2013 Surveyor 220 review - Page 3

mjones12 · 07-08-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanddc

Afraid I can't help you with the double battery box. We have yet to put a bike on our rack but I love it for wood storage. Keeps it off the ground and easy to keep dry. We only store it there while we are on site. If there is any left to be moved at the end of the trip we put it up front for extra tongue weight.

Great idea for firewood. Now I know what I can use mine for. Thanks

tanddc · 07-16-2013, 11:24 AM

Just returned from our first over the road trip and everything went great. The trip down (and back) was very uneventful and I was impressed how easily the explorer towed on the highway (I had visions of trucks doing 45 MPH passing me on hills). Worst part was backing into the spot. Up a hill, on an angle, with a very small entrance adjacent to a cliff.

Just a few minor issues we are working on.

1) We get water on the floor every time we shower. I think it is running along the back. I tried to seal up the space under the curtain but that only slowed it. I am going to try splash gaurds next.

2) Our vents seem to open but themselves. We close them when we put the camper into storage and come back and they are open? I am thinking they might be opening up on the drive...or we have a ghost. I am open to other suggestions

.

Allthough this was our first chance to use the city water hookup I did not. I don't think I have the right device to limit the pressure and we have had an intermittent leak in the back of the toliet. Is there a big advantage to the city water hookup?

Tim

wickedwyrm · 07-16-2013, 03:53 PM

With the city water hookup you don't have to run the pump. It makes everything a lot quieter without listening to the pump, especially at night.

Weezer · 07-16-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pt1655

Forgot to mention; I also replaced the bathroom fan with a better unit with more speeds and in/out airflow, cost a bit over $100 at Camping World but really works well and provides a nice little airflow with the bedroom windows open. I also put a toilet paper holder on the inside of the bathroom sink cabinet door with small screws and that works well. Why Forest River didn't put a tp holder in is beyond me! We also put half shelves in the upper kitchen cabinets, very handy. I also put a counter extension on the door side of the kitchen counter, not so handy as it gets in the way and doesn't support as much weight as I would have liked, like a coffee maker. We also got a small folding plastic table and that really works well. Saves weight and with just the two of us we can position it to eat or use our laptops. Thanks you guys for all the good tips!
Pete

It was explained to us during our walk thru that FR stopped mounting the TP holder (ours was in one of the medicine cabinets) because customers asked them to, due to the fact that children were breaking them off the wall due to the thin wall material.

We use a stand-alone TP holder and store it behind the commode during transit...we have forgotten it and left it standing on the cabinet top during transit....it didn't move an inch...much heavier base than top.

pt1655 · 07-16-2013, 07:29 PM

I bought a water regulator with gauge from Camping World on sale for less than 30 bucks and I highly recommend it. Not only does it keep your water pressure safe and you don't blow out water lines, it is adjustable as well. I also use a 90 degree adapter at the trailer hookup to take some pressure off the fittings. So, from the trailer hookup, I go 90 degree fitting, then the water regulator, than our water filter then the actual water hose. Works just fine.
Pete

tanddc · 07-16-2013, 07:34 PM

I got some kind of a brass fitting with my start up kit. Is this a non-adjustable regulator or something else?

tanddc · 07-17-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HERmit

It was explained to us during our walk thru that FR stopped mounting the TP holder (ours was in one of the medicine cabinets) because customers asked them to, due to the fact that children were breaking them off the wall due to the thin wall material.

I was glad they didn't mount it. Gives you the option to do it where you want.

tanddc · 07-17-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwyrm

With the city water hookup you don't have to run the pump. It makes everything a lot quieter without listening to the pump, especially at night.

I understand not using the pump and I guess it is that much less wear and tear. As far as the noise, wife and I run the ac fan at night anyway (so the birds don't wake us in the morning

). The pump hasn't woke me since our first night out and that was a happy feeling knowing that I didn't have to get up! (all tents/pop-up's and midnight strolls to the restroom with my wife before)

mjones12 · 07-22-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanddc

I got some kind of a brass fitting with my start up kit. Is this a non-adjustable regulator or something else?

