RE: Suggestions for a lightweight small travel trailer
On the hybrid side of RVNet, Spirit Deer has an Aliner. Can't recall the exact model, but it's a pretty darned roomy. Has some nice amenities and appears to offer lots of room. Might be worth a look. Don't know about the off-road capabilities.
Also, KZ Sportsmen Classic has a 13', single axel that's lightweight, although you'd have to deal with the barndoor effect. It's available with or without a hybrid style bunkend in the rear, but has a big u-shape dinette - would have to be made up for a bed - kitchen goes across the entire front, so lots of work space. Nice amount of floorspace. Bathroom is functional. Pretty darned cute for a smaller size trailer.
Also the R-pods are nice, but you'll be getting into more $$.
RE: Sway caused accident on I-75
At the risk of offending some, I have always wondered why some folks will declare with great pride that they've towed an X' trailer a zillion miles through all sorts of weather and never had a problem and they've never had sway on their rig. It just seems like extra protection - not only for those in that rig, but the ones traveling the same road - and is relatively inexpensive. If you're going to spend a bunch of $$$$$ buying a great camper, spend more $$$$$ to have an adequate TV, invest in a hitch to handle the thing, why not have sway?? Not a criticism, but something I've never understood. Why NOT??
RE: looking for week long trip destination advice.
Lake Quachita area in AR?? There are several SPs and, I believe, some COE. They fill up pretty quickly, so you'll need to get on it. It's not far from Hot Springs, so a day trip might be something you'd like. Wooded, so some shade to be had, all sorts of water activities. A few degrees cooler than DFW.
RE: Equalizer vs Dual Cam
We had an Equalizer on our HTT since Day 1 and it did a fine job....with the exception of the noise factor and getting greasy. We just made the leap to a TT - Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 - and the dealer recommended the Blue Ox 1000. DH was hesitant since the Eq had done so well, but he watched the videos on the Blue Ox website and liked what he saw. The dealer would have ordered the Eq if we decided that was a better choice for us. In the end, we went with the Blue Ox 1000 and DH is sooo glad. Easier to hook up, does it's intended job very well, quiet, no greasy hands. The price difference was maybe $50 with the Eq being the higher of the two. Might be worth 10 min watching the videos before you make a final decision.
RE: picking gas stations
Generally Pilot, Flying J, TA or Love's, with Sam's/Walmart/Murphy USA all possible. Love Gas Buddy! When we have a choice, we drive nearest the building and then turn into the pump island heading out...we seem to be able to avoid most of the auto traffic that way and always try for an outside island. Agree that starting your search for a station at about the 1/2 tank point is good advice.
RE: window cover for Rockwood
if you want to retain the original features, contact FR directly. There may be a sticker either on the inside of one of the cabinets or outside on the street side that will tell you which facility it was manufactured at - (I know, not proper sentence structure, but you know what I mean). Our ROO was manufactured in Millersburg, IN and we were able to order a couple of things from them to keep it OEM. Don't actually know where our new 2604 was manufactured. If you can't find it, just try the main office for Forest River and they should direct you. Personal opinion...I would prefer to maybe spend a couple extra dollars and have it original.
RE: Roo 23SS Maiden Voyage
We just parted ways with our beloved 23SS to make the change to a TT - notice I did NOT say "move up". It gave us many years of use with no problems. Hated to see it go, but time, age and all that goes with it made making this change the best choice for us. It has a great new family and we're thrilled for them.
The leak in the kitchen faucet, I believe, is OEM....our new Rockwood 2604 also had one. Luckily DH was going to make smoothies for breakfast and when he got the blender out discovered it was damp. A very small drip, but a quick tightening of the fitting fixed it, so we were dried out in no time at all.
Enjoy your 23SS, it's a beauty!
RE: Winter Water Damage
Agree that the blue tarp will cover it, but it's also abrasive and not breatheable, which you need. For the investment you have in a nice camper, I'd be inclined to spring for the Adco or similar cover and keep the whole thing covered. If you need to get inside during the winter, it has zippers that you just unzip for access.
RE: 13.5K BTU AC versus 15K BTU AC
Interesting question. We just made the leap from our HTT with a 13.5 to a TT with a 15. We never had a problem with the 13.5 until a trip to Vicksburg, MS with 99/99%. Could not get the HTT cooler than 85 during the day even with the PUGS on. Made a Walmart run and got some small personal-size fans thinking that would help in the bunkends, but wrong. All it did was help move the hot air around. After sundown, it cooled off nicely.....until the next day. UGH! The dealer we bought the TT from orders 13.5 A/C routinely, but for whatever reason, this one has the 15. In what I'd consider "normal" summer weather, does anyone notice any difference in performance/efficiency/operating costs in the 13.5 vs the 15. We're not headed to AZ for sure, but TN has some pretty darned hot/humid weather. We keep our TT under cover 24/7 at home, but also keep the A/C set at about 80 since we're in and out all the time. Am I going to drop over when I see the electric bill with the 15 now?? I never noticed any appreciable difference when we started keeping the HTT plugged in over not.
FWIW, if this AZ visit is not going to be a routine thing and the 13.5 is normally effective, I'd look into that portable unit that was linked....at least for the short haul. It may do all you need for a bunch less $$$.
RE: Dinette bed weight limit on a jayco featherlite?
Now I'm confused. Aren't you in the market for a new TT?? Saw your 6/10 post re 2 TT choices, so I would not spend a lot of time fretting over the weight limit on a HTT dinette/bed....unless you're needing to use the dinette in the new TT for a bed. What did you decide on the TT??
RE: Dealer walk through, what would you do the second time?
