At AutoDirector Pathway Auto and RV LLC in Lenoir City,TN they have listed a 2016 16TBS with pictures that show a single axle. Is this really a 16 TBS??
[font size="3"]Something is amiss. The interior pictures and nameplate show 16TBS and t[/font][font size="3"]he placement of the fridge is consistent with 14s and 16s[/font][font size="3"], but the 11FK is presently the only single axle model. Please don't tell me LL(Thor) is backing down to single axles on 16s and/or 14s. >:D A question for Christianm to research....................
[/font]
The photo I saw at their site was NOT an 11. Definitely a 16. And the sticker shows a single 4400# axle, instead of 2x 3500s. Yep, passes smell test.
It would also be easier to manufacture, plus cheaper.
Dual axles on our 14 was a REAL selling point, though.
[font size="3"]OK, Sean. Let's rename this forum "Good Old Original LL" vs New Thor CheapLite campers. The dual axles were a major advantage over other trailers in this size that struggle to function on one axle. Just check other forums for tales of limited carrying capacity, bent axles, tire issues, etc. To quote Credence Clearwater Revival:"There's a bad moon on the rise."
[/font]
Man I am so happy I bought mine before his major buyout/redesign happened but, feel sorry for those still looking.
funny though if you go to their website the picture of the 16 TBS still shows 2 axles.
The website still shows dual axles on the 16' trailers but only one 4400# axle with 15" wheels on the 14' trailers now.
Well, although I prefer the double axles of my 2013 Good Ol' Original LL, the gross weight rating of 4,400 lbs for the single axle plus 350 lbs of tongue weight is probably 750 lbs more than the full up loaded weight of the 16TBS. That is a pretty good margin of safety. I always wondered why they put double axles on the 16s.
I agree that Thor is probably pinching pennies, but I don't think that this change really affects utility and value.
David
As mentioned, they are still showing twin axles of 3,000# each on the 16' foot trailers under the standards and options link for the 16 footers on their website. It looks like just the 14 footers have single axles now, but you could always call Livin Lite to confirm that.
Gregg
[font size="3"]The pictures still show two axles and the specs still say 5000# GVWR. You have to dig way down into the features to find the single axle reference. Well, we were all afraid of this when Thor bought LL. Can wood floors be far away?? The dual axle was one of the four reasons I upgraded from RPOD along with dry bath, bigger fridge and walk around bed. Guess I'll be suggesting Lance again to prospective buyers >:(
[/font]
Wow. Looks like a "Toll Saver" model designation is in order. Of all the changes they've made this "improvement" will take some splainin'.
My first trailer was a single axle 16' trailer, and after experiencing a blowout at high speed, I determined that dual axles on my next trailer was a MUST. The first Lance I looked out was immediately put out of the running because it had one axle. They did have a nice unit with dual axles that we were considering, until I saw the LivinLite. Lance makes a good trailer. Sorry, David, I disagree. My friend just bought the 16TBS last year.....bet 'ya she's REAL happy about that now.
Happy Trails
Major bummer. I'll chime in that the dual axle on our 16TBS was a major selling point and tipped the scale in our decision from a Rpod to a Camplite. I consider dual axles a major safety advantage and years of towing experience shows that dual axle trailers track better. With full tanks and a full load, the 600 lb GVWR decrease of the single axle is significant loss in safety margin. Finally, when I absolutely have to stop that much weight, I consider 4 tires much safer than 2. And really finally, trailers 16 feet and longer look fragile to me on 1 tire per side.
I can confirm that the 16TBS is now being made single axle. I placed an order for a 16TBS in mid October fully expecting a dual axle trailer, and then while trolling the Livin Lite Web site, came across an "updated" spec sheet for the 16TBS that showed a single 4400lb axle with electric brake. Called the dealer, who had no idea about the change. He called the factory, and a week later I got a call advising that the switch had been made to single axle and that the trailer could not be built with a dual axle. After some thinking and figuring I have decided to purchase the trailer anyway, but I was pretty p.o.'d about the way it was handled. Not sure what I would have done if the first time I found out about the axle switch was when I showed up to pick up the trailer.
How has the axle change affected trailer height? The change from 13 to 15 in tires must have made it taller.
