanted to find out what others have done.

47 items in the list and few, if any, are ordinary repairs. I was surprised when I started the spread sheet at the number of things I have done although the list contains items to do as well.

I'll find a way to post when I have all the data.

Roll

1nshort · 02-24-2013, 08:25 AM

Very interested in your list Roll. I am considering a steersafe for front end stability, Banks Ram air injection filter and a System Reprogrammer. Fortunately my unit came with an auto-switch for Gen/shorepower. I am though going to wire is a surge protector. Anyone have any thoughts/tips brand suggestions on these items?

go6car · 02-24-2013, 08:35 AM

Would love to get your list, too, Roll!

We put on a Steer Safe and rear track bar (Blue Ox Tiger Trak #TT2401) this Fall. Only road test so far with it was the ride back from the dealer, but my better half said it made a favorable difference (wasn't a bad ride to begin with, but I really wanted that extra margin of safety for the front tire blow outs.). We had the dealer install both since the coach was there for a very short/minor initial punch list anyway. If you're handy, could definitely do the Steer Safe install yourself.

We got a a Progressive EMS (EMS-HW50C) surge/voltage protector hardwired in exterior storage bay. This is the one that has the digital readout separate from the actual unit, with the theory on that being you can mount it in a spot that's more easy to check. (Has a wire that connects the two). Had the dealer install at time of purchase. I got this one based on a lot of reading and recommendations from others. So far, so good on this.

Roll · 02-24-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1nshort

Very interested in your list Roll. I am considering a steersafe for front end stability, Banks Ram air injection filter and a System Reprogrammer. Fortunately my unit came with an auto-switch for Gen/shorepower. I am though going to wire is a surge protector. Anyone have any thoughts/tips brand suggestions on these items?

I did the steering damper but I went with Safe-T-Plus. It makes a difference but won't solve all the issues.

The 37 TZ can be a handful on the road with the long long overhang we have and especially when dragging a car behind. The CHF, reasonable weight distribution, proper tire pressure, (not necessarily what’s posted on the wall of the coach), will all contribute to steadier handling. I'm also adding a rear tracbar when the weather warms up and that should finally put to bed the tail wag issue. Our late model Ford chassis already has a tracbar (panhard bar) in the front.

I have a list of recommended tire pressures by tire size and weight, to work, you must first get your coach weighed. Preferably weighted at each corner or wheel, but at least by axle. Just getting the entire coach weighed is useless for distributing your "stuff" for proper balance and improved handling. (And to be sure you are not over the limit of your NCCC.)

Can't help with Banks but I did the engine/transmission tune (Brazels). Just don't have any miles on it to comment yet. Others rave about the difference with either the 5-Star or Brazels tuning system.

I have an onboard surge protector but have not installed it yet, will do this in the spring as well. I went expensive in this category with the Surge Guard Plus Model 40240. I wanted the higher Joules count (3350) and the remote display that lets me bypass the protection if shore power is just outside of the device spec but otherwise acceptable. Most of the units I looked at do have the delay protection for your air conditioners. Just the same I would be sure any unit you choose has that feature.

Roll

Roll · 02-24-2013, 08:59 AM

Regarding tire pressures:

This may be useful.

If you are not using Michelin you may want to check the web site for your manufacturers recommended pressures based on your tire brand and actual weight.

go6car · 02-24-2013, 09:49 AM

Perfect! I didn't have that one. Adding it to my stash of info!

reubenray · 02-24-2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roll

If anyone is interested, I put together a list of mods, changes and some repairs. Thought it might be helpful if someone was considering an upgrade or mod and wanted to find out what others have done.

47 items in the list and few, if any, are ordinary repairs. I was surprised when I started the spread sheet at the number of things I have done although the list contains items to do as well.

I'll find a way to post when I have all the data.

Roll

I would like the list if possible. The 36KS is on my final list. The one negative for this unit from the others is the size of the TV. Also what brand is the TV and the optional home theater system?

Roll · 02-24-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reubenray

I would like the list if possible. The 36KS is on my final list. The one negative for this unit from the others is the size of the TV. Also what brand is the TV and the optional home theater system?

[edit] Sorry put wrong list here. You want the upgrade list which I have to finish but I will post it. This is the OCD basment "stuff" list which belongs in a different thread.

(Moderator: Attachment has nothing to do with this thread but I can't seem to delete it.)

Regarding TV's. My Encounter came with a 19 inch TV in the Bedroom. Didn't work well for me, it was so small I was tempted to wear it on my wrist.

I found a Vizio Razar 29 inch LED TV on sale for under $250. It has a very thin profile and has a thin bezel thus it gave me the largest screen possible with the least intrusion into the room, while not interfering with the wardrobe doors. I mounted a bracket to the one that came with the coach and the TV to the new bracket. It fits up tight against the wooden panel and I can still open the panel for light storage.

