Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Our camper just hit it's five year anniversay and I thought people might want to know how they hold up in the full timing lifestyle. I wrote a post that compares then and now with pictures and comments about the repairs etc that needed to be done. Hope it is helpful.
Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
Just curious, what indicators led you to suspect frame damage? I have always had an air ride hitch (Hensley Trailer Saver), but I was getting too much flex in the pin box upper deck area, IMO. Lippert chassis engineers told me that 1/4” flex was OK. I made an appointment with KZ and Lippert to have this inspection done. It requires the removal of the front cap and all the skin below the pinbox. They measured the flex which was 3/8”. I was told it was “only” 1/8” over the 1/4” MAXIMUM. I told them that 1/8” was 50% more than the MAXIMUM allowed flex. After some grown up discussion we “decided” to strengthen the area. The Lippert welders got busy and 400 lbs of added steel bracing later, the flex was reduced to 1/8”. I was prompted to keep an eye on this area due to Howard’s experience, the air ride hitch was advice from several of the highly experienced RVers on this forum (mostly Jack Mayer and less directly Bill Napier). Hope you have a successful outcome. My repair was handled by KZ and Lippert warranty because my rig was still less than 2 years old. Like you, we got the morRyde IS and disc brakes which we got when the rig was about 6 months old. So far so good.
-- Edited by RonC on Thursday 4th of April 2019 02:56:43 PM
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-- Edited by RonC on Monday 8th of April 2019 03:37:41 PM
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Ron and Janice
2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system
2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114 LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW
I get so tired of reviews of brand new models of every type of RV sometimes without even one overnight. I really find this review after five years interesting.
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Winnebago TT 2101DS & 2020 Silverado LTZ Z71. 300 watts WindyNation solar w/MPPT, 2 Trojan T-125s. TALL flag pole. Prefer USFS, COE, BLM, USF&WS, NPS, TVA, state/county camps. 14 year Army vet-11B40 then 11A - old MOS 1542 & 1560.
I have a Forester 2801QS. Great floor plan. Initially it had issues. Rear passenger side plastic piece cracked multiple times, baggage compartment separated from the body, in several compartments, then the multiple roof leaks. Al was fixed by Forest River, at no expense to me. I am elated. Fifth anniversary in 60 days. Everything works fine. I could not be happier. I got rid of the torture seat (jackknife couch) and replaced it with theater seating. What a difference.
Most rigs will have some challenges in the beginning. This one , after five years is a joy and still looks brand new.
WE knew we had a frame issues because there was separation in the front cap seam and we could see in to where the frame was cracked. Usually that is not the case of course. It is fine now. They took the side panel off and reinforced that spot.