2014 Cruiser ViewFinder 24SD (V nose/kitchen)

We have the 2014 SD purchased in December of 2013. We have used it just about every weekend since our seasonal campsite opened in April. Have had a few problems but we are hoping that our dealer will take care of them. We have had issues with the battery as well. Trailer came with a starting battery and held a charge for maybe an hour while boondocking. Dealer says they have always sold their trailers with this type of battery. Could never get the DVD player to work. After much trouble, we found that the ports on the back of the tv are bad. Dealer will replace. THis past weekend i went to open the refrigerator and the entire door fell off just missing some toes. Hinge/Frame around door cracked. Dealer ordered door. Then found holes in the dinette cushion and at first thought it was from mice but realized that it was from hardware holding dinette together just rubbed a hole in cushions. Overall i love the trailer and you have to expect some problems with any unit. Just waiting to make sure the dealer addresses them appropriately.

We have a 2012 Cruiser ViewFinder 24SD - bought it new. A few minor issues but we really like the trailer.

We priced replacing the sofa with theatre seating to watch TV. $600 but the shipping was $400.

I agree it is hard to get to the battery. Removing it isn't so bad but putting it back is a challenge.

We noticed last year the door lock would not work. (FYI there is a recall on the lock) Our issue is the allignment. It appears the door has sagged at least 1/2 inch which means it just clears the top of the door frame. Have a call into the dealer. If anyone else has had this issue with a resolution I would really like to here from you.

I know others have commented on it's towing with the V nose. I haven't noticed any difference in fact it seems "heavier". I towed a coleman caravan for 10 years as a comparision - similar weight, no V nose or enclosed bottom. Tow vehicle 03 ford expedidion 5.4 V8. Best tow vehicle I have had.

We had our battery shelf rebuilt and moved back to accommodate two batteries. When removing the batteries, I jack up the v-nose, lift the batteries (one at a time) over the shelf lip and set them on the ground. Then I can get them out underneath the frame.

Thanks arizal,

That is my plan. I think I'll also install a DC voltmeter and monitor it over the next season to see how far it discharges when sitting in storage. I think the AGMs discharge much less, so maybe I can leave it in over the winter and just check it once in a while.

VAWinger wrote:
We bought a 2014 V-24SD this past October and we love it. We've had it out about 4 weekends so far (waiting for the snow to clear and campgrounds here to open again!).

There are a lot of things to like: much more kitchen counter space than most in this size, solid surface counter tops, etc.

The only major complaint I have had so far is the battery location. It is very hard to access. The dealer put in a cheap car battery, so I've been pulling it out and taking it home to put on a charger in between trips (camper is stored an hour away from home). I'll be replacing the battery this spring with a true deep-cycle, but still expect to have to remove it over the winter every year.

Has anyone found a way to move the battery so it is easier to access? Or have any tricks to more easily removing it?

Bill

When you replace the battery do so with an AGM deep cycle battery, they will be more expensive than the wet cell type but you can install them under the trailer and not have to service them. I have two Interstate AGMs on mine and I have checked them once in three years and they looked like they had been just installed (a little dusty though).

We bought a 2014 V-24SD this past October and we love it. We've had it out about 4 weekends so far (waiting for the snow to clear and campgrounds here to open again!).

There are a lot of things to like: much more kitchen counter space than most in this size, solid surface counter tops, etc.

The only major complaint I have had so far is the battery location. It is very hard to access. The dealer put in a cheap car battery, so I've been pulling it out and taking it home to put on a charger in between trips (camper is stored an hour away from home). I'll be replacing the battery this spring with a true deep-cycle, but still expect to have to remove it over the winter every year.

Has anyone found a way to move the battery so it is easier to access? Or have any tricks to more easily removing it?

Bill

Our ViewFinder is in Virginia...at least we HOPE it's still there. No photos with us other than the one in the signature picture - sorry.

If you find a 2011, you might want to make sure the bathroom door swings INTO the bathroom. The original design had the door swinging into the living room, which meant that you couldn't get into the bathroom when the slide was in. That was fixed in the 2012 model.

The 2012's originally came with only a two-stair entry step, which made for a really BIG first step up. We changed ours out for a three-stair one. MUCH better for my vertically-challenged self.

That was fixed in the 2013 24SD's. Cruiser RV also changed the way the shower door opens (from right to left) which is more convenient.

Good luck in your search!

jhalf

GMandJM wrote:
We have the 2012 24SD. Like it lots. our ViewFinder may be looking for a new family to love and enjoy it.

If you have any specific questions, just ask.

My husband and I owned a 2009 21FB Viewfinder we sold last year. We loved the Viewfinder. Just wanted something a little bigger. We modified ours and put in a bigger deeper sink so I could wash the pots and pans easier. The people that bought it loved that and we also upgraded the sofa in the RV to a more comfortable version. I reupholstered the entire thing and upgraded the cushion and made slip covers. The people that bought ours loves it.

We have been looking for a 2011 model or newer used Viewfinder 24SD but they are hard to find. What part of the country do you live in? We are out in CA. Send me information and pictures on your Viewfinder. Thanks.

We have the "V" nose Viewfinder with the front bathroom (no longer offered I guess) and just love it. We had AGM batteries installed so they don't have to be serviced on a regular basis. It tows beautifully and we have had no problems with it. Well built trailer. Enjoy your new purchase and Happy Camping.
ArizAl

I hesitated to respond because I don't have the exact same model, but I do have a Cruiser Viewfinder Signature. Ours is the 28BHSS (non v-nose). We like it very much and I chose it after comparing several other manufacturers/models and even reached out to a dealer in Ohio to purchase it (maybe the same dealer you used).
What I found in my particular search was that, for the size, weight and price range I was looking for, The Viewfinder had the best quality. Is it the same quality as an Airstream, Lance, etc. maybe (probably?) not, but it was a fair amount better than the other examples I looked at from others. Not saying this will always hold true, but it did in my case.

Good luck and have fun with the trailer.

Dean