Spencer for Hire
Active member
What are the caveats? Thank You
2024 Casita 17' Spirit Deluxe
- Thread starter Tex68w
- Start date
Tex68w
Beach Bum
Head room in the bathroom is tight, but we knew that going in. Due to the lack of slide outs you must learn to work around one another if standing at the same time as space is limited in the narrow walkway. I am not the biggest fan of the hardware and material they chose to use for the cabinets but it works and should we keep in long term I have some ideas on how to improve upon that. Like I said, minor complaints.
Todd780
OverCamper
Due to the stories I read about slide outs, I purposely avoided them when we got out first hardwall.
But, with 4 people and a dog in there, the limited standing space and having to get around one another led us to getting a slide on our 2nd trailer.
Although now for the most part it's just the two of us heading out now.
1st trailer:
2nd trailer:
(Just noticed for the 1st time in pic below, the dog is seated at the table waiting to be fed.....
)
And since it's usually just the two of us, we went with a couples trailer with a big rear bathroom.
If the our 2 kiddos or our youngest and our niece come with us, the couch pulls out into a bed.
4runnerteq
Explorer
Dammit man. We been talking about moving out of the SoCal Teardrop for a stand up. Then you go positn all this up. Not quite ready, but looks like a good option. Big enough for just us two and I'm sure still easy to tow.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
At 2800lbs loaded with water and all of our crap it can be towed by darn near anything and it tows like a dream.
I have owned two Casitas. I love what you get considering little new technology has been incorporated. First is the battery box. Will fit one group 27 with no room remaining. I installed a 200ah LiPo under the bed. I replaced the failed Dometic fridge with a pure 12V fridge. I can run the fridge and lights for over a week without solar panels being connected. The rear frame should be modded to accept bike racks, this is a little trailer we are talking about. I want a deeper sink and it is next on the list. I am removing the bathroom sink that never gets used, rerouting the water lines for an outdoor shower. Remember as you add weight for or aft this is a small trailer and tongue weight can be affected quickly. Some worry about the rivets but I’ve seen very few failures. Others worry about the gel coat cracks, not much to worry about there either, the gel coat is not structural. I am switching to 235 tires to get a little more clearance, i have the high lift with 15” wheels already. Another nice to have is an outside quick connect for propane. I run 200w of portable solar panels but intend to add one 200w on the roof, combined with a 200ah lipo that should seal the deal for me except for running ac (i also can carry my 2200 Honda gen). If you want to see the toughest Casita built check out Bill Hillman’s Casita, here’s the link Happy trails
Tex68w
Beach Bum
I've watched that video many times and I spoke with the shop that does the work prior to purchasing ours. Luckily for us we have the outdoor shower and the new deep set sink as they are now factory options. I would eventually like to upgrade to lithium with an inverter and add an outdoor LP hookup. We currently have a 200w portable panel for solar but should we decide to keep the Casita long term we will more than likely stick another 200w worth of panels on the roof.
No complaints with the Dometic 3-way fridge at the moment so I'll cross that bridge should we ever get there. I have a custom reinforced hitch (150lb max payload) set to be installed by Casita Works in the coming weeks along with tint install on all windows (less the entrance door and beveled bath window). I am still considering adding the Stromberg cargo tray over the tongue along with their generator box but I'd be using the box for storage as there's very little on these trailers for exterior use items.
We have the new style bath with the molded in sink and cabinet, it's an improvement in terms of aesthetics and storage when compared to the older riveted on sink but it still eats up a lot of room in there. The only rivet or bolt I hear of sometimes failing on the newer trailers is the overhead corner cabinet above the microwave space and it's easily repaired should it ever fail. You should be able to clear 31's with the lift in place, I opted for a 30x9.50x15 instead and I am more than pleased with that decision but I am glad that I didn't go any smaller.
eatSleepWoof
Do it for the 'gram
As an alternative, consider a "Let's Go Aero - 429756 Jack-It Double Bike Carrier System" along with a small, hitch-mounted storage tray. It would live in the same space as the Stromberg tray, but give you more options and better access to the propane.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
That could work, I already have a PakMule cargo carrier for the rear as well. Something to consider if I don't want a permanent solution.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
RedArc 1500w inverter has arrived. Still shopping the right lithium battery for our needs, really hoping to find a 300Ah of a similar footprint to the stock AGM but I have some other ideas up my sleeve should I not. Picked up a QD flexible spout on amazon for the outdoor shower/faucet hookup, messing with the coiled hose and garden sprayer isn't always ideal when I simply need an outdoor sink more so than a wash down station.
Hoping to get out for a few nights locally next month for a shake down run prior to our Big Bend trip in October. It sounds like @Kingsize24 might be joining us as well.
Hoping to get out for a few nights locally next month for a shake down run prior to our Big Bend trip in October. It sounds like @Kingsize24 might be joining us as well.
Tex68w
Beach Bum
Epoch 300Ah 12V Lithium Battery has been ordered. I am looking forward to going from a usable 50Ah on my current 100Ah AGM to a usable 270Ah with this 300Ah Lithium. I am happy to report that it will fit in the current battery box compartment as well so I won’t have to extend the wiring and eat up much needed interior storage space under the dinette like I had anticipated.
www.epochbatteries.com
12V 300Ah Heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 Battery - Epoch Essentials
Get the 12V 300Ah heated & Bluetooth LiFePO4 battery from Epoch Essentials. Charge in sub-zero conditions, control with iOS and Android apps, and enjoy the benefits of smart battery management. 4,000+ cycles, 11-year warranty.