Observations after 1,200 miles in 5 days

[david]

[p]We just got back from the Bay of Fundy rendezvous. I and others will comment on that event in another thread which was great. I want to make some observations about how our CL 16TBS handled on that trip:[/p][p]
[/p][p]We averaged 13 MPG, a little better on flat terrain and a bit worse in the hills, but there were no mountainous grades on this trip. We ran at about 60 mph on the interstate and 50-55 on secondary roads. We pulled the approximately 3,500 lb loaded 16TBS with a  newish Nissan Pathfinder. I never felt underpowered or that I was straining the engine and never felt any sway (no wdh).[/p][p]
[/p][p]I have previously commented that you can camp three days without charging (a good Group 27 battery), seven without dumping grey water and maybe as much as two weeks without dumping black water. Well I was definitely right about the first, dead wrong about the second and the third is kind of irrelevant. We filled up the grey water tank after three nights. Admittedly there were showers every night and even a hair washing. And for two of those nights we were hooked up to pressurized water which means it flows fast and you don't get the discipline of hearing the pump run- it acts and feels like at home. If we were just running on stored fresh water, we could have probably gone four days, but seven- no way.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Driving home we were in heavy rain for several hours. The carpet squares that I had laid down were soaked and didn't prevent rain water from up flowing up through the floor seams. LIVING LITE, ARE YOU LISTENING!!! This is totally unacceptable for a travel trailer whether it is the cheapest built or an Airstream. LL needs to caulk the seams or figure out another way. Coming home to a soaking wet trailer is a bummer but arriving at a campsite in that condition would be infinitely worse.[/p][p]
[/p][p]But other than that very significant deficiency the Camp Lite handled the trip nicely and was a pleasure to use.[/p][p]
[/p][p]David[/p]

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Before I ordered my 21 I had read about the water infiltration problem so I ordered the $1000 spray on insulation option. I was not expecting any real insulative value, but I was hoping to seal against water, dust, and air infiltration. Totally ineffective!. The poor way the spray was applied, with shadowing and gaps, made it a wasted $1000. Please, leave home without it. My present solution is interlocking rubber floor mats.

As for your gray water experience: been there, done that, got a whole closet full of T shirts.  8-)
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[whoofit]

[p]My experience with the gray water too. It fits our stupid silly[strong] 14 gallon[/strong] black water tank tit for tat. At least you could divert some grey into the black to extend your stay another day.[/p][p]
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[spunk4]

I have done mine (16db) reseal from the inside and the outside around the wheel and yesterday while driving from oshawa to Detroit on heavy rain and wind, no Water under the sink and under the sofa, hope these do the trick.

Eric

[livinthegoodlife]

We came home in heavy rain last weekend and had no problem. We have the vinyl garage tiles down though and no water came up between them. As for the grey and black tanks...been there, done that. During the day we use the campground restrooms and depending on how clean the showers are, may use those depending on how long we will be staying.

[funpilot]

Sorry about the wet carpet.  But in response to the holding tank issues, I thought I would add my own thoughts.

I do not camp in the summer as our backyard is a paradise.  So, I am planning to get one of these to manage not having enough holding tank storage in the early fall:

http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Tote-Along-Portable-Holding-Tank-25-Gallon-p/88-1155.htm

This is the first website to acknowledge that all the new Barker 4 wheel tanks come with pneumatic tires as standard.  If you can find it cheaper somewhere else (hard tires) buy it, as I called Barker service and they said they would send out a free upgrade kit for the pneumatic tires for any recent purchase without the pneumatic tires.  FWIW, I read a post on another forum that the 4 wheel Thetford tanks are being recalled for some reason.  

Issues on any tanks that I have read:

The more gallons the heavier they are when full.  Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon.

If you tow one of these tanks, go very slow.

Hard tires are very noisy and can disturb other campers at night I have read.  That is why I like the pneumatic tires on this brand.

The overflow protection stuff appears to be a gimmick.  I have read that you just listen and you can tell when to close the waste valve. Or, you buy a tote that is larger than your holding tank.

None are made perfectly.


The Barker appears to be the only one with its own slice valve which is why I am getting it.

[djsamuel]

David,

On our trip out west last September we drove through some heavy rain and also got some water on the floor. After investigating the leak a bit, I discovered that rather than coming through the floor, the water was actually coming in through the joints in the wheel wells. I took some Geocell RV caulk and sealed the joints in the wheel well, and all has been fine. May be worth a look in your case.

[david2015]

Hang on a minute... water infiltration through the floor?  

That makes me think twice about buying a 28BHS. Is there really no water sealant for the tongue-and-groove AL floor?

David

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/14966/thread" timestamp="1441688195" author="@david2015"]Hang on a minute... water infiltration through the floor?  

That makes me think twice about buying a 28BHS. Is there really no water sealant for the tongue-and-groove AL floor?

David

[/quote][font size="3"]The aluminum floor planks by themselves can leak air, dust, and water. However, the new CLs are coming with Vinyl floor covering from the factory. This should remedy the problem. Many owners have added interlocking rubber floor tiles to seal and insulate the cold floor. The factory optional spray on insulation DOES NOT seal and DOES NOT insulate. Don't spend your money on this.[/font]

[david2015]

Thanks for the advice, Charlie!

I'm new to RV'ing and LL/CL... is this leakage behavior a legitimately surprising problem that is associated with a radically new design?

Thanks,

David

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I wouldn't say due to a radically new design. LL is a relative newcomer to the "luxury" camper market. They started out specializing in small rugged lightweight trailers and utility/toy haulers. They never considered luxurious floor coverings and the exclusion of dust and water. They even boasted you could wash them out with a hose, which some hunters do. The aluminum plank floor is the ultimate in strong, durable, indestructible construction. As they get into the upscale markets they are learning what those customers want. Wood cabinet doors and vinyl flooring are examples of response to customer requests. Some say good; some say bad.  Fortunately there are enough of us here to have tackled most of the known issues. Solutions vary as do their difficulty. Keep reading through the old threads and you will gain a wealth of knowledge and insight before you buy. An informed buyer becomes a happy owner. 
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