Looking for a good 27-30 ft. Travel Trailer

[BIG BOB]

This winter I going to purchase a 27-30 Ft. travel trailer with a slide maybe two. I have been looking at the Arctic Fox, McKenzie, Holiday Rambler and Komfort. Is there any other trailers I should consider? Which one do you feel are the most reliable, best quality, and best towing?



What are the pros and cons to the fiberglass sidewalls over the aluminum?



What are some of the amenities I should definately have in the Pacific Northwest besides good insulation and heated water storage tanks?



Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[MoparDave]

This is the only brand for me, it helps that i live less then 2 miles from the plant http://www.sunlinerv.com/

 

[exfuzz01]

type of trailer

I have a 2001 24' Komfort 5er, w/slide... lots of room for 2 although the bathroom is small. . (I am 6'1") but it works... can almost stand in the bedroom area.

Has 3 holding tanks and plenty of propane capacity. . It also has the tanks insulated and covered. Equiped with privacy and night time pull down shades... Tows like nothing back there.







2001 Ram diesel QC, A/T, long bed with camper tow package.

Has everything but leather. LineX bedliner, Smitty built nerf bars, and gauges on pillar mount. White with sand bottom. Reese Trail Boss 5th wheel hitch.

 

[DShelton]

Trailer to buy

If you are engaged in a search for the right trailer, the best thing is to keep looking and get a feel for what really grabs you. I am on my third fifth wheel now. Pull it with a 98 24 valve diesel quad cab allstock. I like the fifth wheel as they are much easier to manuver and tow really well. Look for a used , ( couple of years old) Carriage unit as they are really well built. They also build trailers as well as fifth wheels and do not mass produce them like many manufacturers do. I had a real bad experience with a new Wilderness and decided never to buy another one from Fleetwood . I think they re trash. Just my opinion, good luck

 

[Okie-Go]

You need to contact Barry of the tdr. He has a dealership close to Dallas. I think he could save you some $ then you could camp on the way home.

 

[Partyat33]

We are very pleased with the quality of our Jayco.



Dennis

 

[FDziurda]

Big Bob,

Before we went shopping for our last trailer, the wife and I sat down and made a list of basic things we were looking for. The list helped us rule out many layouts, right from the start.



We decided on a Travel Trailer and wanted something <=27 ft, since I have an un-removable steel camper shell over the truck bed.



Wife's concerns were:

Kitchen Storage Space.

Closet Space

Kitchen Counter Space.

Bathroom Adjacent to Bedroom.

Separated bathroom sink and shower/toilet.



My concerns:

One small slide for the sofa.

Weight (tongue & GVW)

Fresh Water Capacity (We like to "dry" camp)

Holding Tank Capacity (Insulated)

12V Battery Capacity

Propane Capacity

Accessory Storage



We were quite surprised with the poor "fit & finish" of many units we looked at. Finally purchased a Holiday Rambler 25RKS and are quite happy with it. Also liked the Artic Foxes and Crossroads.



Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will be happy.



Good Luck with your search.



FDz

 

[Andy Perreault]

There were a couple of topics a month or so ago, if you page back you can find them, about 5th wheel trailers, I know one of them was titled "Best 5'er???" Anyway, I tend to agree with what one member posted, he said you're better off buying a newer used trailer than a brand new one, because when you buy a new one, you lose $10-20,000 the minute you drive it off the lot. So, when it comes to replacing my trailer, that's what I'm going to do, look for a newer used one. The trick is to find something that's very close to (or exactly) what you want.

Hope to see you soon, Bob, sorry I missed Spokane.

Andy

 

[BigMike]

I've owned a 30' Terry for over a year. Have had it out on several trips and have had zero problems, other than a recall that my dealer quickly took care of. I think there are a lot of strong opinions about various makes. All depends on how much you want to spend. I would make sure, whatever you buy, that you research your dealer. They need to provide you service, because inevidably, you will need some help from them.



I'm sure whatever you buy, you will love. That's the way it usually turns out. The other bit of advice I could give would be buy all the 5th wheel you can afford and tow. We got a double slide and I wish we had gotten a triple. Oh well.

 

[SlyBones]

I have a 2000 Terry 26H. Got it because it was the floor plan / equipment we liked. Looked at all sorts of models, sizes, etc . etc. Then one day we found the layout we liked. Then shopped around to find all the MFG's that made that floor plan. Only 2 of all the lots we looked at. Then picked Terry because it was the better value as far as cost / feature/ warrantee/ quality, etc. So far no complaints.

