Winnebago Travato new model # 59K

[ClassB4Me]

We were on the edge of the summer season so the campgrounds on the parkway were not crowded.

Shows you what I know. Lived in NC for 15+ years and never knew there were campgrounds on the parkway.

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by bobojay

Be curious to see your take on the final storage capacity after you get everything loaded you had before.
Just as a curiosity, when did Chrysler build your van?

Sticker says 7/15 on the chassis. The sticker for WGO says 9/29 - think that is when they start the build process in their system. It was out the door on 10/26.

Interestingly, the OCCC sticker says 1927 lbs.

[pattonsr]

Did you get gas or diesel engine?

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by pattonsr

Did you get gas or diesel engine?

I got gas.

[wincrasher]

Well, I got all my stuff loaded and organized. The only thing I couldn't fit inside was my Olympian grill. It's just a tad too big. So I'm back to a Coleman.

I got my Timbrens reinstalled - that gave me 7" under the generator and all the better handling characteristics. Much better than I saw with them on the G. I also got my EC-30W Onan remote start installed. I struggled finding the wiring connections, but I eventually found them. It's a bit different routing than on the G (plus it's dark under there!). The EC-30W works great with the One-Place display, so I'm glad I was able to keep all that functionality. I mounted the remote on the side of the kitchen cabinet right behind the driver's seat. There is a handy 110v outlet right there too.

I also got one of my additional 80w long & narrow solar panels installed. The other one will have to wait until I find some taller brackets so the panel will clear the obstructions on the awning and the radio antenna. Mounting it with the low brackets, I'm short about 1/2". Need a C bracket that is around 3" tall and I'll be good to go.

[patirwin]

We've had our new 59K for a week now here in Florida after flying down from our home in Alaska to pick it up. So far we really like it except for the lame side screen door. It's come out of its track 3 times in 4 days and requires minor disassembly to fix
It's a real pain to do and I hope Winnebago will own up to this design flaw and replace it with a better one. If anyone has an easy fix for it I'd love to hear about it.
But the main reason for this post is we're parking the rig for 2 weeks while we spend some time on North Captiva Island in SW Florida. It's in the 90s down here so I want to know what I should do to it, if anything, to make sure its ready to drive after sitting for 2weeks in the hot sun. It has the solar panel on it.
Should I empty and unplug the fridge? Disconnect the coach battery? Anything else?
I'm totally new to RVing and I'm just not sure what to do in this case. I'd really appreciate you input. Thanks

[wincrasher]

I would just turn off the fridge (empty it of course) and hit the disconnect switch. The solar panel should keep your batteries topped off. Also, I'd leave your roof vent open, but not have the fan running (assuming you have the MaxxAir fan). If you don't, then just open the bathroom vent a little - you want hot air to get out of your coach.

I'd also dump your water and waste tanks. Leave your water tank empty until you return. Put a tiny amount of water and chemical in each of your waste tanks.

On the screen door, you are most likely not grabbing it from the mid-point of the door. If you pull on it too high, or too low, you are twisting it and pulling it off the track. The Sprinter version of this door is slightly different, as the piece bolted to the floor has a groove cut into it that acts as a guide and keep the door on track. Rumour has it that the Promaster version of this door will get upgraded to have that feature (have no idea on the timing of that change).

The door on my K is probably the best one I've had. It fits very well and so far opens and closes smoothly. On my G, the fit was not as good and some bugs could get in.

[patirwin]

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear as far as storing it for 2weeks. As for the door we knew about the midpoint grab point and still managed to pull it off the track. We have to baby it everytime and it still doesn't seal enough to keep bugs out. The dealer doesn't like it either and will help us with upgrade.
Thanks again for the info

[bobojay]

What wincrasher says is the way to go. Just remember to kill that battery switch and fridge. The single solar isn't capable of keeping those batteries up over the long term with the fridge on.
One thing since you are a novice RVer, is never run your batteries down below 50% if at all possible. For sure never below 25%, as that permanently damages their capacity. You have a pretty good quality AGM battery pair there that's very expensive to replace.

Wincrasher is on his third Travato now so he knows about them...

[patirwin]

Thanks Bobo, any issue with the LP sitting in the heat for 2 weeks?

[mass59k]

Congrats on your K! We put over 10k on ours this summer. Also did Skyline drive and camped there. Can attest that the Truma is awesome. .just set it and forget it!! Averaging the 17 mpg and after 15k all is still good...ready to winterize and go inside for the winter.

[bobojay]

Originally Posted by patirwin

Thanks Bobo, any issue with the LP sitting in the heat for 2 weeks?

No, there are safety measures built in....Just be sure to turn off the propane switch

[BobB]

Originally Posted by bobojay

No, there are safety measures built in....Just be sure to turn off the propane switch

Suggest you also turn off the valve at the tank.

[eric1514]

Originally Posted by BobB

Suggest you also turn off the valve at the tank.

The battery disconnect should deal with this but if it doesn't, the shutoff solenoid will drain the batteries in short order so this is good advice.

Eric

[bobojay]

Originally Posted by BobB

Suggest you also turn off the valve at the tank.

That's an even better idea

[pattonsr]

wincrasher,

A few questions.

Is your color Granite Upgrade Package?

Where is the propane tank located? Side access?

I see the A/C is a Coleman 13.5K Mach 8. Do you know if Winnebago will install as an option the 15K Mach 8? Texas is hot.

There are several Nova Kool models at counter height: R3100, R3800, R4500, R5810. Do you know which model you have?

Thanks,
Barry

[wincrasher]

Originally Posted by pattonsr

wincrasher,

A few questions.

Is your color Granite Upgrade Package?

Where is the propane tank located? Side access?

I see the A/C is a Coleman 13.5K Mach 8. Do you know if Winnebago will install as an option the 15K Mach 8? Texas is hot.

There are several Nova Kool models at counter height: R3100, R3800, R4500, R5810. Do you know which model you have?

Thanks,
Barry

Yes.
Underneath, centered - just aft of the main fuel tank. The fill is on the side of the van, underneath.
13.5. I have no idea if they'd put in a bigger one - it's not on the options list.
It's the 4500.

[bobojay]

They won't install a bigger ac unit. That would be between you and your dealer

[avanti]

Originally Posted by pattonsr

I see the A/C is a Coleman 13.5K Mach 8. Do you know if Winnebago will install as an option the 15K Mach 8? Texas is hot.

Don't assume that bigger is better when it comes to A/C units. A bigger unit might cool things down a bit faster initially, but an oversized unit will have shorter duty cycles, which will make it much less effective at dehumidification, which is a big part of keeping a space comfortable.

I admit I don't live in Texas (travel there, though).

[Davydd]

Advanced RV went to the 15,000 BTU Mach 8 unit because it ran more efficiently. If you contact them I think they could tell you more on their reasoning. I think they are the only ones to date that have done so with a van. The 13,500 BTU is a step above the 11,000 BTU units most have been installing.

Anyway, I haven't run mine yet after over 26,000 miles of travel including Texas, so it is a moot point for me as I have no desire to travel in areas where air conditioning is required.