Community Forums

opcop · 10-14-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webman9113

Okay, does anybody have a trick for cleaning the inside of the windshield? We’ve got a bunch of kitty paw prints I need to make disappear, lol!

I use the green windshield wash fluid with bug remover. I buy a gallon at Walmart for about $2.97. Put in a sprayer and do all your windows. Works great for me.

opcop · 10-14-2018, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillfromRI

I just finished reading an 8 page thread on toads that spent more time arguing about brake systems...I am more interested in a consensus from Challenger owners about towing behind your MH. I don't think it helps much to hear what DP owners tow.

Maybe also any cautionary tales about toads that did not work so well...and if anyone uses a tow dolly.

I use to flat tow an older Jeep Grand Cherokee AWD, but I now flat tow a Lincoln MKX AWD. It tows very easy.

ajfarmer · 10-14-2018, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillfromRI

I just finished reading an 8 page thread on toads that spent more time arguing about brake systems...I am more interested in a consensus from Challenger owners about towing behind your MH. I don't think it helps much to hear what DP owners tow.

Maybe also any cautionary tales about toads that did not work so well...and if anyone uses a tow dolly.

We flat tow a 2015 Ford Focus. Super easy to set up for 4 wheel flat towing - just follow simple instructions in the owners manual. I believe most modern Ford vehicles are this way. Blue Ox Aladdin bar and Blue Ox baseplate. Had the Blue Ox Patriot brake controller for the past 3 years, but always a bit of a hassle with it. One trip the wire popped out for the breakway trigger causing the brakes on the toad to lock up until I could pull over and reset it. On 50% of trips the Patriot would throw a random code about brake timeout or similar also causing a pull over and reset. I just sold it a few months ago and switched to the Ready Brake and couldn't be happier. Entirely mechanical system and so far working flawlessly.

Glenn2 · 10-14-2018, 12:28 PM

2017 Thor Challenger 37YT equipped with a standard Xantrex 1800 inverter.
Under warranty (Thor and Xantrex) I have replaced three of the inverters, all with the same issue. Turn the unit on from the remote panel and it displays battery voltage and 0 amps. The residential fridge is on. The remote display still shows 0 amps. In less than three hours (length of time is random) the inverter shuts off with no alarm and of course a/c is lost. The wiring and battery cables have been verified, the battery bank is new (4 Trojan T105's) and my bluetooth BMI battery monitor shows ample voltage and SOC. The alternator is charging the house batteries. I am concerned about heat soak and possible inverter chassis ground. Could someone with with a 37YT please let me know where their inverter is mounted. Mine is in the basement storage compartment next to the generator and while facing the compartment, in the upper left corner. I just can't believe I am the only one with this problem.

logalinipoo · 10-15-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn2

2017 Thor Challenger 37YT equipped with a standard Xantrex 1800 inverter.
Under warranty (Thor and Xantrex) I have replaced three of the inverters, all with the same issue. Turn the unit on from the remote panel and it displays battery voltage and 0 amps. The residential fridge is on. The remote display still shows 0 amps. In less than three hours (length of time is random) the inverter shuts off with no alarm and of course a/c is lost. The wiring and battery cables have been verified, the battery bank is new (4 Trojan T105's) and my bluetooth BMI battery monitor shows ample voltage and SOC. The alternator is charging the house batteries. I am concerned about heat soak and possible inverter chassis ground. Could someone with with a 37YT please let me know where their inverter is mounted. Mine is in the basement storage compartment next to the generator and while facing the compartment, in the upper left corner. I just can't believe I am the only one with this problem.

2016 37kt
my inverter pannel has never shown accurate voltage or amp draw. I use a Victron bmv700.

would you elaborate on numbers a little bit more.

what is your total battery capacity, I'm guessing about 450ah. i have 650 I try to never Use more than 400.

what size cables do you have between your batterys? I ran 3/0 welding cable.

are you using your ice maker, mine can draw as much as 100 amps when it is dumping the ice. I do not use the ice maker unless I have power. also I drive with my fridge on full cold but put the dials straight up when I don't have power.

what amperage and voltage is your battery monitor showing that you say is adequate? also what's your amperage draw at that time.

how many dc charging amps are you getting from the alternator? when I'm 300 amps down I can get over 100 amps charge for a while. at 140 amps down(what I use on an average night) I get about 45 amps charge from the alternator.

how much dc amps draw do you normally see when you aren't charging. I normally average about 26 when we are awake, watching tv and stuff. 5 to 8 when we are sleeping.

