Which Travel Trailer is BEST?

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I am going to be looking for a good quality, 26-29 ft. travel trailer. I know that there will be alot of opinions on which is best. I am looking for input to help me make my decision. Please let me know the pro's and con's of the travel trailer you have owned or used.

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"WHITE OBSESSION" 99 Quad Cab, White, SLT, 4x4, 5-sp, 3:54's, LSD, Loaded except cab lights and leather, Raven cap (cab high), Rhino liner, Stainless Nerf Bars, Stainless Rocker Panels, Tow package, Pro-flap mud flaps with Stainless Cummins "C" add to rear flaps, Power Edge (my first BOMB), Valentine One, Amsoil throughout, Uniden PC78LTW CB Radio with Mike Brolin's CB mounting bracket for STICKS. Hadley Bully Air Horns. Psychotty Air Induction, Braided SS Fuel Lines.

Things to come;
285/75R16 Cooper A/T's, SPA Pyro and Boost gauge, 4" exhaust system, DDIII's.

NRA Life Member! (Need to protect our rights and FREEDOM!!)

 

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Bob my first suggestion would be consider a 5th Wheeler. Having had both and even a slide in camper over the past 20 years I must say the lack of being pushed by wind and wind from other vehicles going down the road, the hooking up and off of the unit (don't have to have heated discussions with the wife) and leveling is much easier (no help needed).

Having said that my recommendations would be Northwoods (Fifth or Trailer) out of LaGrande, Ore. They make the Artic Fox and Nash lines. They recieved some of the highest marks ever given by a independent RV group for vacation type units that rated almost as high as a unit designed for full time use. This is NOT a ADVERTISER supported org. either. We have had ours for 5 years and love it. If I ever change that's where I'll go again. Ours isn't quite as large as your looking for, its a 25 Ft Nash fifth wheel model. Good luck in whatever you do, its fun and we use the dickens out of ours. Been retired for the past five years and have about 45K on her.

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Y2K RAM 2500 4X4 QC LWB Patriot Blue 5-Speed 3. 54 LS rear end, Trlr. Tow & Camper Packages, Westin Nerfs and DC Mud Flaps. Stock, ALMOST

 

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I agree that you should take a look a the 5th wheel trailer. I have pulled both types of trailer and when it came to the purchase of a trailer, we went with a 5th wheel. We bought a used 1979 25' Excel which is not being made any more. This trailer pulls like a dream, either through the mountains or down the freeway. But with our 2 kids growing like they are and the fact that the Excel is the mid-height model instead of the full height(Mom and Dads bedroom), we are going to look for a newer one. My opinion with the brands is the Alpenlite, but do the comparisons between the standard options and the 'buy' extras and the biggest is the re-sale value. If you have any other questions, you can email me direct. . I spent a lot of time doing my homework.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks

 

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I also stronly advise 5ers over trailers primarily because of their excellent road manners. I have had 5 trailers... 2 5ers and 3 tag alongs. I really liked the quality in the 1995 Terry and although it was never considered really high end quality I never had a single complaint about quality construction and durability. It was a nice coach. It was a trailer though and I had some road handeling complaints.
I now own a 37ft. 10 inch triple slide Jayco 5th wheel. I really like the quality constrution and cabinet work but little things they did bother me. I have space for a 26 inch tv in the rear entertainment area but they installed the cable and power outlets behind the tv so you can't reach the tv amplifier to switch it on if needed when the tv is installed. What a goofy setup! I moved the amplifier to the ajacent cabinet. The other thing was no switch inside the coach for electric hot water. I had to crawl into the storage compartment to access the damn switch. I moved it inside the coach in about 10 minutes with a remodel box, light switch, and some 12/2 wiring. All these problems were easily corrected but I should not have to do anything when you figure they have built trailers for 50 years and should know how to lay out these features. I bought the Jayco new in 98 and have pulled it all over and even across country and back last year. Not a single failure. Total miles on it now after 3 summers towing about 42,000 miles. Wow! Even my Dodge can't boast that good a track record. Of coarse, it could fall apart any time but with its track record I don't think so.
My recomendation is to look for the features you want at a reasonable price and look long and hard. Over time you will come to know many short commings and good qualities that were overlooked early.
Good luck,
-Paul R. Haller-

 

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Big Bob, This topic should bring a few opions out of the woodwork! In general, I recommend staying away from the low end 5er's or trailers. 5er or TT is really a personal perference question.

