Craig & Donna’s ’84 U-Haul 13’ Renovation

[Mike in NC]

Hi Mike,
The outside light sounds like a good idea. I like Craig's idea too about using the hole as an outside electrical connection. That would be great for when we use our 10 x 10 easy up canopy. I had thought about hanging those "string lights" around the top of the canopy. They put off a soft light.

[Marty D]

Originally Posted by h.mike

I have removed the furnace in my UH 13 and also have that big hole. I was considering a plug or patch but recently saw a "porch light" in LED. Its round and approximately the proper size. I may use that spot for an outside light. The light was at randpcarriages. They sell a lot on ebay. Keep us posted on your camper work. We all need info on these campers.

Hi folks,

The furnace was also gone on my CT13. To fill in the hole, I found a portable room heat pump/air conditioner that would fit into the opening, and was able to connect its exhaust to the orginial exhaust port. I just open the closet door when I want to use it. This allowed me to put a fantastic fan on the roof for general air movement, and not have all of the extra weight on the roof.

Marty D

[Pat B Ohio]

Hey Marty, what brand is that heat pump/AC? The ones I found have been too wide for the narrow U-Haul closet......

[Marty D]

Originally Posted by Pat B Ohio

Hey Marty, what brand is that heat pump/AC? The ones I found have been too wide for the narrow U-Haul closet......

Pat,

I don't remember off hand. I'll take a look when I get home tonight. I did have to trim back the opening (opposite the hinges) a little bit to get it into the void. Once it is in there, I have a couple of inches on either side of the unit. I went to Home Depot and bought stock white plastic (looks like flat steel bar) and trimmed the opening with it to hide the cut. It has worked out great for us.

Marty D

[mary and bob]

Mike in NC: The way the furnace is supposed to work is; turn up thermostat, after a short delay the fan runs to purge the system, there is a switch that senses the air movement, then the igniter activates, this is an electrode setup like a spark plug where spark jumps between the two terminals. You can see the spark through the little inspection window. When the spark starts the gas valve opens and the burner should light. I had to pull the electrodes out and reset the gap, that info is in the repair manual. Had to make a new gasket, and also vacuumed out the inside of the furnace. Mud wasps had also made a nest in the vent pipe. If you try to light the furnace on battery power only it may not work if battery charge is low. Craig: are you aware of the tail light conversion that is available from Uhaul? Bob

[Craig D. Thompson]

mary and bob, tell me more about this tail light conversion!!!! Please! I know nothing about it.

Craig T.

[mary and bob]

Craig: sent you a PM. We are taking our Uhaul south end of this month for a few weeks, probably run I-78 & I-81 in PA, unless we do the bay bridge/tunnel route to Norfolk, VA. Depends on the weather. Bob

[Craig D. Thompson]

Yes, avoid I-95 at all costs!!!

[Pam Garlow]

Craig, I removed the front bunk in mine (I notice that yours is also gone) and I also removed that large fiberglass 'bump out' under the window. The hinge for the bumk was attached to it, and the bunk folded down against it . By removing the bump out, you will have a nice vertical wall under the window instead of the ledge. It was just a matter of removing the screws and 'muscling' it off the wall. I also had to loosen up the trim ring around the window and pull it out from underneath. There is an unfinished section of fiberglass that will be exposed (just like the area on the ceiling). I just cover mine up with decorative pillows. I love the extra room !!

[Craig D. Thompson]

Pam,

I have been looking at that bump-out and contemplating whether I wanted to remove it. My only concern is about the stiffness of the wall under the window and how much stiffness that bump-out is contributing.

If you push on the window and below the window from the outside, is that wall still rigid?

We keep the bed made up, never use the dinette so we are counting on using the front bench so that might be a very good mod for us.

Thanks for sharing that.

Craig T.

[Marty D]

Originally Posted by Pat B Ohio

Hey Marty, what brand is that heat pump/AC? The ones I found have been too wide for the narrow U-Haul closet......

Hi Pat,

Sorry to be a day late getting this to you. Had a main drain back up at home that I had to take care of.

The heat pump/air conditioner is an "Edge Star" It's been in the CT for about 2 years now, and has worked great for us. It might take a few days, but I can get some pics for you if you want.

Marty D

[Mike in NC]

Hi Floyd.
You were right. I was just outside looking at the furnace in my U-haul. I shined a flashlight up into the exhaust vent and, sure enough, a big dirt daubers nest in the center pipe! It doesn't seem to be completely clogged, but it sure looks ugly. Well, I guess I will find the repair manual on here and try to clean the thing out. Thanks again Floyd, and everyone else for all the info.