2005 2720SL questions

[boze man]

Hello all...great site!

I came across a clean '05 2720SL locally and we really like the TM...the only thing is we would probably prefer an SD. Doh! Problem is we have 2 kids who do not want to sleep together. I assume the SD and SL share same specs and the SD is basically 2 couches opposed with a table in middle. Anyone with an SL convert or mod it to become something like a SD? Or any ideas for sleeping in the SL? We would remove the single chair anyways. Would it be easy to remove that front couch? Just brainstormin here folks!

Also I assume the rear bed is not long enough to sleep side/side with heads to rear? I was thinking of removing the wardrobe to give some extra room and openess. Any thoughts?

Also how can I tell if lift installed? I believe this unit has 15" tires but it has the white wheels. Is the lift possible on an '05? Also how large of 15" are people running? We live out west and do a bit of boondocking so we are frequently running on forest service roads etc.

Other thing is storage? We had one of those off road pop ups with the front deck...was great for wood, genset, extra water, bikes etc...anyways to work something similar? ideas? or anyone using the TM similarly to an offroad pup with a front deck?

Thanks again for the help!
Bill

 

[boze man]

Ah...one more thing!

I have an 8x8 garage door so I assume height with A/C will be fine but what about width? I thought I saw a spec somewhere that said width 7'7" plus add 5" for awning and clearance lights...does that seem correct? That puts it at 8'?

 

[ng2951]

The easiest solution for the kids sleeping would be to add a airbed. One could sleep on the couch, the other on the floor. That would be cheaper and easier than anything you could do. The pure 2720 with the double and the couch would probably be better.

The way your prospective 2720SL may be the way you want it longterm. Once the kids reach driving age, they want to camp less and less. That has everything to do with biology. At that point having the large living room and couch may be much more appealing.

You and your spouse could sleep the way you intend but either your feet will hang out or you'll need to tuck up your feet ;-}

As far as storage goes, that has never been a TM long suit. A number of people store the gensets on the floor of the TM along with whatever bulky items they have room for. The rest of the oversized stuff has to go on the TV...

 

[ThePair]

I'll take a measurement of my garage door to let you know the minimum space required width-wise to get a TM in -- and mine's modified to be narrower, FYI.

As to sleeping, my 4-year olds don't like sleeping in the same bed in the TM, even though they share a bedroom at their request. So, this season I'm going to be experimenting with the possibility of bunk beds (of a sort). In the event that they don't work out (fairly unlikely ) my son is happy to sleep on the floor on an air mattress (therm-a-rest style) and my daughter takes the couch/bed.

 

[boze man]

I'll take a measurement of my garage door to let you know the minimum space required width-wise to get a TM in -- and mine's modified to be narrower, FYI.

As to sleeping, my 4-year olds don't like sleeping in the same bed in the TM, even though they share a bedroom at their request. So, this season I'm going to be experimenting with the possibility of bunk beds (of a sort). In the event that they don't work out (fairly unlikely ) my son is happy to sleep on the floor on an air mattress (therm-a-rest style) and my daughter takes the couch/bed.

Thanks in advance for the measurement!!! If it doesnt fit will eliminate TM for now and stick with a standard tent pop up.

I was thinking the same about the sort of bunk bed option but not sure if could run a 6' long cot length wise against back wall perpendicular to the couch. Anyone know the exact floor space dimensions of the 2720SL with chair removed and couch in sittin position? I have a feeling it is less than 6'.
Cabelas has this fold up bunk cot would work for the kids...as long as space works? I guess I could just bump it up against the couch?
http://www.cabelas.com/cots-disc-o-...-958E-DF11-A0C8-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA

 

[jmburg]

Hi Boze Man,

We (wife and I) have an 05 2720SL. We had to have a lift kit installed to get in and out of the sloped driveway, and it clears the garage door by about an inch. I'm still running the 14 inch tire (Kumho, new in May of 2010). I had the work done at a trailer shop, as the weld had to be ground out to separate the frame from the axle.

