For all Intents and purposes

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by JLA

• Reconfigured wiring so all outlets will work with inverter power

Wish list ...
CarPlay stereo
Front cab speakers
Sound deadening and never ending rattle mitigation
Sumo springs or air ride in all corners ?? opinions anyone here, Thank you

Welcome!

I'm most interested in how you did this one:
"Reconfigured wiring so all outlets will work with inverter power"

And this may help you with some of the rattles/noise...

https://vimeo.com/429101708
https://vimeo.com/402762701

[K9AEG]

JLA, yes you have been busy. I will have to digest some of your improvements before I can even ask any questions. Welcome. This is a busy group so stay in-tune...

Denny

[JLA]

Thank you Denny

[Wyatt]

Swapped out the stock Pioneer head unit with another Pioneer with Apple CarPlay (also has Android play). I would recommend staying with another Pioneer unit, as it’s plug n play to swap it out—literally.

Pretty cool better screen and interface. My favorite feature may be backup parking assist delineation.

You can use Siri, or Amazon to give verbal commands, such as turning your home lights on and off while away, or getting directions in Google or Apple maps.

So your co-pilot can watch the screen, while you can hear the directions over the speakers. This now allows me to use my iPhone while driving to focus on my TPMS app.

It also allows for receiving Bluetooth from your tv, IF you add a Bluetooth transmitter to the audio out on your tv, AND a Bluetooth receiver connects to Aux input on the head unit.

I can verbally hear, and respond to text and phone calls while never taking my eyes off of the road (I still have to work).

It also has an internet browser, HD radio, that supports Sirius.

The music supports obviously Apple iTunes, but also Spotify.

It’s a 100% touch screen, no buttons, with swipe to the right multiple screens and functions.

What else can I tell you? It’s expensive...

[JLA]

I watched the video, thank you I will definitely get it done asap we have 10 day trip in July.
Unfortunately I did not take any pics or video when I did it, but I can take some if interested and give you some ideas and tips on how to get it done

[charlescho]

Does anyone think the automatic stabilizer jacks are unusable? What I mean by that is that the auto level won't successfully complete unless I start off with level parking spot. If I happen to park on a slightly uneven spot (which is most of the case), the leveling spits out a "couldn't complete" message. This is due to the limited "reach" of the jacks. Am I the only one with this problem?

I'm heading out again next month and I think I'm going to carry a bunch of 2x lumber with me to put under the jacks.

Any opinions?

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by charlescho

Does anyone think the automatic stabilizer jacks are unusable? What I mean by that is that the auto level won't successfully complete unless I start off with level parking spot. If I happen to park on a slightly uneven spot (which is most of the case), the leveling spits out a "couldn't complete" message. This is due to the limited "reach" of the jacks. Am I the only one with this problem?

I'm heading out again next month and I think I'm going to carry a bunch of 2x lumber with me to put under the jacks.

Any opinions?

Have you tried to park on a level spot, and recalibrate the system?

[JLA]

I agree with you, mine left me stranded For 8 hours on my very first outing in mt pinos CA early November there was no one else around the damn thing wouldn’t retract and to make matters worse I left the owners manual at home (rookie mistake) Lucky me had cell service (barely) and couch net sent rescue guy took another 2 hours to get levelers to retract ... after that took a full year, several trip to giant rv to get them to work some what right .... long story short buy blocks

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by JLA

I agree with you, mine left me stranded For 8 hours on my very first outing in mt pinos CA early November there was no one else around the damn thing wouldn’t retract and to make matters worse I left the owners manual at home (rookie mistake) Lucky me had cell service (barely) and couch net sent rescue guy took another 2 hours to get levelers to retract ... after that took a full year, several trip to giant rv to get them to work some what right .... long story short buy blocks

I’ve downloaded every manual now, as I too got stuck on our first outing. Called Giant RV, and he read me the manual as to how and reset the system.

