PatandTerry

Adding to my original post hopefully to inform potential “B” buyers. I read a lot of blogs and so claimed reviews along with a few videos introducing new model 2022 Coachmen Beyond’s & American Patriots (Manufacturers I am familiar with) models that caught my interest 22 ft with lithium power package & no generator. I wanted to be able to dry camp run a C-pap and have Air Conditioner without bothering neighbors with a noisy generator. My experience so far: My Coachmen Beyond 22c li3 with 630 amp lithonics lithium battery package, Xantrex 3000 watt inverter/charger, Truma furnace/hot water, 12v compressor refrigerator, 12v Premium Turbo 2 Air Conditioner 22000 btu . With A/C running, refrigerator on and all the little gremlins running, on three occasions the lithium batteries have supplied power for a little over 6 hours with 40% batteries remaining. This would indicate the system should go approximately 9 to 10 hours to empty. I have not had an occasion to run any longer without shore power or running chassis engine alternator/generator. I’m very pleased with this performance and the fact that the A/C is reasonably quiet inside the coach. However, the Turbo 2 A/C sounds like a taxing Lear Jet outside. It has a whine that is annoying and disturbing. The new quiet generators and A/Cs are much less disturbing. I have not seen this A/C noise addressed in any of the reviews, blogs or videos. Of course I’m sure I haven’t seen them all. This is no reflection on Coachmen, this A/C is used by a lot of manufacturers. It would be nice if they could come up with some retro fit fix for the noise problem. We’re looking forward to a 2 to 3 month trip starting in August. I will update as it goes. This is really a great little coach can’t wait to get it on the road. This is not intended to be a blog, I just want to inform some fellow FMCAers of some things they may not get elsewhere.

7 months ago I asked for input from owners of newer “B” coaches with lithium package no generator. How was it working, the good , bad & ugly. I received a few good replies but only one actual owner (thank you). I have had my coachmen 22c li3 AWD for 6 months now. Over all I am very pleased with the coach. This is my 10th motor home so I know what to expect as an owner. I think this coach build quality is very good. I know a motor home is just a box full of other manufacturers parts, so the components used and assembly quality are the key factors to a first class coach, especially a”B” sense the body & chassis is one component. I feel Forest Rivers/Coachmen is a first class organization. So far their major short fall is the absence of an owners operator manual for this specific Coach. They have a good staff of service advisors ready and willing to assist with any operation questions. Problem is most questions come up after hours and most need a hands on walk through. My 630amp lithium battery powered / 3000amp inverter/ charger (no generator),Truma furnace/hot water , small solar panels, Wi-Fi ranger and a panel called a fire fly. Each component has an installation/operator manual with mostly installation instruction and technical operator instructions, fire fly nothing, how they connect and communicate nothing. This has made the learning curve for me very steep. I survived the sub freezing winter with no damage, just looking forward to warm weather (careful what you wish for) past week had 2 days over 100. The white steel body has a outside temperature of 125 plus. The 12volt Premium Turbo 2 air conditioner could not keep it below 90 degrees. I have to run the chassis engine A/C to get it down to a bearable low 80s. The A/C is doing a decent job with a 15 degree deviance air in air out. There is one little glitch, the fire fly thing is having a program communication problem with the Premium A/C and the compressor will shut off and blow just hot air. So far it will go for a day or so between shut Downs, A/C factory is working with fire fly to solve problem. I like the size of this Coach and the ford transit chassis is easy and fun to drive. I think it may be a little too high tech for a camper. I wanted a small motor home easy to get around and see the country without a tow car and no noisy generator. I have the small motor home that’s easy to get around but has an A/C that’s noisier than a generator and has way to many PC Boards.

To follow up: I installed a wireless camera in the back window of my coachmen beyond 22c ford transit awd. The camera came with a little L bracket to be mounted on a flat surface. I moved the bracket from the bottom to the top for of the camera. I mounted it to the top inside corner of the frame around the rear door window looking out from inside the window. Ran the power wire under the back door panel down to a wire hot with running lights on. Very clean installation. I can now see directly behind me that was obscured by the post between the two rear doors windows. The monitor sits on the dash plugged into the cigarette lighter hot with ignition on. $120.00 and 45 minutes labor of a slow old man. Just as clear as the outside cameras.

