TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Camping & Lifestyle > Feedback to TrailManor
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-08-2023, 09:24 AM   #1
Shane826
TrailManor Master
 
Shane826's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 1,908
Default Tech Update Ideas?

Let’s play Armchair Engineer… If you could add some modern tech updates to new TrailManor campers, what would you add? How would you keep costs in check so as to not price the camper out of a realistic price range? Also keep in mind light weight is a key component for TrailManor campers?
__________________
2007/21 TM 3326 (Pride of the Fleet)
2000 2720SL (Rebuild Project)
2002 2619 (Parts TM)
SMARTER THAN GOOGLE!
Shane826 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2023, 11:38 AM   #2
Bill
Site Team
 
Bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine
Posts: 10,224
Default

Shane -

Over the years, TM has done some really nice upgrades to the design. The swing tongue was a masterpiece, and the folks in South Dakota have made it a standard item (not an option) on new TMs. Great move! Moving from LR-C to LR-D tires was badly needed, and the factory has made that a standard as well. The switch to torsion axles that have a built-in lift angle was a really good move, and took away the need for lift kits. Raising the kitchen sink to the level of the adjacent countertop has saved my back. Aluminum framing instead of wood was badly needed. The power slide on new TMs is a wonderful addition - I love just pushing the buttons and watching it! The all-lights-off switch at the entry door was simple, unexpected, and welcome. And getting rid of the carpet, which seemed like such a good idea until you actually had to live with it, was great. The engineers and builders at the company have stayed on top of things.

What would I suggest for a next move? The first thing on my wish list would be to upgrade the materials and methods used to build the door-side kitchen cabinet assembly. I've had three TMs, and every one has had problems with the cabinetry simply falling apart. In my experience, it is great in the showroom, but is not built to withstand the shaking and impacts of road travel. It is built with 1/16" or 3/32" sort-of-plywood over a skimpy poorly-braced white wood frame, all held together with a million short staples and a bit of glue. For example, on a recent trip, one of the kitchen drawers simply fell out because the staples holding the rails on a shim block failed. The shim block is far back in the cabinet, so access for repair is hard. The hanger bar in the wardrobe similarly failed. And for the third time, the oven in my TM is falling out of the cabinet because it is not adequately supported - and that is a big, expensive failure since the oven mfr (Furion) refuses to help.

It would be easy to improve the cabinetry while it is being built on the big flat construction bench, and before it is installed in the trailer. It is a lot harder to work on after the unit is installed and access is poor. I would gladly accept 10 pounds of increased weight and $50 of increased cost to have sturdy cabinetry. It would avoid my need to spend hours mending, re-assembling, and bracing things.

Make no mistake - I love my TM. But you asked ...

Bill
__________________
2020 2720QS (aka 2720SL)
2014 Ford F-150 4WD 5.0L
Bill's Tech Stuff album
Bill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2023, 12:14 PM   #3
rich2468
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 92
Default

I agree what Bill has started and will add in electrical....
Transitioning to LEDs was a necessity, but having dimmable LEDs from the factory would be a cheap factory upgrade.

I'd also like to see the factory include LED lighting as an option when an awning is factory installed.



Rich and Lynn
2021 2922KB
__________________
Rich and Lynn: 2021 2922KB

420Ah LiFePO4 battery bank, 1K watt solar, 3K Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter, DC-to-DC Charger, Sealand 711-M28 toilet, Maxxis 8008 Load Rated E Tires
rich2468 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2023, 05:10 PM   #4
Kidkraz
Site Sponsor
 
Kidkraz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,091
Default

I would look at adding a couple of USB ports. One in the front bed/couch area, and near/incorporated with the 12V cigarette plugs.
I'd go with a higher rating with the solar panels, or allow an extra panel to be installed during assembly. Maybe add an outside port so say a suitcase solar panel could be easily plugged in.

I'd delete the am/fm radio and pre-wired speakers. In hindsight, I would not have gone with the am/fm radio set up and speakers. One of my speakers is bad, from the start, but I didn't know that. I've used wireless speakers with my phone or tablet bluetooth. Make that area a small drawer for cables or a usb charging hub panel.

I'd like to see the folding bathroom walls more waterproof. Use a mold resistant or non-molding material or at a minimum seal the bottom where water tends to seep in an causes damage.

Beef up the oven wall nearest the door. As I get older, I'm finding that I'd love to add a grab handle or strap to grab as a hand hold to help when coming inside the camper. I've added one to the lower door half and already use the lift arm when entering.

Find a way to beef up the roofs to prevent sagging. Can a flat stiffener be on the inside or add something light weight but stiff to strengthen the shells.

Make replacing the kitchen sink faucets easier. Mount the faucet on a screw/bolted down stiffened plate. You could remove the plate, easily change the faucet and then reinstall the plate. Flexible hoses underneath only need to be long enough so you could get to the hose connectors. I had to remove my water heater to get mine changed. Nor should ya have to be Gumby to get to those connections.
__________________
2013 2619
80 watt solar panel/swing hitch/low profile A/C.
Enduro 4445 caravan mover
2016 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 Hemi
Installed powered folding tow mirrors

Stopped playing with airplanes, now I just enjoy watching them fly by.
Kidkraz is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2023, 07:43 PM   #5
ShrimpBurrito
Site Sponsor
 
ShrimpBurrito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sunny Beaches of Los Angeles
Posts: 3,279
Default

Bill -- check out my post #18 in this thread on how to beef up the oven mount. My oven has not moved since, and is solid. Tens of thousands of miles later, including some seriously awful dirt roads.

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/for...t=10246&page=2

Dave
__________________
2000 2720SL & 2007 3124KB
2005 Toyota Sequoia
Twin Battle Born 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 (BBGC2) batteries, 300W solar on rear shell, Link 10, Lift kit, Maxxis 8008 225 75/R15 E tires
ShrimpBurrito is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (1 members and 3 guests)
bjehnzpetrovay2789
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
NEW THREAD button in Tech Library missing Bill Forum Admin | Account Help | Suggestion Box 0 06-12-2022 12:03 PM
Chrome Update - Security Patch ASAP Janet H Forum Admin | Account Help | Suggestion Box 4 03-28-2022 03:32 PM
Former TM tech in Tennessee? nwhouston Frame 5 07-06-2018 07:46 AM
CPAP shelving ideas needed Kidkraz How to and Modifications 8 06-01-2015 11:00 AM
High Tech Toy Questions Doug W. Off Topic 14 05-25-2007 12:13 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:15 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.