Wow! Thank you for showing me how much I really Don’t want one! I was under the understanding how easy these are to open, you’ve shown me that a older, solo female doesn’t want or need the hassle! Going with a small RV TRAILER, no assembly required! Thanks again!
Yes, it is not a good fit for everyone. I did see a video on UA-cam of a very short older woman and she had a boat trailer crank system to pull the roof up for her. Her husband had passed away and usually took care of the opening of the Aliner.
Very informative video. I don't have an Aliner or other A-frame popups but it is one of the trailer types I'm considering. You covered a number of things I really hadn't considered with trailer setup such as keeping the safety chains on once you unhook the trailer from the tow vehicle in case the wheel chocks didn't hold (or, knowing me, I forgot to put them around the wheels first). Thanks for your informative video! RC
I prefer just using the drill option as I am not in that much of a hurry. I also break the lug nuts with the breaker bar and then use my cordless drill like an impact wrench.
We have a 2021 Ranger 12 with soft dormers and solar panels on the front dormer. The procedure you use here looks pretty familiar. You have a nice rig. Enjoy! 👍👍
Yeah these things are great looking simple and look relatively easy to keep clean and maintain as they close up snug. I’m guessing he hasn’t had any leaks yet. You’d think with all those creases and folds that somebitch would start leaking eventually but I’m sure we’d hear about it sooner or later.
Just took possession of our Expedition yesterday. Good tips here! The lateral wind support bar is a good idea, I see you're using closet rod cups. Would you mind saying how you attached those? An adhesive? Thanks!
That was this past summer at my home base in Pennsylvania. I have been waiting to post this one till I finished editing the next one which will come out on Monday.
I on the other hand am getting one and find the aerodynamic travel mode too irresistible to pass up. Thank you. BTW also a senior lady. I'll just use my version of Eugene's cheater tools. Based on the existence of that third storage compartment next to the front door, I'm guessing he has an Expedition? I am thinking a Classic is just about right for me. Thank you for the demonstration.
Yes, I have a 2018 Expedition model. The classic is 3 ft shorter and has less storage space because of that. If you are just using it for short trips and the occasional longer trip it will fulfill your requirements. Using available space in the tow vehicle can't help with those storage issues.
@@eugenebreindel Definitely see the problem with the storage situation. Did you come up with some unique solutions? I just saw one recording where the gentleman set up two expanding poles against the walls and suspended shelving from shower curtain hooks. Most ingenious.
@@sarahthompson5518 I have another video from early on that shows some of my internal storage solutions. I have made a few changes since then, but mostly it is finding pure rectangular containers that do not waste space between. My clothing goes behind my mattress in empty beer cases from non-returnable bottles. 😉😁
I was thinking that your rig was a LXE with a wet bath inside. Nor to sound too personal, but, does your Aliner have a wet bath inside? Or just a port-a-potty ?
It looks like you added four more gas springs since making this UA-cam. Did they help? What protects against uplift wind forces on the top of the Dormers. I haven't studied that issue. The gas springs can be destroyed and fail to compress if they are overextended.
I went through the procedures and follow them loosely, I was afraid to drill that first hole. When I started, I had gas springs that were too short and not enough pressure. I increased the length one "size" and proceeded to increase the strength of gas springs. I finally settled at 50 pounds on all four corners. It worked good at the top of the stroke but was still very heavy at the bottom. So I hooked the 100 lb corners back up and it is neutral all the way.
Minor, just recently we had a 30 minute driving rain and the excessive amount of water around the fantastic fan caused some water to come in I believe under the lid.
I live in mine since I got it in 2018. So it is always open. The standard thinking among the Aframe community is to store ithem open or as open as you can manage, such as in a garage with a low ceiling.
@@eugenebreindel thanks. I live in TN and my only place to park it is near some trees. Is the fiberglass fairly resilient against dirt and soot from trees? The trees on my property get something called sooty mold on them in the fall. It's black and lands on things all around them when the leaves fall or it rains. If I store it up im afraid the camper will get stained or something and it won't wash off. I do plan to wax it once or twice a year as needed.
@@eugenebreindel yeah that's what I'm concerned about if I store it closed down. Trapping moisture but a lot of people say use a breathable cover and keep the tongue side raised and it's fine unless you end up having a lift spring break from the tension of keeping it closed all the time.
Pretty much. I think the goop from the tree will land on your rig whether it is open or closed. If it's not sticky, open might be the better way to go. If you decide closed, I would open it periodically on nice breezy days to dry it out. Keep as many cabinet doors and such open to allow for air circulation.
