For all Intents and purposes

[bdub]

Ok, over 1800 miles done! Falcon performed perfectly. We lost some cargo off the countertops cause we didn't anticipate the g forces involved in turns....newbie mistakes. Now we're all set up here in sunny soCal for the next three weeks as we await closing on our new home.

Making our way through Houston traffic, then San Antonio traffic, then LA traffic, has really given me a ton of confidence in handling a rig this size and perhaps even bigger in the future.

Towing a v8 Jeep Grand Cherokee...well, going up the Laguna mountains on I-8 was definitely putting the v10 to the test, but the downgrades were the scary bits!!

Ready Brake and Ready Brute towing with Demco Tabless baseplate on the 2017 JGC worked like a dream. We had a little trouble figuring out how to get the arms locked no the Ready Brute system at first. Need to partially extend them and then swing the red control arms toward the locked positions....after that it was awesome. Here's a pic of the Falcon and the Trailhawk in the Az sun.

[YGoHom]

Welcome to California! I’m glad you had a safe trip and the Jeep behaved for you.
I’ve been using the Ready Brute for almost 5 years and love it. What I do is pull the Jeep up too close for the full extension of the arms. With the arms unlocked, compress enough to attach, flip the lock levers in place, and then I push the Jeep backwards until the arms lock.

[bdub]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

Welcome to California! I’m glad you had a safe trip and the Jeep behaved for you.
I’ve been using the Ready Brute for almost 5 years and love it. What I do is pull the Jeep up too close for the full extension of the arms. With the arms unlocked, compress enough to attach, flip the lock levers in place, and then I push the Jeep backwards until the arms lock.

Definitely going to try that technique later this month! We are camping in Van Nuys until we can close on our house in Camarillo. Loving the perfect weather in SoCal for sure!

[bdub]

Hey...does anybody know if our TV in the bedroom flips up? It looks like it should but i cant figure out how and i dont to pry it off the wall on accident!

[YGoHom]

it doesn't flip up or move in any way. I was camping this weekend and looked at it. I can't even figure out how it's up there. It's a different mount than the one by the fridge. It almost looks like it's dropped in from above and wedged in place.

[bdub]

Ok.. thanks for verifying that. I thought the top attachment point with its half a dozen screws was the top of a piano hinge but maybe that’s the bracket point for removal.

[SCCAFIRE]

I do not know for the rest of you but our outside fridge does not get cold enough. The thermostat is on the back. Anybody know how to access that?

[bdub]

Originally Posted by SCCAFIRE

I do not know for the rest of you but our outside fridge does not get cold enough. The thermostat is on the back. Anybody know how to access that?

We had to have ours replaced. The compressor was shot. Took about a month because of backorder issues.

[feiter]

Wow, I have never even plugged mine in! I have used the TV a couple of times but that's it...I have the Bluetooth antenna for my RVI3 brake system plugged in out there to get close to backside and have an inverter power supplied outlet...that's it for me. I will have to plug in and see if it works.

Here is a little tidbit I wanted to share. Please recall my telling you about an accident I had inside KOA in Seattle...pulled loose the angle molding on the drivers side that joins the side and rear exterior panel. I ordered the replacement molding direct from Winnebago and paid a fortune to get it shipped due to the length.

So, when I installed new I found out I was actually missing two other pieces of trim...both the lower corner trim pieces that wrap around the bottom were missing. Looking close I could actually see adhesive was present that seemed to indicate the parts were there at one time. I have never had any accident or incident I could recall that would have caused damage to the rear of the vehicle at the lower level but both pieces were missing. There is also no evidence of any other damage (scratches, etc.) except a curved aluminum piece on passenger side (yes, opposite of my accident side) is bent up in the air a very little and needs to be repositioned to install the new trim piece.

I contacted Winnebago and they agreed to give me replacements at no cost treating as if they were never installed. Nice of them. I have received only 1 as of today but second is in transit. I will post pics when I install on the unit.

Weird huh? Dealer removed? Why? Delivery person had incident? Don't know.

BTW, I now have 16,362 miles and the unit has performed beautifully. Like YGOHOME I am so happy I spent the money to improve the suspension and I actually like my handling now...Almost drives itself. To be sure we could still have softer ride but not sure if I will do more. There are so many more options than just the track bars, sway bars, Safe-T-Plus, etc. How about Kon i or EVO99 Shocks? SumoSprings or Coil SumoSprings, Motion Control Units and new Tie Rods? Wow...all a fortune of course.

