davidc-HILO
Senior Member
Well after 1 month of living in my Hi-Lo ('90 22' FunChaser 229L) I can say it's been an experience.
What have I learned;
1) After looking at a 2309H (forget the year) at a local dealer, mine is "fancier" inside than the newer one, and has quite a bit more storage inside. Quite frankly, it looked rather plain.
2) I've learned to sew and have been making curtains lined with blackout / thermal lining due to the heat transfer from the non-tinted windows... plus the fact I work nights every 2 weeks and have to try and sleep in a VERY, VERY, VERY bright trailer when the sun comes up... mini blinds don't cut it and at ~$70 each for day/nite or ~$225 for really nice blinds from Homeless Depot to block light, I decided to learn something new and make my own. Coming out pretty nice so far.
3) The short sink spout is going away very quickly. I have found one that the spout comes off easily (made that way on purpose) and is the same pedistal size.
4) You keep finding "stuff" that needs updating / re-doing almost all the time.
5) The trim rail along the back of the counter is going to become real wood instead of particle board when I do the faucet... it get's wet and swells, looks like crap.
6) Installing the cleanout thingy in the black tank was the best $20 I have ever spent... The hose connector is next to the handle for the black tank and makes "rinsing" the black tank a 15 minute job and no need to drag a hose inside or try and fill it with the shower head. If you don't have a black tank flush setup - do it.
7) Realistically don't need a tank monitor... you can see the black tank when you flush... ok - might put a single tank monitor for the grey tank...
8) The hot water heater... turn it on in the morning, let it run, turn it off and the water stays hot to warm all day and I haven't really had to turn it on more than once a day. I shower in the facilities here, we won't talk about the shower in this thing.
9) The shower in this, ok, so we will... is a PITA big time. I have found a flat shower pan of the same size and will fix the issue of the seat in mine. I figure a "remodel" of a 24" x 36" shower area won't break the bank, but it's low on the list right now. Showering in a dish pan is annoying, at least that's what it feels like.
10) I will be installing 3 fans for the refridge vent, the one helps, but the 3 I have to put in use less power, make less noise and pull more air. They use 0.32 amps each, run at 19db and are about 1" larger than the 5 1/4" in there now.
11) Fridge runs much better on propane than electricity... Temp stays consistant. Bought a indoor outdoor weather thingy and stuck the outside sending unit inside - others have done this, nothing new. Hi and lo temp readings so I know if it ever got warm inside. BTW put some kind of fan inside, I have a hard drive cooler I bought for $6 getting it's power from the outside fan... anything to "move" the air inside.
12) Use the foam pipe insulation to block the air from getting in or out around the worn out seal like mine. I used 4 corner pieces and 7 sections for 1/2" pipe. Stick it in from the bottom outside and it seems to stay... well it's been there a month so far. $14 is cheaper than $300 + taking apart your trailer to replace it. It's light and only takes up room when you're traveling.
Most of these are just issues that have come up because I'm living in something truley not intended to be lived in. Some are issues because it's a Hi-Lo and are unique because of that fact.
What have I learned;
1) After looking at a 2309H (forget the year) at a local dealer, mine is "fancier" inside than the newer one, and has quite a bit more storage inside. Quite frankly, it looked rather plain.
2) I've learned to sew and have been making curtains lined with blackout / thermal lining due to the heat transfer from the non-tinted windows... plus the fact I work nights every 2 weeks and have to try and sleep in a VERY, VERY, VERY bright trailer when the sun comes up... mini blinds don't cut it and at ~$70 each for day/nite or ~$225 for really nice blinds from Homeless Depot to block light, I decided to learn something new and make my own. Coming out pretty nice so far.
3) The short sink spout is going away very quickly. I have found one that the spout comes off easily (made that way on purpose) and is the same pedistal size.
4) You keep finding "stuff" that needs updating / re-doing almost all the time.
5) The trim rail along the back of the counter is going to become real wood instead of particle board when I do the faucet... it get's wet and swells, looks like crap.
6) Installing the cleanout thingy in the black tank was the best $20 I have ever spent... The hose connector is next to the handle for the black tank and makes "rinsing" the black tank a 15 minute job and no need to drag a hose inside or try and fill it with the shower head. If you don't have a black tank flush setup - do it.
7) Realistically don't need a tank monitor... you can see the black tank when you flush... ok - might put a single tank monitor for the grey tank...
8) The hot water heater... turn it on in the morning, let it run, turn it off and the water stays hot to warm all day and I haven't really had to turn it on more than once a day. I shower in the facilities here, we won't talk about the shower in this thing.
9) The shower in this, ok, so we will... is a PITA big time. I have found a flat shower pan of the same size and will fix the issue of the seat in mine. I figure a "remodel" of a 24" x 36" shower area won't break the bank, but it's low on the list right now. Showering in a dish pan is annoying, at least that's what it feels like.
10) I will be installing 3 fans for the refridge vent, the one helps, but the 3 I have to put in use less power, make less noise and pull more air. They use 0.32 amps each, run at 19db and are about 1" larger than the 5 1/4" in there now.
11) Fridge runs much better on propane than electricity... Temp stays consistant. Bought a indoor outdoor weather thingy and stuck the outside sending unit inside - others have done this, nothing new. Hi and lo temp readings so I know if it ever got warm inside. BTW put some kind of fan inside, I have a hard drive cooler I bought for $6 getting it's power from the outside fan... anything to "move" the air inside.
12) Use the foam pipe insulation to block the air from getting in or out around the worn out seal like mine. I used 4 corner pieces and 7 sections for 1/2" pipe. Stick it in from the bottom outside and it seems to stay... well it's been there a month so far. $14 is cheaper than $300 + taking apart your trailer to replace it. It's light and only takes up room when you're traveling.
Most of these are just issues that have come up because I'm living in something truley not intended to be lived in. Some are issues because it's a Hi-Lo and are unique because of that fact.
I did turn the refrigerator cooling fan on during the road trip.