That is a possibility. I have used them to prop the roof up slightly but never tried to hold the win kit pole to push the front up and simultaneously lift the back up which has to lock into the top of the front at the peak.
@@randomspirit also, having the hard dormers adds weight to the roof panels and my solar panels on the back Dormer at approximately 20 lb. I would think Aliner roofs with just bubble windows would weigh less.
Sir I believe there is a gray pole you can use specifically for pushing the roof to open. YOU DON"T NEED A POLE YOU HAVE THE SPRING ROD TO DO THAT JOB, RIGHT? I SAW A VIDEO FROM AN RV DEALER SHOWING HOW THEY USE THE SPRING ROD TO OPEN THE ROOF & A WOMAN WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT, NO PROBLEM. :)
My biggest water problems happened when rain and excessive winds come from the rear of the Aliner and push the water uphill and down through the seam where the two halves of the roof meet.
When buying an RV, the worst decision is a pop up camper or the famous "hybrid". In a couple of years it is no longer worth anything and nobody wants to buy it.
I would assume markets vary by geographic location. My only experience has been looking at RV websites and Facebook's groups such as facebook.com/groups/aframemarketplace/?ref=share
Wow! Thank you for showing me how much I really Don’t want one! I was under the understanding how easy these are to open, you’ve shown me that a older, solo female doesn’t want or need the hassle! Going with a small RV TRAILER, no assembly required! Thanks again!
Yes, it is not a good fit for everyone. I did see a video on UA-cam of a very short older woman and she had a boat trailer crank system to pull the roof up for her. Her husband had passed away and usually took care of the opening of the Aliner.
I’m an older solo Aliner owner and my model is a Sport, much smaller and easier to open and close!
There’s an Aliner model for every size and age ❤
Very informative and loaded with great tips! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Very informative video. I don't have an Aliner or other A-frame popups but it is one of the trailer types I'm considering. You covered a number of things I really hadn't considered with trailer setup such as keeping the safety chains on once you unhook the trailer from the tow vehicle in case the wheel chocks didn't hold (or, knowing me, I forgot to put them around the wheels first). Thanks for your informative video! RC
I'm glad you learned some good points. I always strive to be helpfu.l😁
Sometimes a little too much. 😂
Nice job gene. Very informative.
Thanks for the idea of power tools for leveling! Can't imagine all the little things that I will learn like that along the way.
buy an impact gun, helps for changing tires too, lots of torque.
I prefer just using the drill option as I am not in that much of a hurry. I also break the lug nuts with the breaker bar and then use my cordless drill like an impact wrench.
rapture ready; Got Acts 2:38 :)
We have a 2021 Ranger 12 with soft dormers and solar panels on the front dormer. The procedure you use here looks pretty familiar.
You have a nice rig. Enjoy! 👍👍
Awesome video! I have an Aliner LXE. Thank you for sharing!
Good seeing you again!! Meet you at Lake Greenwood SC.
Great video! Lot of work!
Great video Eugene!
You make it look easy. Like advice to have drivers side a little lower for rain runoff
Very nice video, thanks.
Thank you for the video sir.
great video!
That was great! Thanks so much. Future Aliner owner
Yeah these things are great looking simple and look relatively easy to keep clean and maintain as they close up snug. I’m guessing he hasn’t had any leaks yet. You’d think with all those creases and folds that somebitch would start leaking eventually but I’m sure we’d hear about it sooner or later.
Just took possession of our Expedition yesterday. Good tips here! The lateral wind support bar is a good idea, I see you're using closet rod cups. Would you mind saying how you attached those? An adhesive?
Thanks!
It is Electrical conduit and Command strips held in place with a single screw. They held without a screw for a few years but dried out.
good video
Fabulous Gene! Great tips! Where are you now? It looks like summertime on the Eastern side of the country.
That was this past summer at my home base in Pennsylvania. I have been waiting to post this one till I finished editing the next one which will come out on Monday.
Still in Quartzsite Arizona
I on the other hand am getting one and find the aerodynamic travel mode too irresistible to pass up. Thank you. BTW also a senior lady. I'll just use my version of Eugene's cheater tools. Based on the existence of that third storage compartment next to the front door, I'm guessing he has an Expedition? I am thinking a Classic is just about right for me. Thank you for the demonstration.
Yes, I have a 2018 Expedition model. The classic is 3 ft shorter and has less storage space because of that. If you are just using it for short trips and the occasional longer trip it will fulfill your requirements. Using available space in the tow vehicle can't help with those storage issues.
@@eugenebreindel Definitely see the problem with the storage situation. Did you come up with some unique solutions? I just saw one recording where the gentleman set up two expanding poles against the walls and suspended shelving from shower curtain hooks. Most ingenious.
