Best 30 foot TT?

A tip about finding a floor plan you like. Look at lots of different makes/models.

One fairly consistent truth is vendors lead and follow based on popularity of layout and amenities.

If you find a layout and such that you like and you had a chance to see it in person, there is a fair chance that you will find something similar in your vendor of choice ;)

Designs change with different years, so search by general terms on RVtrader and the web for things like "rv slides -fifth -5th" for multiple slide options, add "bunks" or "rk" or "fk" (rear/front kitchen), "doors" for multiple entrances, etc.

Our Cougar is about 33ft, 2 slides (one super for living room and dining, one for separate bunks bedroom with desk and accordion door), short queen bedroom with sliding hollow wood doors, and about 2340 cargo capacity.

It is a little longer than you are looking for, but if you don't need a second private bedroom, the front kitchen and rear living room (with slides) are beautiful with lots of room. And around here they go for substantially less $$ than bunk models, often with less wear, too. Think "older couples"

Another thing to consider....How much would it cost to add 5 or 6 feet to the back of your garage? Depending on your situation, it could be worth it?

Blanco1 wrote:

Rather B Fishin wrote:

We looked at Cougars also but were a little too "light" for us.

Why would you say too light?

The Cougars we looked at had one slide, not like the one in the you-tube video you linked. Most only had 18-2200 lbs of payload and grossed out at 8 or 9K. Most of the ones we saw had 14" wheels and none of them had 5200lb axles. I wanted something "HD" as I like to camp in the boonies where the roads are not paved. Even my driveway is 2 miles of rough gravel road.

Rather B Fishin wrote:

We looked at Cougars also but were a little too "light" for us.

Why would you say too light?

Yes that is what sold us and one big plus on the Maxx was if you got the dinette and not the booth, you get full length widows there. The view and light in the living area is awesome. I believe our's is 31 or 32' overall. My only issue with the size is that we will not be able to get into some forest service campgrounds at 30+ feet. The ORV 24RLS with the offroad pkg to me is the perfect trailer. Just couldn't choke down the cost and take the huge hit on depreciation.

We looked at Cougars also but were a little too "light" for us. There are lots of them around so they must sell well. Grand Design Imagine is a nice product but didn't like the interior colors as well.

30 foot is my MAX & looking more at the Cougar Trailers they seem so nice with big closets & big drawers & etc...

The last dealer we visited claims they are the number one selling trailers in the country.
Yet I told him straight out most of the salesmen we visit claim the same thing about whatever they are pushing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEM_iZeDR6c

What I like most about some of the RLS is the models with huge windows to really take in the view.

For what it's worth I have only had truck campers as well. I narrowed it down to Arctic Fox, Outdoors RV, and Wildcat Maxx by Forest River. All 3 have similar construction ie AL structure, radius roof, 1.5-2" thick walls, enclosed under belly with heated tanks for 4 season use, and a GVWR of 11,000lbs (ish). All were made in Oregon which was one of my wants and all had an "RLS" type model.

#1 was ORV but the 24RLS is new and there is no used available.

#2 was an Arctic Fox but there are not many newer used (read as 2-3 years old). Lots of 10-12 year olds but that is older than I wanted.

#3 was the Maxx and we found a few within 400 miles of us. Ended up getting one that was 3 years old for a decent price.

Speaking of prices, you have to do what makes sense to you and prices are all over the place. We had found a great deal on CL but the guy took forever to return calls. We were not going to drive 300 miles and not know if he'd follow through. We went to look at one closer to us at a dealership even though the asking price was way out of our budget. They wanted to talk price so I told them what I was willing to pay which was a pretty low offer compared to asking price. To my surprise they got within $750 so the deal happened. They came down over $12K from their asking price on a 2015 27RLS that was equipped exactly what we wanted.

rbpru wrote:
If you are not committed to a specific size or brand. I suggest you take your best guess at what you want, then rent one that size for a week or so.

It is not cheap but it beats spending the big bucks and wishing you had something else.

Very good point, I just find it hard to find trailers for rent its almost always only Class A or C motor home to rent at least in Southern Ca.

DutchmenSport wrote:

Blanco1 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you like that model, I think you'd like the Outback 298RE even better. It's almost the same type of floor plan with rear living, center kitchen, front bedroom. Bath is on the opposite side with a walk through also, and a hall outside the bathroom.

The Outback 298RE floor plan has not changed in several years now. It's becoming an ever increasing popular camper, I'm seeing more and more of them on the road and in campgrounds.

Check out this video: Click here.

And of course the Keystone web site: Keystone RV


Click on the Travel Trailer tab, select the Outback, then drill down to the 298RE for more info.

We've had ours for 4 years now and absolutely love it. The floor plan is so convenient, and the rear living with wrap around windows on opposing slides is magnificant. We did not get the dinette, we got the free standing kitchen table and chairs, which we removed and put in a real couch, on wheels, that turns to face the rear window (and directly in front of the television.) We love ours.

I love the way the TV drops down behind the fire place , yet hate how your would end up with a sore neck after a while if you decided to watch a full movie & have to be with your neck at about a 60 degree angle the whole time.
I suppose you could each ( if two people ) sit on the opposite side of the room & sit at an angle.
But that is not too comfy after a while either.

That's why we got the free standing furniture, instead of the built in dinette. We removed the 2 rocker chairs and the free standing kitchen table and chairs, since we never use the table anyway, except for a catch-all. We replaced everything on that will with a 3 seater, recliner, high backed real house-hold couch. I installed 6 wheels on the frame and after the slides are out, simply turn the couch facing the rear window. With the television in the down position, it's wonderful just sitting there watching nature .... especially winter camping when its too cold to go outside and just sit! When watching television, we are facing directly in front of it. No neck crooking at all. When we break camp, the couch simply rolls back in the slide area. Removing the back from the first section of that couch, allows adequate room to get into the back of the camper with the slides pulled in.

We loved the couch so much, we got an identical one for the house.

This is one thing you might consider, no matter what kind of camper you finally decide on, get it with all free-standing furniture. You can rearrange it any way you want, or even remove it and replace it without having to get out a hammer, crowbar, and nails! We will never go back to a camper with built in furniture.

But you are absolutely correct. If you have multiple guests in the camper, without the ability to move furniture around, someone will have a crooked neck trying to watch the television.

Before we got the couch, my wife laid long way on the love seat facing the television. I used both rocker chairs and hung my feet on the seat of the second one, facing the television.

When we have guests, we don't watch television anyway. In the living area, we'll leave the couch along the wall, and get out our folding outdoor chairs and set them up in the living room. So, it's REAL important to get good comfortable outdoor furniture too!

Funny you brought that up, Last night that same exact thought popped into my head!
Get the chairs & remove them along with the table. & put in the recliners I want that allow me to adjust as I wish & if I change my mind just put them back in later.

If you are not committed to a specific size or brand. I suggest you take your best guess at what you want, then rent one that size for a week or so.

It is not cheap but it beats spending the big bucks and wishing you had something else.