Just got an email from the dealer informing me that my trailer is completed and waiting for a driver. They will let me know when they get it.
Awesome! I hope your driver shows up sooner than mine did... I still had a few weeks of waiting after the trailer was completed.
Congratulations funpilot! And you thought I would get mine first! Tsk, tsk...
Let's see .... lol
Funpilot, what items are you taking when you go to the dealer to take delivery of your new Camplite? Beer or champagne? Don't forget to buy some ice!
LOL Good excuse to put my check list here so I can find it again:
I plan on camping alone one or two nights near by expecting to find issues. I want to be able to take it back and leave it with them to fix rather than drive the 6 hours back to my house and then find out what needs to be fixed. As such, sheets, blankets, pillows, beer, soda, sewer hose, tongue weight scale, fresh water hose, hose for black water flush, hose for local water, sink sponges, dish soap and other general cleaning supplies, paper towels and plates; plastic spoons, knives, forks, and cups, change of clothes, shower and bathroom stuff, toilet odor liquid, Anderson camp levelers, electric drill with socket for camplite levelers, bubble levels, tools to fix easy things, upgrade the shower head to Oxygenics, empty storage bins for who knows what, outside folding chair, bug spray, garbage pail and liners, and tranquilizers. Please suggest anything for this check out period that I have missed.
I will get from the dealer two 6 volt AGM batteries, and the Equalizer hitch.
Ah - I am starting to assemble the things I am going to take. Hubby and I went to a Camping World this past weekend, and this is what he picked out:
A water pressure regulator so you don't hurt your camper's plumbing
An electrical surge protector that will shut off if electricity should fall too low or if there should be a spike in the electrical flow.
I got an aluminum step stool. Sometimes I might have a problem making it up to the lower step. I also might use it to reach the awning, or for cleaning my Jeep windshield.
Beer to christen your land yacht? Do you have a concern the champagne bottle would leave a dent?
We aren't going to take any food, plates or other stuff for food prep for our first night camping. Hubby wants to treat it like a hotel room and go out to the area restaurants.
[quote source="/post/3150/thread" timestamp="1409595289" author="@leslie"]Ah - I am starting to assemble the things I am going to take. Hubby and I went to a Camping World this past weekend, and this is what he picked out:
A water pressure regulator so you don't hurt your camper's plumbing
An electrical surge protector that will shut off if electricity should fall too low or if there should be a spike in the electrical flow.
I got an aluminum step stool. Sometimes I might have a problem making it up to the lower step. I also might use it to reach the awning, or for cleaning my Jeep windshield.
Beer to christen your land yacht? Do you have a concern the champagne bottle would leave a dent?[/quote]I have the pressure regulator, so will add that to my list. No surge protector yet. I want to use the stove and microwave right away so I can find any issues so will be cooking basic stuff. Main course will most likely be pizza.
[quote source="/post/3150/thread" timestamp="1409595289" author="@leslie"]Ah - I am starting to assemble the things I am going to take. Hubby and I went to a Camping World this past weekend, and this is what he picked out:
A water pressure regulator so you don't hurt your camper's plumbing
An electrical surge protector that will shut off if electricity should fall too low or if there should be a spike in the electrical flow.
I got an aluminum step stool. Sometimes I might have a problem making it up to the lower step. I also might use it to reach the awning, or for cleaning my Jeep windshield.
Beer to christen your land yacht? Do you have a concern the champagne bottle would leave a dent?[/quote]An aluminum camper can only be christened with beer from an aluminum can. Everyone knows that. Actually, I just made that up, but it sounds like a good idea to me!
[quote source="/post/3164/thread" timestamp="1409612398" author="@tlbones"][quote source="/post/3150/thread" timestamp="1409595289" author="@leslie"]Ah - I am starting to assemble the things I am going to take. Hubby and I went to a Camping World this past weekend, and this is what he picked out:
A water pressure regulator so you don't hurt your camper's plumbing
An electrical surge protector that will shut off if electricity should fall too low or if there should be a spike in the electrical flow.