Popup2012 - not sure re the measurements. I was supposed to take delivery end of December, now looking like end of January, but that is another story. I can pull the measurements when I take delivery.
[quote timestamp="1450970414" author="@popup2012" source="/post/17323/thread"]How has the axle change affected trailer height? The change from 13 to 15 in tires must have made it taller.[/quote]Really not an issue. Nominally the added two inches in diameter would add just one inch to the height, but that is further complicated by the individual tire tread width and tread to sidewall height (65%, 70%, 75%) ratio. Add to that trailer weight, tire inflation, and temperature effects and it still results in something pretty small.
[quote source="/post/17318/thread" timestamp="1450967760" author="@sandroad"]Major bummer. I'll chime in that the dual axle on our 16TBS was a major selling point and tipped the scale in our decision from a Rpod to a Camplite. I consider dual axles a major safety advantage and years of towing experience shows that dual axle trailers track better. With full tanks and a full load, the 600 lb GVWR decrease of the single axle is significant loss in safety margin. Finally, when I absolutely have to stop that much weight, I consider 4 tires much safer than 2. And really finally, trailers 16 feet and longer look fragile to me on 1 tire per side. [/quote][font size="3"]I'll second Merlin on this. Certainly the reduced safety margin and blowout issues are obvious. The braking performance is very important, but the answer is not crystal clear to me. True there is almost 2X the rubber on the ground, but there is only half the weight per square inch. Friction force is usually directly proportional to normal force (weight), but there are other factors. I generally I feel more comfortable with more rather than less surface area in contact, especially in slick road conditions. In wet weather the extra two brakes should also reduce the possibility of total lockup due to a wet brake.[/font]
[quote source="/post/17320/thread" timestamp="1450969416" author="@dan"]I can confirm that the 16TBS is now being made single axle. I placed an order for a 16TBS in mid October fully expecting a dual axle trailer, and then while trolling the Livin Lite Web site, came across an "updated" spec sheet for the 16TBS that showed a single 4400lb axle with electric brake. Called the dealer, who had no idea about the change. He called the factory, and a week later I got a call advising that the switch had been made to single axle and that the trailer could not be built with a dual axle. After some thinking and figuring I have decided to purchase the trailer anyway, but I was pretty p.o.'d about the way it was handled. Not sure what I would have done if the first time I found out about the axle switch was when I showed up to pick up the trailer.[/quote]
I had to calm down a bit before commenting on this post. Living Lite made major, material changes to a camper (GVWR, structure, function, and aesthetics) and apparently didn't tell a dealer and for sure didn't tell a customer pre-order. Those are all decision factors for a major purchase. The industry already has a huge trust issue. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
[quote timestamp="1450980835" author="@sandroad" source="/post/17329/thread"][quote timestamp="1450969416" source="/post/17320/thread" author="@dan"]I can confirm that the 16TBS is now being made single axle. I placed an order for a 16TBS in mid October fully expecting a dual axle trailer, and then while trolling the Livin Lite Web site, came across an "updated" spec sheet for the 16TBS that showed a single 4400lb axle with electric brake. Called the dealer, who had no idea about the change. He called the factory, and a week later I got a call advising that the switch had been made to single axle and that the trailer could not be built with a dual axle. After some thinking and figuring I have decided to purchase the trailer anyway, but I was pretty p.o.'d about the way it was handled. Not sure what I would have done if the first time I found out about the axle switch was when I showed up to pick up the trailer.[/quote]I had to calm down a bit before commenting on this post. Living Lite made major, material changes to a camper (GVWR, structure, function, and aesthetics) and apparently didn't tell a dealer and for sure didn't tell a customer pre-order. Those are all decision factors for a major purchase. The industry already has a huge trust issue. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? [/quote]Ya, pretty much all the things that made LL unique and differentiated in the market, they're undoing.
Sad. This is what it looks like when a company dies.
[font size="3"]When engineers and customers meet bean counters, bean counters win every time! We all saw it coming despite contrary assurances from Scott and LL. :'(
[/font]
[font size="3" face="comic sans ms"]Not only do the bean counters cut quality, they also cut workforce personnel...
So sad...[/font]
Look at it this way our 14DBS's all aluminum with dual axles just went up in value, glad I got it when I did.
