XLS 23BHE Impressions

[jgoldwood]

Hello everyone. New user as we are considering placing an order to be ready for the 2022 season. Looking for a small bunkhouse and the 23BHE looks like it might fit the bill. Unfortunately there is not one available in the area to go take a look at before putting down a deposit. Anyone here with one? Bit concerned about using the one side of the booth as the ladder to get to the top bunk. Also the step on the slide in front of the stove/refrigerator looks like it could be a good place to stub a toe.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Second Chance]

Hello [MENTION=44477]jgoldwood[/MENTION]. I can tell by the view counter that your post is being seen... there must not be a lot of experience on the forum with that particular floor plan. I hope someone comes along soon.

Rob

 

[NB Canada]

Hello everyone. New user as we are considering placing an order to be ready for the 2022 season. Looking for a small bunkhouse and the 23BHE looks like it might fit the bill. Unfortunately there is not one available in the area to go take a look at before putting down a deposit. Anyone here with one? Bit concerned about using the one side of the booth as the ladder to get to the top bunk. Also the step on the slide in front of the stove/refrigerator looks like it could be a good place to stub a toe.

Thanks in advance.

I looked at that model and ultimately purchased a 2400bh.
There isn’t that big a difference in size and weight but the extra features of an Imagine over the xls is worth the small price difference I was quoted
The biggest issue I hear with the 23bhe is the poor design kitchen sink drain system. It is horrible to put it lightly
Ymmv


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[jgoldwood]

Thank you both for the response.

NB Canada - happen to have a link to the kitchen drain issues? I had not heard anything about it. Also what features sold you on the 2400BH? The unit you have was my first choice but didn't feel like I'd be losing out on too much for quite a bit less money. Was surprised to see that even the solar panels and upgraded refrigerator are now standard on even the XLS.

**UPDATE**

Looks like I found at least one post discussing the issue. Appreciate you calling it out as I would have had no clue.

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/26247-Imagine-XLS-23BHE-kitchen-sink-waste-pump/page4

 

[NB Canada]

Thank you both for the response.

NB Canada - happen to have a link to the kitchen drain issues? I had not heard anything about it. Also what features sold you on the 2400BH? The unit you have was my first choice but didn't feel like I'd be losing out on too much for quite a bit less money. Was surprised to see that even the solar panels and upgraded refrigerator are now standard on even the XLS.

Just type 23bhe in the search bar for past threads

I was quoted only 2000 Canadian difference between the two models

The most important things to me were the front storage. Extremely larger on the 2400

Radius roof. My son is 6 foot and has plenty of headroom in the trailer and shower. In the xls his head would be in the skylight

I prefer the solid steps over the tradition entry steps

Larger furnace

Besides the sink issue the other small thing is the double sewer connection on xls. Just more parts needed and I don’t care for it

On edit: all new imagines including xls now come standard with solar and 12v fridge


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[rcjokibbe]

Too bad you can't look at one. I bought a 23bhe this year for several reasons. Yes, there was a concern of using the seat back as a ladder to the top bunk, but we have a no shoe rule and I'm hoping that will help. The usage goal for the trailer is for short weekend trips once a month so I don't expect a lot of wear on it. We've taken it on four trips so far and no stubbing of toe on the slide's floor, nor was I concerned about it. The 2400bh and 21bhe are good bunk options too and we were able to look at all three.

I wasn't educated on the kitchen slide drain design until after I bought it, but it wouldn't have changed the decision if I knew before hand.

Here are the mods I did (I'm crazy to do roof mods)...
Ran power to the bedroom vent and replaced the bedroom vent with a MaxxAir Deluxe
Replaced vent fan in kitchen area with a MaxxAir (deluxe will not fit because of proximity to antenna)
Installed vent cover on bathroom vent fan
Two lithium batteries and solar panels

Hello everyone. New user as we are considering placing an order to be ready for the 2022 season. Looking for a small bunkhouse and the 23BHE looks like it might fit the bill. Unfortunately there is not one available in the area to go take a look at before putting down a deposit. Anyone here with one? Bit concerned about using the one side of the booth as the ladder to get to the top bunk. Also the step on the slide in front of the stove/refrigerator looks like it could be a good place to stub a toe.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hellionprime]

No Stubbed Toes.
Using Seating area isn’t a problem with my 4 and 6 year old for climbing up to the top bunk.

Sink sump pump issue is real, has overflowed twice. I plan to now regularly use degreaser or bleach to chemically clear often.

Heats uneven; Bathroom is a sauna with heat running.

Like others said, sure the 2400 maybe better, but I do really like my 23BHE and I don’t want to go longer and the trailer access with slide in is fantastic.

 

[gillpg]

The degreaser and bleach will not work. The problem is small food particles also. This is a shower pump. Not made for kitchen sink. We re did ours to be taken out regularly and cleaned. We clean it after each trip. They should have gone with a sump pump for kitchen sinks. More expensive but would have been a much better choice Gor us.

