Help me buy a travel trailer, or give up!

[Ace]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Sure- the 32' is likely nicer. But what is your main reason for getting a trailer? If it's to have a mobile cottage; then sure- go big.

Myself, I bought a trailer because I love camping. I want to be able to camp April thru October without worrying about cold temps. I wanted a few extra comforts, and I wanted to stop with the packing/unpacking of camping gear.

I say this, because I have found that I do not like most campsites that accomidate the monster sized trailers. I like to be in amungst the trees; not on a big parking lot. There are a lot more places you can go with a smaller trailer. I'm not saying you need to go down to a 19 footer to enjoy yourself; but don't get too hung up on size and end up with one that is too big.

Like Browna said, get the right trailer for you.

Ken, Care to share what you ended up purchasing, it certainly looks like you really did a lot of work finding the right fit when you bought.

[Cuttincircles]

Originally Posted by Ace

I'm going to assume since this isn't the buy/sell forum it's okay to critique the post above. The problem with a FIRM price of $27,000 on a used trailer is that you can get a whole heck of a lot for that in a brand new trailer, plus you avoid the hassle of havling to have it inspected, knowing how well it's been maintained, how clean the tanks are, etc. One thing I am very aware of in this purchase, I don't buy on the assumption of having any resale value...

If you can get this trailer new, with all the accessories I have with it, and the additional warranty, then by all means, I am curious as to where you can get it cheaper. I paid $33,000 for this unit, plus put about another $2000 into it including the generator, so if you can get it for under 27, by all means that would be your better deal.

[Ace]

Originally Posted by Cuttincircles

If you can get this trailer new, with all the accessories I have with it, and the additional warranty, then by all means, I am curious as to where you can get it cheaper. I paid $33,000 for this unit, plus put about another $2000 into it including the generator, so if you can get it for under 27, by all means that would be your better deal.

Sorry to jump on this, I actually wasn't meaning to compare your trailer specifically. It's probably an awesome buy. What I was traying to say is for a guy like myself it's really tough to justify going into the used market (not talking specifically about your unit) in that price range, because in this range I can get something fairly decent and brand new. And for me 'lack of hassle' is very important. This is why i'm getting a trailer, I just found that a tent trailer was even too much set up when we normally only go for a weekend at a time. Bottom line, I'm looking for the easy way out, and to me that's buying new. With that said I've got a good friend that would only buy used, he would think i'm crazy buying new...to each their own.

Basically "looking for a deal" is not my primary motivator when it comes to RV's (probably if I was a seasoned RV'er a deal would be more important). Or maybe I'm just brainwashed by all the RV dealers constantly saying "why buy used"

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Ace

Ken, Care to share what you ended up purchasing, it certainly looks like you really did a lot of work finding the right fit when you bought.

I did quite a bit of work; and I don't want to scare you but I also ended up wishing I had bought something else.

I bought a Wolf Pup 16P. However what I really should have bought was a Grey Wolf 17BH.

The one thing I would do is bring the whole family and have them spend 30 minutes inside the trailer; all together. See how the flow works. See how it works for the person on the sofa to make their way to the washroom while somebody is in the kitchen area making supper.

Now, when I say I should have bought the other trailer; it's not like I'm going to sell mine right away or anything. It does fit the bill, and in 5-10 years I may look at something better. The biggest consideration for me on this trailer is it fits in my driveway; so I don't have to pay ~ $500 per year for storage. I also really like having access to it at all times. For example after boxing day when I bought kitchen stuff on sale; the trailer stuff went right in.

A few minor things I would really look for in my next trailer though:
- bathroom sink outside the washroom. Somebody can bruish their teeth while another person uses the washroom.
- Dual kitchen sinks. Mostly for doing dishes.
- Bigger water tanks; especially grey water.
- Storage. It is handy to be able to keep things on hand; you can never have enough storage.
- Access to storage. My trailer does have pretty good storage for a small trailer, but if somebody is sleeping in the main bed you are SOL.

A few modifications I have done since getting my trailer:
- Added extra 12 volt/usb power jacks as we spend most of our time camping without power.
- Converted most of my lights to LED. They use 1/10 the power of regular lights, and IMHO seem to be about 75% as bright. (Good enough for camping.) I left one fixture in the kitchen with regular bulbs as sometimes you need that extra light.
- I will be upgrading the mattresses this spring. Going to Halstead in Deerfoot meadows; they do custom sizes.
- I installed a TV mount and extra clothes hangers in a few places.
- Extra shelves in the cupboards. (As I said- storage. Not only make sure everything will fit; but can you get that thing on the bottom without having to pull everything out.)

Hope what I've said here helps. Keep in mind you will have some information overload; so keep focused on the goal here- this is supposed to be a fun process.

[Ace]

^Thanks!, I can sure see the difference between those two trailers, basically that's the boat i'm in. Do I take the trailer that has what I 'need' (use the term loosely), or go up a few feet and get all the wants. I think i'll settle with the 'need', but only cause i'm already pushing length.

[Top Shelf]

Just remember that storing your trailer on your driveway in Calgary is against city bylaws.

If you have good neighbors, it might never be an issue. But just a heads up.

Overview of RV regulations

- Detached trailers and campers cannot be parked on city streets or alleys.

- RVs can be parked on a street immediately adjacent to the owner's residence for a maximum of 36 hours. The RV must then be moved to an off-street location for not less than 48 hours before it can be returned to the street.

