Q's New Camper

[Ramzey28]

Congrats on the camper.

We have a 20' Jayco trailer that we absolutely love. Limited tows it like a boss

I negioated a deal on the 213 185bh too in aug for 9350....but with sons football schedule relaized I wouldn't use it til may so I thought I would wait so half the warranty wouldn't be gone, storing it, etc......

What kind of deal did you get? How may in you fam, I have 4.....any input on life in th camper...pros and cons? I like the weight and size. Wish the added a few things, stabilizer in front, cable input on outside, little bigger fridge....minor stuff.

 

[simonj]

I'm in Canada - prices are inflated up here.

Drove off the lot for a hair under 13K (inflated, I told you....)

Family of 4 (kids are 7 and 4). So far, we absolutely love it. Some insight:

Pros
- ease of towing. Like I said, Limited handles it no problem. Minimal sag, we didn't opt for any WD hitch or anything. So far, no issues.
- kids love the bunks
- finish inside and out. We've had tons of compliments, even from campers with the 30-40' Taj Mahals.
- ease of setup/use. I'm a first time trailer owner. Everything is no fills. No complicated systems, slides, electrical/plumbing. Just plug her in and camp.

Cons
- Wish it came with front stabilizers. We camped the first weekend without and vowed never again. Very bouncy. I bought front stabilizers since then and it makes a huge difference.
- Grey water tank is pretty small. If you're at a 2 way site, you really need to watch your consumption. We filled up after 2 nights. You can stretch it when the indicator says FULL - just keep your eye in the bathtub. That's the first place the overflow goes Obviously at a 3 way site its not an issue, or if you have a tote-tank.
- The ceiling is a tad low for a tall fellow. I'm 6'0, and while my head doesn't touch while flat footed, any tip toe action and I would. That said, I have to duck under the lights or smoke detector or I'll hit them.

Those are the big ones. I looked at Coachmen Apex, along with some other brands. The Jayco 184BH definitely stood out as the king of ultralights. My family loves it.

 

[Ramzey28]

I'm in Canada - prices are inflated up here.

Drove off the lot for a hair under 13K (inflated, I told you....)

Family of 4 (kids are 7 and 4). So far, we absolutely love it. Some insight:

Pros
- ease of towing. Like I said, Limited handles it no problem. Minimal sag, we didn't opt for any WD hitch or anything. So far, no issues.
- kids love the bunks
- finish inside and out. We've had tons of compliments, even from campers with the 30-40' Taj Mahals.
- ease of setup/use. I'm a first time trailer owner. Everything is no fills. No complicated systems, slides, electrical/plumbing. Just plug her in and camp.


Cons
- Wish it came with front stabilizers. We camped the first weekend without and vowed never again. Very bouncy. I bought front stabilizers since then and it makes a huge difference.
- Grey water tank is pretty small. If you're at a 2 way site, you really need to watch your consumption. We filled up after 2 nights. You can stretch it when the indicator says FULL - just keep your eye in the bathtub. That's the first place the overflow goes Obviously at a 3 way site its not an issue, or if you have a tote-tank.
- The ceiling is a tad low for a tall fellow. I'm 6'0, and while my head doesn't touch while flat footed, any tip toe action and I would. That said, I have to duck under the lights or smoke detector or I'll hit them.

Those are the big ones. I looked at Coachmen Apex, along with some other brands. The Jayco 184BH definitely stood out as the king of ultralights. My family loves it.

Ya, many said just hit Walmart for a 2 pack stabilizers...works well....ya tanks concerned me. How did the ac and heat work....odd ac set up, I heard there was a ac warranty fix to be done, Something with an outside drain away from window. for the price and 2 yr warranty I thought it was a good deal,,,,,I probable shoud have gone thru with the deal....just didn't make sense letting it sit 9 months before 1st use ....oh well

 

[GrantK]

Anyone have any experience with TrailManor crank-up trailers? They look interesting but MSRP is high.

 

[simonj]

Ya, many said just hit Walmart for a 2 pack stabilizers...works well....ya tanks concerned me. How did the ac and heat work....odd ac set up, I heard there was a ac warranty fix to be done, Something with an outside drain away from window. for the price and 2 yr warranty I thought it was a good deal,,,,,I probable shoud have gone thru with the deal....just didn't make sense letting it sit 9 months before 1st use ....oh well

I haven't really tried the heat or the AC yet. I have read about the drip tray issue, but apparently it was fixed for 2013.

