Need help deciding between a few campers!

[Ralphsworld]

Good Afternoon All,

We had a Pleasure way camper van that we really enjoyed for awhile, but life got in the way and we weren't using it much so instead of letting it sit we sold it. And regret set in shortly after- I am looking at a couple different options in the bumper pull family that I was hoping to get some insight and thoughts on. They are light weight and on the smaller side but its just the two of us and a dog so that is what I think I want. Relatively all in the same price range, the Casita is a little more expensive but they do hold there value a little more after researching.
Options:
1.) 2017 KZ Sportmen Classic 150rbt
2.) 2012 Living Lite Camplite
3.) 2008 Casita 17 Spirit

General thoughts and overview of these? Any suggestions of what I maybe should try to look at or find?

Thank you in Advance for any replies-

 

[tlmgcamp1]

What are you towing with?

 

[Ralphsworld]

Good question- oversight on my part. It'd either be an full size f150 4x4 or a suv with a 3.0 diesel in it.

 

[Domo]

RV's do not hold real value.

Having owned a Scamp for years (fiberglas egg very similar to the Casita, but we had no A/C) - I'd get the Casita in a heartbeat if the A/C was working well and there were no leaks around it's rooftop gasket protrusions (A/C, vent, etc.).

Check for rust on the frame, signs of leaks on floor and interior walls/ceiling. Check the springs and rest of suspension for rust/wear. Pull the wheels and inspect bearings for good lube and no particulate. Check the brakes to make sure they work well. Do all the lights work when hooked to YOUR tow vehicle? Do all the holding tanks hold water? Is the tongue/hitch and attachment frame members have visible deep rust? Will the owner throw in an anti-sway bar (makes life easier). We towed ours with a Jeep Rubicon cross country and back a couple of times.

RV's all come down to floor plan, storage, prior number of leaks (soft spots on roof or floor), age of tires, condition of bearings and brakes.

Which does you wife prefer? <<-- Get that one and thank me later.

 

[UTTransplant]

The Casita will probably be the best built, but maintenance is always more important than initial build quality in used units. An awful lot depends on how you camp. The Casita has an unusual toilet/shower situation in that it requires you to pull a valve outside the trailer for the shower to work, or at least I think it does on that age. I highly recommend getting inside all of them and sitting on the seats, sitting on the toilet, standing up to pretend shower, thinking about where you clothes, cooking supplies, food, etc will go. One will be better for you than the others. But don’t get your hopes up on any of them until you look at the condition.

 

[Professor David]

Totally agree. It all comes down to condition for any used item.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Our 2023 Casita Liberty doesn't have any valve to pull to use the shower. The shower drain uses a Hepvo Valve so it doesn't require any winterization either.

For a couple, I think the Liberty and Independence models are preferable because of their north-south king size sleeping area so you don't have to crawl over your partner in the middle of night to use the bathroom. We preferred the Liberty because it has wider aisle so you don't have to play footsies when dining inside. We modified our Liberty so the dining and sleeping area are always available without needing to reconfigure anything like the OEM arrangement requires.

Google our below trailer name if interested to see all the Casita modifications that we have made to optimize it for remote long-duration dry glamping with out cat companions.

Molded fiberglass trailers don’t fall apart and leak like all panel constructed RVs. So yes, typically you can resell a Casita for more than you paid for it as typically their annual deprecation rate is less than the annual inflation rate.

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

 

[UTTransplant]

Our 2023 Casita Liberty doesn't have any valve to pull to use the shower. The shower drain uses a Hepvo Valve so it doesn't require any winterization either.

For a couple, I think the Liberty and Independence models are preferable because of their north-south king size sleeping area so you don't have to crawl over your partner in the middle of night to use the bathroom. We preferred the Liberty because it has wider aisle so you don't have to play footsies when dining inside.

Your Casita is fairly new. The older models had an external valve handle. The one we had, a 2013 or 2014 IIRC, was the first year the valve was moved inside. And we liked our Liberty model too. They are pretty easy to modify too as long as you take not of the built in fiberglass areas there.

 

[Kirk]

I would consider all three of those to be too small for any periods that are more than a couple of days and nice weather only. We traveled in a 20' long KZ Sportsman and did well but unless you have experienced dealing with a wet bath, I would think long and hard. I don't know what your jusage is, but taking a shower in the toilet just doesn't work for us. If you go up just a little in length you can have a separate shower and much more comfortable living space for the occasional bad weather days. We really tried to make a Casita work for us but it was just too small for two of us and our dog. They do build an excellent RV if the space works. With any used RV, the condition is the most important part of the choice so unless you are an RV expert, you would be wise to have a professional inspect it for you before you buy any of them.

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Your Casita is fairly new. The older models had an external valve handle. The one we had, a 2013 or 2014 IIRC, was the first year the valve was moved inside. And we liked our Liberty model too. They are pretty easy to modify too as long as you take not of the built in fiberglass areas there.

Interesting, didn't know that. I wonder why? I understand the Scamps have a switch to run a shower basin pump because the shower drain is below the gray tank.

Yes, we cut much fiberglass to add some windows, add bigger exterior hatch and add outdoor water faucet.

We often do 3 month trips and have endured extreme weather...like spending 3 weeks in Yellowstone in early May when park first opened. We are average size, so 17' works very well for us. If one is big/tall, the Casita wouldn't be a good fit for sure...especially the bathroom.

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

 

[VinceM]

We are 2 old people and a dog. We shopped a lot. Rather than deal with the uncertainty and surprises of a used TT we bit the bullet and got a new Grand Design 151BH. Had a faulty water heater that GD quickly replaced and we’ve been very pleased. Initial price is far from the most important consideration for us in most purchases. Downtime, personal labor, and hassles are much bigger.