SOLD: 2018 Conqueror UEV490 Platinum-
- Thread starter Apreski
- Start date
Thanks for clarifying hudd07. Maybe I should be more clear: We rented a Mantis last week, will rent a Opus later this spring, and might rent a few others before deciding which one fits our needs best.
calicamper
Expedition Leader
I scratched the Mantis for several reasons, poor bunk space, low cost materials, super simple building method, super high cost.
looked at the Winnebago Hike 1316 SB a few weeks ago. Hands down my top choice. Once the stupid RV market goes fully down the crapper I plan on picking up the Hike in the 20-25k range and calling it good.
The positives. 2 inch thick insulated walls, decent frame, composite deck, decent components, Truma systems, good bunk space for 4 that quickly transforms into big seating area or bike and gear space for the road. 16ft means we fit Any 2 vehicle tent site easily. Negative it could be 18ft with little impact on size yet gain a nice tongue box, but that’s easily done later if I want to do it with a simple tongue modification.
Water systems are typical Indiana junk but it only has a super simple system so easy to go thru and bullet proof.
I had finance boss approval for sizable cash purchase pre COVID. And didn’t like anything I saw. Put it on ice during COVID stupidity.
Looked at the Opus bunk trailer that’s basically gen 2 of the China imports.
Black Series was Gen 1. MDC is gen 3 and Dweller is Gen 4. The Opus is heavy and really industrial. Note the square door frame vs the rounded in the later models. 4wheel campers in CA learned 40 yrs ago rounded top corners In Aluminum door frames are needed or they crack. Airstream knew that back in the 40’s?.
Just little stuff like that vs the stupid prize they are pitching these. These are $16,000-$18,000 per unit China order, two per 40ft container to US figure $3000 shipping and packaging cost per unit to US shores. That gives you rough base price. Everything else is just profits which are needed but 2-3x per unit profit for Chinese imports blehh.
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Apreski
New member
SLEEPING:
All 490s have the same layout. The front fold out tent bed is 65" deep by 70-76" width for two adults (see pics). The dinette in the down position is a large king bed. We remove the dinette to its outside kitchen location and utilize two singles 76" x 30". Therefore four adults can sleep inside with room to stand up.
The 490 comes with two side canvas rooms capable of sleeping 4 more people. However this unit has an upgraded large 270 Bunduawn awning over the kitchen. As a result the standard canvas top has been removed. All of the canvas is unused and stored in bags.
Please note the main kitchen outdoor living area is on the driver's side. Opposite of US manufactured rigs. The passenger side is setup for an outside shower, sink, and door vanity which could be enclosed with the canvas side room.
LITHIUMS:
The lithiums are in a riveted compartment under the driver side single bed. I can not confirmed the lithiums have a heat blanket. I could drill out the large rivets but my rivet tool is too small to reinstall new ones. The batteries were stored last winter in a three sided warehouse. The disconnected batteries survived the winter.
The batteries have performed well this last spring, summer, and fall. I had several 30 degrees nights. The lowest battery level was 71%. The two portable solar panels recharge in 5 hours.
It should be noted this unit has an upgraded padded roof top and all shelfs are lined. I will be glad to drill out the rivets to inspect the batteries if requested by a buyer under contract.
There are several good 490 YouTube videos available.
Attachments
Thanks for your detailed reply. If the batteries had an internal heater you'd most likely know it as there would be an 'enable' switch in the trailer. I live in a cold climate and the Battleborn heated 100ah batts that I run have about 3 days of 'heat' in them before running flat. The internal heater runs outside of the RedArc shunt which does not allow the manager to see the draw. So the ability to disconnect the heat circuit when not connected to shore power is a necessary feature to prevent a 'surprise' or, worse, damage.
Apreski
New member
Thanks, very informative. However, last spring with 50 degree weather, I turned on the power without the battery charger….the batteries read the same charge as the day she was stored Five months earlier. ????? I did not utilize any heating source as described below.
I have kept the batteries disconnected as instructed for winterization Both winters. This year, I have the interior filled with blankets and a portable heater set for 38 degrees. It is powered by the house 110. The 490 is covered and wrapped by 5 feet of snow On the sides. I keep the roof snow to one foot. The tires and undercarriage Are covered by plywood. I will open her up in a few weeks, crank up the heater for 24 hours, then check systems. Hopefully all will be well.
I have kept the batteries disconnected as instructed for winterization Both winters. This year, I have the interior filled with blankets and a portable heater set for 38 degrees. It is powered by the house 110. The 490 is covered and wrapped by 5 feet of snow On the sides. I keep the roof snow to one foot. The tires and undercarriage Are covered by plywood. I will open her up in a few weeks, crank up the heater for 24 hours, then check systems. Hopefully all will be well.
If those batteries aren't internally heated (and I don't believe they are) then I agree there shouldn't be much draw down. A fully charged but disconnected battery itself will lose 5% in the first month and then 1-2% in months thereafter. This, however, won't necessarily register on your battery manager as there is no current passing through the shunt. Once powered up and a charge is applied, the BMS will figure out that the battery can accept a charge and will work to top it off.
