Hello from Arizona

[dsh1972]

Hi all, looking to pick up a 2003 2619 over this weekend. Looks to be in good condition but obviously want to paint interior in cabinets and maybe update sink, countertops, and add some personal touches here and there. I am a registered contractor and have been looking for a decent TM that I can do some remodels but don't have to start from scratch. Has anyone changed the toilet out for something more modern? Has anyone come up with creative ideas for the bathroom? The shower system with curtain seems like an after thought compared to everything else. I would also like to swap out tail/brake lights and running lights to LED and add some solar panels to keep the batteries up if I am boondocking. We tent camp and I used to have a pup but it was more work then pitching a tent. This design seems great and setup looks like a breeze. Do the beds have trouble pulling out if the trailer is not perfectly flat. My pup was a very bad about that and was always fighting with it even though it was level. Anything I should look at before I seal the deal? Thanks Shawn

 

[cjminear]

Shawn,

I swapped out all the lights for updated LED interior and exterior on our 2005 2619 For the exterior tail lights they ground through the body so just keep that in mind. As far as the toilet that would be the first thing I would do. If you can find a Sealand toilet bottom drain that's the easiest. We bought a 10 gallon tank from Amazon and a Dometic 311 Gravity Flush Toilet | White | Low Profile ceramic with a Icon 437 22-1/2" x 18-1/2" x 6" Bottom Drain Holding Tank and made a wood frame for the tank.
Search the form for "poor man's Sealand toilet". There should be a parts list on that thread. As far as solar I was able to get 2 SunPower residential 250 watt panels on the front shell running down the side. It adds about 50 lbs to the front shell it gives me about 20-30 amps of charging in the AZ sun. You will need to replace the charge controller if you have the stock one. You can get pretty good deals for used panels at San Tan solar in Gilbert. What part of Arizona do you live in I'm in Chandler area.

 

[Bill]

Hi all, looking to pick up a 2003 2619 over this weekend. Looks to be in good condition but obviously want to paint interior in cabinets and maybe update sink, countertops, and add some personal touches here and there.... Anything I should look at before I seal the deal?

My opinion only, but you are looking at a 22 year old trailer. I would emphasize condition before even thinking about interior appearance items. Presumably you are doing so, but we occasionally see folks who neglect it, and get badly bitten. If you were thinking of buying a 22-year old car, where would your emphasis be?

As for switching out the exterior lights for LEDs - there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm not sure why you would go to the trouble and expense. Those lights are powered by the tow vehicle, not the trailer. The TV has lots of electric power available when the engine is running, so power saving is not the answer. Bulbs hardly ever burn out, and are cheap and easy to replace. Is the appearance different?

Interior lights, powered by the TM battery, are a different story of course, and switching to LEDs inside is a great idea if you ever see yourself boondocking.

 

[dsh1972]

Shawn,

I swapped out all the lights for updated LED interior and exterior on our 2005 2619 For the exterior tail lights they ground through the body so just keep that in mind. As far as the toilet that would be the first thing I would do. If you can find a Sealand toilet bottom drain that's the easiest. We bought a 10 gallon tank from Amazon and a Dometic 311 Gravity Flush Toilet | White | Low Profile ceramic with a Icon 437 22-1/2" x 18-1/2" x 6" Bottom Drain Holding Tank and made a wood frame for the tank.
Search the form for "poor man's Sealand toilet". There should be a parts list on that thread. As far as solar I was able to get 2 SunPower residential 250 watt panels on the front shell running down the side. It adds about 50 lbs to the front shell it gives me about 20-30 amps of charging in the AZ sun. You will need to replace the charge controller if you have the stock one. You can get pretty good deals for used panels at San Tan solar in Gilbert. What part of Arizona do you live in I'm in Chandler area.

Hi Cj, that a clean TM. I like the work that you have done to it. I live in Queen Creek next to the San Tan Mountain park....actually it is my backyard Thanks for the info.

 

[dsh1972]

My opinion only, but you are looking at a 22 year old trailer. I would emphasize condition before even thinking about interior appearance items. Presumably you are doing so, but we occasionally see folks who neglect it, and get badly bitten. If you were thinking of buying a 22-year old car, where would your emphasis be?

As for switching out the exterior lights for LEDs - there is nothing wrong with that, but I'm not sure why you would go to the trouble and expense. Those lights are powered by the tow vehicle, not the trailer. The TV has lots of electric power available when the engine is running, so power saving is not the answer. Bulbs hardly ever burn out, and are cheap and easy to replace. Is the appearance different?

Interior lights, powered by the TM battery, are a different story of course, and switching to LEDs inside is a great idea if you ever see yourself boondocking.

Hi Bill, valid points. I consider this like renovating an old house....never know what you are going to find. Pictures look good and the owner says it stays in his garage. I plan to store it in my garage as well as the Arizona sun is harsh on travel trailer....I laugh when folks but a $100k RV have no place to store it and leave it out in the elements to disintegrate. When I go to inspect, I will look at the tires and probably pull off the grease cap to make sure the bearings aren't seized up. Of course, check out turn signals and brake lights and brakes. I got a 7 hour drive back to my house so those are crucial.

 

[kjfatl]

Leveling the axle before opening the Trailmanor is extremely important. Don't use the stabilizing jacks to do side to side leveling. I use a jack that lifts one wheel of the axle. Others do it with shims under one wheel. Once the axle is level, even it io front to front with the tongue jack then lower the stabilizing jacks.
Something like Levelmate Pro can be helpful, bit an old-school spirit level works as well.

 

[dsh1972]

I have a jack for the tire as well and use an RV leveling system that has an app that works great. I sold my pup a few years ago and just recently bought a TM. Very very important to level it up before opening it up and sliding out beds.