A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss June 10, 2008, 05:04:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1172Finally going to actually use the 32SS Greyhawk this weekend. Can'twait. In the meantime, a couple of questions:1. Anyone have a good suggestion for a bunk ladder? I really can'tsee a good place for one of those with hooks to hold on withoutdamaging something. At the same time, I don't think I want the kidsusing the sofa to hoist themselves up. For now we will use a stepstool, but it is hard to get it close enough to the edge of the bedwithout having the bottom of the stool very close to the dropoff fromthe coach to the cab.2. We don't hook up to power often, but will occasionally. The 50ampcord that came with the Greyhawk weighs a ton and is a real handful totake out and then coil and return. I am thinking of buying a 30 ampcord with the Marinco 50amp connector, or of getting an adapter and a30 amp cord, and leaving that 50 amp fire hose at home. I don'treally know why I need 50 amps with just one air conditioner. Forthat matter, I don't know why the RV came with an Onan 5500 instead ofa 4000. Is there some reason I shouldn't do this? Are 50 ampconnectors more common at campgrounds with electricity? Like I said, we are usually out in the forests somewhere, so I don't have a lot ofexperience with full service campgrounds.Thanks for any help. Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #1 – June 10, 2008, 05:41:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1173I was surprised that the 32SS did not come with a ladder for that front bunk. When ours arrived at the dealer we went to have a look at it before they PDI'd it and my son put his foot on the sofa arm and boosted himself up on the bunk - and the arm bent). We (well, DW) got a ladder at Costco that has three steps and it does the job for us (but might not for you if your kids are very young). No question one has to be careful and make sure it is not placed too close to the step-down to the cab.I found this ladder very helpful when I put in the front slide locks as well. When we are traveling DW puts it on the bed at the back. We have always used slide locks even though one reads so many comments on the forums that they aren't needed. On the way back from Florida in April we saw a MH with the slide out a good 6 inches and it was moving around. So, I was going to forget about the locks, but not now.All of the parks we have used in the last few years have had 50 AMP power (we do have 2 A/C's). We currently have a concrete pad on our lot and a 50 amp plug in our pool shed for the MH. Thus, I needed an extension to get to the MH as the plug is beyond the reach of the MH's power cord. I eventually bit the bullet and bought a 30 ft 50 AMP extension. Now, that is heavy (22 lbs) and expensive (needed it for our 41 ft Ambassador as our visitors used both heat pumps to keep it cool during the day in 90 degree weather). The 30 amp extentions are pretty cheap in comparison and much lighter (I gave ours to one of my sons when I got the 50 amp). I think a short 50 amp connector with a 30 amp plug on the end would work with the 30 amp extension. We have a 50 amp surge protector which also works with 30 amp juice so we have to work it into the chain as well. We plug the TRC Surge Protector into the power post and have a hasp lock that connects it to the 50 amp power cord from the MH. Since that cord can be disconnected by any passerby (a feature that annoys me) we also run the 50 amp cord under the MH and chain and lock it to the generator frame. That way, if someone wants to steal the Surge Protector and the cord they will have to cut the cable.My son races at Waterford Hills Mi and his track has 30 amp power and water in the camping area. We use a 30 to 50 adapter when at the track and also connect the Surge Protector.I just took a look at CW and it appears the one piece unit with 50 amp connector and a 25 ft 30 amp cord and 30 amp plug is probably the cheapest route.http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/RV-Electrical--Solar/Marinco-Park-Power-50Amp-Locking-Adapter-with-25-30Amp-Cord/skunum=15889The short unit I was thinking about is $70 and when you add the 30 amp extension the cost is more than the one piece unit above.http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/Marinco-Park-Power--50Amp-Adapter-12-Cord/skunum=12854:src=CROSWhat is clear is that the 50 amp connector is the major cost. When we had the 50 amp outlet put in our pool shed (it had a 100 amp feed) I asked the electrician about a 50 amp extension. He thought he could put one together. Then, he found out the connectors at both ends were very expensive and it would be more than the CW unit we eventually bought.Hope you have a good weekend camping.DonOn 10-Jun-08, at 5:04 PM, JD wrote: Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #2 – June 10, 2008, 06:06:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1174I bought a ladder at the local RV dealer, and mounted the retaining clips to the plywood