2021 XLS 22MLE Report Card !!

**RazorbackRollin** · 01-20-2022, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by RazorbackRollin

That's it.
.

It's extremely accurate I have 2 thermometers setup and it's died on when it reaches temp.....I've been very pleased so far with the GE AC I was sceptical time will tell.

**Trapper** · 01-26-2022, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

And so true about the underbelly, while there is no insulation underneath, there's enough heat to thaw frozen water lines. Now how would I know that?

Hello, we just purchased our 2022 22MLE, and you say no insulation underneath?
I know it is enclosed and thought the water lines would have been in the insulated part but really don't have any idea, this is our first travel trailer.
So in cold weather best to just set the thermostat to the lowest setting?

**Riverbug** · 01-26-2022, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Trapper

Hello, we just purchased our 2022 22MLE, and you say no insulation underneath?
I know it is enclosed and thought the water lines would have been in the insulated part but really don't have any idea, this is our first travel trailer.
So in cold weather best to just set the thermostat to the lowest setting?

Correct, in the Imagine line as I understand it, there is no insulation in any of the models. I can attest that it applies to the 2022 MLE as I've been all up in there. If you're in temps that are below freezing or thereabouts, it is best to use the furnace as it does blow heat into the underbelly. I bought a 4 sensor temperature monitor so I can monitor cabin, outside, front storage bay, and rear underbelly. What I've found in temps down to 20 so far is that the temps in the rear underbelly are about 10 degrees lower than the temps in the cabin (which we usually have set at about 64). The temp in the front storage bay is about 10-15 degrees lower than the cabin.

You'll likely find that there is very hot air coming from the register in the bathroom (and kitchen). If you take off that white panel below the shower pan, it's somewhat open to the basement and there is hot air from the furnace going into that underbelly space. It's surprisingly hot as you'll find when you are sitting on the toilet and feel like your toes are turning to bacon crisps.

We'll be heading to MN from FL last week of Feb so I will see how the temps under there are when it is colder than 20. We'll be winterizing in AL, but I will still be monitoring the temps to see how well it heats underneath.

**Darrel and Angela** · 01-26-2022, 02:59 PM

Welcome and congrats on your 22mle! WE LOVE ours and with the exception of some minor trim pieces inside, it's been perfect.

**Tigger1** · 01-26-2022, 03:39 PM

Congrats to all new 22mle owners in this thread! We love ours too.
@Riverbug thanks for the info on the underbelly. Have not needed to get up in there but good to know what to expect.

**Trapper** · 01-27-2022, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

Correct, in the Imagine line as I understand it, there is no insulation in any of the models. I can attest that it applies to the 2022 MLE as I've been all up in there. If you're in temps that are below freezing or thereabouts, it is best to use the furnace as it does blow heat into the underbelly. I bought a 4 sensor temperature monitor so I can monitor cabin, outside, front storage bay, and rear underbelly. What I've found in temps down to 20 so far is that the temps in the rear underbelly are about 10 degrees lower than the temps in the cabin (which we usually have set at about 64). The temp in the front storage bay is about 10-15 degrees lower than the cabin.

You'll likely find that there is very hot air coming from the register in the bathroom (and kitchen). If you take off that white panel below the shower pan, it's somewhat open to the basement and there is hot air from the furnace going into that underbelly space. It's surprisingly hot as you'll find when you are sitting on the toilet and feel like your toes are turning to bacon crisps.

We'll be heading to MN from FL last week of Feb so I will see how the temps under there are when it is colder than 20. We'll be winterizing in AL, but I will still be monitoring the temps to see how well it heats underneath.

That is interesting, so I guess when the say R30 with their little * they mean R30 with the furnace running.
I like your idea with the multiply temp readings, do you use one device or have multiple?
Thanks for information and I am sure we will be learning more interesting things and mods for this unit.
My wife and I feel we picked the right one for us and can't wait to use this year.

**RazorbackRollin** · 01-27-2022, 01:27 PM

The Artic package includes a thermo sheild cover that's glued to the belly cover on the top side it has a reflective surface that's suppose to reflect heat from the floor and the furnace inside the belly area. So far it has work ok in my 22mle. It does not look like insulation looks like flat foil. I don't know why you couldn't go under there with some of the pink sheeting and slide it straight from the back all the way to the front for more insulation. North to Alaska!!!

**Riverbug** · 01-30-2022, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Trapper

That is interesting, so I guess when the say R30 with their little * they mean R30 with the furnace running.
I like your idea with the multiply temp readings, do you use one device or have multiple?
Thanks for information and I am sure we will be learning more interesting things and mods for this unit.
My wife and I feel we picked the right one for us and can't wait to use this year.

Hi Trapper. We purchased this in September: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
So far no need to change batteries in any of the devices. It works great and based on my "thermo gun" they have been accurate. You get the indoor monitor and three remote monitors.

GD marketing is incredibly generous with respect to their R ratings. Even that foil they claim adds so much R value doesn't do much when they just throw in a piece here and there. Or worse yet, where there's no actual space for heat reflection. Anyway, it is what it is. We've had enough RV's, and I've done enough refurbishment on them over the years to know what we are getting. We still love our little MLE!

Here's another cool mod that I picked up on the forum...bought this off Amazon and mounted it to the A-frame up front behind the propane tanks. Our blocks get stored there while traveling and my equalizer hitch and bars are stored in there when parked. Less dirt and sand ends up in our storage bay.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1

**RazorbackRollin** · 01-31-2022, 08:55 AM

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
That's a great idea. You could place one in the belly of the rig to monitor temp. When we get to go to Alaska I will likely put pipe insulation on anything I can get to in the belly of the unit. We shall see.

**Trapper** · 02-01-2022, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Riverbug

Hi Trapper. We purchased this in September: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1
So far no need to change batteries in any of the devices. It works great and based on my "thermo gun" they have been accurate. You get the indoor monitor and three remote monitors.

GD marketing is incredibly generous with respect to their R ratings. Even that foil they claim adds so much R value doesn't do much when they just throw in a piece here and there. Or worse yet, where there's no actual space for heat reflection. Anyway, it is what it is. We've had enough RV's, and I've done enough refurbishment on them over the years to know what we are getting. We still love our little MLE!

Here's another cool mod that I picked up on the forum...bought this off Amazon and mounted it to the A-frame up front behind the propane tanks. Our blocks get stored there while traveling and my equalizer hitch and bars are stored in there when parked. Less dirt and sand ends up in our storage bay.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1?ie=UTF8&th=1

Thanks for the links, I was definitely thinking of something for the storage up front.
I want to add another battery also for more runtime but will try single first to see run time, 90% of the time we will have power but I am looking at a few places in the UP with no power and if I can get buy without a gen I will be a happy camper.