I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but the single axle development makes this dual axle 16 DBS unit, at Sunny Island RV in Rockford, Ill. a very rare item. Dual axle CL with the old style cabinets but with solid surface counter and stainless sink, and what appears to be a very nice faucet. Best of all worlds, I think, if you want that size unit. And no, I am not connected to Sunny Island in any way. I did go there several summers ago, and they had a large selection of LL units available to look at. I am curious to hear what they think about the changes that LL has implemented.
http://www.sunnyislandrv.com/rv/rockford+il/livinlite+traveltrailer/775/livin+lite+camplite+16dbs
Nice unit but pricy. I only paid 2000 more from them for my custom 2016 21BHS. I think they know what they have in this unit with recent changes at LL.
I contacted my dealer on Monday, we ordered our 16 TBS back in October 2015, inquiring on delivery since they were closed over Christmas. They asked me if I will still take delivery of the 16 TBS since Livin Lite changed from dual to single axle.
I asked why the design change and was told that the trailer is too light with a twin axle configuration to provide enough tongue weight for towing stability.
Interesting explanation but I do not know enough to know if I am getting smoke blown at me or if this is a "true" explanation.
I will leave it here to hear back from you who know more about this then I.
Chuck
[p]Well, there may be a perverse reality to this statement. My two year old 16TBS did have a light tongue weight of about 240 lbs as delivered, maybe 300 now for a 3,500+ trailer weight. But to fix this, all they have to do is move the axle mounts back a few inches.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Although that may cause the wheels to no longer center in the wheel wells which leads to body modifications which I suspect they found uneconomical.[/p][p]
[/p][p]But if they did it right in the first place...
David[/p]
I don't believe it. My husband says it is all too easy to get tongue weight and very difficult to lighten it up. Two 20-lb propane containers on the front, at least one, if not two, deep cycle batteries, and then all the stuff you put in the basement in the front really adds up.
Quote from: @chuck" source="/post/17556/thread" timestamp="1452185719I contacted my dealer on Monday, we ordered our 16 TBS back in October 2015, inquiring on delivery since they were closed over Christmas. They asked me if I will still take delivery of the 16 TBS since Livin Lite changed from dual to single axle.
I asked why the design change and was told that the trailer is too light with a twin axle configuration to provide enough tongue weight for towing stability.
Interesting explanation but I do not know enough to know if I am getting smoke blown at me or if this is a "true" explanation.
I will leave it here to hear back from you who know more about this then I.
Chuck
[font size="3"]First thing I'd ask is what axle does it have and require verification. If LL really did go to the 4400# axle it's marginal. If they stayed with the 3500# axle it's grossly underrated. Without real knowledge I'm guessing the empty weight with the single axle might be around 2900#. When you add AC, fresh and waste water including the 6 gal WH, propane and bottles, two batteries, and "stuff" you're getting close. David and Leslie are right in that you can always add tongue weight. That second axle was so comforting. [/font]
[quote source="/post/17562/thread" timestamp="1452193187" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/17556/thread" timestamp="1452185719" author="@chuck"]I contacted my dealer on Monday, we ordered our 16 TBS back in October 2015, inquiring on delivery since they were closed over Christmas. They asked me if I will still take delivery of the 16 TBS since Livin Lite changed from dual to single axle.
I asked why the design change and was told that the trailer is too light with a twin axle configuration to provide enough tongue weight for towing stability.
Interesting explanation but I do not know enough to know if I am getting smoke blown at me or if this is a "true" explanation.
I will leave it here to hear back from you who know more about this then I.
Chuck [/quote][font size="3"]First thing I'd ask is what axle does it have and require verification. If LL really did go to the 4400# axle it's marginal. If they stayed with the 3500# axle it's grossly underrated. Without real knowledge I'm guessing the empty weight with the single axle might be around 2900#. When you add AC, fresh and waste water including the 6 gal WH, propane and bottles, two batteries, and "stuff" you're getting close. David and Leslie are right in that you can always add tongue weight. That second axle was so comforting.
