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Messages - utahredrock

#1
Today David MacNeal of RV Pro published a story covering dealer reports that Livin Lite production will cease in the near future.

MacNeal doesn't know, and it's not clear, if these products will live on in any way under another brand. Please reach out to KZ and Thor management to encourage them to keep these products alive.

Here's the story: https://rv-pro.com/news/sources-thor-cease-producing-livin-lite-branded-rvs-2018

#2
Congrats! I'm a new owner too . . . and excited as well.  :)
#3
New Members / My first outing
February 13, 2018, 02:18:30 AM
Sleeping with Buffalo

Last night, with my pup Jake, I took my new CampLite 11FK travel trailer out for its first spin. We went to Antelope Island State Park, in the Great Salt Lake.

Having only had vintage Airstreams before, and being new to this trailer anyway, I wanted to begin to break it in and learn what I could.

Here's what I found:

  • It doesn't pull like an Airstream. There was wind on the way up and my lord . . . my poor V8 Tundra acted like it was going to die. This is a 2,400 pound (dry weight, and it was dry) trailer, but the added profile vs. my Airstream was markedly noticeable. On the way back, without wind, it felt better. I needed to just ease up on speed with the wind, probably staying in the 55-60 mph range, rather than attempting to go 70, which was the speed limit. Of course, it's probably a good idea to stay at 65 max anyway. With my Airstream it was truly effortless to pull and I felt comfortable going 70, not that that was smart! For the record a smaller vehicle can definitely pull this CampLite . . . just adjust your driving if there's wind!
  • It's small! I wanted a small trailer and I got one. It's big enough for how I will use it and overall I am happy with the size, but it will require a daytime configuration and a nighttime one. I knew that conceptually, but it was different to experience it.
  • The USB ports didn't work. Apparently they aren't wired to run off of the 12 volt system as they were in my vintage Airstream (an improvement I made to it). That was a bummer as my iPhone is also my camera. I trickle charged it off the Tundra.
  • The furnace worked well! It got down to about 30 degrees outside and felt cold out there, but toasty inside.
  • Sunshine works! Once the sun came up the trailer was warm without the furnace. It was still in the thirties out there. That's another thing you sort of know from [real] camping, but the difference was night and day. : )
  • The refrigerator worked well--first time.
  • Ditto for the stovetop.
  • Batteries held up fine, as you would expect for one night.
  • My trailer is stumpy! Seeing it parked in the campground (which was at about 15% occupancy) it looked so small and stumplike.
  • There's a serious dearth of places to sit things down like your phone or a drink. It only has the kitchen counter, which is at the front, and the main table, which I didn't have set up as a table. I recognized this already and brought a stool to set things on, but using it that point really stood out. I might have to have my friends at Camper Reparadise--in SLC--add some additional shelving and/or a mini counter top.
  • I liked it!
Last night I reread my friend Rich Luhr's Newbies Guide to Airstreaming. Rich created and publishes Airstream Life, a magazine. His newbies guide is great and applies to most any RV. Filled with wisdom, tips, and advice. I highly recommend this book to any RVer who feels anything less than expert.

It was a fun outing. Jake enjoyed it too. He's getting old. : (

See this post with photos here: http://www.utahredrock.com/2018/02/sleeping-with-buffalo.html
#4
New Members / Re: Just bought a CL14DBS!
February 13, 2018, 02:11:15 AM
Congrats! The 14DBS was my second choice. I wanted to go small though so got the 11FK, signed the contract two weeks ago, took delivery 9 days ago. I have a Toyota Tundra.

Your rig sounds sweet.
#5
Product Questions and Recommendations / Re: USB ports?
February 13, 2018, 02:08:28 AM
agree. utterly useless. oh well.
#6
Product Questions and Recommendations / USB ports?
February 11, 2018, 07:21:25 PM
I have a new 2018 11FK. Shouldn't the USB ports work off of battery power? Mine don't seem to.
#7
Really hoping KZ management will weigh in . . .

#8
Klaker,

I am thrilled with my trailer even if I am concerned about the future of Livin Lite with shutdown rumors swirling.

I wrote an article about them yesterday here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livin_Lite_RV

Tried reaching the company today to no avail . . . yet.

Jim
SLC
#9
Or so I was told by my dealer . . .

Today I took delivery of my 2018 11FK! I also got an update, per my dealer, on the status of CampLite and Livin' Lite.

He confirmed he just got word this week that the Livin' Lite name will cease after this model year. He was told the product lines will continue as brands under Venture RV. Venture in turn is managed by K-Z, as Livin' Lite already is today. K-Z took over Livin' Lite's management in 2016. Thor's Crossroads RV managed Livin Lite from 2013 to 2016.

2013 is the year Scott Tuttle sold Livin' Lite to Thor.

Essentially this is a continued evolution of CampLite and Quicksilver post-Thor acquisition. My dealer was also told 2018 will be the last year with the aluminum chassis. They'll be switching to a steel chassis, but the rest of the trailer--he was told, will remain the same. Of course that's a huge change, and devolution is likely a better word than evolution. I am glad I got the aluminum chassis and I am a happy new owner despite the apparent pending changes to this brand.

This is my first non-Airstream RV having owned three vintage Airstreams.

I hope someone from the company can confirm, deny, or correct this.
#10
I hope not! I like the new models too.
#11
Thanks!
#12
Prose,

Thanks for commenting. It seems curious that the company would host a forum . . . at all really. Shouldn't it be independent?

And if the company is going to host it, shouldn't it be regularly monitored? As a former Airstreamer I love the Airforums, which Airstream does not host.

Just trying to get my head around the thinking here.

I just bought my CampLite yesterday and am very excited.

One thought is CampLite may want to shut this forum down and let people go to Aluminum Camper Forum. Just a thought.

The CampLite trailers seem pretty cool! Also much more affordable than Airstreams. I still love Airstreams, but had to face the financial reality of them finally.

Jim
Salt Lake City
Recovering Airstreamer (I've owned three vintage Airstreams)
#13
For Sale / Re: For sale 2016 11fk
January 31, 2018, 09:12:37 AM
Any more info? Photos? Price?
#14
Congrats on your new trailer!

Jim
New CampLite owner, recovering Airstreamer
#15
Did he say they are just like everything else? I am sold that CampLite is still a unique and strong product. At least I hope so, since I just bought mine. The composite floors they are using now seem like a fine solution without compromising quality--albeit they aren't all aluminum, they also aren't look most poorly built RVs.

Jim
Recovering Airstreamer
Salt Lake City