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Old 09-06-2016, 08:01 AM   #1
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1st trip with my new TT

Took out the 312bhds Freedom Express LE on it's maiden camping trip. I have zero complaints. Sooooooo much better then our old 2003 Gulfstream Conquest 295bds. I was surprised that the AC fan turns on when the heat is selected on the thermostat, the dealer never mentioned that. It makes sense for keeping the inside all at the same temp though. Had to re situate stuff for setting up and breaking down but wasn't a big deal. The family we went camping with were tent camping and it didn't take long continually hang out at our site and in the trailer. Kinda awkward at times. LOL.
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Old 09-06-2016, 11:27 PM   #2
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We bought ours about six months ago and have about twenty camping days so far. Added the 2nd AC. We love it. What is your TV? An F250 in the picture?
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Old 09-07-2016, 12:43 AM   #3
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We bought ours about six months ago and have about twenty camping days so far. Added the 2nd AC. We love it. What is your TV? An F250 in the picture?

That's a Ford Excursion.




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Old 09-07-2016, 05:48 AM   #4
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Yes what Timfromma said. 2005 Excursion 60. turbo diesel. Was the 2nd ac worth it?
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Old 09-07-2016, 06:07 AM   #5
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It's a good thing to have if you ever head south or west. Later RJD
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Old 09-07-2016, 06:12 AM   #6
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What does something like that cost? IS it a DIY thing? I didn't get the 2nd ac prep, is that an issue?
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:50 AM   #7
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Congrats on your 312bhds Freedom Express LE. If you don't want the AC fan to run when you use the furnace select the AUTO fan setting.
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Old 09-07-2016, 07:52 AM   #8
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My dealer installed cost was $850 and they did it before we picked it up new. I bet you could do it yourself for less. I am not sure how big of a deal it might be to wire. Mine was pre-wired. So does your unit have 50 amp service?

Here in Missouri I consider it absolutely necessary in parts of June - early September at times. There is an entire thread on this subject. I guess it depends on what one wants or can tolerate. Once it gets above 90 and humid a single unit can struggle to maintain even a 20 degree differential during the day. We normally set the AC at about 75. It also really helps in cooling the entire unit off much faster when we arrive and setup. It can take hours for the single unit to cool it down initially since the entire inside of the unit is hot (i.e. walls, ceiling, stuff - basically a mobile solar-heated oven on the road).

I sleep the best in the 312 with my wife's snoring than at home. The 2nd unit completely drowns her out. I will always run the fan if not the AC at night.
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Old 09-07-2016, 08:04 AM   #9
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tbln930- No it wasn't upgraded to the 50 amp service. We don't typically use the ac much. During the summer months we camp up in New Hampshire. We are planning a cross country trip in a couple years during the summer so I am a little concerned that there will be places where the one unit will not be enough.

Wiscampsin- I didn't see an auto selection on the thermostat. It has a Dometic digital thermostat installed.
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Old 09-07-2016, 08:19 AM   #10
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Does it look like this? Push the On/Off/Mode button until it gets to fan, then the +/- until it goes to AUTO.
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Old 09-07-2016, 08:22 AM   #11
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It should be fine most of the time in the NE at night.

I would skip Death Valley on the trek. Seriously, it can get hot in the SW a lot. At 110 F it may hold 90. Even here in southern Missouri or northern Arkansas and anywhere south of here it can overwhelm a single unit at times.

I would talk to a dealer or FR on the viability/ease of an upgrade. It might be a piece of cake. I really didn't know dealers order them without at least the 50 amp service and pre-wired. Many dealers just get them with the 2nd AC but mine just has them all pre-wired.
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Old 09-07-2016, 08:26 AM   #12
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Here is a thread on adding a 2nd AC to a 312BHDS that was pre-wired.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...it-110131.html
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Old 09-07-2016, 09:43 AM   #13
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As for the thermostat- Yes that's it. Well son of a gun that's what I will do next time. LOL. I am sure it was explained to me how to do that but I was in a cloud apparently.

I might look into upgrading if it is not a huge job. My wife wouldn't be thrilled to see me tearing into the new TT though. LOL
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Old 09-07-2016, 10:40 AM   #14
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I zoomed in on your picture and see the Excursion. lol I think ours came loaded with every option but the rear camera and recliners. Makes it a bit heavier.

Power jacks, slide out outdoor grill, 50 amp w/ 2nd AC prep, 15k primary AC, dealer added 2nd AC.

Also, the Premiere package besides just the Liberty Edition.
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:24 AM   #15
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I have the Premiere package also. Power stabilizers and 15k ac, but no grill and just 30 am service. I do have the wireless cameras, nice for looking behind me while driving or backing up. What would the recliners replace?
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Old 09-07-2016, 11:36 AM   #16
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I would think the recliners would replace the couch. With all of the beds and bunks this thing has the recliners might be a good option for many. Both of our kids and their spouses plus one grandchild join us on some trips. That bunkroom is invaluable.


I have a wireless camera that has a magnet for the bumper that works great as well. I sometimes set up alone since my wife still works a day early to get the good spots. I also picked up an EZ TPMS that works well.
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Old 09-07-2016, 04:43 PM   #17
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I have the 310BHDS and we love it, except: One thing I wish was that the couch, which makes a nice sleeping double bed, was long enough for me to really lie down on. I'm only 5'9" but the couch is shorter than that. Then again the dinette has more room than we need as we usually eat outside and when the camper rolls there are two (2) g'son's in the truck. A friend of mine bought a camper with a different layout but did not like his couch either. He sold the couch within two weeks of buying the camper went and bought two (2) house type recliners and put them in that spot. When he sets up he just moves one recliner out into the aisle so he and wifey can watch TV. I have looked at shortening my dinette. It seems that the hardest part would be finding someone to shorten the seat and backrest of the main seating area.
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Old 09-07-2016, 05:05 PM   #18
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The couch bed or dinette has not been used to sleep on yet. Guests normally prefer the futon in the bunkhouse as a full queen.

How would one get the couch out and the recliners in?
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:54 AM   #19
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The couch is not bolted down, just sits there. I only know this because the tech giving us the demo was not well versed in folding the couch out to a bed and had pulled it away from the wall, thats when I realized it just sits there. Neither my couch or either dinette will ever be used as a sleeping area. 2 of my kids use the futons and the other 2 use the bunks. I do need to figure out something for the bunk on the futon side, my youngest likes to just drop donw off the bunks onto my older 2 while they are still sleeping. LOL
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Old 09-08-2016, 07:43 AM   #20
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There are various ladders made for getting into/out of these bunks
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