Community Forums

RVRandy · 01-10-2013, 08:40 PM

Has anyone done an install of a curtain behind the cockpit seats to isolate that area? We can run the dash heater full blast when its 20 degrees outside and the cockpit never really gets warm. I talked to freightliner and they said it is a common problem on DP's as the water lines are so long the water gets cooled down by the time it reaches up front. You cant access the lines to insulate them (I tried) so the only option is to add a boost pump to increase circulation. Thats doable but pricey and a pain to install.

Instead, I hung some insulated curtains over the lip of the retractable bed and closed it. That keeps the curtains from falling temporarily and they hang down just to the floor. This helps a lot by shrinking the size of the area that has to be heated, I'm sure it will help with the chassis AC in the summer too.

But, they will fall as soon as I lower the bed. Does anyone know if there is enough room in the interior ceiling to safely put some screws into the ceiling and not have them pentrate the roof? Is there an RV specific type curtain hanger I could use to fasten to the ceiling? I'm think it will also be nice to have this curtain hung from the ceiling so it will function as a privacy curtain for anyone sleeping in the overhead bed too.

palehorse89 · 01-11-2013, 04:03 AM

When it is that cold out and traveling don't you run your furnace or aqua hot or something? Is the basement warm as to not freeze things up? Mine keeps the cockpit really warm at that temp to the point it limits the furnace from running so I turn the dash fan down to keep the Coach a even temp from front to back. (furnace and dash heat)

ChallengerRN · 01-11-2013, 01:49 PM

Haven't done it yet on the Palazzo but on my Daybreak I had my dealer put a track across the ceiling that had sliding hooks on it for a curtain. Worked great for heat & air & privacy. We never used the window blinds. Had a Velcro strap to hold it to the side when not in use.

TheArnolds · 01-11-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

When it is that cold out and traveling don't you run your furnace or aqua hot or something? Is the basement warm as to not freeze things up? Mine keeps the cockpit really warm at that temp to the point it limits the furnace from running so I turn the dash fan down to keep the Coach a even temp from front to back. (furnace and dash heat)

We do the same with the coach furnace and chassis heaters and it keeps the entire coach very comfortable.
We do not have the overhead bunk and use the driver and co-pilot chairs turned around for extra seating so a curtain would get in the way.

RVRandy · 01-12-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

When it is that cold out and traveling don't you run your furnace or aqua hot or something? Is the basement warm as to not freeze things up? Mine keeps the cockpit really warm at that temp to the point it limits the furnace from running so I turn the dash fan down to keep the Coach a even temp from front to back. (furnace and dash heat)

My 33.2 takes forever to heat up using the furnace when the slides are closed. In the winter there is nothing to freeze up in the basement as it is winterized. I just want to heat the drivers area when I have a 1 hour drive to the dealer for service, etc.

Does the furnace stay lit going down the highway?

That track system sounds like the way to go. I'll hunt around and try to figure out what brands are out there.

palehorse89 · 01-12-2013, 01:31 PM

Yes, we always use our furnace when it is cool out, we travel with our pet africian gray parrot and he cannot get chilled. The coach is 72-75 deg. inside when we travel in cool weather. The blower is on in the basement also when the furnace runs as the heat in the basement warms the floors.
I am just wondering how much you have to go to the dealer in cold weather to have to worry about this? If I was you the day of the appointment I would start the furnace 2-4 hours ahead of leaving and everything will be warm inside.

sdennislee · 01-12-2013, 01:39 PM

We do the same thing when driving, run either the coach furnace or coach AC to keep the coach comfortable and have it at a comfortable temp when we arrive at our destination.

I have thought about the curtain idea myself to save on propane used with the furnace or diesel used by the generator that pawers the AC. End the end it's worth the cost to me to have the coach at a comfortable temp.

"007" · 01-12-2013, 03:12 PM

We did have a write up by someone in QT'S 1 & 2 where they mounted a 1 1/4" cloths pole behind the drivers and passenger seats with pole rings and hung drapes from the pole. The pole was high to ceiling.
The pictures were removed from old post when we had software change.
They were the insulated drapes and closed when driving to keep the drivers area cool when using the AC from dash during the day.
Could do the same for heat but like said if your plumbing isn't winterized you would need the furnace on.
The drapes would also give privacy in coach after dark if you didn't have windshield curtains.

RVRandy · 01-13-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Yes, we always use our furnace when it is cool out, we travel with our pet africian gray parrot and he cannot get chilled. The coach is 72-75 deg. inside when we travel in cool weather. The blower is on in the basement also when the furnace runs as the heat in the basement warms the floors.
I am just wondering how much you have to go to the dealer in cold weather to have to worry about this? If I was you the day of the appointment I would start the furnace 2-4 hours ahead of leaving and everything will be warm inside.

I dont know where you live, but when I got up this morning it was -5 below zero. I dont care about heating the basement as the rig is fully winterized and I wont put water in it or use the bathroom until Spring. However, whether I want to take it in for service or whether I use it to run out to the race track for an afternoon, it is absurd to have to run the house furnace for 2-4 hours just so I can get the cabin warm enough to defrost the windshield! Not to mention I would be in a world of hurt if I was driving through the mountains and went through a snow squall, this thing doesn't get hot enough to really keep the ice off of the windshield unless I supplement it.

I ordered an insulated curtain and I just need to find the right type of rail system to mount it to the ceiling with. This should be a very simple fix once I get the materials. When its all done I'll post up some pictures.

I also bought a small 5 disc ceramic space heater that will put out 3500 watts of heat. It seems to run just fine on the inverter when going down the road so this, along with the curtain, should keep the cab nice and toasty. It has built in tip over safety switch so it should be just fine to use when driving.

palehorse89 · 01-13-2013, 03:50 PM

Sounds great, keep warm!

TheArnolds · 01-13-2013, 04:19 PM

RV Randy:
Do what you need to do to stay warm

ChallengerRN · 01-14-2013, 10:14 PM

RVRandy: I found the curtain track like I had. Look on your side windows at your driver seat. The track that your cockpit window curtains slide on is the same thing I had. They put a long piece of that all the way across behind the captain seats. Then I added longer hooks to the short ones and hung a curtain off that . Looks to me like you could attach it to the bottom of the bunk bed. I think you said you had the bunk

RVRandy · 01-15-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChallengerRN

RVRandy: I found the curtain track like I had. Look on your side windows at your driver seat. The track that your cockpit window curtains slide on is the same thing I had. They put a long piece of that all the way across behind the captain seats. Then I added longer hooks to the short ones and hung a curtain off that . Looks to me like you could attach it to the bottom of the bunk bed. I think you said you had the bunk

I found some ceiling mounted curtain track online, its the same stuff they use to hang the curtains in hospital ER's that surround the beds. It comes in white, black and silver in 6' stick for $30 each. The roller hooks that go inside are $10 for 12 of them. I'm estimating total cost will be $80 approximately, this is good heavy duty stuff that should hold up well.

I plan to mount the track to the ceiling so it functions as a privacy curtain too when someone is sleeping in the overhead bed. I'll post up pictures and details when I get it all done.

ChallengerRN · 01-15-2013, 08:33 AM

Great. I'm in McKinney Tx at MCD getting measured for side cockpit shades today- with some minor mods. They say they can do it with the bunk bed---they getting me a price ??