Throw away trailers??

Slowmover wrote:
I have no problem calling any TT that doesn't last as long as the finance note disposable. Maintenance is needed for any TT, but some are designed and built better. And THAT is what matters. Facts do withstand investigation.

For those who want to trade every few years, or rarely travel very far, the latest and greatest white plastic box may be fine. But it's a far more expensive way to go if one is going to use a TT for one or more decades.

My folks had their Silver Streak 27-years. Replaced an awning and an appliance or two in that tme. Two tow vehicles. Anyone want to compare the total costs compared to multiple TT's and TV's?

Quality isn't cheap. And there are thousands of this trailer type still around. So it needs refreshing at ten years, cosmetically . . or a re-do at twenty-five. Take your pick.

And of the campground pictures of my grandparents Streamline from the 1960's, or my parents in the 1970's . . . where are all those other TTs now? Long ago went to the landfill while those two are still on the road. Any Avion from the same era, same thing.

Calling it elitist or cultish, well, the joke is on you. I have less money in both TT and TV than many here with their plastic boxes alone . . and even once I've re-done things to factory spec, that may still be true . . for several more decades of travel.

Better road performance, lower fuel bills and lessened wear & tear on the TV are fine benefits. One can use the family car versus a truck, an enormous cost saver and with a better safety record.

And there is no lack of "space" unless one is dedicated to higher cooling/heating costs plus cleaning; one is either sitting or sleeping after all. And hopefully outdoors more than not.

Start with a clean sheet. Run the numbers. Investigate. Toss out bad assumptions.

.

Silver Streak, and Streamline are also very well built trailers. There is a reason that they are no longer produced. They were very expensive to build, but they lasted a long time. With the prices of some of the current trailers, it is frustrating that you don't get more for your money. The thought of the trailer being wore out before the original financing is complete it outrageaous. My frustration with Airstream is their concept of a weak frame when over the years they added a lot of weight. A stronger frame would probably cost less than $250 per trailer and maybe another $150 for better axles. Except for the frame and floor issues, they are probably the best built trailer out there today. I'm not including specialty, or off road trailers in that statement.
My point is, how many currently built trailers will be around 50 years from now. Last year I rebuilt my 1969 Avion C-11 camper and it is good to go for a few more decades. It will need another rebuild before it hits 100 years old, but it could last that long.