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02-27-2016, 09:39 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 57
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Newbie (or way oldie) with a Passport 238ML in snowy Michigan
Hey all, just picked up a 2016 Keystone Passport Express 238ML, gonna try trailering after years of family and boy scout tent camping. Using the rest of Winter to kit out the trailer. My parents had a 16 footer back in the 70's, and they preferred to have me, a new driver then, back it into various backcountry tree-filled sites. Not sure how much of that talent is left cause it took 4-5 tries the two times I have backed the 25' 238 into driveways! Upfitted a low-mileage 2000 conversion van as my TV, 350 w/3.73 and factory hitch so I only added a big trans cooler, brake controller, and 7-wire connector. Now busily figuring out what to put on the trailer.
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02-27-2016, 09:56 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,674
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to the forum and congrats on the new rig! Sounds like you're going to have a ball come spring! Good luck and have fun.
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02-27-2016, 10:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,271
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to the fourm congrats have fun
__________________
Navy 1980-1984
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02-27-2016, 10:30 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 33
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Welcome KJJ! We also have a 2016 238ML and love it. Found it to be such a vast improvement over our tent we haven't really found too much we wanted to add. lol I did find a great deal on a couple Trojan T-108's this winter so out goes the 12v marine the dealer gave us. Added a disco switch to the battery box and added bed rails to the bunks for the kiddos. Only other thing I've really wanted to do that I haven't gotten around to is to add a power switch to kill the stereo at night. Thing is so bright! Enjoy the trailer and look forward to hearing about your mods and adventures.
__________________
2016 Passport 238MLWE
2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn
Vancouver, WA
Life rich but $$broke as a joke!
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02-27-2016, 06:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJJ
Hey all, just picked up a 2016 Keystone Passport Express 238ML, gonna try trailering after years of family and boy scout tent camping. Using the rest of Winter to kit out the trailer. My parents had a 16 footer back in the 70's, and they preferred to have me, a new driver then, back it into various backcountry tree-filled sites. Not sure how much of that talent is left cause it took 4-5 tries the two times I have backed the 25' 238 into driveways! Upfitted a low-mileage 2000 conversion van as my TV, 350 w/3.73 and factory hitch so I only added a big trans cooler, brake controller, and 7-wire connector. Now busily figuring out what to put on the trailer.
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Have fun. We bought a 2014 238ml & used it for 1.5 years and loved it. The only mod we did was add a black tank flush. We now have a 2810BH.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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02-27-2016, 10:21 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 57
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Hey tgoodwin, we are thinking alike! I have a ladder on order and saw a nice setup using 1x4s to make up some bunk bed rails. Also had the dealer put in twin 6V instead of the 12V standard. Is your switch for saving battery drain or to power from an inverter (TV, microwave)?
Also have water filter system on order and heat element for the A/C. Will be getting a pair of the Andersen wheel levelers and a big level I can see out the rearview mirror, probably the Andersen quick jack which will double as a jack stand.
And seriously considering a power jack.
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02-27-2016, 10:24 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Waterford, MI
Posts: 57
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Tbos, FYI the 2016 Passport brochure has a picture of a black tank flush in the Express equipment, but I sure cant find one on my unit! Must be one of those changes they disclaim in the fine print - at least they see the need.
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02-28-2016, 07:46 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KJJ
Hey tgoodwin, we are thinking alike! I have a ladder on order and saw a nice setup using 1x4s to make up some bunk bed rails. Also had the dealer put in twin 6V instead of the 12V standard. Is your switch for saving battery drain or to power from an inverter (TV, microwave)?
Also have water filter system on order and heat element for the A/C. Will be getting a pair of the Andersen wheel levelers and a big level I can see out the rearview mirror, probably the Andersen quick jack which will double as a jack stand.
And seriously considering a power jack.
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Adding a power tongue jack is an easy add (3 bolts & 1 wire) and makes things easier. I did add one to my 238ML and then transferred it to my new 2810BH.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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02-28-2016, 09:15 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 33
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Switch is for drain while we're away during the days and storage. We use a small 100w cig plug inverter to power the TV when we want to watch it. May go with something bigger one day if we decide we can't live without a toaster or microwave at some point. Also considering a power jack when $$ permits. For now it's pretty good exercise.
I used a spare short rail that came with my oldest son's crib/toddler conversion bed on the top bunk to shorten the gap he could potentially fall through. The ladder I bought fits just right in the open space so he can get down to go to the bathroom at night if he needs to.
Btw I was tricked by the brochure on the black tank flush as well. Ended up buying a wand which did the trick at the end of last season.
__________________
2016 Passport 238MLWE
2015 Ram 1500 Big Horn
Vancouver, WA
Life rich but $$broke as a joke!
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03-06-2016, 04:11 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Essexville, MI
Posts: 262
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Welcome to the site
__________________
2014 Passport Elite 31RE
2017 2500HD Crew Cab
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