southco's 2017 28BHBE

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:33 PM

Nothing special. Just a few pics of the new camper. We picked it up at the end of May and have gone on three camping trips. So far no issues so pretty happy. Really enjoying the extra space provided by the slide but still worry one day it will cause me problems...

First two pics are the day we picked it up.

Last pic is of the vent cover I added.

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:36 PM

After the initial tow home and the first trip I had to get a shank with more drop as the camper was nose high. The Blue Ox drop shank allowed me to get the camper slightly nose down and tows very well.

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:40 PM

I was very hesitant to add a slide topper but really wanted one. Spoke to a few members and felt comfortable enough to have the dealer install it before pickup (thanks BigJohnD and MIFL19H).

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:44 PM

Here's a pic from our second trip with the camper. The awning LED is way too bright to put on a night. This pic was around dusk and was fine (but once it's dark I turn it off).

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:47 PM

I installed a Moryde tv mount and 39" Vizio HD tv. This is a pic of the tv straps I also installed. Other than the vent cover, the tv and the Progressive Industries 50HW i haven't installed anything else. So this isn't a great mod thread like others lol.

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:51 PM

These pics are of our most recent camping trip over the 4th weekend. It rained like crazy a few times so I'm confident we have no leaks. Never had to pull the awning in and witnessed the dump feature work a few times before I tilted the awning. Wind never really picked up enough to cause any issues...

SouthCo · 07-10-2016, 03:53 PM

Well thanks to all those who have answered PM's and provided info in their threads. This site has definitely helped me over the years.... I plan to mod my tv setup similar to BigJohnD's and may post up a few pics as I go. I'm not blazing any new trails so thanks to those who are...

BuddyRay · 07-10-2016, 08:29 PM

Great pictures and sorry your 4th was so wet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

need-a-vacation · 07-10-2016, 09:15 PM

Keep up the work in between trips!!!!

Enjoy the rig!!!

MIFL19H · 07-11-2016, 12:02 AM

Looking good SouthCo...

I have not had a chance to install a slide topper, I have the aluminum sides and Jayco told me flat out that it was not designed for one but I will eventually find the time to install one. I wanted to install prior to the trip we are on now but just did not have the time.

I will also be doing the MorRyde wet bolt and cross support mods as BigJohnD graciously provided info on. I am highly suspect of the weak suspensions on a trailer this size... especially after the roads we have traveled so far through Indiana and Illinois.

We are in Nashville right now half way thru a 2 week, 2,500 mile trip. So far the Equalizer hitch has been doing well... I think I got it dialed in now.

SouthCo · 07-11-2016, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuddyRay

Great pictures and sorry your 4th was so wet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you. Luckily only one day was a complete washout but the kids didn't mind.

SouthCo · 07-11-2016, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need-a-vacation

Keep up the work in between trips!!!!

Enjoy the rig!!!

Thanks, we are definitely enjoying it. I've got a few more things planned but nothing major. Pretty content with how it came from the factory.

SouthCo · 07-11-2016, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIFL19H

Looking good SouthCo...

I have not had a chance to install a slide topper, I have the aluminum sides and Jayco told me flat out that it was not designed for one but I will eventually find the time to install one. I wanted to install prior to the trip we are on now but just did not have the time.

I will also be doing the MorRyde wet bolt and cross support mods as BigJohnD graciously provided info on. I am highly suspect of the weak suspensions on a trailer this size... especially after the roads we have traveled so far through Indiana and Illinois.

We are in Nashville right now half way thru a 2 week, 2,500 mile trip. So far the Equalizer hitch has been doing well... I think I got it dialed in now.

Thank you. Yes I'm considering the moryde wet bolt kit and cross braces as well after reading BigJohnD's thread. Maybe at the end of the season...

You'll have to let us know how Nashville is. We may travel there next year. We did pigeon forge and surrounding area and really enjoyed it.

Glad you got the hitch dialed in. Took me a few trips to get mine where I wanted it as well.

Camper_bob · 07-11-2016, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

After the initial tow home and the first trip I had to get a shank with more drop as the camper was nose high. The Blue Ox drop shank allowed me to get the camper slightly nose down and tows very well.

Hey SouthCo, great writeups! Do you happen to know the height of your receiver tube on your truck? I'm looking at a BlueOx Sway Pro for my 28BHBE (2014 with aluminum sides) and am a little hesitant about which shank I need. Right now, I'm thinking I will get the 9-hole extended shank. That should give me enough drop to give me a slight nose-down attitude, and the longer horizontal length will allow me to open my tailgate while hitched up.

