Choosing my first trailer
I'm completely new to the RV world and am trying to choose my first trailer. There's only me and my tow vehicle is a V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4. So far I have decided that I want something that is n...
Forum Discussion
I just ordered the Lance 1685. The final deal-breaker was the 4 season package, I like traveling shoulder seasons. The inaccessible bath without opening the slide a bit was a big concern, too but not entirely a deal breaker.
Yesterday was a really useful day for me at the Pomona RV show. I was much more focused thanks to all of your input here and strictly looked at trailers that would more or less work for me. I also had a friend with me who notices fit and finish rather than livability, and that was a big help too. It's easy not to spot rough edges to drawers and cabinets or realize just how heavy a lift-up bed can be without hydraulic lifts.
I looked at the Freedom Express and loved it, too, excellent construction. If it had been a foot shorter I would have had a really hard time deciding, but I'm pushing the limits of my parking area with the 21' trailer. Of all the trailers I looked at, the Freedom Express and the Lance were the "class act" trailers, with the Jay Flight next.
I wanted to like the Winnebago drop (R Pod look-alike) but it seemed so dark and therefore cramped, even though it's not that much smaller than the smaller Lance.
I talked to one of the Lance reps and he said they had to make some compromises to keep the dry weight down on the 1575. The slide is the same size as the slide in their other trailers, but it is narrower. So no room for toilet access without extending the slide some. Also that's why it doesn't have the 4 seasons package. But it sure is a cute, functional trailer otherwise! I had a really tough time deciding between the 2.
So now I've got to wait 8-10 weeks (approx) while they make my trailer. It's probably a good thing because all my thoughts have been to buy a trailer that would work for me. Now I need to research/figure out all the little "how-to" stuff that either makes your trip a dream or a nightmare.
The dealership will do a complete walk-through (they said to be prepared for several hours) and will also give me a driving lesson. I feel entirely naive, for instance do I need a fire starter to light the oven? I downloaded the owners manual and will spend time reading it. And then there's all the ins and outs of campgrounds - membership or not? The more I lean the more I realize that I still don't know all the questions to ask.
So any tips or tricks on my trailer would be gratefully accepted. You've already been a big help so far.
Yesterday was a really useful day for me at the Pomona RV show. I was much more focused thanks to all of your input here and strictly looked at trailers that would more or less work for me. I also had a friend with me who notices fit and finish rather than livability, and that was a big help too. It's easy not to spot rough edges to drawers and cabinets or realize just how heavy a lift-up bed can be without hydraulic lifts.
I looked at the Freedom Express and loved it, too, excellent construction. If it had been a foot shorter I would have had a really hard time deciding, but I'm pushing the limits of my parking area with the 21' trailer. Of all the trailers I looked at, the Freedom Express and the Lance were the "class act" trailers, with the Jay Flight next.
I wanted to like the Winnebago drop (R Pod look-alike) but it seemed so dark and therefore cramped, even though it's not that much smaller than the smaller Lance.
I talked to one of the Lance reps and he said they had to make some compromises to keep the dry weight down on the 1575. The slide is the same size as the slide in their other trailers, but it is narrower. So no room for toilet access without extending the slide some. Also that's why it doesn't have the 4 seasons package. But it sure is a cute, functional trailer otherwise! I had a really tough time deciding between the 2.
So now I've got to wait 8-10 weeks (approx) while they make my trailer. It's probably a good thing because all my thoughts have been to buy a trailer that would work for me. Now I need to research/figure out all the little "how-to" stuff that either makes your trip a dream or a nightmare.
The dealership will do a complete walk-through (they said to be prepared for several hours) and will also give me a driving lesson. I feel entirely naive, for instance do I need a fire starter to light the oven? I downloaded the owners manual and will spend time reading it. And then there's all the ins and outs of campgrounds - membership or not? The more I lean the more I realize that I still don't know all the questions to ask.
So any tips or tricks on my trailer would be gratefully accepted. You've already been a big help so far.
