Hello,My first post here. The Annoyed Woman and I live in the DFW metroplex, and are about to make the 1:15 drive down to Corsicana to look at the Casita Travel Trailers showroom. So far, I like what I've seen online, but if there's any cautionary input, I'd appreciate it.I'm looking for one of the 16' or 17' models. It will be just for my wife and me, and maybe occasionally our dog will be along. I'll be towing it with either a 2015 Toyota 4Runner Trail, or a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk......probably mostly with the Toyota. It seems like Gross Vehicular Weight for the Casitas is roughly in the 3500-3800 lb weight range (2500-2800 lb dry). Listed tow capacity for the 4Runner is 4700 lbs, and 4500 for the Jeep.Questions: Assuming I have the proper hitch setup, does this leave me enough weight overhead to not stress the vehicles too much?Other than the small amount of room in the Casita trailers, are there any specific bugaboos to be aware of, specific to that brand?Any other warnings/suggestions?Thanks for the help.

Since you asked for warnings:You didn't say if you're going to be looking at new or used, but if you're going to a "showroom" I'll assume you're looking at new? Since this is your first TT, I'd buy used. I think you'll quickly find this size of trailer is too small for you - yes I know you're limited by what your current vehicles can tow. I'll bet you find this size of trailer too small in the near future and then you're going to take a large hit on the new trailer price when you try to sell it to buy something larger. Nothing like taking a sizeable loss on selling the new trailer, buying another larger one and buying a larger tow vehicle.Buy used for your first RV - maybe even all of them in the future also.Bill

I bought new for my first TT - nothing wrong with it. You need to know the payload capacity of the tow vehicle. Payload will be exceeded before tow capacity. There should be a door jamb sticker that says weight of cargo and occupants not to exceed xxxx lbs. Then start subtracting the weight of passengers and pets, accessories like step bars and bed toppers, and any cargo carried in the TV. Then subtract about 100 lbs for the WDH setup. Then calculate tongue weight by multiplying the GVW of the TT by 13% and subtract this from payload. If you come out with a comfortable margin, then go for it. Otherwise Google Cat Scale, load it up for camping and get it weighed.

Best buying tip is to sit in the TT for one or two hours, pretend you are camping move around as if you are out at a campsite. Just a good way to get a feel for the TT you are looking at taking out camping.

Showroom is just for show... Real life there will be 2 pairs of muddy shoes by the door, case of soda shoved under the table, coffee maker, toaster and paper towels taking up all of the counter space. Make sure the camper is large enough for you.

I would look at an R-Pod. They seem to have a nice rig packed into a small package.

Looking for 1st travel trailer | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

rbpru
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
I would be surprised if you do not out grow your TT in short order.

We looked at several sizes then decided to go at the issue from what we wanted. Our must have included,
+ A bed you can exit without crawling over your partner.
+ A bathroom you can stand and move in.
+ Room for two adults and dog. That meant a slide.
+ Pantry and closets which meant a 25 ft TT.
Ductape_Dave
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
Congratulations, you should have no problem towing. I have a 2016 4Runner and tow a Coachmen Clipper 17bh I just bought. Good Luck!
The_Annoyed_Man
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
ttavasc wrote:
Congrats on the new camper! If you haven't found it already there is a great Jayco Owners forum at http://www.jaycoowners.com. I've seen a number of new posters there recently that are also new Hummingbird owners.

Thanks for the tip! I'll head over there directly and join. Also, thanks ttavasc for the recommendation to look at the Jayco in the first place. It was a good recommendation. In retrospect, the Casita would have probably been a little less limited in where we could take it, in terms of width and ground clearance, but not enough to make a practical difference. The most rugged use any trailer of mine would ever see would be a dirt road getting in and out of a hunting or fishing camp, but none of the places I'd go would be too rugged for access with that trailer.

I used to have a fantasy about towing a trailer with the same off-road capabilities as my 4Runner and dry-camping in the middle of nowhere, but then I remember that my knees and back ache in the morning, and I look a lot more like Santa Claus these days than I look like Survivor Man. LOL. And then there is The Annoyed Woman, who is happier sleeping in a bed than a sleeping bag. Happy wife, happy life.

I found the sales rep at the RV dealership where we bought the Jayco to be very knowledgeable and without condescension regarding our needs. It was a much more relaxed atmosphere, with far less sales pressure, than when we bought either of our vehicles last year. There were no hyped up claims, and no attempts to up-sell us. When we walked in, I told the guy we had already looked at the Casita, so he had some idea of what kind of market niche we were interested in. I would happily recommend that dealership to anyone who asked. They included a 1 year membership in Thousand Trails, which I had never heard of before, but which might turn out to real blessing. In any case, I have a year to decide if it's worth renewing the membership.

We feel like a whole new world is opening up for us. Pretty cool.
ttavasc
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2016
Congrats on the new camper! If you haven't found it already there is a great Jayco Owners forum at http://www.jaycoowners.com. I've seen a number of new posters there recently that are also new Hummingbird owners.
The_Annoyed_Man
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
Well, we bought a Jayco Hummingbird 17RK today, so we're set now. BIG plus: my wife is happy with it! We pick it up on Friday, and then the fun begins.
mikakuja
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Nice looking trailers.
A bit far from home for you but also nice units http://escapetrailer.com/
henkelphoto
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
You might want to check out this website: http://www.interstellarorchard.com

The woman who writes this blog has been full-timing in her casita for about 4 years. There are 30-some pages of her blog entries with a whole lot of information on the Casita and camping in general.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2016
First, I assume you will be getting a weight distribution hitch and that the trailer has electric brakes. Even though that is a light trailer, I think those are important.

Heat is the enemy of any tow vehicle. Was there a factory HD Trailer Tow option available for your tow vehicles ? Usually that includes a HD radiator and an auxiliary transmission cooler as well as a 7 pin trailer harness hook up and wiring near the dash for your electronic brake controller.

Those are the "must haves" I would want on any TV !
Dick_B
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Search this Forum for `Casita' and pay attention to the problems mentioned. Ignore the posts that state `we love ours'...
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
Vintage465 wrote:
I would look at an R-Pod. They seem to have a nice rig packed into a small package.

I considered them when I bought my small TT. absolutely no hang up closet area, wet bath with tiny unusable sink, no large window by dinette, no overhead cabinets except for a small one in the slide out,etc. wife and I went between the Rpod and Ascend and I paid $5,000 more for Ascend.
bumpy