Travel Trailer Preferences

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Tulecreeper

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Many years ago I lived in a Winnebago Indian for a couple years, then bought a 26-foot Ideal (yeah) TT and lived in that for the next three years. The wife and I are going to be selling our house and property, hopefully by the end of this year, and full-timing in a TT. Makes, models, quality, and prices have obviously changed a lot in 20 years, but if any of you were in the market for a trailer which would you choose? You know, build quality, ease of towing, amenities, that sort of thing. Assuming a budget up to $75k, which is really pretty high even by today's inflated prices. Somewhere in the 30-foot range. Please don't say Airstream. They really aren't worth what they charge for them.

Let the arguing begin... :cool:
 
Pretty much, every make, brand, and model are about the same in today's market place. There are NO superior RV's "out there", and even Airstream has it's issues too. You just don't hear as much about them because the number of folks who purchase Airstream are much less than folks who purchase, say .... Keystone products.

The bigger issue is matching a tow vehicle to the trailer without compromising the tow vehicle by being overloaded (weights). That is where folks REALLY get misled. They have an F150 or a 1500 and feel overly confident they can successfully tow a 35 foot trailer or a fifth wheel with a king pin weight of 2500 pounds. THAT is where the biggest issues arise for towable RV owners, when folks think they already have the truck that can do it all ... and they really don't.
 
Pretty much, every make, brand, and model are about the same in today's market place. There are NO superior RV's "out there", and even Airstream has it's issues too. You just don't hear as much about them because the number of folks who purchase Airstream are much less than folks who purchase, say .... Keystone products.

The bigger issue is matching a tow vehicle to the trailer without compromising the tow vehicle by being overloaded (weights). That is where folks REALLY get misled. They have an F150 or a 1500 and feel overly confident they can successfully tow a 35 foot trailer or a fifth wheel with a king pin weight of 2500 pounds. THAT is where the biggest issues arise for towable RV owners, when folks think they already have the truck that can do it all ... and they really don't.
2023 RAM 2500, Reg cab, 8' bed, 10,000# GVWR, 22,000# GCWR, Class V Commercial Duty hitch with 15,500# tow capacity, 3900# payload capacity

I had a Class A CDL when I retired so towing experience isn't a problem.
 
Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox, or another Northwoods brand. No TT is trouble free, but theirs are more robust than most. They are also a good four season choice, handy for full time living.
 
Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox, or another Northwoods brand. No TT is trouble free, but theirs are more robust than most. They are also a good four season choice, handy for full time living.
I have looked at some of their brands. Unfortunately, their closest dealer for any of them is almost 500 miles away. Not traveling that far just to see. I'm sorry, I should have given a list of the makes and models available to us. And yes, I know some of these are made by ones already listed (Rockwood is made by Forest River, for example). This is not a complete list.

- Forest River
- Keystone
- Grand Design
- Coleman (you can skip these)
- Heartland
- Mallard
- Wildwood
- Prime Time
- Rockwood
- Bullet
 
Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox, or another Northwoods brand. No TT is trouble free, but theirs are more robust than most. They are also a good four season choice, handy for full time living.

We drove 562 miles in one day for our 2023 Outdoors RV Mtn Trx Backcountry to purchase it in Utah. Needed a travel trailer tough enough for boondocking within the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and the Rockies all seasons. We looked at the local products from Grand Junction, Colorado to Roanoke, Virginia.
 
The ones you list are run of mill. I doubt there is anything g significantly different between them. You asked for the best build quality, so that is the list I gave you. If you were interested in a fifth wheel, I would add Grand Design to the list.
 
The ones you list are run of mill. I doubt there is anything g significantly different between them. You asked for the best build quality, so that is the list I gave you. If you were interested in a fifth wheel, I would add Grand Design to the list.
Thank you. You gave me your opinion of the best build quality and that is what I'm asking for...opinions as to quality. There are probably some on here who may think Arctic Fox is also run of the mill and nothing significantly different to them. I have to work with what is available to me and I made a partial list. Again, much appreciated.
 
Makes, models, quality, and prices have obviously changed a lot in 20 years, but if any of you were in the market for a trailer which would you choose?

Let the arguing begin... :cool:

Mountainous regions of the country have different needs. So my choices for a travel trailer are different than yours. In Colorado 72.6% of vehicles are 4WD or AWD. We couldn't live all year where we do without it. 48.5% on average days per year with at or below freezing temperatures at my location. Got to have a travel trailer that performs well in our region all year including across our rough rural dirt roads.