Best to all...I think my next trip is going to be down to Baja on the eastern side. Looking into escorted but will probably just go it alone.

[joycev1105a]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

So glad you had a great trip. Bummer on the damage, but I'm sure you'll get it fixed.

The thread has gone quiet. I think this group of contributors have gotten the kinks worked out and are just enjoying (hopefully) the INTENT.

Not happy about the way it handles, especially in the wind. Suggestions for the remedy will have to wait for now. At any rate, I searched for my issue and didn't find it. So bare with me (and correct me) if this is a duplicate question. What have you found to replace the silly screw for locking the fridge while driving. What a joke. I would also like to possibly put drawers under the dinette bench. Is that crazy. Too much of a hassle to breakdown benches to get to storage. This is the 4th RV and two of the others had drawers. I'm spoiled. Any suggestions would be appreciated
TIA
J Hansen

[feiter]

Originally Posted by joycev1105a

Not happy about the way it handles, especially in the wind. Suggestions for the remedy will have to wait for now. At any rate, I searched for my issue and didn't find it. So bare with me (and correct me) if this is a duplicate question. What have you found to replace the silly screw for locking the fridge while driving. What a joke. I would also like to possibly put drawers under the dinette bench. Is that crazy. Too much of a hassle to breakdown benches to get to storage. This is the 4th RV and two of the others had drawers. I'm spoiled. Any suggestions would be appreciated
TIA
J Hansen

See thread 17 and 18...it gives you the pullout dinette shelves and under TV pull out...this what you are asking about? I ordered the suggested brackets yesterday to convert the under TV to pull out...not sure I have the woodworking skills but going to give it a try.

Regarding the fridge hold close...mine is stripping...YGOHOME...can you share your actual design for the nice unit you have shown in this thread earlier? I need something? Remember I am willing to buy if you decide to make and sell. Hope you are well.

[joycev1105a]

Thank you!!

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by feiter

See thread 17 and 18...it gives you the pullout dinette shelves and under TV pull out...this what you are asking about? I ordered the suggested brackets yesterday to convert the under TV to pull out...not sure I have the woodworking skills but going to give it a try.

Regarding the fridge hold close...mine is stripping...YGOHOME...can you share your actual design for the nice unit you have shown in this thread earlier? I need something? Remember I am willing to buy if you decide to make and sell. Hope you are well.

Yes I've posted some stuff on page 17 of improvements I've made. I look at a MH as a house I just bought. Now I have to make changes to make it more lime mine. I have some woodworking skills, but not of my posts require much knowledge. Just remember measure, measure, then cut.

Now Subject of "Handling". This is important as in the word Safety. I'm on my 3rd MH. 1st was Winnie Rialta, then Phoenix Cruiser on E350 chassis, and now the Intent on the F-53. The Rialta didn't need any help. Drove like an SUV, but vehicle was on a VW van chassis which was front wheel drive. (too weak for a 21' MH in my opinion.. Tranny went out at 60k). The PC on the E-350, 24', was a disaster to drive until I spent some 1k on suspension upgrades. Now with the Intent F-53 chassis, that too was pretty much unsafe to drive, out of the gate. So I turned to https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle/2018/Ford/F-53
They are pretty knowledgeable on suspension problems with the F-53. Btw, Winnie is not the only company that ships out Class A MH's that are unsafe to drive. (Looks like they all do... sadly) But I went with their suggestions of different anti-say bars and Sumo springs. (I only oped to do Sumo in the front as when I did the above improvements, I now feel like my 26M drives like a SUV. Amen? That is what I was trying to achieve. OBTW... a steering stabilizer should also be added.

So ... sorry this got so long, but I try to help and hope this does with your Intent. It's a fine MH, so don't be afraid to make it your own. It's your house. It's my wife's and my house for at least 6 months in Arizona, and maybe 1/3 of the summer here in Wisconsin.

Enjoy,
Denny and Barb

[K9AEG]

Regarding the fridge hold close...mine is stripping...YGOHOME...can you share your actual design for the nice unit you have shown in this thread earlier? I need something? Remember I am willing to buy if you decide to make and sell. Hope you are well.

I forgot to mention, I do not use any refrigerator door restraint. And we travel on some pretty gnarly rough roads, and no problem with door remaining closed. So..... for us, I don't know if this is a real problem? Maybe all door magnets are not created equal? Don't know...