Since you brought it up. What do you use to clean off greasy love bugs? Haven’t been that area in for about 8 years, but plan to go ASAP. Been spending time around NM & CO trout fishing. I’m ready to go after some red fish & snook plus eat some good BBQ on the way.

Thanks Bill I had a big flap on the back of my last big pusher and it did help hold down some of the rock damage. I didn’t pay any attention to the dirt on the back, I didn’t have a rear window so it wasn’t a problem. I didn’t know if the vortex pulling the dust and road spray on to the back was coming more from the air slipping off the top or rolling up from the bottom? Or an uncontrollable combo of both? This question is the product of a slow cold day here in Texas, 3 straight nights 14 to 20 degrees trying to keep new coach from freezing without full winterizing. Terrell

The back of my coach get a dirty mist from wet or damp roads. Will a rear skirt help this?

Just added a wireless rear view system to my new Beyond 22c. It has a factory backup camera. I wanted full time rear view. Bought a wireless camera & monitor on Amazon $120.00. I mounted the camera inside the Coach viewing out the rear window. The little monitor sits on the dash & plugs in the power port (cigarette lighter). Does a great job seeing behind me around the pillar in the middle formed by the 2 rear doors. It views through the glass as clear as being outside. The camera came with an L shaped bracket to mount on top of coach. I put the bracket on top of the camera, used high quality double stick tape and stuck it to top inside frame on one of the rear door windows. Ran wire inside door cover to conduit connecting door to body then down to hot wire for cameras power. This works great for me. Buy whatever size & price unit that will suit your needs. It’s an easy installation. Have fun. tp#10

Thanks, that’s what I was hoping to hear.

Trying to get as much lined up ahead for our new B coach due in as soon as they can get enough parts together to get it out of the factory and to the dealer. My last several A coaches had rear view cameras. I really depended on them to see someone on my tail or if I was clear to change lanes. My new B has the standard backup camera but no full time rear view. I have installed a couple of the (rear view safety) hard wired cameras on A’s but they had lots of open space to work with. I’m thinking of using one of the wireless cameras and mount it inside flush against the rear window. This would mean no drilled mount holes or little floppy antenna on the rear roof. I’m just concerned that the camera may have a problem looking through the window. Anyone have experience or thoughts about this application. I have emailed the camera folks but having a little trouble getting a response. Thanks, Terry

Thanks a lot. I haven’t seen that before. Looks good. I’ll look it up. Terry

Thanks everyone for your input. I really don’t want to hassle with a cover. Although, I’m little concerned about hail damage. This is my 1st sheet metal coach, except for an older Wanderlodge but it was like a tank. I’m a little south east of Dallas and we only get a couple of hard freeze a year usually with a power outage. I’ll just have to see how this unit is plumed. Hopefully just drain a couple of low lines and some pink stuff. Thanks again and have a safe and happy thanksgiving. Terry

If you don’t winterize, do you store inside or just keep heat on inside? Terry

The hitch mount box sticks out further than I want. While researching B’s I saw a B video review that gave a glimpse of a Ford Transit with what looked like a roof cargo carrier mounted vertically using the factory bike rack mounts. I have not been able to find the video again. Does anyone have any info on this kind of rigging. I would like to to keep the added length to about 12 to 16”. Also, any info on safe load weight for that rear door?

Thinking of putting a cover on 22ft long 10ft high B. Anyone have experience doing this. Can it be done without climbing a ladder? If so, how and what to look for when buying?

The coach is on order due in a couple of weeks. The spec’s say: 600amps of lithium batteries, don’t know if it’s 6x 100 or 3x 200, with battery management + xantrex 3000 watt inverter charger. No generator. Will charge from shore power or under hood alternator generator or roof top solar panels (not sure of solar watts). From what I understand the controller will allow one or combined to charge lithium’s. I’m sure it will take several class room hours for me to learn the control panel. It is the coachmen li3 lithium system if interested can go to Coachmen website look at class B 22c under options. No real details pretty much list components of li3 system. Thanks for the replies Terry. Also, the AC is a 12v pro20 that runs of all 12v sources, vehicle alternator and batteries or house lithium’s.