Sassy's comment about the air mattress seems prudent to me, and as the kids age, they might consider a tent, depending on where you camp. I have yet to figure how to get out couch to make any kind of a bed.

Also, we were not happy with the wardrobe, so we took it out and use three stackable plastic drawers instead. Yes they are similar in size, though not quite as big, but the trailer seems much less claustrophobic for my wife. The clear drawers sure make it easy to find clothes, etc. Plus we can load them inside the house, which facilitates packing. They ride in the hallway nicely when we are on the road. We sleep across the trailer, and have to do the climb over routine to get to the head at night, but that's a minor inconvenience to us.

jmburg
2005, 2720 SL
2004 Dodge 4.7 V-8
Depressing Fuel Economy

 

[ng2951]

...Sassy's [actually Foard's] comment about the air mattress seems prudent to me, and as the kids age, they might consider a tent, depending on where you camp. I have yet to figure how to get out couch to make any kind of a bed...

Yeah, getting the couch to fold out is a bit of a trick.

I find it is easier to do if you take the seat back and the two side cushion off (it was a while before I noticed you could take them off). Next you kind of wiggle and slide the seat bottom until it engages the track and then it will slide out and lock. Then you put the seat back into the open space and you have a bed.

When we switch to camp mode we normally slide the bed out. As a couch the TM couch is a bit lame. If you put it into bed mode you can pack pillows as seat back cushions and then you have a nice couch with storage under the couch. Actually, Lady likes to sleep under couch as it makes a nice den for her.

Boze Man, I am not sure where the heater is located, but I think it is in the couch. You might not be able to just remove the couch...

Foard

 

[boze man]

The easiest solution for the kids sleeping would be to add a airbed. One could sleep on the couch, the other on the floor. That would be cheaper and easier than anything you could do. The pure 2720 with the double and the couch would probably be better.

The way your prospective 2720SL may be the way you want it longterm. Once the kids reach driving age, they want to camp less and less. That has everything to do with biology. At that point having the large living room and couch may be much more appealing.

You and your spouse could sleep the way you intend but either your feet will hang out or you'll need to tuck up your feet ;-}

As far as storage goes, that has never been a TM long suit. A number of people store the gensets on the floor of the TM along with whatever bulky items they have room for. The rest of the oversized stuff has to go on the TV...

Agree with ya bout not modding the layout too much doesnt make sense...

Funny they dont flip the bed so ya dont have to climb over each other...

We do like the large living room but would want to figure a way to make it more dinette like....esp u-shapeish....maybe a folding table and chairs on each end? Any ideas?

 

[boze man]

Hi Boze Man,

We (wife and I) have an 05 2720SL. We had to have a lift kit installed to get in and out of the sloped driveway, and it clears the garage door by about an inch. I'm still running the 14 inch tire (Kumho, new in May of 2010). I had the work done at a trailer shop, as the weld had to be ground out to separate the frame from the axle.

Sassy's comment about the air mattress seems prudent to me, and as the kids age, they might consider a tent, depending on where you camp. I have yet to figure how to get out couch to make any kind of a bed.

Also, we were not happy with the wardrobe, so we took it out and use three stackable plastic drawers instead. Yes they are similar in size, though not quite as big, but the trailer seems much less claustrophobic for my wife. The clear drawers sure make it easy to find clothes, etc. Plus we can load them inside the house, which facilitates packing. They ride in the hallway nicely when we are on the road. We sleep across the trailer, and have to do the climb over routine to get to the head at night, but that's a minor inconvenience to us.

jmburg
2005, 2720 SL
2004 Dodge 4.7 V-8
Depressing Fuel Economy

I would def want the lift kit to gain clearance and run the 15's...I need to speak to the owner tho not sure if he knows. We do mostly statepark and forest service dry camping so the clearance is important.

My wife also complained bout the claustrophobic feeling and the darkness...I would do the same wardrobe removal as you have done to gain light/space.

The bad thing was when we looked at the unit it was in a dark warehouse on a rainy day so you could imagine how the wife felt....lol. She likes the open feel of the pop-up (also that tent feel) we used to have but is interested in a something hardsided esp with all those man-eating bears out here in the wild west....lol.

