Hello from East Lansing Michigan

feighti

New Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2023
Messages
5
Location
East Lansing, Michigan
My name is Rich. My bride and I just bought our first travel trailer. Before this, we had a pop-up for 6 years. Prior to that, we tented for 16 years.

We choose the Imagine AIM RB15 as a transitioning to couples camper. Our kids are 13 and 16 and soon will be in college and probably no longer wish to camp with us. We wanted a well-designed small camper so we could travel around and see the country when we are empty nesters. This past summer we went west with the kids and saw Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Devil's Tower, the Grand Canyon, and the Rockies from hotel to hotel. I kept thinking how cool would this trip be in a camper. Anyway, so far so good.

My setup - We pull our AIM with a 2018 BMW 40e. We have a Blue Ox weight distribution sway system attached to a CURT aftermarket hitch. BMW installed the electric and adjusted the computer programming. I use a CURT Bluetooth Echo for the brake controller and am working on getting my DoHonest backup camera to work through my phone. Although so far that's been a challenge.

I do have a question for anyone towing with a PHEV on a Grand Design system with solar - when you set your driving status to charge your PHEV while driving it, do you think the camper battery is taking the charge? Because when I set my BMW to "save" and replenish the battery, it doesn't charge. Rather I think it might actually be charging the camper batter. Maybe I'll ask this in another thread.

Thanks for the community. We'll be interested in growing our camping friends as we transition into the next phase of life...
 
Welcome to the forum. I think you may be one of our first members to tow with hybrid/electric. Please let us know how it goes. I'm wondering what kind of range you'll get towing.
 
Welcome to the group. I'm only speculating here, but I don't think so. On our old PHEV and our now EV, the charge that goes to the EV part is separate from the 12v accessory part of the system. I could be wrong.
 
BTW, a colleague is now towing a non GD 30ft TT with his new Ford Lightning. He's only doing short distance for now but plans on pushing it longer. The great thing is he can fully power (30amp) trailer when boondocking or stopped for lunch. AC and all.
 
Range

Welcome to the forum. I think you may be one of our first members to tow with hybrid/electric. Please let us know how it goes. I'm wondering what kind of range you'll get towing.

The BMW 40e only gets roughly 12 to 14 miles electric. Without the camper it's around 28 to 33 mpg with gas electric combo. With the camper, the last time I took it on an empty battery it was 10mpg. I'm yet to attempt with a full better. I'll keep you posted. pun intended.
 
Welcome. We have the AIM 15BH. Great little trailer!
 
Welcome to the group. I'm only speculating here, but I don't think so. On our old PHEV and our now EV, the charge that goes to the EV part is separate from the 12v accessory part of the system. I could be wrong.

Thanks for the reply. I certainly hope so. A few more miles and I'll hopefully be able to report back.
 
Hello Feighti from Eaton Rapids
I cannot answer your question about RV battery while charging your PHEV, but I am wondering how things turned out with you DoHonest backup camera?
I take delivery on a 2024 XLS 22MPE next week. Would love to hear your review of the camera.

Happy camping,
Phil
 
Hello Feighti from Eaton Rapids
I cannot answer your question about RV battery while charging your PHEV, but I am wondering how things turned out with you DoHonest backup camera?
I take delivery on a 2024 XLS 22MPE next week. Would love to hear your review of the camera.

Happy camping,
Phil

Here's my amazon review at https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RRSWLTOOHN8L5?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp

It's super simple. I had to update my phone to get it to work but when I did, the camera worked seamlessly. The best part is I can even use it simultaneously with my Bluetooth Curt Echo Brake Controller. See pics in review.

BTW when it didn't work initially, dohonest sent me another to replace the camera. After I explained that it was the phone's fault because of a needed software update, they said to keep the extra. They've won a new customer over. I've already told others about them. Did I mention it cost less than the others? I know. I sound like an infomercial.
 

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top Bottom