Popularity of 4WD/AWD by state in April 2019, as provided by CarMax:

Most popular:
1. Colorado: 72.64 percent of total state sales
2. New Hampshire: 63.58 percent of total state sales
3. Maine: 59.25 percent
4. Massachusetts: 55.19 percent
5. Connecticut: 53.86 percent
6. Michigan: 53.80 percent
7. New York: 49.53 percent
8. Pennsylvania : 48.96 percent
9. Rhode Island: 47.85 percent
10. Nebraska: 47.07 percent
 
Mountainous regions of the country have different needs. So my choices for a travel trailer are different than yours. In Colorado 72.6% of vehicles are 4WD or AWD. We couldn't live all year where we do without it. 48.5% on average days per year with at or below freezing temperatures at my location. Got to have a travel trailer that performs well in our region all year including across our rough rural dirt roads.

Popularity of 4WD/AWD by state in April 2019, as provided by CarMax:

Most popular:
1. Colorado: 72.64 percent of total state sales
2. New Hampshire: 63.58 percent of total state sales
3. Maine: 59.25 percent
4. Massachusetts: 55.19 percent
5. Connecticut: 53.86 percent
6. Michigan: 53.80 percent
7. New York: 49.53 percent
8. Pennsylvania : 48.96 percent
9. Rhode Island: 47.85 percent
10. Nebraska: 47.07 percent
I'm not sure I understand your reply. A 4x4 tow vehicle has nothing to do with the TT we're looking for as I don't intend to haul it through the snow. I just sold my Silverado 4x4, and I've actually been required to use it in that manner a couple dozen times in the 20+ years I owned it. And I hunt and fish in the back country literally all the time.

We know cold. We had one week about 6 weeks ago with temps at about -10 F at night, and highs in the teens during the day. But, we don't intend to live anywhere most of the year with temps below maybe the upper 40's at night. However, I'll still pay for a 4-season trailer...you know, just in case.
 
A 4x4 tow vehicle has nothing to do with the TT we're looking for as I don't intend to haul it through the snow.

We don't have much choice on not hauling through the snow or freezing temperatures unless our TT gets used for just 2.5 months each year like our ski boat. Our high mountain elevations see to that.
 
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We don't have much choice on not hauling through the snow or freezing temperatures unless our TT gets used for just 2.5 months each year like our ski boat. Our high mountain passes see to that. I've towed through minus 43F per my truck's thermometer near Antero Reservoir, Colorado. Towed over Vail, Hoosier, Wilkerson, and Ute passes today. Vail was down to one lane for snow removal. It was snowing when I left home. 28.5 feet so far this season just 10 minutes up the road. Not the same requirements as this region for a travel trailer.
You can still give me your opinion as to a brand with a good reputation for build quality.
 
I've had a Dutchmen (before Keystone bought them out). I've had a Keystone Springdale, a Keystone Outback, and now a Keystone Montana High Country fifth wheel.

As far as which one was the best, it had to be the Dutchmen and the Springdale (before Keystone bought Dutchmen out). All my trailers were purchased new.

I think the biggest difference between the first 2 and the second 2 is the fact, my first 2 did not have slides and were shorter. Another factor, even though they all were purchased new, they were still old school build. Granted, RV build has been in the toilet for the last 30 years. But things really went down hill around 2010, and Covid caused RV build to absolutely tank.

If you look at the manufacturer's web sites, you will find, that the models are put into 3 different groups. The starter campers, the mid-range campers, and their brand high end. But the fact is, they are all built out of the same plant!

Electronics has become the all important factor in campers over the last 7 or 8 years. Where manufacturers have failed to maintain a quality build, they have installed electronics to razzle and dazzle and an excuse to increase the bottom dollar. So, build quality has gone down the toilet, and campers are now installed with electronics that seem to be more problematic than successful. Still, it's the "glitz" of the new camper that catches the eye of so many not the actual functionality of the camper itself.

I been reading and participating in RV forums for the last 25 years. I find it interesting that someone who complains about the location of the black tank discharge pipe and the position of the slide valve handle is called out as horrible build quality, "what were they thinking?" And someone else will call out the front cap is delaminating and ask the same question, "what were they thining?"

