Our Journey Begins - 2018 AI TB Lounge

[wachuko]

Also took photos that I could use for reference on the install of the counter extension...

[Titus]

I see you mention the flip-down bed extensions. in the cooler discussion Be warned that on mine the hinges have short screws that are screwed into the end grain of thin plywood, and will soon pull out. I replaced mine with longer screws into the end grain. It was still a poor design, but thought I would try that easy solution first. It has lasted 3+ years and 30,000 miles.

I have used a charcoal Smoky Joe Weber grill. I found a plastic tub that holds the grill, charcoal, and lighter fluid and that just fits between and beneath the elongated upside down aluminum U of the pull-out bed rack. The tub is not air tight by any means, but we have not found objectionable odor just inches away from our pillows. I have considered a propane grill but have not found one that is as small as my Smoky Joe. Your #8 lists a UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless. When I google it I get a grill (charcoal I think) that is V shaped with flat sides, not the round one shown in your photo. Can you provide a link to the one that you show.

[sthrngary]

1. Grills: When I camp (Glamp) I want to cook on charcoal. Before I got my first Airstream, my wife talked me out of it. So I bought a pretty expensive stainless steel small gas grill from a local Boat supply store. I used it one, the meat was warm and the mess was limited, is all I can say. I needed a solutions. Cooking is a huge part of my experience with my coach.
2. Little Green Egg: That is what I REALLY wanted. The tiniest one is so cute, cooks so well and is SUPER expensive to what other same sized grills cost.
3. Green Egg Starters: I have an Green Egg at home, the little square bricks light the grill with no negative smell in the coach when you transport them. Charcoal fluid GONE, Egg starters IN.
4. Charcoal: Regular charcoal has little to no smell. The self starting stuff smells terrible. I put the small bag of Charcoal in a nice heaver grade of garbage bag.
5. Smoky Joe Weber: Very inexpensive and easy to use. Storage and smell is as easy as two heaver grade garbage bag. I also use a large rubber band so I don't here the metal touch while driving. NOTE: When I use the grill. I let it go out by itself; I wash it out every time before storing it.
6. Smell in the Coach: None.

Hope that helps.

Gary T. The "RV Advocate"

Originally Posted by Titus

I see you mention the flip-down bed extensions. in the cooler discussion Be warned that on mine the hinges have short screws that are screwed into the end grain of thin plywood, and will soon pull out. I replaced mine with longer screws into the end grain. It was still a poor design, but thought I would try that easy solution first. It has lasted 3+ years and 30,000 miles.

I have used a charcoal Smoky Joe Weber grill. I found a plastic tub that holds the grill, charcoal, and lighter fluid and that just fits between and beneath the elongated upside down aluminum U of the pull-out bed rack. The tub is not air tight by any means, but we have not found objectionable odor just inches away from our pillows. I have considered a propane grill but have not found one that is as small as my Smoky Joe. Your #8 lists a UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless. When I google it I get a grill (charcoal I think) that is V shaped with flat sides, not the round one shown in your photo. Can you provide a link to the one that you show.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Titus

... Your #8 lists a UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless. When I google it I get a grill (charcoal I think) that is V shaped with flat sides, not the round one shown in your photo. Can you provide a link to the one that you show.

That Flatpack portable I got just to test... that is something InterBlog mentioned (I think...threads, searches, and thoughts are starting to get mixed up )

The grill you see in the photos is one that I have had for over 20 years. I use it in the boat... and rather than buying a new grill for our next trip, I just got legs for it so that I can use it on a table... here is the link to the newer version of that one.... Magma Kettle Gas Grill

But if I had to buy another, I would go for their rectangular version... I have it in my wish list in case this one does not work out as expected. This one: Magma A10-603 Adventurer Series Gas Grill


I did look at the Camco Olympian 5500 Stainless Steel Portable Grill that comes with adapters and mounts to the side of the RV if you have the corresponding mount on the RV... but I do not like that it has a cast iron piece to it that eventually rust... I am bias with the Magma products from boat life... ...and the lpg adapter that I have works in all of their grills... so I am set if I need to change it.

Hope that helps

[wachuko]

I might be worrying too much... but I want to do this once...

I mentioned that my father-in-law used to work for the power company... as such, he has several interesting tools.. I was going to buy a cable crimping tool and he said not to bother since he had one with several adapters for different wires...

We tested it today and this is the result. Question is, is this crimp better than a hexagon crimp? all this will be cover with heatshrink tube and abrasive resistant cover...

There is one crimping tool in Amazon, not too expensive, that would do the hexagon crimp... should I go that route or just a waste of $$ ?





Attached are the photos of the crimping test we did today... it is tight in there and no way it will pull out...

Worrying for nothing??

