Hi ladies and gents. I have been lurking on here for a while and my wife are getting pretty serious about making a purchase soon. If it were up to her we would already have one.... I have been trying to take my time and learn as much as possible before making a big decision. I think I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a Palomino Solair bunkhouse. BUT I have also been torn by a really nice Durchman Aspen Trail. My question is this, both trailers are approx the same price but the Dutchman aluminum sides but appointed very well with all the bells and whistles The Solair is fiberglass but not appointed near as nice. Will you guys please talk to me about pros and cons of each?TV is a ram 2500 diesel. Weight isn't a huge concern but TX hail on the aluminum is. Does Insurance cover body damage from storms? I am also wondering about resale value down the road?Thanks for helping the new guy out!AG

Yes, your insurance will cover hail damage. Verify with your agent. If it was me, I'd get the trailer with the better bells and whistles. I wouldn't be using the siding except to keep the rain and bugs outside.

Welcome to the forum. Get the one the wife likes.

Welcome and I'd recommend making your wife happy. Get a Reese Cam over or a similar hitch and it will kept the truck and trailer in line. Heard there was a war in Tx around Wacko. Nice bucnh there.

Get the better apportioned trailer, the aluminum siding is a proven product.

New to Travel trailers- like learning a new language

Aginhouse
Explorer
May 26, 2015
I finally decided to pull the Trigger(wife may have had a little encouragement to get the ball rolling)

We decided on a Kingsport 277DDS. Its a good looking trailer inside and out and seems to be as well equipped as the rest for the price. We are pretty happy. Unfortunately we can't take it home until 6/04 but that will give me time to start shopping for all the items on the checklists this website has. Think I found about 10 different versions.

Trailer is documented as 31' long w a dry weight of 6600 lbs and a hitch weight of 958 lbs. Im guessing I could probably get away with out a WDH on my 3/4 ton truck but think I could probably benefit from the swaying. Im looking potentially into this model. Any feedback?

http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Reese/RP66155.html
2012Coleman
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
Aginhouse wrote:
2012Coleman wrote:
How many hail storms on average do you have? Where are you planning on parking the TT when not in use? Is there a chance for covered storage?

All good comments here.

To answer a few questions I plan on parking it in a typical RV storage(on concrete not gravel). Unfortunately not a covered spot but I may continue looking for another location. Usually hails at least a few times a year.

Would you guys recommend some type of a cover or is that overkill? What is necessary for upkeep w the tin. I'm honestly leaning towards the tin now. Seems like much more bang for your buck.

AG
Covering it while in storage is not a bad idea. You get protection from the sun and it helps keep it clean. ADCO covers are about the middle of the line and are easy to put on and tke off. Search my posts for the word ADCO. I'm sure it would be better than not covered during a hail storm.

Note - I like my ADCO cover, so I offer them as an opinion only. If you use it correctly, it will serve you well. I don't profit from this.

You can maintain your tin using a good cleaner wax like Meguires Takes care of black streaks too. For the roof, I use the standard spray bottle cleaner sold at camping world. IMO works better than spic and span.

Make sure you cover your tires when not in use as well.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 20, 2015
flguppie wrote:
We just replaced our skylight due to hail. Golf ball size and one well placed one went right thru the shower skylight. The TT is less than a year old. The rest of the TT was fine. Rubber roofs and fiberglass sides handle things well. I don't know if a cover would prevent the skylight issue. Maybe

In 2003 I bought a new fiberglasss Streamlite and another person bought a aluminum Coachmen. We were going to pick up the next day after dealer prep.

That nite South Hutchison received golf ball size hail. The next day the dealer replaced 3 vent cover's on my trailer and was good to go. The Coachmen was totaled.
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
Two Hands wrote:
Welcome to the forum. Get the one the wife likes.

NO! get the one YOU want because if she divorces you you'll end up living in it.
Aginhouse
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Opie431 wrote:
Who does the most cooking, cleaning, making beds, child care, etc? They need the most say if other things are equal.

We probably share the responsibility mentioned equally but I will definitely handling the majority of the work involved which is ok w me. When you get to the point that you don't enjoy taking care of a toy then it's time to get rid of it. That being said I think my wife may be as excited as I am about a trailer. She is easy. She wants a slide and wants the dinette on the slide side. All else is gravy to her.
Opie431
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Who does the most cooking, cleaning, making beds, child care, etc? They need the most say if other things are equal.
FLGup
Explorer
May 20, 2015
We just replaced our skylight due to hail. Golf ball size and one well placed one went right thru the shower skylight. The TT is less than a year old. The rest of the TT was fine. Rubber roofs and fiberglass sides handle things well. I don't know if a cover would prevent the skylight issue. Maybe
Tvov
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
A cover is not critical or overkill. I cover mine over the winter. I just use a large tarp, but if I opened my tight wallet I would definitely buy a fitted cover. Friends who use a fitted cover like it a lot, and helps to keep their camper looking good. Big thing with covers, fitted or just a tarp, is to secure ALL the grommet holes with rope or bungee cords. That will prevent the cover from flapping in the wind.

I have no idea if this is important, but I am in Connecticut - our weather is a bit different than Texas. Gotta remember location when asking advice on the internet!
Aginhouse
Explorer
May 20, 2015
2012Coleman wrote:
How many hail storms on average do you have? Where are you planning on parking the TT when not in use? Is there a chance for covered storage?

All good comments here.

To answer a few questions I plan on parking it in a typical RV storage(on concrete not gravel). Unfortunately not a covered spot but I may continue looking for another location. Usually hails at least a few times a year.

Would you guys recommend some type of a cover or is that overkill? What is necessary for upkeep w the tin. I'm honestly leaning towards the tin now. Seems like much more bang for your buck.

AG
steve-n-vicki
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Get the one the wife likes , it is a small place to be trapped in with an angry wife,