New Season, New Discoveries

Here we are, already into the 2023 season and another run at the Minnie FLX. New year, new things to discover.

So one of the things I really wanted to see about was if a soft start would work in the Truma Aventa AC. In short… No! The Truma system is so low profile and form fitting that it’s really not possible to fit a soft start in the unit. So form fitting in fact that the foam base/surround is molded to exact specifications. Take that crappy boxy American A/C units that are noisy as hell!

While it wasn’t the outcome that I was hoping for, it is nice to actually see the inside of the unit and truly understand how efficient and well designed it is. It still is much more efficient and quite than the American counterparts, granted the Truma control panel is the stereotypical overly complex German engineered component but hey, it works.

So while a soft start isn’t an option it doesn’t take away from how much the Truma systems really rock. I honestly don’t know how I could go to another system, even though some American counterparts are trying to compete. There’s no way they’re this well made and designed. Period!

I will say that while the Truma is killing it, the Lippert made/owned components are something to definitely watch out for. Particularly the Schwintek Slides. I mean, they are really getting ripped apart for quality issues. Let’s just put it this way, from what I keep learning, Lippert and quality are not synonymous. Lippert from everything I read and hear from dealerships and owners is synonymous with anything but quality. Now don’t fault the original founders of the various companies that Lippert (see LCI) is gobbling up in order to have a monopoly in the RV industry. Many were quality businesses to begin with… until they sold out to a cost cutting bottom line focused quality be damned parent company. So in short, make sure to really run your unit through its paces before you sign on the line.

I’m hearing that the Schwintek slides fail in the range of 10-15 cycles. Now I don’t know how many the factories do plus the dealerships, but that isn’t much before failure. I know some dealerships are worried about burning out the units trying to weed out the bad ones but in the end, that should be Lippert’s job to do burn in testing… but that’s more for companies that actually care about quality and not saving 10 cents per unit.

Keeping in mind how subpar Lippert components are I really shouldn’t be too surprised that I’ve already had to replace one of the Lippert made remote stabilizer switches that died a year in. At least Amazon did have Lippert knock offs for less money and in a 2 pack so I now have a spare. When your’s dies, at least be aware that they are easy enough to replace if you are remotely handy with making new wire connections.

Still, we are loving our FLX and have new trips planned for this year and at least a few new vids to help you all out. Stay safe, stay healthy, and hope to see you out there.

SB