Heat works well, but a tip - run it at home for about an hour with all the windows open to burn off all the fumes from manufacturing. We didn't do that, and at the camp, everytime the heat turned on the smoke detector would go off.

We use a small electric heater instead since it saves on LP.

 

[TexasAg]

I'm thinking the Honda EU2000i1A1 2k inverter generator would be a good choice then if needed I can add the companion in the future. What do you think?

I would recommend the companion. The 30A twistlock plug will be best trying to run the camper, plus you will need it to parallel. I think running a pair of EU2k is better than getting a single EU3k, lighter too!

I sell'em new, great products, 3 yr warranty is nice too.

 

[Qjake]

I would recommend the companion. The 30A twistlock plug will be best trying to run the camper, plus you will need it to parallel. I think running a pair of EU2k is better than getting a single EU3k, lighter too!

I sell'em new, great products, 3 yr warranty is nice too.

So you're saying buy the companion first then if needed buy the other later on?

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I'm thinking the Honda EU2000i1A1 2k inverter generator would be a good choice then if needed I can add the companion in the future. What do you think?

Ok, I did a quick check online and the smallest one listed on our website is a 15-29KW Generator. I'll make a phone call tomorrow morning to see if they have any of the smaller sizes available.
I should have a little more info for you tomorrow morning, but I'd also make calls to some of the other rental companies in your area. Try Fabick, Sunbelt, One Source, Hertz, etc.

 

[brockeverly]

So you're saying buy the companion first then if needed buy the other later on?

That is correct.

 

[TexasAg]

So you're saying buy the companion first then if needed buy the other later on?

CORRECT!
Not sure about your camper, but most popups have a 30A/120V outlet to hook up a generator. You will probably need both 2k units during the summer to run the A/C but only one in the winter. Definately the route I will be going when I get my popup. I have a p4300i ONAN now, great unit but pretty heavy.

 

[Qjake]

That is correct.

CORRECT!
Not sure about your camper, but most popups have a 30A/120V outlet to hook up a generator. You will probably need both 2k units during the summer to run the A/C but only one in the winter. Definately the route I will be going when I get my popup. I have a p4300i ONAN now, great unit but pretty heavy.

Thanks guys!

@TexasAg,
You mentioned you sell these, got a price? I'm not ready to buy just yet just want to figure out if it's worth buying online and pay shipping or buy locally and pay sales tax. Thanks!

 

[TexasAg]

Sent ya a pm via my phone tapatalk. Don't hate on the brevity!

 

[Qjake]

Just a lil update...cuz I know you guys are all anxious to know:

Got the air bags this morning was hoping to get them installed today but couldn't get on a lift at my bro in laws, he's got six go figure :shrug: so tomorrow I'll get them done.

Also spoke with the RV dealer today and the camper is ready to go so going to pick it up Thursday AM.:reddance:

I'm pretty stoked to get this thing home and start making it my own....Stay tuned!

 

[Qjake]

Sent ya a pm via my phone tapatalk. Don't hate on the brevity!

Replied thx

 

[homeyclaus]

They have two different model Honda 2000ie...one is just a regular 2000 watt generator, but the Companion model has a 30 amp twist lock, and a kit to piggyback both together. That's the system I use at home.....and only in the winter when I use the furnace , fridge and lighting.

The bigger RVs also use the 30 amp twist lock iirc.

Mayberry's has about for the units.

They use a TT-30 plug, which isn't twist, but more like a three prong dryer plug (but different) - there are converters to be had. Just make sure you don't feed your trailer 240V by accident.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I'll make a phone call tomorrow morning to see if they have any of the smaller sizes available. I should have a little more info for you tomorrow morning.

I wish I had better news for you, but the stores in your area did not have any of the smaller size that you're looking for. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[Qjake]

NP Dusty! Thanks for checking I really appreciate it!

 

[Qjake]

Installed the airbags today but thinking I should have cut off more of the bump stops. I left two of the four sections on the bump and with 5lbs in the bags the bumps are sitting on top of them.

To all you lifted folks with the airlift bags how much of the bump stop did you remove? Got a pic of your install?

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Anytime!

 

[brockeverly]

Ya, you left too much. I only left two, IIRC the instructions said two as well.