Picking up a new 2023 3124KB next week!

[DustyRoads-TMO]

Hello, group! I'm Tom (DustyRoads)...
We are "downsizing" from a 25 foot Forest River Surveyor beast to a TM3124KB this week! So much to love about the TM line...I've been researching trailers for several months before settling on this one. I wanted to find a later model used one but they are rare so we found a good deal on a new one from last years stock. I've been scouring this forum and getting input from a wide variety of you experienced owners. I'm really impressed with the ingenuity of some of you to fabricate, alter or otherwise completely invent and reinvent new systems to improve your trailers.
My wife Michelle and I have 2 rescue pups, Sammie and Maisy, who go everywhere with us and we can't wait for the virgin excursion in our new camper. These things are ingenious...I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover them!
One question I have...what is the one thing you dislike most about the Trailmanor excluding the toilet? (see...I've been paying attention...)
I'm happy to be a part of this group and hope to meet some of you in our travels!

 

[mickmanor]

That is an excellent question, DustyRoads!

And, I will say that I dislike the vinyl/velcro pieces that "fill" the air gap between
the top and bottom of the TM.

Congratulations, and enjoy your new ventures!

 

[Bill]

I will say that I dislike the vinyl/velcro pieces that "fill" the air gap between the top and bottom of the TM.

I'll offer a differing opinion about those things. When we got our first TM, many years ago, I learned immediately that the TM is short on places to put all the small everyday items that we need quick access to. The dog leash, for instance. My phone. My key ring. A pencil, pen and a small notepad. My sunglasses. The campground map with the wifi code and TV listing. My wallet when I want to sit. A small flashlight. The TV remote. You may be able to name a dozen more things - I can - that could be stashed in a drawer, except that the few drawers are full of other stuff that doesn't need quick access. The vinyl and velcro flaps make wonderful shelves to hold those items, making camping life bit simpler.

Then we got our second TM, and darn it, the flaps were slanted downward a bit. They made terrible shelves - everything would roll or slide onto the floor! I was about to remove and re-install the flaps to level them, when someone on this Forum pointed out the problem. The shell was not opening quite enough, leaving the outside edge of the flap a bit too high. A simple adjustment of the stop set the shell right, and the flaps properly level. We love those handy little shelves, and never went back. Yay, Forum folk!

Congratulations, and enjoy your new ventures!

That goes for me too. You will love it.

Bill

 

[Shane826]

Congrats! And I see what you did there with the name. Hopefully Cody can finish the story.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

If it's just the "look" of the vinyl flaps, there's someone here who made wooden inserts in place of the vinyl flaps. However, the vinyl with velcro has some insulating benefits, and we use them as shelves all the time.

@DustyRoads, at 31' fully open this may feel like an upsize compared to your Forest River, and an upgrade when closed for towing. The TM isn't quite as convenient for packing up and setting up, but we found that the packing up of the inside doesn't take that much more time. I would still be securing everything on the inside anyway, which pretty much leaves closing the wardrobe, washroom, flaps, and the beds/slides before closing the shells. Those extra steps really don't add much.

And the newer TM interiors are nicely upgraded. Ours still had carpeting and incandescent 12V lighting. The interior walls of the newer ones also have an additional lining to the aluminum skin. I'm not sure what advantages that has as I've only seen it once when at the Ontario CA dealership. (Us Canadians, that is Ontario CA, USA!)

I'm sure you will enjoy your new TM very much!

 

[DustyRoads-TMO]

Thanks everyone for your input and for the warm welcome!
Since my original post I was finally granted access to the Trailmanor Owners Facebook page, so I scrolled through some recent posts and wouldn't you know it...there was a 2009 3124KB that recently came up for sale and is still available! I'm driving 8 hours tomorrow to have a look. 8 hours to save around $30K sounds like a worthwhile trip to me (if it's in decent shape). I'm kind of a project guy anyway, and we look forward to making it our own if I indeed pull it back to Florida.
I'll see if I can figure out how to post some pics if the deal goes through. If it does, prepare yourselves to be inundated with stupid questions!

 

[Kidkraz]

There are no stupid questions. This forum folks is great with passing their knowledge to those who ask.
Like others have said, a bit more storage would be nice. I too use those flaps as shelves when sitting on the couch reading.

