Narrowed it down to 2 trailers

JWP127 wrote:

ScottG wrote:
The only real concern I have with Coleman is that some of their trailers are raw wood (OSB) on the bottom and tend to rot.
You can look up under the RV to tell for sure.

The bottom is covered. Besides wood, what are other materials they use? And how can I tell the difference?

Most likely there are not huge differences in the materials used, the people used to build them, or the means and methods. The Aspen Trail may even be built in the same plant or on the same line as the Coleman.

We had a 2011 Dutchmen Aerolite hybrid. At the time it was mostly the same as the Coleman hybrids and Kodiak hybrids even down to some of the floor plans. As an example our 185E was basically the same trailer as the Kodiak 181E and the Coleman CTE184. The differences were mostly decals and color schemes, and price. The Coleman was $2K min more as you were paying for the licensing for them to use the Coleman name.

JWP127 wrote:
I've narrowed my search down to two trailers. The 2018 Coleman Lantern 285BH and a 2018 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 2750BHS. On the surface, both seem similar. Anyone out there have experience with these? Should I avoid one of them? I'm also still considering a few others, but the Dutchmen and Coleman are on my short list.

What are the others you have looked at? Why are these on your short list? Knowing what I know now, I consider the Coleman line to be entry level. The fit and finish was better than what was in my budget at the time, but there are better out there. I've not had any major problems, but expect to replace the junk tires within 1 - 2 years.

ScottG wrote:
The only real concern I have with Coleman is that some of their trailers are raw wood (OSB) on the bottom and tend to rot.
You can look up under the RV to tell for sure.

The bottom is covered. Besides wood, what are other materials they use? And how can I tell the difference?

I don't even have an inside shower in mine, at least one that works. I use the outside one and dazzle the other campers with my fantastic body....lol

Besides, using the outside shower, no concern with filling the grey tank up too fast. It all seeps into the ground.

We won't even get into the commode thing on here....

Ralph Cramden wrote:

southernsky wrote:
They are a Forest River product. Same trailer different name. I've had 3 Forest River products with different names and all junk with no support after the sale

Nope, not Forest River.

And the Coleman branded one is also made by Dutchmen.

Dutchmen RV is

Aspen Trail
Coleman
Aerolite
Kodiak
Denali
Rubicon
Endurance
Voltage

Service and support after the sale come under Thor's Keystone division.

Ralph ought to know. We both own FR (junk) units)....lol

FR---Stands for Forever getting Repaired.....

Actually, mine has been without issue but it must have been built mid week on a non pay week...lol

I'd skip both brands and go with a Lance Travel Trailer!

Man if I only had a 1 ton truck.....lolol..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68zJvditrK0

Coachmen makes a nicer trailer in that style..

But if they would only put a regular bunk ladder instead of the kids rock wall colored steps they would have a winner...

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=60&ModelID=3819#Main

The problem with the colemen I see is lack of surround in the bathtub/shower. This is always a no go for me. I just cant fathom water spraying on the luan...


The colman does have the better layout though IMO that it dont have that split entertainment area.. Watching TV hurts your neck...

There are many brands that have the layout like the colmen but with a surround..

SoundGuy wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
hwy guys you do know thor sold the dutchman line to keystone

Yet more misinformation. :R Dutchmen has nothing to do with Keystone and vice versa.

Don't ya just love the internet as a source of accurate information! :S

Here's some accurate info.


They have more to do with Dutchmen than you think (Keystone)

If you pop over to the Dutchmen Mfg site and go to the "contact us" section then click on the email link for "Customer Service" as opposed to "ask a question", the email addy it directs you to is ownerrelations@keystonerv.com.

They did not sell Dutchmen to Keystone. What they did was combine/absorb the general management of the division into the Keystone division. There were write ups about it at the time on Rvdailyreport.com and RV business.

I had an Aerolite, which is a Dutchmen brand, when the customer service was taken from Dutchmen directly and rolled over to Keystone. Previously I could call or email and talk to someone who knew the product and could make decisions. They would sell parts directly, and had sent me quite a few things for our 2011 Aerolite gratis. Once it changed to Keystone all that stopped, and any inquiry resulted in canned responses and "see your local dealer".