new owner and member from Western Washington

[purdytj]

Greetings all!
We've purchased a 2015 CampLite 28BHS and are picking it up over Labor Day. We're former vintage Airstream owners and are very excited about our brand new camper. This will be a great rig for us to explore the Pacific Northwest (and beyond) with our three girls (4 years old, 2 years old, 2 months old). I'll be keeping a [a href="http://purdygreatlife.weebly.com/camplite.html"]personal website to list my camper projects and wish list[/a]. Here is a temporary link with photos from the dealer: [a href=""]http://www.nishnavalleycycle.com/inventory/?stock_number=03859[/a]

We actually haven't seen our specific camper in person yet, but have done lots of research and know what we're getting. My uncle, aunt, and parents from Iowa (also coincidentally where the camper dealership is) are meeting us halfway with the camper in Billings, MT.

Our Modifications.
> 2015_08-xx: Rock Tamers mudflap system (truck accessory for towing).
> 2015_08-xx: weight distribution and anti-sway hitch.

Wish List.
Near future...
> aluminum bunk ladder.
> vehicle alarm: 2-way remote, battery backup, motion sensor.
> water hose (drinking safe).
> sewer hose.
> camper cover.
> tire covers?
> solar panels.

Maybe...
> portable generator.
> belly / underfloor insulation.
> Solar panels and controller: Grape Solar 400 watt kit @ Costco for $1099.99.
    > Wind generator?

Probably not...
> Wood stove, so cool!
> Tankless water heater.
> stereo upgrade with current Rockford Fosgate 15" subwoofers (heavy).

I'm looking forward to being part of this forum to glean others' wisdom.
T.J.

[ammobob]

Stromberg-Carlson LA-460 60" Bunk Ladder from Amazon for <$60.

This is the ladder we purchased for our bunk beds and a 10 year old granddaughter. Had to cut it down from the bottom but it works great and hooks on the frame of the top bunk securily. I'll add a pick of it in place once it's light enough outside to get a good picture.

[jeeps]

[font size="3"]Welcome and congrats!  We recently took our first trip up the Washington coast and Olympic Nat'l Park and were bowled over.  Quinault and Crescent lakes .....Gorgeous!  Lots to see in the Pacific NW.  [/font]

[david2015]

Hi,
I've got my eye on a CampLite 28BHS, too.  I can't wait to hear how it works out for you!

I plan to roll up from Portland OR to attend the Seattle RV show in Feb 2016 in hopes of seeing some LL products.  If you're near there, I'd be grateful for a chance to check out your new rig.


Thanks,

David

[christianm]

Welcome! And thanks, on behalf of Livin Lite, for choosing us! 

Looking forward to hearing about your many adventures in such a great part of the country! 

[purdytj]

Just had the maiden voyage from Billings, MT to the Puget Sound region. Tows great, except a bit of "porpoising" when roads are rough. We do have weight distribution so I may just need to tighten up a chain link or two.
The camper is wonderful to camp in. Furnace did a great job of warming us and reducing interior condensation on 40 degree nights. The girls love the bunk beds. I love having a bathroom for them as we work on potty training! Wife and I found the couch and bed very comfortable and supportive. Water pump kicks out pressure and volume well (haven't tried water heater or shower yet).
My only wondering is how to keep the cold weather out from underneath the slide out when it is extended. I can see a gap of light and I see seals / gaskets on the other three sides.

[purdytj]

A few updates after 4 long weekend trips:

We don't notice water intrusion while parked.... except one time when I washed it and some little drip was happening from under the microwave. Must be coming in around the refrigerator vent.

Moving is a different story: We just got back from a campsite 4 hours from home. We had some normal rain and drizzle typical of the Pacific Northwest. The wheel wells leak so badly that there were large puddles that turned into small rivers that ran all over the camper floor. We also notice a leak near the front edge seal of the slide out. The slide out appears to have 2 gaskets - an inner and an outer. The outer gasket doesn't even make contact with the exterior siding of the camper when completely closed. Design flaw!

I plan to Vulcum the wheel wells from the outside and see where we stand after the next wet road trip. I know there will be an improvement - I can see the small splashing spray residue along the seams on the inside.

