Hi guys, I have been using family owned travel trailers for many years now. The list is as follows:
Prowler - 3x' - no slides
Prowler - 35' - one slide
Cedar Creek - 37' 5ver - 3 slides
Intruder RV - no hauling obviously
We have decided to purchase our own travel trailer, we prefer the layouts of the non 5ver versions. So, with that said, we are looking at 35' or so, two bedrooms w/ bunks in the back, etc...
I know opinions are everywhere, but I am looking for some feedback on a good trailer that will bring years of enjoyment. Both Prowlers leaked. The Cedar Creek I think was too heavy for my truck, but it still went to Canada / California from NC.
Anyone care so share some brands that may be better than others?
There's been a few posts flying around about Jayco. I did some research and will say that when my time comes to buy a 5er, it will be a Jayco. I currently own a Jayco pop-up and will be upgrading in the near future.
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'03 F150 Supercrew FX4. Little 1/2ton that gets 15 MPG on 23 gallons.
I agree on the Jayco!! I checked them a few times, but put off buying one because my son starts college this fall. My next one will probably be a Jayco though...........Dave
__________________ Dave 11 #3
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1997 F350 CC DRW 4X4, Black. Centaurus2 conversion. Banks IC & powdercoated tubes. Stage 2's by Full Force Performance,BDP Dom 66, BDP Fuel system , TS 6 pos chip with Bills & T Wildmans burns, AFE intake, 4" exhaust. Gear Vendor Overdrive. E4OD with Suncoast Pro-Loc TC, 4.10 gears. Sky's RSK, Kelderman air ride, Bilsteins, 40 gal Transfer Flow. Alcoa's. Pioneer stereo, full floor and overhead console.
HI everyone, We own a Jayco 29 BHS. Had it one year and its a great trailer. Quality is great and service is awesome. No problems yet. If you can go to a RV show and you can get a great deal. I paid $15,500 out the door at a show in Atlantic City. Surf RV in New Jersey. Great bunch of guys. Check my pics under my truck.
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2000 F-350 4X4 PSD CC, Extang R/T, Lund interceptor, Line-X bedliner, Heated TT Mirrors, High pressure crossover line, <font color="red">SPDiesel Stage Ie "mini" & T/C&EBV Controller</font> Diesel Power Products tank mod , * ISSPRO Pillar Gauges
Tru-Cool Max trans cooler, FTVB, Amsoil ATF, MBRP exhaust My truck
I have a 2004 29+3 Wildwood by Forrest River. I am not impressed. The first several months were nightmares, working out major problems (hole in the furnace leaking lp gas into camper) just for starters. I also am looking for a quality travel trailer. All recommendations are welcome.
Thanks,
Rick
I have an older (95 model) 29' Carri-Lite and love it. I have not had any problems with it and the quality is easy to see over entry level units. Just remember, you get what you pay for.....
BREAD1, I have been through a couple of travel trailers myself in the past few years.
-1989 Rockwood Pop-up
-1997 Starcraft Pop-up
-2002 Cherokee 29S tongue pull
-And now, a 2005 Weekend Warrior FS3000 tongue pull
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The Weekend Warrior is by far the best trailer we have owned. We use it to haul our show car or bikes around, and just use it to go camping. Lots of room to walk around and plenty of room for your toys. It is fully self contained with a 5.5 kw generator, 150 gallon water tank, insulated, 30 gallon fuel station, and triple 7200 lb axles for handling the load. My wife and kids love it!
I have a 25ft. Arctic Fox I bought new in 99. They are great trailers, very high quality, very durable, and well insulated. Arctic Fox trailers are rated for off-pavement travel and I have drug mine over some very difficult terrain with no problems.
Regardless of which brand you buy, get a trailer with slide-outs. Slide-outs make a huge difference in the livability of the trailer.
Axle and tire ratings: Many trailer manufacturer’s really cut the safety margins when sizing axles and tires so pay close attention to the ratings of your prospective trailer. A friend of mine has a very nice Jayco 5th wheel, but the tires are overloaded before he fills the water tank. When buying a new trailer, it is possible to order higher capacity axles and tires. This isn’t a normal option, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. My Arctic Fox normally comes with 3500 pound axles and load range “C” tires. I requested 5200 pound axles and load range “D” tires. The dealer called the factory and the factory said yes. It cost me an extra $200. Buy the axles and tires after the fact and it will cost an easy $1000. Also, with larger axles usually comes larger brakes. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
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00 Excursion Limited, Detroit Locker, (rear), X code front springs & f-350 rear blocks, Edlebrock Shocks, Firestone Air Bags, (rear), Helweg Anti-Sway Bars, (front & rear), Rancho Steering Stabilizer, BFG A/T 285's.
