Hey guys, thanks for replying -- this is exactly the sort of dialogue I was hoping for!
Minnie's Mate: yes, I was talking about the vinyl around the toilet. It has peeled on every unit I've seen so far. I am considering re-gluing but also would like to find a flexible metal trim edge we can use to hold the corners down.
Our shower leaked eventually, but I've systematically been re-caulking it with GE Silicone II and that seems to work better than the factory original caulk (DAP).
We installed all three Fantastic Vents too. When we are without 30 amp in the summer, they really pay off. We managed
103 in Death Valley last June with those fans -- and a lot of water.
I agree, the windows are the big disappointment of this trailer. We
replaced the dinette window with an International type window, which has been a huge help for ventilation.
As far as the window by the entry door, I've accidentally whacked it with the door a few times and so far it hasn't broken. But I'm sure a strong enough blow would do it in.
Rick, on solar, you have enough room for BIG panels. We put in a pair of 130-watt Evergreen panels. With four batteries we have plenty of power all summer. But a smaller set of panels would be cheaper, less obvious (ours sort of junk up the roofline), and still give you some battery re-charging capability. It depends on your needs. We want to be able to boondock with lots of power drain for a week, so we went for the big panels and 4 AGMs.