Opinions wanted: Travel Trailers

forrest · Wed Mar 09, 11 11:25 am

Yea, I think keeping it under $5k is what would make it worth it for me. I love the idea of the ambulance.

Bettyboarder · Wed Mar 09, 11 12:52 pm

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/2245731545.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/2249632142.html

You could also look at getting one of these classic RV's. They get good gas mileage but are a little on the slow side
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/rvs/2253929813.html

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Hi,
I ordered an airstream last year and it didn't turn out so well. I was about to take delivery and noticed things that were not right (dammage to exterior when they washed it with a scotchbright & deep scatches from a box knife - so severe the panels needed replacing, plus a bunch of other stuff). I was very disappointed to decline the trailer, but it was just not acceptable. Especially at 65k. So - it put me in a learch because I was planning on doing the coast for 6-8weeks. So anyhoo.....I rented. I'm so glad I did. Because now I know what I can and can't live with. What I truly need etc. I highly recommend you borrow a friends or rent before you buy. The best thing I did was to buy a Honda generator. I only bought one, but I will buy another to hook them together. Super easy to use & super quiet - not pissing off camp neighbors is something to consider. Also- for a lady, an easy pull start is a relief.

I went to an RV show in Utah and really like the toy box feature on trailers. When you look for your trailer, make sure you check out the edges & the roof. With all the wind we experience, sometimes that stuff peels away, then your trailer can leak. Not good. If you look, the less expensive trailers bend the metal flashing under the edge, then simply staple it. That's not what you want. Go talk to a RV repair person and find out more about what to look for.

Good Luck,

M.

P.S. I still want an airstream, but I will get one from the dealer in Oregon, not Utah.

suttonrv.com

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Air streams are super awesome and super out of my price range. I have been going back and forth with a bunch of you and really appreciate it. Alot of you had the same opinions on things such as out door showers, warm showers, towing, vehicles, ease of use, solar, generators ect.

Thanks guys and gals and keep em comming. Thank you.

noobydoobydoo · Since 15 Jan 2010 20 Posts

I pull an 18' trailer behind an Avalanche from the Seattle area several times a year. I works ok for me, wifey, two kids and a cat.....yes, our cat comes with us.

One thing to note, many campgrounds will allow trailers up to 20 feet in "regular" camp sites, meaning no hookups.

Once you go over that, you have to either dry camp, or go RV style (Bridge RV).

Also, motorsportsofukiah.com sold me a 2kw Honda for $849, shipping included last year. Their prices may still be as good, if not better than most places.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Hey Steve, Just so you know. I am selling my house in the Gorge to be able to buy the Airstream. The payment is 1/3 or my home expense and I don't have to mow the lawn. I can just kite and enjoy the community. Wooo hoo!

Also - I haven't bought it yet. Slide-outs are looking really good...

Really curious about the cat thing. I have one and considered traveling with her. The dogs are easy.

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

I personally am more scared of cats then snakes. So I'm not traveling with a cat. My hunting dog is not the normal hunting dog. He does exceptionally well inside.

I'm stoked for your airstream experiance. I'm looking at some of the nicer trailers and they are awesome aren't they!

Good luck and keep me in the loop on what you do and how your power it, tow it ect.

sg

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

bumpy bump bump. More opinions........please

crucifunkin · Since 31 Aug 2005 37 Posts

Steve,

Look around in this forum before you decide to buy one. If you have some time and skills you can build your own.

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42905

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

Allright guys.....little update. Picked up a 22ft 1976 dodge sportsman bunk house smallblock 360 with headers...... some rot on it, but were looking good. After havening it towed home and over heating.....I started the following

So far this is what I have done
-belts
-alternator
-battery/wires
-oil/filter (old oil looked ok)
-tanny fluid/filter/gasket (very very very little metal shavings!)
-Rear end fluid (it was black, now its honey!)
-Pulled all matresses, pads, carpet, padding, seats, wall paper, drawers, cubburds doors
-started on one of the walls to explore possible water damage.....found it!

Today I pulled the hammered, metal on metal dampening deal on the driveline. I will replace it tommrow.

Seems to shift ok, but gears are soft to get into. Transmission guy said not to worry about it.

Things to do-

-Rear entire outer wall to replace
-cut rubber roofing off, check roof, re do from wood up.
-Drivers side cab over wall replacement
-interior-----------paint, stain, bleach, rebuild the inside of the the rear wall from above.
-we'll deal with the tanks, pumps, fridge, sink and internal moving parts, valves, and stuff later.
-clean windows, re seal if need be
-rhino line the floor
-make the curtains
-pick a theme for the RV
-name it (the RV)

We'll be done by the end of the month. Wife will have baby, we'll park the rig at the rufus dollar a day rental space, be there a lot hopefully.

Pics to come! I figured since it cost me a grand, and it moved, I'll keep it and it will cost me a lot less money then a 30k truck and a 30k trailer. We'll call it recycleing. ITs old, but its already built.

Any advice would be wonderful! Greatly appreciated and certainly needed!

My goal is a mechanically sound, rv that isn't creepy to the germ-a-freaks......... that I can kite and pheasant hunt with.

One thing a day..........one thing at a time......

Currently its creepy and it stinks, but it runs and sounds good.

Chow!

basbts · Since 26 Jul 2011 71 Posts United States **CGKA Member**

Check out http://www.livinlite.com/ Just purchased one this year and love it. They are all aluminum and super lightweight. Funtime RV is the only local dealer located in Tualatin.