What works for two people full timing, rear bedroom head board facing the width, bathroom next with sliding doors (No swing doors), then kitchen area, then living room.
This arrangement has the most room and storage for a given length of 26ft and longer TT.
External, one piece roof, period, no exceptions. Here in AZ metal will last longer than rubber or wood as the heat dries the wood out very fast, 10yrs or so, then it starts to fall apart. Cabinets are not effected as bad but the frame structure will be so I like metal framing vs wood.
Windows can be resealed with butyl caulk tape for 20yr leak proff seal.
For two people, I just can't see the extra cost of slide outs for 3ft of floor area but I can see where a living room slide would work well with childeren.
What works for my grandkids is a 10ft x 10ft tent as then grandpa doesn't have to listen to giggles all night long [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
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T_Bone
02 F350, 4X6, Crew, DRW, LWB, PSD, 6spd, 3:73, Island Blue, Stock, AEB2, Phoenix Az
Buy UNION work UNION. It pays off in the long run Define Union: A labor Union is nothing more than united workers with a common goal for better working conditions.
We all are in some sort of labor Union, some are just larger than others with better working conditions!
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Just remember, you get what you pay for.....
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Okie1 nailed it.
Most of the the major manufacturers have several "lines" of trailers. From economy through lower-mid-priced through upper-mid-priced to low-end luxury to high-end luxury. Those categories don't apply only to features but also to construction quality.
Of course, if you want "the best", then you would go to the highest-priced brand name in a manufacturer's line. That means you must first choose a size, then check the MSRP of that size in all brands within of that manufacturer's brands.
For example, if you like Thor, then choose their AirStream brand and not their Keystone or Wanderer brand. Choose a real Holiday Rambler instead of a something by Holiday Rambler. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
Fleetwood has had the most brands, from cheap to ultra-luxury. Their best brand was Avion for years, but they stopped selling that one a few years ago, and I don't know what is their "best" brand in TTs now. But if you're considering a used TT, then maybe look for an Avion.
Travel Supreme also made a great high-end TT until a few years ago, but now you must go to a 5er if you want a Travel Supreme trailer. Or buy a used Travel Supreme TT.
And Newmar makes mostly high-end brands, but they don't make a TT in their best brands. Check out their American Star TT if you want a Newmar. But if you want the high-end Mountain Aire or Kountry Aire, then you'll need to move up to a fifth wheel. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
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My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; TurboRamAir intake and 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and TTM; AIC; SP-Diesel exhaust brake and torque converter controller. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
I don't care what you end up with it will leak IF you don't take care of it. I'v seen 500k to 1 mil MH that leak and I'v seen low end models that have never leaked. When you take a wobbly box down our roads you are bound to loosed up something that needs fixin,(read re-caulking) or re-tighting. Find the best you can afford and then take care of it and it will serve you fine.
I second the Arctic Fox/Nash line of trailers. I did ALOT of homework before I bought my last trailer, and they are hard to beat as far as quality is concerned. They cost more, and they weigh more, but you get what you pay for. Also, Northwood stands behind their products MUCH more than alot of other brands in case you ever do have a problem.
Check out the RV Consumer Group if you want more than opinions.
Chris
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1996 F250 XL 4X4 Automatic, 3:55 gears, Regular cab. Cruise control mod. Big tranny cooler. Autometer Phantom boost, pyro and tranny temp guages. Hypermax downpipe. Homemade open air intake. TS 6 position chip. Sonnax valve and tricumulator springs. Mobil 1 ATF. 162,000 miles so far.
Thank you guys. I appreciate all of the feedback and will take everyone's comments into consideration. I am anxious since this is my first "owned" trailer. Definitely willing to spend some extra money to ensure my investment will last many years.
We have 3 kids and will most likely have some of their friends along too. Brother has a 38' TT, parents have the RV. We need a 3rd for all of us to travel together.
I am very excited / nervous / excited / scared / excited all at the same time. Hence my request for those with experience to share your experiences.
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