What do you think of the new wood cabinets?

[tinkeringtechie]

If you already own a Camplite, imagine you're in the market to upgrade or replace your CL. If you don't already have one, tell us what you think.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/15707/thread" author="@tinkeringtechie" timestamp="1443802541"]If you already own a Camplite, imagine you're in the market to upgrade or replace your CL. If you don't already have one, tell us what you think.[/quote][font size="3"]My first preference would be the old wood grain simulated aluminum or the plain aluminum with the aircraft type latches. The real wood or veneer would be acceptable, but not preferred, and the catches would be an issue. The Zebra wood fake contact paper would be a no go and would make me question the quality of the rest of the trailer. [/font]

[ammobob]

Having done just what you asked (upgraded) and even if we were considering upgrading again I would look hard at other options especially where money starts coming into play. We paid a premium for the Camplite because it was not mainstream. Could have bought a 21' with bunk beds for 10k less. The interior is one of the primary reason we picked Camplite with our original 16DB and current 21BHS. Not to many campers out there you could (if you wanted to) take a hose to the interior to clean it. 

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/15711/thread" timestamp="1443805393" author="@ammobob"] Not to many campers out there you could (if you wanted to) take a hose to the interior to clean it.  [/quote]Ammobob,

Be sure you unplug the CL before you start with the hose  

[ammobob]

[quote timestamp="1443805393" author="@ammobob" source="/post/15711/thread"]Having done just what you asked (upgraded) and even if we were considering upgrading again I would look hard at other options especially where money starts coming into play. We paid a premium for the Camplite because it was not mainstream. Could have bought a 21' with bunk beds for 10k less. The interior is one of the primary reason we picked Camplite with our original 16DB and current 21BHS. Not too many campers out there you could (if you wanted to) take a hose to the interior to clean it.  [/quote]Of course that being said, they are working the bearcat line (I saw that 1 forum member has ordered a Bearcat 21 RBS) with the aluminum interior and since I don't like the graphics anyway it probably wouldn't look too much different than what I have today.

[leslie]

I ordered my 21-BHS with many custom changes, particularly with a tip-out bunk and I was charged an extra amount for the aluminum cabinets. The tip-out bunk was a make-or-break item. The aluminum cabinets with the airplane-type latches were worth the extra charge.

I was looking at an Aerolite with tip-out bunks on the front and the back. If LL had been unwilling to put the tip-out bunk into the 21-foot Camplite, I would have purchased the Aerolite.

[whoofit]

Forced into "It doesn't make a difference to me". I like the look of the "real wood", if really solid wood, only dislike the latches but would buy again anyway for the bones of the trailer.

Like I've said before I think the wood cabinets are a better choice for the Camplite trailers over 16' and not 16' and under.

[gbpack]

We just ordered a CL 21BHS. We really wanted the aluminum-faced cabinets (especially my wife) but when we absolutely could not talk them into doing that, we went with the solid wood-faced cabinets. While not aluminum, they look nice and wil be just fine (and the latches will work just fine as well). We saw all three new interior options at the factory before we ordered. In the end, we wanted to stick with our original decision to go with a CampLite because of the good bones, light weight, overall quality and reputation. It's true that they are still offering aluminum cabinets in the Bearcat line, but not all of the things now being offered in the CL line are available in the Bearcat line (solid countertops, better sink & faucet, 2-way hot water heater, and vinyl flooring among other things). In addition, I believe that pricing is higher in the Bearcat line for the same model of CL trailer. By the way, we were able to order our CL 21BHS with 15" wheels, which is something that was not available prior to this. The guy we met with at the factory (Mike Tribble) spent a lot of time with us on 2 separate occasions and really did a nice job of working with us to get everything the way we wanted it (other than the aluminum cabinets, which they just aren't doing in the CampLite line anymore).

[whoofit]

Maybe a dumb question but where are you all going to get non-wood (including mock wood, MDF, plywood veneered) cabinet faces these days? What manufacturer offers these? Are there any?

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/15722/thread" timestamp="1443818250" author="@whoofit"]Maybe a dumb question but where are you all going to get non-wood (including mock wood, MDF, plywood veneered) cabinet faces these days? What manufacturer offers these? Are there any?[/quote]I don't know of any. That's why I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing. We didn't want a speck of wood in our trailer and LL was the only one who offered it (except we did find some hiding in a few spots). They literally had that niche to themselves.

[nailbender]

Hi all...haven't been on the forum for a while but thought i give my opinion about the direction livinlite seems to be going.
I guess it's not to big of a deal to install solid wood door fronts over the aluminum boxes to add a little warmth to the interior although the reason i bought and spent a lot more for my camplite was precisely the fact that it was all aluminum.Like i said in the past,rotting wood is a common find in the trade I'm in and i did not want to have to ever deal with that in my travel trailer.
The fact that it will never ever happen is pretty cool to me.
It will always have that clean fresh smell unlike a lot of other trailers I've been in the past.
I hope they continue building trailers the way we all know and love.sorry about the sissy remark.

On a side note:

Wanted to say thanks for the generator info i got a while back.I ended up buying a champion 3500 watt.seems quiet and does the job.

About to hook up and head out.hope everyone has a great weekend.

Nailbender(John)

[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1443820986" source="/post/15724/thread" author="@tinkeringtechie"][quote timestamp="1443818250" author="@whoofit" source="/post/15722/thread"][/quote]I don't know of any. That's why I'm pretty bummed about the whole thing. We didn't want a speck of wood in our trailer and LL was the only one who offered it (except we did find some hiding in a few spots). They literally had that niche to themselves.[/quote]I don't think there is either. After looking all I saw were the Casitas with fiberglass boxes and what looks like particle board doors. I do hope LL won't take the organic fiber thing any further going forward.

[pinstriper]

Meh, so long as the only thing they make out of wood is the decorative doors, which by the way solves the problem of the razor corners, I'm pretty much OK with it.

I DO VERY MUCH LIKE AZDEL.

Honestly, with so many components being commoditized in these rigs, you'd think they'd want to maintain every differentiator they can lay their hands on, to command a higher price.

OTOH, maybe going to more mainstream and a lower price (Ha !!) would let them get a higher sales volume at an elevated price compared to everyone else that's using the same components except for the aluminum framing.

In case any marketing whiz's from the mothership are watching, I will say that Mrs. P strongly covets the retro-cool cache of the Airstreams, but has rationalized our Camplite purchase as twice the price of a stick-built trailer, but half the price of an Airstream. And the Airstream lacks a slideout !!11!

[kycamper]

I have built my fair share of custom cabinets and, as I have said in a past thread, was VERY attracted to the full, piano style hinges and latch system of my Camplite. The new wood doors and laminated doors are not nearly as appealing to me. Full piano hinges are way more expensive to buy and install, but don't require adjustment. The latches they will be using are junk. Thanks, LL.....you just increased my resale value even more. Where else will Thor find ways to " cut corners " I was looking at a Lance when I came across Camplite. They had enclosed heated pipes under the trailer; a great pullout in the basement; black tank clean out standard; oven with the stove and other neat features. What swayed me was all aluminum construction and those wonderful cabinet doors. Too bad.

Happy Trails......

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Those of us who can accept the wood doors are losing the argument to those who can't, but who's that person that likes them? A heretic among us!   
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