Well our new to us 2017 camper just got it’s first real trip of its life. (PO used it for one weekend and a few sleepovers in 4 years.)Objectively, the camper worked like a champ. AC running 12+ hrs a day for about 10 days straight. All the appliances and everything else worked great. Pounded out about 1000miles of freeway and back roads. Love the stout springs and 16” wheels!Also love the open back of the toyhauler. Once we were in the mountains we could open up the back, I made it into a deck before we left, and use the canvas back door so it was like a big open tent. Few minor annoyances. 1. The batteries 2 new 6v GCs don’t seem to last as long as they should. Knowing how we were conserving on DC power when dry camped, it would only make it about a day with a few hours of genny charging. 2. The usb plugs on 12V overheated and fried, charging 2 phones at the same time. 3. I greased the wheels and all the spring shackles. But the springs are noisy as he!! Not sure if it’s the shackles or the leafs but I expected it to be quiet with wet bolts ?Overall it was far more luxurious than we were used to!I’ll try to drop a few pics later.

Forgot to mention, 100gal of water onboard is super luxurious. We spent 4 days in the mountains, 4 people, dry camping and didn’t even come close to using up all the water. Although about half the bathing was off he back of the boat in the lake!

Noisy springs, it could be 5h3 OEM bushings! Most are plastic. I would suggest bronze replacements an HD shackles. Should do the trick. I also up graded the equalizer to a Dexter EZ-Flex (you could go with others like Mor-Ride) to soften the ride.P.S. I found suspension upgrades lessens sway.

Grit dog wrote:Well our new to us 2017 camper ..... Love the stout springs and 16” wheels!I thought this was a post about a truck camper, until I saw the mention of springs and wheels. LOLSounds like you have a trailer.

Grit dog wrote: 1. The batteries 2 new 6v GCs don’t seem to last as long as they should. Knowing how we were conserving on DC power when dry camped, it would only make it about a day with a few hours of genny chargingTime for an amp hour meter, which is a fuel gauge for the battery bank. Victron BMV-712 or the Victron Smart Shunt are the best there is.I have the BMV 712Grit dog wrote:2. The usb plugs on 12V overheated and fried, charging 2 phones at the same time. Since they are fried, it's obvious they need replaced, so replace them with quality parts from Marinco or Blue Sea Systems.Here's some I added in my TT a few years agoHere's some I added in my newer TT last year with a big faceplate I found on AmazonGrit dog wrote:3. I greased the wheels I'm lost there. What does "greased the wheels" really mean? Is there a missing word in that phrase?

What were you using for the 12 volt chargers? I use these which are hard wired into the battery bank. Link Yes they are more expensive than other USB ports out there. But they were the only non illuminated ones I could find. I tapped into an overhead light to provide power so the circuit was already fused. A link to my post about the plugs. Link

Sit rep on “new” camper after first trip. | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

deltabravo
Nomad
Jul 25, 2021
What does "Sit Rep" mean in the title of this thread? I've been trying to decipher that grouping of words all day today.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Jul 25, 2021
deltabravo wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
Well our new to us 2017 camper ..... Love the stout springs and 16” wheels!

I thought this was a post about a truck camper, until I saw the mention of springs and wheels. LOL
Sounds like you have a trailer.

Ha, yeah!
Guess I call most all RVs “campers!”

Also realized I didn’t take a single good camper pic….lol.

Thanks for the USB port reccomendation. Hope the wiring is good still. Or at least pulls easily. I think its the port not wired because smelled like hot plastic not hot wires, lol.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Jul 25, 2021
WNYBob wrote:
Noisy springs, it could be 5h3 OEM bushings! Most are plastic. I would suggest bronze replacements an HD shackles. Should do the trick.
I also up graded the equalizer to a Dexter EZ-Flex (you could go with others like Mor-Ride) to soften the ride.
P.S. I found suspension upgrades lessens sway.

But this thing has greaseable bushings and fancy 2 piece spring equalizers. And now has maybe 2000mi max on the trailer.
And I greased every bushing with no weight on the wheels.
Tows perfectly.

@deltabravo. I meant greased the bearings. Not that they are the squeaking source but first thing I did since trailer was sitting on factory lube job and still well under 1000miles total.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Jul 25, 2021
^Yes it has the OE 55a wfco converter. It works but I could see improving the charging.
For as little as we use, an inverter isn’t really needed. Especially with a push button genny if the microwave is needed.
I do need to see how far it is drawing down. Never went dead, but feels a bit off. An amp meter is a good idea to verify though.
I’ll look into better USB ports too.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jul 25, 2021
The battery usage isn't that surprising. Most people in our group with two 6v get a day's charge out of them before recharging with the gen. Even with solar, you'll need to run the gen a little.

Has the charger (converter) been upgraded? I doubt the previous owned upgraded it. Think about adding an inverter with a good multi stage charger. It's a great investment. Just coach up the wife and kids not to use the inverter for anything with a heavy heating element, like curling iron, toaster, or even some coffee makers.

I'm glad to see you putting some miles and nights in with the new rig. I hope your family loves it as much as you do. We've made a lot of great memories in ours.
opnspaces
Navigator III
Jul 25, 2021
What were you using for the 12 volt chargers? I use these which are hard wired into the battery bank. Link Yes they are more expensive than other USB ports out there. But they were the only non illuminated ones I could find. I tapped into an overhead light to provide power so the circuit was already fused.
A link to my post about the plugs. Link
deltabravo
Nomad
Jul 25, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
1. The batteries 2 new 6v GCs don’t seem to last as long as they should. Knowing how we were conserving on DC power when dry camped, it would only make it about a day with a few hours of genny charging

Time for an amp hour meter, which is a fuel gauge for the battery bank. Victron BMV-712 or the Victron Smart Shunt are the best there is.

I have the BMV 712

Grit dog wrote:
2. The usb plugs on 12V overheated and fried, charging 2 phones at the same time.

Since they are fried, it's obvious they need replaced, so replace them with quality parts from Marinco or Blue Sea Systems.

Here's some I added in my TT a few years ago

Here's some I added in my newer TT last year with a big faceplate I found on Amazon

Grit dog wrote:
3. I greased the wheels

I'm lost there. What does "greased the wheels" really mean? Is there a missing word in that phrase?
deltabravo
Nomad
Jul 25, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
Well our new to us 2017 camper ..... Love the stout springs and 16” wheels!

I thought this was a post about a truck camper, until I saw the mention of springs and wheels. LOL
Sounds like you have a trailer.
WNYBob
Explorer
Jul 25, 2021
Noisy springs, it could be 5h3 OEM bushings! Most are plastic. I would suggest bronze replacements an HD shackles. Should do the trick.
I also up graded the equalizer to a Dexter EZ-Flex (you could go with others like Mor-Ride) to soften the ride.
P.S. I found suspension upgrades lessens sway.
Grit_dog
Navigator III
Jul 24, 2021
Forgot to mention, 100gal of water onboard is super luxurious. We spent 4 days in the mountains, 4 people, dry camping and didn’t even come close to using up all the water.
Although about half the bathing was off he back of the boat in the lake!

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Sit rep on “new” camper after first trip.

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