Trailer Question

[Zacman]

Any current members out there towing a Holiday Rambler brand Travel Trailer? (No not a 5ver)

If so opinions are welcome. My wife and I are considering this brand as we have been impressed with the quality vs a lot of the others out there. . If they own one anything we should be aware of prior to purchasing one.

Thanks

David

 

[ltamarra]

David,

We have been camping in a number of different scenarios since 69. Station wagon, tent, slide-in camper, 19' trailer and our current rig is a 31' 96 Alumalite Custom travel trailer. Absolutely love everything - amenities, workmanship, construction, form & fit, etc. Looked and did a lot of research on other manufacturer's and decided on Holiday Rambler when wife and I decided the 19 footer was not only too small but literally falling apart (wood frame with wavy alluminum skins). The HR is a solid unit and tows extrememly well.

The only negative side is the length being 31 feet prevents us from going to favorite state campgrounds that we frequented in the past with the smaller unit. Now, we make do with private RV parks that handle big rigs.

Getting ready to start "snowbirding" - target is Las Vegas or Bullhead City.

Lou T.

 

[TBarrett]

Our Trailer- Thoughts

We have a 26ft Sandpiper bumper mount. Not sure of your brand your looking for. Here are some general things we felt were important. Where each room is. We did ours front to back, kitchen, couch area, bathroom, bedroom, 1 door front, 1 door back. Look for cabnit storage space, top and bottom. Most dealers look at you and go on to something else. Our brand was the most we could find. Most all have all the electrics, 110v, 12v, and gas. 1 or 2 AC on the top. We didnt go with pop outs because of weight but alot are now made that way. The main thing is how it feels to you and is there enough storage and space to live. Oh, fiberglass verse alum sided. Bumper mounted dont forget the equalizer and stabalizer bars and hitch. A must have to make the trailer travel right. On all but the steepest hills I hardly know its there, even in the wind.

 

[Pogodually]

FWIW,



I have a HR Alumascape, first trip out I had all kind of problems from a sewer vent pipe coming loose ( sorta smelly inside the unit ), a step coming loose and sending me flying foward, twisting my knee, I limped for weeks. Bottom line, had 26 items that required fixing along with 2 major upgrades that were installed before could use RV again. Still not happy with unit but... ... ... ... ...



JMO

 

[Zacman]

trailers

Pogodually

Sorry to hear about your experiences with the Alumascape. We are looking at that model. We passed up a pretty good deal this past summer on a slightly used 1996 27' TT. My wife does not particularly care whether it has a slideout or not but I DO. I lived in a 27' during the summer months a number of years ago and when it rains there AINT no space in some of the none slide models. Face it the weather dont always cooperate when you live in one and there are four people in one.

The main thing she wants is like one of the others posted previously is a separate bathroom not attached to the master bedroom. A lot of the 5th wheels the bathrooms are basically a part of the bedroom with little privacy. The HR TT and with certain plans on the 5th wheels do offer that separate bathroom. My wife also would prefer the extra exit from the master bedroom (not offered on any of the HR 5ths) Its kinda of what are you willing to put up with the most when it comes to selecting a trailer. Personally I dont care much about TT or 5th but I know the 5th wheel could be stabbed into a tighter place and easier to pull too. Never pulled a 5th but have pulled a lot of TT on a bumper. My truck is a 2500 QC SLT SB 2wd so I understand somethings have to be taken into consideration the a 5th and a SB truck when backing and turning.

Thanks

David

 

[Larry Willard]

I currently pull a HR 5er, but before that we had a 31' HR Alumalite, with 1 slide(dinette and couch). We felt it was very well built, and you can definately tell the difference in how quiet it is inside. The only problems were tire related, traded it for the 5er and am much happier with how it tows. Would definately recommend their product.

Larry

 

[Zacman]

tt vs 5th

Larry,

Is the 5th wheel the same brand? I dont have reservations about the type but I know there are trade-offs for each hitch type. Personally I would prefer a TT over a 5th in some cases if you were hitting a lot of wind. The flip side is the 5th everyone (or seems to) is a bit more stable when you have a lot of wind.

Just an impression I have. Glad you like the HR. I would imagine that will be the brand we buy when we get off the fence. I am not a person that likes to say "Gee, thats what I should have bought" so I generally try to find out all I can before choosing.

Thanks

David

 

[Larry Willard]

Yes the 5er is also a Alumalite. Not only is the 5er more stable in the wind, you don't get the effects of tractor trailers as they pass you, they pull better in every scenario I have encountered.