I'm not handy with wood but this was a really simple install even for me.

In short if the TV is the only issue, it can easily be replaced with something larger or better quality.

Roll

go6car · 02-24-2013, 11:26 AM

Hi Reubenray -

The TV in our living area is a Toshiba. We have a standard, regular DVD player that came with it (Panasonic). Even though I have a 2013 Encounter, the coach was actually made last January, so it's about as early as you can get for a 2013 model.

I found this newer 2013 with a Samsung 3D Blue Ray player (I can't seem to make out the brand of TV in the main living area). Scroll through the generic brochure pictures to get to the actual ones of this particular coach. There's a Magnavox TV in the bedroom, with what looks to be a standard DVD player... http://www.boatnrv.com/rockwood-ridg...15380372-t3666

Hope this helps!

1nshort · 02-26-2013, 09:16 PM

My TVs were all Magnavox. Living room and outside are 32 inch. Bedroom and Dining are 24 inch. DVD players (bedroom/livingroom) BluRay. Livingroom has a surround sound system with a subwoofer by the driver's chair. I am thinking of installing a HDMI over Cat5 to the outside and Diningroom tv's from the Livingroom Bluray. Wireless HDMI is also a consideration.

go6car · 02-27-2013, 06:03 AM

I forgot about the subwoofer. Mine is by the driver's seat too. (In some other recent models I've seen online, it's also sometimes on the passenger side). Guess I just missed out on getting the BlueRay!

Our floorplan didn't have the outside TV option, so we picked up a 32" Visio for the outside. It has the speakers in the front and gets loud enough that you can actually hear it. Walmart had it on sale - was only $230 last summer.

Roll · 02-27-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1nshort

My TVs were all Magnavox. Living room and outside are 32 inch. Bedroom and Dining are 24 inch. DVD players (bedroom/livingroom) BluRay. Livingroom has a surround sound system with a subwoofer by the driver's chair. I am thinking of installing a HDMI over Cat5 to the outside and Diningroom tv's from the Livingroom Bluray. Wireless HDMI is also a consideration.

You may want to know. Manufacturers will provide, (I am told) upgraded items to you free of charge if they change mid manfacturing year. If you have a standard DVD in a 2013 and later in the 2013 product run they change to bluray, you should be able to get the bluray player from them no charge.

You might give Coachmen a call and discuss this with them.

Roll

Roll · 02-27-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go6car

I forgot about the subwoofer. Mine is by the driver's seat too. (In some other recent models I've seen online, it's also sometimes on the passenger side). Guess I just missed out on getting the BlueRay!

Our floorplan didn't have the outside TV option, so we picked up a 32" Visio for the outside. It has the speakers in the front and gets loud enough that you can actually hear it. Walmart had it on sale - was only $230 last summer.

Where did you mount that 32 inch TV? Outside? In a basement compartment?

TVs were one of the grips I had about our rig. We have a 32 inch that sits over the fireplace but the kitchen and bedroom TVs were tiny 19 inch units. All are Jensen which is okay but Sony or Samsung would have been nice. I did replace the bedroom with a 29 inch Vizio and am very pleased with the installation and performance. Cost was just less than $250. Acceptable to us.

I also put a 24 inch Samsung on a swing out bracket in the forward basement compartment (passenger side).

I had HDMI cable run to all the TVs and had an HD Direct TV dish installed. It deploys and automatically finds the three HD sats.

Our unit also had the Home Theatre option with the subwoofer on the floor. It was under the desk by the fireplace I moved it to a spot along the wall near the driver’s seat.

As an antidote, the home theatre system was wired incorrectly for television viewing. The system was wired toward the windshield so sitting on the couch watching a movie as an example, sound for action on the left of the screen came from the left rear speaker and sound for action on the right side of the screen came from the left front speaker. I’ve since changed the connections on the back of the DVD player. It’s fine now. LOL

I wish I our coach had come with the larger TVs in the bedroom and kitchen like I see in the 2012s and 2013s but it didn't.

I'll put a bluray player in it this summer; they are no longer expensive and much of my movie collection is bluray now so I can stop hauling around all those old DVDs.

go6car · 02-28-2013, 07:44 AM

Good to know about the upgrade possibility. Thanks!

Not having the outside TV was one of our compromises (albeit minor in the scope of having to compromise) on this unit, but something we thought we could easily remedy.

