Evergreen Element owners! Where ya Hiding?

[thetravelkids]

Gandm....I don't believe Evergreen ever came out with an owners manual for a specific model. I was able to find a generic Evergreen (Everlite) RV Manual online by searching "Evergreen Element RV Owners Manual."
You may be able to get an owners manual for your stabilizers online from the manufacture.
They are most likely manufactured by BAL and there are online manuals for both manual and power tongue jack / stabilizers.
Google is your friend. Search "BAL RV stabilizer jacks" for manuals.
There is also a Facebook group "Evergreen RV Owners" and I know that there are Second Generation owners that are active. They may have the answers for your Element.
Good luck!!

[Gandm]

Thank you for the quick response! We did
out the Everlite Manual and it has answered some questions for us.
I will google the stabilizers (my husband may have done so already) and we will keep looking for that "on" button!
Did you say there are lights in the passthrough that also lights the front storage for the propane tanks? If so, we have not found those either and wondered why they did not have any lights in there! LOL - all fun - we have the rest of our lives to figure it out while we are camping around! Thanks again!

[thetravelkids]

Gandm....the switch that turns on the light in the pass-thru in our Element turns on the light in the propane compartment.

I am not sure if both switches will activate the propane light or not....it is a feature I have never needed.

[thetravelkids]

Just tallied up our travel so far this year. Of course, the virus has kept us from doing all we had hoped, but we are right at a bit over 94,000 miles on our 2012 Element now.
For all those who poo-pooed the Element for not being well built, Ha-Ha!
Have we had issues? Sure! But can you blame Evergreen that the eyebrow board on the Fridge gave out? Or the motor on the air conditioner bearings went out? Yes, we've had to replace things, but that's because we use it!
Hope all you Greenies are doing well.
Stay safe, stay healthy.

[DougAndLori]

Anyone know a vendor that can provide a replacement blind/screen for the rear window of a 2012 Element 26SRL? It is the top down bottom up screen/blackout duo.

[thetravelkids]

Hi Doug & Lori,
Good news and bad news concerning the blinds for your Element.
The windows and blinds used by Evergreen on the Element were the duo plisse model manufactured by Horrex (www.horrex.nl) Yes, manufactured in The Netherlands.
A simple search of duo plisse will yield a number of sites, but BEWARE!! Most (if any) are not located here in the good old USA. And I have been unable to find a distributor here in The States.
There are two RV trailer manufacturers that I know of (there may be more) that use the same type of window. You may want to reach out to their parts department to see if they can assist you in your hunt. They are: nucamprv.com (uses those windows in their Avia model) and golittleguy.com which uses them in their teardrop trailers.
If you should find a U.S.A. Distributor or “someone” willing to help you out, please post your findings for the rest of us!

[DougAndLori]

Thanks so much! I think there may be a recent Lance TT using those same windows too.

[thetravelkids]

Glad to pass on the information about the windows. I think I reached the end of the Internet in my search for a distributor here is the states, but that was awhile ago. Things change.
We'll be heading to the Tampa RV Supershow in January....I'll check to see if Lance is using those windows now and if they are, I'll let you know....we did not see them on the Lance models we looked at this past January's show.
Did see a new trailer that has kind of sparked our interest....the "intech terra oasis"...2 feet shorter than the Element. No slide but wider. Check out the youtube video if / when you get the chance.

[CPRoe]

Evergreen Element second owner here. The person I purchased the 2012 Element from moved out of the country. He is the original owner and after extensive research I decided to purchase. I have owned several different brands/models, from raising five children, and have found that if you pull maintenance the units will last considerable years. I purchased only 1 brand new out of 9 trailers over the years and did more to that unit than my used ones I feel. Just a quick HELLO to the forum and will check in from time to time with any maintenance, questions or possibly answers for others. Houston, Texas area.

[CPRoe]

Maintenance List
2012 Evergreen Element 26SRL.

When I first looked at this travel trailer I could see such potential. Structurally it is in good shape. However, I do not believe enough or proper maintenance was pulled on the unit from the previous owner. Below is a list of the items I came across as needing repairs.

1. Removed rims and purchased 4 new 8 ply tires
2. Repaired kitchen side slide counter that had missing screws. The counter was dragging when sliding in or out.
3. Re-glued panels on doors, walls and added screws with colored hinged covers to hide screws. Apparently the glue was old and pulling apart.
4. Fantastic fan in bedroom leaking. Pulled wet ceiling tile down and hung out to dry. No damage on tile, just wet.
5. Scraped all old gunk off and replace with all new sealant on entire roof.
6. Reinstalled dried panel and cleaned both fans in bedroom and bathroom. Also added MaxxAir II covers to both vents.
7. Repaired closet door in bedroom that was glued. Replace with screws.
8. Repaired one storage door that would not shut or lock.
9. Rear jack stands self taping metal bolts rusted out. Replaced with bolts, washers and nuts both sides.
10. Sanitized the inside from padded ceiling down to walls and floor.
11. Washed all curtains and bed spread. Steamed cleaned cushions.

This may seem like a lot to some, but for me these are the types of things I would do in owning a new/used RV. Also what saves me is that I am able to do the work myself. That way I feel more confident in the unit I camp in.

Everyone have a great adventure and if you can't be good, be good at it.

Chris

[CPRoe]

[CPRoe]

I replaced the faucet in the Element. I did not like the fold down faucet and glass, which was leaking a little. I removed the glass and fill in the holes with rubber grommets and silicone caulk. I purchased a faucet from the local hardware store and it fit right in with a tall arch. Picture included. Everyone have a great adventure. Chris

[Hucifer]

I picked up a 2012 SRK earlier this year. The previous owners had painted all the "wood" either white or blue. The pleather trim was shredded, and the cushions were just too retro. Luckily they didn't prime or rough up the surfaces before painting, and they used latex paint so it peeled off pretty well. My girlfriend apparently is pretty good with a sewing machine so we now have freshly wrapped trim and recovered cushions.
4 of the 6 speakers aren't working but I think that may just be a matter of digging a bit deeper. The awning doesn't work at all, and has a big crease down the length of it from hitting something so that may be a complete replacement, but I'll worry about that later.

Being a complete newbie, my biggest question has to do with the water hookup. After reading through everything in this thread and finding the link to the 4 page water valve instructions (thank you it was very helpful) I am wondering about the water hookup on the opposite side of the box. Since the 2 nipples are black can I assume that's where I hook up a hose to clean the black tank?

[Hucifer]

Took the new rig out for it's maiden voyage finally! Since I bought it from a car dealer, I have had literally no information about it whatsoever. And as we all know the generic manual is not much help.
Can anyone tell me what the lighted switch to the right of the information panel does?