Aluminum Camper Forum

Yeh, I've discovered that the decals put on most camplites (most rv's) are a cheaper product.  You can get a premier vinyl that will last much longer and is less susceptible to heat cracking, but they are pricey.  I've read to never wash a hot surface with the cheaper style decals as the thermal shock will cause them to crack.

My trailer will likely need a paint job in 5 or so years, so I may just pull the existing ones off and leave it bare for awhile.

I know a guy that makes custom decals locally.  Looks like I'll give him my business.  Just waiting on a quote.

My decals (stripes) are starting to look pretty sad on my 2013 16DB.  The "camplite" lettering is still ok.  Anyone know where Livinglite sourced these decal?  I'm looking for kit to replace.  Otherwise I'm going to a decal shop to have new ones made.

Thx

Lots of great advice so far.  I'll add a few comments:

- Solar Trickle chargers are just that, trickle chargers.  At best they will keep your battery at float, but it depends on how big your battery bank is.  They do a poor job of actually charging, especially if there are loads.

- What converter do you have in your unit?  Most will charge off AC at 45 amps, some at 60 amps+.  Assuming your converter is working properly (check the fuses Charlie pointed out), on a battery below 80% State of Charge you should see fairly high amps going into the battery.  You can check this with a shunt system discussed above, or you can use a clamp type DC amp meter (shunt system is better, but clamp meter will give an idea).

- If you are charging from the DC hookup from your genset, switch to plugging into your 110v AC on the generator. As mentioned, there are adapters for this at the trailer end to use a standard extension cord.  The DC charging circuit on most generators is only 5-10 amps and its unregulated.  Its possible that you may have over charged your batteries using the DC outputs from your generator.

- Older Camplites had a standalone converter (e.g. Progressive Dynamics), newer ones may have a inverter/converter unit.  Understand what you have and that its working

-It does sound like you have damaged one or both of the batteries, since you can't get a final charge above 12.4v.  Even in float, you should be getting well above that. If you can get the batteries tested somewhere, it may be worth doing that.  I did this once car camping with a 12v battery and a 12v cooler.  Destroyed the battery in one day.

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Quote from: GoElectric on May 11, 2018, 12:42:12 PM
Thanks for the comment, it has worked well for us.  We did replace the 12 volt Battery up front with 2 - 6 volts and have the fresh water tank half full to reduce sway, because when that box is really loaded up with generator, gear, and firewood, it really shifts too much weight to the rear.

Yes, that capacitor is the one. It is not too big of deal to install. With the hit or miss I was referring to, you may want to go ahead and add it because it would work in modest heat but would not when temperatures got hotter.

There are days I wish I had the rear extended platform for this very reason.  Great looking setup.

Gord, I have a Honda EU3000i and it runs the AC no problem.  I wish I had bought the  eu2200i (or even the EU1000i).  I don't use the AC enough to justify the 3000, and its a beast to lug around.

Hmmm.....cabinets falling is not good.  My cabinets haven't moved an inch.  You must of got a Monday trailer 

QuoteA Camplite may be light weight, but towing it seriously reduces gas mileage. I suppose we should be happy to get 14 mpg keeping speed at 60 mph. It seems that aerodynamics is more important than weight. I was also disappointed how often our GMC Sierra with its 5.3L V8 shifted down at the slightest incline. Our former TV, a Jetta TDI, performed better than that while getting 25mpg!

Yeh, I have the same beef. Its a tall camper, so wind resistence is an issue.  Amazing you got 25mpg with your TDI!  I'm still flirting with the idea of a GMC Canyon with the little 2.8l duramax.  I'm sure it would get much better than the usual 10-14 mpg I get.

Quote from: gcamp on February 19, 2018, 11:14:13 PM
Perhaps this is not news to any of you but I just found out that Scott Tuttle is now with inTech. I saw their new camper Luna on RV show last month and it is one of the most beautiful and best designed new small campers I have seen in the USA.

When I saw the skeleton of the Luna I had goosebumps.  Maybe the all aluminum camplite trailer isn't dead, just in hibernation 

Quote from: Merlin on February 15, 2018, 12:15:31 PM
Wonderful first post on this forum, Dan. Don't make it your last! You've got valuable product knowledge that can live on here.

Well said.

Thank you for hard work and excellent product Dan. I hope it won't be the last!

Grampa I have the same tow vehicle as you and yes the fuel costs are hard to swallow.  My 2011 doesn't get great gas mileage towing or otherwise.  I'm looking hard at a Colorado or Canyon with the 2.8l Duramax.  More than enough for my 16DB as it puts out almost the same amount of torque as my 5.3l.

I rented a 2018 Sierra with a 5.3l for work and was stunned at the gas mileage.  Combined city/hwy was just around 21 US mpg and the best I got was 26! Same transmission and rear end gears as my 2011.  Maybe its time for a tune up 

QuoteWhen the student is ready, the teacher appears.

OMG thats too funny  . Just need a picture of kung fu panda now.

I can say that I did like some of Thor's floor plan change ups (especially in the 16 and 21 footers), but I'm sure with time LL would have gotten there as well.

I often wonder whether Thor sees the all aluminum trailer as a fad that they will eventually do away with (or change it to the point that calling it an aluminum trailer would be a stretch). Seems like they are already going in that direction.

Very nice Paul! I especially like the painted aluminum paneling on the doors. Throw back to the old days.

Keep the updates coming and let us know your thoughts (good/bad) when you receive it and had a chance to go through.

I'm interested in fit/finish and durability.

Quote from: Hey Voss on October 05, 2017, 02:00:12 PM
I also decided to line the cabinets with some rubber roofing material, to prevent gear from sliding around and further scratching the cabinets during travel.

That's what I have to do. The coating on the aluminum in my kitchen cabinets is getting chewed up.

I went with a vinyl interlocking tile from Lowe's. Looks pretty good, but was abit of a pain to install. The foam tile would be a much warmer floor.