Our U-Joint 2022 27' Coachman Leprechaun 4x4 conversion

[waltw]

@Sudsy hi sudsy,

I was wondering how you like your rig after hopefully getting a lot of use this summer? It really looks like an awesome rig. I’m looking at class c, class b and truck campers, (I’ll be purchasing in the next year, year and a half) weighing the pros/cons for each. Hoping you could share what you like, dislike and if you would have done anything different. Thanks Walt 

Edited September 17 by waltw
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[Sudsy]

15 hours ago, waltw said:

@Sudsy hi sudsy,

I was wondering how you like your rig after hopefully getting a lot of use this summer? It really looks like an awesome rig. I’m looking at class c, class b and truck campers, (I’ll be purchasing in the next year, year and a half) weighing the pros/cons for each. Hoping you could share what you like, dislike and if you would have done anything different. Thanks Walt 

Love the conversion, it actually handles far better then it did before, also it didn't affect the gas mileage, we actually gained a tiny bit which really surprised us.

 

On the negative side it was a covid built machine and we're having a lot of small issues due to poor manufacturing and quality parts shortages. If I were to do it again I'd buy a used pre-covid machine where the previous owner had already worked out all the bugs and it was built with the right parts. Also if $$ is not an issue get a solid roof !! The never ending caulking you have to stay on top of is a PIA.

 

Ours isn't going to be a full time beach vehicle. If it were I would not get one with slides . We can't access the stove and microwave without putting the slide out, which you can only do after leveling the machine - which obviously won't happen on a day at the beach, so no microwave or stove - and you don't want to be working slides if there's a chance of getting sand into them.

 

The cabin battery it came with is pathetic and far too small, the manufacturer told me that it wasn't enough and should be replaced (so why the he## did they put it in to begin with?).

Spend up on solar and as much battery storage as you can fit, we've already replaced ours. Also, shockingly enough, ours doesn't have an inverter (hard to believe) so all the outlets only work with the generator running or while plugged into shore power, making the whole solar thing we had installed barely worth it. The next project is adding an inverter.

 

The fridge is electric only - and has been a nonstop problem, constant voltage light warnings that no one at the dealership can seem to fix. I'd get one that runs on propane and electric.

[waltw]

Thanks for the honest reply, Sorry to hear all the negatives, unfortunately I’ve heard a lot of the same issues with Covid builds. I have a long list of pros/cons for class b or c and truck campers. Vans would be included but they are so over priced it’s not worth looking at, for me anyway. Great advice on the slide, I will be using it on the beach and out west in the winter, not always easy to get it level. I’ve had boats all my life and a buddy told me RV’s are very similar as far as repairs/maintenance, and like boats there isn’t a one size fits all…..Thanks again for getting back to me. Good luck this fall!
walt