base of the moveable bunk cushion. I did have to screw through the vinyl cover, but it is only an issue if you choose to remove the cove for cleaning. The ladder also had to be cut shorter. I took off one of the rungs by drilling out the rivets, then cut the ladder to size on the miter saw.Roger Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #3 – June 10, 2008, 06:38:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1175, grandriver125@... wrote:QuoteI found this ladder very helpful when I put in the front slide locksas well. When we are traveling DW puts it on the bed at the back. Wehave always used slide locks even though one reads so many comments onthe forums that they aren't needed. On the way back from Florida inApril we saw a MH with the slide out a good 6 inches and it was movingaround. So, I was going to forget about the locks, but not now.All of the parks we have used in the last few years have had 50 AMPpower (we do have 2 A/C's). We currently have a concrete pad on ourlot and a 50 amp plug in our pool shed for the MH. Thus, I needed anextension to get to the MH as the plug is beyond the reach of the MH'spower cord. I eventually bit the bullet and bought a 30 ft 50 AMPextension. Now, that is heavy (22 lbs) and expensive (needed it forour 41 ft Ambassador as our visitors used both heat pumps to keep itcool during the day in 90 degree weather). The 30 amp extentions arepretty cheap in comparison and much lighter (I gave ours to one of mysons when I got the 50 amp). I think a short 50 amp connector with a30 amp plug on the end would work with the 30 amp extension. We havea 50 amp surge protector which also works with 30 amp juice so we haveto work it into the chain as well. We plug the TRC Surge Protectorinto the power post and have a hasp lock that connects it to the 50amp power cord from the MH. Since that cord can be disconnected byany passerby (a feature that annoys me) we also run the 50 amp cordunder the MH and chain and lock it to the generator frame. That way, if someone wants to steal the Surge Protector and the cord they willhave to cut the cable.My son races at Waterford Hills Mi and his track has 30 amp power andwater in the camping area. We use a 30 to 50 adapter when at thetrack and also connect the Surge Protector.I just took a look at CW and it appears the one piece unit with 50 ampconnector and a 25 ft 30 amp cord and 30 amp plug is probably thecheapest route.http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Maintenance/RV-Electrical--Solar/Marinco-Park-Power-50Amp-Locking-Adapter-with-25-30Amp-Cord/skunum=15889QuoteThe short unit I was thinking about is $70 and when you add the 30 ampextension the cost is more than the one piece unit above.http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/Marinco-Park-Power--50Amp-Adapter-12-Cord/skunum=12854:src=CROSQuoteWhat is clear is that the 50 amp connector is the major cost. When wehad the 50 amp outlet put in our pool shed (it had a 100 amp feed) Iasked the electrician about a 50 amp extension. He thought he couldput one together. Then, he found out the connectors at both ends werevery expensive and it would be more than the CW unit we eventuallybought.Hope you have a good weekend camping.DonThanks for the information. I decided against using the slide locks.We bought our first Class C used and it didn't have the lock and wedidn't know about it. Never had a problem in the years we drove it.I asked an RV service guy about it once and he said he thought mostpeople never used them and he had never seen any damaged due tonon-use, but had done several repairs where someone forgot to take thelock out and opened the slide. I have a guy who runs a small rvrepair business I have used for years. he said he thought they wereunnecessary.Hard to tell for sure about whether they are necessary or justprotection form lawsuits. Maybe I should call Mythbusters?I was thinking of that 30amp cord you linked to. I guess I will needa 50-30 amp adapter to put on the other end in case I am in place thatonly has a 50 amp connection? I assume that way I can connect to a 50amp or 30 amp pedestal and can't see where I would ever need 50 amps.My kids are teenage and pre-teen, so I probably don't need a reallytall ladder, but something that isn't going to go crashing to thefloor or cause them to be too "strenuous" in jumping into the bed. Myteenager pretty much follows the philosophy that anything worth owningis worth destroying through abuse or neglect. Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #4 – June 10, 2008, 07:02:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1177You might consider a telescoping swim ladder from West Marine. Not cheap, but they collapse nicely and can be stowed under the bunk mattress when not in use.Here's the link: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/141560/377%20710/0/swim%20ladder/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=swim%20ladder&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=swim%20ladder&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5&subdeptNum=31&classNum=32Here's a Roll-up ladder that costs less, but is a less stable solution. http://www.eangler.com/product/337930010.htm?utm_medium=productsearch&utm_source=googleFrom: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of JDSent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:05 PMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: [KodiakChassisClassC] A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ssFinally going to actually use the 32SS Greyhawk this weekend. Can'twait. In the meantime, a couple of questions:1. Anyone have a good suggestion for a bunk ladder? I really can'tsee a good place for one of those with hooks to hold on withoutdamaging something. At the same time, I don't think I want the kidsusing the sofa to hoist themselves up. For now we will use a stepstool, but it is hard to get it close enough to the edge of the bedwithout having the bottom of the stool very close to the dropoff fromthe coach to the cab.2. We don't hook up to power often, but will occasionally. The 50ampcord that came with the Greyhawk weighs a ton and is a real handful totake out and then coil and return. I am thinking of buying a 30 ampcord with the Marinco 50amp connector, or of getting an adapter and a30 amp cord, and leaving that 50 amp fire hose at home. I don'treally know why I need 50 amps with just one air conditioner. Forthat matter, I don't know why the RV came with an Onan 5500 instead ofa 4000. Is there some reason I shouldn't do this? Are 50 ampconnectors more common at campgrounds with electricity? Like I said, we are usually out in the forests somewhere, so I don't have a lot ofexperience with full service campgrounds.Thanks for any help. Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #5 – June 10, 2008, 07:08:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 1178JD you may have a gas / electric hot water heater in your Jayco. Mine seems to take longer to heat up a tank of water on power than it does on propane however power in a campsite costs the same whether you use it or not, so I use it. I have never timed it however, to see which takes longer. You may need the 50 amp to run an air conditioner and the water heater at the same time. Just a thought for what its worth Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #6 – June 11, 2008, 12:17:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 1180Be careful using a 10 gauge cord (30 amp) the way you intend - A fewof the campgrounds we have used only have 50 amp outlets... using a30 amp cord on a 50 amp outlet, with a 50 amp breaker, can quicklylead to melting down the cord.Not a problem if you are religious about keeping track of youramperage use... but - one ac 12.6amps for a 13.5k or 16 for a 15k, 3amps for the frig, 12.5 amps for an elect HW heater, 12.5 amps forthe coffee maker, 8.3 amps if the wife plugs in the blow dryer, 10amps - or more - for the converter to charge batteries if they arelow..... You get the idea. A 50 amps service actually provides upto 100 amps - 50 on each leg.And hope that the cord is not lying on some dry leaves when it doesmelt down... oops! Quote Selected
Re: A few questions about my Greyhawk 32ss Reply #7 – June 11, 2008, 10:11:38 am Yahoo Message Number: 1182JD wrote:QuoteFinally going to actually use the 32SS Greyhawk this weekend.Good news, hope you have a good trip.Quote1. Anyone have a good suggestion for a bunk ladder?None here.Quote2. We don't hook up to power often, but will occasionally. The 50ampcord that came with the Greyhawk weighs a ton and is a real handful totake out and then coil and return.It's a lot more pliable in the 106 degree temps of Grants, NM ;-) Thatcord is a bear for sure and as others have said if you're very carefulyou can probably get away with the 30 amp cord. I'm going to do someresearch on a more pliable cord, possibly from one of the marinedealers. My bro-in-law works for power company and said he couldprobably get me some wire thru a wholesaler, but it was still expensiveand the connectors on the ends drove it way up. I'll try to find a moreflexible cord already made up or just live with this one. I finallymoved it's storage location to one of the longer basement compartmentsso I didn't have to get it so small.QuoteI decided against using the slide locks.We bought our first Class C used and it didn't have the lock and wedidn't know about it. Never had a problem in the years we drove it.To each his own on this one. My Prowler TT's all used travel locks and Iused them. My Jayco TT didn't use locks and I dragged it severalthousand miles without a problem. The book for the Greyhawk says youmust use them and the dealer made a point of showing them to me. Thereare stickers over the slides for their placement. Because of this I optto use them. I figure whether it's a liability issue or a structuralissue, if they say you must use them, then I must use them. It's fiveminutes of my time although they are inconvenient and my wife can'tinstall them.Have a great first outing with the new unit.Take care, Greg Quote Selected