 

[klenger]

FDziurda:



Making a shopping list of features is a very good idea when looking at campers.



Here's what was on top of my list:

60 x 80 inch queen size bed.

double gray water tanks

large fresh water tank

storage tanks enclosed and heated by furnace

rear kitchen - center bath

loaded weight < 10,000 lbs

high pin heigth to clear 4x4 truck bed



I got it all



Ken

 

[OILBRNR]

Don't know what your budget is, or if you want a TT or a 5'vr, but you might want to look into a late '90's Airstream.

 

[Loren]

Bob,



I don't know much about the other brands you listed, but I can vouch for the quality of Holiday Rambler (HR). The reason is in the construction. Among other features, HR uses a welded aluminum frame, and excellent insulation in the walls.



We have owned two HR's. The first was our home for a year and a half and was still in great shape (somewhat worn and dirty but structurally sound) after being pulled from Indiana to Rhode Island to Florida to Mississippi to Texas to California. We put about 4000-5000 miles on that trailer and lived in it full time. I wish I could buy it back today. I'll bet it's still in good shape.



We currently own our second HR. We bought this one used about a year ago. It has about 100,000 miles on it (owned by professional dog show handlers), and it is also still sound. I agree with Dshelton and Andy. Buy used, not new. We got our 5- year-old HR for less than half the price of a new unit. We spent about $1500-2000 on fix-up items. They were mostly cosmetic, but felt we could afford it considering the savings on the trailer.



Dshelton also said that Carriage is a good brand. I have no personal experience, but the RV repair guys who have fixed up our HR also said that Carriage units are well made.



I disagree with Big Mike. You won't necessarily love whatever you buy. Trailers are a bit like boats. You buy one, then you find out what you really should have bought. I thought I wanted a fifth-wheel until I actually had to use one for a few years. You lose the use of your truck bed with a fifth-wheel, and can't tow one with a short bed truck unless you buy a very expensive hitch. They are usually big and heavy also, but I'll admit they tow like a dream — very stable. A well-loaded travel trailer will also tow well. Just keep plenty of weight on the tongue.



I also thought I wanted slide-outs until I used them. Two disadvantages: First, they add weight to the trailer. Second, when you are traveling and want to stop for a sandwich the retracted slide-out often interferes with the use of the trailer. Do you really want to extend your slide-out at every rest stop?



I have used trailers with fiberglass sides and aluminum sides. I don't really have a preference, although the fiberglass seems to come on the up-scale trailers. They both do the job well.



Another feature not mentioned yet is a generator. I have used trailers with and without generators and would really like one in our current HR. I'll have to settle for carrying one in the pickup. You can run almost anything in your trailer on LP or batteries, EXCEPT for the air conditioning. For that you need AC power. If you can't plug in, a generator is the most practical way to get it. You will have to decide how you expect to use the trailer and whether or not a generator is a deal-breaker. We bought our current HR without one, and it has worked out alright so far.



I agree with Oilbrnr. Airstream is quite probably the top brand in travel trailers. They certainly retain their value better than almost everything else. I don't like the rounded backs in the storage compartments inside. That's why we bought our first HR thirty years ago.



Features sell trailers to first-time buyers. Quality sells to second-timers. Poor trailers are REALLY poor. It's not like the difference between a Chevy and a Mercedes. Both of those cars will do the job. The poorer trailer brands won't even tow. Axles will bend, brakes will break, roofs will leak. Stick to quality. Even if you don't like the features on the quality trailer you buy, at least you will own some value for a trade-in on the trailer you want to get.



If it's possible, come to Elkhart, IN. Trailer Mecca. You can learn more about different brands in a week in Elkhart than you can in six months anywhere else. You can see them all, talk to the hitch and accessory installers about brands (most of them don't have a trailer to sell you), and even tour several factories.



If I were shopping for a trailer again, the brands I would consider are Holiday Rambler, Airstream, and Newmar. The more I learn about the Newmar products (Kountry Aire, Mountain Aire, etc. ) the more I like them.



Some web sites:

www.holidayrambler.com

www.newmarcorp.com

www.airstream.com



Happy hunting.



