Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Granby Questions


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 camelracer

camelracer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 960 posts
  • LocationGoleta, Ca

Posted 28 July 2006 - 08:18 PM

I've been looking for a used Grandby for a while now but my desire for the outside shower has limited me to fairly new ones which are hard to find. As a result of my failed search I plan on placing my order for a new one in a couple of weeks and would like to get your opinions on some of the options.

Are the rear wall steps worthwhile? It looks like the rear rack can be reached from the bumper with the top down and I'm not sure I would want to raise the top with a load in the rack. Does anybody actually haul anything in the roof rack?

Any opinions on the 3 ft vs 1.9 ft fridg. Ice cubes would be nice but the freezer seems to take up a lot of room. Will the freezer keep cold enough on 12v while driving?

Any problems with the rear flood lights? They don't seem to be attached that well.

Is the second roof vent really needed if you have the fan in the first vent?

I've noticed they have eliminated the outer window flaps. Will this be a problem?

Any opinions on these items or any others would be appreciated before I take the plunge - Thanks
  • 0

#2 OutbacKamper

OutbacKamper

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 198 posts
  • LocationKelowna, BC, Canada

Posted 28 July 2006 - 10:23 PM

Are the rear wall steps worthwhile? It looks like the rear rack can be reached from the bumper with the top down and I'm not sure I would want to raise the top with a load in the rack. Does anybody actually haul anything in the roof rack?

I find my rear steps useful, mainly to clean the solar panel (mine is mounted at the back of the roof) and to clear away snow, broken branches, etc. I would not get any type of roof rack on the camper, since it is just too hard to raise the roof with any type of load.

Any problems with the rear flood lights? They don't seem to be attached that well.

The flood lights are ok, although I haven't used them much. One of mine became loose after thousands of kilometers of high speed corrogations in Cape York, Aus, easily fixed though. I have made a cover for the switch because they got turned on accidentally several times. I would go with bumper mounted lights that you can turn on from the cab of your truck instead.

Is the second roof vent really needed if you have the fan in the first vent?

YES. The more ventilation the better. If I had to choose one or the other, I would take the second vent before the fan upgrade. I read somewhere that even if you don't get the fan upgrade, the wiring is still there (hint, hint).

I've noticed they have eliminated the outer window flaps. Will this be a problem?

I don't know, mine has the flaps. However I would be quite concerned about this. In strong rain/wind I get leaks if I have left the storm flaps up.

Other options I highly recommend:
-aux. battery
-mech jacks and swing out brackets
-screen door (expensive, but very useful)
-side awning (good quality and easy to use. Difficult to add later because of roof latches)
-extended bed (thicker mattress and easier to make up bed, with no slide-out robbing space from the rest of the camper)

Good luck
Mark
  • 0

#3 simimike

simimike

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 860 posts
  • LocationSimi Valley Ca.

Posted 29 July 2006 - 12:23 AM

I'm on my second Granby and I ordered all the things you mentioned.

On the must have list;
Second vent with fan
Screen door
Extended bed
Aux battery
Mechanical jacks
For the reasons listed buy OutbacKamper.

On the very nice to have;
Rear steps
roof rack
3cf refer
Awning
Outside shower

On my first Granby I didn't have the rear steps and it was hard to reach the rack. I have them now and I think they are worth it. I've carried a canoe on the rack and it was hard to lift the roof but doable.
The 3cf refer is very nice and I recently ran it on propane while driving at 65 mph with no problems. I really like the refer, making ice while camping is nice.
The outside shower is a maybe, it's more in the nice to have. Hind sight being 20/20, if it was just me a solar shower would be good enough. The outside shower is more for the wife than me.

Hope this helps,

Mike
  • 0

#4 DirtyDog

DirtyDog

    Captain Leisure

  • Site Team
  • 3,157 posts
  • LocationEugene, Oregon

Posted 29 July 2006 - 07:10 PM

I like my floodlights. I use them when I get to a camp site late and I need to setup in the dark. The floodlights really illuminate a large area. It's true that roof weight makes the top pretty much impossible to lift, but I still use a rack system. The rear bar I use to hang bikes off of the back of the camper, which is a system that has worked very well. On a recent trip where we had three guys and a lot of gear, I bought a Yakima Rocket Box for extra gear storage. However, even when the box was completely unloaded at our destination, the weight of the empty box made the roof too difficult to open for one person.

I use the wall steps occasionally and am glad I got them. I have also seen the used in conjunction with bungie cords to carry things like lawn chairs and empty 5 gallon water jugs.

Attached Thumbnails

  • loaded-camper.jpg

  • 0

#5 camelracer

camelracer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 960 posts
  • LocationGoleta, Ca

Posted 24 August 2006 - 10:04 PM

I took the plunge and ordered it a couple of weeks ago. I decided to go with most of the options since it's easier to get them now than add them later. I did go with the Yakima rack system instead of the FWC rack. Seems like there were more options with that system.
I can't wait to get it. Thanks for the advice.
  • 0

#6 paclow

paclow

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 37 posts

Posted 26 August 2006 - 02:28 AM

It might be too late to change your order but I thought I'd pass this on....

I almost bought a used grandby in immaculate condition from Joe Sanders at ke6qhy@comcast.net. He has a 2004 Grandby with the shower and all the goodies. It might cost you $500 or so to cancel your order but you may be able to get it for les than 10K! I have a short bed Ford and the camper will not fit over the cab. Other wise a probab ly would have bought it... F.Y.I.
  • 0

#7 camelracer

camelracer

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • 960 posts
  • LocationGoleta, Ca

Posted 30 August 2006 - 06:06 PM

Paclow,

I drove over to Fresno last month to check out Joe Sanders camper and set a date for purchase and pickup. He called later to say it was off the market and he was keeping it. That's when I decided to buy new and get exactly what I wanted and not have to deal with a private seller. It's interesting he put it back on the market.
  • 0




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users