- RVs can be parked on front yards and driveways for up to 24 hours. Please refer to the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.

- Parked RVs cannot block the view of intersections, crosswalks, playgrounds or signs.

- Parked RVs cannot obstruct the movement of other vehicles.

http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/ABS/Pages...-vehicles.aspx

[bossy22]

Sorry to bump an old thread. Been a tent camper my whole life and after last summer, we've decided it's time to go to the dark side. I've been searching for a travel trailer for a bit now, and it has been frustrating to say the least. I know that features are a personal taste, but I'm finding it difficult to find something I personally like that I can afford. The one trailer we've found that we love, is an Airstream. Which is out of my price range.
So, I'm hoping that CP may have ideas on models that may word for our criteria.

things we are looking for in a camper trailer
- $30k max.
- 25 ft max. Some of the campsites we visit have size limits. Tofino for example has a 24ft limit. (that's the actual trailer and doesn't include the hitch)
- Windows. I'm finding that most trailers have some small side windows, but that's it. They're dark small spaces full of cabinets. This is what we find appealing about the airstreams The panoramic front windows let in a lot of natural light.
- hard sided. We sometimes camp where tents and tent trailers aren't allowed because of bears. Hybrids can be banned as well.
- sleeps 4 without having to use the dinette.
- we can camp when it's pretty chilly out.

things we don't like
- bedrooms.
- tons of cabinets. I'd rather have windows, and less storage. I never bring a lot while camping and it would drive me insane if my wife had that opportunity.
- Don't need a TV.

I will be towing with a truck, and usually be loaded down with bikes and gear. Can tow 10000 lbs gvwr.

[Ace]

I find the cabinets incredibly useful, as we have a totally ready to go unit at our fingertips (things like games and cards are always with us and we don't need to think about it). We just add bedding and food; however I agree about the lack of windows (natural light). I often find the trailer a little dark.

Just one little tidbit, we added a "perfect fan" to our unit and because of it's clear design it added a bunch of extra light (was a nice surprise)

[HockeyIlliterate]

Originally Posted by bossy22

Sorry to bump an old thread. Been a tent camper my whole life and after last summer, we've decided it's time to go to the dark side. I've been searching for a travel trailer for a bit now, and it has been frustrating to say the least. I know that features are a personal taste, but I'm finding it difficult to find something I personally like that I can afford. The one trailer we've found that we love, is an Airstream. Which is out of my price range.
So, I'm hoping that CP may have ideas on models that may word for our criteria.

things we are looking for in a camper trailer
- $30k max.
- 25 ft max. Some of the campsites we visit have size limits. Tofino for example has a 24ft limit. (that's the actual trailer and doesn't include the hitch)
- Windows. I'm finding that most trailers have some small side windows, but that's it. They're dark small spaces full of cabinets. This is what we find appealing about the airstreams The panoramic front windows let in a lot of natural light.
- hard sided. We sometimes camp where tents and tent trailers aren't allowed because of bears. Hybrids can be banned as well.
- sleeps 4 without having to use the dinette.
- we can camp when it's pretty chilly out.

things we don't like
- bedrooms.
- tons of cabinets. I'd rather have windows, and less storage. I never bring a lot while camping and it would drive me insane if my wife had that opportunity.
- Don't need a TV.

I will be towing with a truck, and usually be loaded down with bikes and gear. Can tow 10000 lbs gvwr.

Look at Escape travel trailers. They are fiberglass trailers made in B.C. Sold only at the factory. They are light in weight and offer lots of light. Depending on the model, you might be able to sleep 4 without using the dinette, but perhaps not--that might be the only thing on your list that an Escape can't provide you with.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by bossy22

Sorry to bump an old thread. Been a tent camper my whole life and after last summer, we've decided it's time to go to the dark side. I've been searching for a travel trailer for a bit now, and it has been frustrating to say the least. I know that features are a personal taste, but I'm finding it difficult to find something I personally like that I can afford. The one trailer we've found that we love, is an Airstream. Which is out of my price range.
So, I'm hoping that CP may have ideas on models that may word for our criteria.

things we are looking for in a camper trailer
- $30k max.
- 25 ft max. Some of the campsites we visit have size limits. Tofino for example has a 24ft limit. (that's the actual trailer and doesn't include the hitch)
- Windows. I'm finding that most trailers have some small side windows, but that's it. They're dark small spaces full of cabinets. This is what we find appealing about the airstreams The panoramic front windows let in a lot of natural light.
- hard sided. We sometimes camp where tents and tent trailers aren't allowed because of bears. Hybrids can be banned as well.
- sleeps 4 without having to use the dinette.
- we can camp when it's pretty chilly out.

things we don't like
- bedrooms.
- tons of cabinets. I'd rather have windows, and less storage. I never bring a lot while camping and it would drive me insane if my wife had that opportunity.
- Don't need a TV.

I will be towing with a truck, and usually be loaded down with bikes and gear. Can tow 10000 lbs gvwr.

Bossy, see if you can find a Jayco Jay Feather Ultralite X213. It has a nice rear slide out for the bed and has two bunks that do not utilize the dinette area (hopefully the bunks will be big enough for your purpose.

I don't know how many other options you will have when it comes to hard side, 25 foot, with 2 sleeping areas not utilizing the dinette.