FWIW, -10 F seems to be about the limit for cold weather lithium storage (if disconnected). Don't know if you see temps colder than that. The snow is a great insulator, which probably helps. I find that the internal heater in the Battleborn is only good for about a 25-30F delta T. Last week it was 0F overnight and when I went to start the truck the BMS was in alarm because the temp had dropped to 26F. To be fair, the RedArc BMS measures at the post, not internal so it's always going to read low. I do keep shore power connected at all times when parked to try to keep up with the heating demand. Batt heat burns a significant 30ah per day (per batt) when outside temps are single digits.
Anyway, don't mean to hijack your sale thread. Thanks again, for the additional info. We're interested in your trailer, just trying to sort out what's best for our needs.
FWIW, -10 F seems to be about the limit for cold weather lithium storage (if disconnected). Don't know if you see temps colder than that. The snow is a great insulator, which probably helps. I find that the internal heater in the Battleborn is only good for about a 25-30F delta T. Last week it was 0F overnight and when I went to start the truck the BMS was in alarm because the temp had dropped to 26F. To be fair, the RedArc BMS measures at the post, not internal so it's always going to read low. I do keep shore power connected at all times when parked to try to keep up with the heating demand. Batt heat burns a significant 30ah per day (per batt) when outside temps are single digits.
Anyway, don't mean to hijack your sale thread. Thanks again, for the additional info. We're interested in your trailer, just trying to sort out what's best for our needs.
This is a REALLY good objective feedback for potential camper purchasers. In order to get more visibility, I wonder if a new thread with a catchy title would work? Just a suggestion!
Apreski
New member
Bump: I have added a few comments regarding the flexibility of this true off-road camper.
Overall design:
The ability of this off-road trailer to pull off the highway due to a weather event, crawl inside a fully enclosed aluminum structure without the need to open the pop up top, sit at a table for four adults or sleeping for three, with music, heater,TV, window, etc....priceless. Cabinets are riveted to the aluminum frame with canvas openings. No worry about loosening bolts or hinges. The suspension with 33" wheels is indestructible. ( It amazes me to see axles on "offroad" trailers.)
Full Size Double Doors:
This is one of the unique features of this design. Great airflow even with the mesh screens. Also, it allows you to use the leeward side of the trailer during wind events. Since I do not use the passenger side canvas, poles and room addition, one can simply shut the door from late afternoon sun. The drivers side is fully covered by the massive 270 awning over the kitchen.
Pop up roof: one sided or full pop up:
I prefer the older one sided opening pop roof for several reasons. It is more stable in high winds. My very first camping trip was a high wind event. I backed the trailer into the wind and was able to open the top. Secondly it is extremely easy and fast to open/close vs the full lift design. Thirdly, the full lift can be damaged by high winds according to some blogs.
Ceiling clearance is not a problem. The lower roof section is over the table and heating unit connecting the two side beds. The head clearance next to the heating unit is probably 6'3" then increases forward toward the doors to 6’8”.
Exterior stairs:
The two door stairs flip inside the unit before closing the doors. This prevents offroading damage which appears to be a problem for some of the competitors.
Tongue Weight is counter balanced:
The roof rack for firewood is located over the rear spare tire. The spare includes a spare hub assembly. The two water tanks, totaling 35 gals, are stacked one behind the spare, the other below.
Overall design:
The ability of this off-road trailer to pull off the highway due to a weather event, crawl inside a fully enclosed aluminum structure without the need to open the pop up top, sit at a table for four adults or sleeping for three, with music, heater,TV, window, etc....priceless. Cabinets are riveted to the aluminum frame with canvas openings. No worry about loosening bolts or hinges. The suspension with 33" wheels is indestructible. ( It amazes me to see axles on "offroad" trailers.)
Full Size Double Doors:
This is one of the unique features of this design. Great airflow even with the mesh screens. Also, it allows you to use the leeward side of the trailer during wind events. Since I do not use the passenger side canvas, poles and room addition, one can simply shut the door from late afternoon sun. The drivers side is fully covered by the massive 270 awning over the kitchen.
Pop up roof: one sided or full pop up:
I prefer the older one sided opening pop roof for several reasons. It is more stable in high winds. My very first camping trip was a high wind event. I backed the trailer into the wind and was able to open the top. Secondly it is extremely easy and fast to open/close vs the full lift design. Thirdly, the full lift can be damaged by high winds according to some blogs.
Ceiling clearance is not a problem. The lower roof section is over the table and heating unit connecting the two side beds. The head clearance next to the heating unit is probably 6'3" then increases forward toward the doors to 6’8”.
Exterior stairs:
The two door stairs flip inside the unit before closing the doors. This prevents offroading damage which appears to be a problem for some of the competitors.
Tongue Weight is counter balanced:
The roof rack for firewood is located over the rear spare tire. The spare includes a spare hub assembly. The two water tanks, totaling 35 gals, are stacked one behind the spare, the other below.