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Opinions wanted: Travel Trailers
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stevegriffith22

Since 14 May 2006
434 Posts

Obsessed



PostMon Mar 07, 11 3:17 pm    Opinions wanted: Travel Trailers Reply with quote

Want, that’s right I want opinions on 15-23 ft travel trailers. Need to learn about who to buy, who not to buy, what to look for in a purchase, new and used, things you have learned, good brands, bad brands ect. What to do and what not to do.

Info on slide outs, front, rear, and side. Pics of your set up. anything.

thank you.

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Suds

Since 25 Mar 2008
143 Posts
Hood River
Stoked



PostMon Mar 07, 11 3:57 pm     Reply with quote

I would highly recommend a nice tow behind tent camper. I have lived in my van, 3 different sizes and models, and tent campers. I must say that a tow behind is super pimp not only do you have a great house, but you also have a nice rig to cruise around in. Now for that being said i would look into the coleman evolution camper. not only does this camper have a decent amount of space, but it also has excellent clearness with nice size tires. you can take this anywhere! and some of them even have a storage deck. I would say the main thing to look at in buying a used one is to see if all the appliance's work i.e. fridge lights stove, and how they work propane and so on. also just take your time there are a lot of campers out there. Also depending on what your looking for and what you want it for check out cheaprvliving.com for some great idea's.

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Bettyboarder

Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
XTreme Poster



PostMon Mar 07, 11 4:20 pm     Reply with quote

Whats your price range and what do you have to pull it with?
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akgrownmark

Since 10 Jul 2008
24 Posts
Vegas
 



PostMon Mar 07, 11 4:28 pm     Reply with quote

WWW.CASITATRAVELTRAILERS.COM

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wemorgan

Since 26 Jun 2009
2 Posts
Hood River
New Member



PostMon Mar 07, 11 5:53 pm    Trailer opinion Reply with quote

First, there is no perfect rig. It's all about trade offs. How much comfort do you want, dirt road capable, towing weight, space, cost, how long will you stay in it? It goes on and on. First you should ask yourself what features are important to you then start looking at trailers that fit those features.

Some general stuff, towing weight is very important. Don't try and stretch the limits of your tow vehicle, you'll be unhappy on the road. If you're going into Baja say or on rougher roads pay attention to axle weight ratings. On rough roads you want extra weight bearing capacity or you might break a spring or bend an axle.

I've travelled in a cabover campers and two different trailers into various parts of Baja. I now tow a 19 ft. Arctic Fox with a 2500 Chevy AWD van. We go into Baja and drive some dirt roads (slowly, slowly). It has a full time bed, a dining table, full bath, good water and waste storage and large fridge and freezer (very nice for longer trips to remote areas). We (2 people and dog) live in it for 3-5 months. It gets small towards the end of the trip but is a good trade off between space/comfort and rough road use. On coast trips for the weekend or down to SoCal for a few weeks it's very comfy and easy to tow. It has lots of storage space and the van helps with this. We carry surf boards, mountain bikes and kite gear. Arctic Fox is the higher end of Nash trailers, spiffier cabinets etc but the Nash has the same structural build. You can see floor plans and specs on their website. Again - Pay attention to tow weight and axle weight ratings.

If money is not an object but weight is look at the Bigfoot 21 ft. trailer, light, good space, double axle (very important) and very well built. But very spendy, around $30,000 new. Used trailers can be a good deal. They depreciate quickly so the price gets much better and unless they have been abused or are very old, usually are in good condition because they don't get that much use usually.

Good Luck. You can email me at wemorgan@gorge.net if you want more opinions etc. I have lots...

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KooKiter

Since 20 Jul 2009
62 Posts

 



PostMon Mar 07, 11 7:26 pm    MPG by Heartland Reply with quote

I was looking for a small 16' Airstream and then found the 18' MPG by Heartland, it has more space, is much more affordable and does not look like your standard trailer A lot of bang for your buck and could be towed with nearly anything

http://www.heartland-mpg.com/

They sell them in Portland at Curtis Trailers

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stevegriffith22

Since 14 May 2006
434 Posts

Obsessed



PostMon Mar 07, 11 8:21 pm     Reply with quote

awesome keep em coming. I'm looking for a 15-23 ft. Mostly going to be stored at rufus and then taken pheasant hunting. So I'm not concerned with off road use really. I'm not looking at a MPG style or a casita. But more like a Jayco. Airstreams are great, but I'm so not spending that kind of money. Don't really have a price. Don't know weather to spend 2000.oo or 20000k. So it really up in the air. Apparently they are tax deduct. And now with a family.......well got to keep them on the road.