I got an aluminum step stool. Sometimes I might have a problem making it up to the lower step. I also might use it to reach the awning, or for cleaning my Jeep windshield.
Beer to christen your land yacht? Do you have a concern the champagne bottle would leave a dent?[/quote]An aluminum camper can only be christened with beer from an aluminum can. Everyone knows that. Actually, I just made that up, but it sounds like a good idea to me![/quote]I second this notion. :)
My husband read this thread. He is aghast that you would waste a perfectly good beer that way. I, however, like that idea. Wait until he finds out I plan to get a can of Guiness for the christening. What else would an Irish American woman get?
My trailer is at the dealers!!! Will go get it towards the end of next week. So, Leslie, you can still beat me as it only counts when I have it. By the way, any suggestions on best place to get the loan instead of paying cash?
[quote source="/post/3285/thread" timestamp="1409851572" author="@funpilot"]My trailer is at the dealers!!! Will go get it towards the end of next week. So, Leslie, you can still beat me as it only counts when I have it. By the way, any suggestions on best place to get the loan instead of paying cash?[/quote][font size="3"]Have you considered J. James Bank Service and Loan Company?? ::)
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I am happy for you, funpilot! You get to do the initial inspection before I do, so I am waiting to hear about it. My camper is still 12 days from completion. Hubby and I are paying cash, so no help there. Once we are living on SS, we have planned it so there will be no loan payments.
While we were shopping for a dealer, we went to a dealer which is mainly a used car dealer. I questioned that dealer's ability to provide service. They told me that only 1% of Livin Lite products have defects requiring work under warranty. Does this mean that all of these problems we hear about are anomalies? Are people on this board a new group of one percenters?
[quote source="/post/3290/thread" timestamp="1409854804" author="@leslie"]
I am happy for you, funpilot! You get to do the initial inspection before I do, so I am waiting to hear about it. My camper is still 12 days from completion. Hubby and I are paying cash, so no help there. Once we are living on SS, we have planned it so there will be no loan payments.
While we were shopping for a dealer, we went to a dealer which is mainly a used car dealer. I questioned that dealer's ability to provide service. They told me that only 1% of Livin Lite products have defects requiring work under warranty. Does this mean that all of these problems we hear about are anomalies? Are people on this board a new group of one percenters?
[/quote]
I think the 1% comment is a bit of an exageration based on my experience and others. However, I will say that the LivinLite problems seem, for the most part, to be initial quality problems, and not failures over time.
Also, I think many people who decide to pay the extra money for a LivinLite product understand the construction and design. Many, like myself, are more likely to save the trip to the dealer and just do the work themselves. For example, all 3 of the roof vents went bad (cracked) within a year of owning my trailer. Rather than taking the trailer to the dealer to get the vents replaced with new vents that will last a year, I purchased better quality vents and replaced them myself. i also sealed the several leaks I've experienced over the last year, so I knew it was done using the right materials. Doing work ourselves has the effect of reducing the warranty work at dealers, at least for the simpler less expensive issues.
When we were camping a few weeks ago, we had a couple stop by to ask us about our 21BHS. They have a 16DBS. They towed it to Orlando from Texas and were there on vacation. The husband told me that he's had everything from a class A to a fifth wheel, down to a pop up, and the Camplite was the most solid camper he's ever owned. They downsized after their kids were married and he said he knows that in spite of some initial issues he's had, the Camplite is far above anything else he's owned and will last a long time.
So the premise behind the dealer's statement probably has merit, but I don't know about the 1% number. Hopefully you'll be part of the 99%! :)
OMG....LL owners are now lumped in with the 1 percenters? We will be fire bombed for sure now.
[quote source="/post/3295/thread" timestamp="1409866841" author="@funpilot"]OMG....LL owners are now lumped in with the 1 percenters? We will be fire bombed for sure now. [/quote][font size="3"]I guess we'll be mentioned with derision on liberal TV shows too. :'(
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We'll get all sorts of annoying telemarketing calls! Oh wait - I already get those.
