My 28BHS is supposedly completed

[djsamuel]

[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%!

[funpilot]

OMG....LL owners are now lumped in with the 1 percenters?  We will be fire bombed for sure now.  

[charliem]

[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. 
[/font]

[leslie]

We'll get all sorts of annoying telemarketing calls! Oh wait - I already get those.

[shovelhead]

Pictures or I say it didnt happen

[funpilot]

I am now scheduled to have the inspection next Friday at 1:00 PM.  Pray for me.  Pray for LL.

[leslie]

Go and enjoy.

[leslie]

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?

[funpilot]

[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]

[funpilot]

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.  

[leslie]

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!

[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]

[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  . 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]

[tinkeringtechie]

[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  . 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.

[leslie]

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.

[funpilot]

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....