bryris
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Joined 11 years ago
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Re: Tow question
Its 4WD. I have decided to buy the trailer anyways and just be careful and go slow. Will most likely upgrade to an F150 around mid summer to handle it with more authority. Ever since I started hunting for a camper, its been one problem after another. Need to start SOLVING problems here. If getting a new truck is part of the transition plan, I'll make it happen. But, Id like to use the trailer within a 100 mi radius....so if I drive slow (50) and be ginger, hopefully it'll be alright.433Views0likes0CommentsTow question
Looking at a 24 ft innsbruck lite. The empty weight is about 3700 and I assme loaded up, it'll be 4,500 or so. Looking to use my 2006 Explorer with 4.0L v6. It has 3.73 gearing and a class 3 hitch. Rated for 5,500lbs. Going to use weight dist hitch and electric brakes. The numbers all work. But wanted to get opinions from folks who have done more towing than I have. I might get a bigger truck in a year or so, but this trailer is beautiful and I want it. I want to be able to use it right away, but grow into it down the road if needed. Thanks.2.9KViews0likes15CommentsBad Customer Service
Seems that every repair establishment I find is not willing to go out of way at all, doesn't return calls, answers e-mails with bad grammer and punctuation, and incomplete answers. I am having to adjust to just feeling like a number despite the near $100/hr rates being charged. I've tried to talk to 4 different ones, all the same result. I've got a guy coming out Monday to do repairs, but only because he was the first I called. No one else has even tried to win the job with any heart. I have over 2k of repairs to have done. They'd rather lose the job than try to accomodate my schedule by coming out on a Sat or meeting me at camper at 5:30pm. Strange. Must be a very lucrative industry to just be able to pick and choose jobs. I think I am working in the wrong field.5KViews0likes26CommentsReplacing swelled cabinet pieces
I have some wooden cabinets that are swollen from leaks that have gotten into the camper. I am getting the roof repaired to prevent all future leaks, but I do want to try to fixed the wooden warping. Does anyone know of a place where I can get pieces to repair vanities and other such things?1.8KViews0likes7CommentsRe: The plot thickens
Had an RV repair guy come out and size it up. There is some rot up front for sure. Said he can rebuild the bunk door and replace the seals front and back, repair the rot, reseal everything that looks bad and reseal the entire roof. So, I gave him the thumbs up on it. A bit more than Id like to spend, but the only way through is through now. So, on the 17th, he and his helper will tackle it. I am going to go take a mess of photos before. They are going to take some during (I asked) and then after. I think that by the time I get this camper fully ready, Ill probably have about 6 grand in it. I had hoped for closer to 4.5 or 5. But, if we use it for several years and enjoy it, its worth it. But, lessons learned. At least I make decent money and can afford it.339Views0likes0CommentsThe plot thickens
So, I bought my first camper last weekend. Admittedly, I didn't/don't know a lot about them. I wanted a small trailer that my Ford Explorer could pull without issues. Long story short, bought a 2004 Keystone Cabana 1701 hybrid TT. Spent $3,500 which seemed like a decent deal and the trailer does appear to be almost unused inside. But.... Now that I've got it home, there are some serious issues with the bunks. I don't think the camper has been used much, but it has obviously sat outside wet. Tonight, I removed the front bunk canvas entirely. The prior owner installed a mixed bag of screws and bolts of all different sizes. Quite a bad looking situation. The door itself appears to be rotten. I haven't studied it in depth yet, but there is definite loss of structure in places inside the door. I feel pretty good about the body of the trailer. Not saying its perfect, but it seems pretty solid. Going to reseal the roof and freshen up the caulking a bit, but my main concern are the two bunks. Haven't gotten into the rear one yet, but I do not like what I am seeing on the front. Even the canvas is pretty rough around where it seals to the camper body. I am afraid I am going to have to fix the bunk door and replace the canvas. The problem is two fold. Obviously I don't want to sink too much money into it, but it was my first one and the learning is happening right now. Got to jump in sometimes. I own the trailer now and have to fix it. But the second problem is how to fix? is fixing this door easy? Could an regular RV moble tech tackle the job? I'm a bit nervous about this thing. Hoping it works out in the end and I can have fun with it soon.5.2KViews0likes11CommentsRe: New Member - First Camper
I've got an RV repair guy coming out next weekend to assess the roof. I really do not think it is that bad. There do not seem to be any soft spots. I think there are just a few small areas where water is wicking in. So a good sealant and we are probably in business. What I did was to remove the plastic guard from the bathroom crank up skylight. That is what allows me to reach in and feel the insulation. I bought the camper. So if it turns out there is more there then I thought, I suppose it will be lesson learned. But, I really do not think it is going to be that bad. I would not have bought the unit if it seemed like the roof was in bad shape. But I will admit I am not a professional. And for the price of 3500, it did not seem like getting a pre-buyers inspection was really need. I suppose every used purchase is a bit of a gamble. No matter what it needs, I will get it fixed, and will enjoy the unit. Even if I have a little more money in it then I would like in the end, it will be okay.437Views0likes0Comments
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