Hello, new to forum. Looking into a lightweight TT. So far it appears to be maddening trying to decide who makes the best for the least. Right now it seems that the Jayco XLITE 195 seems to be a really good inexpensive TT. However, every TT my wife and I have looked at has numerous drawbacks and quality issues just sitting in the lots and RV shows. We were considering and RPOD by Forest River but they are pricey for the size and just looking around the camper found numerous quality issues. Can anyone tell me what you think might be a well made yet good value TT in the smaller size such as a 14-19 foot. We need a bath/shower, prefer dry and must be able to be towed by a 5000lb. max towing ability. Also, we are very concerned about going to a brand like Scamp as it has no real dealer network as Casita doesn't as well. We want reliable and preferably desirable when time comes to sell if you can have both would be nice. Quality on everything we've looked at seems questionable but that seems to come with the territory of TT period. We are in the New England. Thanks for any help you can give.

Jayco has been around forever so they must be doing something right. No excuse for them but the `lite' trailers are lighter in weight for some reason and part of it is lower quality materials ie. frame, cabinets, countertops and they sell for less. Thus the companies can't afford to spend much time on making them and workmanship suffers.It was the same story when we were in the sailboat world. It took almost as many manhours to build a small boat as a large boat but the companies could not charge as much due to market competition and the desire of the buyer to not spend much.I like to do business with a dealer close to my home so I can build a relationship where they might go the extra mile to solve any problems I might find.

To get an idea look at the resell values of a 5 year old Scamp or Casita compared to others. ALL rv's need maintenance regularly to keep them up regardless of brand. For longevity and resell it would be hard to beat the fiberglass egg style camper. The problem is there is usually a backlog to get one. The floorplans are important as well to find one that works for you. As far as not having dealers there are Mobil RV techs that can accommodate most repairs as needed if you don't have the skills.There is a egg style camper built in Tennessee I believe that is very high quality and someone had a post with pictures of the build of their unit. Another high quality is Bigfoot built in Canada.

^^^^The egg style campers built in TN are Olivers. They are very nice but not light enough for the OP's tow vehicle.Take a look at the Micro Minnies from Winnebago. Also the Venture RV Sonic Lite line. I've also looked at the Forest River Wolf Pup line.

Another lightweight fiberglass trailer is the Escape. I've towed a 17B over 80,000 miles over the last 5 years & it has held up well. The 17B weighs 3010 loaded for a long trip. While there are no dealers, the only repair I have had done was at a local RV service center & paid for by Escape. They make a 17, 19, 21 & 21' 5er. All are wet baths & unless you can find one used, they have about a 1 year waiting list. I like the trailer enough that I'm picking up a 21 in October...

coolmom42 wrote:^^^^The egg style campers built in TN are Olivers. They are very nice but not light enough for the OP's tow vehicle.Take a look at the Micro Minnies from Winnebago. Also the Venture RV Sonic Lite line. I've also looked at the Forest River Wolf Pup line.Thanks could not remember the name.

Best lite weight? Jayco TT or not to Jayco TT | Good Sam Community

Dick_B
Explorer
Jan 24, 2017
Jayco has been around forever so they must be doing something right.
No excuse for them but the `lite' trailers are lighter in weight for some reason and part of it is lower quality materials ie. frame, cabinets, countertops and they sell for less. Thus the companies can't afford to spend much time on making them and workmanship suffers.
It was the same story when we were in the sailboat world. It took almost as many manhours to build a small boat as a large boat but the companies could not charge as much due to market competition and the desire of the buyer to not spend much.
I like to do business with a dealer close to my home so I can build a relationship where they might go the extra mile to solve any problems I might find.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jan 24, 2017
To get an idea look at the resell values of a 5 year old Scamp or Casita compared to others. ALL rv's need maintenance regularly to keep them up regardless of brand. For longevity and resell it would be hard to beat the fiberglass egg style camper. The problem is there is usually a backlog to get one. The floorplans are important as well to find one that works for you.

