F@ntabulous is ready to go camping!

jbug10

Brought T@b home from storage, de-winterized her, drained the anti-freeze, filled the tank a couple of times and drained, then sanitized the tank and lines.  The hardest thing was getting the battery box cover off!!  I had to move the propane tank to get to the release tab and that was only after crawling underneath. The band that holds the propane tank secure is right next to the release tab; huge pain in the butt  Glad I stuck with I thought, all six holes needed water, some more than others.  I also installed my new port hole cover and took a couple of pics.  It looks and works great, and although the price was a bit high, it really is rather ingenious how it works.  I also took a pic of the faucet head I put on last fall.  It was the one Neil posted a pic of on the old site after a discussion of how hard it was to keep water from getting behind the sink since the faucet does not extend far enough away.  I got it at Walmart and it works great; getting water behind the sink is no longer an issue.  Come Sat. all I will have to load is food, clothes, kayak and bike and spend 3 nights camping on Beaver Lake in NW AR!  So excited for my first 2014 trip.   

belvagillespie

Good job. Looks great. Happy camping.

[Deleted User]

Hey jbug10  ....  looks like you'll have some pleasant weather for your first outing so I know you're stoked about finally putting this dreadful winter behind you.

As for the battery cover, I was able to remove mine without removing the propane tank by playing around with it for some time. I'll admit, the placement up against the propane bottle bracket leaves one wondering doesn't it 

:-/

Once you disengage the tab from the slot on the side of the battery box that does have access, you can raise that side of the cover up enough that you can then push the other side of the box inward enough providing the required access to disengage that tab also. It's awkward but easily done once you do it a couple times. Certainly easier than removing the propane bottle each time. 

scuba

Where does one purchase the shade for the porthole window?

Wanderoo

Jbug -- Oh, SUPER, I am energized by all you have done!  I'll be doing the same Easter weekend.  A couple of questions for you -- did you add the water to your battery yourself or take it somewhere for service?  Also, as I understand it, you just replaced the water head on the faucet, not the entire faucet; correct?  It looks as though the new one swivels outward, directing the flow more into the sink than straight downward.  Do you have a part number from Walmart for that?

I'm excited for you and I hope you have a wonderful trip! 

 

=D>

Wanderoo

Scuba -- You can get the Port hole shade through the Little Guy online shop.  I think it's under the Accessories tab.  I ordered one, too, although I haven't installed mine yet.

RZRBUG

Same problem with the battery box cover.  I took a Dremel tool and ground the notch off the one next to the LP tank.  It still goes down into the slot, but no longer snaps so that I don't have to fight the tank to push it in to remove it.  Don't figure I really need the snap on both sides since the strap holds the lid in place anyway.

The port hole cover looks great, and I'm sure it's awesome.  I haven't ordered one yet, but I found some round cake boards at Wally World that were almost the right size.  I glued them all together (three of them) then ground them down to fit the hole.  I put a pull handle on it by drilling two holes about six inches apart at the center then running a cord through and tying a knot on each end so they wouldn't slip through the holes.  I also reinforced the holes by gluing washings on each side of the holes.  Works great, and the boards were already decorated.  Every time I go to a store somewhere I'm always looking for something that I might use for the T@B, and these cake boards just seemed to say, "Aha, you know what I could be used for."

L-)

Wanderoo

I'm so envious you guys with "tool power."  Wish I had that knowledge.  I can sew, though.  Curtains anyone? )

jbug10

Beth, I tackled the battery all by myself!    Getting to the battery was the hard part; I have skinned up  knuckles to prove it.  I had watched a You Tube video on how to add water, and how much, so it was easy. And yes, it is a faucet head that swivels out. I don't have a model #, but I just looked for the one like Neil had posted.

Larry, I had planned on only snapping down one side of the battery cover too, but I discovered that the other side would not snap down unless the other was snapped down too.  I was afraid to just depend on the straps to keep it all secured.  Also great idea for a port hole cover!

XPADREX

I am of two minds regarding the porthole cover... on one hand, it's cool. On the other hand, nit may neither let I. Enough light when open, or keep out enough when closed... speaking of curtains, I am contemplating a small heavy mini drape over the porthole. My lady is a light sleeper, and sealing out light is a must for snoozin'. LOL

[Deleted User]

Here's my porthole window without the shade ....

Here it is with the shade (just reflection showing)

Here's my 2 minute cardboard shade (spray painted silver)

jbug10

XPADREX said:

I am of two minds regarding the porthole cover... on one hand, it's cool. On the other hand, nit may neither let I. Enough light when open, or keep out enough when closed... speaking of curtains, I am contemplating a small heavy mini drape over the porthole. My lady is a light sleeper, and sealing out light is a must for snoozin'. LOL

I'll let you know how it blocks light at night after I camp with it for the first time this weekend.  Letting light in during the day is not an issue for me with three large windows.  I think I have said this about 20 times I love it so much, but if you order a T@b, for sure order a front window!!

scuba

Front window is awesome!

belvagillespie

You'll get more light in the cabin from the Fantastic fan than from the window. We have not installed the vent cover, yet, so maybe that will also filter the light that comes in from the fan. 

I think the Portal cover is totally cool. 

gilbutler

You captured my interest with your comments on the faucet.  We are getting our T@B quite soon and appreciate this type information in case we need it.  Thanks for posting.