My wife and I am looking to purchase a small camper for the 2 of us to spend our summers down in Newfoundland (we live in Ontario) and would like to go down for 3 months each summer. Having done quite a bit of online reading my discovery so far is that their doesn't seem to be a clear answer who (manufacter) makes a good solid reliable camper. We would need a small wet bath; TV hook-up and enough room to stand up. Hard top preferred as it can rain/wind for a straight week in NFLD. We go each summer and spend thousands on airline tickets; hotels; gas, etc. Like the to travel around the island on our own time and see much more than we normally do. First question is do most small camper trailers for sale these days get built the same way as far as materials and workmanship? We have been inside a few different models of a brand called Prolite that is made in Quebec. The size is perfect for us but their is not much online about owners reviews etc. Anyway heading off to work shortly. Sometimes I have been thinking that the less electronic stuff in a camper the less issues you will have but on the other hand their are some basic needs for sure. By used is not out of the question either. Budget would be max of $25k. Depreciation is similar to cars if not worse when buying new, and the warranties are no better but I could be wrong. Thanksa for any input.

Sounds like you might like a Scamp or Airstream Bambi.

But with a max budget of 25k, a Scamp or Bambi (especially) may be out of reach, unless they are old.NCWriter wrote:Sounds like you might like a Scamp or Airstream Bambi.

06honda wrote:First question is do most small camper trailers for sale these days get built the same way as far as materials and workmanship?No ! I strongly recommend you look into "eggshell" style (all fiberglass) travel trailers, like Scamp or Casita. Escape trailer are made in BC.06honda wrote:Depreciation is similar to cars if not worse when buying new, and the warranties are no better but I could be wrong.Depreciation is very bad on new RVs ! Warranties are only as good as the servicing dealer. All appliances have their own warranties that may be as short as 90 days !

06honda wrote:By used is not out of the question either. Budget would be max of $25k.Tough to buy much of anything these days for just $25K Cdn all in, even new R-Pods can be that much. :E If this truly is your limit I'd suggest you cut to the chase and start searching the used market for something suitable.Just a couple of other comments - I'd be awfully cautious about thinking a particularly small trailer with a wet bath would work for such a long and continuous time. A few days at a time, maybe a week or so, sure - but 3 months trying to live out of a tiny trailer, especially where it rains a lot, is asking an awful lot.Secondly, talking about "costs" presumably you're aware that getting yourselves, tow vehicle, and trailer over to The Rock and back isn't exactly cheap. Seems to me your best bet might be to try and buy something used there and try to find a place where you can just leave it there permanently and just fly in/out, renting a vehicle while there to tow. JMO. :)FWIW, my wife and I are considering something similar, except instead of Nfld we're talking Australia where we have family. Buy a caravan & vehicle, find a place to leave them when we're not there, and fly over during our winter so we can travel around during their summer season. It does cost though. ;)

FWIW, a quick Kijiji search came up with this 2015 R-Pod in Prescott which is not far from Kingston. Too small for me but may be what you're looking for. :)

Small Camper for 2 people | Good Sam Community

NCWriter
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
Sounds like you might like a Scamp or Airstream Bambi.
Atlee
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2018
But with a max budget of 25k, a Scamp or Bambi (especially) may be out of reach, unless they are old.

NCWriter wrote:
Sounds like you might like a Scamp or Airstream Bambi.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 23, 2018
06honda wrote:
First question is do most small camper trailers for sale these days get built the same way as far as materials and workmanship?

No ! I strongly recommend you look into "eggshell" style (all fiberglass) travel trailers, like Scamp or Casita. Escape trailer are made in BC.

06honda wrote:
Depreciation is similar to cars if not worse when buying new, and the warranties are no better but I could be wrong.

Depreciation is very bad on new RVs ! Warranties are only as good as the servicing dealer. All appliances have their own warranties that may be as short as 90 days !
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
06honda wrote:
By used is not out of the question either. Budget would be max of $25k.

Tough to buy much of anything these days for just $25K Cdn all in, even new R-Pods can be that much. :E If this truly is your limit I'd suggest you cut to the chase and start searching the used market for something suitable.

Just a couple of other comments - I'd be awfully cautious about thinking a particularly small trailer with a wet bath would work for such a long and continuous time. A few days at a time, maybe a week or so, sure - but 3 months trying to live out of a tiny trailer, especially where it rains a lot, is asking an awful lot.

Secondly, talking about "costs" presumably you're aware that getting yourselves, tow vehicle, and trailer over to The Rock and back isn't exactly cheap. Seems to me your best bet might be to try and buy something used there and try to find a place where you can just leave it there permanently and just fly in/out, renting a vehicle while there to tow. JMO. :)

FWIW, my wife and I are considering something similar, except instead of Nfld we're talking Australia where we have family. Buy a caravan & vehicle, find a place to leave them when we're not there, and fly over during our winter so we can travel around during their summer season. It does cost though. ;)
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
FWIW, a quick Kijiji search came up with this 2015 R-Pod in Prescott which is not far from Kingston. Too small for me but may be what you're looking for. :)
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Apr 23, 2018
Of you have a pickup truck (at least 1/2 ton, I'd suggest a truck camper. Great for 2 people and easy to store and for 25 grand you can get a very well appointed one new.
Isaac-1
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
Let me warn you that this is a bit of a personal opinion, but my first thought here was also one of the fiberglass egg trailers (Scamp, Casita, even the Lil Snoozy). In the case of the Scamp and the Casita the design has not changed much in many years with just some updates for the times like the addition of flat panel tv's a few years ago. They also tend to hold their value better than newer entry level RV's, it is not uncommon to find a 10-15 year old fiberglass egg trailer selling for 60-70% of new cost, where a traditional "lite" entry level trailer may be worth 20-30% of original cost at the same age.

On that lite topic, in my experience (I have never owned one, but have shopped for them), the vast majority of trailers with the word "lite" in the name is code for built as flimsy as possible so it can be pulled down the road by what would otherwise be considered an under sized tow vehicle. Just stepping into many "lite" trailer models I can feel the floor flex under foot compared to stepping into their non "lite" equal size brethren.
bmet2000
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
We have been looking at the T@B 320 or I think now they call it the T@B S. It has a wet bath and is about 5'9" inside at the highest point. Around $20K depending on options

T@B .
06honda
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
Wow great feedback, nice to see such an active forum. Many good points:

"I'd be awfully cautious about thinking a particularly small trailer with a wet bath would work for such a long and continuous time. A few days at a time, maybe a week or so, sure - but 3 months trying to live out of a tiny trailer, especially where it rains a lot, is asking an awful lot." Very good point for sure. May be able to get away with no shower and just do that every few days at a truck stop or camp site.

I did come across a "Scamp" in Ontario: Small for sure but cost wise not too bad.

Scamp Trailer
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 23, 2018
06honda wrote:
I did come across a "Scamp" in Ontario: Small for sure but cost wise not too bad.

Scamp Trailer

At the risk of being criticized for bringing up a topic you didn't ask about BUT what is your intended tow vehicle? ... the point being any trailer you may buy won't do you any good if you can't safely tow it. Are you restricted to particularly small trailers by your TV or is this a self induced limitation based solely on what you think might work for what you have in mind? :h