Aluminum Camper Forum

Exit windows blocked by awning arm.  2013-2017 some Camplites and Bearcats   659 units

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V307-3486.PDF

Having pulled my underbelly off so the frame cracks could be welded I noticed the fresh water tank was the type that is supposed to hang from the edges like the black and grey tanks do.
Well LL mounted it flat on 3 cross supports crushing the center drop section that channels water to the low point where you should draw water out.  They put the outlet elsewhere though so several gallons are left in the tank.

1st- diagram of tank
2nd -pic of trough
3rd- pic of where outlet is supposed to go in center of trough not in corner
4th -pic of pressure treated 1/2 plywood raising bottom of tank off center channel

Since I am scheduled to have the welder repair my cracked frame/tongue a few days from now I decided to pull the underbelly on my 2018 16TBS.
This is what I found-  none of the wiring is secured in any manner- they depend on the flimsy underbelly to hold it all up!
I spent about $60 on split loom tubing and rubber lined clips to secure it all.   I had to cut, extend and splice about 5-6 wires that ran under holding tanks and weren't long enough to relocate.   Hours of work.

I also found numerous penetrations through the floor that weren't properly sealed- some up to 2" diameter weren't sealed at all.  Talk about putting out the rodent welcome mat.

https://rvdailyreport.com/industry/honda-issues-stop-sell-order-for-eu2200i-generators/

In case it is missed in the announcement section>

https://aluminumcamperforum.com/index.php?topic=1036.0

Yikes!

Safety Issue Type: Recalls
September 19 2018 NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V643000
Drawbar may Crack and Trailer may Separate
If the trailer separates from the tow vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number 18V643000
Manufacturer Livin' Lite Recreational Vehicles
Components STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected 154
Summary
Livin' Lite Recreational Vehicles (Livin' Lite) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Livin' Lite CampLite
travel trailers, models 21BHS, 21RBS, 23RKS and 23RLS. The drawbar of the trailer may crack
resulting in the trailer separating from the tow vehicle.

see attached PDF for more info.

Was setting up our 16TBS at a campsite somewhere out west and saw this>

Dummies at LivinLite did not put the required screws into the framing to retain the water heater, nor did they put the required wood blocks inside to keep it retained in place sideways.

Luckily it didn't rip the plumbing loose

Our 2018 16TBS kitchen faucet has developed a really annoying squeak in the cold water side.
I have not been able to determine how to get the handle assembly off-
there is a grey plastic plug that I cannot push in (hoping it was a spring loaded catch) or manage to pull out.

Of course there is no brand name visible anywhere on the faucet.   I'm currently 2100 miles from home near the Grand Canyon on week 4 of our west trip and am reluctant to damage anything.

So-   does anyone know HOW to get the faucet handles off?

Can't believe they did that...only the puny kitchen sink drains into the grey tank.
Might as well just had one huge tank for both.

Which has me thinking-  anyone investigated a cross connect with valve to transfer black to grey if it gets full?
Can't see up under there due to the so called "enclosed heated underbelly".
Prepping for a 30 day+ trip so may not have time to work it out before but it will definitely be on the "to do" list when I get home.

What a poor design-  a single 1/2" bolt through a lug hole in the wheel.

No mechanism at all to help one lower or place the spare back in its spot.
I guess they think we are all young and fit enough to hold a 50+lb tire and wheel up flat against the frame with one hand while attempting to thread said bolt through a lug hole and into the tapped hole in the frame.

Speaking of the tapped hole- it is aluminum so if you don't perfectly align the steel bolt- stripped threads are a real possibility. 
A tip- when you do take it loose liberally use a quality antisieze on the bolt threads before putting it back.   
I can guarantee a steel/ zinc chromated bolt will effectively weld itself in the tapped hole after the moisture gets in there and time passes. 
Would hate to discover in the dark lying in the mud one night on the side of a busy highway that the bolt won't come out.

The sadist that mounted mine at the factory even made sure to align the valve stem under the frame so you cannot access it to check pressure while it is mounted.


So who has come up with a better way to mount the spare?   I'm thinking a spare winch like comes on vehicles that have the underneath full size spare eg the Ford Transit.   Or even the cross bar like my pickup where you manhandle the spare onto the bar that is hanging at one end...then lever it up and hold the tire up with your knees while securing it back in on the other end.

Hope it's a rumor but word is out that after June or July 2018  Livn'Lite will be no more.   Being shut down for good they say.

Dealing with a rubber roof issue on my 2018 CL16TBS and was wondering if Camplite ever used an aluminum roof on their slideouts?
I know they did on the main roof.

Discovered a potentially major issue with our 2018 16TBS.  Went to put the slide in and heard a scraping noise-  found the membrane roof on the slide is getting bunched up- pic below.

Ran it over to our local RV repair place which does do warranty work for Thor products.

I thought it was improper install of the membrane, but no..

Their initial inspection indicates either the slide out is too large or the hole in the side is too small

Spoke with a CS lady at Livin Lite that thinks it is probably just an adjustment but I'm not so sure....

So if it is in fact a dimensional problem, while these local guys are good, I'm thinking it ought to go back to the factory for the proper repair..especially if the hole is too small..
I suppose in the off chance the slide out is actually too large a replacement of the entire thing could be shipped here for install.  Or maybe if the hole is too small they could manufacture a new slide out with smaller dimensions to fit the hole.

While the factory is 775 miles away I'd be willing to take the trailer to the factory if that results in a better outcome.
Which brings me to my question-  has anyone ever done that for warranty work?

Pic of membrane damage>

Our new 2018 16TBS had one of the drip spouts at the front end of the rail installed incorrectly- it was pointed up at a 45 angle

Had to pull a screw to reposition it and noticed they use some type of sticky black caulk>   anyone know what it is exactly?
I was very glad to see it was NOT silicone caulk- I hate that stuff- once used it is virtually impossible to ever get anything to stick in that spot ever again..

Anyone have the specs on the microwave oven that LL installs in the 2018 16's?

I've had trouble running some on smaller generators, especially ovens in the 1000W and up rating.

My Yamaha 2400 watt generator was doing a fine job but it was destroyed last week in an auto accident, so-
I'm shopping for a replacement.   Thinking of going with the Honda 2000's and if I do I will buy a pair for summertime AC use but would really like to carry only one at other times.
However if a 2000 won't start and run the microwave I'll just buy another Yamaha 2400.

Ran across a pretty good deal on the Honda's that ends today so a quick decision is important!

Anyone know the ball size on 2018 16TBS?
And the height to the top of the coupler ball socket when the trailer is level?
Making a 900 mile trip to get our trailer and want to arrive with the correct stuff.
TIA!

Hello All!
Just bought a 2018 16TBS, picking it up Thursday.
Dealer is 1100 miles from here- but got a great deal on exactly what we wanted.
Nearest dealers to us are 150-200 miles away and didn't have what we wanted....so...ROADTRIP!
Now just need to get our 2014 Rpod 179 sold....