 

[DustyRoads-TMO]

The 500 mile trip to Chattanooga TN at 4 a.m. was definitely worthwhile. Practically pristine 2009 3124KB and just a wee bit less expensive than the new 2023 model I was going to pick up at the end of this week. The timing could not have been better. I was prepared to bring it home and start a reno but it needs absolutely nothing except a tranquil parking space next to a river.
I know just the spot.

 

[Wavery]

The 500 mile trip to Chattanooga TN at 4 a.m. was definitely worthwhile. Practically pristine 2009 3124KB and just a wee bit less expensive than the new 2023 model I was going to pick up at the end of this week. The timing could not have been better. I was prepared to bring it home and start a reno but it needs absolutely nothing except a tranquil parking space next to a river.
I know just the spot.

Congrats on the nu-2-you TM. Sounds like you got a great deal and the $ that you saved will allow you to do some pretty cool mods.

I have one suggestion (which you may have already done). I'd adjust your hitch drawbar to bring the front of the trailer up to level. With the front low, you may well have issues going in and out of some driveways. That can easily damage your front stabilizer jacks. Don't ask me how I know that.....

 

[DustyRoads-TMO]

Congrats on the nu-2-you TM. Sounds like you got a great deal and the $ that you saved will allow you to do some pretty cool mods.

I have one suggestion (which you may have already done). I'd adjust your hitch drawbar to bring the front of the trailer up to level. With the front low, you may well have issues going in and out of some driveways. That can easily damage your front stabilizer jacks. Don't ask me how I know that.....

Thanks, Wavery.
Yes, the seller included his WDH which we adjusted to bring up to level. Smooth as buttah.
Which brings up a question….I’d like a bit more ground clearance but would hesitate adding a lift unless it’s been done before with good results (and obviously no safety issues). Do you or someone else in the forum have any ideas about this?

 

[Bill]

Adding a lift kit is reasonably straightforward. Look through the TM Technical Library

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42

for a good post by Bill Miller.

https://www.trailmanorowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12132

If you store your TM in your garage, be sure to consider the height of the garage door. This is almost never an issue but once in a while ...

Bill

 

[DustyRoads-TMO]

Thanks for the info, Bill.

 

[Shane826]

It’s been done before. A LOT. In fact, TM has offered a lift kit for a long time (I’m not sure if they still offer one to fit the older axles). The new 2720 SPORT model sits on a 5” lift!

 

[mickmanor]

It's kind of after the fact now, but I dislike the velcro flaps

because they do not insulate well in cool to cold weather. And, some of the
smaller flaps, especially around the door, have air gaps that let cold air inside.
Catalytic heaters can overcome the drafts, although they dehydrate, also.
Most folks are warm weather campers, anyway.

Velcro flaps air gaps are not a game breaker, as we use pieces of plastic shopping bags to fill the gaps.
And after the vinyl is shined up, they do look great.
I also use them as shelves for personal items. Unique!

After buying our 2012 TM, I bought brand new tires that were the maximum
size allowed, and that made a difference in the TM road height. If you are going
off-road, that's another avenue.

With the library of posts by the experts on this site, you can make your TM
what you want it to be, and enjoy that part of it, too.

Happy Camping!

 

[Shane826]

mickmanor- What was the maximum size tire allowed?

 

[Wavery]

Thanks, Wavery.
Yes, the seller included his WDH which we adjusted to bring up to level. Smooth as buttah.
Which brings up a question….I’d like a bit more ground clearance but would hesitate adding a lift unless it’s been done before with good results (and obviously no safety issues). Do you or someone else in the forum have any ideas about this?

A lot of us have added a lift kit to the axle. Give TM a call and see if they still sell them. If not, It's just a 2.5", square tube, 12" long made of 10G Steel. I made mine out of 1/4" thick steel.

 

[mickmanor]

Maximum size tire allowed? -

Ahmmm, I am going to defer/deflect the answer to the following post of a few
years back:

"What tires can/should I buy for a 2720?" Excellent team discussion!

Although, the OP asked about a 3124, which is slightly heavier, so that
should be considered into the factors.

I will say that I scrapped the classy aluminum wheels for steel wheels, because
steel wheels are more flexible and forgiving for practical road driving with potholes.

Well, there I go again...