After much thought, we didn't permanently mount the outside TV anywhere (although it does just fit inside the storage bin to the right of our door (as you're walking into the rig), with about 1 inch of viewing screen obscured. We keep it in the bedroom closet (or under the bed) for transit, and bring it outside and put it on a "Kelty Small Basecamp" to watch outside. The Kelty also gives us outside/protected storage as well for additional stuff we want to just leave out. And, we can move it and have the TV wherever we want. Comes in handy when we need to move the TV due to glare, or if we're tailgaiting in a tight spot (like directly in front or behind the rig), etc.. We just temporarily store the TV in the outside locked storage area when we're away or in for the night. (We use the Kelty without the metal wind deflector top part you see in the picture so it's just a flat table). Very easy to store. Not the greatest directions to put together, though. It's pricey, but has been worth it. Camping World has something similar, but the back part is all mesh, so it isn't as protected from the elements as the Kelty is. Not that we keep anything that vital in there, but at least the stuff in there doesn't get wet.

Amazon.com: Kelty Small Basecamp Kitchen (Slate blue): Sports & Outdoors

An interesting thing we found when we were looking at Class As in general is that on some of the other brand name TVs we saw in rigs, they don't get loud enough. Especially the outside TVs. I kid you not. Depending on where the speakers are mounted, you can't hear them all that well inside or outside of the rig. That's one big thing we looked at with our movable Visio. It has the speakers in the front of the unit, which makes a huge difference. Also, a lot of those bedroom TVs aren't angled down far enough, so when you're lying in bed, you get "blacked out" areas. Ours is just barely OK; but could have benefited from another inch or two of downward slope. It's locked in there so tightly, that we can do this, but it's going to be a pain, so for now we're just keeping it as-is. Ours is a 26" back there. I would have changed mine too if it was only 19". The older I'm getting, the bigger I want the TVs to be!

Funny that you had issues with your entertainment wiring. We did as well with our surround sound. The dealer had to fix this, which was one of the bigger things on our punch list (which in reality was pretty minor).

I hear you on the bigger TVs. I guess we lucked out with ours. At least you can retro-fit these, if need be, which it sounds like you did. We did upgrade to a stationary digital TV antenna. Similar to this one:
JACK Digital HDTV Antenna System - White - King Controls OA8200 - Over-the-Air Antennas - Camping World . However, our on/off button is not where the old crank up is, but actually wired below our master control panel. No crank up/down. Made a significant difference when we're over-the-air-only at the races.

I'm toying with the idea of getting the portable Dish Tailgater. Still on the fence about it, though, but when I get my check back from Uncle Sam, I could be persuaded to go for it! I keep wondering if I want that, or I want something more permanent on the roof. I want the easiest, most idiot-proof one of these I can get, so I'm still weighing my options there. We'd only use it dry camping at the races, so I'm still on the fence as to if I even want to spring for anything or not. Most of the other times, we are hooked into park cable, which is good enough for a vacation.

Roll · 02-28-2013, 11:44 AM

Go-Six,

I like the Kelty Kitchen, might give that some thought.

Not sure about the winged digital antenna. My "lift batwing" does a really good job and it stows nice and tight to the roof. Any concerns about low hanging branches or gas station canopies? It’s a foot tall, that might be higher than the air conditioner units.

Regarding a dish for sats. I know the round external dishes that deploy and automatically find the HD sats are not cheap. I think I paid $1800 for my Winegard HD Traveler but I have never regretted it. It is outstanding. I push a button in the coach and it deploys, finds it's bearings and then locks into the three Direct TV HD sats. I watch HD in the coach just like I do at home, switch channels and have a signal instantly. It's just like home, (stick house for you full timers).

FYI: I see they are on sale. Looks like you can get it for $300 off according to this advertisement. I have no affiliation with this group.

http://www.rvpartscenter.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=41068&SID=4&DID=57&CID=165

I picked Direct TV because we have an account with Direct. In the spring I take one of our HD DVR receivers from a TV we don't watch often and put it in the coach. Works perfectly. For local channels I use the batwing and send the signal through the DTV receiver so that I can see both HD sat channels and local channels all on the same schedule/menu (on the DTV DVR). When the coach is shut down for the winter I pull the DVR out and put it back in the TV shelf.

Some of our friends have the portable outfits but I think they have to wait for that unit to find the proper sat when they switch channels. My DW would get noisy pretty quick if she had to wait.

Roll

go6car · 03-01-2013, 05:54 AM

That TV antenna is actually a bit lower than the AC shroud (visually, it looks the same height when you're looking up at it. You must have gotten a better stock TV antenna than we did. Ours looked like an accident waiting to happen!

Thanks for the the satellite info. I'm still trying to figure out if we even need (I mean "want") one! Very helpful to have a first-hand review! I will definitely check these out as well. I like the fact that it's one-button-and-done operation for sure!

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