FYI we are also considering a used starcraft 13rt as well so ya know where we are coming from.

 

[ng2951]

...Funny they dont flip the bed so ya dont have to climb over each other...

A common complaint but I never seen it stop someone from buying a TM. We had been looking at 3023s and 3124s and the fact that the 3023 did not have the king bed never proved a show stopper. We just lucked out and found a 3326 for what we wanted.

...We do like the large living room but would want to figure a way to make it more dinette like....esp u-shapeish....maybe a folding table and chairs on each end? Any ideas?

There are a number of foldup tables available from Camping World, Cabelas, Bass Pro. These rollup tables sell for around $55-$65.

Compact Folding Table

The one that is being sold now (above) is a much improved version of Sassy & I use. Ours does not allow you to make it smaller like the one above does. When we are cowboy matches we can easily seat four at the table with all the goodies on it. Its great, I cannot say enough good thing about it. We use it outside since we are eating or entertaining with the other cowboys at these matches.

With it fully open its 48"x27". Half size (what a great improvement!!!) its 28.5"x27". You can cutout some cardboard and see all of you can sit around the table in the space a 2720SL affords. Its biggest advantage is that when you are done it rolls up into the size of a camp chair (without measuring its 4'x6"x6") that you can carry like a camp chair (light/strong too) and stow either in the couch or the rear storage on your 2720...

 

[boze man]

Yeah, getting the couch to fold out is a bit of a trick.

I find it is easier to do if you take the seat back and the two side cushion off (it was a while before I noticed you could take them off). Next you kind of wiggle and slide the seat bottom until it engages the track and then it will slide out and lock. Then you put the seat back into the open space and you have a bed.

When we switch to camp mode we normally slide the bed out. As a couch the TM couch is a bit lame. If you put it into bed mode you can pack pillows as seat back cushions and then you have a nice couch with storage under the couch. Actually, Lady likes to sleep under couch as it makes a nice den for her.

Boze Man, I am not sure where the heater is located, but I think it is in the couch. You might not be able to just remove the couch...

Foard

Unfortunately the kids only tent idea is out for now unless we are in there with the kiddos....wife not hip to that idea yet after those bear attacks last summer which were to close to home... she wouldnt be comfortable with the kids outside alone. oh well.

yes the heater is located in the coach...so best to leave alone and attempt a diff solution....aerobed, cot etc.

 

[boze man]

A common complaint but I never seen it stop someone from buying a TM. We had been looking at 3023s and 3124s and the fact that the 3023 did not have the king bed never proved a show stopper. We just lucked out and found a 3326 for what we wanted.There are a number of foldup tables available from Camping World, Cabelas, Bass Pro. These rollup tables sell for around $55-$65.

Compact Folding Table

The one that is being sold now (above) is a much improved version of Sassy & I use. Ours does not allow you to make it smaller like the one above does. When we are cowboy matches we can easily seat four at the table with all the goodies on it. Its great, I cannot say enough good thing about it. We use it outside since we are eating or entertaining with the other cowboys at these matches.

With it fully open its 48"x27". Half size (what a great improvement!!!) its 28.5"x27". You can cutout some cardboard and see all of you can sit around the table in the space a 2720SL affords. Its biggest advantage is that when you are done it rolls up into the size of a camp chair (without measuring its 4'x6"x6") that you can carry like a camp chair (light/strong too) and stow either in the couch or the rear storage on your 2720...

that table is a definite option...like the sizability...now why didnt i think of that!

the queen bed issue isnt really an issue...just trying to address some potential issues up front so as to not have buyers remorse on the back end. if we went pop-up route would have similar bed setup.

 

[boze man]

Spoke with owner...if/when the weather finally clears we are going to open it outside in the sun.

He also wasnt sure if there was the 15" tires and/or factory lift installed. Is it possible to install the factory lift and 15's after the fact? Any pics of lift installed so i could looksee under the unit?

 

[B_and_D]

The reason we bought our 2720 (regular model) is that it has 3 separate beds. We visited both a 2720SL and a regular 2720 before we bought ours and felt that the regular 2720 would work best for our family of 4. Plus you get a dining table that fits 4 people.