MIFL19H; what is it about the aluminum sides that disallows a slide topper? That's something I'd like to have someday, but I have a long list of expensive upgrades ahead of it at this point. After a HOT weekend at a state park last weekend that we had to cut short because there was no escape from the heat, a second AC unit has made its way up to near the top of the list...

2500hd · 07-11-2016, 03:45 PM

New member here.

WERE YOU AT BETHPAGE in VA july 4th wkend? We were two rows back from you in a 2016 32bhds

SouthCo · 07-11-2016, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Hey SouthCo, great writeups! Do you happen to know the height of your receiver tube on your truck? I'm looking at a BlueOx Sway Pro for my 28BHBE (2014 with aluminum sides) and am a little hesitant about which shank I need. Right now, I'm thinking I will get the 9-hole extended shank. That should give me enough drop to give me a slight nose-down attitude, and the longer horizontal length will allow me to open my tailgate while hitched up.

I can measure the height of my receiver tube for you tomorrow. I don't have the stock GM receiver. I upgraded to a Curt Class 5 hitch. I got the Blue Ox BXW4002 shank which is the 9" - 9 hole drop shank. The Blue Ox WDH came with a 9" - 7 hole drop shank which didn't allow enough drop. The BXW4002 allows for two lower settings than the included shank. They are about 1.5" lower and 3" lower (if I remember correctly). I used the 1.5" lower one and it's great. And I can drop the tailgate without hitting the electric jack...

SouthCo · 07-11-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2500hd

New member here.

WERE YOU AT BETHPAGE in VA july 4th wkend? We were two rows back from you in a 2016 32bhds

It depends lol... You didn't catch me acting up did you? But yes we were there. Had a great time despite the occasional rain. I always want to stop at the fellow Jayco's (and there were quite a few) and say hi but don't want to intrude on anyone.

Do you do Bethpage often. We did once last year and this past 4th... We like it there but it gets busy...

And welcome to the forum... I like your dually. Think about trading in for one now and then but really like my current truck.

Camper_bob · 07-12-2016, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

I can measure the height of my receiver tube for you tomorrow. I don't have the stock GM receiver. I upgraded to a Curt Class 5 hitch. I got the Blue Ox BXW4002 shank which is the 9" - 9 hole drop shank. The Blue Ox WDH came with a 9" - 7 hole drop shank which didn't allow enough drop. The BXW4002 allows for two lower settings than the included shank. They are about 1.5" lower and 3" lower (if I remember correctly). I used the 1.5" lower one and it's great. And I can drop the tailgate without hitting the electric jack...

I would appreciate it if you don't mind. I'm looking at the BXW4003 which is the same 9-hole on the front, but it's a 12" going into the receiver tube. This should give me exactly what I need (I hope). Thanks for the info on the drop measurements as well. I really don't want to go to the 11-hole shank because it's more than I'll need, and I don't want ground clearance issues.

FWIW for others following along, BlueOx has excellent customer service. I spoke to a very nice lady a few weeks ago who was able to answer all my questions and was very helpful.

2500hd · 07-12-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

It depends lol... You didn't catch me acting up did you? But yes we were there. Had a great time despite the occasional rain. I always want to stop at the fellow Jayco's (and there were quite a few) and say hi but don't want to intrude on anyone.

Do you do Bethpage often. We did once last year and this past 4th... We like it there but it gets busy...

And welcome to the forum... I like your dually. Think about trading in for one now and then but really like my current truck.

I was riding by and was going to stop and talk but you went in. Really sharp looking setup. I even saw yall go by on 17N when we were fueling up on the way home.

We have been to Bethpage every year for the past 3 seasons. Twice on the 4th of July. We like it but it takes 6hrs for us to get there so we really only go once a year.

SouthCo · 07-12-2016, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2500hd

I was riding by and was going to stop and talk but you went in. Really sharp looking setup. I even saw yall go by on 17N when we were fueling up on the way home.

We have been to Bethpage every year for the past 3 seasons. Twice on the 4th of July. We like it but it takes 6hrs for us to get there so we really only go once a year.

Cool. Maybe we'll cross paths again. My wife really likes that place. I enjoy cruising on the golf cart and checking out everyone's setup. I just like to look...

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