Travel Trailer: Making a decision based on value, first buy.
My wife and I have been looking at travel trailers for a year now, we want to be able to hitch up on any given weekend and go anywhere. Its just us, maybe our dog, we only know tent camping and are tired of its woes. Living in oregon means a lot of rainy or damp days.
I am a aviation mechanic by trade, I'm very quick to see defects of any kind, very hands on, and a lover of quality craftsmanship for dollar paid, (value as I call it).
Money is a slight concern as we don't want to put ourselves in a tight spot, we have done more hoteling it lately which gets expensive; looked into rvs thinking it may be a money saver, but have decided that though it may save money, it's really a lifestyle, you need to enjoy it, there are many hidden costs, insurance, increased mpg, hookup fees, maintenance fees, etc. But we are still interested.
This is my fist post on any forum, i'm interested in others thoughts. With our heads spinning we have looked at so many trailers, and I have spent countless hours further researching brands and companies online. Thanks to you all!
We really like simple, prefer no slides (more to maintain/break/leak), love big windows in the back for the views, and are intrigued by aluminum framing to minimize rot, if there was a leak (there will be...).
We like what we see with Outdoors RV 20FQ, its a bit short on space, but I dont want to go up to a 25 fter. The other is a Keystone Passport 234QBWE, i'm disappointed every time I step in one (three so far, same model), they're full, and I mean FULL of poor craftsmanship, bad blemishes, nails sticking out, doors way out of alingment, screws literally falling out, etc. But it's a lower price point. Weve looked at many others. were at the point of looking at models with slides, but they lack big windows and feel like your in a box.
I like that outdoors rv is made in oregon, money staying here in our state, and they have the 1-2-3 warranty. It's just rough seeing the price at $26k. the passport is like $19k, and looking at used ones has been a joke, its either priced the same as a new one, or abused, and not worth it. What are we missing? Is there a best value manufacturer? No pride of craftsmanship even in the cheaper trailers?
Thoughts? Advice? My wife an I feel like we're in a spinzone.
I am a aviation mechanic by trade, I'm very quick to see defects of any kind, very hands on, and a lover of quality craftsmanship for dollar paid, (value as I call it).
Money is a slight concern as we don't want to put ourselves in a tight spot, we have done more hoteling it lately which gets expensive; looked into rvs thinking it may be a money saver, but have decided that though it may save money, it's really a lifestyle, you need to enjoy it, there are many hidden costs, insurance, increased mpg, hookup fees, maintenance fees, etc. But we are still interested.
This is my fist post on any forum, i'm interested in others thoughts. With our heads spinning we have looked at so many trailers, and I have spent countless hours further researching brands and companies online. Thanks to you all!
We really like simple, prefer no slides (more to maintain/break/leak), love big windows in the back for the views, and are intrigued by aluminum framing to minimize rot, if there was a leak (there will be...).
We like what we see with Outdoors RV 20FQ, its a bit short on space, but I dont want to go up to a 25 fter. The other is a Keystone Passport 234QBWE, i'm disappointed every time I step in one (three so far, same model), they're full, and I mean FULL of poor craftsmanship, bad blemishes, nails sticking out, doors way out of alingment, screws literally falling out, etc. But it's a lower price point. Weve looked at many others. were at the point of looking at models with slides, but they lack big windows and feel like your in a box.
I like that outdoors rv is made in oregon, money staying here in our state, and they have the 1-2-3 warranty. It's just rough seeing the price at $26k. the passport is like $19k, and looking at used ones has been a joke, its either priced the same as a new one, or abused, and not worth it. What are we missing? Is there a best value manufacturer? No pride of craftsmanship even in the cheaper trailers?
Thoughts? Advice? My wife an I feel like we're in a spinzone.
