Custom grill mod vs Dealer grill install

[AbbaZabba]

I pick up the camper at the end of the week. Dealer says if I want the rear bumper grill, they can add it for $275.

When I review the forum and my general opinion on some of the dealer add ons, it seems the dealer grill isn't the best and I would be better with a grill of my choosing.

So the debate I have is.... have the dealer install OR get a rear bumper aftermarket carrier and then build out something custom to hold my own. See thread as one idea http://www.crossroadsowners.com/foru...earchid=568910

My main debate is the quality and heat you can get off of a dealer grill. Since we have a full kitchen in the back, having a good source of cooking is a no brainer.

Thoughts? I need to let them know by Wednesday if they are going to install.

[KingFisher]

I bought a grill at Sams Club for $99 and a grill table for around $35 for my jayco 23rb. I took off the regulator from the grill and put on a qd hose. They served my needs very well.
When I got the sunset trail we tried out the grill on the bumper mount. It was useless, not enough heat.

I still use the grill and grill table. Sometimes I hang wet towels on the bumper mount accessory. Mostly it just sits there doing nothing.

[KingFisher]

I put the grill that came with the sunset trail 250rb in the storage compartment of the jayco I have for sale as a throw in.

Here's a pic of my grill, it works great. We bought a griddle for it too.

[AbbaZabba]

So that is sort of my opinion / thought on the grill that they install. Low heat with inconsistent heating. Better off saving the $275 and find a better cooking solution.

Anyone think that the dealer swing around grills are great? Otherwise it sounds like this might be in my first round of modifications,
1) install a real cooking solution with the outside kitchen area.
2) inspect and beef up the joints on the seats in the dinette

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by AbbaZabba

So that is sort of my opinion / thought on the grill that they install. Low heat with inconsistent heating. Better off saving the $275 and find a better cooking solution.

Anyone think that the dealer swing around grills are great? Otherwise it sounds like this might be in my first round of modifications,
1) install a real cooking solution with the outside kitchen area.
2) inspect and beef up the joints on the seats in the dinette

The outside kitchen on mine is similar to yours, fridge and sink, cabinets but no stove.

We set up the table and grill at a 90 degree angle to the trailer just far enough away to have room to open and shut the outside kitchen door. Have to open and close the door but we leave the table and grill set up all the time.
When we leave it all goes in the front storage compartment, doesn't take up much room.

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

I put the grill that came with the sunset trail 250rb in the storage compartment of the jayco I have for sale as a throw in.

Here's a pic of my grill, it works great. We bought a griddle for it too.

We bought the same grill from Lowes for $99, it's great. I quickly found out the rear bumper isn't always where I want the grill to be. I was going to run a hose to the rear connector, but found that an extra propane bottle serves two functions, one for the grill, and also for the propane fire pit. And, I can place it as far away from the TT as I want; I'm not limited by hose.

[TxCowboy]

That's a nice grill! Anyone have the make and model #?

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by TxCowboy

That's a nice grill! Anyone have the make and model #?

Member's Mark Portable Stainless Steel Gas Grill with Cover - Sam's Club

Lifetime Tailgate Table - Sam's Club

[KingFisher]

and the griddle

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/sizzle-....ip?navAction=

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by MartyinSC

We bought the same grill from Lowes for $99, it's great. I quickly found out the rear bumper isn't always where I want the grill to be. I was going to run a hose to the rear connector, but found that an extra propane bottle serves two functions, one for the grill, and also for the propane fire pit. And, I can place it as far away from the TT as I want; I'm not limited by hose.

I bought a longer hose so I can get away from the trailer. That's something else I don't like about the bumper mount attachment, it puts you cooking right next to the trailer.
I thought about modifying it to reach farther away and to fit my grill but I'll probably just keep using it to hang towels and rugs on.

[TxCowboy]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

Member's Mark Portable Stainless Steel Gas Grill with Cover - Sam's Club

Lifetime Tailgate Table - Sam's Club

And it's out of stock. Gotta love it.

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by TxCowboy

And it's out of stock. Gotta love it.

This looks like the same grill at home depot.
Nexgrill 2-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill in Stainless Steel-820-0033 - The Home Depot

[MartyinSC]

For some reason, the Lowe's brand, i.e. MasterForge, is only stocked in stores, and not on line. On line you'll see a Cuisinart for twice the price, i.e. $199.

