Out with the old, in with the new (to me) RV edition.

[billybek]

Our little slide in camper was getting a bit small. I had originally bought the camper for my son and I but as of last summer we had all three of us and a border collie occupying the camper at night. Small to start with but extremely small for all of us.

The little camper sold last weekend and I flipped the money from it into a travel trailer for us.



Solaire 226RBK from 2015. It has seen one trip for about 2 weeks of use during it's first year. It has sat since.
I did the best once over I could a few weeks ago and bought the trailer yesterday.
Hauled it to a friends about 20 km away on bad tires. They will be replaced next spring before it moves again.
Ran the slide out and tested the furnace yesterday and was able to show it to my wife and son and they are very excited about the purchase.
The old 3/4 ton pulled it fine without a weight distribution hitch but will end up getting one to make it a bit safer to pull.
Next weekend is supposed to be quite warm so I may try to run a few more of the accessories.

[cstreit]

Nice. How about interior pics? I like the 5th wheels for general vacationing because you still have a vehicle to get around in.

[Scott Douglas]

Very cool looking rig, Bill.
Are there brakes on the trailer axles?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by cstreit

Nice. How about interior pics? I like the 5th wheels for general vacationing because you still have a vehicle to get around in.

My wife took some photos of the interior yesterday will get her to send them to me later.
It is quite nice inside.
Will replace the standard queen mattress with one that is comfortable.
Pretty spacious with the slide out.

[billybek]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Very cool looking rig, Bill.
Are there brakes on the trailer axles?

Brakes on all 4 wheels.
Will have to figure out the brake controller sensitivity but they were working.

One of the fender skirts cracked yesterday. I expected that some of the plastic outdoor parts would be brittle.

[Scott Douglas]

That looks like it'll pull real easy with that bull nose frontend. A load distributing hitch will make it nice too.

[Scott Douglas]

Is that front end a cover over a window?
Looks like there's a 'latch' down at the center bottom of it. Does it 'clam shell' open?

[billybek]

No window on the front of this one.
Some of the newer trailers seem to have windows up front again.

[Scott Douglas]

Just googled it, I see it doesn't.
Nice layout of the interior.

[RWebb]

what are you giving up in backcountry access in Alberta?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by RWebb

what are you giving up in backcountry access in Alberta?

That is actually a good question.
I had bought the slide in camper for two reasons. Easier to get into the sticks and thought that I might pull a small boat.
Didn't use it in any really rough access areas and never got the boat.

The ultimate in back country slide camper was my old starcraft pop up. Darn thing only weighed 750 lbs wet and was only 7 feet wide. You could go anywhere with it.
Was very simple but I loved that camper.

[2porscheguy]

Cool and congrats Billibek! RVs are fun and definitely a worthy purchase in this day and age...just wish that "camping season" in southern Alberta was a little longer ! We've owned our fair share of RVs over the last 20 years or so....camper, Class C motorhome, trailer, etc.... In fact last year we traded in our 19' Puma trailer for a 31' Fleetwood Class A....love it!

And speaking of weight distribution hitches, I've got one just sitting around here in our garage.....you're welcome to take it if you want as I doubt that we'll be getting a trailer again anytime soon. Let me know Billi. I'm in Springbank btw.

Alex

[billybek]

So many May long weekends that looked and felt like they could be February weekends!
I would like to see if your hitch would work for me, Alex.
Thank you for the kind offer.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Very nice congrats! Last summer the lakes and state parks were about the only thing open, especially in certain area.

[rfuerst911sc]

Congratulations on the trailer purchase . It will tow quite easily with a proper torsion bar hitch . Keep up with roof maintenance and you will have many years of enjoyment .

[tevake]

So nice to move into a more comfortable rig. Good luckfinding a rig with so little use yet a few years old. Makes for a good deal on a barely used trailer.

I think once you get your truck well set up for towing it should be a snap to get around with it in tow. Even into some back roads and unexplored country.

Congrats, Richard

[billybek]

Thanks guys.
I hadn't pulled a trailer since I was about 22 years old and that whole turn left to make the trailer go right thing while reversing is not initially intuitive. Maybe I should spend some time in the Walmart parking lot before I put new tires on!!!
Going to send a PM later today, Alex...

[jhynesrockmtn]

Looks great. A weight distribution system and sway control set up will help a lot. Ours is also a 2015 with a dining area slide. Lube the slide tracks and rubber bits. Check the roof sealant. Get a coat of wax on the exterior. I'm buying tires in the spring as well. Enjoy!

[billybek]

Spent some quality time inside the trailer vacuuming and cleaning everything from tip to tail.
Some interior photos as per request.

[billybek]

Couple more.




For the amount that I paid for it, it is in remarkable condition.
Have tested the furnace/lighting/brakes/slide/refrigerator/stove and it was nice enough to roll out the awning and let it dry out. Small amount of mold on it to be cleaned in the spring on the awning.