First Timers
My wife and I are looking to buy our first travel trailer. After much research, attending shows, walking lots and speaking with just about anyone with a modicum of experience, we've decided on the Pro...
Forum Discussion
It's an entry level trailer. Corners are cut to keep cost down.
Look at it, and other similar models for materials, and how well it has been assembled. Cabinetry is a major telltale, particle board with a paper veneer that looks like wood, is the cheapest material, and will start to show wear and age the fastest. Plywood is better, and hardwood frames are better still.
How is it assembled? Staples are the cheapest, screwed and glued is better.
Appliances are similar across all the brands, don't expect major differences until you advance to high end units.
Empty weight vs gvwr is another hint. Some trailers will have empty and loaded weights within 700 lbs of each other, this saves on axles, tires, and frame cost. But, if you consider that the empty weight is without batteries (50lbs each) propane tanks (20-30 lbs each + the weight of the propane) and with no water in any of the tanks (8 lbs per gallon) You can end up with no actual cargo capacity available.
Take your time, if you have found a floorplan you like, check across that manufacturer and others for other product lines with the same one, then compare with an eye toward how it's assembled, and make your pick then.
Look at it, and other similar models for materials, and how well it has been assembled. Cabinetry is a major telltale, particle board with a paper veneer that looks like wood, is the cheapest material, and will start to show wear and age the fastest. Plywood is better, and hardwood frames are better still.
How is it assembled? Staples are the cheapest, screwed and glued is better.
Appliances are similar across all the brands, don't expect major differences until you advance to high end units.
Empty weight vs gvwr is another hint. Some trailers will have empty and loaded weights within 700 lbs of each other, this saves on axles, tires, and frame cost. But, if you consider that the empty weight is without batteries (50lbs each) propane tanks (20-30 lbs each + the weight of the propane) and with no water in any of the tanks (8 lbs per gallon) You can end up with no actual cargo capacity available.
Take your time, if you have found a floorplan you like, check across that manufacturer and others for other product lines with the same one, then compare with an eye toward how it's assembled, and make your pick then.
