Hello all,
I am a former owner of 2014 RPOD 182G, now I am the new owner of a 2014 Camplite 21BHS. I tried for 4 months, but could not get use to space in POD; great for my 7 year old, not for me ultimately. Also I did not take a hit in price on RPOD 182G, I bought low, sold high.
[span style="font-size:10pt;"]So I picked it up 21BHS on last Monday. I took it out this past Friday and Saturday night to check it out. Here are some of my observations. Note, I did not custom order my unit.
Towing –
I have an F150 Ecoboost, the power is there, but my Equalizer hitch is just not optimized yet. Still working on it. The equalizer in my opinion takes more to tweak compared to my Reese Pro Series. Yes the chains were pain with the sway bar, but I felt more in control of settings. I will continue tweaking other aspects of current system and to get it where it needs to be. It pulls fine; I'm just not pleased at affects of by passing trucks, big or small, sway etc..
The Unit –
I like the build. I can tell it is solid. There were small little things in my RPOD I had got use to quickly nonetheless. Integrated sound from the TV into ceiling speakers (not in 21bhs). The 21BHS TV mount allows tilting of the screen down or up; but I cannot find a tool to adjust it. I purchased 2 different HEX sets, none of which would work. I feel I have seen the special tool in the camper somewhere, just can't figure out where. This is only important if you want to relax in bed and watch a movie. Otherwise its fine viewing from Dinette set.
The POD had a spotlight on or above the front plate that was very helpful for nighttime hitching and unhitching. That would have been useful here as well, but I'll get one put on somehow.
Make sure you do not leave cabinets open by mistake. One got me good on bottom of pinky finger front. Yes there was a little blood, because its sharp and I grazed it simply walking by.
[/span][font size="2"]My water heater is propane. My fridge is 2 way, LP and Shore Power, my last unit was 3 way, including battery.
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I have a total of 3 fans in my unit not 4; 2 in main, and one in bathroom over toilet, not over shower. If that were the case, they'd be like less than 8" or so apart.
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This is all I have for now, trying to get use to it and watch a 7 year old solo is a bit of work. So I will report back in as I discover more. [/font]
[font size="2"]All in All i love this RIG. Not [/font]because[font size="2"] it gets more attention than my POD lolll:) But because its soundly built, solid structure, and as you can see its just plain bold![/font]
[font size="2"]Thanks Ken [/font]
[attachment id="55" thumbnail="1"][span style="font-size:10pt;"]
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You get bonus points for also have a matching truck/trailer (we have Gray/Gray). We also switched from an RPOD and you're the third person I know switching from one. As for the spotlight in front, I always keep a headlamp in the back of the car and have found it much more useful than any fixed light. So far the only thing I miss from the RPOD is the fantastic fan. I think I'll be upgrading the main vent pretty soon.
Thanks, matching with these units seems fun and cool actually. Its ironic, my short list was CampLite and RPOD last November. The RPOD is the reason I did not go with the 16 footers from CampLite. I wanted the good build and more space:)
My wife gave me three requirements:
[ul type="disc"][li]sleeping for kids without having to convert anything[/li][li]a dry bath[/li][li]a walk around queen[/li][/ul][div]
[/div]I had one requirement
[ul type="disc"][li]no wood[/li][/ul]
That narrowed down our search pretty significantly :)
Congratulations!
Did that one come from a Boat and RV World near Knoxville?
I ask because we looked at a black one there.
[font size="3"][font face="arial"]Welcome to the forum and to the world of 21ers and former RPOD owners. The POD was great, but the added width, dry bath, and larger fridge of the Camplite are well worth the effort.
