A-frame anybody???

mdubrey44 · 03-28-2016, 05:11 PM

Curious to know what other Jayco A frame owners experiences are. I'm so confused...is it a pop up or a travel trailer??
Interested in opinions with the dometic cool cat heat pump, storage issues and mods or any other cool ideas. I'm in the process of a modification involving a tarp awning, once I get the camper (12HMD) from the dealer.

Sundancer330 · 03-28-2016, 06:07 PM

I bought a 12 HFD last summer, most dealers had them listed under travel trailers since they don't have any canvas. The Coolcat a/c worked perfect for a week of 90 degree plus camping. Haven't had a chance to test the heat produced by it but i hear it works good down to 45 degrees, then the propane furnace has to be used. Storage is ok for such a small camper, we still leave a lot in the back of our Expedition

mdubrey44 · 03-28-2016, 06:34 PM

Thanks for the reply. I haven't seen a whole lot regarding the cool cat. Do you have a generator? If so, what size?

Sundancer330 · 03-28-2016, 06:52 PM

I have a Honda EU3000is that will run everything including the A/C but have not used it for camping yet since we usually stay in State and National parks with power. If you don't want to run the A/C a EU2000i would work fine with 20 amp output and its half the cost.

mdubrey44 · 03-28-2016, 07:36 PM

I was hoping it would but I don't know the specs on the cool cat. I have a friend with a Honda 2000. We're going to try it out. Was hoping it would run on eco mode after start up in full mode. We'll see.

Sundancer330 · 03-28-2016, 08:10 PM

Be careful the specs from Dometic for use on a generator call for a minimum 2.8KW

mdubrey44 · 03-29-2016, 03:20 AM

Really? Crap....that's what i was wondering. I can't find the specs on that thing. Thanks for the heads up.

Aframer · 03-29-2016, 09:19 AM

We have 2015 12H we bought in October 2014. We only use the heatpump for AC. We use Robot Check

Space heater is much quieter and uses less juice. We also use it as a fan. We plan to use propane heat as a third choice (expense and asthma).

We bought a shower tent for the outside shower, http://http://www.amazon.com/Portabl...rch_detailpage

Aframer · 03-29-2016, 09:37 AM

Looks like my heater link didn't take. I will try again here: http://http://www.amazon.com/Holmes-...rch_detailpage

Aframer · 03-29-2016, 09:41 AM

We also added an electric heating element to our water heater. Works great, saves gas (and asthma). http://http://www.amazon.com/Camco-1...rch_detailpage

Aframer · 03-29-2016, 10:56 AM

Forgot to mention: DO NOT put a bike rack on the spare tire. We were lucky that ours fell off, tire and all as we were backing into a camp spot. We bought a rack that goes between the hitch and the tow vehicle, and are very happy with it:http://http://www.amazon.com/Swagman...rch_detailpage

mdubrey44 · 03-29-2016, 01:20 PM

Thank you Aframer. I forgot about the outdoor shower. The boy's bike will go on the metal deck. I have heard about the issues putting bike racks on the spares. Thanks for your responses. I'm scheduled to pick up the camper next Saturday. What do you do for an awning set up?

Sundancer330 · 03-29-2016, 02:07 PM

I thought I wanted the factory awning by Dometic but after reading about it I passed. It attaches to the inside of the sidewall by velcro, many said its almost impossible to keep the velcro in place rendering it useless. We had a canopy similar to an easy-up but a Lake Superior storm took care of that. Now we have a Pinnacle awning that sets up in less than two minutes, has screened sidewalls that can be rolled up and it has stood up to a few good storms. We bought it direct from Pinnacle in AZ, here is a link to it on Amazon.
http://amzn.com/B00I8PC8E0

Aframer · 03-30-2016, 08:36 AM

Thanks, Sundancer. We have thought about using a screen tent, but so far, haven't seen the need for an awning. So do you attach it, or just leave it freestanding? (Probably staked). Also, We are considering a roof-mounted kayak rack. If you read the reviews on this link, you will see a review by someone with a similar rockwood a-frame, Stephan:
http://http://www.amazon.com/Swagman...4716W1JND84QZ2

Sundancer330 · 03-30-2016, 09:55 AM

What we have is freestanding and we place it over the picnic table with plenty of room to move around. I have seen a few with the roof top rack, I was a bit concerned because the cross bars are so long and the mounting brackets have to mount into the thin aluminum cap on the edge of the roof i was worried they may pull out. I bought the 12 HFD model which has the large front deck, it carries our zodiac inflatable boat and aluminum trailer, two bikes and grey water tank.

mdubrey44 · 03-30-2016, 07:00 PM

I agree about the factory awning, I'm not impressed for the money. I'm looking at doing a tarp mod I saw on another forum. Looks doable without any crazy holes or sewing etc.

BC Boondocker · 05-06-2017, 11:18 AM

My other half and I bought a 2016 Hardwall this year, we are curious what everyone else has done.... anything new to post in this thread anyone?

- Fraser

Sundancer330 · 05-06-2017, 12:11 PM

If you are interested someone has a brand new factory awning for sale here, they had it listed for $500 last fall with no takers, now he is taking best offer, I have seen them go as low as $300 for new units

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