Pictures or I say it didnt happen
I am now scheduled to have the inspection next Friday at 1:00 PM. Pray for me. Pray for LL.
Go and enjoy.
Funpilot, it is only a few days now. For you to take delivery. Time is dragging... Anyhow, what tools are you planning to take with you? Just what tools should someone need when they pick up their new Camplite?
[p]I plan on taking my son-in-law as "tool number 1." He is 6'6" and can throw trailers around. I use that tool if I have any issues with the dealership.
Otherwise, I am just planning to take basic stuff as anything that would require more than that, I would expect the dealer to address. Thus, screwdrivers, flashlight, hammer, electric drill, pipe wrenches, electric meter ... I basically only want to tighten things and check power myself. So, most important tools I am actually bringing will be the check list, my eyes, and my hands to test things. What are you planning to take? [/p][p]
[/p][p]In all candor, I did have the opportunity to talk to the manager of the dealership. What I heard was exactly what any customer would want to hear from the dealer and that is they were not put off by the check list I created from the feedback on these forums and will take what ever time needed to be sure it is right. [/p]
I have an idea that perhaps all of us new customers should do. Take pictures of the PDI and share them with LL if there are lessons learned.
My husband wants a cordless drill for deploying stabilizing jacks. When it comes time to make the appointment for the PDI, I will ask the dealer what size tools I need for hitching and unhitching the trailer. My husband is an electrical engineer, and his father owned an electrical and plumbing wholesale supply business, so he knows about plumbing and electrical stuff. I am counting on him to have what we need.
BTW - he saw the thread about the breakaway brake battery, and he has an idea about it, but he is waiting to get our Camplite so he can see what the situation is.
One week from today our Camplite is scheduled for completion. AUGGHH!
[font size="3"]Leslie,
The cordless drill is definitely a good idea. I use a DeWalt 20V impact driver, but any 18-20V drill should also work. Saves a bunch of cranking.
Another thing you might consider is a small step stool. The factory built-in step is too far below the camper floor and never in the right place for the terrain. It would have been better with a two stepper, but the frame construction makes that difficult. We carry a two step folding stool. [a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xtend-Climb-StableStep-Extra-2-Step/dp/B002XS30EU/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&qid=1410292710&sr=8-44&keywords=xtend+climb"]LADDER[/a]
[attachment id="934" thumbnail="1"]
It's expensive, but it's very stable, folds up, and just right for most sites. It also has a fold up handle to steady us old folks when we get on the top step to retrieve the lost awning strap :P. We bought ours at CW several years ago for less $$, but I don't know if they still carry them. There are cheaper plastic options you may prefer.
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[quote source="/post/3449/thread" timestamp="1410294807" author="@charliem"][font size="3"]Leslie,
The cordless drill is definitely a good idea. I use a DeWalt 20V impact driver, but any 18-20V drill should also work. Saves a bunch of cranking.
Another thing you might consider is a small step stool. The factory built-in step is too far below the camper floor and never in the right place for the terrain. It would have been better with a two stepper, but the frame construction makes that difficult. We carry a two step folding stool. [a href="http://www.amazon.com/Xtend-Climb-StableStep-Extra-2-Step/dp/B002XS30EU/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&qid=1410292710&sr=8-44&keywords=xtend+climb"]LADDER[/a]
It's expensive, but it's very stable, folds up, and just right for most sites. It also has a fold up handle to steady us old folks when we get on the top step to retrieve the lost awning strap :P. We bought ours at CW several years ago for less $$, but I don't know if they still carry them. There are cheaper plastic options you may prefer.
[/font][/quote]We also use an extra step. Here's the one we use:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/aluminum-folding-step/38293
Charlie and I both have the off-road package which adds a few more inches, but I think camplites are taller than average because of the floor construction.
I have an aluminum stepping stool. I thought it was just me and my arthritis that was causing me some trouble using the retractable steps at the dealers. Hubby and I are thinking about having the dealer install a larger door handle that folds out of the way. We aren't young whippersnappers anymore like you folks.
