Anyone have new Aliner with dormers

gheicher wrote:

retiredtraveler wrote:
I'm interested in any kind of comments on the new Aliners that are fully loaded, dormers (hard or soft), bath, a/c, etc.
I'm tired of the time it takes to set up/take down my popup and think an Aliner would be what I'm after, especially given it's light weight.

I know Aliner spent a lot of effort recently trying to work out all the bugs on their soft side dormers. I'm not sure if full production has commenced yet or not, but there has been considerable interest in this option. Myself I would wait a while to see how the beta units perform.

Also Aliner has been looking at the possibility of a full front dormer like the Chalet XL, but again not sure how far along in development they may be..

I saw a softsided dormer option on display @ Hershey last week, and find it interesting that they went softsided for the material, since the insulative value of the hardwall was one of the value propositions for the hardside option. I suppose for a large % of my travels it'd make little difference. It does open up more ventilation too.

gheicher wrote:

retiredtraveler wrote:
I'm interested in any kind of comments on the new Aliners that are fully loaded, dormers (hard or soft), bath, a/c, etc.
I'm tired of the time it takes to set up/take down my popup and think an Aliner would be what I'm after, especially given it's light weight.

I have the Aliner classic version and it is very easy to set up, but as with all trailers, leveling still takes a bit of time. Now if they would just develop a self-leveling unit............

We haven't noticed difficulty leveling our 2012 Classic. We use Lynx Levelers for side-to-side leveling (we carry a miniature level with us and check the side-to-side situation before setting up. Others have gotten a BAL leveler, which can give you a more exact leveling.

In the past we owned two different models of the Trailmanor. It wasn't my decision to go to a standard TT :) Chalet makes the hard-sided dormer and is very spacious.

We are planning a six-month trip of the U.S. and Canada and buying a used TM or Chalet to save up to 50% on fuel then sell it when we return.

I love hard-sided folding trailers. You think with fuel costs today it would be the wave of the future. Someone said opening and closing in the rain. You still have to disconnect and raise the stabilizers on a standard TT in the rain. Can't escape it. The TM bathroom takes 30 seconds to set up. A real wonder in my opinion.

retiredtraveler wrote:
I'm interested in any kind of comments on the new Aliners that are fully loaded, dormers (hard or soft), bath, a/c, etc.
I'm tired of the time it takes to set up/take down my popup and think an Aliner would be what I'm after, especially given it's light weight.

I know Aliner spent a lot of effort recently trying to work out all the bugs on their soft side dormers. I'm not sure if full production has commenced yet or not, but there has been considerable interest in this option. Myself I would wait a while to see how the beta units perform.

Also Aliner has been looking at the possibility of a full front dormer like the Chalet XL, but again not sure how far along in development they may be.

I have the Aliner classic version and it is very easy to set up, but as with all trailers, leveling still takes a bit of time. Now if they would just develop a self-leveling unit............

Here's link to the top of the line Aliner Expedtion with Dormer and bathroom. I'm not advertising the dealership - it just had what I was looking for. This is a very nice camper - totally "loaded"! It also comes with the much desired Cool Cat a/c - much better and more effective than the 5K a/c that hangs out the side of the older models. I've heard wonderful things about it.

DH and I have a 2012 Classic, which is nice, but the Expedition provides more room, as well as a bathroom and dormer. The dormer goes all the way across the back where the couch/bed is, which gives additional headroom/light. We LOVE the easy set up of our Aliner, as well as being able to tow it with a smaller vehicle, just like a PUP. We tow ours with a Nissan Pathfinder with no sway bar or WDH. Others tow with even smaller vehicles, depending on the Aliner model they're towing (I wouldn't tow an Expedition with anything smaller than what I have). Fair warning, though - they are meant for only two people!

Please feel free to join the A frame group on Facebook. There are a lot of nice and knowledgeable people there!

Aliner Expedition/Dormer and Bathroom

Bumpyroad wrote:
and when you look at them, consider setting up and taking down in a pouring rain storm. as I recall, the bath room walls consisted of a half a dozen pieces held together with storm door catches that rattled every step you made in the unit.
bumpy

We have one, it's 16 years old, and it's very solidly built. No rattles at all when we step around in the trailer more so than a full height unit (we've had both), especially from the bathroom walls. Totally quiet.

Setup is a snap, pull out the front, latch; pull out the back, latch; set up the door and you're done. Maybe a minute and a half once you get it down.

Some owners have given them up when they become frail and elderly. I'm late 50's, 5'5", and have no problem at all opening it up by myself.

and when you look at them, consider setting up and taking down in a pouring rain storm. as I recall, the bath room walls consisted of a half a dozen pieces held together with storm door catches that rattled every step you made in the unit.
bumpy

I'll take a look at them (Trailmanor) again. I looked a bit several years ago and found them difficult to raise and lower and really cheap looking interior. But, newer models may be improved.

lfloom wrote:
You might also look at Trail Manors. They set up in a lot less time than a tent camper, but will be a lot more spacious than an Aliner.

I never liked their hang up closet design nor shower stall.
bumpy

retiredtraveler wrote:
I'm interested in any kind of comments on the new Aliners that are fully loaded, dormers (hard or soft), bath, a/c, etc.
I'm tired of the time it takes to set up/take down my popup and think an Aliner would be what I'm after, especially given it's light weight.

the reason your pup takes a long time to setup is because of the slide out and shower setup. Just get a regular pup. Mine is set up in 10 minutes tops. You are not getting a slide and a shower in an Aliner anyway. I think you would hate the lack of space and headroom IMO