Please more opinions.

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forrest

Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick

CGKA Member


PostTue Mar 08, 11 7:57 am     Reply with quote

I've been looking at Travel Trailers as well. My biggest problem is they don't make coast trips all that much easier. There isn't a place that I can find (searching the web) where you can get your travel trailer close enough to good surf that the kids can be napping, while you're surfing without having to drive. Does anyone know of a place like this?

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Bettyboarder

Since 18 Mar 2005
1823 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
XTreme Poster



PostTue Mar 08, 11 11:22 am     Reply with quote

Quote:
I've been looking at Travel Trailers as well. My biggest problem is they don't make coast trips all that much easier. There isn't a place that I can find (searching the web) where you can get your travel trailer close enough to good surf that the kids can be napping, while you're surfing without having to drive. Does anyone know of a place like this?


With the rig you have to pull with Forrest you could easily get a trailer out to on the sand at Ft Stevie or Florance Jetty

The price is a bit much on this one but here's one that would be perfect for the fam...put the Mt on top and you guys are set
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/rvs/2241984340.html

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ericvs

Since 05 Jul 2008
133 Posts

Stoked



PostTue Mar 08, 11 1:23 pm     Reply with quote

I had the opportunity to borrow a co-workers Fun Finder XT-245 one weekend. I like the toy hauler as I feel it has all the benefits of a travel trailer but the back folds down like a boss.

http://www.cruiserrv.com/fun-finder-x.php

I towed it from Seattle to Rufus. It is real lightweight (they claim 1/2 ton towable) and it was a super easy tow. I was using my 2500HD.

It is nice cause once parked you can hang out in the back, out of the wind, and still have a panoramic view of the stoke. There is also a pull down screen across the back for nighttime chilling.

Great for loading your gear up too as you just flip down the back and toss your stuff in. Super easy to clean the sand out. Open back, rise, repeat. Outdoor shower, BBQ, TV mount and an awning. It was pretty sweet. Lots of interest at Rufus too, I did about 10 tours of the trailer.

New, they are around 24k, but my co-worker did a ton of research about tow haulers, and determined that the fun finder was the best best. She is a rafting guide as well and uses it lots for that.

All the amenities and sleeps 6 comfortably, but she told me she had 11 in there once. roomy. The separate front room is also sweet as the owner (you) gets your own bedroom with a permanent bed.

I would stay away from sliders as it just makes the trailer heavier and is something else to break, (but I have no experience with them so can't say for sure)

When I get a trailer, it will be a toy hauler for sure.

Tax wise as well if it has a toilet, you can consider it a 2nd home and write it off accordingly. sweet.

Good luck and post pics with your decision.

Dialed.


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Last edited by ericvs on Tue Mar 08, 11 1:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

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captain crusty

Since 30 Aug 2005
92 Posts
PDX
 



PostTue Mar 08, 11 1:44 pm     Reply with quote

forrest
s jetty florence
can camp for days out there
park at the beggining of the jetty, no problem
but can the fam take the sand blaster? thats the problem

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Johnny D

Since 02 Mar 2011
6 Posts

Kook



PostTue Mar 08, 11 6:16 pm     Reply with quote

I would love a trailer but feel there is no room for it at most tight launches. Must be great to have all that space. I also would like access while driving. There definitely is no perfect rig. I am trying to get out of my F150 for a Van 4x4 or Sprinter. Be much easier to get a trailer. I wonder what would be said if I stole 2 spots... Is that legit?
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Reaper356

Since 10 Dec 2006
781 Posts
Salem / LC Oregon
Opinionated



PostTue Mar 08, 11 8:49 pm     Reply with quote

Quote:
There isn't a place that I can find where you can get your travel trailer close enough to good surf that the kids can be napping, while you're surfing without having to drive.


Beverly Beach - south of Lincoln City. Surfing on the south side of Devil's Punchbowl. Fills up fast in the summer.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_227.php

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Bokeh

Since 07 Feb 2008
104 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Stoked



PostTue Mar 08, 11 10:02 pm    Travel Trailer Reply with quote

Coincidently, after looking at them for the past 3 months, doing research and agonizing over the choices I just bought a trailer this past weekend.