That didn’t help. Because as it turned out, it was a loose connection at the pump. There’s a LOT of current at that juncture, so any resistance will drop the voltage to zero.

That said, keep your manuals handy, and there is a reset should that happen again.

BTW, I’ve never needed any blocks.

[JLA]

I am so doing this
Great idea
Thank you !

[JLA]

What brackets did you use ??

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by JLA

What brackets did you use ??

For what? And for whom did you direct that question? Trying to understand...

[YGoHom]

I haven’t used the “auto level” since shortly after buying this RV.
Manual leveling is much faster and more precise.

Turn on the unit.
Press UP arrow, then press ENTER for manual mode.
Then just look at where the red dot/dots are and level until you get the green dot.

I also have wood blocks and orange LEGO blocks. Some CA beach spots will have the front wheels more than a foot off the ground!

[charlescho]

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Have you tried to park on a level spot, and recalibrate the system?

I don’t think I need to. When I’m on a rare level spot, the auto level works beautifully.

The problem I’m saying is that the arms are so short, I think the only way to make them functional is to place blocks under the jacks. Which kinda bums me out because back when we were trailer camping, a full size class a showed up next to us, stopped, parked, dropped its levelers down, and they were off camping instantly. I was excited the Intent came with an auto leveler, but I see it’s really a semi auto leveler.

[Wyatt]

Originally Posted by charlescho

I don’t think I need to. When I’m on a rare level spot, the auto level works beautifully.

The problem I’m saying is that the arms are so short, I think the only way to make them functional is to place blocks under the jacks. Which kinda bums me out because back when we were trailer camping, a full size class a showed up next to us, stopped, parked, dropped its levelers down, and they were off camping instantly. I was excited the Intent came with an auto leveler, but I see it’s really a semi auto leveler.

Hmm. Well, I haven’t experienced that issue. Robb is right, the auto leveling can try and over extend the jacks—that, I have experienced. And I also do what he said, use manual level most of the time, but I’m still experimenting with it.

I used to use a nice leveling bubble, however, that’s only as good as how level the surface is that you out it upon. I’d get varying degrees of level, depending if I put it on the floor, or the area closer to the captain’s chair—the raised portion where the small table would go.

So, I’m trying this leveling device out for the first time this week, to see how much better it works, as a guide to actual level.

Look on YouTube for people who have employed it...

[JLA]

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


I had a very similar idea, 
Wife wanted to be able to run microwave, instapot, coffee pot ( or all at once) and plug a dehumidifier in the outlet next to copilot seat, took me some time to understand what was needed then I entered that rabbit hole .
took off all the extra wiring underneath the sink, installed an automatic switch box and a cheap 2000w inverter ... that inverter could not handle the microwave so I replaced for a much beefier GoPower Industrial 2000w that took care of the problem.
Then swapped my batteries for 2 battleborn Li, (love them !) right there I duplicated my usable amp hours to 200 amp hour and upgraded battery cables.
I was pretty unhappy with the mess in the battery compartment so made a bus bar and simplified things a bunch, got rid of a bunch of wire.
After that realized that the factory batt isolator was not going to cut it, Li batteries when depleted too low and put to charge will take lots of amps and possible take the alternator so I knocked 2 birds with one stone and installed a Renogy dc to dc 50amp batt charger with MPPT with that I was able to top off my batteries no problem while driving and installed ports for my 320W portable solar. The last piece of the puzzle came when I left my wife and toddler winter camping 2 days, I joined them the 3rd day and juice was really low, she never set the solar, started the genie and realized after 4h running that the original converter was not going to cut it, we like to boondock and hate annoy ppl with generator noise so I upgraded to a 70amp smart converter charger, that push juice right back in ! 
has been a while now, so far so good everything as INTENTed 🙃☺️

[Ken35216]

Hi. I'm new here and I'm glad to have this tread. I currently have an '18 Coachmen T20CB Orion (no slides) C-Class and 24ft long. I've had another Coachmen Freelander C 24 ft and several travel Trailers and I'm a boater so I know that you have to work on your toys. They are not GMC pu's or Toyotas as some seem to expect.

