Adding a tip out

[jeanbenjaminl]

Hello everyone, 

I was wondering if it's possible to add a tip out on the side of a Camplite. I know that Livinlite can do some modification on new unit, but on a used unit, is it possible to buy the hardware and do it by myself of have my dealer do it ? 
I already have a tip out on the back of my trailer, but would like to get another bed, so we could sleep 4 or 5 in the CL11FK. 

I thought about changing my trailer for a 13BHB or a 16BHB but now that they are discontinued and very hard to find used in my area, i would prefer to keep my trailer and mod it to fit my need...

Thanks!

[david]

Anything is possible.

The first obvious question: is there anything on that side of the trailer in the way of a tip out. If not then you could duplicate the construction of the back tip out. I suspect that the tip out is nothing more than welded aluminum angle/ tubing and sheet aluminum. Then look carefully at where you have to cut the hole in the side. There may be hidden electrical wiring inside. But that is fairly straightforward to reroute if necessary. You probably will have to double up the side aluminum studs and strengthen the top and bottom with aluminum angle just like if you did this with a house wood stud wall.

I doubt if this is within the skills of an RV dealer. I would look for a welding/sheet meatal fabrication shop and make sure that they know how to weld aluminum. A shop that works on biminis and arches for larger boats would be ideal. I know a guy in New Bern, NC near where we used to live that could do this job. But expect to pay 2-3 grand for this job.

David

[peislander]

A few years ago I asked the factory if it would be a problem for us to add an exterior hatch to access the space under the dinette seat. Their response was to strongly recommend I don't do it. They noted the wall framing layout in a Camplite has been engineered for the model's particular features and so any modification cannot be recommended. I was only talking a relatively small hatch. The opening for a tip out is a much bigger deal. 

That said, I too can imagine it can be done. If you took off the interior wall finish to expose the framing then it should be possible to see how the framing could be modified. You'd need to be 'handy' and brave. Do it wrong and you'd wreck the trailer. If I was inclined to do it I suppose I'd take it to someone who builds aluminum cargo or horse trailers for their help. I wouldn't expect you'd find any rv techs or RV dealerships who can handle the job as most rvs are wood framed.

[christianm]

Interesting idea! I know right off the bat- a couple of things come to mind: 

1) Is that if your unit is still under warranty, any modifications of that size would almost definitely void the remaining warranty. I'm sure you already know this, but wanted to at least mention. 

2) If your unit does not already come with a slide out, the likelihood is that the rest of the frame will not support such a large and unexpected addition in weight. We've had folks ask similar questions about adding large projects to a unit, and it's really impossible for us to tell what kind of effect the process of creating a space for and attaching the slide will have on the rest of the unit. Therefore, as a factory, we do not recommend it...even if done by a pro. Just too many variables. :-( 

3) As mentioned in other responses, if you DO go ahead and decide to make the mod- I would probably look for a specialty shop of some sort, rather than a dealership. Our dealers are great- but I don't know of any that do mods of that variety!

Best of Luck to you!

Christian 

[jeanbenjaminl]

Thank you for your reply. 

I will probably not do it, i dont wan't to ruin my Camplite...

But I think it would be a good idea for the company to restart selling small (and lightweignt) trailer that can accomodate a family of 5  or 6 (13BHB and 16BHB). If theese where still selling they would have been for sure on our buy list!, cause the CL11FK is becoming smaller as the family grow!

Recently I've been to a RV show and every trailer they had, for a big family, where weighting more than 5000# empty...
You had what a family want: a small trailer that can accommodante a family of 5 and being able to pull it with a Mini-van or a SUV, not a truck...
I don't understand why the company discontinued these model of trailer...


Thanks!