Loren

 

[Andy Perreault]

Originally posted by OILBRNR

Don't know what your budget is, or if you want a TT or a 5'vr, but you might want to look into a late '90's Airstream.

Here's something I've always wondered: How come Airstream doesn't make 5th wheels? Seems to me they're missing out on a very large market.

Andy

 

[SlyBones]

Originally posted by Loren



I also thought I wanted slide-outs until I used them. Two disadvantages: First, they add weight to the trailer. Second, when you are traveling and want to stop for a sandwich the retracted slide-out often interferes with the use of the trailer. Do you really want to extend your slide-out at every rest stop?

With a trailer in the 26-28 ft range, even one with a slide will only weigh in 7000-8000 lbs. My 26' Terry is 6000 dry with the slide. Less than 7000 with propane, batteries, with all my junk, and my self installed accessories. 8000 is the GVWR. And Yes I have had it on the scales. Hardly a match for WhiteObsession. Also part of the reason we choose this floorplan. Everything works with the slide in. I can pull into a rest stop, use everything in the trailer without touching the slide. And when we stop in the campground the extra space when open is great. Just something to pay attention to when shopping. But get the slide.



Only other thing to comment, and of course this is personal preference. I would go with a trailer under 30' and a 5er over 30'. There are a few nice 5ers under 30', but most small 5ers have bedrooms over top you cant stand up in. The trailer is better in that respect. Over 30 all 5ers are standup. Over 30' trailers are way too long.



Oh yeah, while I just thought about it. Many trailers with slides in the very front, or front kitchens have very heavy tongue weights. Way more that the RV MFG's say. The dealers will tell you one thing, but the RV repair shops told me otherwise.

 

[OILBRNR]

Originally posted by Andy Perreault





Here's something I've always wondered: How come Airstream doesn't make 5th wheels? Seems to me they're missing out on a very large market.

Andy

Well Andy, when I visited the factory back in '99, they claimed that one was in development, but I doubt it will ever make it to market. I did see the first 34' with a slideout roll down the line. Don't think I'll be Thor's beta tester on that one... though it is all aluminum, and seemed pretty sturdy. I'd be worried about leaks.



I think there are a couple of reasons that Thor won't let Airstream do it. First, It would mean MAJOR retooling of the factory in order to accomodate a much taller coach, and all new jigs for the skin would need to be made. Second, Airstreams tow almost as well as a 5'vr, which negates that as a benefit. Third, I don't know how many Airstream customers really want one. Most want a quality coach, with top notch equipment inside, superb suspension for great towing, long life exterior, and high resale. The minority buy them for the Americana icon status, but that is a growing segment, esp. with the older coaches. (My Dad sold our families original '67 24' Tradewind for over $10k last year. Try that with a box trailer of the same vintage!)



Where they are trying to grow in market share, is to get more entry level buyers with smaller SUV's via the resurected Bambi and a couple of slightly larger units, that are lower priced due to materials placed inside. Like formica countertops instead of Corian, etc. Don't know how successful that will be as they are still mucho $$$.



I agree with what Loren posted above, very, very good info. Esp. the point on buying quality the SECOND time around. I think too many people impulse buy trailers the first time, focusing too much on low price and ignorance of what quality construction and components are all about. Many are probably fine if you tow them rarely and just park'um. But a cheesy suspension pounding away on poor glue-n-screw build methods, will quickly deteriorate into a POS. Then, your stuck with trying to fix or mask all those issues and bail out on the trailer to get what you should have got in the first place.





my 3 cents

 

[dewdo]

I guess I will toss in my nickels worth on this subject. I personally like the slides. I agree in some rigs it does limit the availability to some ares of the rig. I have a 34 ' King Of The Road fiver that has a door on both sides so you can get into either the bedroom and bathroom from the left door, and the kitchen and living room from the right door. I think they should all make the trailers with both a front and a back door. (one on either side)



As for rear kitchens, you might want to rethink that. The rear of the trailers bounce and sway no matter what kind they are and dishes, pots & pans, groceries etc all have a way of bouncing out of or off the cupboard and onto the nice carpet. We have the center kitchen and leave coffee maker, toaster, toaster oven etc in place and they never move. Makes for a happier spouse too. The kitchen is directly over the axles which are "torque flex"



If you want the ultimate luxury then take a look at the Teton's. Nice but very pricey. They are real pround of those things.



Dewdo in the other Washington