[/font]
[/quote]
Just checked with our guys on the factory end.... Livin Lite went with the 4400# axle (an upgrade from the 3500#). Can't really offer too much more commentary on the "why", but hope having the official answer is helpful :-)
[quote source="/post/17580/thread" timestamp="1452268882" author="@christianm"][quote source="/post/17562/thread" timestamp="1452193187" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]First thing I'd ask is what axle does it have and require verification. If LL really did go to the 4400# axle it's marginal. If they stayed with the 3500# axle it's grossly underrated. Without real knowledge I'm guessing the empty weight with the single axle might be around 2900#. When you add AC, fresh and waste water including the 6 gal WH, propane and bottles, two batteries, and "stuff" you're getting close. David and Leslie are right in that you can always add tongue weight. That second axle was so comforting.
[/font]
[/quote]Just checked with our guys on the factory end.... Livin Lite went with the 4400# axle (an upgrade from the 3500#). Can't really offer too much more commentary on the "why", but hope having the official answer is helpful :-)
[/quote]Christian, going from a pair of 35's to a single 44 is not an upgrade.
Just came home from the Allentown RV show. They had a dual axle 16TBS on display (2016 w.New cabinet wood doors)... so they are still out there for those who want to jump on them. IIRC they are asking $27K.
So... having 2 axles was part of the reason for the lighter tongue weight and better stability without sway control on my 16DB trailer. This was a BIG part of my decision to go purchase my 16DB to tow with my midsize nissan frontier. Looks like they may have negated that advantage against other brands. Winnebago makes a "Micro-Mini-Winnie" in 3 floor plans if anyone is looking to stay with a shorter lighter trailer with 2 axles. Winnebago also came out with a line of "Tab" type trailers...had one at the show also....just saying.....
$27K for a 16 is nuts. Only paid $27,900 for a 21BHS with XL package. What the heck is going on here.
Jump on it! It will be worth $30,000 late this spring. ;)
[quote source="/post/17609/thread" timestamp="1452383842" author="@ammobob"]$27K for a 16 is nuts. Only paid $27,900 for a 21BHS with XL package. What the heck is going on here.[/quote]I think the dealer was Harolds in allentown.
http://www.haroldsrvcenter.com/property/2016-camplite-16tbs-35402-00
I'd be curious to know what 15 inch tires LL is installing on the single axle 16TBS. I was looking around online today at new 15 inch trailer tires for my utility trailer and found most in the size I needed (205/75-15) were load range C. At the max 50 psi, they have a max load of 1820 lbs each.
Quote from: @sandroad" source="/post/17625/thread" timestamp="1452462816I'd be curious to know what 15 inch tires LL is installing on the single axle 16TBS. I was looking around online today at new 15 inch trailer tires for my utility trailer and found most in the size I needed (205/75-15) were load range C. At the max 50 psi, they have a max load of 1820 lbs each.
Goodyear has a Marathon ST D rated if you're willing to go 225 width.
[a href="http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-selector.aspx"]http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-selector.aspx[/a]
etrailer.com has 41 in 225/75R15 with D rating. They also have 3 with E rating.
Let's hope the D or E rated tires are what LL is installing on the 16TBS.
Come on Thor... update the pics/specs on the website already!
[attachment id="1204" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1205" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1206" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1207" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1208" thumbnail="1"]
Got the call our 16' TBS was in today. We stopped in for a quick look. Found out they added a range hood with fan and light. Sitting on the sofa our feet do not touch the floor. Two steps to get in due to the off road package.
Thanks for the pics! I like the sink, countertop, range hood, and tires. Looks like adventures ahead for you.
Looks very nice. I wonder if you got the last metal roof? Other than your feet hanging above the floor, was the couch comfortable? I wonder if a small 'box' can be placed by the bottom of the couch so that your feet can be on the floor. I especially like the lack of decals. Hard to tell, but it looks like you got a water heater switch by the stovetop. Congratulations; enjoy!
Got the call just before 4 pm and the dealer closed at 5 pm with a 20 minute drive we did not get much time to go into the details but we will take delivery in the next two weeks.
Quote from: @charliem" source="/post/17313/thread" timestamp="1450929835[font size="3"]The pictures still show two axles and the specs still say 5000# GVWR. You have to dig way down into the features to find the single axle reference. Well, we were all afraid of this when Thor bought LL. Can wood floors be far away?? The dual axle was one of the four reasons I upgraded from RPOD along with dry bath, bigger fridge and walk around bed. Guess I'll be suggesting Lance again to prospective buyers >:(
[/font]
Looked at a lance at the Louisville Boat and RV show. Man is it a well made trailer! Had I found it instead of the Camplite; it would have been a serious contender. Heck if I ever want a truck camper I will be going with Lance.