In my opinion, the answer to your question is SunnyBrook. The reasons are quality, construction and design. Both my wife and I are very, very happy campers in our SunnyBrook. This is our second 5'er, the first one was a 23. 5' Wildnerness which we liked and hadn't had any major problems with... but the SunnyBrook is better, no contest.

I make it a point to talk to the owners of other SunnyBrook (or Mobile Scout) units I see when camping and have yet to meet one who was unhappy with their SunnyBrook TT or 5'er.

I know of two other TDR members with SunnyBrooks (CSchomer has a 5'er and KC0SM has a TT) both of which will give you a thumbs up opinion of SunnyBrooks.

Regardless of which trailer you get... Happy Camping!!

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'01 2500 QC SLT (white/mist gray), 4x2, SWB, Cummins, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, Tow Package, 4wABS, Luverne SS Side Entry Steps, Truck Trunk, Reese 18K Classic, Tekonsha EnvoySV, Pioneer DEH-P47DH, Kenwood TM-733A. 24' SunnyBrook 5er with solar. Ram Ham: N0MEU

 

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Big Bob... I believe a fifth wheel would be best, but there are a lot of things to consider.
What are you going camping for? Are you sight-seeing? Or do you need to haul horses, too? How about four wheelers or a boat?

My point is this: A fifth wheel is the best rig, but if you have other interests, it is not a logical choice, unless you buy the wife a Ram to pull the toys with. And with the hitch in your bed, you don't have room for any big items like a 4wheeler.

No matter what you decide to buy, I think the most important item to check is the holding tanks and drains... make sure they are able to get heat, or they will freeze in the winter and make your trip miserable.

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Rob Hanson
1999 "Big Red", 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Braided SS fuel lines, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins E-Brake, Blue Box, Bosch 275HP injectors, All-steel Cowl Induction Hood, Rhino, Rosewood Kit, Scotty System, SportComp Gauges, TorkLift SuperHitch, Teshonka Brake Controller, Rear Flood lights, Cobra CB, DeeZee Running Boards, and a Geno's "I tromped a Ford" decal. Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

MyPics.com (pics updated 8/21/00)

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

 

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Are 5er and trailer the only options? Does anyone make a gooseneck TT? I have seen many horse trailers that have a small living quarters in them, but why not a whole rig? I want to get a TT eventually, but I don't want the big 5th wheel hitch taking up space in the bed. The gooseneck ball can just be removed to get more room.

 

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I just some information that I got from someone the other day. When you look at trailer of 5th wheels, they suggested that it works better for them is to have the kitchen area over the axles instead of in the back. They said with their 5th wheel, it bounces the pots and pans. I have heard this from other people also, now with our 5th wheel, the kitchen is in the middle and we dont have that problem with the pots and pans bouncing around. . But it comes down to this, what is going to work best for you.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks

 

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Airstream. High end quality #ad
and price #ad

Tows extremely well with Henschen self-dampening independent suspension. Holds up even off road with aircraft riveted construction.

You see them on the road for decades after they are built. The rich folks in Hollywood are having them redone at costs over $100K--it was written up in Wall Street Journal some months ago.

 

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Artic Fox... ... stand on the rear bumper , left or right side and jump up & down, it wont flex. If they flex under stress they will work every wood or metal joint loose and they are all joints above the frame.
see signature #ad

just my $. 02


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2K,BROKEN ISB, ,2500,Laramie +,Quad,4x,"slushbox 250 RPM drop WOT shifts",everything cept leather and clearance lites, reese 15k 5th slider, LAVERNGE BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS,
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA,VFW,SASS

 

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I agree with Jay, Sunnybrook/Mobile Scout isan excellent trailer. I have a pull type Mobile Scout. If you decide on a pull type, consider a Hensley Arrow Hitch. I get no sway (not pushed around) from 18 wheelers or wind. Happy Camping.

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98. 5,2500,Quad Cab, 2WD, A/T, 3. 55, Boost,EGT,Trans/Diff guages, Mag-Hytec Diff cover,Amsoil everywhere, 98 gal Transfer flow fuel tank, Kelderman Air Ride, A. R. E. truck cap, Hensley Arrow Hitch, Mobile Scot TT

 

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Don't forget the HI LO. Different concept, tows like a dream. I've had mine for ten years and no problems, even with high mileage.