In the end it boils down to what you want to do and what is your tow vehicle. My RAV4 has a tow prep and the rating of maximum 3500 lb. That ruled out FunFinders I liked the most (esp with the slide-out). I looked at Heartland MPGs and Forest River rPods (pretty similiar) but wifey didn't like bathroom/shower combination. I ended up buying Gulfstream Visa - very light for the size (22' and less than 2800 lb) but I'm sure I'll be staying on paved roads, it has really low clearance.

The best option is to hit several dealers, see what you like, make sure you can tow it. I doubt your goal is to replace your car at the same time.

One more thing - make sure you add ~500 lb to the dry weight of the trailer before making sure you can tow it - it should account for some water, gas, and your stuff.

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forrest

Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick

CGKA Member


PostWed Mar 09, 11 8:49 am     Reply with quote

As much as I want to be Nomadic in the way I live (I can already work from anywhere) I just don't think the cost associated is worth it with family in tow.

Those FunFinders look sick though! What does the 19 footer run new? About 20k? I spent about $10k in Maui for 3 months... So I could spend 6 months in Maui and get way more water time than a travel trailer would allot me during my ownership (That's not taking into account other associated costs). I think for me it makes sense to go cheap with regard to the travel trailer. Then it would become more worth it.

Honestly, all I really want to do is surf... Why does surfing have to cost so much!?!

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ericvs

Since 05 Jul 2008
133 Posts

Stoked



PostWed Mar 09, 11 8:58 am     Reply with quote

Johnny D wrote:
I would love a trailer but feel there is no room for it at most tight launches. Must be great to have all that space. I also would like access while driving. There definitely is no perfect rig. I am trying to get out of my F150 for a Van 4x4 or Sprinter. Be much easier to get a trailer. I wonder what would be said if I stole 2 spots... Is that legit?


Agreed. My rig in that pic is just over 50 feet long. That is probably more than two spots. You could, in some cases, unhook the trailer and park your tow rig further away to reduce your footprint.

Bokeh wrote:
...My RAV4 has a tow prep and the rating of maximum 3500 lb... very light for the size (22' and less than 2800 lb)...


The owner of the trailer I borrowed bought the fun finder trailer based on the capacity of her rig at the time (she had a Jeep Commander - the trailer was just under the towing capacity). After a few dicey pulls with her little truck she opted for a 1ton Ford F350. haha. A bit of overkill for sure, but she told me that she is glad she didn't own the F350 first or her trailer would have been a 40'+ 5th wheel.

Have you towed your trailer anywhere far yet? I think you are going to be pretty close to your tow capacity with a 2800lbs dry weight trailer. (your fresh water tank will add about 250lbs and your propane will be around 200lbs. You are only going to have 250lbs left over for your gear, clothing, food, tools, beer, beer + all the misc crap that ends up in the trailer. etc... Towing overweight is scary.

I would suggest if you are getting a trailer go 1000lbs+ under the manufacturers 'towing capacity' and pay attention to the axel weight ratings etc, as wemorgan noted above.

Forrest wrote:
Those FunFinders look sick though! What does the 19 footer run new? About 20k? I spent about $10k in Maui for 3 months... So I could spend 6 months in Maui and get way more water time than a travel trailer would allot me during my ownership (That's not taking into account other associated costs). I think for me it makes sense to go cheap with regard to the travel trailer. Then it would become more worth it.

Yea that is my biggest issue. I am looking at used ones and will just deal with the issues of owning used. There are also pretty good tax write-offs with the trailers with bathrooms (at least in Wa), so that might be something else to think about. Agreed though, as said above it is all about trade-offs.

Also, here is a used one for $7500. Probably not as pimp as the fun finder, but same idea:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/rvs/2245712856.html

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Bokeh

Since 07 Feb 2008
104 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Stoked



PostWed Mar 09, 11 9:18 am    Travel Trailer Reply with quote

Quote:
Have you towed your trailer anywhere far yet? I think you are going to be pretty close to your tow capacity with a 2800lbs dry weight trailer


Yes I have, and one thing's for sure - break controller is a must I wouldn't even try this setup without one. You are right though, keeping an eye on the weight is my top concern (no fresh/gray water towing for sure).

If you don't want to worry about weight definitely get a beefier car!

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