Purchase advice- 2022 Micro Minnie FLX 2108DS

[Moe DLawn]

Hello-

New member here. I'm planning to purchase a used 2022 FLX 2108DS trailer soon. I currently own a Flagstaff travel trailer and have owned trailers for over 15 years.

I'm familiar with what to look for in general when buying trailers but am looking for advice on common problem areas for the FLX 2108DS that I can check during a pre-purchase inspection. I'm mechanically capable and can do most electrical work myself. I don't have much prior knowledge on solar and lithium batteries.

A few potential problem areas I've already found on this forum:

1. Slide problems
2. Delaminated back splash- this was already found in my first look at the camper.
3. Solar panels- is there a test I can do to verify the operation of the panels
4. Lithium battery- is there a test I can do to verify the operation of the battery
5. Fresh water tank supports

Can you recommend any other areas to check? Thanks in advance!

Moe

 

[Amazonica]

Hi Moe, I have a 2022 2108FBS FLX. I am not a pro, just an owner. Here are my observations:

Mine came with a "Go Power" Solar Controller (I switched it out to Victron). You can check if the Solar Panels are sending it power but looking at the screen to the left as you enter by the front door, just inside. If the sun's out, that screen'll have a reading. GoPower also has an app.
The Lithionics Battery has an app, as does the Xantrex Inverter/Charger. Whether you are an 'app' person or not, I recommend getting them. These FLX units are full of high tech stuff that isn't often seen in Travel Trailers. Those little panels by the door will show you what's going on.

Check that the Suburban Stovetop has had it's recall. It went through 2 that I'm aware of and now should have no LED lights at all. Check that the Frig and Freezer gets cold. "Performance" is the setting I use most for that.


I had a small leak behind the toilet where a PEX crimp band was put on PVC pipe. Not a biggie and this is common. The biggest issue I had was the Salesman, although he was super nice, did not understand this Trailer. The settings on the Xantrex and Lithionics battery were all wrong. That was probably done wrong at the factory. So check those settings are correct when assessing functionality. He told me that I had to have the button on the inverter remote panel on (Xantrex) to charge the battery when plugged in to shore power -wrong. These units are fantastic for boondocking and saving power if you pay for electricity at a Park. I've been in mine full time since I bought it in February 2023 and other than the things I mentioned, have had very few issues.

Good luck and happy camping!

 

[Thindirtline]

Water tank supports and ...

There is one steel angle brace under the fresh water tank. It has two self tapping screws supporting it at each end. The tanks can drop if full on bumpy roads. Probably could also drop if nearly full on highways but it is not worth taking a chance.
There are various fixes, but the easiest fix is adding one or two more self tapping screws at each end and tighten the existing ones. You could also add one more angle adjacent to the existing one. You could see what others have done - much more extensive but probably not needed.

Also,

I recommend tightening the fasteners holding the sink up. My sink dropped and the fix was painful. Add more supports/clips if you want to be cautious.

Check for leaks under the sink. Pull the panel and check the fittings around the water pump. Check for leaks under the shower, under the bathroom sink, and around the water heater. Leaks can cause wood to rot if not caught early.

 

[Moe DLawn]

Hi Moe, I have a 2022 2108FBS FLX. I am not a pro, just an owner. Here are my observations:

Mine came with a "Go Power" Solar Controller (I switched it out to Victron). You can check if the Solar Panels are sending it power but looking at the screen to the left as you enter by the front door, just inside. If the sun's out, that screen'll have a reading. GoPower also has an app.
The Lithionics Battery has an app, as does the Xantrex Inverter/Charger. Whether you are an 'app' person or not, I recommend getting them. These FLX units are full of high tech stuff that isn't often seen in Travel Trailers. Those little panels by the door will show you what's going on.

Check that the Suburban Stovetop has had it's recall. It went through 2 that I'm aware of and now should have no LED lights at all. Check that the Frig and Freezer gets cold. "Performance" is the setting I use most for that.


I had a small leak behind the toilet where a PEX crimp band was put on PVC pipe. Not a biggie and this is common. The biggest issue I had was the Salesman, although he was super nice, did not understand this Trailer. The settings on the Xantrex and Lithionics battery were all wrong. That was probably done wrong at the factory. So check those settings are correct when assessing functionality. He told me that I had to have the button on the inverter remote panel on (Xantrex) to charge the battery when plugged in to shore power -wrong. These units are fantastic for boondocking and saving power if you pay for electricity at a Park. I've been in mine full time since I bought it in February 2023 and other than the things I mentioned, have had very few issues.

Good luck and happy camping!

Thanks for the info! I will add these items to my checklist.

