Travel Trailer Brands/Sizes/Questions?

[DarrellB]

What I did

I was kind of in the same boat too. I like going camping and always used a tent and one day I thought I would look at campers just so I could stay a little warmer when it gets cold. I bought one that a local had for sale, it was a 87 32' jayco 5th wheel with no slideouts. I used it for 2 years and got tired of pulling the huge thing around. I traded it in on a 27' prowler tt and realy like it. It seems to have just as much room in it a the 5th wheel and you don't have to go up those anoying 3 steps to take a leak and go to bed. Actually I think the trailer being on one level makes it feel bigger because it seems like the space is better used than it was on the 5th wheel. The prowler is just right for a bunch of weekenders it will sleep 8 or 4 if you don't want to foldout any of the beds. But the best thing about getting rid of the 5th wheel is pulling the TT the 27' tt pulls much better than the 5th wheel ever did and I don't even use any kind of load distrabution hitch with it. The 5th wheel cought too much wind while pulling it and it seemed like it was always kind of porpousing up and down as you went down the road, and was also terrible about taking out low lying limbs from trees, it was a pain to store that monster in the off season. The only advantage I could see to the 5th wheel was it was easier to get it into small tight spots because you could cut the truck around when backing but if you have any backing skill at all (and a lot of people that have campers don't) you should have no problem backing into most campgrounds.



Just my opinion

Big D

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Airstream.



Pluses:

1. travel trailer so they are compatible with 4WD height unlike many 5th wheels.

2. Henschen independent torsion bar suspension tows very well, very directionally stable

3. Monocoque aluminum shell, riveted. Not stapled or screwed wood framing. Strong, doesn't shake apart even if used on bad roads

4. Well made, quality components.

5. lasts a very long time. You see 20, 30 yr. and older Airstreams out there; few of other brands that old still in service.

6. Aerodynamic, tows easily with lower drag than many trailers.

7. Carefully engineered first, with good weight distribution. many other brands have too much weight on one corner to please a stylist with interior component placement.

8. Strong box tubing frame, not C channel on an end (not even the stjrong way to use channel) like many trailers.

9 Distinctive styhling and appearance, keeps its resale value better than most trailers; company is over 70 yr. old.



Minuses:

1. costs up to double the price of entry level trailers.

2. some don't care for the rounded interior walls and less space in overhead cabinets for tall boxes.

 

[BigMike]

I have a 2000 Terry 5er. Have used it a lot and have not had one warranty item yet. There was a recall on an axle problem that my dealer took care of right away. Some folks think wood frame constuction is better than aluminum. More flexibility for movement and temperature change. Also deals with changes in humidity better than aluminum. That's my 2 cents worth.

 

[RustyJC]

Re: Travel Trailer Brands

Originally posted by GLASMITHS

I have to agree with the previous posts on Fleetwood. My last check of them, they are still framed with wood, and from owners problems in Trailer Life they are not very good at fixing the problems, as well as Jayco and Coachman.



I'll probably get flamed for that but from where I have been and heard all three are in the same boat.

No flame intended, but I think you're wrong about Jayco. If you'll check the RV forums, I believe you'll find Jayco's customer service rated right up at the top. We've owned three Jaycos - a 1978 pop-up, a 1996 30' 5ver and a 2000 36' 5ver. All have delivered excellent value for the money and have been sound and reliable RV's. During our ownership of all three Jaycos, exactly one shop visit has been required, and that was for a factory recall.



As far as structure is concerned, Jayco Designers are available with either wood or aluminum framing - ya pays yore money and ya takes yore choice!



Rusty

 

[Fireman Dave]

Toby,



We found it very helpful to go to RV shows. You can see a lot of different brands in a short period of time (vs. driving to multiple dealers), and you can get a feel for what you like, who makes better quality this or that, etc... Even if you won't be buying a new one, you may find this educational. We go to the shows just for fun sometimes - even if we aren't in the market for a camper. It helps with the winter cabin fever, and it's fun to just look.



Dave

 

[QRTRHRS]

Toby, IMHO, you hit it on the head. Rent first. Buy later. There are "canned" vacations set up where you rent a camper, more or less follow an itinerery. You can also go it on your own. Rent and go. What do you like to do? This is a biggie. You just want to get away and go set up a some campground for a few days or a week or do you want to travel and use the camper to save on motels? This can have a lot of bearing on the size/style you want.



Give you an example. I used to camp in a VW van. Tight but for two and mostly at that time, the New England area with tight areas, worked well. Hit and run so to speak. Bought a "C". To small and to big at the same time. Would have been better off with a trailer to drop. Live and learn.

 

[WCrovo]

My wife,doggy and I love life in our TT. Can't get enough. I live in it almost all summer doing rallies across the country. I think a Gen is critical. I have slept in it in below 0 weather, not fun but doable. Just talking about it mkes me want to go camping. I was happy with my Fleetwood Prowler 24J TT, I love my Thor Tahoe 28TB and I hated my Weekend Warrior(WW is a POS).

 

[WCrovo]

I also love my 1970 24' Travel Eze. I did a complete restore and the thing is built so well. It is out on my property now but would tow it anywhere anytime (with new tires installed). The old thing is warmer in the cold than any of my new TTs.

 

[Fuzz]

RV.org

Approach,tower and ground??LOL.

Take a look at www.rv.org...

They rate the trailers,for temp,liviabilitry etc. They come out with a

"Green Book" every year. Past issues are in the public library.

They are non profit supposedly. Might get some good ideas.

There is an awful lot to consider and it almost gets overwhelming.

FWIW

Fuzz

 

[PHX ATC]

Thanks fellas.



I might be in trouble, I think the boat show in Phoenix is before the RV show.



Toby

 

[PHX ATC]

Fuzz - I'm off to the library at the end of this week to check out the "green book. " We are tentatively planning on renting a TT this spring to check the scene out.



Toby

(No approach for me, just up in the tower, the view's much better)