Keystone Outback

We love our 2010 Outback 230RS. No trouble with rear slide yet, but only 4 (?) years old. Haven't noticed cold or drafts. Will say ours needed new floor registers (under warranty) as they all caved in on first trip! I think some idiot got a good deal on WALL registers and used them in the floor.

I do not own an Outback. But I have been in my fair share of Travel trailers, pop ups, and toy haulers. With exceptions to some of the uber nice brands out there (none of which you have mentioned) all TT out there pretty much have the same quality mark.....not very good.

Beachums wrote:
I do not own an Outback. But I have been in my fair share of Travel trailers, pop ups, and toy haulers. With exceptions to some of the uber nice brands out there (none of which you have mentioned) all TT out there pretty much have the same quality mark.....not very good.

I just love the optimism on this board. It warms my heart.

Just looking for something durable for boondocking, not too huge (tight places), and enough room for a family of 5 (bunks...). I really want an AF/Nash product, but the plans offered just don't really work for us.

Ideally I'd want something about 25-26', don't mind one kid on a fold down couch, but I want the dinette free for morning coffee (it's a quality of life thing for me...)

I like the Outback plans, but I don't know if that rear slide would be rugged enough!

Kach wrote:
Just looking for something durable for boondocking, not too huge (tight places), and enough room for a family of 5 (bunks...). I really want an AF/Nash product, but the plans offered just don't really work for us.

Ideally I'd want something about 25-26', don't mind one kid on a fold down couch, but I want the dinette free for morning coffee (it's a quality of life thing for me...)

I like the Outback plans, but I don't know if that rear slide would be rugged enough!

If you want AF/Nash qualityin 26' rugged with bunks then take a look at the outdoorsRV lineup http://www.outdoorsrvmfg.com. The chassis is Northwood and the company is owned by Nash. I've got the backcountry model but you can get the similar floor plans in the creekside and timber ridge models I believe if you want the extra luxuries.

The Outback is one of Keystone's middle of the line trailers. I have a 277RL, larger than what you are looking for, but I think the build quality is going to be the same across the model spectrum. From a quality standpoint, it is above the Jayco I had, but as mentioned above, it should be... It costs more. I had one roof issue that I caught before it was a problem and was handled under warranty. Otherwise, I've done some "improvements" over the factory construction, but overall, I'm happy with it and would recommend it to others.

Indiana seems to be the trailer capitol, so considering both the cost of components and the cost of labor being relatively the same for all of the manufacturers, I think you are going to see similar quality between trailers in a given price range. Unfortunately, there are Monday and Friday trailers, so a good PDI is important.

I'd really take a look at the Springdale and Cougar lines. I really like my stick and tin model. I had a Skyline Aljo that was a great rig. I have been through my Springdale with a fine tooth comb. already done significant mods and am impressed with the build quality.

I think you will find you get what you pay for and when dealing with any factory warranty issue, you need to have your ducks in a row. When i deal with a manufacturer (Car/Trailer/tv set... whatever) I have diagnosed and shown proof thereof and leave them no alternative but to repair/replace...

Buy whatever suits you.

That being said: We have lived and traveled full time in an Outback for 7 years. We have had a few problems but it was with things supplied by others, like the refrigerator and microwave.

In our travels, I have asked literally hundreds of Outback owners if they liked the unit. I have NEVER had an owner say they didn't like their unit.

Decals peel off...other than that --- no problems. Just keep up on checking roof seams...and other routine maintenance...water heater anode, bearings, tires, battery levels, clean the camper and awning from time to time. Air filters, replace old monitors (smoke alarm, lp gas detector, carbon monoxide detector, check for gas leaks, keep your tires at the correct pressure, clean your holding tanks, flush fresh water tanks.

Ours is only three years old...and we love camping in it.

One thing that seems to be an issue, but is probably an issue with all trailers is caulking around windows and doors. They don't seem to want to spend enough to insure good seals. I had to redo several of my access covers and when I took the frame off, I found a minimal amount of sealant.