Before You Buy FAQ

Although it will run on LP gas while driving, it is not recommended for safety reasons. LP gas should always be shut off at the tank for travel.

No. If you want to run several 110V appliances at once (toaster, electric frying pan, hair dryer, curling iron, etc.), you should turn off the air conditioner.

Yes.

Yes. The generator feeds off the main gas tank in gas Ford models and off the propane tank in Sprinter and Ford diesel models and and can be used while traveling.

Yes. The refrigerator draws 9 amps while on 12V and the auxillary battery has 120 amps at full charge. However, actual battery life will depend on what other draws are made on the battery.

Yes, as long as you start the air conditioner first.

For Ford gas models the length of time the generator can be operated is limited to the amount of fuel above the 1/4 tank level. Starting with a full tank, the generator can run until the fuel reaches the 1/4 tank level which is about 90 hours at half load (0.30 gallons per hour) or 65 hours at full load (0.42 gallons per hour).

In diesel powered vans the generator runs off of the fuel in the propane tank. For Sprinter models the generator will run for 28 hours at half load (1.5 lbs per hour) or 18 hours at full load (2.4 lbs per hour). In Ford diesel models the generator will run for 23 hours at half load (1.5 lbs per hour) and 15 hours at full load (2.4 lbs per hour).

The standard single coach battery will provide about 2 to 3 days of power with average usage. This can be doubled with the optional second auxillary battery.

Four to six if you conserve water.

72 Decibels at a distance of 10 feet from the van's exterior.

Freezing temperatures can be dealt with in a few different ways.

If you expect only to dip a few degrees below freezing at night with fairly warm days otherwise, spray foam insulation will allow the tanks to retain enough heat from the day so they will not freeze or cause problems.

If you need only the toilet facilities, RV antifreeze can be used throughout the plumbing system to allow the toilet to be used. RV antifreeze is non-toxic, but not recommended for digestion or cleaning. Drinking and cleaning water can be kept inside the vehicle (be sure to follow any water down the drain with RV antifreeze to protect your pipes).

Aside from that, there are aftermarket tank heaters which can be installed into your tanks. These would require a power supply to maintain heat in the tanks. We do offer a generator on board our vans. You would also need to maintain heat in the interior so the pipes do not freeze. This can be maintained by the propane furnace while away from the vehicle.

We recommend you talk to your local dealer to find out exactly what options they may have available for you.

Medium fan setting and number 6 to 7 on the temperature dial. Setting the A/C on maximum at all times may freeze the compressor.

The furnace, refrigerator, stove, water heater, and barbecue.

The auxiliary battery will power the lights, range hood fan & light, refrigerator, roof vent fan, TV & VCP, and water system. The generator will power all these plus the air conditioner and/or heat pump, microwave oven, and power converter with charger.

With most class 'C's, the interior is installed first from the outside with the walls and roof added after. This is less costly than Great West which must be built within the confines of the exterior.

Outside and below the floor behind rear axle.

Depending on the van and the location in the van we may use insulating foam or fibreglass. All vans have an R value of 7 and are equipped with oversized furnaces and air conditioners to maintain a comfortable temperature inside no matter what weather conditions are like outside.

Solid plywood. No particle board is used.

Everything will already run on 110 or 12V except the stove, furnace and water heater. We do not offer these items in 110V since they would require a generator to run when not connected to an external electrical connection which limits the Great West’s self containment.

Although a wheel chair lift is not available from Great West we will happily modify the floorplan to accommodate installation by an after-market company.

A U.S. resident needs a Great West Van built to U.S. specifications. Canadian units are not built to U.S. specifications.

No. We sell through a dealer network to ensure excellent sales and service of our product. In fact, because many states and provinces legally require certain checks be performed by the retailing dealer, you may not be permitted to take delivery at the factory. Arrangements can sometimes be made through your local dealer, however, to take delivery at our St. Andrews, Manitoba Factory. Where we will happily give you a tour of the facility.

The Dodge van was discontinued by Chrysler after the 2003 model year. When we evaluated the vans available to us at the time we chose the Ford E350. It offered more interior space and leg room in the front seats and more engine choices offering both V8 & V10 gas engines and a diesel option that Chevrolet did not. That combined with the fact that Ford is the number one selling van in North America made our decision even easier.

Chysler has since added the Mercedes Benz diesel powered Sprinter to their line up which is now the platform for our Legend models.