So I'm trying to decide between a small Class C and a small TT (under 5000lbs --towable with my 06 F150). I've never been in a TT so I stopped at a dealer today to check some out.Wow, I wasn't prepared for how dark they are inside. The ones I looked at didn't have but a few small windows. Felt really small inside. Didn't look to be able to have much cross ventilation.I guess Class C's are brighter because of all the glass in the cab.Also, none of the TTs I went in had more than one roof vent and it was in the bathroom. The 22 C had 4 including the bathroom vent.Maybe this is all just due to the size TT I'm looking at. I'm planning on installing solar on whatever I end up buying and doing a lot of boondocking so being able to have ventilation is important.Are there any brands of TTs that have a lot of windows? (besides Airstream, I know they do). Thanks.EDIT: Ok, so after posting this I Googled for "travel trailers with lots of windows" so I'm seeing some. Should've done that first. :)

Thats one real problem with small RVs in general. Once you take away cabinets, closets etc, there really is not much room for windows. Add in the current dark interior fad really can make for a cave. Years back we had an Arcric Fox model 19B that had light cabinets, medium upholstery and decent sized windows for a 20 foot trailer.

Two roof vents and plenty of windows on my 20 foot unit. One of them is six foot across and 18 inches tall, let's in too much light IMHO.Mine is a very basic model, no bells only one whistle. Maybe the higher end units include less windows in favor of more bells and whistles?I've installed over 100 watts of led lighting inside my rig, mostly for winter camping when the sun sets around 3pm.

Every manufacturer builds model with plenty of windows, you just have to go through the models. Being dark in many cases is due to the dark stained wood or wood appearing cabinetry. In a lot of cases just getting a light finish makes all the difference in the world.

Four windows and two roof vents on my 2101DS (22 feet of box) plus the door is open most of the time. Current Winnebagos are similar.

I would never buy any of the new units that have no front window, it does feel like camping in a cave. Also seems like the décor in the new ones are dark dark dark, what's with that? We have a "new" to us '05 Trail Cruiser, lots of windows, front window (of course), light paneling, white ceiling, nice, nice nice.It is nice that the manufacturers finally started worrying about aerodynamics with the curved fronts. But that precludes a window, which saves them money. Problem is, they've got it backwards, the back should be curved and slippery to allow the TT to escape smoothly from the air stream. Front end don't matter much. Of course, the Trail Cruiser is aerodynamic from front to back, that why we spent over a year looking for the right one. Really easy to tow. Give me windows or forget it.

Not Enough Windows or Roof Vents | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2018
I have to agree that TTs are dark, and the dark interiors of some models make them worse.

TT manufactures tend to limit the number of sky lights. They are potential points of water entry, generate heat in the bright sun, and it makes the roof usable with just certain floor plans. So too with windows, there are many sizes but designer tend to use the same window sizes in the certain spaces on similar models.

In our TT we have improved the situation with additional lighting fixtures, as LEDs light become more available.

Remember, lighting can be improved but floor plan is forever.

Good Luck
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2018
Our first TT was a 20 footer. Had a huge picture window at the back. Lotsa light inside and great views sitting at the rear dinette table.

Now have a TT with a rear kitchen (which we love) but all the windows are the typical small and low down ones, plus they are tinted. Rather dark inside and always need lights on, even on a bright day. The bedroom has a window on each side but they did NOT have to install them so low down. I hate have to bend down to look outside, pffft. Only good thing about the frameless tinted windows is that they look sexy from the outside.

If small, low down windows aren't bad enough, they have to have interiors with dark wood and floors and dark-ish wall colors. I think it's Australia that makes TT with white or off-white colors that make it way brighter inside. Why can't they do that here?

Oh how I miss that picture window!!
Jedidad
Explorer
Jun 06, 2018
PaulJ2 wrote:
My 16' Lance has 8 windows, three in the slide, yes a large front window, and two power vents, and a skylight. Plenty of light.

Hmm...looking at the Lance 1685 and it looks nice. Lots of people hate on the front window, yours ever leak?

EDIT: Yikes! Just checked the prices on those. :E
epeters
Explorer
Jun 03, 2018
Jedidad wrote:
The Northwood Nash 17K has a very nice "picture window" in the back. Unfortunately it looks to be too heavy for my truck.

Check with Northwoods directly or a reliable Nash dealer. When we bought our 29S I thought we couldn't do it either due to the 10,000 lb rating. Turns out that is based on axle capacity. The trailer out the door was 7010 lbs. We weighed every item we put into the trailer and we are rolling down the road about 7600lbs.

So the 17K may not be as heavy as ratings would indicate. But, you have to not go crazy loading it up either.
PaulJ2
Explorer
Jun 03, 2018
My 16' Lance has 8 windows, three in the slide, yes a large front window, and two power vents, and a skylight. Plenty of light.
afidel
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2018
My 18' trailer has a huge front window, one on each end of the queen bed, one in the door, a huge window in the slide, one over the sink opposite the slide, and one for the bottom bunk. I would guess 20% of the outside area is glass. For us it's actually a problem as we're a family of late sleepers, we ended up making black out curtains for each window that didn't come with shades. We've also got two roof vents and we put a solar cushion in them most of the time. If we were to open everything up it would be as bright as a tent.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jun 02, 2018
I agree with the assessment of about 6300 lbs max for that 4.6.

Look for trailers with rear living space. They will have lots of windows on the back. I personally am not a fan of windows in front, unless you're in a higher end trailer than might be built a little better. Otherwise that's a major leak vector. (On edit, I see that point was already addressed.)

My trailer was definitely a cave. I added a window above the bed and also added a roof vent. Simple stuff to do, but it's still pretty much a cave. It gets the job done though.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2018
Our Dart has 2 roof vents, 4 windows (the window in the slide is almost 4’ wide), a skylight over the shower and a fairly light colored interior finish. It doesn’t feel like a cave to us, but that’s pretty personal. With the Fantastic Fan, we can create a cross breeze throughout.
Unless the weather is really awful, though, we spend our time outside the camper, not inside.
jfkmk
Explorer
Jun 02, 2018
Funny, my old 17' camper had 5 windows and 3 vents but still felt very dark inside due to the configuration and the colors used.

My new camper is only 2 feet longer, has two vents and the same number of Windows (if you count the one in the door), but feel much lighter inside sur to more modern colors used. We love the lighter cabinets and countertop.

I too would hesitate to get a front window. Seems like a good source for leaks.
lots2seeinmyrv
Explorer
Jun 02, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
LVJJJ wrote:
I would never buy any of the new units that have no front window, it does feel like camping in a cave.

And I'd never buy one with a front window, 'cause if a window is going to leak it's going to be one on the front wall of the trailer. No thanks. :(

x2 I would never buy one with a front window and I prefer no skylights except in the shower. Too many holes = more leaks, more caulk, more maintenance. Ditch the outside speakers and outside shower and black tank flush too. More holes, more leaks, another hose to bring, more stuff to fix. I would rather keep it simple and built better without out the extra stuff and more plumbing.