Well, took my first real trip in the 28BHBE(Elite +Thermal package), which I purchased new about a month ago. We are new to the RV thing. I went camping as a kid, but it was always with family friends. After seeing my kids get a little older, we decided to make the leap and get one in time for a family get together in Colorado (From Texas) this month. I have a family of 5, (kids 16,11,3). So after thinking through it, we ended up with this size of TT.
After purchasing, I towed it from the dealer 3 hours away with a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel. She ran a little hot and was squatting more than i like, even with the weight distributing hitch. Scales confirms I was already at my GVWR, WITHOUT loading the trailer. I had hoped to sport some airbags and get by, but with the maiden trip being to Colorado, I thought better of it. The 1500 could lug it around on short trips, but not the mountains.
So I traded it in for a near equivalent 2500 cummins with 3.42 gears. After this trip and hitting the mountains and fighting some crosswinds in Amarillo, I am very glad I upgraded. The cummins pulled as fast as I wanted to go and was very predictable with all that torque on tap.
Before the Colorado trip, I did an overnighter at a local lake to test everything out. That went well, so we prepared for the trip to CO, which would be 5 days of boondocking. I added a 2nd group 27 battery and a Maxair 2 vent cover.
Overall, very happy with the rig. Everything worked as it should. The cummins towed it well and I was loaded down pretty good and obviously overpacked being our first endeavor. I towed at 65-70 and it felt very solid, but MPG was about 10-11. Filled her full of water in Pagosa Springs and hit the campground outside Pagosa Springs. The spot wasn't very level and had to use ALL my 2x12's and the 3/4 stall mat I cut up in 8x12 inch pieces.
I used the bumper grill. Great addition and super convenient. Cooking on it isn't the most consistent, but it does ok.
Used a 3/4" socket and dewault cordless drill on the stabilizer jacks.
Had trouble with keeping the propane going on the fridge at 7500ft. I adjusted the valve on the it and finally found a spot which it would ignite automatically vs me having to light it.
Ran my champion 3500 Inverter dual fuel generator off propane a couple hours a day to recharge the batteries. A/C wasn't needed. Heater kicked on at a 65 degree temp a couple of times at night.
We ended up spending the last night in Durango at an RV park. The hookups were so nice to have and setup was easy as pie.
Will be adding a TV. Any recommendations on a TV/Mount?
Things I would like to change:
- Add a 2nd Grey water tank. I ran out of this long before the freshwater was out and the black was full.
- Hate the control panel door. Why is it right where you can hit your head on it?
- Is it asking too much to put a level build in? I doubt it is very common, but seems like a common sense thing to do.
- Kitchen medicine cabinet will NOT stay closed. Anyone else have this issue?
- I added a second battery. But was shocked when it wouldn't fit. I fabbed up a wooden bracket for now, but would be nice for them to consider that in the future.
- Would have been nice to add a few more 12V cigarette type plugs in the trailer(like by the rear bunks).
- Clear documentation on what to do at elevation. Not, see your dealer crap, lol.
- Not impressed with the Radio. Seems it doesn't want to connect to phones very often.
- AC ducting for the bottom bunk.
- The nylon strap holding the master door keeps tearing off the screw. Anyone else seen this and have a solution?
- Mattress is pretty bad. We added a cheap foam topper to get by on and helped a lot.
- Would be nice if you could see the propane regulator without having to remove the plastic bottle covers.
- Wouldn't it be worth the extra $0.50 cents to label the light switches, LOL!
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