[font face="arial" size="3"]Seems like someone is listening, and reading, now at LL. After the post from "dj" I emailed LL parts dept requesting price and availability for additional matching wall switches. I got an immediate response from Jack Filley. Then, just to make sure we were talking about the same item, I emailed a picture of the switch. Again, an immediate response from Jack.
Maybe this forum is working.Thanks Jack, dj, and LL.[/font]
Glad to hear a positive report. I'll be honest, I'm at the point of not being able to recommend a Camplite trailer. I've basically been the equivalent of a Living Lite salesman on the Good Sam bulletin board, but lately I feel that a constant stream of nagging problems while camping makes me question our purchase. I'm at a campground right now and just finished putting leveling blocks under the trailer to change to point where the A/C condensate drains. My wife noticed water dripping down the wall at the point where the condensate was draining. Previously we had water come in after towing the camper in the rain, and I fixed it with some Proflex caulk. Living Lite uses silicone which does not last. Also on this trip, the hose connection on the back of the trailer jammed and I could not attach the hose. I always need to get the air out of the lines or the toilet sprays water all over the bathroom when air is encountered. We also had a water leak under the kitchen cabinets after setting up at a campsite. This is only the sixth time we've had the camper out, and all but one time we've had some sort of problem. I realize these problems are minor, but we spent a lot more money on this trailer to get one that would be dependable and encounter fewer problems. However, so far that is not the case. At this point, I feel like we would have gotten a better deal by buying a Coachman for over $10,000 less. Maybe I was naïve, but I figured if I paid a premium price for a brand new trailer I should expect a premium product; not one showing poor and sloppy workmanship.
I know I'm venting, but this is very frustrating. For our 30th wedding anniversary in September we're planning a trip from Florida to the Grand Canyon. Right now, I don't have the confidence in this trailer to make this trip. That's pretty sad for a trailer we haven't even had for a year.
[font size="3"][font face="arial"]Doug,
I'm really saddened to hear of your problems. I've had a few bugs, but really minor stuff. Agreed we all expected more for the money, but the RV industry seems plagued with poor workmanship. I'm very impressed with the design and engineering aspects, but the implementation and assembly issues are there. Fewer with LL so far, but maybe I'm lucky. A loose wire, a faulty waste water vent. Presently I'm discovering a delamination problem so I hope my luck is not changing.
One item caught my eye: your mention of a hose connection on the back jamming. Was that the outside shower connection? If so there was a small paper tag on mine explaining that problem. It takes a hearty tap with a small screwdriver. So far no further problem, but I don't use the outside shower so I could have the same issue and not know it.
Water leaks, inside and out, seem to be a universal product of the Elkhart area. Unfortunate but true. You should hear my RPOD stories. Really, my only b...ch with LL has been the customer service response. As I posted, I think and hope that's getting better. Time will tell. I really hate to see a gung ho proponent like you go sour.
Regards,
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I had that same problem last time out with the outside hose. After getting frustrated with it, and even more with my wife telling me to read the instructions, I noticed the little pink paper tag. Read it. It described exactly what Charlie said, and Hey Presto! the fitting....uhm...fit.
Outside hose is an awesome feature for doing dishes, not to mention knocking beach sand off shoes and paws.
So what does the little paper tag say? I don't recall if I read it or not.
Ditto on wanting to know what the paper tag says.
On our pre-buy, we could not get that external hose to snap on., and it was on our short "punch list" of things to fix.
The following day they said something had to be filed on one of the connectors, IIRC. In any case, it seemed to fit.
Like to know what the tag says if the problem were to recur.
Thanks!
[font size="3"][font face="arial"]Presented for your entertainment and education - - - THE TAG:
[attachment id="908" thumbnail="1"]
IIRC I used a small screwdriver and tapped it with a small plastic mallet. It takes more than you would normally feel comfortable with so maybe a round object like a small rod or dowel would be better.
[/font][/font]
Thank you
[quote source="/post/1367/thread" timestamp="1402101917" author="@charliem"][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Doug,
I'm really saddened to hear of your problems. I've had a few bugs, but really minor stuff. Agreed we all expected more for the money, but the RV industry seems plagued with poor workmanship. I'm very impressed with the design and engineering aspects, but the implementation and assembly issues are there. Fewer with LL so far, but maybe I'm lucky. A loose wire, a faulty waste water vent. Presently I'm discovering a delamination problem so I hope my luck is not changing.