Quote from: @tincan" source="/post/19019/thread" timestamp="1456667567Quote from: @charliem" source="/post/17313/thread" timestamp="1450929835[font size="3"]The pictures still show two axles and the specs still say 5000# GVWR. You have to dig way down into the features to find the single axle reference. Well, we were all afraid of this when Thor bought LL. Can wood floors be far away?? The dual axle was one of the four reasons I upgraded from RPOD along with dry bath, bigger fridge and walk around bed. Guess I'll be suggesting Lance again to prospective buyers >:(
[/font]
Looked at a lance at the Louisville Boat and RV show. Man is it a well made trailer! Had I found it instead of the Camplite; it would have been a serious contender. Heck if I ever want a truck camper I will be going with Lance.
I'll give a second thumbs up on Lance. Saw several at the Dallas RV Supersale this weekend. Unfortunately LivinLite didn't have a presence at the show.
Picked up the 16 TBS from Harolds yesterday. Ken there did a great job with our PDI. Ford neglected to include the tow vehicle charger relay with the truck that has a tow package. Parts guy at Ford has the relay on the counter waiting for me. As for C Load rating of the tires the dealer showed us the ratings vs. the trailers GVWR (I do not remember the exact number but it was greater than 2500) and these tires exceed the GVWR. I will take pictures of the tires with the load rating and upload here later. The twin axles were not giving the trailer enough tongue weight so we are fine with the the single axle. The trailer's GVWR is now under 5000 LBS so we have around 1400 + cargo capability. We were fortunate to get the aluminum roof not sure where they are headed but glad we ordered back in October. Not sure what direction LL is headed but I hope they stay true to the all aluminum construction vs. all aluminum structure.
[quote timestamp="1457190492" author="@charleschapman" source="/post/19216/thread"]Picked up the 16 TBS from Harolds yesterday. Ken there did a great job with our PDI. Ford neglected to include the tow vehicle charger relay with the truck that has a tow package. Parts guy at Ford has the relay on the counter waiting for me. As for C Load rating of the tires the dealer showed us the ratings vs. the trailers GVWR (I do not remember the exact number but it was greater than 2500) and these tires exceed the GVWR. I will take pictures of the tires with the load rating and upload here later. The twin axles were not giving the trailer enough tongue weight so we are fine with the the single axle. The trailer's GVWR is now under 5000 LBS so we have around 1400 + cargo capability. We were fortunate to get the aluminum roof not sure where they are headed but glad we ordered back in October. Not sure what direction LL is headed but I hope they stay true to the all aluminum construction vs. all aluminum structure. [/quote]Congrats on your 16 TBS!!!!!!! Please post camping photos of your future adventures!
Took pictures of the Manufacture Data Plate for 16 TBS we received yesterday:
[attachment id="1233" thumbnail="1"]
One can see that the vehicle has GVWR of 4842 lbs.
[attachment id="1234" thumbnail="1"]
The single axle tires have a rating of 2340 lbs at 50 PSI.
2340 x 2 = 4680
There is a delta of - 162 lbs for the tires provided by LL.
My understanding for determine the correct trailer tire load rating it is the GVWR + 20% (safety factor? from my Google research). Now that would be 5810 lbs for determining load range of the trailers tires with a GVWR of 4842. So looks like I need to call LL and have them explain their math and why they put tires on our trailer that do not meet their GVWR?
Feel free to check my math.
[quote timestamp="1457217519" author="@charleschapman" source="/post/19229/thread"]Took pictures of the Manufacture Data Plate for 16 TBS we received yesterday:
One can see that the vehicle has GVWR of 4842 lbs.
The single axle tires have a rating of 2340 lbs at 50 PSI.
2340 x 2 = 4680
There is a delta of - 162 lbs for the tires provided by LL.
My understanding for determine the correct trailer tire load rating it is the GVWR + 20% (safety factor? from my Google research). Now that would be 5810 lbs for determining load range of the trailers tires with a GVWR of 4842. So looks like I need to call LL and have them explain their math and why they put tires on our trailer that do not meet their GVWR?
