A Question for Owners of Promasters & Transit Class B's

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by Winston

Like MsNomer, we have a DIY Promaster (159" WB in our case) with virtually nothing added below. No lift kits. Clearance is low, but we've been surprised that we've been (more or less) successful in taking our van anywhere we wanted. [The "less successful" reference relates to our encounter with Forest Service Developmental Road 4680 in NE Oregon. Don't take it!]

By the way, the lowest point in our undercarriage is the one item that we did add below - - a Nations 2nd alternator. Some have installed steal plates to protect this low-hanging item - - we haven't and have (with another qualified "mostly") survived.

Off subject: how do you like your fridge?

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

I have 144” WB 2013 Sprinter with no protrusions lowering ground clearance except Isotemp water heater. It is located in front of rear left wheel protruding about 1.5” below the rocker panel. Both grey and fresh water tank fill available space but are reasonably small, 12gal fresh and 14gal grey. I could increase volumes with more complex shapes by a couple gallons each.

Never had a close call on heavily rutted roads we use occasionally.

Great photo - looks vulnerable but ...

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

Great photo - looks vulnerable but ...

Not so volurable, WH 10.5" road clearance and rocker panel 12", just measured. WH is 21.25" long which is less then 10% of rocker panels lenght.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

Off subject: how do you like your fridge?

Re: NovaKool R4500

We give 5 Stars to NovaKool service and support but only 4 Stars for the product itself.

First, the thermostat has a large knob that is easily and randomly 'self-adjusted' by invisible forces inside the frig (probably frig contents that move-about while bouncing down the road.) Duct tape mostly resolved this issue.

But beyond this, it's an imprecise analog system in which the temperature easily wanders over a 5+ degree range. We attribute this variability to changing 'contents' and 'content density' but haven't ruled out that it may be, additionally, a factor of environmental temperature with a possibility that we haven't provided sufficient airflow/venting.

As we've been using this system for 5 years without having taken steps to further understand or correct the issue - - it is more an 'anomaly' than a real problem.

[Winston]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

When you mention "Forest Service Developmental Road", any question is answered. News to me that the Second Alternator is also a clearance issue as you describe, that must be a risk with unexpected road debris, also.

Do you boondock a lot? And because of the 500ah of Lithium, was that why you added both the Solar & the Dual Alternator?

As we carry only 'emergency' washroom provisions, we require an 'outhouse' as a minimum. So our boondocking is limited. But we do 'off-grid' camping and are heavily into technology with a very significant energy budget (about 3.5+ kwh/day) so we make ample use of both the solar and 2nd alternator.

By the way, the Promaster does provide a plastic 'guard' under the 2nd alternator so most minimal dangers (such as splashing water and kicked-up stones) are not issues.