Small trailer suggestions

BackOfThePack wrote:

— Why is “small” important?
(They don’t tow more easily).

— “Value” re money spent goes up in lineal feet increases.
(There’s a minimum, basically, and also a sweet spot for length/money)

For many, small means they can store it at home versus paying for storage. Small means using their existing vehicle to tow rather than having to buy a fullsize truck. Those affect the perceived "value". In addition, every RV will cost money to maintain.

BackOfThePack wrote:

— Inconvenience can weigh heavily after awhile.
(Constant hard use ups the wear rate of interior).

This should be a consideration for any RV bought of any size. For many, the inconvenience of having to haul the trailer home from storage to stock it before a trip outweighs the "convenience" of having more space.

BackOfThePack wrote:

— Small capacities reduce boondocking ability
(Meaning increased energy use to go back/forth from
the store; propane supplier, get water; dump tanks, etc).

Many folks have no desire to boondock for weeks on end. Some, like me, dry camp and utilize a few water jugs and a grey tote during a stay.

BackOfThePack wrote:

— Vast majority of its life it never moves. That IS the way to look at it.

For many, travelling is a bigger part of RVing than staying in one spot. For them, towing a 28ft trailer and having to find places to park a 48+ft combination (and getting fuel) is far more inconvenient.

BackOfThePack wrote:

The above is preparatory to asking:

1). How many years will you own it?

2). How many nights aboard annually?

— The “price” of the RV is the total number of nights aboard over those years.
Each night is worth = $$$

Shorter the period of ownership and lesser nights, the higher the cost of going camping.

The typical RVer spends too much as he keeps it five years and spends maybe thirty nights aboard annually. Then trades for another stapled cardboard box.

You’re say, age fifty and you plan to use this till you’re age 75?
(That’s a MUCH better starting perspective).

This is true with any RV. Everyone should determine if they will use it enough to justify buying it. Many 28ft trailers sit rotting while smaller trailers get used. And fiberglass trailers like the OP is considering will hold up far better than any other RV.

BackOfThePack wrote:

For a couple (even a family of five) a 28’ is a great size when it’s also quality. The type which will outlast your ownership. And there’s no need to buy new, much less buy over & over. My parents 1975 TT is still on the road with the second owners 17-years after they bought it. My folks had it thirty years.

“Used” (when you’re in earning years) just means an annual list of upgrades to tackle as time & budget allow. May not amount to much, or maybe you want to maintain the higher level of OEM quality.

TTs continue to go downhill from their 1960s quality. There are next to no true improvements save ducted A/C and distributed water-radiator heat.

Again, show me a 28ft trailer with a better build quality than a Casita, Scamp, Escape, etc. The molded fiberglass shells far outlast any 1970s aluminum siding trailer.

BackOfThePack wrote:

The classic layout is rear full bath, beds going forward, and kitchen area with all appliances over the axles. The difference from there (length) was how big was the lounge area. (Dinettes separate are wasted space vs closets/cabinets). A full exterior awning package is what makes for camping versatility past “capacities”. One chases shirtsleeve weather (or, from 40F to 90F) to make the most of low thermal mass (all TT).

Greater clarity about NOW and SOME DAY will be of help. (Don’t discount being trapped by weather, days of rain, or being sick/injured. Don’t be FORCED out of the TT).

Awnings are not always practical. Most all of the campgrounds I've enjoyed have sites set up that are not conducive to awnings. In many cases, a simple shade canopy is far more useful as you can place it anywhere.

I'm not sure how rain, illness, etc, would force you OUT of the trailer? Folks should definitely consider being stick INSIDE a trailer for days due to those things.


One should definitely think before choosing and buying. But going big is not the answer for everyone. And what factors make the final choice will be different for everyone.