One item caught my eye: your mention of a hose connection on the back jamming. Was that the outside shower connection? If so there was a small paper tag on mine explaining that problem. It takes a hearty tap with a small screwdriver. So far no further problem, but I don't use the outside shower so I could have the same issue and not know it.
Water leaks, inside and out, seem to be a universal product of the Elkhart area. Unfortunate but true. You should hear my RPOD stories. Really, my only b...ch with LL has been the customer service response. As I posted, I think and hope that's getting better. Time will tell. I really hate to see a gung ho proponent like you go sour.
Regards,
[/font][/font][/quote]Charlie,
Thanks for the reply. To answer your one question, yes I was referring to the quick disconnect shower in the back of the camper. Our 21BHS is a 2013 model and did not have the tag on it, so I appreciate the info from everybody. I actually did try to insert a small screwdriver and push the valve. I couldn't budge it, but I did not try tapping it with a hammer. I did manage to fix it by removing the valve (it simply unscrews). When removed, the valve would move freely and I could connect the hose. However, when I re-installed the quick disconnect valve, it was once again jammed. When I loosened the valve about a third of a turn, the connector work fine for the rest of the trip. I will try to lubricate it though. I would be careful when tapping it with a hammer though. That disconnect valve screws into a plastic fitting that does not look particularly beefy.
I re-caulked the area where the leak occurred. I can see a design flaw there that was causing my problems. For the awning, Livin Lite installs a strip on top of the existing molding at the top of the camper to anchor the end of the awning. The last 6 inches or so of this strip (at the front of the camper) is not anchored at all, and was fairly loose. To add to the problem, they never caulked the front end of that awning anchor strip. So due to the way the camper was leveled (or slightly out of level), the A/C condensate ran to the front right corner of the camper, ran down the front of the awning strip and wicked right inside, through a screw hole and into the camper. The silicone caulk used to seal between the anchor strip and the top corner molding was also cracked and falling out. So I used some proflex and re-caulked the joint between the anchor strip and the molding as well as the front of the anchor strip.
I understand what you're saying about the quality of trailers in general. However, the fact that every excursion comes with another round of fixes on site gets a bit tiring and discouraging, especially considering the fact that these things are not cheap. The one saving grace is the fact that while inconvenient, a leak in the Camplite will not result in the type of problems that would result with a more traditional camper. But this run of problems does make me hesitate to take it on long trips, such as our planned trip to Arizona. If I have these small problems each time I take it out for short distances, what will I face over thousands of miles?
All of that said, the design of the Camplites is definitely superior. The camper is very well thought out, a pleasure to use (apart from the nagging issues) and a dream to tow. In spite of the jammed hose disconnect and the leaking roof, we got back this morning from a great three days at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, FL, only about 10 miles from my house. We really enjoy the camper when not having problems. When towing the camper home, I was on a road with a 60MPH speed limit. I was doing 60, and was passed by a semi traveling in the opposite direction at a much higher speed, and very close to the center line of the road. The wind from the truck did jolt the trailer and move it, but the camper immediately settled right back in behind us. That was the first time I've ever had any kind of wind shift the camper and was very pleased with how quickly it recovered.
I was very frustrated this weekend because I would really like to relax when camping, not to be dealing with problems. Hopefully over time, I'll work my way through these issues and settle into a more trouble free use of the camper and planned maintenance instead of "unscheduled". We have at least two more shorter trips planned before our trip to Arizona in September, so hopefully I can iron out the rest of the issues.
Thanks again.
Doug
charliem,
Thanks for the tag image. My 2014 (early 2013 build) either did not have it, or it was removed at the dealer.
As I said, I could not get my hose to connect at the pre-buy, but don't know what they did to fix it.
dj,
Do you use grey Proflex?
Have a reliable source?
[quote source="/post/1391/thread" timestamp="1402229873" author="@fasteddieb"]dj,
Do you use grey Proflex?
Have a reliable source?[/quote]I used the clear Proflex. We got it from the local Camping World. They seem to always have it in stock. That stuff is really tough. Seems like it will last a LONG time. Just be sure to have some mineral spirits handy to help you get it off of your hands and whatever else you need to get it off of.
Doug
[quote source="/post/1393/thread" timestamp="1402247209" author="@djsamuel"]I used the clear Proflex. We got it from the local Camping World. They seem to always have it in stock. That stuff is really tough. Seems like it will last a LONG time. Just be sure to have some mineral spirits handy to help you get it off of your hands and whatever else you need to get it off of.
