[p]Good Morning from Michigan....We ordered our 21 BHS a week ago. Enjoying all[/p][p]the posts as a guest so far and finally decided to register. My wife and I are new to [/p][p]camping and RV's. Looking forward to an interesting/fun summer. [/p]
Welcome from North GA. Spent fair amount of time in MI. Mostly Farmington area. Trying to recall the steak restaurant we went to a lot. I think it was close to the Pontiac airport. The steaks were huge.
Welcome from someone who also has a 21-BHS. We love ours, spent 21 days in Florida in January. It suits us just fine. See you on the road or in a campground!
[p]Farmington is 20miles or so north of us. We live in the Downriver area, south of Detroit . Thanks[/p][p]for your comment, that was our first one. I know my registration worked.[/p]
Welcome from someone who suffers from a slight case of 21'er envy!
So how long before you get it?
We ordered it 2-27. Dealer said it would take
6 to 8 weeks. We'll see.
Welcome, from another 21BHS owner in N GA.
Ours is in Lake Placid, FL now, and we're getting REALLY eager to head down there and do some camping, and/or just bring 'er home.
Here's the thread about our delivery:
[a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/83/21bhs"]http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/83/21bhs
[/a]First impressions: [a href="http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/103/camplite-21bhs-first-impressions"]http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/103/camplite-21bhs-first-impressions
[/a]And a thread about weights: http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/613/2014-21bhs-weighty-matters
Welcome from another mitten member; Lansing area. If your delivery takes a couple of months, you timed the purchase just right!
Great choice.. congrats and welcome from eastern NC!
Welcome & Congrats on the 21BHS!!!!!!! Plan to do some camping @ Sleepy Hollow State Park Michigan while visiting family this summer!
Welcome from the western NC mountains
We picked up our 21BHS yesterday May30. Although it was very stormy in this part of Michigan. Everything went well. This is actually the first time we saw this model, the dealer only had a 16' model on his lot to look at when we signed the deal. There have been a few issues but all and all we made a good choice. Our TV is an F150 with a tow package. It was an uneventful 20 mile trip home from the dealer, no sway, very little porpoising. The dealer included friction sway control. It seems like FSC is all we'll need. The ride home really increased our confidence in future long trips we're planning. Life is good!
Congrats on the new camper. We ordered ours on the 3 of March and hope to pick it up in a couple of weeks. Happy camping.
Congrats on ordering a 21BHS. My wife and two young kids LOVE our new 21 BHS we picked up from SUnny Island RV in Rockford, IL two weeks ago and drove it home to Port Angeles, WA. We ordered it in Jan of this year. Well worth the wait! Not without dealer hiccups and required fixes after walk thru, but that is unfortunately expected whether buying an airstream, a pop up or a camp lite. Even with the hiccups, an impressively built machine. This forum has been an invaluable tool, enjoy!
[p]We recently took delivery of our 21BHS. The first negative we found was the height of the step. To improve the situation I bought a Camco # 43677 fixed height aluminum platform step. Amazon sells them for $56.69. They are large enough in area, claim to support 1000lbs. and are 8" high. To me the perfect solution if you don't mind storing it.[/p][p]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G258KAY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s02[/p]
Funny, my wife bought the same step 3 months ago when we ordered our new camper. Congrats on the new camper. Hope to pick our custom 21 BHS up in 10 days.
We left on our maiden camping voyage to Port Crescent, a Michigan State Park. The park is located at the tip of Michigan's thumb, Port Austin. The 21BHS and the trip were great. I highly recommend this park. The facility was organized and clean, the sunsets on Saginaw Bay are memorable. We are already planning our return visit in the fall before we head to Stuart, Florida in November to visit our daughter and family. Life truly is good!
We like Port Crescent too. See my Lake Huron Reprised post in Trip Reports! We'll also be going back sometime; nice park. Where in Michigan are you? We are in the Lansing area.
We live in Rockwood close to I-75 and Huron River Drive.