Sounds like it. Most of those are set at 45 psi. I have for years used an adjustable one that I set to 60 psi, which makes for much better showers and has never caused a problem. Just be sure you have some type of regulator on there - whether regular or adjustable - before you use city water.

tanddc · 07-22-2013, 02:25 PM

ok, thanks! I will try it next time I am at a campground with water hookups. Here are some pictures of our last spot

samsberr · 07-24-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanddc

Trying my hand at pictures

What is that vehicle at the front of the TT?
is that the pull vehicle...
Just curious...

tanddc · 07-24-2013, 07:43 PM

Yes. It is a 2013 explorer limited. We love the way it drives and tows.

sponge · 07-30-2013, 05:42 AM

Do any of you know the rough real world weight of this unit? The dry weight and gross are miles apart. Trying to decide if it is a decent option for my f150 short bed.

One other question...is anyone using the dinette area for a bed and is it ok or is this really more of a 2 person camper? I would likely have 2 extra people on occasion.

Thanks in advance, great info in here!

mjones12 · 07-30-2013, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponge

Do any of you know the rough real world weight of this unit? The dry weight and gross are miles apart. Trying to decide if it is a decent option for my f150 short bed.

One other question...is anyone using the dinette area for a bed and is it ok or is this really more of a 2 person camper? I would likely have 2 extra people on occasion.

Thanks in advance, great info in here!

I'd say it's a two-person camper, but haven't really used the dinette as a bed. However, the folding doors on either side of the entertainment center give a little bit of privacy to the bedroom if you have others in the camper.

I haven't weighed mine loaded, but I'm guessing I'm towing it at around 5,500 pounds.

jerryliving · 07-30-2013, 09:10 AM

We have used the table area as a bed for two grandkids and I think it would work for two adults, however, I didn't like the stand that the table is on (when you are not using the couch as a bed), so I made a pedestal stand for the table when it is just the wife and I traveling. It is a little lower and easier to get around.

wickedwyrm · 07-30-2013, 10:14 AM

I think my sticker weight was around 4700lbs. The couch works great for a bed. It's good and long, but only about 4' wide so if it was two adults they would have to be real cosy.

mjones12 · 07-30-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryliving

We have used the table area as a bed for two grandkids and I think it would work for two adults, however, I didn't like the stand that the table is on (when you are not using the couch as a bed), so I made a pedestal stand for the table when it is just the wife and I traveling. It is a little lower and easier to get around.

Jerry: Would you mind posting some photos of your re-designed table support sometime when you get a chance? I know there has been at least one major thread about those tables becoming very wobbly.

I'll bet a lot of folks would like to see what you came up with. Thanks.

tanddc · 07-30-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sponge

Do any of you know the rough real world weight of this unit? The dry weight and gross are miles apart. Trying to decide if it is a decent option for my f150 short bed.

One other question...is anyone using the dinette area for a bed and is it ok or is this really more of a 2 person camper? I would likely have 2 extra people on occasion.

Thanks in advance, great info in here!

Our weighed in at just under 5K. sticker weight was only about 24 lbs(i think) over catalog weight. We do not have the front gaurd as some do.

I am a bit of a private person so I would not want visitors in my camper with me. Yes there are folding doors to the bed room but at least in our case, the flip around tv doesn't afford you 100% coverage. Fine for sleeping I guess but not for other activities (like changing clothes).

mjones12 · 07-30-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanddc

Our weighed in at just under 5K. sticker weight was only about 24 lbs(i think) over catalog weight. We do not have the front gaurd as some do.

I am a bit of a private person so I would not want visitors in my camper with me. Yes there are folding doors to the bed room but at least in our case, the flip around tv doesn't afford you 100% coverage. Fine for sleeping I guess but not for other activities (like changing clothes).

Agreed. I'd call it very limited privacy. Another reason why it's a very good two-person camper.

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