Salem Hemisphere 282RK

[tlambert]

Nice write up. I have the 2015 282rk and I would say that explains it very well


Tim

[Uncle Buck]

We might be buying the 2016 282RK this next week. After reading these comments, I'm feeling much better about our decision. From what I gathered of the negative posts sounds more like an issue with the dealer(s) not FR? As with any camper there are design flaws and design pluses. The pantry door???, I can put a childproof latch on it, that should keep it from popping open. Not opening 90*? I think it opens far enough for me, didn't even notice until I read it here.

I'll get her home, put a few camp trips in her and then give my next review.

If anyone has any "tips" about anything mentioned in those previous posts that might be helpful, I would be interested.

[mguymon]

We enjoy our 2016 282rk also. I was so disappointed in the dealer and manufacturer because they both have us the run a around when we brought to their attention about the top pantry door opening 90%.also we found that the pantry doors DO open when traveling so we take pillows and put them in the pantry cupboards. Problem solved. Happy traveling

[Uncle Buck]

Thanks for the tip, as I thought, there is usually an easy work around to most simple issues.

I haven't accepted it yet, so maybe I can use this issue to bargain with them on another upgrade or option?

Anything yours didn't come with that you needed to buy later?

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

We might be buying the 2016 282RK this next week. After reading these comments, I'm feeling much better about our decision. The pantry door???, I can put a childproof latch on it, that should keep it from popping open. Not opening 90*? I think it opens far enough for me, didn't even notice until I read it here.

If anyone has any "tips" about anything mentioned in those previous posts that might be helpful, I would be interested.

The pantry door design is not a flaw: it is simply the way it was designed. Also, we have towed well over 5k miles with our 282rk and have never had ANY cabinet door pop open. Buy the camper and enjoy.

[jimmy54]

Uncle Buck...Congrads on your purchase.
Here are some tips and recommendations to have your dealer add before you take delivery:
1. Add a battery disconnect switch on the negative battery connection. This will avoid battery draining from parasite circuits while in storage!
2. Add roof vent cover to the bathroom vent. Can then leave vent open when raining.
3. Add "T" valve at the water pump to make it easier to winterize. ( if applicable)
4. If you plan to travel a lot....Consider having spare mounted under trailer instead of rear bumper to reduce rear end weight and sway. Not sure what this costs, but think it would be worth it.
5. Be sure to get a weight distribution hitch with sway control as 35' is a long trailer.
6. Get water pressure valve for hose connection and surge protector for power.
7. Get wheel jocks and be sure always chocked before unhitching!
8. Add AC outlet below kitchen counter.
9. If you have outside kitchen with bar fridge & sink...ask if drawer or cabinet can be added.
10. Get a 100' coaxial TV cable as connection is at rear of trailer and a lot of campgrounds the pedestal will be at the opposite end.
Same applies for power cable..25' to 50' extension cord sometimes needed.
11. Spare fuses

Be sure to have dealer show you during delivery inspection:
1. Manual operation of slide, awning, leveling jacks and front hitch jack . (in case you ever lose battery power)
2. Hot water bypass access and winterize procedure.
3. Black and grey water dumping
4. Hitching and unhitchin
5. Check all of the fender support brackets under trailer as have had problem with these breaking. (attaches from frame to fiberglass fenders)

Some of this may seem obvious, but wished I had thought of when I bought instead of discovering on my own. Hope this is of some help.

[mguymon]

Uncle buck: Jimmy 54 has some very good points to think about! We do enjoy our 282rk:

[Uncle Buck]

Good points, because this isn't my first Trailer, I have most of this already.
25' extention /
Water presure regulator /
Roof vent I already have one to put on/
WDH with Sway bar / (also sway control is built into the new 2016 GMC 2500)
100' TV cable + Satellite dish /
Surge protected on order/

I will get the battery disconnect and add an outlet if I think I need it. Mounting the tire underneath???? Maybe, but something to keep an eye on.
The outside kitchen is getting turned into a wine bar, I have plans :-)

I'll keep an eye on those fender pieces too. I always have fuses with me... and definitely will have them show me how to retract/extend everything manually.

Thanks!

[jimmy54]

Good. Apologies for noting easy and obvious stuff given your past trailering experience. We were relative newbies to trailering a year ago, and went thru some growing pains which got little help wth. You should have no major issues pulling the 282RK with a new 3/4 ton. We are towing OK with a F150 1/2 ton also with built in sway control, but do get tossed around in windy conditions. The Reese dual cam sway control hitch has helped by correcting any trailer sway before it impacts the truck.

[Uncle Buck]

I have a Curt 1,000/10,000 WDH with friction sway control. I haven't towed this trailer yet, but will keep the WDH and use it if needed.

[Uncle Buck]

Got the loan, so it should be a go! We are going to go look it over today (if it stops snowing). The Credit Union was the way to go, they not only approved us for the TT, but will refinance our new Truck and almost brand new hybrid car all at 3% or 2.5% if we do auto pay. That's AWESOME!

[Uncle Buck]

Quick question for those with the 10cu ft residential fridge, how long does it take to get cold when plugged into 30 amp? And will the deep cycles keep it cold when traveling (also plugged into the TV?
TIA for the help. We pick it up Wednesday and first camping trip is Friday-Sunday.

[kbotley]

I purchased my 282RK in April 2013. We love the floor plan in this unit and it has proven to be real winner in that regard.

Pros
Layout as previously mentioned
Outside Kitchen
power awning
power stabilizer jacks
remote for power accessories
central vacumn
preinstalled bearing buddies

Cons
SOFT floors have developed in the kitchen area which FR states is normal
Laminate Floor construction
slideout floor flex
not equipped with winterizing kit on the pump
Air mattress instead of traditional mattress

Things I have have fixed myself or at the dealer

glass fell out of main entry door
bottom slide sweep didn't come in contact with slide
vinyl floor coming unglued
slideout way out of adjustment
toilet valve broke
motor on rear power stab jack failed
awning fabric replaced due to manufacture defect
front gutter not properly sealed

Is anybody else experiencing soft floors in the kitchen?

[kbotley]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

Quick question for those with the 10cu ft residential fridge, how long does it take to get cold when plugged into 30 amp? And will the deep cycles keep it cold when traveling (also plugged into the TV?
TIA for the help. We pick it up Wednesday and first camping trip is Friday-Sunday.

the Dometic fridge cools down fast on AC power but will cool down even faster if you choose the propane only button. Give it a couple hours to be effective.

[Teamfour]

No soft floors in ours, or any of the other issues. The only issue we have is a weak awning motor. That is in two years and 6k miles of use.

[oxcamper]

WOW!
We have none of those issues.
Do you mean that the bed has an air mattress, or the pull out sofa?

[retire057]

We also have none of those issues. We love the 282rk.

[Uncle Buck]

I have the Wire pool 10cuft residential fridge.

[kbotley]

Originally Posted by oxcamper

WOW!
We have none of those issues.
Do you mean that the bed has an air mattress, or the pull out sofa?

The pull out sofa has an air mattress which is somewhat of a pain to setup compared to a traditional mattress. I think they might have changed this in 2014 or 15.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by kbotley

The pull out sofa has an air mattress which is somewhat of a pain to setup compared to a traditional mattress. I think they might have changed this in 2014 or 15.

Our 2014 has the air mattress. It is a pain but soooo comfortable.