Feel free to check my math.
[/quote][font size="3"]The axle is rated at 4400 which is less than 2x4680. The tires will handle a fully loaded axle with some margin. GVWR is the 4400 axle plus the 442 tongue weight = 4842. Don't know where the +20% comes from.[/font]
[quote timestamp="1457220589" author="@charliem" source="/post/19234/thread"][quote timestamp="1457217519" source="/post/19229/thread" author="@charleschapman"]Took pictures of the Manufacture Data Plate for 16 TBS we received yesterday:
One can see that the vehicle has GVWR of 4842 lbs.
The single axle tires have a rating of 2340 lbs at 50 PSI.
2340 x 2 = 4680
There is a delta of - 162 lbs for the tires provided by LL.
My understanding for determine the correct trailer tire load rating it is the GVWR + 20% (safety factor? from my Google research). Now that would be 5810 lbs for determining load range of the trailers tires with a GVWR of 4842. So looks like I need to call LL and have them explain their math and why they put tires on our trailer that do not meet their GVWR?
Feel free to check my math.
[/quote][font size="3"]The axle is rated at 4400 which is less than 2x4680. The tires will handle a fully loaded axle with some margin. GVWR is the 4400 axle plus the 442 tongue weight = 4842. Don't know where the +20% comes from.[/font]
[/quote]http://www.carlstargroup.com/cms_files/original/Trailer_Tires__Tips_Best_Practices.pdf is where I got the 20% from.
– The combined capacity of all of the tires should exceed the loaded
trailer weight by 20 percent.
Interesting data on the new TBS. I see there is a discrepancy between tires specified on the trailer sticker and the tires delivered. The sticker says 225/75-15 load range D, which have a max weight rating of 2530 lbs each at 65 psi. The trailer was delivered with 235/75-15 load range C tires which have a max weight rating of 2340 lbs at 50 psi. (And both iterations are far below the axle/tire weight ratings of the dual axle TBS.) I would be interested in LL's explanation of why they installed a different size and rated tire than specified on the sticker of the new TBS.
[attachment id="1249" thumbnail="1"]
Charlie M wanted to see our rear bumper.
[quote timestamp="1457876468" author="Homer" source="/post/19523/thread"][div][/div]I am partial to the single axle 16TBS, although they still make the dual axle version. I need the higher clearance and the optional off-road package which is a great selling point. It comes with off-road tires and a riser to give it more ground clearance. And, of course, it comes with a spare tire under the midsection of the unit.[/quote]The off-road package was available in the dual-axle version (at least it was in 2015). It does look like the single axle version is much higher off the ground, as documented earlier.
Since picking up our TBS we have been busy but this list of "mods" is pale to some I have seen on this forum. Just trying to make it ours:
Max Flo Air Vent Covers (X2)
Solar Panel Hook up at battery
Black Battery Box on rear bumper to store black water gloves etc.
Receiver hitch on back bumper for bike carrier
Wireless Back Up Camera/Rear view mirror
Strong Box for storing valuables
7 pin plug holder
High Pressure Propane connector at tank for outside stove/grill connection
Clear elbow for black water pipe (You need to check your work and you can not do that without seeing it flow clear)
TP Holder Mounted High (Spent a lot of money on this camper but it comes without a TP Holder)
Mud dabber guard for the heater
Marsh mellow roasting forks storage tube
Tow mirror extensions
Eyebolt for dog cable clip in
Kitchen drawers and general organization
Sheets, pillows and bedding
Grab handle in the head, Hard to stand up without one and the door closed.
Battery cut off switch on the battery box. Something was draining the battery.
LED lights with dimmer and night light. Way too bright at night inside.
Clear black water hose elbow and and 90 adapter at end of the hose.
In Progress:
Tow vehicle has these fancy fox coil over springs causing the rear with tow load to hang low. Air bags install at the end of the month.
Coat hooks install
Key hooks install
Front storage organization
Looking to find a mattress/foam piece that fits between the two twins when not set up as a king
First Shake down trip on 1 April to Promised Land State Park PA completed!