[p][font size="4"]Is anyone else having a problem with the entrance door locks[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]on 21 BHS. We locked ours, drove 160miles home and [/font][/p][p][font size="4"]found the deadbolt impossible to unlock. Took it back to the [/font][/p][p][font size="4"]dealer he lubricated it, tapped the key in (light hammer taps)[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]and was able to open [/font][font size="4"]it. This is a worrisome situation for sure.[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]Using a key to open a door is not complicated. The key will[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]easily slide in and open it now. But tomorrow?? Any comments! [/font][/p]
There was a recall (?) on the deadbolt locks a while ago for the problem you are having. Run a search on this forum for details. Given the history of the problem, I'm surprised the dealer didn't replace the lock.
Here is one thread on the problem.
http://livinlite.proboards.com/thread/261/stuck-deadbolt-lock
Thanks Merlin, this will help.
[p][font size="4"]We took delivery of our 21BHS this summer. I'm wondering if anyone[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]else has experienced this problem. Our 12 volt battery went dead, completely[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]discharged. I thought the worst. Perhaps the TV wasn't charging thru the[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]connector, maybe a short somewhere in the trailer. I took the top off the[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]battery box and found it totally filled with water over the top of the[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]battery. Not good. I took the battery out. Drilled 4 small holes in the bottom[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]of the box and charged the battery. No problems since. I think some heavy[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]rains we've had drained down the front of the trailer and into the box vents[/font][/p][p][font size="4"]which are right on the top. [/font][font size="4"]Because there was no place for the water to go [/font][/p][p][font size="4"]it eventually filled up and [/font][font size="4"]shorted the battery. Has anyone else had this [/font][/p][p][font size="4"]happen?[/font][/p]
I have photos of water collecting in my battery box. Never more than an inch or two, but I drilled 4 holes in the bottom as well.
Found one:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/15166109652_98e529dc2c_c.jpg)
I found a couple inches in mine too when I was swapping out my new longer battery box to fit two golf cart batteries. I was amazed that there were no drain holes in the original one....unbelievable!
Speculating here...
With just holes in the bottom, a compromised or leaking battery would lead to acid dripping down on the frame. Not good. With no holes at least that acid would be contained in the battery box.
The correct solution is to have a spigot on the bottom with a hose leading to where acid could run out onto the ground and not onto any structural members. Aircraft with lead/acid batteries normally go this route.
Fasteddieb, You raise a good point. It certainly is possible that the battery could crack and leak acid on the frame but dumb luck was on my side with the placement of the drain holes. Without knowing I put them far enough off center where they drain to the ground and miss the center member of the frame. I poured some water into the battery case and watched as it dripped thru the holes to the ground. I would think that acid would drain the same way.
No lock issues on my 21RBS
Hello! After 30 years with a Coleman pop-up, we finally took the plunge and bought a 21BHS last summer. Have taken several trips within NC (to the mountains and the coast) and an extended 3000 mi trip through New England last fall. We're beginning to feel like it's broken in now. So time for some mods. We added a hitch to the rear in order to take our bikes along. Too bad stock bumper is not strong enough to support bikes (installed a Hidden Hitch). Works fine! Just finished swapping out the original Group 24 12v battery for two Interstate 6 volt golf cart batteries in series. Hoping to see an improvement when dry camping. Installing the two 6 volt batteries required a new battery box and fabrication of a tray and supporting structure; also moving the two propane tanks forward. Also installed a solar BatteryMinder to keep batteries charged while in storage (can't be on the go all the time). Mounted the 60W solar panel (Renogy) on a board that rests on the two propane takes using a mount available online. Secured board to tank connector bracket with square U-bolts. Panel can be lowered to horizontal mode for travel and can also be removed and mounted up to 25ft from camper (we can be in the shade while the solar panel finds an ideal position in direct sunlight). Can send pics of the installation if interested (rhughes8@nc.rr.com). Looking at heading to West Virginia this summer. Any suggestions for good spots. Cheers!
(//)
We have a switch above the cook top, below the microwave on the short wall separating the kitchen from the bunks. We can't figure what it does. It has a small indicator light right on the switch that glows if it's on. What does this switch control? Whatever it controls we aren't using it.
I have two switches below the microwave and above and beside the cooktop. The one closest to me is the water pump for when we do not hook up to city water. The switch closest to the wall is the water heater.
