Good evening!Do any of you have any experience with Dutchmen Aerolite? I found a couple of models I really like as they have triple bunks (two electric jack and a mat for the floor), which raise up to create a nice open space for the kids when not in use. We have 5 kids and of course they like to bring friends, so this is an ideal setup. The model I really like is the 282DBHA. I have two main questions1) how is the quality? I know all brands have some issues, but is this brand close to the big dogs like Jayco, Forest River and Keystone?2) It looks like the closest dealer is up by Chicago. Same state, but a 5 hour drive. Will I encounter service issues if there is not a local option? If service will be too much of an issue, I will likely go with a Keystone Bullet or Jayco Jay Feather locally. Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas!

If I am reading the specs correctly, the TT dry weight is right at 6300 dry with over 800 lbs. on the tongue. So that means a loaded weight near 7300 lbs. and a tongue weight should be near 1000 lbs.The tongue weight is going to use up a lot of your cargo capacity not leaving much for you the DW kids and toys.We have a 2010 Dutchmen Lite 25 footer that we like very much. If you know the payload of the Suburban you know how much carrying capacity you have to play with.

I once had a Dutchmen Class C motorhome and it was built pretty good.

My first TT was a Dutchmen. I liked the frame clearance, which seemed a bit higher and was good for boondocking down gravel roads.

rbpru wrote:If I am reading the specs correctly, the TT dry weight is right at 6300 dry with over 800 lbs. on the tongue. So that means a loaded weight near 7300 lbs. and a tongue weight should be near 1000 lbs.The tongue weight is going to use up a lot of your cargo capacity not leaving much for you the DW kids and toys.We have a 2010 Dutchmen Lite 25 footer that we like very much. If you know the payload of the Suburban you know how much carrying capacity you have to play with.The Burb's PL will be between 2100-2200. Fully loaded with our family of 7, one guest, the dogs, a full tank of gas, and we will come in using about 1150 pounds of the payload. Another 150 for the hitch, and we have about 800 or 900 for TW. We will probably have to run at 11% tongue weight, but I plan to purchase a 3P, so I think it will handle well with a close-to-max payload. Still well under on tow capacity and GCWR. Thoughts? I may give the 242BHS a look as it looks like it may have the same bunk setup. It's a bit vague, as it it just says "Happi-Jack Bunks", but it looks the same in the photos. I'm sure I could pick up the mattress for the floor if it does not come equipped. That would give us sleeping for 10 on occasion with a GVW of ~6500. This would be much more manageable.

I have had two Aerolites. Both were great units....not overly expensive but everything worked the way it was supposed to. Had a hybrid---no leaks, and a 30 footer.

Dutchmen Aerolite | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

legolas
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
I had a 2010 Aerolite 24-RB good trailer. Had no problems took 2 long 6 week trips to the Grand Canyon and it performed well.
Knminton
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
bid_time wrote:
So have you had a chance to check one out? Still kicking the tires or what? Kinda interested in what you think of the quality when you get a chance to check one out in person.

Not yet. The closest dealer is several hours, so it may be a few weeks before I get to check them out. Will definitely post an update.
bid_time
Nomad II
Dec 28, 2015
So have you had a chance to check one out? Still kicking the tires or what? Kinda interested in what you think of the quality when you get a chance to check one out in person.
shar3890
Explorer
Dec 25, 2015
We currently have a 2013 Aerolite. Downsized to a 24 ft. now that the kids are grown and no longer camp with us. We have probally owned about 10 RV's over the years. We absolutely love it. We have features in this trailer that we have never had in some of our other "high end trailers" I don't think it's an entry level trailer as some might say. The quality is great. It's like any other trailer-you have to consistently take care of them and you will have many years of camping enjoyment.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
Yes it comes with a matters for the floor.
Knminton
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
wing_zealot wrote:
I have a 282DBHS. Had it for 1 season no problems with it, I love the storage area that converts to bunks, that's the main reason I bought it.

Awesome. Looks like an awesome floorplan. I found out there is a dealer two hours from here, so service wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Did the bunk come with a mattress for the floor? I see the call it a triple in the floor plan so I assume that's how they do it?

Thank you all for your feedback so far. Sounds like they are good TT's aside from a couple of issues. Seems like you gear it with any brand at some point.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
I have a 282DBHS. Had it for 1 season no problems with it, I love the storage area that converts to bunks, that's the main reason I bought it.
Benjim
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
We owned a 2013 Aerolite 253RKLS. We liked the TT...entry level. However, less than a year old, major leak, extensive damage. It was the caulking at the front roof cap. When we traded it in there were numerous cracks on the exterior walls..sure hurt our trade in value. We may just got a bad unit, however no of these issues were visible when we bought it. Good luck in your purchase.
aguablanco
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
I currently own a 2010 Aerolite 24' w/slide and I really like it. It seems well made and has given us no problems in the 6 months we have had it.
RichH
krobbe
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
That floorplan looks awesome for a large family. Looks like you could carry all the bikes, coolers and stuff in the back area with the bunks raised up. It will certainly make load balancing easier. Most of my storage is up front in the pass-thru and under the master bed making my tongue weight on the heavy side.

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Dutchmen Aerolite

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