Review - Wildwood 281BHXL

[Tim Hales]

This review was posted on Jan. 3, 2013

On December 28th, 2012, I took delivery of my new 2013 Wildwood 281 BHXL. Delivery arrived about a week later than expected, but understandable due to the holiday season. For the most part, the trailer arrived with the requested options. They did forget to install the cable for the satellite but have promised to add that when I bring it in for service (yes, i got it in writing). I also found that the remote control for the slide-out was not operable but I was able to use the main switch to open and close it without any problem.

After our first weekend, we have only noted some minor problems with the trailer; all of which should be relatively easy repairs at the dealer. The dealership tried to sell me their extended warrantee at about $1500 and never mentioned the extra one-year warrantee through Forest River. I called this week and got the second year added for $150.00.

On our second night of camping (New Years Eve), the heater suddenly quit coming on. The temps had lowered to about 31* and the trailer was getting pretty cold. I finally turned off the breakers to reset the entire system. This worked and the RV heated back up quite rapidly. The problem hasn't repeated itself so I'll keep an eye on it.

Overall, I am VERY pleased with the Wildwood product, Forest River and even my dealership, which was McMahon's RV in Colton, CA. It wasn't all smooth sailing but it never is with a new RV. This trailer is priced very well and it seems to be built much better than the price would indicate. The cabinets, floor and doors all appear very solid. The slide-out worked flawlessly, as did the electric tongue jack and the electric stabilizer jacks. Of course, I've already ordered a new memory foam bed for it. I also managed to install a 32" LED television in the swivel center cabinet. There was way more storage than I expected in it. My prior rig was a diesel pusher so I anticipated not having any room. I was pleasantly surprised. Would I recommend it..... Yes. So far, I am very, very, pleased.

[TURBS]

Good review . Congrats on the new unit!


Turbs

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Happy Camping for 2013

[sdboltfan]

Tim,
Which TV did you end up buying? I didn't think I could fit a 32". Were you able to route the wiring so that the TV actualy swivels without any issues? Installing that TV is still on my to-do list. We didn't need it in the summer, but with it getting dark so early on these trips I am wishing I had it. Any advice on the TV mounting is appreciated. We love our 281BHXL also and are heading to Lake Skinner in Temecula in a few hours!
Bill

[Tim Hales]

I was able to get a Samsung 32" in with no problem. I got a low profile, non-tilting, mount that holds it very secure. It looks like the cabinet was made for it. Swivels to the bedroom without snagging, although I had to adjust the mount to the perfect location. I also found a small BluRay DVD player that fits on the shelf with Velcro. Fishing the wires through was fairly easy using a metal hanger. I'll try to post a picture.

Last week I camped at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes in Menifee. This week I'm literally on the beach with full hook ups at Camp Pendleton. I enjoy Lake Skinner but haven't been there in several years. Sounds like we may live close. Let me know the next time u go and maybe we will reserve it as well.

Tim

[sdboltfan]

Thanks for the info. Are you at Del Mar Beach? Or San Onofre? We have been to San Onofre on the Camp Pendleton side and loved it. We go to Wilderness Lakes quite a bit, but they were booked this weekend.

[Tim Hales]

[Tim Hales]

[Tim Hales]

Yes, Del Mar and loving it.

[Doobias]

Great review...I have a 2012 28BHXL that we bought last spring...We are in St. Marys, Ontario, Canada. Only had 3 small issues with ours...TV while in bed was difficult to see...TV needed to angle down more. So I removed it and added a spacer on the mount to hold the top out a bit further. Not perfect but better. The second issue was again with the TV...when watching a movie in bed, you have to have the sliders open and the speakers are in the living area...good for family movies but not when you want to watch it in bed. Third and final issue was the cupboard doors...three of them open on their own during transport and even with adjustment they still come loose occasionally. We will work on that one this year.

Other than those minor issues, the first year was great! I did have the dealer check the bearings cause they get pretty warm but they aparently run that hot. Yes they are full of grease....

[RV Man]

just waiting to pick my 2013 281 BHXL up they are fixing the defition list that we went over at the dealership.
Can't wait!!!

[Tim Hales]

I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. We certainly are.

[Doobias]

Congrats RV Man...I am sure you will enjoy it...we are really happy with ours.

[Red Tundra]

I just purchased my first TT, drive a 2010 Tundra and purchased a 2013 Wildwood 27RKSS and am a female in her late 50's, any advice on how to remember the steps for connecting and disconnecting TT.

[wyo700]

Originally Posted by Red Tundra

I just purchased my first TT, drive a 2010 Tundra and purchased a 2013 Wildwood 27RKSS and am a female in her late 50's, any advice on how to remember the steps for connecting and disconnecting TT.

You will get into a routine where you won't forget anything and will be able to do without problems. But even though I have a quick and effective routine I always go back when I think I'm done and double check everything before I hit the road.

[kritz26]

I took photos of each step and printed them out...keep them in the storage space so we always have them! Easier to see the steps, at least for me!