And then, there are those who really do simply abuse their campers. Think of it this way. A little girls play chair that she'd sit on in her little play house is designed for the weight of a little girl that weighs less than 50 pounds. The chair supports that girl just find. That is good quality. It's done what it was designed to do.

Now along come dad who weighs 300 pounds and decides to join the little girl for make-believe tea and sit on that same chair. The chair completely collapses. Does that make the chair a "bad quality" chair? No, it wasn't designed for that purpose. It failed because the chair was not used for it's intended purpose.

The same is true for so many owners of RV. The purchase a "starter" RV with the idea they can take it off road, down wilderness paths, across scorching desert sands. Or they can use it in the dead of winter, or in the scorching 120 degree temperatures of some Western state deserts. Then they ignore any maintenance, repairs, and then complain ... where's the quality?

The quality is in the owner of the RV. None are above repair and constant vigilant, ongoing, never - never ending repairs and fixes. None!

If they are used for their intended purpose and constant vigilant upkeep is maintained, then ALL of the are good quality.

Starter campers are designed for the 2 week vacation schedule folks who might take of an occasional week-end or two also.

The mid-range are those who want to extend a bit into a little colder weather and a little hotter weather (usually 2 air conditioners is the indicator here.)

The high end version is designed for the longer timer and some as 4 season. Yes, they can be used 4 seasons, but they still require a LOT, and I am not joking ... a LOT of prep work and attention to be able to be used in the instream weather conditions. But not necessarily designed for off-roading.

Anyway, "quality" is in the eye of the owner. They are all good, if used for the purpose they were intend for.
 
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Hi. You say there are no dealers for certain lines near you which is common. Are there campgrounds near you? If so, approach the management of them as someone who would like to find out about more lines than are sold in the area. Most folks at a campground that are not otherwise occupied would not mind someone asking how they like their rig. Play it right and you may get a walk through. This is where you will get honest opinions. Happy Camping.
 
Hi. You say there are no dealers for certain lines near you which is common. Are there campgrounds near you? If so, approach the management of them as someone who would like to find out about more lines than are sold in the area. Most folks at a campground that are not otherwise occupied would not mind someone asking how they like their rig. Play it right and you may get a walk through. This is where you will get honest opinions. Happy Camping.
There are two, both on the Army base property. Being retired military, I can access either at any time. One is kind of run down,and the other nicer one seldom has any people but I'll consider that. Thanks!
 
I mostly agree with DutchmenSport re bling, quality, the price tiers, and "abuse", though I would term the latter more like "excessive expectations". The bling sells better than under-the-covers build & materials quality. And a lower price is the most attractive of all.

I think the abuse/expectations thing ties to price. And maybe the quality perspective too. Even the lowest "entry level" RV is a lot of $$, and human nature is that any expensive thing ought to be perfect all regards. It's hard for most buyers to accept that a $30k trailer has had its design & manufacure quality cut to the bone to achieve that price and still include the appearance and amenities they expect. Even tougher with a $150k+ MSRP motorhome.
 
I mostly agree with DutchmenSport re bling, quality, the price tiers, and "abuse", though I would term the latter more like "excessive expectations". The bling sells better than under-the-covers build & materials quality. And a lower price is the most attractive of all.

I think the abuse/expectations thing ties to price. And maybe the quality perspective too. Even the lowest "entry level" RV is a lot of $$, and human nature is that any expensive thing ought to be perfect all regards. It's hard for most buyers to accept that a $30k trailer has had its design & manufacure quality cut to the bone to achieve that price and still include the appearance and amenities they expect. Even tougher with a $150k+ MSRP motorhome.
$30k for a travel trailer is actually pretty cheap. That's why I gave a price point of $75,000 in my original post. My searches have pretty much led to to not even pay attention to a TT with a price below $45k. Those are the ones with an MSRP of $55k+.

I'm willing to pay the extra for an actual 4-seasons model. It just has to be a model I can get relatively locally.
 
2023 RAM 2500, Reg cab, 8' bed, 10,000# GVWR, 22,000# GCWR, Class V Commercial Duty hitch with 15,500# tow capacity, 3900# payload capacity

I had a Class A CDL when I retired so towing experience isn't a problem.
That 3900lb payload is a published number NOT the number on the yellow and white tag on the b piller, that going to be the biggest hickup, yeah the truck will pull a house but its payload is limited on a 2500. Most 3500 dont have a payload of 3900lbs
 

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