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Old 05-22-2018, 06:16 PM   #1
packnrat
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size

what size as in length do most of you own that boondock mostly.

i am looking to buy a new montana . but at 40 feet not sure if that would just be too big.
i am single. so onlh me. no rug rats to come around. no family to be a pain. ( from or too).
i will be fully retired in 7 years. then full time on the rd ( sooner if house sells quick).
my plan is to boondock 95-99% of the time. only due to some sites i must go see would require a pay to park style lot.
 
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:53 PM   #2
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We had a private tour of the Montana assembly plant last week and our tour guide told us that the 35' 3120RL or 3121RL is currently their best seller. We bought one over the winter and love it.
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:54 PM   #3
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I always thought a 32 foot with 3 slides would be perfect but Montana doesn’t have one. My favorite today would be a 305 RL High Country. Everybody likes and needs something different.
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Old 05-22-2018, 08:13 PM   #4
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Steve and Mary are correct on saying that the 3120RL and 3121RL are the shortest that Montana make at the present time. If you will be boondocking most of the time I would suggest that you have solar installed or an onboard generator. This will give you power no matter where you are at. The difference between the two models is that the 3120 has an RV refrig in it and runs off of both power when hooked up to a campground power post or on propane when not hooked up to a campsite or city power. The 3121 is the same exact unit except it has a residential refrig that must be run on electric at all times. This runs off the batteries by use of an inverter. This is why I suggested the solar or generator packages. You will have to have some extra battery packs if you use the inverter system.
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Old 05-22-2018, 08:50 PM   #5
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It really depends on your preferences and where you plan to boondock. Forested areas are a little easier with a smaller rig but many of the more open areas will support 40 ft if that is what fits you.
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Old 05-22-2018, 11:17 PM   #6
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Smile

i am looking at a 3700lk unit. never thought a rear kitchen would be all that great, but having the kitchen and living room as two distinct spaces is a plus for me. mid kitchen not so great, as stepping in, would rather it be into the living room, not the kitchen or bed room.

but at 40 feet it is a long unit.
right now i have a 2001 25 ft sunny brook one slide. but it is not one i would want to live for all that long in. (already have for two years).


just was not sure if many boon-dock in rvs much longer than about 35 feet.


as a commercial driver (40 years) length is not a thing to me. getting into and out of places could be. more ground clearance than anything really.
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Old 05-22-2018, 11:25 PM   #7
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and to rondo.
yes solar. as much as i can stuff up there. even maybe built on a over cab rack on the truck? (6 panels there).

mixed thoughts about a gen. sure a 5500 owen sounds great. but might be easier on the wallet for even two honda eu 3000 (i own one already). (these would be hard mounted into the truck bed).

thinking six or eight 6 volt deep cycle batteries in the coach, and X number in the bed of the truck??
proper inverter and converter to power everything.
and the reefer would be a rv style.
mounts to hold a extra can or two of propane?
built in gas storage (truck bed) for the generator(s).


yes weight.
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Old 05-23-2018, 06:52 AM   #8
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From all the reading I have been doing, I think that you are planning way more solar panels and batteries than you will need or are practical. Go read handy bobs blog among others. Just a thought. I am leaning towards lithium batteries also, just watching prices!
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Old 05-23-2018, 07:44 AM   #9
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i do belive a bit in over kill.
and seeing as solar is not 100% effecent. best to over build for those not so great days.
as to gen, i belive one eu3000 alone can do the job, till it gets that hot. i do not like heat. at 80F i am in front of a ac, fan, unlimited cold drinks.
having two eu's would be a luxury., or one owen built in.
more batt = uninterrupted supply. but no built in gen.
the six or eight in the coach should be more than enougth.
mounted on the truck is the over kill part.
i read a write up about a folding mount
( home built) holds six panels. but only covers the area of two when folded up.
but in boon-docking away for two to three weeks best to not burn gen fuel as much as possable.
no not worried about noise or fumes. just costs, and supplys on hand.
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Old 05-23-2018, 08:34 AM   #10
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With our old rig we did boondock a lot and the 40' of roof space gave us room for a lot of solar. Never had a size issue, but we mostly boondocked out west.
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Old 05-23-2018, 09:54 AM   #11
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thank you DQDick.
this is more in line with the info i was asking about.
so you had little to no issues on dirt roads, aka: high centerning. tail dragging. etc.
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Old 05-23-2018, 10:44 AM   #12
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We boondock a lot on BLM land and have never had a problem with the issues you asked about.
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Old 05-23-2018, 02:12 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by packnrat View Post
thank you DQDick.
this is more in line with the info i was asking about.
so you had little to no issues on dirt roads, aka: high centerning. tail dragging. etc.
No, like Dennis we never did, but we didn't try to do anything totally crazy.
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Old 10-24-2018, 06:26 AM   #14
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Read ALL of Handybob's blog (hates generators) then read ALL of Bogart Engineering's stuff then read all of what applies here (generator crazy). By then you will know enough to make a wild guess with your checkbook into the boon-dock world. Good luck.
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Old 10-24-2018, 07:30 AM   #15
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If you’re considering a generator why not diesel. That way no gas issues or separate tanks.
As far as AC just head north for your summers.
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:17 AM   #16
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If you’re considering a generator why not diesel. That way no gas issues or separate tanks.
As far as AC just head north for your summers.



diesel gen, cost would be the problem there. but possible. having only one style of fuel on hand sounds good,
seen a couple built in gen running off propane. and they burn through the stuff like crazy.


but till then, i have a eu3000is, setting it up with auto choke, auto start, and extended fuel. (not that it needs that, just for not having "loose" cans along for the ride).
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:20 AM   #17
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but till then, i have a eu3000is, setting it up with auto choke, auto start, and extended fuel. (not that it needs that, just for not having "loose" cans along for the ride).[/QUOTE]

Where did you find the auto start and choke?
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Old 10-24-2018, 09:17 AM   #18
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auto choke/start, and extend fuel supply at Pinellas Power Products
(tried to do the name as a link, but it did not take.sorry.)



he has install videos, they are dry, but very good, and other than a external plug for the fuel there are no items outside of the honda housing. everything is contained and done very neatly.
just right now i have to wait a month to buy these items, (cash flow problem).
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Old 10-24-2018, 10:28 AM   #19
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thank you DQDick.
this is more in line with the info i was asking about.
so you had little to no issues on dirt roads, aka: high centerning. tail dragging. etc.
No, although I am careful and take it slow when necessary. For a number of years we worked for Fish and Wildlife in the winters and usually our campsite was off the beaten path and north of Yuma on the Colorado river, way off the beaten path.
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Old 10-24-2018, 11:15 AM   #20
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Smile

it is amazing where one can go when they do it the right way.


sad but i have had to put off buying my choice of unit for a number of years.

money (or lack there of) says hold off for a time. and if i do wait for some years i will be out of ca and pay far less in sales tax, a well as reg taxes.
getting taxed twice for $60 grand that is quite a bite.
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