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by sthrngary

Little Green Egg: That is what I REALLY wanted. The tiniest one is so cute, cooks so well and is SUPER expensive to what other same sized grills cost...

Not planning on buying anything else for now . But never heard of the Green Eggs... searching...

[Titus]

If it works for power companies it would be good enough for me. If it can't be pulled out, what else is there to wonder about?

[txntravlr]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Not planning on buying anything else for now . But never heard of the Green Eggs... searching...

Green Eggs are fabulous for grilling & smoking, but tremendously heavy! I wouldn’t think they would be suited for RVing except for larger RV’s.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Titus

If it works for power companies it would be good enough for me. If it can't be pulled out, what else is there to wonder about?

Yup...me overthinking things... smack in the head and I am fine now.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by txntravlr

Green Eggs are fabulous for grilling & smoking, but tremendously heavy! I wouldn’t think they would be suited for RVing except for larger RV’s.

I was looking at them and thinking "specs can't be right... that heavy!!?"

Yeah... not for me to carry in the AI... I will continue on current path...

[wachuko]

Valve for LPG hook up to the Magma grill is done...



I need the AI here... can't do much else until it arrives...

[sthrngary]

GreenEgg Mini is ONLY 39 lbs. Come on Folks. I just thought it would be cool. Great grilling for sure. I of course don’t have a mini because I have been put on a budget by my entire family. I use a Smoky Joe by Weber. I have had a GreenEgg at home for 12 years.

I am on a diet, if I lose 39 lbs, I am getting it. I am just saying.

Originally Posted by wachuko

I was looking at them and thinking "specs can't be right... that heavy!!?"

Yeah... not for me to carry in the AI... I will continue on current path...

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by sthrngary

GreenEgg Mini is ONLY 39 lbs. Come on Folks. I just thought it would be cool. Great grilling for sure. I of course don’t have a mini because I have been put on a budget by my entire family. I use a Smoky Joe by Weber. I have had a GreenEgg at home for 12 years.

I am on a diet, if I lose 39 lbs, I am getting it. I am just saying.

I just continue to see storage as the real challenge for something as bulky as that GreenEgg Mini with everything else I want to have (the ARB cooler being the largest item that will be in the back. And since we have a grill already, not really looking to buying another one for now.

Attending that event in January will sure open our eyes to many other options and things we never thought about when camping. Will be a great experience.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by wachuko

That Flatpack portable I got just to test... that is something InterBlog mentioned (I think...threads, searches, and thoughts are starting to get mixed up )...

It might have been my blog post:

THE UCO FLAT PACK GRILL: PRODUCT REVIEW AND CUSTOM CASE DESIGN

[Lily&Me]

I like the son of hibachi, its compact portability and the heat sealing carrycase which allows you to fold it up and take it inside still hot, if need be.

Maggie

[wachuko]

I need to stop or my wife will take away my credit cards...

Ordered a pizza stone to use on the grill

[Lily&Me]

Just remember....you have to find a home in your Interstate for all these things you are gathering up.

Many of the seasoned road warriors recommend taking a few trips to decide exactly what you must have...and there’s a reason for that.

Everything you have at home, you don’t necessarily want to carry on the road.

Also, if you are traveling rather than camping, staying more streamlined is a big plus.

Just sayin...

Maggie

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Just remember....you have to find a home in your Interstate for all these things you are gathering up.

Many of the seasoned road warriors recommend taking a few trips to decide exactly what you must have...and there’s a reason for that.

Everything you have at home, you don’t necessarily want to carry on the road.

Also, if you are traveling rather than camping, staying more streamlined is a big plus.

Just sayin...

Maggie

Maggie,

We only bought the minimum necessary to begin our journey

Outside of that cooler, everything else is very compact/small... and we are not using the TB cooler and chairs. We went with the itsy-bitsy-tiny-folding chairs that (all four) fit in the upper bin in front.

When you really look at it... it is mostly tools and gadgets for hook-up.

Air compressor goes under the hood... batteries and tray under the AI... counter extension on the side of counter... teak mat in bathroom floor... I hope that I can build a storage for the grill under the AI as well... will see...

I know what you are saying... "Just you wait, 'enry 'iggins, just you wait!"

Oh wait... those leveling blocks take up a lot of space... where the heck will I put the ladder?

[wachuko]

Battery trays are here... and the counter top extension. Had to send a note to the dealer... the hinges were not in the box . It was supposed to come with all hardware...

[wachuko]

Almost everything here... only missing the cooler and tray (arrives Wed) and the leveling blocks that arrive on Friday. That should be all.



Also, reached out to Lew to have this installed when he gets a chance...this would complete the changes that I wanted to do... I need a higher capacity inverter to run a few things without having to turn on the generator too often...