B+ motorhomes

[Daniel_C_]

I just bought a Trail Lite B+ 211s with 8.1 Chevy
engine. This is my fifth motorhome (others range
from an old 20' Vagabond, and three Winnegagos, from 19 to 32'. This vehicle is fantastic. I am
using it as a mobile office (and sneaking in a fun
journey from time to time). It gets about 9.5mpg
and I believe I could pull a bus behind it if I wanted! I paid low $40's which is about what I had expected to pay for a five or six year old Chinook with a nicer interior, but fewer features
(slide). I am delighted thus far.

[Gene_in_NE]

doctort - Don't know much about the Gulfstream BT Cruiser, but the Trail-Lite has a couch opposite the dinette. In the 2002 model, could get the 211 (without a slide) or the 211S (with slide). We bought the slide unit and the salesman acted surprised when the couch did not touch the dinette. There is quite a gap. Do you have the BT with a slide?

On a slightly different topic, I am planning on installing a fan in the roof opening. What are the arguments for the type of power to get for the fan? (switched from the nearest overhead light or un-switched from a farther away overhead light)

[Slim___Retta_s_]

No problems except for the water pump, see some of our posts. Slim made appt to take to dealer soon to work it out. Otherwise, okay so far. I thought about those plastic drawers for the closet as well, they are handy, use them in our house. We are moving soon and may set them up in the BTC. We are trying to think of a name or slogan for BTC "Better Times Coming" "Back To Country" ha ha whatever. Going to use it as our hotel when escrow closes until we decide what we are going to do.


Happy BT Camping!

[doctort]

Here's a question for all of you B+ er's who have the "two couches facing" configuration. Our dealer said that it would make down into a king size bed. However, in our new BT Cruiser, when we put down the two couches, they is a 3 1/2 inch gap between them. They don't touch?

[doctort]

Slim and Retta... No I'm not an MD. I'm a PhD engineer. So, have you had any problems so far with your BT? We've only had little details that are in the order of "why did they do it that way?" or "I'd have done it this way, instead." Guess it's the engineer in me. For example, we don't take hanging clothes with us, so we went to Target and got those lightweight plastic units with drawers, stacked them, and attached them inside the wardrobe. We have the two double couches facing instead of the couch and dinette and the long, double-legged table top is heavy and too large for us, so I made a 24" x 24" top to stand on a single leg. The best buy we've made, so far, is the wide-angle lense that goes in the back window. Now, I can actually use my inside rear-view mirror.

[Gene_in_NE]

Reno3 - You're only as old as you feel. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself. Have you considered a "park model" for Florida?

gkreutzer - Have you learned what the problem was with your oven?

cheeze1 - I'm pleased to report our convection/micro also works. Sorry to hear you are having some nuisance problems with the coach part. Like you, our 3500 Chevy Express is the best driving vehicle we have - the most comfortable seats. If we are just driving, can sit for 350 miles (about 5 hours) before I have to stretch my legs. My wonderful wife gets up and fetches drinks and snacks which makes time go quickly.

doctort - We also have not done anything for leveling. Have been using the "seat of pants" feel for the best place to park. Our unit has a rear door so no need for the stand under the bottom step - great idea though.

jim1632 - The advantage of welding or bolting the jacks is storage. It will be in the place you will need it. Most class B or even B+ do not have space to spare.

[Slim___Retta_s_]

Oh yeah doc, we haven't used any jacks so far on the BT Cruiser!

[Slim___Retta_s_]

Hi Terry & Joan, we have the same BT Cruiser 22' just got it in March, have been out once to Colorado River, near Yuma, place called Martinez Lake. Are you an MD, I am an MTSO

[B-Plus]

Hello Chas, I just got back from a trip up North for a little more than a week, B+ ran great. Yes I did install a 5 ton scissor jack in the front attracted to the two frame forks. I used a 4" x 6" steel I- beam and attached it to the frame with 3/8 inch bolts. I will send pictures if anyone request them. I use it only if I can not find a level spot and my nose in pointed down a few degrees, It enables me to raise it up so that my shower will not drain out of the tub on the edges if it is off a few degrees. For some reason the B-pluses are all nose heavy,so if you find a level spot the nose is always down a few degrees.
Another option that I installed were the electric stairs, my unit did not have the option when I purchased it. My wife thanks me everytime she uses it. If anyone does not have one its a pretty easy option to install.

[cheeze1]

Dario, one of the 'master fabricators" of this thread, installed a scissor jack crosswise in the front of his 225. I don't have the details anymore due to a computer crash, but he will gladly supply pix and advice. One of the perks of being a retired engineer!!

[jim1632]

I have never used jack stands with my B+. I have looked at the scissors jacks as a possible way to add more stabily at the rear. My question is -- do you need to attach the scissors jacks permanently to the frame. For example, the BAL scissors jacks always mention welding the jacks to the frame.

My concern is that these would drag on steeper slopes and be damaged, so I would prefer to just store the jacks and use them as required. Has anyone else taken this approach?

[rld1015]

New member, 1st post. Has anyone put leveling jacks on their B+? If so, what brand, what was the cost and are you satisfied??
Dick

[cheeze1]

Hi Dr, I never put anything under mine, haven't had any problems.

[doctort]

Hey Folks,

My DW and I just bought a new B+ (Gulfstream BT Cruiser 22'). I was wondering... after you pull in to the RV park and get it level, do you put any jack stands under yours or do something else to stabilize it? If so what? All we've been doing, so far, is put one of those stands under the bottom step on the side door.

Thanks,
Terry and Joan

[cheeze1]

Hey guys, our microwave works great too.
We took the T/L to my brother in law's wedding in Albany. Much more comfortable than any car, and we had mom in law in tow, so having the bathroom helps.
Of course the truck runs beautifully and is the best highway vehicle I have. However, a few more things have gone wrong, all T/L related. My running board mats blew off, and my black tank heating pad is 'ungluing' to the extent that a couple of wires pulled out of it, which I didn't find until I got to Albany. I have an appt for next week to have everything fixed, but I wonder for how long?

[Reno3]

Gene at our age don't know how many more years we'll be able to drive the MH's. So figured if we're ever going to get out that way again we'd better go now. Driving and handling beats the Endeavor )Plus ease of parking). But for wintering in Florida I'll take the Endeavor. It's just the problem of getting it there when its snowing. The Endeavor hasn't even been fired up since we got home the end of April. We do have to take it out the first of August for a week and then in Sept. it has to go to Michigan for a week. Other than that it'll be the Trail LIte. By the way our Convection oven seems to work fine (at least it makes my wifes pop corn lol)