 

[chizetown]

We have owned our 23BHE since Feb of 2020. After two full seasons it is a good unit and I wanted to go with a 2800BH initially but decided to start smaller and work our way up as time goes and to figure out things we want in the future. It is nice being smaller because we can fit in a lot more places than the 2800BH would have allowed.

And like others have mentioned the only thing that is trash is the kitchen sink drain setup. I learned the hard way on how horrible this is when the unit got clogged and didn't pump water, next thing you know it was overflowing out the weep hole on the drain box. Also the flex tube they use to go from the drain box to the drain line is too thin and ours ended developing a pin hole leak at ones of the bends. I ended replacing a heaver hose. With what we know now I would have avoided this unit because of this drain box and because it also creates to separate grey tanks that need to be drained.

Our kids are little and we don't wear shoes inside so getting into the bunk beds is a non issue. After two seasons we have no signs of wear or damage to the seat back.

For now I use a rinse bucket for cleaning and generally use the sink for basic cleaning like hand washing. I also take the box out once every 3 months and give it a good cleaning to help prevent buildup.

 

[SkyCAVU]

We purchased an XLS 23BHE in September and have taken two short trips with it including one with 3 grandkids. I’m pulling it with a 2021 F150 XLT with the 5.0l V-8 and I love this rig. We previously had an A-frame type pop up and it was too small plus the construction and craftsmanship were atrocious. By comparison the GD 23BHE is just great I’ve not had to repair or replace anything and we’re real happy with it. But I agree, getting into the upper bunk is a problem for most adults. Using the top of the bench seat back as a step is iffy at best. I’ve kicked around various ladder ideas in my head but not yet fabricated anything. Haven’t stubbed my toe yet on the slide step but I can see it how it could happen. It’s a great camper for our needs and I recommend it.

 

[Dwelce]

We have had a 23BHE for about 2 years now and love it, sink sump pump issue excluded. We initially wanted the bunkhouse with a slide with the lowest possible tongue weight to tow with our 2015 Land Rover LR4. For that purpose it was awesome. I now have a GMC 1500 AT4 so doesn't really matter any more. But, we love the slightly smaller overall length of the 23BHE. We do a mix of dry camping out in the woods so its a good size to get in to many spots and also RV parks, which it's big enough for us to spend a good 4 or 5 days at an RV park and feel like we have plenty of room.

We have two young boys, 4.5 and 7.5 and they love the bunks. Plus, with the dinette being on the door side we can easily see them playing outside.

I keep looking at other models but I always come back to the conclusion that the 23 BHE is the right rig for us. I do like the floor plan of the 2400BH better, but with the slide in you can't access the bedroom.

Agree that the heating is a bit wonky with the bathroom being super hot, I typically just crack the door to let some heat out. I also bought an adjustable 4in vent to replace that one in the bathroom to see if that helps. I haven't installed it yet.

Bathroom sump pump issue...I just take the cover off and use my hand to scoop out the gunk in there and then fill with water to make sure it's turning on. For insurance I keep a container under the overflow spout to catch the water in case it doesn't. It's happened about 3 times in the 2yrs we have had it. Yea, its a pain but I check it and test before each trip now.

I've added 1 100w solar panel on the roof since it had the solar prep and I plan to add 2 more, I already have the panels just need to install. I also have a 105ah lithium battery of which I'll get another and relocate to under bed and also get an inverter/charger hardwired. Hope that project will happen this spring.

 

[kregstrong]

Too bad you can't look at one. I bought a 23bhe this year for several reasons. Yes, there was a concern of using the seat back as a ladder to the top bunk, but we have a no shoe rule and I'm hoping that will help. The usage goal for the trailer is for short weekend trips once a month so I don't expect a lot of wear on it. We've taken it on four trips so far and no stubbing of toe on the slide's floor, nor was I concerned about it. The 2400bh and 21bhe are good bunk options too and we were able to look at all three.

I wasn't educated on the kitchen slide drain design until after I bought it, but it wouldn't have changed the decision if I knew before hand.

Here are the mods I did (I'm crazy to do roof mods)...
Ran power to the bedroom vent and replaced the bedroom vent with a MaxxAir Deluxe
Replaced vent fan in kitchen area with a MaxxAir (deluxe will not fit because of proximity to antenna)
Installed vent cover on bathroom vent fan
Two lithium batteries and solar panels

Where did you get the power from for the maxx air in the bedroom? Did you steal it from that plug on the ceiling? Or can you explain to me what you did. Thanks

 

[rcjokibbe]

Where did you get the power from for the maxx air in the bedroom? Did you steal it from that plug on the ceiling? Or can you explain to me what you did. Thanks

I pulled down the existing fan in the main area and tapped into its power using wago connectors. I fished wire from that fan to the bedroom vent opening. It is a short distance between the two openings. That was a couple years ago and don't remember the details, but I recall fishing the wires was the hardest part, but not too bad using sticks.