Potential new Apex owner/Apex 288BH info - Page 3

dive2deep · 09-30-2014, 10:44 PM

After two trips and all systems fully tested and tried, we only had some minor fit/finish issues to fix. All of these were much quicker and easier to do myself than to tow it two hours to the dealer, and then tow it home. I basically have a "gasoline deductible" for my warranty of 24 gallons, and for that, something major would have to have gone wrong. My LED strip under awning has 3 burnt out LEDs, and that is the only item I have on my "dealer" list, and I took delivery that way.

With that said, I would check all under-sink fittings, they were all looser than I like, but a good hand tightening is all that's needed.

I plan to replace the bathroom fan with a nicer unit, and get a vent cover for it. The one that's in there from factory is garbage. Also going to invest in some stabilizer arms for the jacks, supposed to make a huge improvement in the wobble and wiggle factor.

I've also given slide toppers a lot of thought, and will probably put one on the dinette slide if I find one cheap/on sale, and in black, but am in no hurry for those, as this isn't a full timer unit or anything.

The Apex tows great, sets up easy, and slept 7 (3 adults), comfortably. Best of all, the thing looks COOL.

KDHfan · 10-05-2014, 03:19 PM

After 500 miles of towing, I must say that my 31' Apex 288BHS tows better than when towing my old 24' Rockwood 2306. Less wiggle... And almost .5 mpg better fuel economy. Don't know how, but my computer says it's true. The Tundra is a beast.
Over-all, we love the unit. Had 4 adults and two kids inside to get out of the rain and had plenty of room to move around. Lots of cabinet space, and seems to be well insulated.
After 3 nights camped, we've decided that a new mattress is due before we head out next spring. We have a memory foam and pillow topper on the current one but it's nowhere nearly as comfy as the one in our old Rockwood. We will also add a slide-out topper in the spring. Had lots of sticks up there after a big storm Friday night (but no leaks!).

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-05-2014, 05:02 PM

Great to hear! I was gonna get mine this past sat but they called me back saying it wasnt my unit that arrived! They seem a little lost. So hopfully this coming sat.

Cableman · 10-13-2014, 08:33 AM

Picked mine up sat! Tows nice, seems more stable then my previous. Dealer was nice. They did the pdi but i still fine things that are not to my liking, small stuff like adjusting screen doors. I didnt like that you have to un screw the bottom bunk to get to water heater valves. I cut the divider up in that area pushing it as close to the heater and back wall then made my own to fill the void. Left a cut out in that area for valve access through storage door area. Pulled some ugly warning labels too! Ill have some more modding to do

KDHfan · 10-13-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cableman

Picked mine up sat! Tows nice, seems more stable then my previous. Dealer was nice. They did the pdi but i still fine things that are not to my liking, small stuff like adjusting screen doors. I didnt like that you have to un screw the bottom bunk to get to water heater valves. I cut the divider up in that area pushing it as close to the heater and back wall then made my own to fill the void. Left a cut out in that area for valve access through storage door area. Pulled some ugly warning labels too! Ill have some more modding to do

Looks great! Congrats on the new wheels.

Mods (more like minor adjustments) we've done so far... Memory foam and pillow topper on the bed (new mattress will be first on the list in the spring), took a hammer to the upper corner of the dinette back next to the fridge (that corner caught me and my wife both) and the corner getting into the top bunk... Velcro on the dinette seat cushions to hold them in place... A piece of wood under the sofa to stiffen the seat a bit... New Shower head (oxygenics or something like that)... Velcro to hold the fuse panel door closed. Covered the burners with home made covers (cutting boards with legs).

Considering winterizing myself this year. Everything is much easier to access than on my rockwood... And from what I've seen on YouTube, seems pretty self explanatory... It would also let me de-winterize earlier in the spring for a trip, then winterize again if we catch a cold spell.

Got my tire issue resolved (new tire) and we're ready to head to Hershey, PA for our last trip of the year. Let us know if you have any mod ideas. Always looking for something to tinker with.

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-13-2014, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the heads up! The matress is night and day compaired to my last, i can deal lol Ill be adding the gas line for the Weber soon for sure. Im gonna try and relocate the front cap led switch to the main switch panel which may be impossible but im a cable guy lol Also try to move the water heater a/c switch to the bathroom switch location, i need my switches in a central location! Wife is loving it! There is a ton of inside storage, im loving the layout more every day. Kids are so happy with the big beds!
Winterize it yourself its easy, just make an access door from the bunk or do what i did from the storage compartment.

PSUFan1 · 10-14-2014, 02:54 PM

Congrats cableman on your new trailer. Enjoy

Winterized our 23lb this past weekend for the first time. Surprised how easy it was.

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KDHfan · 10-14-2014, 07:24 PM

Anyone clue me in on the four low-point drains on the 288bhs? I found a set on each side of the camper... As well as a drain for the fresh water tank. Maybe the door side drains are for the bathroom and the opposite side is for the kitchen sink? Just trying to gather all the info for winterizing next week.

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-14-2014, 08:29 PM

Sounds bout right. Cant remember if lines were heading out where water heater is when i had bunk apart. My last camper didnt have these. Im just gonna crack all fausets and open those 4 low pointers. Wonder if blowing the lines out is even necessary with these drains! Ill close the fausets and run some air through it to see what comes out anyway.
I just ordered a quad light switch setup! I think its gonna be pretty easy to get that led switch out of that front compartment!

KDHfan · 10-15-2014, 02:11 PM

Anyone know what size socket is needed for the lug nuts? I seem to have misplaced mine.

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-15-2014, 03:01 PM

Did they give one with the camper?

KDHfan · 10-15-2014, 03:26 PM

No. I had one for my Rockwood, but I've misplaced it in the transfer. I wanted to check them before heading out tomorrow.

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KDHfan · 10-15-2014, 05:23 PM

Ok... So it's a 3/4. Glad I checked them... 500 miles and every one of them needed to be re-torqued . I checked my Rockwood every few trips... Never had a single one loosen up.

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-15-2014, 08:50 PM

Ill have to remember to ck mine, 250 from drive home. I took that torque decal off! Just got done running that front led wire, easy untill i had to get it up to the main switch panel but its done! On the inside of the cabnet above the table are 2 removable boards left and right, these can be pushed in more prolly 8" or so for some more room.

KDHfan · 10-16-2014, 06:12 AM

Good to know. Thanks.

2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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Cableman · 10-17-2014, 05:06 AM

We just had some heavy rain and mines got leaks! Nothing on the floor inside. I had a hole in the floor where i was snaking the wire under that front storage compartment and notice the wood floor was wet. Next to each door up underneath where the black floor liner ends against the outer walls, look for wetness. I think it may be coming from the sides of the doors where there is no caulking. The cable outlet on that side leaked too! 3 campers and they all leaked for me! Just have to find them and stop it!

KDHfan · 10-17-2014, 06:04 AM

Thanks. We're currently at Hershey Park and got some rain last night too. Hopefully I'll still be able to determine if it's damp.

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KDHfan · 10-17-2014, 06:09 AM

You're referencing the compartment doors, correct? So the water was laying on the floor, inside your front storage?

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Cableman · 10-18-2014, 06:43 AM

Left side of front compartment storage, then underneath where subfloor ends and wall bottom on each side of entrance doors. The bottom of the carpet on the night table next to the bed was also wet. I also have the frameless windows which could be a cause also, they dont caulk around them and just use that foam seal which is also around the doors.

Cableman · 10-18-2014, 06:47 AM

Heres my new switches with front led switch also, just put a blank plate where old switch was.

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