CW5RLC wrote:Hey Coop74, looking forward to your impressions of the Cargo Lite. Tough finding one in person to scope out. I see you have the Xtreme. I am still traveling with the Aliner Alite. Love the economy of pulling the low profile and low weight with gas prices going higher and higher, but all I can do in the Alite is stand up and spin in place. Still looking for something just a little larger. Wondering if the Xtreme is it? Photos and your list of specs/options always appreciated.
My first impressions are very good... The fit and finish is good; It would appear they have taken pride in the workmanship. The only thing i could say bad on construction so far would be that there was some slivers of alum from drilling and screws that were left inside. Very few of them, but enough that i wanted to take some time and sweep carefully because I have stepped on a sliver of alum before and it will go right into flesh. The floor currently is bare alum planking which I hope to add a rug to for foot comfort.
The details like trim, corners, windows doors seem well executed and well thought out. My original plan was for a tear drop from Little Guy but I found this to be a more economical option for my needs of camping and still having a motorcycle handy. It allows me to stay inside on the bench seats if I wanted to or convert to a bed and just sleep inside. My wife does not do tent thing but she enjoyed the camper. Since our boys are gone this will allow me to spend more time with her now.
Mine has a small micro wave, small fridge that runs on propane, 110, or 12 volt, has two burner stove (I would not have ordered one that way as i have a ton of different portable stoves. It is also possible to order with a small sink. I did not want that either and as luck would have it this one was not equipped this way. Mine also came with an awning which is something that is not common but I did want. The dealer I got mine from got 5 from the factory and mine was the only one that was not already spoken for so I lucked out to get it as they had another customer standing in line for it.
The folds down benches have 4 positions. Up and flat against the wall for toy hauling. It has 4 in floor tie downs that appear to be located well and appear substantial. The next position is two benches down and using the small folding table they provide. They face the center and while tight look very workable if it was raining. You could play cards or games or something out of the elements. It is possible to put one or both into a position that gives you a working level wall mounted table/shelf. I am thinking if it was just my wife and I we would put one up and use the opposite as a table in the up position. It would be a longer reach but would allow you to move around with out the portable table taking up space. The last position is folded down as a Near Queen size bed as described on the companies website. They use the two ramps for the base of the bed. It forms a very stable platform that I could not feel any give in. It creates a very comfortable bed and my wife had bought Queen size sheet set which fit pretty well so the size should be close to actual queen size. The have located the bed height to be perfect to use the ramps for. You take the two ramps and make a box to support the platforms in the center and at the wall there is a piano hinge. Configured like this there is a lot of storage area under the bed and more then enough room to use the little galley area inside. The cushions for the benches become the mattress for the bed. My wife and i are both very tall and I played college football so I am not a small guy. I felt the bed was very comfortable but I likely will add a memory foam type topper as we have that kind of bed at home. As is however I had a great night sleep.
The rear hatch, to load the motorcycle folds up. The company has plans to make a screen room for it which I think would be nice. I love to camp at the keys and it would be nice to be able to lay in bed and look out over the water. The hatch is light and will stay up on it own like the ones on a car hatch. The company however provides two expandable poles to hold it up and has two small guy holes to keep the poles in place. I can see where it might be a good idea to guy the down on the poles for windy days. I think it would be possible to fabricate just screen that would allow you to seal the rest of the trailer.
On the outside rear of the fender is two storage boxes that are not water tight but would be weather resistant. One holds the deep cycle battery with room for another maybe two. I would like to add the capacity to use a solar panel so I think I will add another battery in time (one of the reasons I join the forum to gather ideas). The other I store the chocks and little stability jacks I bought. There is room to spare on both sides however. Additionally in the rear near the back is a small compartment below the floor level is a compartment. I currently have nothing inside at this time. I think it will be my spares area in the future as I sort out out what I want and need to carry.
Hope that was not to long and I am open to questions if I did not cover what you wanted to know.
Big Coop