New member... soon-2-B owner (we hope!)

[dkasten39828]

Greetings from South Georgia!

We are Dave & Cindy and I found this website doing research on what I hope to be the purchase of a 2004 Sunline Solaris T-2499.

We have tented and then popped up for many years, currently owning a '99 Coleman popup that is for sale. We've camped with groups for about 9 years now and really enjoy the camaraderie. We've RV-camped in eleven states so far... hey, we love to travel and camping is our preferred way to go.

Most recently, three of the families from our popup camping group travelled 1700 or so miles this summer to Galveston Island, Texas and spent a week.

We're working on getting a closer look at this 2499, hopefully sometime in the next week or so. It's located in the Atlanta area and that's a 4-5 hour trip for us. The price is right and I've already done the preliminary work at our credit union for financing, so we're ready!

It's great to find a site dedicated to the make of RV we're looking at buying! I've been lurking for about a week now and decided to join when the possibility of purchasing a Sunline became more real. Hope to meet some of you around a campfire some day!

- Dave

[Makers Mark]

Welcome Dave,
If you are looking at the 2499, please review this thread, http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=2123
Not to scare you because I believe there is an resonable fix for the problem, but you should be aware of the issue when you look at this trailer. We all love our Sunlines and most think the fix is worth the cost to have an otherwise quality coach. I am also considering the reinforcement to my 2363 as a preventable maintenance move.
Research and learn from the many experts on this forum.
Regards,
MM

[dkasten39828]

Thanx for the welcome!

Yes, I did read thru all those posts. Took me quite a while!

Unless I mis-read, it seems that the issue with the frame/A-frame started with the 2005 model year. Since the unit we are looking at is a 2004 model, I suspect it will be OK, BUT...

I will have a tape measure and my digital camera with me when we go to look at it! If this 2004 has the problem configuration, rest assured there will be some negotiation on the selling price to offset most (if not all) of any mod/rebuild required to resolve the weak frame.

- Dave

[Makers Mark]

Dave,
Sounds like you are well prepared going in with your eyes wide open.
BTW I have a sister up in Blue Ridge. I know that is about 5 - 6 hours or so from you. She camps in that area a lot so let me know if you need any local information.
Good luck,
MM

[JohnB]

Dave

Welcome to Cindy and you.

I have a 2004 T2499 still sitting in the shed. It does not have the frame issues and your right the issues have come with the 2005 year models. We do not exactly know the date of the change but the 2005 model year was a move for other upgrades in the camper as well. Take your tape measure and if it has a 5” channel iron A frame, then no problems. Our 2004 was built in May of 2004. You can see the year of manufacture on the VIN sticker on the front left side of the TT.

Good luck, the T2499 is a great floor plan. And if it is one of the suspect frame ones, 4” channel A frame will tell you, it is all fixable and you will have a great TT. Just know this going in on the deal.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

John

[dkasten39828]

The stars are in alignment... the camping gods are smiling down upon us!

We're going up to Atlanta this coming weekend to do a final inspection. If all is well, we'll tow her home! BTW, she comes with a Hensley... hope the bar will work with our truck's receiver.

[JohnB]

A 99, 2500 ext cab PU, a 2004 T2499 and a Hensley. WOW!!!

Sway will not be a word in your vocabulary....

If you have the stock 99 GM receiver, that is a good receiver and should not give you issues.

The 2004 T2499 has a published ball coupler height of 18 ½” when level. Ground to inside of ball coupling. It may be slightly less by about ½”

The Hensley however does hang under the TT frame a fair amount. The prior owner must of used it so it should work, however caution as it will be close to the ground. Caution on going over hard bumps. Slow down or the hard bounce may cause a short bottom out.

The hitch shank. Hensley has there own special shank. Not knowing what they actually have, it should work to get you home however it may not be want you what long term unless they where pulling with a ¾ ton truck as well that had a high up receiver as well.

To level out my 2004 T2499 on my K2500 Suburban I had to use s 6” drop shank to get down low enough on my Reese DC. I had to watch it that I did not bottom the shank on hard bounces or the Dual cam. Only did twice, right in my own driveway…

Here are a few pics hooked up to that TT.







Hope your trip goes well. And if the stars do not align with that unit, I have a mint condition 2004 T2499 stored in the shed here in central Ohio with many upgrades that is for sale. I just have not made it around to advertizing yet being away for work so much this year.

Good luck.

John

[PTHutch]

Dave,

Welcome to the club and good luck with the T-2499 inspection.
That's a great floor plan and it sounds like you got the right tow vehicle for it.

We also have a Hensley hitch. We love it and Hensley is a great company to deal with. If you haven't already you can go to the Hensley web site and down load the instruction manual.
On page 3 of the manual it gives you instructions on how to figure out the right shank you need for your TV and Trailer. You can get the trailer coupler measurement from the 2004 Brochure on the clubs file page. I believe the T-2499 has the A type of coupler.
With the information you can call Hensley and find out what drop shank you will need.
We have a 2" drop. But the T-2499 rides a lower than our T-280SR, so you may need a 3" drop. This way you will know what is the right shank for you before you go to Atlanta to look at the trailer.

Hope this helps some and good luck.
Hutch

[dkasten39828]

I now have the VIN of the trailer and have verified that it is a 2004 model, made in Denver at Plant 2. Kewl!

Called the Hensley folks this afternoon. They keep meticulous records on hitches they've sold. Since I knew the name of the person who originally owned the rig AND the Hensley (he's from our camping group!), they were able to find the records.

I got the serial number of the hitch and discovered it was ordered with 1000# spring bars and a 2-inch offset hitch bar. After talking with the Hensley rep, I think this will work fine... at the very least to get the rig home.

If I discover I need more offset, I can get another bar. They also told me I can still get their lifetime warranty (for a price). I'll think about all that later. For now, it's still looking good.

[PTHutch]

Dave,

Sounds like the stars are starting to align.

The 1000# Hensley bars will be sufficient to get the trailer home, if you decide to get it.

However, you may want to consider getting larger bars from Hensley.
The tongue weight of the T-2499 when loaded can get more the 1,000#.

Good luck.
Hutch

[dkasten39828]

It's ours! Well, we've paid the money and towed it home, but still have tag transfers and such to complete.

Trailer is in good shape. One small area of damage... street-side front bottom corner where the previous owners "hit a table" and separated the fiberglass exterior panels (front and side) at the seam. About a 2-inch long separation. We'll need to get that fixed.

Inside is clean. They included (without us knowing) the television and DVD player already in the upgraded entertainment center. Other upgrades include a pillow top mattress, electronic ignition stovetop, gas/electric water heater, 15K BTU air, three MAXAIR vent covers and the front passthru has one of those big full width sliding trays in it. There's probably a partridge in a pear tree someplace...

Hensley towed great, but they did not take good care of it. Areas of rust abound. One of the grease fittings won't allow grease to pass thru. And they could not locate the key for the coupler lock, so we'll have to removed that lock by force and replace it with one that HAS a key... cannot service the hitch properly unless we can drop the hitch box and lube the ball occasionally.

We plan to get with Hensley and take them up on the offer to purchase the lifetime warranty, which they made when we spoke to them on the phone. The 2-inch offset hitchbar worked fine, but like Hutch suggested, we may go with the 1400# bars.

[Poppy & Nana]

CONGRATS!!!!!!

[JohnB]

Dave and Cindy

Congrats on your new camper. New campers are always fun times.

Good luck and post pics some time. We like pics.

John

[partimcmpr]

Congrats on the new TT. We live just south of Atlanta and camp all over GA. Hope we meet on the road some time!

Later,
David
(ParTimCmpr)