2010 Roadtrek SS Ideal ...

[Sensfan]

Family members will be renting a 2010 RT SS Ideal next summer. They have no RVing experience and we will provide them with basic "how to" from our knowledge/experience. Are there any Forum members who have/had this (or a similar year) model? If yes, we would appreciate any comment in regard to operating characteristic, either chassis or cabin.
Thanks

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Sensfan

Family members will be renting a 2010 RT SS Ideal next summer. They have no RVing experience and we will provide them with basic "how to" from our knowledge/experience. Are there any Forum members who have/had this (or a similar year) model? If yes, we would appreciate any comment in regard to operating characteristic, either chassis or cabin.
Thanks

I believe the Ideal is on the short Sprinter and has the rear slide-out "hearse" bed in the back. A unique design for sure. Otherwise, systems should be similar to the Mercedes Roadtreks of the period.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLYDSFYXM_0

[Sensfan]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

I believe the Ideal is on the short Sprinter and has the rear slide-out "hearse" bed in the back. A unique design for sure. Otherwise, systems should be similar to the Mercedes Roadtreks of the period.

Yes, and correctly or incorrectly, I am recalling that the rear slide-out design is unique to the 2010 model.

[Aggie]

I own a 2010 SS Ideal with rear slide out.
Not much different than any other slide unit, be sure nothing is blocking slide both going out and in. Items on floor, curtains, items under the bed in storage area and the rear doors themselves. Also be sure the rear window on the slide is closed before closing the rear doors.
Otherwise, enjoy the refrigerator that is positioned higher at a comfortable level and larger than that on other similar models. They will also enjoy the significantly larger bathroom than other similar models.

[Sensfan]

Originally Posted by Aggie

I own a 2010 SS Ideal with rear slide out.
Not much different than any other slide unit, be sure nothing is blocking slide both going out and in. Items on floor, curtains, items under the bed in storage area and the rear doors themselves. Also be sure the rear window on the slide is closed before closing the rear doors.
Otherwise, enjoy the refrigerator that is positioned higher at a comfortable level and larger than that on other similar models. They will also enjoy the significantly larger bathroom than other similar models.

Great info, thanks much for responding.
Your SS Ideal comes across as one cool machine. The more I researched it the more I liked it. Two other questions please:
1) How easy is it to dump the tanks (these guys are RV newbies)?
2) How much of a drain factor could the propane driven generator be on the capacity of the onboard propane tank?
3) Will the 750 watt inverter run the microwave?

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Sensfan

Great info, thanks much for responding.
Your SS Ideal comes across as one cool machine. The more I researched it the more I liked it. Two other questions please:
1) How easy is it to dump the tanks (these guys are RV newbies)?
2) How much of a drain factor could the propane driven generator be on the capacity of the onboard propane tank?
3) Will the 750 watt inverter run the microwave?

I will answer number 3) - No. The 750W rating is cooking power. There is a lot of power inefficiency as my van's 750W microwave (which wasn't initially wired to the inverter anyway) draws 1100 watts and would not run off my old 750W inverter.

[Sensfan]

Originally Posted by rowiebowie

I will answer number 3) - No. The 750W rating is cooking power. There is a lot of power inefficiency as my van's 750W microwave (which wasn't initially wired to the inverter anyway) draws 1100 watts and would not run off my old 750W inverter.

Good to know, thanks

[Aggie]

Originally Posted by Sensfan

Great info, thanks much for responding.
Your SS Ideal comes across as one cool machine. The more I researched it the more I liked it. Two other questions please:
1) How easy is it to dump the tanks (these guys are RV newbies)?
2) How much of a drain factor could the propane driven generator be on the capacity of the onboard propane tank?
3) Will the 750 watt inverter run the microwave?

1) Easy and quick to dump. Unit has macerator pump with 1 1/2 inch pull out drain hose. No gloves, rinsing etc involved.
2) I don’t use generator much so can’t advise except to say the propane tank is significant size, I’d say at least size of 3 standard 20 lb tanks so I expect it would run the generator for significant time.
3) I believe the earlier reply saying No the inverter will not run the microwave is correct. We removed our microwave because we didn’t use it regularly and now have that big space for storage of other items.

I hope the person your friends are renting from will provide instruction on daily operation of systems on the unit.

One additional peculiarity of this unit and the Tripp Lite electric inverter (if it still has that inverter) is that when connecting to outside power to 15 amp 110 Volt GFI receptacle it will trigger the breaker in the receptacle unless the inverter is switched to “off” on the back of the inverter (under driver seat) before plugging in. Switch back on after connecting and alls fine. Others with this model have reported the same problem, one found another “work around” by setting switches on the electric panel above slide door in a certain way that I haven’t figured out. This problem does not occur when plugging into non-GFI 15 amp 110 receptacle or when using the larger 30 amp outside power connection.

Best Wishes !

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Aggie

1) Easy and quick to dump. Unit has macerator pump with 1 1/2 inch pull out drain hose. No gloves, rinsing etc involved.
2) I don’t use generator much so can’t advise except to say the propane tank is significant size, I’d say at least size of 3 standard 20 lb tanks so I expect it would run the generator for significant time.
3) I believe the earlier reply saying No the inverter will not run the microwave is correct. We removed our microwave because we didn’t use it regularly and now have that big space for storage of other items.

I hope the person your friends are renting from will provide instruction on daily operation of systems on the unit.

One additional peculiarity of this unit and the Tripp Lite electric inverter (if it still has that inverter) is that when connecting to outside power to 15 amp 110 Volt GFI receptacle it will trigger the breaker in the receptacle unless the inverter is switched to “off” on the back of the inverter (under driver seat) before plugging in. Switch back on after connecting and alls fine. Others with this model have reported the same problem, one found another “work around” by setting switches on the electric panel above slide door in a certain way that I haven’t figured out. This problem does not occur when plugging into non-GFI 15 amp 110 receptacle or when using the larger 30 amp outside power connection.

Best Wishes !

Agree with everything except the "no gloves" comment. Yes, the macerator is a convenient and clean(ish) way to dump, but the dump station flap still needs to be lifted and the hose-end is insterted a few inches into it. Plus, the hose drags where everyone else's hose has dragged. So just light, dispostable gloves are an essential carry item.