That said. I just spent 2 weeks in my C-Class and 3,600 miles and want something bigger but not too big. The length of the Intent 26M seems doable (27ft - I like smaller in an RV) and the slides would be wonderful. I have a German Sheppard and a Shelty I just inherited.

From my research so far on the Intent 26M is that it's "entry level" and some people have a problem with that. Is it to cheaply made or just normal light stuff that they put in most RV's?

I'm looking at a 2020 and I'll do the suspension work before I take delivery. I'm also used to cruising at 68-70 and the Intent 26 I'll have to slow down some but I figure I'll break even as I'll stop for gas less with the Intent. My C- Class has only a 25 gallon tank.

Either way I go I'm going to change out the dinette and table and put in a Lazyboy chair as I'm single and I want to be comfortable.

So. Should I get the Intent 26M? Is the craftsmanship much different from a Coachmen Orion (Coachmen's close to entry level)?

Thanks for any and all advice but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a 2020 Intent 26M regardless and learn the hard way, as I always do lol

Ken

[YGoHom]

Welcome, Ken!

I had a similar background, with a 2001 22' Class C Winnie and a 2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 23'. While the INTENT is an entry level RV, I don't feel that the quality is any different than what I've owned. I've been very satisfied with the overall quality and haven't had any real issues. Anything that comes up I take care of.

The issue is the suspension and handling of ALL F53 Rv's, particularly the short wheelbase models with massive rear overhang. The 26M is about as bad as it can be, but it sounds like you are already aware of it. If they had just used the 178" wheelbase instead of 158" I think it would have been a completely different driving experience.

Cheap Handling Fix (CHF), steering stabilizer, rear track bar, heavier/additional sway bars are a must. Before you do anything, take it to a truck shop or RV specialist for an alignment. Regardless of in-spec tolerance, you want TOE IN, not out. They bent my beam to get the camber corrected and added shims for caster. This was my 3rd time at getting an alignment. After doing suspension upgrades and not being happy. I should have started there.

Also, move as much storage weight to the front as possible. IT's very easy to exceed the rear capacity, but be a fraction of the front axle capacity. This makes it very floaty. I've posted all of my MOD's and experiences in these pages.

It doesn't drive or handle as well an my Coachmen Class C, not even close. BUT...I still love it. I drive slower, and with all the suspension MOD's, it drives MUCH better than it did.

I also removed my dinette and put in some recliners (there's pictures a few pages back)

Back to quality and if should you get it...There's only been one contributor to this thread that really has had a tough time with his rig. BROADST, if I remember correctly, has had many, many issues, but the rest of us have been pretty happy I believe.

I actually feel that there are many features of the INTENT are upgrades to my previous RV's. I, as well as many of the contributors here, like to tinker with stuff, and it's all part of owning an RV. Or a boat. Classic car. It's in us to make things better and to suit our personal needs.

Good luck with your decision! Keep in mind that the 26M was a 2 year production run and has been discontinued. Anything you find is all there is!

-Robb

[K9AEG]

Originally Posted by Ken35216

So. Should I get the Intent 26M? Is the craftsmanship much different from a Coachmen Orion (Coachmen's close to entry level)?

Thanks for any and all advice but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a 2020 Intent 26M regardless and learn the hard way, as I always do lol

Ken

Hi Ken and welcome to the group. You have very good questions and I will just focus on one. That is, about the quality of Winny vs. others.

This is what I was told by a local RV repair person, not affiliated with any company. He run his own RV Repair mobile shop.

Now he used to build homes as a contractor before getting into RV repair.

This is what he told me.... "If RV's companies had to compete with the quality of a typical home, they would fall flat on their face, and fail".

He said they don't even come close, and he was indicating many many brands that he has worked on.

