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05-02-2017, 10:29 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
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Can Anyone diagnose this picture?
Hi. I am thinking about buying my first camper ever. I believe I want a TM and I think I want one of the larger models that has a slideout couch and a small dinette across from the kitchen. I have found such a unit for sale but it is about 500 miles away from me. I am a newbie but there is something in one of the pictures that makes me worry. I thought perhaps people on this forum could educate me a bit about what I'm seeing and maybe tell me to save myself a long drive or, perhaps, not to worry - it is just because someone didn't know what they were doing when they expanded the unit. Any other advice also would be appreciated. I would be towing with a Nissan Pathfinder rated to tow 5000 pounds. Anyway, here is the photo. Whatever is coming out between the top part and the bottom part does not look right to me.
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05-02-2017, 10:37 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,117
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No, this is not a problem (but it may be a negotiating tool!) If you have been inside a TM, you know that there are 3 white sorta-flexible panels that join the lower edge of the front shell to upper edge of the body (the "box"). There is one on the left, one on the right, and one in front above the back of the couch. As part of the setup, these panels are supposed to be lowered into place, and then held in place with velcro strips.
What you are seeing is the front panel of the three. Whoever set up the trailer lowered the panel into place, but then didn't secure it with the velcro. Since they didn't secure it, it simply fell through the opening below it - the opening that it is supposed to cover - and is hanging down.
Bill
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05-02-2017, 10:46 AM
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#3
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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Bill is correct. Also the horizontal propane tanks are missing. These are not that easy to locate if they are gone from the unit. They may be stored onsite with the seller site for some reason but that suggests the propane system is not in working order and has air in the lines? You can't test the refrigerator on gas mode, the furnace, stove/oven, or water heater.
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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05-02-2017, 11:40 AM
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#4
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New Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2
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Thanks!
Thanks Bill and rvcycleguy. I'm so glad that I posted to this forum!
I have not ever been inside a TM. Do you ever have trouble with flying insects getting inside? Those panels would have to fit pretty snuggly to keep them out, I would think.
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05-02-2017, 12:02 PM
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#5
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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The Velcro panels fit very tightly over the gaps created to allow the roofs to fold down for travel. It should not be a concern unless there is damaged areas.
It's a fair question from someone unfamiliar with the TM campers. The units are still using the same basic designs from more than 30 years ago. 99 percent air tight if set up properly and if the units are in good condition.
RV
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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05-02-2017, 01:22 PM
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#6
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 1,527
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Because you have the notch in the dinette, I don't think you need the horizontal tanks. I saw horizontal tanks here in BC for about $300 each! Vertical tanks are much cheaper.
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05-03-2017, 07:14 AM
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#7
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Site Sponsor
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 105
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Bill is right about the Vinyl panel hanging down. It simply wasn't in place for the photo. You might want to consider how big of a TM you want to tow with an SUV that is only rated at 5,000 lbs. towing capacity. This is just my opinion, but I personally wouldn't exceed 50% of my rated towing capacity with the "dry" weight of the camper.
In my case I'm towing a 2720 with an empty weight of about 2700# with a V6 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 that is rated for 6500#. I know from my experience that, by the time I am loaded up with everything in and on the camper and in and on the truck, that I will be near the limit of practicality.
Others will certainly have different opinions.
Paul
__________________
2010 2720SL
Green Cove Springs, Florida
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05-03-2017, 08:18 AM
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#8
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 919
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The TM in the photo is a tandem axle model which will weigh over 4000 lbs. loaded with propane, water, camping gear, and all the things necessary for trips, the unit may weigh closer to 4500 lbs. A 5k tow limit would be too close for comfort for me..
RV
__________________
rvcycleguy
TM-2002 3124KB
TV-2003 Toyota Tundra V8 4.7L. Fact. Tow Pkg, air bags
2006 Suzuki Boulevard C50c Motorcycle- crashed- parted out
1956 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Motorcycle-sold
2006 Harley Road King
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05-03-2017, 08:24 AM
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#9
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TrailManor Master
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: GA
Posts: 503
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Is that flap only for the slideout/dinette models?
I don't believe our 3023 has (or needs) flaps the front most or rear most edges of the camper. The two bunk ends pull out and make solid contact with the the shell at the location of the flap shown.
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05-03-2017, 08:44 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,117
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We have the flap on our 2720SL (with the slideout couch).
Cycle guy is right - that is a 3326, the heaviest TM ever made. A romp through the Wayback Machine would uncover the dry weight.
The original purpose of the "cubby" cut into the front wall of the slide was to enable the slide to pass over the upright propane tanks. So this TM might have upright tanks. When TM changed to horizontal tanks for the slideout models, the cubby was no longer needed. However, it didn't disappear for about 2 years. Our 2002 2720SL TM had horizontal tanks, and also had the cubby. So this TM might have horizontal tanks. Unless you can see into the cubby, I don't think you can tell which.
Bill
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