Need Help On A Decision between 2 TT's

Hi Folks,
Thanks for the different angles on this.
We will probably use it for 3 days to a little over two weeks at a time.
We are both around 5'5" and at the most 3 will be in the TT.
I guess Im pretty handy at repairs etc ...built my own home over a three year period, wiring, plumbing etc.,( career related stuff: welding, machining, Tool & Die)
I guess I like to try to do things myself before I spend a dollar on a repair I could have saved some money on.
I will probably keep it covered until I can build awning type shed to park it under.
Im getting the vibe here, that if Im handy at DIY and take care of it, that I could easily keep the starcraft for 20 years?

Ahhh but the rub here is that the Casita has a strong quality appeal to it! I don't think it will cramp our style too much but the cost difference is substantial!

My reply is to the newbie aspect of your post. What is your experience with RV/TT camping? Wife and I did a very small TT when we were on the road traveling and just stopping to sleep overnite.

Now we spend two or three nights in each location and want the kitchen and bathroom to be practical and usable as well as a comfortable bed. Food/clothes/bedding/towels/toiletries/toys/cook stove/utensils/dishes/etc.... It get tedious to be moving things to make space for people.

DW and I are very happy with our 26ft. Realistically assess your space needs and how you are going to use it. Overnights are one thing. Two or three days is another. Weeks at a time is a whole different ballgame.

As for longevity.... It all depends on how you are at maintenance as to how long it will last. I bought my first one used when it was ten yrs old and kept it twenty years. Bought my second one used when it was four years old and kept it twenty years. Just bought this one new and plan on going the distance with it.

Is it for one or two people? The big drawback for me on the Casita is there is no storage. Not much storage inside or out. You would have to store all your chairs, BBQ and gear inside the Casita or in the back of the tow vehicle.

I really like the Northwood Arctic Fox 22GQ. No slide, quality built, great outside storage pass-through, great kitchen, great dry bath and wardrobe. A bed that you don't have to break down all the time. For 5 more feet you get so much more.

Unless it is weight and smallest possible length you are looking for.

If you're just starting out with travel trailers, maybe you should look at used units, or, choose the cheaper of the two you are looking at.

Some folks jump in with both feet, then find out camping is not for them. Others, enjoy the camping, but, find their brand new camper is lacking in space or ammenities, and within the first couple years, end up trading it in. In both cases, they loose a good bit of money and the longevity of the trailer really doesn't matter.

There really isn't a normal life expectancy. It all depends on how the unit is used, stored, and maintained.

If you plan to stick the trailer out in the woods and ignore it, the Casita would probably last longer, solely due to the smaller number of access points for water intrusion.

So you even know you will like the RV lifestyle? I wouldn't want to spend any amount of time in a 17 foot anything unless, of course, you are alone. The RV Consumer Group may have some opinions on the longevity of either model. I wonder how many 7 year old Casita's there are with the original owner?

17 feet or even 23 feet can get pretty small if you are stuck inside for a long period of time due to bad weather. Cabin fever kicks in within a couple of days.

Most RV'ers go through at least 3 RV's before they get one that is large enough to meet their needs.

You may want to consider something larger.

I would say that the Casita would last longer given the amount of care that most RVers give their vehicles.

The Starcraft would probably last just as long if you were very careful to maintain it correctly and especially to prevent any water leaks. Most people do not take the necessary time and effort to do that.

The Casita has no roof seams to worry about and also does not have a separate roofing material. It is basically a top and bottom fibreglass shell like a boat and therefore has fewer chances to leak. You still must check the roof penetrations however.

You might check out the Escape trailers for another fibreglass trailer. They might be a bit more expensive than the Casita but would be the one I would choose.

Hope this helps you out a bit.:)
Barney