IBEX 19MBH

LBarr2002

LIFETIME
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#1
We had been camper shopping for a long time. Back in Dec '19 we went to an RV show and looked at the No Boundaries line, but they didn't have a 19.3 at the show. The 19.3 was the smallest package I could find with a full length queen (murphy) and double bunks. In March, there was a show in Greenville and they did have that model, but this was right around the time the Covid Buzz was blowing up, so we didn't go. A few months later we went to Bob Ledfords in Greer to look at one, but by this point the market had gone crazy and prices were several thousand higher than months before.

We started looking around at other models with similar floor plans (Keystone Passport 239ML, Imagine XLS 21BHE), but with low inventory and high prices we hadn't purchased. About a month ago, I started saying I wish we would have just bought the 19.3 at the beginning of the year.

We went out to visit family in TX for a couple weeks and my search area changed. An IBEX 19MBH popped up for an unbelievable price. I contacted the dealer thinking they couldn't possibly actually have one, and they had 2. The closest to SC i could find was Tampa Fl and the salesman there said they couldn't touch that price. So, I called back a couple days later. They had sold one, had one available, and could schedule pickup the day before we were planning to head home. So, we put down a deposit over the phone.

The this is exactly the same floorplan and construction as the NoBo 19.3, but with all the upgrades that are extra on the NoBo, for cheaper than we would have paid for the Nobo over the summer. It has a 15k AC instead of 13.5, solar, camp kitchen, solid steps, etc.

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The dealer was PrincessCraft RV and was about 3.5 hours away from where we were. The original plan was to pick it up Friday (10-9-2020) and drive a few hours, camp in it, drive all day Saturday, camp, get home Sunday. We went to Walmart and bought sheets, pillows, etc, the essentials we'd need on the way home. @Twilliamson was kind enough to go by my house and gather a couple things to mail me (mainly my brake controller). Then tropical storm Delta turned into a Cat4 hurricane overnight, so plans changed.

Burgundy and I drove down and picked it up on Friday, leaving the kids with relatives. We were in her Yukon XL, and opted to have the dealer install a weight distributing and sway control hitch, knowing we'd be hitting some storms on the way back.

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We got back to the relatives house and parked it on the curb in front of their house for the night.
 
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LBarr2002

LIFETIME
SUPPORTER
#2
The next morning we weren't in a big hurry trying to let the storm move on. We got on the road and went half way (500ish miles) to Meridian MS. We caught back up to the storm for the last hour, and it was getting dark, and we were in the Tornado warning area of the storm. So, we found a Holiday Inn Express with a big parking lot. I checked into the hotel while Burgundy made PB sandwiches and we ate in the camper. Then, upstairs and to bed.

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Sunday morning we got on the road again and drove through some of the remnants of the hurricane, but it wasn't bad. Made it home safely.

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I see more camper being pulled by less truck often, and I don't see how... The 199K mile yukon handled it ok, but my truck will be the primary.
 
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LBarr2002

LIFETIME
SUPPORTER
#3
When we got home, I noticed the furnace cover was loose. First camper repair was an easy one. They must have ugga dugga'd the self tappers in and made the holes too big. I set some 10-24 nutserts.

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#4
I too often wonder how campers make it to the Dirty Myrtle and back sometimes. The rigs you see on that route.....

We stopped in Meridian for dinner on the way back from Moab. Mexican restaurant didn't require masks. It was strange. Sounds even stranger saying that was strange. Dangit 2020.
 

LBarr2002

LIFETIME
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#5
The first trip out was a trial night last Saturday at @97TJGUZZY property in Chapin. The kids carved pumpkins, we ate pizza pasta, and fun was had by all.

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Burgundy did not sleep well and was looking for mattress upgrades at 3:00am. With no power hookup, you can run everything except the ac, microwave/oven, and we just found out the central vacuum. It was definitely nice for the kids to have their own space and the furnace kept us comfy.
 

LBarr2002

LIFETIME
SUPPORTER
#6
I got the title work done today. With our current pandemic status I was not able to just drop by the DMV, and was not getting clear info. They said I needed paid property tax receipt, etc. I tried to call back for clarification but couldn't get through. I ended up just going to the tax assessors office last Thursday. She asked if I was transferring a plate and when I said yes she said you don't need to be here. The soonest I could get a DMV appointment was today, but it was quick and easy.

We've been gathering the essentials and doing a couple little things. I installed a MaxxAir FanMate. The fan comes prepped for it. While on the roof I saw a couple spots of sealer I wasn't happy with, so I got some roof seal and added in a few places.

I installed a magnetic tool holder in the front pass through to hold the hitch tools out of the way and in easy reach.

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LBarr2002

LIFETIME
SUPPORTER
#7
The previous year model had a hot and cold water outside shower on the off-camp side. The newest ones have a camp side spray port instead. They routed the hose for the sprayer through one of the dinette bases and screwed the whole thing shut to keep you from damaging the hose. So, you lose a lot of storage.

I built a box around the water pipe so that I can use that space. The bush kitchen fits nicely.

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LBarr2002

LIFETIME
SUPPORTER
#19
I wasn't going to post until everything was sorted out. I hope this ordeal is mostly behind me now, so...

Back in November when we camped at Pisgah, David was looking at the camper and noticed two hairline cracks in the front panel where it was folded/wrapped up around the nose. I contacted Forest River and they said to take it to a service center to be checked out. My first choice was John's RV but they were only servicing units they sold. Next convenience is a small family owned service center. It was into 2021 before we could actually get it in. They said it would need a new panel and filed with FR to get the warranty claim started and parts on the way. The parts were ordered in February.

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The cracks were just cosmetic and not causing a leak, and we had plans so we arranged to pick it up, use as is, and bring back when parts came in.

During this time, the FR panel factory burned down.

Finally on 7/12 they call and say they have the parts. We were using it that weekend so we say we'll drop it off next Monday 7/19. Next trip planned 8/5 so not a lot of time but they say no problem.

Get the call it's ready the end of that week so we go out Friday at lunch and find this...

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I go back in and ask what the sealer is they used, planning to reseal it myself and be done. They call for someone to come look at it and the owner's son comes out. He apologizes, says it's a sloppy job, points out the scratch, and a couple other things I didn't notice. Asks if I can leave it over the weekend, they'll get it taken care of and ready Monday.

I call Monday, still working. Wednesday, well they repainted the panel and waiting on another new decal. Give us a couple more days for the decal to come in. If it doesn't, pick it up Monday and we'll send someone out to install decal when it comes in.

I run out after work Monday. Window looks great, scratch all body worked looks great.

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Get home and notice the crown of the roof looks funny and not centered.

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Climb on the roof and THERE'S A GIANT HOLE IN THE SEAM!!! The center foot of the panel wasn't attached at all and pulled away. It's supposed to rain all night so I consult a few people and end up just globbing a bunch of sealer on it and sending an email with this picture and a video back to them.

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I called first thing yesterday, said check your email, and as soon as it quits raining I'm headed back your way. I just picked it back up and it looks solid now. They used some kind of rivet fastener and sealed over the heads.

So, other than a decal at some point hopefully this is all behind us and back to enjoying camping... They did give me a pack of toilet paper and some black tank chem for my troubles :cautious:
 
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