We also have these two switches and they are clearly marked. The switch with the small light near the pump and heater switch
is the mystery.
[font size="3"]If the switch is on a small back panel with a red light beside it it's the propane side of the water heater. If the switch is a toggle like at home and lights up red it's the 120V side of the water heater. Maybe a picture would help.
[/font]
I don't have a 21BHS, so I can only guess, but it sounds like the antenna booster for the HDTV?
I posted a question about the purpose of a 120v switch on the kitchen side of the short wall
under the microwave. I contacted Don at LL he identified it as the switch for the electrical
function of the water heater. The small switch in the lower left corner of the water heater
must also be on. It seems to me that the small switch could be left on constantly and the
switch inside the trailer used as the only way to start and stop electrical heating.
That is what we do. I keep the switch on all the time at the water heater and use the interior switch to turn it on and off. If you live in a cold climate where you may use the bypass valves and drain the water heater, I would definately turn off the water heater using the switch on the tank to be on the safe side when spring comes and you prepare the trailer for use again.
I am down in the Houston area and have an extended camping season. I will probably do my winter prep in January.
After using your 21 BHS for a season do you have any thoughts options you wish you chose or options you don't need?
My best advice: It is time to talk to a dealer to see what options are available. Production measures have been changed. Some items that formerly were custom-ordered, such as a black tank flusher, now seem to be standard, while other items that could be custom-ordered, are being refused at the present time.
You can talk to a dealer and look over an order form without being pressured to sign on the dotted line that day. If you feel you are being pressured into a fast committment, run away - run very fast away - to a dealer who doesn't pressure you.
Good advice. I'll review the new 2016 order sheets. Sure seems like a lot is changing. I wish they would hurry up and update their website!
[quote source="/post/17139/thread" timestamp="1450149480" author="@williamwallace"]Good advice. I'll review the new 2016 order sheets. Sure seems like a lot is changing. I wish they would hurry up and update their website![/quote]I believe thier website is updated and the new build sheet is there. Went through it on another post under Camplite travel trailers. Good luck with you purchase.
Thanks Ammobob. The site seems to be down right now.
Also I hope you don't mind if my trailer looks very similar to yours.
[quote source="/post/17145/thread" timestamp="1450193484" author="@williamwallace"]Thanks Ammobob. The site seems to be down right now.
Also I hope you don't mind if my trailer looks very similar to yours.[/quote]Not at all ;)
Picking up my 21bhs next week i live in northern Michigan. Can't wait
That's great Philip! I'm sure you will enjoy.
(I really want to say something funny about your pic being rotated but I can't think of anything witty. :| )
[quote timestamp="1452999477" author="@peislander" source="/post/17826/thread"]That's great Philip! I'm sure you will enjoy.
(I really want to say something funny about your pic being rotated but I can't think of anything witty. :| )[/quote]Something, something, anti-sway-bar-rollover.
Quote from: @stillcamping2015" timestamp="1438715006" source="/post/13950/threadLooking at heading to West Virginia this summer. Any suggestions for good spots. Cheers!
[img style="max-width:100%;" style="" src=""]
[font size="3" face="comic sans ms"][span]I know this maybe too late but:
[/span][span] [/span]My wife and I enjoy camping at Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, WVa. There's not a lot of "resort" type things. But the scenery is awesome! You can also camp at Canaan Valley State Park, which is 10 miles south of Davis. Nice quiet area and full hookups there. There are a few restaurants in the area, one at the Blackwater lodge. Three in Davis, "Big John's Family Fixins" in Canaan Valley. Davis has a great grocery store right in town!
[span] [/span]There are lots of back roads to explore, if you are not squeamish about one lane roads on the side of a mountain. There are lots of hiking trails all around! There's Dolly Sods Nat. Rec. area, Otter Creek, and Cranberry Back Country to backpack. Two ski resorts in the valley, Timberline and Canaan Valley.
[span] [/span]Buy a WVa. Gazetteer at Walmart to help you find your way. Cell phone usage is iffy in these mountains. Most locals use US Cellular service. Incidently, Davis is the highest elevation unincorporated town East of the Mississippi.
[span] [/span]Let us know your experience if you go there this summer!
Best regards,
Shortcircuit[/font]