2022 Imagine XLS 22MLE - Our First RV

Vanteer

Advanced Member
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Jan 26, 2022
Messages
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My wife and I are retired and both clicked over into our 70’s. Last year we began to get serious about trying out RVing. We did extensive research, reviewing the pros and cons of Leisure Travel’s B+ vans to 40+ Class A’s. We ended up deciding to take advantage of my existing 2018 Platinum F150, and concentrate on a travel trailer. This would allow us the opportunity to see if we would enjoy the RV travel lifestyle, without a major investment of a motorized coach.

Weight capacity was a major factor. I had no desire to push the limits of my truck. We zeroed in on Grand Design due to their floor plans and build quality. Our initial pick was the Imagine 2600RB. Then I ran all the weight numbers and was not comfortable with the results. I would most likely be right at or over the weight limits of the truck after loading up for a trip.

We decided on the 22MLE. Lost 4 feet, but seems like a much safer choice for my TV. Super glad we did. 26 feet was plenty long enough for towing behind my truck and turned out to be adequate of room for my wife and I and our small dog. Plus I can just fit it onto my driveway for trip prep.

Since I learned so much from the info on this forum, I wanted to share our experience as new RVers. Hopefully it will be helpful to others starting their journey.

Outfitting our trailer was like buying a new home and getting it ready for real life living. Just in a mini size. We found tons of great advice on this forum and on YouTube.

We picked up our our 22MLE end of February, took about 4 days to arrange and pack for our first 3 day break in trip to a local RV park about 2 hours away.

I do not plan to list all the items we packed, but will cover the major items we added to make the trailer more comfortable.

1. Added the 3” Nature’s Sleep topper from Costco - We knew the 6” factory mattress would not work, so before we replaced it completely we decided to try the topper. Worked perfect, we were very comfortable and see no reason to replace with a more expensive solution.

2. I did not like the rough cut edge of the plywood mattress platform. I purchased an 8 foot 5/8” 90degree PVC type molding from Home Depot. Cut to fit around the edges and used heat gun to mold/bend around the corners, then my staple gun to attach. See the pictures, but no more splinters in our fingers when we make the bed or lift the platform to get to the storage.

3. Many comments on the buttons controlling the theater seats. So easy to brush against them and turn them on, (love the seats by the way, so comfortable). You all know the Christmas tree green extension cords with the red off/on push button. Took that and plugged the seat power supplies into that, then routed the red button to the front by the bottom of the fridge, and now have a foot on/off button to turn off&on the controls. That way when we want the control features activated, just a simple push of the on/off button. Beware, it’s a tight fit to actually access the AC outlet behind the seats. Took some contortion to get to unplug and plug into the extension cord.

3. Our first morning we woke up to the sunlight basting through the door window. That seemed like an oversight by GD, not to have a shade. What to do? Custom shade? Along with that we noticed the lack of a place to hang our second bath towel. We decided to deal with both issues by installing the 30” KES Adhesive Towel Bar SUS304 (Amazon) above the door. Now we can dry our bath towel and have a window shade at the same time. The other bath towel we just hang over the shower curtain rail.

4. We both use CPAP machines. The wardrobe cubbies were just about perfect for the machines. But the extra 3” memory pad added some access issues, plus there had to be a more efficient way to use the space. I built two light shelves, about 4” high, and now the CPAPs sit on the shelf in the cubbies, and we have room for small night stuff under the CPAPs.

5. We decided to use an electric room space heater to keep the chill off during colder days and nights. No sense in using propane when we are connected to AC power at RV parks. Main problem was the very inconvenient AC outlet under the dinette table. Also, all the 120V AC plugs are on a single 15 amp circuit breaker.

Every time we made toast or cooked on the electric grill, we had to remember to turn off the heater or we would blow the 15 amp circuit. I decided to install a new outlet on the wall panel under the rear dinette seat facing the refrigerator. That way we could plug and unplug without crawling under the dinette table. Turns out there is a spare 15 amp circuit in the fuse panel. After a few cuts in the wall panel, a 4 foot romex wire and a new 110 power outlet, we now have a plug with its own 15 amp circuit for the heater. BTW, if you are planning on spending much time in freezing temperate, remember the it’s the propane heater that keep the underside water pipes from freezing.

6. The deep cabinets opposite the refridge are pretty dark. Check out “LED Motion Sensor Cabinet Light - Ultra Energy-Saving Rechargeable Motion Sensor Under Cabinet Light” on Amazon. Great solution.

Lots of other little stuff, check out the pictures.


Now for a few other items I purchased that added convince. (All from Amazon)

Midland - X-TALKER T71VP3, 36 Channel FRS Two-Way Radio to use when cell service is not available, and you need help backing up.
Kohree Stable RV Steps Adjustable Height Aluminum Folding Platform Steps

DOZYANT 12 FT RV Propane Quick Connect Hose for RV to Grill, BBQ Quick Release LP Gas Line. Love that Propane access connector at the rear of the trailer.

AP Products 1212.13 024-1000 Tank Check LP with Monitor Kit - Great way to monitor the level of Propane in the tanks. Be sure to buy 2 Mopeka 024-5002 LP Check Tank Halos, seems expensive but worth it.

Andersen Hitches | RV Accessories | 5-Pack Trailer EZ Jack Blocks

LevelMatePRO Wireless Vehicle Leveling System - Patented Quick and Easy Smartphone RV Leveling Tool. One of the greatest tools ever. Used it every time I set up the trailer.

PAULINN 2 Packs Camper Levelers, RV Leveling Blocks Ramp Chock Kit. Used them at every RV park. Seems same as the Anderson set, but better price.

I did a lot of research on WDHs (Weight distribution hitches). I decide to go with the Andersen No-Sway Hitch with a 4in drip/rise and 2-5/16 ball. It worked great. Very happy with the choice. Installed it myself at the dealer before towing my unit home. 65 LBS total weight. No bars to pry on and off, no issue backing up, very happy with the way the trailer tracks and the weight distribution. I also purchased the Shoreline LM 1000 Trailer tongue weight scale. My tongue weight ended up right at 720 lbs. We kept track of the weight of all the items we put in the trailer. I figure we had close to 1000 lbs including 20 gallons of fresh water.

As to the overall impressions of our 22MLE. We are both extremely pleased with the trailer. I love the fact that GD switched to the 12V fridge. Gained 2 cubic feet of space, and no propane to deal with. It worked great.

We just returned from our second trip. We found the MLE to be comfortable and enjoyed our 22 day excursion from Oceanside Calif up to Seattle Washington and back. Decided we like it much better than in and out of motels. We stayed between 1 and 4 nights at each stop. Met lots of friendly people and experienced beautiful scenery. Had a pretty relaxing trip. We limited our drives to 4-6 hours a day. We are now planning a two month trip to Washington DC and back. Plan to go in September and October.

Take care, and happy RVing

Bob and Francie

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I like the plywood edging.

We love our MLE. We have done a lot of mods ourselves. We turned the mirror on the pantry into a door for easier access to food.

Keep it up and hope to see you around.
 
Thanks for sharing. I might grab a few of your mods. Lol Glad everything went well, we love how our 22 mle fells so big inside and is only 26 ft total length.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk
 
Nice mods. We like our 22MLE. Only issue we have been facing is the slide has never really worked well. It's back at the dealer for a 3rd time. The factory is involved now. I sure hope they fix it.
 
Yes sir, the MLE is hard not to like. I wish the 21 model year had the cubbies by the bed. We replaced the mattress with one from our house so it sits much higher. Adding those is on the list but not at the top.

Enjoy!
 

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