Larry

 

[Loren]

David,



When my wife and I were first married (1970), we lived in a Holiday Rambler for a year and a half. During that time we pulled it from Indiana to Rhode Island to Florida to Mississippi to Texas to California, where we sold it.



We overloaded that trailer terribly, (I didn't know any better) and it took everything we put it through.



When we were looking for another travel trailer recently, naturally we thought of Holiday Rambler again. We got a used 1996 unit with 100,000 (estimated) miles on it. It belonged to a couple that showed dogs for a living. We had several cosmetic items repaired, and replaced all the tires.



So far we have towed this trailer about 5000 miles and are very pleased with it. I would buy another Holiday Rambler in a heartbeat. If you find a floor plan you like, I think you will be happy with the quality of HR.



Loren

 

[chuck3]

H. R .

I have been looking at 5th wheels for a long time, planing on upgradeing before I retire, from what I've read and heard from owners I think the H. R. s are as good a unit as you can get for the money, I will be buying one when I upgrade, I now have a Jayco TT and they make a good trailer allso IMO.

 

[Zacman]

trailer

Loren,

Looking at your signature noticed you had Firestone Ride-Rites. I used to work for the company that invented the Ride-Rites before Firestone bought the product. I remember molding them in a press and a couple of years later loading all the molds, presses and other associated equipment on a 40 ft truck bed to ship to Firestone. Originally Ride-Rites were mfg'd in Arlington Texas.

Sorry, the name just brought back a ton of memories.

regards

David

 

[Loren]

David,



Nice to know there is a name to go with the product (the Ride-Rite air springs). I really like having them on my '95. I would have moved them over to the 2000 year truck, but with the factory-installed overload springs the Ride-Rite's wouldn't fit easily.



As it turns out, the newer truck doesn't settle nearly as much as the '95 did when I put a load on the rear axle. On the other hand, it doesn't ride nearly as smoothly as the older one either.



They are really nice to have. I wish they would mount onto the new truck easily.



Loren

 

[Davison]

Holiday Ramblers

We bought a '98 Alumalite 27cc new. Good points:



Fantastic insulation. Stays cool in Summer = Warm in Winter.



Aluminum frame construction.



Quality cabnetry and appointments.



Tows extremely well, but tracts wide on corners.



Bad points;



Sealed underbelly and centralized plumbing control - Big bucks if any repairs are needed down the road.



On our unit, some nimrod engineer decided to mount the H20 pump in an outside compartment..... Yep, it froze up on us. Called factory in Indiana and they were useless. I pressed and they referred me to a mechanic in another city. I was my own warranty repair station! They brag that it is a 4 season unit..... I beg to differ... . Talk is cheap.



Models in last couple of years have batteries mounted back on the tongue. Out in the way, and where they can freeze up faster (earlier models had batts in a slide out comparment).



New models HAVE NO REAR BUMPER. So many Mfgr's doing this. It is beyond me. Give me a bumper!!



New models have PLASTIC outside compartment doors!!! How long are these going to last?



I too want more room and was looking for a slide out. But after looking at the 2000 and 2001 models of Alumascape and Presidential (alumalite) I just might stay with what I have!



I'm looking into the Lakota by Monaco. Made in Oregon. Same frame and insulation. Will go to a lot this weekend and give them a critical eye.....



Oh, a last point. Watch the weight ratings that ALL trailers must have posted somewhere inside nowadays..... Each model has different #'s and some can be downright low.



So ends my ramble on Holiday Ramblers. I like the one I have. It's not perfect, but with a few modifications it well may be. I still want that slide out darnit!!

 

[Zacman]

HR trailer

Davison:

Thanks for your comments. It will certainly pay to keep your points in mind. We have/are keeping on lookout for a used HR but almost all of them are non-slide models. I just cant bring myself to buy one. Most of my direct family lives in a colder winter environment from November on even though I dont. Thats the reason for me asking about whether this particular mfg'r is a four season unit. Instead of staying with them I can choose where I park my house when visiting. Most all of them live on farms or in a very semi-rural setting (farmers etc. ) So finding space to park just is not a problem.

Thanks

David

 

[klenger]

Arctic Fox builds very good four season campers. They are well insulated. They use wood construction, so if you are only interested in aluminum, they won't do. You can see them at http://www.nashtraveltrailers.com/



Good luck