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Denny

 

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I agree with Joe... you can't beat those old Airstream's! I have one old friend who has had his for over 20 years, and uses it often. I was amazed at some of the remote places he has gotten into with it. #ad
After all these years, trips and rough miles, it still looks great. #ad


I still like the cover of TDR issue 25 (my favorite... sorry Andy), showing Scott Dalgleish's Ram pulling his Airstream up a mountain pass. It reminds me of our very own North Cascades Highway. #ad


You might also want to check out www.happycampers.net This site is just for the camper/RVer.

[This message has been edited by John (edited 08-29-2000). ]

 

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Big Bob, I see you have a 2500 4x4. First, the height is not compatible with most 5th wheel trailers. Reversing the trailer axles to raise it enough will noticeably affect center of gravity. Second, the rear suspension will be close to overloaded with many 5th wheels, and will squat quite a bit. I have the same basic configuraiton and those factors pushed me to a travel trailer right away.

 

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Basically, you get what you pay for. Remember that trailers get treated pretty rough and things seems to come loose and break. In fact, as I sit here, something is probably falling apart on my trailer parked in the yard.

Anyway, you might want to go read the posts on the RV site. Pick a brand that is quality built. Look for features that you can live with since you might spend an entire vacation in your camper if it rains hard.

I would rate most of the Fleetwood products as middle quality. (Prowler, Terry, Wilderness) I currently have Prowler SUT and have generally been satisfied, but they clearly take some strange shortcuts in construction. I had a Starcraft slide-in that was low to middle quality.



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1999 QC 4x4, Pac brake, DC nerf bars, K&N filter, trailer brake, Manik cow catcher

 

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The best towing travel trailer was the Airstream. It didn't get pushed around as much as the refer box type trailers. Still, no comparison to the 5th wheel. #ad
I won't go back, just for the easier towing. Not to mention hooking up & un-hooking is tons easier/faster.

I tow a 27''er with a large slide out. It makes the truck sit level, along with the 5th wheel level. The axels have been flipped & it sits high, but never a cornering problem. Side winds, being passed both ways by big trucks & gusts are handled better by the 5th wheel than the Airstream, hands down. I'm towing & they are parked. I've had the nightime un-marked high speed corners & nada problem. I really like the higher ground clearance. It gets you parked in tons more spots as you can overhang the rear.

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Money Sink - 96, 5 speed, Injectors, 280/685 & AFC housing slid.
4" CAT back & CATless, 4" chrome turn down straight out back.
ISSPRO Pillar, Delvac 1 & Amsiol, K&N, Monicas silencer ring removed, Exhaust brake, Mag-Hytec, 3:54, 235s.
HX35s days are numbered, HX40-16 is here.
Un-Bombed = Boring

 

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The top three I could find in the middle bracket of prices were, Jayco, Nash and Sunnybrook. All great quality.

I chose a Jayco, as I could hardly find one complaint about them.

Got to http://www.rvamerica.com

And check under "owner reviews". . You'll find some interesting reviews. .

 

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Thanks everyone for your input.

I am really looking for a Travel Trailer because I have a Raven Cap and I don't want a 5th wheel hookup in the bed of my truck. I use the truck for work and need the cap on the truck and the bed of truck with no obstructions.

Looking forward to more input!

 

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As you can see in my signature, we pull a 33 ft. Hitchhiker. We couldn't be happier with the features and the quality. It all comes down to your budget and your towing capacity. There are a lot of good trailers out there, but obviously we cannot all afford the one we would really like (either based on price or the required tow vehicle). One of the biggest mistakes that I see people make is trying to buy/tow more trailer than they can handle. I would never go any heavier than I have now without going to a Freightliner or equivalent. So find one in the price/weight range you have establish and enjoy it.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 5sp / made in Mexico /
3. 54LSD 285 75X16 AR Atlas / Hadley airhorns / DDIII - 4in exhaust, turbo back - HD clutch / ISSPRO guages / 33' Hitchhiker triple slide (can you say HEAVY)

 

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Bob, one thing I forgot and it is a very important item that is often overlooked. When your checking out the trailers (I understand you don't want the fifth wheel but the same applies) be sure and "compare the units CARRYING Capacity". You will be very surprised to see the differences, at least I was. I looked at units with as low as 800 to 900 lbs and as high as 3125 lbs and these were only 25 to 27ft. units. My wife can put 800 lbs in before my stuff even gets considered . My Nash has a 3103 lbs capacity. By the way my Nash has the springs switch also and those 45K miles have all been West of the Missouri from B. C to Mexico. NO PROBLEMS. Happy Camping.