As far as not having dealers there are Mobil RV techs that can accommodate most repairs as needed if you don't have the skills.

There is a egg style camper built in Tennessee I believe that is very high quality and someone had a post with pictures of the build of their unit. Another high quality is Bigfoot built in Canada.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2017
^^^^The egg style campers built in TN are Olivers. They are very nice but not light enough for the OP's tow vehicle.

Take a look at the Micro Minnies from Winnebago. Also the Venture RV Sonic Lite line. I've also looked at the Forest River Wolf Pup line.
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 24, 2017
Another lightweight fiberglass trailer is the Escape. I've towed a 17B over 80,000 miles over the last 5 years & it has held up well. The 17B weighs 3010 loaded for a long trip.

While there are no dealers, the only repair I have had done was at a local RV service center & paid for by Escape. They make a 17, 19, 21 & 21' 5er. All are wet baths & unless you can find one used, they have about a 1 year waiting list. I like the trailer enough that I'm picking up a 21 in October...
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jan 24, 2017
coolmom42 wrote:
^^^^The egg style campers built in TN are Olivers. They are very nice but not light enough for the OP's tow vehicle.

Take a look at the Micro Minnies from Winnebago. Also the Venture RV Sonic Lite line. I've also looked at the Forest River Wolf Pup line.
Thanks could not remember the name.
bobndot
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2017
If i understand correctly, your TV max rating is 5000#.
If that Jayco model's gvwr is 4900#, then i would be careful NOT to overload the TV's hitch rating, payload rating and axle/tire rating.
When towing with a vehicle that has a 5000# rating, then towing a TT at max, might well be a challenge.
With all that sleeping space, it tells me you have children and that can quickly add up to exceed ratings with all the gear you might have to carry.
lawrosa
Explorer
Jan 24, 2017
Is this the one your looking at??? So you need a QB and a dinette?

If so you can only cram <600 lbs in that camper..IMO stay away. The jaycos that light are thrown togther..

https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2017-jay-flight-slx/195rb/

What are you towing with?

5000 lbs hmmm. Since im partial to coachmen I would look at this. Probably as big as i would go.

3335 UVW
GVW 4500
CCC 1165

Hitch 382

You get a nice slide and interior quality IMO is better then other brands...

Hard sides too..
Full size fridge
Roof A/C and not the crappy windo units that dont cool.
Thermofoil counter tops
double sink
standard scissor jacks
outside speakers
etc

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=62&ModelID=1595#Main

video
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jan 25, 2017
Dick_B wrote:
Jayco has been around forever so they must be doing something right.

'Though now no longer a family business as it was during all those "forever" years, having been sold last July to mega giant Thor Industries. Too early to say if that's good or bad but Jayco founder Lloyd Bontrager would probably be rolling in his grave if he knew the family had finally sold out his beloved creation. :(
ggolds5
Explorer
Jan 25, 2017
My GVW rating is 5000. The Jayco JLX 195 RD is 2900. So Im safe there. I keep thinking that because they are so cheap they are just going to fall apart as in some of the YouTube video owners show. I also read that the tires on most campers aren't even "real" tires and are just made for trailers buy an unknown Chinese company or 2. Is this correct?. This whole thing is making me very nervous, I just want a good camper that won't fall apart. The Lance and other "mail order" companies, some seem really good but what do you do when you need service or something is wrong?. Not like you can bring them there. Lance also seems to get good writeups. This is JUST for my wife and I , thats it. SO a bath with dinette and bed and a little kitchenette is fine.
ggolds5
Explorer
Jan 25, 2017
SoundGuy wrote:
Dick_B wrote:
Jayco has been around forever so they must be doing something right.

'Though now no longer a family business as it was during all those "forever" years, having been ***Link Removed*** to mega giant Thor Industries. Too early to say if that's good or bad but Jayco founder Lloyd Bontrager would probably be rolling in his grave if he knew the family had finally sold out his beloved creation. :(

The J flight 195, weighs in at around 3000, 2980+-

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