[jeffba]

Well after a few extended trips in our TT, the Boss declares she wants a washer and dryer in the camper. Our last trip with it entailed several repairs during vacation. So I was okay with looking around. It was safe. We had less than a year to payoff the house so I thought it was safe to just look. We made our list of Must haves and Nice to haves. Took the list to Dealer when we picked up out TT that was having repairs too big form me to fix. I was leaning towards something in the HC 305RL or 310RE range since we had 2014 Chevy 3/4 duramax with the 6.5' bed. It has a 3000 pound carrying capacity, so pin weight was an issue. The Boss declared they and other manufacturers in that size were too cramped. Ummm it is a camper cramped it is supposed to be, I thought. Well the last one we looked at was the HC379RD. Did not have the money for a big boy Montana. The Boss loved it, but hey I was safe. Still had house payments to hide behind. We had just finished with paying our deductible for damage caused by Harvey. Well the finance manger said that because of Harvey folks were looking for used campers and they can offer top dollar on our trade. Oh did I mention the could use my trade-in to payoff the house and still have enough for a down payment? Well I thought we would be okay. I used the curb weight minus the GVWR and came up with 3600 pounds of carrying capacity. Turns out that is the not the way to figure it out. After our shakedown trip. I found the 3000 capacity number from GM. So 2400 pin wieght, 100 pound hitch, 200 pounds for washer and dryer, about 150 pounds in the basement, the dogs could legally ride in the truck but we could not. So now a new truck. (kept that short). Oh yeah, in Texas if the combined GVWRs of the camper and truck exceed 26001 pounds you need a Class A non-commercial License. That is a written and practical exam! When I ws 16 it took me 3 times to pass it. Oh did I mention parallel parking a 40' camper?

Long story short version:
Want Washer dryer-- end up with big honking 5th wheel.
Big honking 5th wheel -- new big honking truck
New big honking 5th wheel + New big honking truck == New license
New License == reliving my youth with having to take driving test

Likes so far:
Floor plan
TV is bigger than in the house
seat in shower (apparently it is useful when shaving legs.)((who packs a razor when camping?))
no kitchen island
kitchen sink and countertops
windows you can stand up and look out
slo roller shades
pivot door
LED accent lights (great nightlights)

Dislikes
lack of real wood--skylight shade pulled out from wall first time
When I am paying for repairs, 1 week turnaround. When factory is paying, one month.
semi-automatic leveling
have to stoop to operate semi- automatic leveling
Keystone removed rear rack mid-year
Do they even make a camper where the bed is easy to make?
whimpy sewer hose storage

Despises
WHO PUTS A DUMP VALVE UNDER A SLIDE!!! Really who came up with that
DUMB one?

Found out it was there after removing cap the first time to dump. Oh yeah the tech left it open. Surprise!!

Lessons learned:
do not take The Boss on camper scouting trips.
Folks who design campers never use them


Do not get me wrong we love our camper. just not the unpleasant surprises.