21BHS from an RPOD

[ccmt]

Hi all, first post.  I just discovered Camplites and they have really caught my eye.  Then I find out they are going out of business... Well I am still interested in finding a used 21BHS.  We have an RPOD 178 and we have outgrown it - me, wife, 3 year old, and 6 month old.  The RPODs are really light on storage, throw in toys and a pack n' play and we're crawling over each other in it. 

I'd love to get bunks and a walkaround bed. Do you think this would be a large enough step up in size?  I haven't seen one in person and I can't get over it being only 7 feet wide, the RPOD is 8 feet wide, that seems really narrow - are they?  But it has a smart floor-plan and much better storage.

Also, since they are going away, does anything else compare? What really draws me is little things - no oven, sunken stove for counter space, single sink, etc. Tough to find a family sized camper without a bunch of unnecessary weight.  And of course the aluminum/composite build is awesome. 

Anyways sorry for the long first post I've been doing a lot of learning.

[GrampaKilt]

Welcome to this forum, ccmt!

While the 'bloom is off the rose' when it comes to my 2014 14DB, I will not get tired of looking under my trailer and seeing just aluminum! No rust! Never!

Even in a 14DB, especially if it were the bump out version, we would've have found it adequate for 2 young children. Truly the storage space is astounding.

I wish you well in finding a 21' and if you want to mod it (it's worth it, because a trailer like CL has longevity on its side), you will find all sorts of help and encouragement from this forum. GK

[finnski11]

I looked at the r pods and went in some before buying my used 2014 14db. No comparison in material quality The rpods I went in were not 8 ft wide and in fact were only 6ft 6 wide and I could not get comfortable across the bed being 6' 2". Are you sure your not measuring across the wheels which I think make them 8 ft wide total. I have close to the full 7 ft width inside of the livinlite.

[Merlin]

Hi all, first post.  I just discovered Camplites and they have really caught my eye.  Then I find out they are going out of business... Well I am still interested in finding a used 21BHS.  We have an RPOD 178 and we have outgrown it - me, wife, 3 year old, and 6 month old.  The RPODs are really light on storage, throw in toys and a pack n' play and we're crawling over each other in it. 

I'd love to get bunks and a walkaround bed. Do you think this would be a large enough step up in size?  I haven't seen one in person and I can't get over it being only 7 feet wide, the RPOD is 8 feet wide, that seems really narrow - are they?  But it has a smart floor-plan and much better storage.

Also, since they are going away, does anything else compare? What really draws me is little things - no oven, sunken stove for counter space, single sink, etc. Tough to find a family sized camper without a bunch of unnecessary weight.  And of course the aluminum/composite build is awesome. 

Anyways sorry for the long first post I've been doing a lot of learning.

Welcome! Good first post with great info and questions. This is an easy one. Yes, the 21BHS would be a excellent next camper for your family, IMHO. The size, use of space and appropriateness for your family size are all excellent. (And no way is an R-POD) 8 feet wide in the body, unless you are measuring with a slide out, in which case the 21BHS is wider than 7 feet!)

I strongly suggest you find one '17 or earlier build date. Some folks have had serious problems with late '18 build Livin Lites and it would be hard for anyone to recommend the newest ones.

[ccmt]

Thanks all, 8 feet must be across the wheel wells then, that makes sense now that I think about it. I'm just going off specs, I'll throw a tape on it tomorrow. I'll have to read up on the model years thanks for the heads up on that!

[charliem]

+1 to Merlin's post. We made a similar move from an RPOD 172 to a 21RBS and it is perfect. Several members have made the RPOD to CL transition. Although there are just two of us we wanted no rust/rot/mold, two axles, a larger fridge, walk around bed, dry bath and more room generally. For you with two small kids the 21BHS was designed for you. Read the history in this forum and recognize that Thor Industries bought LL around 2015. They made lots of changes, some good and many bad. IMO and that of many members the best units were 2015 and earlier. I agree with Merlin that the 2018's are a risk. If you can find a 21BHS pre-2016 or so I think you'll love it. Be prepared to drive a bit to pick it up as they are not plentiful.

[Paul]

My 2018 21BHS built in October 2017 have been problem free so far. Hopefully it stays like that for many years! Seem like they did some design change starting November or December 2017 like the shower that drains into the black tank. I don't have that problem with mine.

[ccmt]

I've been thinking about this and what concerns me is aren't the older models less insulated? We camp in pretty cold weather in the spring and hot weather in the summer, think that would be a problem? Also, I can't tell if they have a furnace?

[charliem]

Insulation in the older CLs is about the same EXCEPT the floor. Originally the CLs had an aluminum plank floor that was cold and leaked air. Later the AL floor was covered with thin Vinyl tiles the may have stopped some air flow but did little insulating. The newest CLs have a composite/foam floor that improves insulation but has other structural problems. IMO the original AL floor is the best from a structure, maintenance, and rot/mold perspective. However it's cold in Winter. The cure is to install rubber floor tiles. These interlocking 1/2 - 7/8 inch thick tiles are used for gym, play, and workout rooms. They solve the cold floor problem while maintaining the other benefits of the original floor. Many CL users, including me, have installed these and are very happy with the results. One great advantage of the tiles is they are easily removable and replaceable if damaged.

[GrampaKilt]

For Canadian CL'ers, Home Depot carries a carpet covered Connect-A-Mat version (grey, 4 pcs) for just under $20. GK

[john]

I completely agree with grandpa. I love seeing that aluminum underneath.I just keep a pair of slippers and have been in some fairly cold conditions. has anyone thought about having an insulation contractor spray a closed cell foam underneath. may not get it all but should help. Bad idea?

[charliem]

.... has anyone thought about having an insulation contractor spray a closed cell foam underneath. may not get it all but should help. Bad idea?

As I recall someone did try that. My recollection is it was quite a mess and it totally encapsulates everything so maintainability goes to zero. Undercoating would be a good idea if done at the factory before things are attached but that will not happen.

[ADR]

The newest CLs have a composite/foam floor that improves insulation but has other structural problems.

Can you elaborate on what structural problems the new floors are having?

[Steve Sanders]

I've seen posts about apparent separation of the material layers (blistering) and "springiness" between the supporting framework / joists.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[ADR]

I haven't found in a search of either forum what I'd call "structural issues" with the floor, other than a toy hauler not having enough support structure for the weight carried.
There are reports of the flooring covering bubbling- which, although unfortunate, isn't likely structural.

I'm not defending what LL did by any means- just trying to gather information on what to look for in mine and hopefully if an issue does occur I'm still within the 2 year "bumper to bumper" warranty.

The foam core flooring has been used for years by many manufacturers- where they typically have issues is the outer wood layers get rot- and that shouldn't happen in a late model Camplite since they used Azdel.   Fingers crossed