I am getting familiar with the 3 apps to see how the electrical system is performing. I also plan to check the configuration settings if anything is not working properly.

The solution to the recalled Suburban stovetop eliminates the LED completely? I contacted WTOW and they said this unit has 3 open recalls:1)Stovetop LED, 2)Solar panel mounting hardware and 3) Spare tire carrier. Dealer says they will take care of these prior to me taking delivery.

 

[Moe DLawn]

There is one steel angle brace under the fresh water tank. It has two self tapping screws supporting it at each end. The tanks can drop if full on bumpy roads. Probably could also drop if nearly full on highways but it is not worth taking a chance.
There are various fixes, but the easiest fix is adding one or two more self tapping screws at each end and tighten the existing ones. You could also add one more angle adjacent to the existing one. You could see what others have done - much more extensive but probably not needed.

Also,

I recommend tightening the fasteners holding the sink up. My sink dropped and the fix was painful. Add more supports/clips if you want to be cautious.

Check for leaks under the sink. Pull the panel and check the fittings around the water pump. Check for leaks under the shower, under the bathroom sink, and around the water heater. Leaks can cause wood to rot if not caught early.

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I will look out for all of these items during the upcoming inspection.

 

[Moe DLawn]

Mechanical Inspection Results

I just completed a mechanical inspection of the camper and found some things I'm concerned about.

The unit was manufactured in March 2022. I think I have a Schwintek slide out that is prone to failure. Attached is the TSB document that shows the Inverted Gear Rack and photos from the camper that appear to be the same Inverted Gear Rack design. I have to confirm the slide manufacture date later because the battery was dead and I could not retract the slide to see the tag on the slide. The TSB says slides made from Oct 1, 2021 to Jan 6, 2022 are defective.

I will be testing the slide operation once the camper is connected to shore power. I do see wear marks on some of the rack sections.

If the slide turns out to be within this manufacturing date window, I'm considering walking away from this camper if the dealer does not agree to replacing the slides.

I'm wondering if Schwintek will replace a slide that has not failed yet. I am in touch with them but am waiting to get all the details before I reach out to Schwintek again.

 

[Thindirtline]

Good catch on the slide channels. The dealer and Schwintek will very likely make it right.
Good luck.

 

[wuphf]

The unit was manufactured in March 2022. I think I have a Schwintek slide out that is prone to failure. Attached is the TSB document that shows the Inverted Gear Rack and photos from the camper that appear to be the same Inverted Gear Rack design. I have to confirm the slide manufacture date later because the battery was dead and I could not retract the slide to see the tag on the slide. The TSB says slides made from Oct 1, 2021 to Jan 6, 2022 are defective.

Hi Moe, I'm purchasing a 2108TB FLX from an out of state dealership. The inspector already completed the inspection and found no issues with the slide, but now I am curious about the slide manufacture date. The unit itself was manufactured in June 2022.

Glad you brought this up, I will have my dealer grab the slide manufacture date to see if it one of the affected units. Thanks for posting.

 

[Moe DLawn]

Here's the response I got from Schwintek when I asked about the slide on this unit:

"Each wall column for the slide will have the variant label on it. The label can be seen from the inside of the coach with the slide retracted. The label will be below the motor. Sometime the seal will need to be pulled back to view. I have attached a picture of what the label looks like."

https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/quickreferences/ccd-0002705.pdf

They also requested VIN, date of manufacture and slide measurements as shown in this video:

https://youtu.be/Pee-5W1ce8A

 

[Moe DLawn]

Slide Out Inspection

It looks and sounds like the slide out is working properly. The date of manufacture on the slide out is March 2022 and is outside the range of dates for the questionable slide outs.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

I upgraded to the Vroom slide system, and very glad I did! This system is much more robust, and you can sit on the couch/dinette when the slide is in!
I never knew, or imagined you could not use it when retracted, but all the other manufacturers except from Vroom say not to sit on it while retracted.
Main shop is in Arizona, but they have other shops around the US.
Bill

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

I would also hire an RV inspector! Short money when making the purchase. I am an engineer, and can fix most things but a certified inspector from RVIA is going to be more familiar with this equipment.
Bill

 

[Lord Pancake]

Slide Out Inspection

It looks and sounds like the slide out is working properly. The date of manufacture on the slide out is March 2022 and is outside the range of dates for the questionable slide outs.

I've googled it to the best of my ability with no success; could you tell me what the range of dates for the questionable slide outs is? I have a 2022 FLX and am trying to stay ahead of any problems.

 

[Moe DLawn]

Here's a copy of the Technical Service Bulletin from Schwintek stating the defective slides were manufactured from October 2021 to January 2022.