550 / 560 Ordering Options...

Whomever gave you the idea that your input is not beneficial I believe couldn't be more wrong. You and Jenn provide some excellent insite and valuable information to part timers. It will be a huge loss to the community if you were to leave and stop your input.

 

Hi Gina and Bob,

We hadn't heard about this option. Can you tell us more about it?

Best,
Diane

 

My understanding is this is a newer option and we ordered it on our 560. This back-up light is called the Flood/Back-up lights and priced at $118. Will come-on if you are backing and are wired for back-up lights or may also be switch on manually, it is mounted directly under the license plate bracket. I am not sure if CI still offers the original style or not(priced at $52). We were impressed with it illumination over the standard back-up lights. My opinion is a great upgrade especially for late night camp setup...R

 

Hi Jim and Jamie,

We have ordered the rain sensor fan for our TD, but think this vent cover is a neat option for the regular fan! Question, though...can you put it on facing either way based on direction the rain is blowing?

Is it easy to install and remove too?

Thanks!

Diane

 

Great idea!! I, too, changed 'birder526' now to add my husband. Diane_Michael it now is!

Diane

 

Diane and Michael
The new flood light back up light option was just new when we went to Necedah last month. We decided to add it to our 560 Ultra order because it offered so much light at the back of the trailer not only for backing up but also to light the galley area and "patio" that we will set up in the back. I am also the one that will probably doing all the " backup work" as I currently do it with the boat we have and the TV is my primary car. I need all the light I can get!
See posts above by Betsy showing how bright it lights up and by Ron Missy stating the cost. I don't know if the old back up lights will be continue to be offered I think there is a mention of this in a previous post.
Gina

 

The vent cover is designed to only go on in one direction. We have not had any problems with rain entering when in use.
According to my handyman husband, the initial installation of the four mounting brackets, is not difficult. Each bracket has a 1/2 inch post which the holes in the vent cover fit on. Then, you can use the cotter pins to hold it in place, if you are worried about it blowing off of your roof. We don't normally use them, unless we are expecting extreme wind. Putting the vent cover on the roof is easy, but may require a step stool if you are vertically challenged! Otherwise, it is just aligning the four holes in the vent cover, over the four bracket posts. I can do it myself in about 2 minutes. Removal is even easier. I made a cloth sleeve for it, and it rides on the bed, in the cabin when we travel. We don't leave home without it! Jamie

 

Hi! Thanks for the info. We did check out Betsey's photos. Sounds like they will be standard by the time our teardrop is built. We like their brightness.

Best,
Diane

 

Hi Jamie! We appreciate your info. It sounds like the cover works really well. Will probably change our fan order back to the regular fan and get the cover. Thanks!
Diane

 

Thanks to this info we have managed to sneak the new reverse lights into our build. The interesting thing is the previous version lights were already installed so we will have both kinds! The new light will come on with the switch, and all three will come on with the TV reverse. Light show! Maybe I can add a disco ball.

 

I'm thinking now of going just with the fantastic fan and not the rain sensor and getting a cover instead.

Question on the cover...how well does it keep out rain? What if rain is blowing in toward the vent side? If rain comes in at an angle, does the cover still keep it out?

I'm thinking we will not need the back up lights because I don't think you can really see behind you when backing up alone light or no light and we really don't plan on camping without the other so Valerie can just guide me back with flashlight.

Don't really need it since the galley has the Xenon light already and we would likely hang a lantern from the canopy center anyway.

As such, don't really see the need for the back up light.

 

We have been using the Fan-Tastic Vent cover for two years now, and have not had any problems with wind driven rain entering. I can not promise 100% that it can't happen, but I think it would have to be a "perfect storm" for that to occur. If we are expecting rain, we normally have a Kelty Noah's Tarp strung up over the camper, mainly so we can keep dry when entering and exiting the cabin, which may also aid with preventing rain from entering the vent. All in all, we think it is a Fan-Tastic product, and would give it a 5 star rating!

Here are links on installation, and performance of the vent cover.

http://youtu.be/p1fhkbl_1yQ

http://youtu.be/aAs2GsUTdK4

 

got a picture of the Noah's tarp over your 'drop? I'm also interested in some relatively quick way to cover the doors.

 

Question, does the Fan-Tastic Vent cover fit on a Ultra 550 if you have the air conditioner? Watching the video it looks like there might not be enough room.

 

To cover the fantastic fan, we keep it simple. We don't like the light coming through in the morning, so we throw a dark-colored towel over the top either before bedtime (if we're not using the fan), or first thing in the morning (if the fan is no longer needed in the cool of morning). We've thought of making a velcro cover to put under the fan inside, but the towel works fine so far, except in strong winds. The KISS principal at work.

To cover the doors in rainy conditions, we setup the Northern Breeze and extend the front awning over the doors. We use adjustable height poles so they can be lowered or raised to optimize runoff. We haven't done this with the side tent installed yet, but I don't anticipate a problem extending only one half of the awning.

 

This is the Noah's Tarp 16 over the camper. The 12 footer is over the picnic table.

https://the101mcnugitnights.shutterfly.com/pictures/184

https://the101mcnugitnights.shutterfly.com/pictures/112

https://the101mcnugitnights.shutterfly.com/pictures/149

https://the101mcnugitnights.shutterfly.com/pictures/157


It takes some effort to set it up, involving stringing parachute cord up in the available trees. It helps to have a step ladder and lots of cord. We have used poles as well, also involving a lot of tie downs. You definitely want to stay for a few days after getting it all configured!

 

wow. that 16 footer is big. covers the whole mess.
thanks for posting the photos.

 

Yah, 16x16 is a big one alrighty...



I have this version of it thinking "Ennhhh?? whats a few feet from my standard 12x12 that pops right up..
heheh, well I found out quickly...
While I was able to put it up, it wasn't just the snap/pop of the 12x12... but coverage??? like a house...

It was a little awkward on a slope so couldn't/didn't trim it right nice & purdy like, but was nice in the rain and it did rain that weekend...

I have the side panels, 3 that are clear from about 2' above the bottom, haven't used them as of yet. I don't normally take this one out. but it is nice...

more pics here

 

Jim and Jamie
Love your pictures and envy your travels. Also think I'm going to find some type of "travel companion" to take pictures with for our grand kids too. Great idea. We are also having canoe envy! What type of gas mileage do you get with the Toyota pickup? 6 or 8 cylinder? Great setup for the transport of the canoes too. Got a lot of ideas from your pictures. We will probably be making our way to NC next summer to visit our youngest son in Durham. Any good parks to recommend? Thanks for sharing.
Gina

 

Thanks for all of these details - you really addressed our questions!

Diane