Posted 11 September 2010 - 11:01 PM
Stew,
Yes, our Keystone was rebuilt by ATC. We bought it from them, sight unseen, after they had rebuilt it. We could not be happier with it and it has served us well camping all over the lower 48, Canada and Alaska. One thing ATC did which some folks would be interested in was modifying the floor pac so this older model Keystone (about 1985 model) would fit later model trucks. We are currently driving a 1999 Ford F-150 with a 60 inch wide opening at the tailgate. This rebuilt Keystone fits, or I should say, the truck fits it like a glove. Anyone wanting to modify an older camper to fit modern trucks should contact Marty at ATC.
Interestingly, the Turtle Expedition used a Keytone on one of their expedition trucks. Apparently, they modified their truck so it would fit their older Keystone. That is not a bad idea because the beds of all the trucks I have measured are wider at the front than the tail gate opening. I gather the Turtle Expedition folks wanted a snug fit over its full length of the camper, perhaps for greater security and flexibility. I think I will open a new thread on that.
Back to the subject of unvented gas heaters; our gas cook stove started me thinking about the danger of unvented heaters. When we use the cook stove (for cooking or heating water), I am very aware of the fumes and the heat. Without a vent, the cook stove quickly makes the inside of the camper warm and stuffy. A vent is obviously needed, unless the weather is quite cold or the stove is on for just a short time. This is why I wrote what I did because an unvented gas heater is nearly the same thing.
A good way to use the forced air gas furnace is to set the thermostat to about 50 degrees. It will come on only a few times during the night. This will normally not run down the battery and will provide enough heat to keep the moisture out of the camper. It really does add to the comfort factor, to sleep in a dry place. When shore power is available, the quartz heater provides the same benefit. I don't think an unvented gas heater is quite as effective in driving moisture out. However, I could be wrong about that and I wish someone with a lot of experience with unvented gas heaters would comment.
Kevin,
I agree, only a moron would sleep with two women, both armed with shotguns. You are a brave man. Check your post, was the use of the word Moron a Freudian Slip?
John D