From the top:
[ol type="decimal"][li]I have the E2 round bar with a Toyota Tacoma. The E2 takes some tweaking, but it works when you get it set. With your 150 you might have some trouble even seeing front end rise. It's going to be stiffer than a smaller and shorter truck. You might have to try correcting about half of the back end droop and seeing how it works. [/li][li]Re the hitch light: adequately covered by Tinkeringtechie. I never used mine on the POD because the dual propane tanks blocked the light. No loss.[/li][li]No cut fingers yet. However they can do a number on you head if left open above the sink.[/li][li]I specified the gas/electric water heater when I ordered. The dual mode WH is a drop in replacement, but it does require some extra wiring. The 3 way fridge is a bad idea from the start and running a larger fridge on battery would deplete the battery before you could finish a beer. ;)[/li][li]The three fans seem to work OK. [font size="3"][font face="arial"]I've never heard of four fans, but I did order a skylight in the shower. [/font][/font]I first thought I would be replacing at least one fan with a Fantastic, but no need so far. The three fans do give you the option of running one with the others open but off. Good circulation when raining. [/li][/ol][p]
[/p][p]Again, welcome to the forum and enjoy the Camplite and the youngster.
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Ken,
While exploring in our Jeep yesterday, Karen and I came across a nice campground at Chilhowee, along US64 east of Cleveland, TN - so, about 1/2 way between us more or less.
If you'd like to meet up there some time soon, let me know - I'd really like to compare notes.
We're retired, so pretty much anytime.
As an aside, yesterday we went to move the Flex before going on our Jeep ride, and it wouldn't start! Crank, crank, crank - nothing.
Good news - recently bought Good Sam roadside coverage, we're still under warranty, and what better place and time to break down than in your own driveway with no place special to go!
But regardless, that's our only vehicle that can tow the CampLite, so we have to get it back before heading out.
We should maybe plan a rally sometime if enough people are interested. I'm in Chattanooga as well. I like the color too.
;)
Here's mine I got last week
[attachment id="59" thumbnail="1"]
Let me know if you guys know find any great campgrounds nearby.
How about...
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/null/recarea/?recid=35078&actid=29
Weekdays or weekends preferred?
[quote source="/post/629/thread" timestamp="1398098076" author="@kenofchattanooga"]Hello all,
[span style="font-size:10pt;"]
The Unit –
I like the build. I can tell it is solid. There were small little things in my RPOD I had got use to quickly nonetheless. Integrated sound from the TV into ceiling speakers (not in 21bhs). The 21BHS TV mount allows tilting of the screen down or up; but I cannot find a tool to adjust it. I purchased 2 different HEX sets, none of which would work. I feel I have seen the special tool in the camper somewhere, just can't figure out where. This is only important if you want to relax in bed and watch a movie. Otherwise its fine viewing from Dinette set.
[/span]
[font size="2"]Thanks Ken [/font]
[span style="font-size:10pt;"]
[/span][/quote][font size="3"][font face="arial"]Ken,
I meant to comment on these items. If your TV has a headphone output you can run a cable from it to the radio Aux input to get the sound on the ceiling speakers. You will need a male-to-male 1/8 inch stereo cable available at Radio Shack etc. The tilt adjustment on my TV mount takes an 8mm Metric hex wrench.
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[quote source="/post/657/thread" timestamp="1398131754" author="@fasteddieb"]How about...
[a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/null/recarea/?recid=35078&actid=29"]http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/null/recarea/?recid=35078&actid=29[/a]
Weekdays or weekends preferred?[/quote]Sounds fun but we are pretty tied up until the middle of June though.
Fasteddieb:
[span style="font-size:10pt;"]Yes I picked up Boat N RV, I had to beat them down in price a little, but all numbers ultimately lined up.
Thanks for info on Chilhowee.
[/span][span style="font-size:10pt;"]Also, I'm not far from there at all., my office is in Cleveland, but I reside in Ooltewah. Weekends for me are best, well at least until school lets out.
Charliem:
You are right, I see no squatting on F150 unless the hitch is too low, as it was with the hitch/ball I had on initially. The 21 BHS, when level sits about 2 inches higher than my previous unit.
Thanks I am familiar with that type of AUX cable will get one, and will get that 8mm wrench. Did the RV come with the 8mm wrench at all? Just curios.
Stewartnp:
Nice trailer, I do Chester Frost a lot, I prefer it over Harrison Bay Park still. Still trying to determine why. But I do know I drove through both on last Thursday, both were booked out, Harrison Bay seemed over crowded when booked in a way.
