Aluminum Camper Forum

For a 2014 21RBS you will want to check the hitch coupler. If not already replaced by a previous owner you should add side bolts or replace the coupler and add side bolts, especially if you plan to use a WDH. This was an identified problem on early 21s. Here's a starting point:

https://aluminumcamperforum.com/index.php?topic=1743.msg11987#msg11987

Quote from: tskyyc on September 21, 2024, 03:39:06 PMGrateful to have found this forum. I've gone down the LL rabbit hole and I've just about talked myself into a 2014 21BHS. Build date appears to be 6/2013. Confident my LX470 will tow it with ease. It has the aluminum roof and floor.
The unit is a 10 hour drive from me so I want to do my due diligence. The seller has provided lots of pics and videos but today thanks to this forum I've become aware of the potential for cracks in the frame welds.
Anything else I should be on the lookout for?

What are some popular upgrades or mods?

Most of my camping will probably be boondocking so I plan on picking up a generator and maybe a solar setup.

Check that the Slide Out is aligned and closes up square. Mine had a broken bushing in the track, didn't notice it at first, and was a major affair to fix.

You are already aware of the frame welds, so that is good.

Also, hello from a fellow Calgarian who has a 2014 21RBS (purchased new back then). Upgrades include a new fresh tank (old one split), and a Electricity Management System to monitor the shore power and shut down if something is not up to snuff. I am also making plans for a full Solar / Lithium / 3KW Power systems in the future, currently I have a 2KW power system with RV plug power box I built for experimentation, used it for a couple of dry weekends and it works well to run everything except the AC and fully recharges each day from the panels.

We may have to get together and swap notes, the solar power is one of my next upgrade, the power box was a good first project.

Is the main switch by the door on?

Is the fuse for the lights bad?

All of my 12 volt lights are out except over the sink and the 2 under the cabinets at the front. Idea's??

Lots of spare tire carrier options out there.  I used one on the front A frame on our 16 TBS so I could have two spares.  Putting a spare tire on the rear bumper without reinforcements could be problematic. 

Amazon Spare Tire Carrier

Hmm..... very odd.  The original windows on a Camplite are high quality double pane. I can't see a scenario where all are cracked and all struts fail. What model and year Camplite? It would cost thousands of dollars to replace them all with original equipment quality. Prop them open with a dowel rod and seal any leaking cracks with clear RTV?

The spare comes down easy, it's putting back up that's impossible without help or a jack. Leave it underneath and if you ever need it, put the flat tire inside until you get to a tire shop.

Welcome. Recommend a WDH. For me it's a great improvement in ride and control. Good luck with your purchase. I drove 14 hours to get our 21 RBS.

That's great advice thank you. I've ordered up a brake controller. AHC works great. I towed a rental trailer last month and I think the pin weight was too heavy because the AHC went into failsafe and defaulted to low mode. But to be fair I had the car full of teenagers and a dog so I was definitely pushing the payload limits. Also made some rookie mistakes like filling the 60 gallon fresh tank all the way full for a 2 night trip.
That's why I wanted a double axle trailer for more stable towing.
This unit comes with a WD hitch so I'm hoping the AHC doesn't get squished under it but I'll probably look for a pin scale and I'll be smarter about my loading.

The rental unit was a brand new jayco. Big piece of junk. Stick and staple construction. That's why I decided to look for something else, either fiberglass or aluminum. The only fiberglass ones that made sense were the Escapes but they're twice the money so I went on the hunt for LL. 

I asked the seller to send close ups of all the frame welds and I don't see any issues so that's one concern out of the way.

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions.  My window came off while driving this weekend.  My other windows are cracked at the bottom and none of the shocks are working.  What suggestions does everyone have?  Also can the spare tire be mounted on the back of the trailer?  There is no way I could ever get it if I got a flat while traveling.

Happy Fall

Thanks.  Will do that.   I've already ordered a pair of new light assemblies.  Cheap.  $16.50 ea.  If I don't need it I'll have them in reserve.