[attachment id="1322" thumbnail="1"]
Maiden Voyage / Shake Down Trip Question:
First camping trip this weekend. Temperatures are expected to be below freezing @ 27 degrees F on Saturday night with a high of 37 on Sunday. Should I not use the water tank and stay dry camping? I plan on draining all when done and blowing out the lines with the pancake air compressor (not exceeding 50PSI) when done on Sunday. Thoughts dry or wet?
If it were me I'd stay dry but I'm very cautious about that sort of thing. I won't even de-winterize until my 10 day weather forecast shows temps above freezing for all 10 days.
You might be ok, but like mitch, I wouldn't risk it. Particularly be careful about driving in below freezing temps. 60 mph will quickly freeze the pipes if it is below freezing.
David
Well the shake down trip last weekend, sans water, was a good shake down cruise. When we arrived on Friday it was in the 70's. When we left on Sunday it was 23 with sustained winds at 20 with gusts in the 40's including snow over night. We can attest the the heater works great! I had my concerns about driving in windy and gusty conditions but we had no no issues. The to do list got a little longer IE wood blocks for the stabilizers.
[attachment id="1315" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1314" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1316" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1317" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1318" thumbnail="1"]
Nice photos. I'm always impressed with pics of camping in the snow.
In an earlier post, you mentioned dimmers on the LED lights. Elaborate on that sometime. Maybe post a separate thread in the Modifications section. I'm working on that and would like some ideas especially for the lights over the beds.
Merlin they are Starlights @ Amazon . They do not dim down as much as I want. We also put the night light module in in too.
I also have Starlight fixtures in my Camplite. I had them factory-installed instead of the non-led fixtures that were standard in 2012. I agree with Charles that the dimmer doesn't do as good a job as would be nice. It has about the same effect as a two-bulb becoming a one-bulb fixture ---- still pretty bright over the bed. We also have the night-light option on the fixture over our bed. I like it --- works pretty well. For instance, at night it can be switched on by my bride if she needs to visit the washroom. It provides a suitable source of light for that and I can continue sleeping. In contrast if the regular fixture were switched on I'd wake for sure.
Night light ? Meh. Just leave the faceplate on the stereo. You can read by the thing. DAMHIK
The list goes on:
Where to hang a coat? Put hooks on top of the slide out trim.
Where to store the twin to king leaf? Latched it in.
Cabinet over the frig hold open? Used a table leaf support arm upside down.
Starlight with dimmer and night light.
Bunk light with dimmer and night light. Dimmer dials lower with the single light.
Look at all the wasted storage space next to the heater under the frig. I will have to figure out how to get some of this area. [attachment id="1328" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1331" thumbnail="1"][attachment id="1332" thumbnail="1"]
Limits on posts.
Wasted storage space:[attachment id="1333" thumbnail="1"]
On our recent weekend trip 3 different times folks (one single and 2 couples) asked about our 2015 TBS Camplite. All of them commented on the dual axles and one of the couples said they were specifically looking for that. I told them they would have to get a larger Camplite or find a used 14-16. They were disappointed. I remain convinced dual axles was a big selling point.
The duel axles is what sold us on the smaller trailer. We too were approached last year by a few people that were interested. I think they are making a big mistake by switching to the single.
After reading this I don't fully understand the reasoning for it. They say they switched because the tongue was too light. My toyhauler is 2800 ish pounds dry and is a tandem axle. I guess the tongue weight is heavier on mine because the kitchen is in the front. Still seems like they needed an excuse to save money.
Well, the tongue weight on the dual axle 16TBS is a little light- 250 lbs against a dry weight of about 3,000 lbs with no gear or fluids. But the numbers get better with more gear stowed in the pass through.
I understand their problem. They couldn't move the axles back as they were up against the doorway. But I think that the real world tongue weight of the twin axle 16TBS worked out fine. Mine tows with no sway whatsoever.
David
I get no sway but a very little porpoise action if the fresh tank is empty. beyond that,stable as a rock, and a total non-issue if I bothered to go to a 2 battery system.
Yeah, dudes be whack about going to a single axle. They should be fired, then tied into a burlap sack with a badger and thrown into the Tiber.
I assume they tow somewhat similarly to my toyhauler. I just hook it up and go. No tow mirrors or stabilizing gear at all. Unfortunate that some of the new mods that Thor are doing are making the product worse or less appealing in my opinion. I had my toyhauler delivered. Wish I knew what the tongue weight was in comparison.