Vinster30 · 10-16-2018, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillfromRI

I just finished reading an 8 page thread on toads that spent more time arguing about brake systems...I am more interested in a consensus from Challenger owners about towing behind your MH. I don't think it helps much to hear what DP owners tow.

Maybe also any cautionary tales about toads that did not work so well...and if anyone uses a tow dolly.

We have a Jeep Patriot that we use as our toad. The size and weight are prefect for our Challenger. The coach handles better with the toad behind than without. I believe it is the tail on the kite effect.

I would pick a vehicle that you prefer, with the lowest amount of weight and suitable for flat tow.

Rascal55 · 10-17-2018, 10:27 AM

Here are some modifications we have done to the cabinetry of our 2013 Challenger KT

Glenn2 · 10-17-2018, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by logalinipoo

2016 37kt
my inverter pannel has never shown accurate voltage or amp draw. I use a Victron bmv700.

would you elaborate on numbers a little bit more.

what is your total battery capacity, I'm guessing about 450ah. i have 650 I try to never Use more than 400.

what size cables do you have between your batterys? I ran 3/0 welding cable.

are you using your ice maker, mine can draw as much as 100 amps when it is dumping the ice. I do not use the ice maker unless I have power. also I drive with my fridge on full cold but put the dials straight up when I don't have power.

what amperage and voltage is your battery monitor showing that you say is adequate? also what's your amperage draw at that time.

how many dc charging amps are you getting from the alternator? when I'm 300 amps down I can get over 100 amps charge for a while. at 140 amps down(what I use on an average night) I get about 45 amps charge from the alternator.

how much dc amps draw do you normally see when you aren't charging. I normally average about 26 when we are awake, watching tv and stuff. 5 to 8 when we are sleeping.

Logalinipoo,
You have given me a lot to look at and thanks for your input.

WillfromRI · 10-19-2018, 07:20 AM

Good Morning Challenger owners...are any of you all going to get together again at the 2019 Tampa RV show? I started my research into Challengers around the time you were planning for last year's show. We live in Newport, RI...so taking a trip to Tampa in January sounds like a good idea and getting to meet some of the smiling faces in your get together photo would be a bonus. Anybody going?

sbleiweiss · 10-20-2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillfromRI

Good Morning Challenger owners...are any of you all going to get together again at the 2019 Tampa RV show? I started my research into Challengers around the time you were planning for last year's show. We live in Newport, RI...so taking a trip to Tampa in January sounds like a good idea and getting to meet some of the smiling faces in your get together photo would be a bonus. Anybody going?

They started that just about the time we moved the stick and brick to AZ. Just too far now for us. Sounds like great fun though.

MeSteve · 10-20-2018, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webman9113

Okay, does anybody have a trick for cleaning the inside of the windshield? We’ve got a bunch of kitty paw prints I need to make disappear, lol!

Dry swiffer with glass cleaner.

WillfromRI · 11-05-2018, 01:10 PM

I have a couple questions about Challenger demensions and manuverability...

1. When your slides are fully extended, how wide is the Challenger? On that same topic, do you ever stay in CGs that make that a tight fit?

2. Do you know what your unit's turning radius is? I am trying to plan for the minimal size area of land required to pull in and essentially make a u-turn. How wide would that have to be?

MeSteve · 11-05-2018, 01:29 PM

1: Some are tighter than others, but we’ve never been in one that we didn’t have enough room to all around and get set up, etc.

2: That answer is dependent on which GVWR chassis your floor plan has. You can find it in the F53 specs pdf.

WillfromRI · 11-06-2018, 06:32 AM

Thanks MeSteve,

I was able to find the following spec pdf on line, but it only gives the turning diameter for the 228" whellbase and the LX has a 252" wheelbase.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...2018_ARLSD.pdf

Turning Dia. (ft.) (Curb-to-Curb) 60.6 (228" Wheelbase)

BTW, I do not own a Challenger, so I don't have my own .pdf to look at...but it is the model we like the best and hope to buy...just trying to prepare for how to set-up our home-base. We plan on going full-time but may stay in New England during the summer months. Trying to figure out the minimum lot size to make things easier if we decide to buy a small parcel with utilities...