Livin Lite Camplite owner - review/comments
A couple of questions about Camplite aluminum travel trailers came up in another thread, and rather than hijack that thread, I'll start a new one & try to answer any/all questions.
I recently purchased a Camplite 16BHB trailer & have since spent a few nights in it. I bought it late Dec 2011 for $18,500+tax. I have four nights & about 900 miles of towing this winter. I'm not new to camping (45+ years) but I am new to campers and travel trailers. This is my first non-tent.
The Camplite is fairly unique. There is no wood. The frame, structure, roof, siding, cabinets and bunks are all welded aluminum. The interior panels are either aluminum or Azdel. The floor is aluminum. The axles, stabilizers and steps are steel.
The most visual difference is that the interior is not 'residential'. It's somewhat sterile & industrial. I prefer the aluminum look to the faux wood, wallpaper, vinyl floor look of pretty much everything else, so for me, it is styled to my taste. I joke that it's the 'ambulance look'.
Another opinion:
The 'space station look', I like that. :) Make sure that you like the look before you take the leap.
It is quality construction. This is the only trailer out of a hundred or so that I looked at where the interior partitions don't flex, bend or rattle. The Azdel sheathing isn't as rigid as I'd prefer though. If I had custom ordered it, I might have gotten a fully aluminum interior.
The components (furnace, fans, fridge, air) are ordinary RV components. None are unique to Camplite. The stove top appears to be a good quality unit. The glass cover is nearly flush with the counter top, so it's easier to use as a work surface. The wet bath is small, to say the least. The furnace is really noisy.
Mine has the optional rear deck. The trailer frame and aluminum floor extend 3' beyond the rear of the trailer, making a platform that should be able to haul bikes, a scooter, a grill, camping gear or a rocking chair with a mannequin dressed to look like an old lady.
Some questions/answers:
The floor on mine is uninsulated, though it appears as though they offer spray on floor insulation as an option. I slept in it at roughly -10F with the heat off. The floor was cold. My spilled espresso froze instantly. :)
The walls are insulated with what I presume is some form of polystyrene (they call it 'block foam'). The ceiling is insulated with 'block foam'. When I warmed up the trailer from -10F I had condensation wherever there was no insulation. I used the opportunity to mark the locations of the studs & joists for future DIY's. At +10F a single electric heater kept the trailer sleeping-bag comfortable overnight.
I can make the floor more comfortable in the cold by cutting high density closed cell foam or industrial carpeting to fit. I'm experimenting a bit. Livin Lite also offers snap-in carpeting as an option.
It depends on how fast I drive. I've gotten as low as 9mpg against a strong headwind and I've got 11mpg taking it easy at 55mph. I got about 10.5mpg at 60-65 with winter blend fuel on a cold day. I am hoping I do better in summer. The combination doesn't seem to be special as far as economy goes.
If anyone else has a Camplite, give a shout.
I recently purchased a Camplite 16BHB trailer & have since spent a few nights in it. I bought it late Dec 2011 for $18,500+tax. I have four nights & about 900 miles of towing this winter. I'm not new to camping (45+ years) but I am new to campers and travel trailers. This is my first non-tent.
The Camplite is fairly unique. There is no wood. The frame, structure, roof, siding, cabinets and bunks are all welded aluminum. The interior panels are either aluminum or Azdel. The floor is aluminum. The axles, stabilizers and steps are steel.
The most visual difference is that the interior is not 'residential'. It's somewhat sterile & industrial. I prefer the aluminum look to the faux wood, wallpaper, vinyl floor look of pretty much everything else, so for me, it is styled to my taste. I joke that it's the 'ambulance look'.
Another opinion:
Cedarhill wrote:
It reminded me of a mock up of the International Space Station I went in minus the instruments and controls. I wasn't sure I could get used to that.
The 'space station look', I like that. :) Make sure that you like the look before you take the leap.
It is quality construction. This is the only trailer out of a hundred or so that I looked at where the interior partitions don't flex, bend or rattle. The Azdel sheathing isn't as rigid as I'd prefer though. If I had custom ordered it, I might have gotten a fully aluminum interior.
The components (furnace, fans, fridge, air) are ordinary RV components. None are unique to Camplite. The stove top appears to be a good quality unit. The glass cover is nearly flush with the counter top, so it's easier to use as a work surface. The wet bath is small, to say the least. The furnace is really noisy.
Mine has the optional rear deck. The trailer frame and aluminum floor extend 3' beyond the rear of the trailer, making a platform that should be able to haul bikes, a scooter, a grill, camping gear or a rocking chair with a mannequin dressed to look like an old lady.
Some questions/answers:
cm wrote:
With an aluminum frame, floor, skin, how is it insulated?
The floor on mine is uninsulated, though it appears as though they offer spray on floor insulation as an option. I slept in it at roughly -10F with the heat off. The floor was cold. My spilled espresso froze instantly. :)
The walls are insulated with what I presume is some form of polystyrene (they call it 'block foam'). The ceiling is insulated with 'block foam'. When I warmed up the trailer from -10F I had condensation wherever there was no insulation. I used the opportunity to mark the locations of the studs & joists for future DIY's. At +10F a single electric heater kept the trailer sleeping-bag comfortable overnight.
I can make the floor more comfortable in the cold by cutting high density closed cell foam or industrial carpeting to fit. I'm experimenting a bit. Livin Lite also offers snap-in carpeting as an option.
Cedarhill wrote:
...would you mind sharing the fuel economy of the Camplite/EcoBoost combination?
It depends on how fast I drive. I've gotten as low as 9mpg against a strong headwind and I've got 11mpg taking it easy at 55mph. I got about 10.5mpg at 60-65 with winter blend fuel on a cold day. I am hoping I do better in summer. The combination doesn't seem to be special as far as economy goes.
If anyone else has a Camplite, give a shout.