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

This looks like the same grill at home depot.
Nexgrill 2-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill in Stainless Steel-820-0033 - The Home Depot

Maybe it's not the same. My grill has 227 sq in. cooking area and the home depot one says 184 sq in cooking area. They sure look the same.

[KingFisher]

Originally Posted by TxCowboy

And it's out of stock. Gotta love it.

Just because I like you, I changed my Sams Club home store to San Antonio, Texas.

$99.98

• Free Pickup
• Ready as soon as Tomorrow
• San antonio, TX Club

[Bowler304]

Originally Posted by AbbaZabba

So that is sort of my opinion / thought on the grill that they install. Low heat with inconsistent heating. Better off saving the $275 and find a better cooking solution.

Anyone think that the dealer swing around grills are great? Otherwise it sounds like this might be in my first round of modifications,
1) install a real cooking solution with the outside kitchen area.
2) inspect and beef up the joints on the seats in the dinette

I have used it a few times and it works great, only issue is some how the back gas line was missing. Crossroads repaired it.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

Maybe it's not the same. My grill has 227 sq in. cooking area and the home depot one says 184 sq in cooking area. They sure look the same.

I've shopped these a lot. Some (like mine) have a little 4" upper "grill" at the far (hinged) end of the grill, raised and lowered by the lid. Not all have them. (4x11= 48 more square inches) Not really a "cooking surface," more of a warming area or bun toasting area. Hence the difference in specs.
The beauty of these little guys is their ability to actually sear steaks; their two burners are big enough to get really hot. TT owners like them because the control valves are "after" the regulator, which can be removed and replaced by a low-pressure hose from the TT.

[TxCowboy]

Originally Posted by KingFisher

This looks like the same grill at home depot.
Nexgrill 2-Burner Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill in Stainless Steel-820-0033 - The Home Depot

That is a nice looking grill.

Are any of you connecting that grill's propane hose to the propane source in the rear of your trailer?

If so, are you running into any pressure problems at the grill? I think there would be two pressure regulators controlling the gas pressure flow.

[MartyinSC]

Originally Posted by TxCowboy

That is a nice looking grill.

Are any of you connecting that grill's propane hose to the propane source in the rear of your trailer?

If so, are you running into any pressure problems at the grill? I think there would be two pressure regulators controlling the gas pressure flow.

No, Cowboy, that's the point. On some grills (not these) the regulator IS the control of the flame. Thus it can't be eliminated, and like you said, two regulators in series won't work.
The beauty of these guys is that the flame to each burner is controlled by a knob, independent of the regulator. Not seen in the picture, the regulator (high to low pressure) is at the LP bottle end, and thus the hose brings low pressure (after the regulator) LP to the device. Therefore: Since the TT has a low pressure outlet, one would only have to remove the black hose to the grill, along with the unseen regulator and LP tank connection. Replace that hose with a quick-disconnect designed to mate with a hose that fits itself to the quick-disconnect at the TT. Only one regulator in the circuit, i.e. the one on the trailer, at the tongue. From there, it is low pressure all the way through the QD, the hose, and into the grill. Controlled only by the knobs and sparker.

[4kids2dogs&RV]

Originally Posted by AbbaZabba

I pick up the camper at the end of the week. Dealer says if I want the rear bumper grill, they can add it for $275.

When I review the forum and my general opinion on some of the dealer add ons, it seems the dealer grill isn't the best and I would be better with a grill of my choosing.

So the debate I have is.... have the dealer install OR get a rear bumper aftermarket carrier and then build out something custom to hold my own. See thread as one idea http://www.crossroadsowners.com/foru...earchid=568910

My main debate is the quality and heat you can get off of a dealer grill. Since we have a full kitchen in the back, having a good source of cooking is a no brainer.

Thoughts? I need to let them know by Wednesday if they are going to install.

Bypass the dealer option and get what you think is right. There are plenty of better and cheaper options out there. The only thing my dealer.installed grill was good for was donating the quick disconnect I pulled off it to use on my Weber Q-200 and the 10 ft QD hose, I round filed the rest, but plan to mod my fold out arm with a cutting board of some sort. It also makes for a convient towel rack too.