But yes, we need to meet somewhere soon, maybe in Chilhowee? I'm game. As I posted to Fasteddieb Weekends for me are best, well at least until school lets out.
All:
[/span][font size="2"]I need [/font]mattresses[font size="2"] pretty badly and pretty quickly? If you have replaced or added to the stock matress, can you share what you bought and from where. I realize some may have custom ordered and this is not an issue. But I felt I was sleeping on a board on the queen. This is of course a wrong thing to Google if you have no reference?
Ironically I never dewinterized my last trailer and that is how I purchased it and that is how I sold it, that being the case. I now use the black/gray tanks. Are there any comments on this matter? Anything special about 21BHS? Is anyone using TOTE-N-STORE drain water tanks. Seems like I saw these everywhere fri/sat night. As there was no sewer at the camper's location.
Thanks for all the welcoming comments, and I look forward to seeing you all eventually.
Ken [/font][span style="font-size:10pt;"]
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Ken,
Let's plan a camping trip. email me @ fasteddieb@mac.com
My CampLite did not come with a wrench to adjust the TV angle. I happened to have an 8mm T-handle wrench with me, once I saw it was adjustable.
I'm going to start a new thread about the installed TV, with some impressions and options.
[quote source="/post/668/thread" timestamp="1398224750" author="@kenofchattanooga"][span style="font-size:10pt;"]
Charliem:
You are right, I see no squatting on F150 unless the hitch is too low, as it was with the hitch/ball I had on initially. The 21 BHS, when level sits about 2 inches higher than my previous unit.
Thanks I am familiar with that type of AUX cable will get one, and will get that 8mm wrench. Did the RV come with the 8mm wrench at all? Just curios.
All:
[/span][font size="2"]I need [/font]mattresses[font size="2"] pretty badly and pretty quickly? If you have replaced or added to the stock matress, can you share what you bought and from where. I realize some may have custom ordered and this is not an issue. But I felt I was sleeping on a board on the queen. This is of course a wrong thing to Google if you have no reference?
Ironically I never dewinterized my last trailer and that is how I purchased it and that is how I sold it, that being the case. I now use the black/gray tanks. Are there any comments on this matter? Anything special about 21BHS? Is anyone using TOTE-N-STORE drain water tanks. Seems like I saw these everywhere fri/sat night. As there was no sewer at the camper's location.
[/font]
[/quote][font face="arial"][font size="3"]Ken,
Glad you are working out the details, but no wrench included. Go see you ACE hardware guy. :)
One additional improvement is the bed mattress. The 2012/2013 models we saw on lots had the standard 4" cheap mattress and I was ready to immediately replace it. When the Camplite was delivered in December, 2013 my wife immediately noticed the full 8" non-foam mattress. That was a pleasant surprise. Much better. It's made by "never heard of em" mfg so no more info. Might be available from LL as a retrofit/upgrade. If you do buy a relacement be sure and get the full sized 60x80 mattress. Many RVs have a shorter "queen" bed.
I installed a SeeLevel tank monitoring system to watch the tanks. I have a 15 gallon Barker blue tank, but have not used it yet. Both the Barker and the Thetford gray tanks are popular. No experience with the Tote-N-Store.
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All:
I need mattresses pretty badly and pretty quickly? If you have replaced or added to the stock matress, can you share what you bought and from where. I realize some may have custom ordered and this is not an issue. But I felt I was sleeping on a board on the queen. This is of course a wrong thing to Google if you have no reference?
The first thing we did before we ever sleep on that so called matress was buy a new one. We went to Matress Firm and bought a memory foam matress that was firm and a decent price.
[a href="http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx"]
http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx.
[/a]
Hi Ken,
We have the 15 gallon TOTE-N-STORE. Solid, good quality. No experience of the larger ones, but the 15 gallon one for us is just the right size. Hook up to Tacoma hitch and it's a parade to the dump station.