Of course he'd have to set it up and break it down each time he moved...
@@sarahthompson5518 I have another video from early on that shows some of my internal storage solutions. I have made a few changes since then, but mostly it is finding pure rectangular containers that do not waste space between. My clothing goes behind my mattress in empty beer cases from non-returnable bottles. 😉😁
I was thinking that your rig was a LXE with a wet bath inside.
Nor to sound too personal, but, does your Aliner have a wet bath inside? Or just a port-a-potty ?
Okay Mr. OZ, see you tomorrow
It looks like you added four more gas springs since making this UA-cam. Did they help?
What protects against uplift wind forces on the top of the Dormers. I haven't studied that issue. The gas springs can be destroyed and fail to compress if they are overextended.
I went through the procedures and follow them loosely, I was afraid to drill that first hole. When I started, I had gas springs that were too short and not enough pressure. I increased the length one "size" and proceeded to increase the strength of gas springs. I finally settled at 50 pounds on all four corners. It worked good at the top of the stroke but was still very heavy at the bottom. So I hooked the 100 lb corners back up and it is neutral all the way.
👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
Have you had any leaks on trailer in the rain when it is set up?
Minor, just recently we had a 30 minute driving rain and the excessive amount of water around the fantastic fan caused some water to come in I believe under the lid.
I hear in the cold weather there's lots of condensation with Aliners and truck campers ???
Yes, condensation can be a problem. Cracking a vent or a window and keeping the air moving can help alleviate some of the moisture.
How do you store yours between trips? Do you leave it up or keep it closed down and latched?
I live in mine since I got it in 2018. So it is always open. The standard thinking among the Aframe community is to store ithem open or as open as you can manage, such as in a garage with a low ceiling.
@@eugenebreindel thanks. I live in TN and my only place to park it is near some trees. Is the fiberglass fairly resilient against dirt and soot from trees? The trees on my property get something called sooty mold on them in the fall. It's black and lands on things all around them when the leaves fall or it rains. If I store it up im afraid the camper will get stained or something and it won't wash off. I do plan to wax it once or twice a year as needed.
Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with that, washing and waxing will help I'm sure. Moisture and mold are the most dreaded enemy of Aframes.
@@eugenebreindel yeah that's what I'm concerned about if I store it closed down. Trapping moisture but a lot of people say use a breathable cover and keep the tongue side raised and it's fine unless you end up having a lift spring break from the tension of keeping it closed all the time.
Pretty much. I think the goop from the tree will land on your rig whether it is open or closed. If it's not sticky, open might be the better way to go. If you decide closed, I would open it periodically on nice breezy days to dry it out. Keep as many cabinet doors and such open to allow for air circulation.
why not just use the "wind kit" struts to raise the roof?
That is a possibility. I have used them to prop the roof up slightly but never tried to hold the win kit pole to push the front up and simultaneously lift the back up which has to lock into the top of the front at the peak.
Wow, that's really complicated. LOL! How much upper body strength does it require?
It's not too much. I don't really have any way to measure it. That is why I use the 2x4 to prop it up and push from the inside.
@@eugenebreindel Thanks for the reply! ...and for the detailed demo, it really made me think! :)
@@randomspirit also, having the hard dormers adds weight to the roof panels and my solar panels on the back Dormer at approximately 20 lb. I would think Aliner roofs with just bubble windows would weigh less.
Sir I believe there is a gray pole you can use specifically for pushing the roof to open. YOU DON"T NEED A POLE YOU HAVE THE SPRING ROD TO DO THAT JOB, RIGHT? I SAW A VIDEO FROM AN RV DEALER SHOWING HOW THEY USE THE SPRING ROD TO OPEN THE ROOF & A WOMAN WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT, NO PROBLEM. :)
Hi. Speculating that the push rod was necessary due to the extra weight of the solar panels on the back dormer. JMHO
@@ricksterdenver1 AARP age over weight female: owned Aliner 5 years and no problem opening and closing.
👍👏👏
Thank you for the great video. I am considering getting one and loved to see it in use.
Does it leak?
My biggest water problems happened when rain and excessive winds come from the rear of the Aliner and push the water uphill and down through the seam where the two halves of the roof meet.
Огонь тема. Внутри не понятно.
When buying an RV, the worst decision is a pop up camper or the famous "hybrid". In a couple of years it is no longer worth anything and nobody wants to buy it.
I would assume markets vary by geographic location. My only experience has been looking at RV websites and Facebook's groups such as facebook.com/groups/aframemarketplace/?ref=share