[edited by Moderator]
We love our new Heartland Caliber edition North Trail 33BKSS! We really do. While we only have one weekend of prep and 47 miles on her so far, we couldn’t be happier with the camper we choose to buy. That said, I’ve noticed a handful of things that could really improve an already awesome model.
1. Can’t open door to bunkhouse in the rear with slide closed.
Bonus round?
1. Cut out in front cap lacks functional purpose.
As it turns out, what we love most about our camper is also the cause of most of our concerns. Lots of room and huge slides are great. But it is prohibitive to open them on a residential street due to the size, and as currently configured, it is impossible to prep and load the camper without opening them.
We love our new Heartland Caliber edition North Trail 33BKSS! We really do. While we only have one weekend of prep and 47 miles on her so far, we couldn’t be happier with the camper we choose to buy. That said, I’ve noticed a handful of things that could really improve an already awesome model.
1. Can’t open door to bunkhouse in the rear with slide closed.
a. SLIDING DOOR! Seriously, I don’t know how this one got past you. A hard door is good, we actively sought a camper with a hard door as a feature. We wanted to give the kids their own space and us a break. But not being able to access the rear of the camper to load without opening the slide is really bad. We will be looking to convert our door ASAP.
2. No ladders in the bunkhouse.a. Come on Heartland... Who buys a bunkhouse and doesn’t want to use the bunks? And at 40K MSRP, there isn’t a customer out there that would flinch at another $150 for ladders. Pass the expense on to your customer at cost and not only will you have a better product, but you’ll also have happier customers. Not to put to fine a point on it, it is a bit of a kick in the ***** to have to buy these at retail and install them just so you can use the unit as designed.
3. The Bunk over the outside kitchen is very close to the ceiling. And the outside kitchen is very high.a. Simple fix here, drop the bunk down 6-12” and lose the shelf at the top of the kitchen. It’s too high for and average height person to reach anyway.
4. Can’t open the refrigerator door with the kitchen slide closed.a. I don’t know how to fix this, but it REALLY sucks. Not being able to load without opening the slide, or grab a drink when on the road is a pretty big dissatisfier.
5. Can’t close the king slide with the dinette table in place (it hits the island).a. Island needs to move forward a little. It is ridiculous that you have to remove the table top just to travel.
6. Range hood is exceedingly close to the top of the stove.a. Swap microwave and overhead cabinet to gain more room over range.
7. Power in the kitchen slide. Currently next to stove.a. Please move this to the end of the cabinet. No one wants to set their coffee pot next to the range. Or better yet, add a second outlet so the coffee pot can be in the corner where it belongs without unsightly power cords everywhere.
8. Limited power in “king” slide. The only outlet is inside the dinette.a. I understand that running power in the outside walls is prohibitive, but by moving that outlet to between the dinette and couch it would be much more convenient and useable. That way if you want to charge a device, or plug in a laptop you don’t have to string the cord across the dinette.
9. Fender skirts flap around excessively at highway speeds.a. The fender skirts really need some type of stabilizer. I will likely try to retro fit some type of stabilizer bar before long.
10. Black tank flush, on the camp side really?a. The last thing I want to do when taking care of the tanks is run back forth from side to side. Not to mention it’s highly unsightly. On longer trips I’d rather just leave a hose hooked up, but that is prohibitive with its current location.
Bonus round?
1. Cut out in front cap lacks functional purpose.
a. I thought it was odd, but certainly not something I hate. One cannot however help but wonder why there is a recess in the front cap that seems perfectly sized for propane tanks that is not being used? By moving the propane storage aft, and the battery forward, it would improve the look of the camper the way the front cap is currently designed.
2. Control panel locationa. I don’t hate that it is in the bathroom. It’s not my first choice, but it is functional. Although it would be much better closer to the door, and it really should be up higher. I hate that it is in reach of younger children. It would also be great if it were covered with some type of door to eliminate the potential of accidents. I will be looking into some type of security cover like for a commercial thermostat to prevent accidents.
3. Carpet in the bunkhouse.
a. Of all the places to leave carpet, in the bunkhouse where the kids and dogs will be would be my last choice. The laminate extending back would have been much better.
As it turns out, what we love most about our camper is also the cause of most of our concerns. Lots of room and huge slides are great. But it is prohibitive to open them on a residential street due to the size, and as currently configured, it is impossible to prep and load the camper without opening them.