[quote source="/post/688/thread" timestamp="1398289018" author="@oleo"]Hi Ken,
We have the 15 gallon TOTE-N-STORE. Solid, good quality. No experience of the larger ones, but the 15 gallon one for us is just the right size. Hook up to Tacoma hitch and it's a parade to the dump station.[/quote]Thanks,
Will look into one of these, i saw no one pulling over to the dump location with their RVs..
[quote source="/post/685/thread" timestamp="1398286733" author="@stewartnp"]All:
I need mattresses pretty badly and pretty quickly? If you have replaced or added to the stock matress, can you share what you bought and from where. I realize some may have custom ordered and this is not an issue. But I felt I was sleeping on a board on the queen. This is of course a wrong thing to Google if you have no reference?
The first thing we did before we ever sleep on that so called matress was buy a new one. We went to Matress Firm and bought a memory foam matress that was firm and a decent price.
[a href="http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx"]
http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx.
[/a][/quote]Thanks I see they have a million locations.
[quote source="/post/681/thread" timestamp="1398273359" author="@charliem"][font face="arial"][font size="3"]Ken,
Glad you are working out the details, but no wrench included. Go see you ACE hardware guy. :)
One additional improvement is the bed mattress. The 2012/2013 models we saw on lots had the standard 4" cheap mattress and I was ready to immediately replace it. When the Camplite was delivered in December, 2013 my wife immediately noticed the full 8" non-foam mattress. That was a pleasant surprise. Much better. It's made by "never heard of em" mfg so no more info. Might be available from LL as a retrofit/upgrade. If you do buy a relacement be sure and get the full sized 60x80 mattress. Many RVs have a shorter "queen" bed.
I installed a SeeLevel tank monitoring system to watch the tanks. I have a 15 gallon Barker blue tank, but have not used it yet. Both the Barker and the Thetford gray tanks are popular. No experience with the Tote-N-Store.
[/font][/font][/quote]Charlie:
[font size="2"]I have the 4" mattress for sure, and it seems its inside this waterproof bag/cover thing. Its definitely not the 8", i felt like i was sleeping on a board. But as it seems, i have far more quick options than I can imagine. [/font]
[font size="2"]I do need to determine how to install a tank level indicator, that info is just something I want to know:) I [/font]never[font size="2"] used the plumbing in the other new trailer, so I am now for 1st time.
[/font]
[quote source="/post/690/thread" timestamp="1398305099" author="@kenofchattanooga"][quote source="/post/685/thread" timestamp="1398286733" author="@stewartnp"]All:
I need mattresses pretty badly and pretty quickly? If you have replaced or added to the stock matress, can you share what you bought and from where. I realize some may have custom ordered and this is not an issue. But I felt I was sleeping on a board on the queen. This is of course a wrong thing to Google if you have no reference?
The first thing we did before we ever sleep on that so called matress was buy a new one. We went to Matress Firm and bought a memory foam matress that was firm and a decent price.
[a href="http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx"]
http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta_Apple_Valley_8_Memory_Foam_Mid_Firm-P253.aspx.
[/a][/quote]Thanks I see they have a million locations.[/quote]We only have had one night on it but I was really impressed considering it was only a $374 queen mattress.
As points of info...
...I can sleep perfectly well on a carpeted floor. In fact, in a motel with a lousy mattress, I've been known to do so. Too soft is far worse for my back than too firm.
As such, the thin mattress in our 21BHS is just fine for me, and I've slept comfortably on it for the four nights we've slept on ours so far.
Karen, on the other hand, thinks it needs improvement. Thanks for the options - we're considering just more padding for her side, but that Serta on the firm side may do the trick.
My 13QBB came with the standard 4 in mattress and it wasn't enough, I added this [a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NWNU6M/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]mattress[/a] from Amazon (as an aside, Amazon should buy everyone a camper, the amount of money I've spent buying camper "Stuff" on Amazon is silly)
Mitch
Try MattressInsiders.com. You can either order the sizes that they already have or special order one. Make sure to use the coupon codes on the website for additional discounts. They also ship for free. The memory foam on their mattresses do not have an odor as others we have bought do. We are almost outfitted and are so ready to get out and go!