 

[ng2951]

If you are worried about bears the Starcraft 13rt is not going to offer much in the bear protection category.

One thing you will find out about the TM is that it does offer that openess feeling in a hardside. Most lightweight trailers do not have windows in all directions like TMs do. About the only window you cannot look out of easily is the bathroom window. Most lightweight hardsides have windows on only 2 or 3 walls.

I agree with the other poster that the straight 2720 probably is the right floor plan for you. However, the SL with an airbed ought to work fine. If you leave the couch in bed mode using extra pillows as couch back, you can stow the deflated airbed under the couch (along with other things).

I can see being without the wardrobe. We kind of like ours since it gives us our own little room (with three windows). That is nice when the pardette takes her afternoon nap and she can close the curtains for just her and the dogs. Lady loves to sleep under the TV shelf on the king bed by the bathroom; its her own little cubby.

One huge advantage over the Starcraft will be the bathroom. Sassy & I looked at tent campers first. I took one look at the bathroom and saw that I was going to have to get up at midnight and take the dogs for a walk. That did not appeal to me. That hardside bathroom is very nice. It may be small, but it beats a wetbath any day of the week or an unscheduled midnight walk...

 

[boze man]

If you are worried about bears the Starcraft 13rt is not going to offer much in the bear protection category.

One thing you will find out about the TM is that it does offer that openess feeling in a hardside. Most lightweight trailers do not have windows in all directions like TMs do. About the only window you cannot look out of easily is the bathroom window. Most lightweight hardsides have windows on only 2 or 3 walls.

I agree with the other poster that the straight 2720 probably is the right floor plan for you. However, the SL with an airbed ought to work fine. If you leave the couch in bed mode using extra pillows as couch back, you can stow the deflated airbed under the couch (along with other things).

I can see being without the wardrobe. We kind of like ours since it gives us our own little room (with three windows). That is nice when the pardette takes her afternoon nap and she can close the curtains for just her and the dogs. Lady loves to sleep under the TV shelf on the king bed by the bathroom; its her own little cubby.

One huge advantage over the Starcraft will be the bathroom. Sassy & I looked at tent campers first. I took one look at the bathroom and saw that I was going to have to get up at midnight and take the dogs for a walk. That did not appeal to me. That hardside bathroom is very nice. It may be small, but it beats a wetbath any day of the week or an unscheduled midnight walk...

Bears!...I not to worried but I guess it in the back of the wifes mind...but def something to consider.

I prefer the tent camper but the more i think of the TM the more I like it....

 

[boze man]

The reason we bought our 2720 (regular model) is that it has 3 separate beds. We visited both a 2720SL and a regular 2720 before we bought ours and felt that the regular 2720 would work best for our family of 4. Plus you get a dining table that fits 4 people.

Agree...would be best for us as well but this is only used unit locally...sometimes ya get what ya get....funny thing is there is another about 2hrs away and it is a 2720SL as well.

 

[boze man]

Well Well Well...the choice may be made by the garage door....I just double checked the opening and I assumed the opening was 8'x8'...

but in fact the door is 8'x8' so the opening is 7'10" (94") wide by 8' high (96")...so it seems like this unit will not fit width? Height isnt even a problem.

This is a 2005 unit but the 2011 specs say outside width 7'7" + add 5" for awning and clearance lights...so that would put it at 8'...UGH

ThePair is going to measure his garage opening so we shall see....but his unit is modified to fit...I think i read somewhere where he has a quick remove for awning and some kind of mod for the lights...

Again thanks all for the advice...will keep ya updated!

 

[boze man]

Found ThePair's discussion on fitting a 2720 into a single garage door opening....even with the suggested mods it is starting to look like I wont make it....lets see what Marc has to say

 

[ThePair]

I'll measure, but I think my opening is like 8' and an inch or so. The 7' 7" measure is very misleading. I found that the awning really only adds ~2", because the lights on each side are close to 2".

I'll post as soon as I can get tape measure to doorframe!