So take it from there. You have to expect not, and get not!

I believe Winny is probably a good a company with quality as most. The Intent is entry level? Don't know because if you check the standard features of it with any manufacture, or even Winny, what do you come up with as competition? (answer is none!) You pay extra for outside kitchen, dash monitor that swivels etc. How about floor plan? Intent 26M has large wardrobe, for 2 people. How about ability to live in unit overnight without putting the slides out, as when at truck stops or rest area's. Some have only a half a kitchen sink (5th wheels are even worse... can't walk thru from one end to another.)

Yes the Intent 26M should have been on a longer wheelbase, but with the mods (below) I've done, am quite happy with it in any kinds of winds that the truckers can withstand. Certainly much better than the day I drove it off the lot...

My 2 cents...

[feiter]

Originally Posted by Ken35216

Hi. I'm new here and I'm glad to have this tread. I currently have an '18 Coachmen T20CB Orion (no slides) C-Class and 24ft long. I've had another Coachmen Freelander C 24 ft and several travel Trailers and I'm a boater so I know that you have to work on your toys. They are not GMC pu's or Toyotas as some seem to expect.

That said. I just spent 2 weeks in my C-Class and 3,600 miles and want something bigger but not too big. The length of the Intent 26M seems doable (27ft - I like smaller in an RV) and the slides would be wonderful. I have a German Sheppard and a Shelty I just inherited.

From my research so far on the Intent 26M is that it's "entry level" and some people have a problem with that. Is it to cheaply made or just normal light stuff that they put in most RV's?

I'm looking at a 2020 and I'll do the suspension work before I take delivery. I'm also used to cruising at 68-70 and the Intent 26 I'll have to slow down some but I figure I'll break even as I'll stop for gas less with the Intent. My C- Class has only a 25 gallon tank.

Either way I go I'm going to change out the dinette and table and put in a Lazyboy chair as I'm single and I want to be comfortable.

So. Should I get the Intent 26M? Is the craftsmanship much different from a Coachmen Orion (Coachmen's close to entry level)?

Thanks for any and all advice but I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a 2020 Intent 26M regardless and learn the hard way, as I always do lol

Ken

Hi Ken, welcome to the group. So, I agree with most of the very knowledgeable fellow Intent Owners on this site. I purchase my 2018 In November of 2018 new. I now have about 18,000 miles on her and I have had virtually no problems...everything has worked as it should. The problem has been noise, rattles and poor handling (as many have attested).

First fix should actually be to the center console unit...It bounces up and down like crazy...you can find a few fixes on this stream including mine. We drove with my wife pushing her feet against it to stop the noise.

BTW, I would suggest you buy used. I would never buy a new unit again. You may get lucky and find someone like me who has already done most of the suspension improvements. I had my unit for sale a while back for $69000 as there were many listed as low as $64K. The depreciation off the lot is huge.

I agree with Robb...get the unit aligned by a shop that does many RVs. I saw immediate help with holding the unit in our lane but rattles and ride still terrible. I then added the steering stabilizer and front and rear sway bars.
The help was minor but needed. I have now added Koni Shocks front and rear, front Sumo Springs and a rear track bar. These mods have made a terrific improvement although I have only driven about 150 miles. The bumps are more gentle the bounce recovery is instant, the coach now sways very little on sharper turns and I feel no push when a semi passes at 70MPH.

These fixes are not cheap...this last add was $3200 and would have been $4500 if I had also added Sumo rears. I now have put $7200 just into the suspension.

I felt the 26M had many excellent features and don't consider the unit to be cheap if compared to similar.

So, there is just my wife and I and we are quite happy with the 26M...we do wish we had a little more room so the 30 probably would have been better. I still want more room and better ride and handling. Next year I hope to move up to a 40' DP and have my model in mind (a deal for one fell through last month so I decided to do a few more upgrades and keep the Intent this year).

Best to you...you can see my additions listed on my signature below.