[YGoHom]

Alright, alright! It’s not difficult for me to make some. Give me a little bit of time and I’ll refine what I made and knock some out for you guys. My job is extremely busy right now, but it’s a fun project so I’ll squeeze it in.

Also, my fridge will open while pulling out of my side yard and turning onto the street if I don’t have it latched.

-Robb

[YGoHom]

K9AEG,

I’d be interested in some details of your solar system if you don’t mind. Also, why did you stick with 12v batteries? AGM? Total amp hours of the system? Did you also step up the charging system? I know the stock charger is only 55 amp and underpowered for a larger bank.

I will be going to larger capacity 6v, either 2 large batteries or 4 T105’s, then adding solar.
Thanks for any insight.

-Robb

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

K9AEG,

I’d be interested in some details of your solar system if you don’t mind. Also, why did you stick with 12v batteries? AGM? Total amp hours of the system? Did you also step up the charging system? I know the stock charger is only 55 amp and underpowered for a larger bank.

I will be going to larger capacity 6v, either 2 large batteries or 4 T105’s, then adding solar.
Thanks for any insight.

-Robb

Robb, thanks for your questions. BTW all good questions.

The solar system I have is the Renogy 800 watt system that comes complete with solar charger... for about $1400 (remember there maybe still a 30% tax break at tax time since this is my 2nd home) Why Renogy? I bought solar panels from brandX, maybe Chinese knockoffs for my 2014 Phoenix Cruiser. Oh they worked, but not as robust as the Renogy. Renogy is the only trusted Solar company I have found so far. Maybe other's.

Batteries? Well, I bought the 2 12v AGM's for the PC and removed them before I traded. Are they any good. Not really. My favorite is the Trojan T-105 6 volts. Reason I don't have them in Intent, is because the Intent came with 2-12 Napa batteries, and I had to do something with those expensive AGM's I paid too much for. So I am living with this battery setup. They are not doing too badly. When in Arizona for 6 months this last season, my electric bill from the park was $12.40 total for the 6 months. Thats without running the Gen or the V10! Here in Wisconsin, not so good! But remember, Arizona is mostly SUNNY on all days!

Your question about the charging system. No have not upgraded. Don't use it much. V10 does a better job of refreshing batteries. That puts out about 70+ amps if needed. The inverter I tried to update to 2000 watts. But it died on the operating table, and I had to put the original 1000 watt back in.

BTW I modified my electric breaker panel so now ALL receptacles are handled by the 1000 w. inverter. (all except for the microwave receptacle. Have to run GEN for that to work ) So all receptacles are powered by the Inverter.

Now for the T-105's Had two sets of two during my Winnie Rialta days. Good and powerful bats, that run rings around any 12v. wet or certainly AGM. AGM's advantage, as you know, is no mess or corrosion, maintenance free. But my 12v Napa batteries have no corrosion or needing any (maybe because of overcharging.... I don't know) But I still loved their performance. 4 T105's would knock the heck out of my setup of 2 AGM's and two wet cell Napa's for sure.

Maybe when it's time for new house batteries, one should now look at the industry rage today, the Lithium's. Their coming down in price and what's nice is that our chargers, weather solar chargers or Gen chargers are compatible with them kids. Last check, they are about $1000. My AGM's were $500 and that was after shopping around.

Robb... hope this info helps,

Denny

[YGoHom]

Thanks, Denny. It does help. I've always converted to 6v in my previous RV's, and have been waiting for the POS Napa batteries to die...and as expected, they're getting close.
Where did you run the wiring from the solar on the roof down to the battery compartment?

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

Thanks, Denny. It does help. I've always converted to 6v in my previous RV's, and have been waiting for the POS Napa batteries to die...and as expected, they're getting close.
Where did you run the wiring from the solar on the roof down to the battery compartment?

Ran the #6 from the panels through the Black tank exhaust. Not a bad fishk to do.

[SCCAFIRE]

Originally Posted by YGoHom

Alright, alright! It’s not difficult for me to make some. Give me a little bit of time and I’ll refine what I made and knock some out for you guys. My job is extremely busy right now, but it’s a fun project so I’ll squeeze it in.

Also, my fridge will open while pulling out of my side yard and turning onto the street if I don’t have it latched.

-Robb

I'm interested and willing to pay.