Like others I too am disappointed in the construction quality of our brand new camper. Although, I'm unfortunately not surprised. I've heard horror stories about brand new $80k Airstreams that leak along the back bumper - a notorious spot. I'm not too stoked about the "made in America" label right now. I've seen "it's not a matter of IF a camper leaks, it is a matter of WHEN". Sad, but true.

I also pulled out the stereo / DVD player: The DVD player wasn't even hooked up to the TV!!! Luckily I had cables at home. I also took the opportunity to connect cables from the TV audio output to the stereo's input to have pseudo surround sound when watching broadcast TV. The microwave doesn't show any power either: I need to get the right drive bit and pull it out to see what is up. I would not be surprised to see it was never plugged into its outlet.

I'm watching the tires carefully and have seen other threads about the cracking and warranty concerns.
On our last trip I heard some clicking every rotation when we pulled into the campground. I'll check it out when I pull tires off to seal the wheel wells.

[ammobob]

[quote source="/post/16155/thread" timestamp="1445309918" author="@purdytj"]A few updates after 4 long weekend trips:

We don't notice water intrusion while parked.... except one time when I washed it and some little drip was happening from under the microwave. Must be coming in around the refrigerator vent.

Moving is a different story: We just got back from a campsite 4 hours from home. We had some normal rain and drizzle typical of the Pacific Northwest. The wheel wells leak so badly that there were large puddles that turned into small rivers that ran all over the camper floor. We also notice a leak near the front edge seal of the slide out. The slide out appears to have 2 gaskets - an inner and an outer. The outer gasket doesn't even make contact with the exterior siding of the camper when completely closed. Design flaw!

I plan to Vulcum the wheel wells from the outside and see where we stand after the next wet road trip. I know there will be an improvement - I can see the small splashing spray residue along the seams on the inside.

Like others I too am disappointed in the construction quality of our brand new camper. Although, I'm unfortunately not surprised. I've heard horror stories about brand new $80k Airstreams that leak along the back bumper - a notorious spot. I'm not too stoked about the "made in America" label right now. I've seen "it's not a matter of IF a camper leaks, it is a matter of WHEN". Sad, but true.

I also pulled out the stereo / DVD player: The DVD player wasn't even hooked up to the TV!!! Luckily I had cables at home. I also took the opportunity to connect cables from the TV audio output to the stereo's input to have pseudo surround sound when watching broadcast TV. The microwave doesn't show any power either: I need to get the right drive bit and pull it out to see what is up. I would not be surprised to see it was never plugged into its outlet.

I'm watching the tires carefully and have seen other threads about the cracking and warranty concerns.
On our last trip I heard some clicking every rotation when we pulled into the campground. I'll check it out when I pull tires off to seal the wheel wells.[/quote]I will have to check my slide and see if there is a easy way to seal the lower seam from the outside. Like a rubber sweep or attaching something with Velcro. As for the right drive bit I use a square head and it works on their star fasteners. Had to hook-up the TV cable to the stereo too. I hear you on quality! think the best we can all hope for is that they issues are minimal and easily corrected by ourselves. At least that way you know it is done right 

[purdytj]

The square drive bit worked perfectly and I was able to pull out the microwave tonight. There was no power at the outlet, so I pulled that out too (after turning off the power, of course!). The black wire in the outlet box had become severed and detached from the outlet. I simply pulled up some slack and put it back together properly. Now the microwave / convection oven works as designed.

(Caution: the microwave was quite heavy compared to typical, non-convection microwaves)

I'll hopefully get to sealing the wheel wells Friday or this weekend.

[purdytj]

Hi all,
After attempts to figure out what the switch is in the upper left corner of this image, I still cannot figure out what it controls:

[peislander]

That red switch relates to using your dual water heater on shore power. The other water heater related switch relates to using the water heater on propane.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]The illuminating red switch is for the electric element in the WH. The other WH switch is for the gas side of the WH. Both can be used simultaneously for faster recovery, BUT make sure the WH is full before turning on the electric element. It will burn out within a minute if the WH is empty. Also check that the small black rocker switch inside the outside access panel is on.
[/font]

[purdytj]

Awesome - thank you PEIslander and charliem. I also just found [a href="http://livinlite-owners.com/thread/1734/turning-on-hot-water-heater"]this thread[/a] as you were replying!
I appreciate the prompt responses.