Complex Electrical Task
We own a 2002 Beaver Monterey Type A motorhome with 50-amp service. It has two chassis batteries and four coach batteries. It also has a Xantrex PROsine 2.0 2,000-watt inverter/charger and a Progressive Dynamics 5200 series automatic transfer relay switch. We frequently stay at campgrounds that have only 30-amp service but also have a separate 20-amp outlet. I have a 20-amp extension cord and would like to take advantage of the campground’s 20-amp outlet to run one of my 15-amp rooftop air conditioners and/or other coach electrical devices. Is there any simple way to do this?
Chris Christensen, F420774
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
The simple answer is no. You’re dealing with electrical circuits, and if something went wrong, it would be catastrophic for your coach. A short could cause a fire, which could burn your motorhome to the ground. You’d need a licensed, experienced electrician to perform the work. And be aware that many professional electricians are not familiar with the differences in RV wiring versus domestic wiring. The electrician would require a complete wiring diagram with the wiring color code, so that new circuits could be designed to separate the air conditioner’s circuit without creating potentially dangerous problems. Again, in my opinion, there’s no simple way to do this.
It’s also important to note that multiple AC power sources should never be combined. Doing so will cause the AC phases to interfere with each other, resulting in the waveforms being in phase or out of phase. Both conditions are dangerous and damaging to equipment. This is why it is impossible for an RV to run off of shore power and a generator simultaneously.
The best way to handle the described situation is to use a 50-amp-to-30-amp dog-bone adapter and only apply loads that 30 amps can support. Generally, this results in the loss of one air conditioner and possibly a washer/dryer or another load.
Flat Towing A 1999 Denali
Is it possible and/or advisable to flat tow a 1999 GMC Yukon Denali without any special parts or gadgets?
Peggy Sue Tilden, F453665
Boulder City, Nevada
FMC magazine’s 1999 towing guide said this about the GMC Yukon: “When equipped with the Autotrac automatic four-wheel-drive system, the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon (4,630 pounds) and the Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy (4,049 pounds) can be towed at speeds not exceeding 55 mph.” Of course, much time has passed since then, so it would be advisable to check other sources.
One source is Remco Industries, (800) 228-2481; email: sales@remcoindustries.com. A vehicle’s towability can be researched on the Remco website: www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/Store.php. I do not see the 1999 GMC Yukon listed; however, the site lists several versions of the 2000 Yukon. The look-up asks for information about drive configuration and transmission, which you didn’t supply. But according to the chart, the four-wheel-drive version is towable; the rear-wheel-drive version is not towable unless you use a lube pump. I suggest you contact Remco to ask about the 1999 model and give them specifics about the vehicle.
You might also check whether the owners manual has information about “recreational towing.” Information about “emergency towing” isn’t necessarily applicable.
You should also make sure that your motorhome has the capacity within its gross combination weight rating, or GCWR, to tow a vehicle as heavy as the Yukon. GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the motorhome plus the towed vehicle. And you’ll want to invest in a supplemental braking system, since the GCWR by definition assumes that both vehicles have working brakes that are contributing to the stopping ability. Additional information about RV weights is available from the RV Safety & Education Foundation at www.rvsafety.com.
TV Antenna Replacement
My 2009 Coachmen Mirada has an AntennaTek Signal Commander batwing-type rooftop TV antenna. In your opinion, would I likely get better reception by replacing it with a King over-the-air HDTV antenna with integrated digital SureLock signal meter?
Clifton Northum, F236929
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
While I have no personal experience with the King antenna, I think it would be an improvement over the basic batwing. However, I have a suggestion prior to purchasing the King antenna. Take your coach to a local dealer. I’m almost sure a salesperson would be more than happy to connect the King antenna to your TV temporarily, but you might want to call ahead first. A test such as this will give you hands-on verification.