My understanding that the WH does recover faster on propane than electric. DH just flips the switch to the WH during regular set up so it's ready whenever we are. Have never had a problem running out of hot water either showering or dishwashing....just getting used to turning the water off and on rather than letting it run. Same thing with the frig - cools faster on propane, but changes over to electric at the CG. We've never needed to speed up either process. We figure we're paying for electric with the site fee, so that's what gets used.
RE: Winter Water Damage
Sorry to hear about this....not a good way to start a fun summer. I would strongly suggest you think about investing in a cover for winter storage. Hope they can get this fixed and get you out there ASAP. And thank goodness for insurance.
RE: New Rockwood Roo 23SS ... slide won't open
Putting the slide in and out just takes a little finesse. If you hold the switch down after the slide is either all the way in or all the way out, that COULD be the culprit. You'll get a feel for it after a few times, but listen for a slight click when using it and then let up off the switch. I would give it several trials at home before heading out to be sure there is not something else going on, but I'd bet it's just holding the switch down too long. You'll also learn to watch for the edge of the cabinet to be lined up along the bathroom wall or the sofa to be just at a certain spot along the cabinet by the front bunkend. We never had a fuse blow on our '07.
RE: Dinette bed weight limit on a jayco featherlite?
For some extra insurance....after adding some adequate screws or even bolt through, consider making a couple of 4x4 "legs" to go underneath the dinette in the bed position. You could add something a simple as sticky velcro to hold the leg to the base and maybe a larger block to stabilize in the floor so it doesn't slide out. We never use our dinette for other than a dinette, but you're right, there's not much support there.
RE: Primetime Avenger quality?? compared to Jayco or keystone
What a minute!!, didn't you just buy a HTT a couple of months ago??? What happened??
Anyway.....if you're now in the market for a TT, triple check your tow capacity, I would suggest shorter WITH a slide over longer WITHOUT a slide.
A slide makes all the difference in the world. Realize, though, that a slide also means more weight. Check your numbers before you jump. And do plenty of homework on your price for the unit before rather than after. Good luck.
RE: ROOF CLEANER ?
My only hesitation with using home-cleaning or similar products is that they may or may not be compatible with your roofing material. Bummer to find out you used the wrong stuff. We use whatever it is that the information on the roof calls for....not in my job description, so I don't know the brand. Surely can't think Dawn would hurt anything, but I'd be cautious of the other products.
RE: Considering an HTT upgrade
So this time Chuck beat me to it!.....spend some time online at RV Wholesalers. You're in PA and OH is just a short drive. They are located in Lakeview, OH, just east of I-75 and a bit NW of Columbus. We just bought our second unit from them and have saved thousands....over $4000 on our '07 ROO 23SS and we didn't even calculate on our new TT....our TT had an MSRP of $33,000+ and we paid $20,000. But don't go by MSRP anywhere....there is always wiggle room. If you're looking at 17's - maybe 19's - check what they have in stock or on order. Floorplans in those sizes are generally pretty similar. If you don't see what you love, spec it out. They do not post prices, but you ask for a quote and they email you the price. No haggling over the price....that's what you pay. No surprises. We loved the fit and finish of our ROO and this time went with the Rockwood Ultra Lite TT. Equally pleased. BTW, we drove from West TN and still saved a bundle after expenses. You might also check with House of Camping in the Chicago area. Bikendan drove from northern CA to save a bundle on his ROO - their price actually beat RVW. Keep checking. ROOs are not as pricey as you think.
RE: Dealer walk through, what would you do the second time?
Nothing needed for the seams other than some water. The thread that's used swells when it gets wet the first time and fills in any little needle holes. If it's not a rainy day (Yea!!), just take the water hose and give them a quick rinse off and let air dry. If you see a drip or two inside not to panic.
RE: Dealer walk through, what would you do the second time?
Take your time! We just did our PDI on our second new camper since '06. Thought we pretty much knew what was what...not even close. Times have changed, systems have changed, everything is located somewhere different than you're used to. DH and I had pretty much made a plan on what each of us was going to focus on, but that changed once we got started. The tech was very helpful and didn't rush us at all. If you feel rushed, just remind them that this is a big ticket item and you want to be sure you know what's what. Make sure that there is water in the water heater - found that out from our first, which didn't have water already filled. New element from the dealer with apologies. Slide, awning, stove, refrig, oven. Ask that they have some water in the fresh tank and check all the faucets and underneath in cabinets for leaks.
I don't know about overnighting at the dealer's lot, but if there is a CG very, very close, that's where I would plan the first night. We were only about 3 miles away and found a couple of minor things, so we called that afternoon, made a quick stop in the morning and they took care of them right away. You certainly could ask about overnighting. If you have kids, though they may be excited, if you can leave them home, all the better. You'll have enough to deal with signing a zillion papers and then towing a new trailer + figuring out what the heck you've just bought. Plan a Camp Driveway ASAP for them. It's an exciting and fun time....once you get a couple of Tylenol for that headache and maybe a glass or two and a few minutes to relax. Enjoy, the rest is easy(ier).
RE: What's our next camper?
Still of the opinion that a 3 bed is best, but having loved our 23SS for several years, think you'll be happy. The added space in the kitchen is wonderful and with the new U-shaped dinette, you'll have plenty to room to enjoy meals or game night on those rainy/buggy evenings.
We just bought our second unit from RVW and were just as pleased as the first time. Went to a TT this time, because.......well, time and ailments march on. Are you planning to pick up at RVW?? If you're on the fence on this, suggest you make every effort to do so. You can stay at Indian Lake about 3 miles from RVW and have time to really check things out. We had 2 very minor things, so made a stop back on our way out in the morning and they took care of them right then. And the PDI is essential. Delivery drivers deliver, they don't do PDI or explain things.
Congrats on the new 23SS!