Ok, am leaving now to go spend the night at my daughters as she lives reasonably close to the dealer. Next post will either have me sobbing or smiling. Morning line is 4:1 smiling....
Spending time with your daughter... son - in - law going to the dealer with you...getting a brand new Camplite to make your own...life is good
Funpilot should be seeing his trailer right now
[quote source="/post/3529/thread" timestamp="1410541515" author="@leslie"]Funpilot should be seeing his trailer right now[/quote]We should all cross our fingers.
First comment. The dealership, LeosRV was great. Saw no PDI issues they would be responsible for that mattered, although there were the usual other items.
Second comment: However, the sofa was another issue, so unfortunately, I did not accept the trailer. So, I am back looking at other options. Since this was the limit of what my TV could handle, I am now looking at Class C. I did tell the dealer that if LL has any suggestions as alternatives for me to consider that I would listen to them.
Well, I agree that on my 16TBS the sofa was a POS. We don't really use it though. Maybe once in 10 outings it rained a bit so we holed up inside- my wife on the little sofa and me on a camp chair. Tolerable but not great.
I suspect with some ingenuity and work you could replace the sofa. But I do understand that when you are paying a premium for a camper you don't want to start out with something somewhat unusable.
LL should address this sofa problem. It seems endemic to the line, just like the CD player and mattresses.
David
Oh, funpilot, what a disappointment. However, I think you are doing the right thing. Premium prices for high-end campers keeps playing in my head. But it seems that once we agree on a price for a camper, that camper delivered new should be able to be used as intended, premium price or not.
Perhaps LL will be able to deliver an alternative.
What's wrong with the sofa? I've heard other people mention it, but with no specifics. Couldn't you just swap it for the dinette?
Quote from: @tinkeringtechie" source="/post/3557/thread" timestamp="1410625955What's wrong with the sofa? I've heard other people mention it, but with no specifics. Couldn't you just swap it for the dinette?
Yes I am wondering too because I see no problem with my sofa
Quote from: @funpilot" source="/post/3554/thread" timestamp="1410621047First comment. The dealership, LeosRV was great. Saw no PDI issues they would be responsible for that mattered, although there were the usual other items.
Second comment: However, the sofa was another issue, so unfortunately, I did not accept the trailer. So, I am back looking at other options. Since this was the limit of what my TV could handle, I am now looking at Class C. I did tell the dealer that if LL has any suggestions as alternatives for me to consider that I would listen to them.
What was the other issues the trailer had that made you refuse it?
This has been bothering me all day. LL held up delivery of funpilot's camper in order to solve the sofa problem. This is not brain surgery. What is LL's problem?
[quote source="/post/3559/thread" timestamp="1410628873" author="@paul"][quote source="/post/3557/thread" timestamp="1410625955" author="@tinkeringtechie"]What's wrong with the sofa? I've heard other people mention it, but with no specifics. Couldn't you just swap it for the dinette?[/quote]Yes I am wondering too because I see no problem with my sofa[/quote]I too am curious. My sofa is rather firm and narrow in the seat area, but seems strong and jack-knife's easily. My son sleeps on it with a 1" memory foam pad and does not complain. Dinettes are nice, but my wife prefers the sofa. We looked at some other trailers with jack-knife sofas that were perhaps slightly more comfortable, but the mechanisms were junkier.
Funpilot are you still on this forum? Would like to hear more about what was your problems that made you refuse the trailer
The sofa is not a jack knife. It is the fold out version that you would typically find in a home model. As others have posted on these forums, it does not have support in the middle and sags as a result. This was a material requirement of ours and was suppose to be addressed before we got it.
[quote source="/post/3622/thread" timestamp="1410965950" author="@funpilot"]The sofa is not a jack knife. It is the fold out version that you would typically find in a home model. As others have posted on these forums, it does not have support in the middle and sags as a result. This was a material requirement of ours and was suppose to be addressed before we got it. [/quote]
Will they fix it?