Doug[/quote]
I used it when I swapped the water heater and was similarly impressed. It seems like it takes forever to dry, which may be part of the "magic". Even now it still feels slightly sticky.
The Profile I put on in April is still a little sticky too. Doesn't collect dirt, just feels a little tacky.
I wanted to post another thank you to the factory. They are awesome to work with. Don has been very responsive and is taking care of an electrical unit that went out on my QS 10.0. If this is their regular service on top of a solid product then I may very well be a LL customer for life.
[font size="3"][font face="arial"]Another good story I think. I left a message mid morning and got a call back from Jack Filley around 1PM. No problem; very helpful. He does all the standard part orders, even packs them and takes them to the loading dock. True stock to dock service. Don handles warranties. Jack said that, although they are busy and growing, they really understand the need for good customer service. I like it! Me thinks the light has come on at LivinLite....pun intended :P
Jack also noted my comments on the mis-adjusted window latches and will pass them on to production. Apparently they completely assemble each window in the factory. I thought they would come assembled and just had to be mounted.
[/font][/font]
I have to admit I'm feeling a lot better about my 21BHS after reading the following post on the GoodSam Forums regarding a Keystone TT:
"We just bought a new Fuzion 404 in Colorado a month and a half ago, and already have a non-working rear AC, a window that fell out en route, and doors that fly open in the lovely Kansas wind. Oh, and a lost set of keys due to the doors flying open!"
My issues are minor compared to this and others I've read on the forums.
[quote source="/post/1453/thread" timestamp="1402491702" author="@djsamuel"]I have to admit I'm feeling a lot better about my 21BHS after reading the following post on the GoodSam Forums regarding a Keystone TT:
"We just bought a new Fuzion 404 in Colorado a month and a half ago, and already have a non-working rear AC, a window that fell out en route, and doors that fly open in the lovely Kansas wind. Oh, and a lost set of keys due to the doors flying open!"
My issues are minor compared to this and others I've read on the forums.
[/quote][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Welcome back to our camp, Doug. Maybe some brown spots here, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence :)[/font][/font]
[quote source="/post/1456/thread" timestamp="1402493178" author="@charliem"]
[quote source="/post/1453/thread" timestamp="1402491702" author="@djsamuel"]
I have to admit I'm feeling a lot better about my 21BHS after reading the following post on the GoodSam Forums regarding a Keystone TT:
"We just bought a new Fuzion 404 in Colorado a month and a half ago, and already have a non-working rear AC, a window that fell out en route, and doors that fly open in the lovely Kansas wind. Oh, and a lost set of keys due to the doors flying open!"
My issues are minor compared to this and others I've read on the forums.
[/quote][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Welcome back to our camp, Doug. Maybe some brown spots here, but the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence :)[/font][/font]
[/quote]Thanks. Never really left the camp, but did get discouraged. But after a HEAVY thunderstorm last night, no leaking in the camper; and thanks to the posts here, I realize the jammed quick disconnect shower connection on the trailer is a known issue with a fix. Feeling better and ready to take the camper out again! ;)
Just have to add one more post from the GoodSam forums:
"My wife and I are wondering where to find a whole additional Jayco 36RLTS to tow behind us so we will have enough spare parts to make a trip without disaster! Not Jayco's fault, I guess, they all fail, but every time out? Give me a break. I would like to have two outings in a row where I don't have to fix something on the road or afterwards."
Sounds like we're doing pretty good. I guess it is just the nature of the beast.
That's why RV stands for Repair Vehicle.
[quote source="/post/1495/thread" timestamp="1402582265" author="@djsamuel"]Sounds like we're doing pretty good. I guess it is just the nature of the beast.
[/quote]Just think what would happen if you drove your house down the road... nothing would work by the time you reached your destination.
It's pretty amazing that the trailer appliances and plumbing stay together after all the bumps and vibration that they go though.
Had the problem today described above regarding outside shower hose not connecting to the female connection on the back of the trailer. We have only used it once several months ago with no problems but this morning there was no way I could get the hose fitting to connect. I knew there was a thread on this issue and found the answer (red tag) in minutes. My 21 BHS did not have the red tag either. Anyway, used a Phillips screwdriver placing it inside the female fitting and tapped with a hammer a few times until I felt the small valve inside the fitting release. The male fitting then connected nicely and my bride was able to wash off one grand kid's legs from a light brush with poison ivy. This forum is really a life saver for issues like this!
I feel lucky I had very few issue and only minor one in two year of ownership and I full time in it during the summer hopefully it stays like this!