Total Newbie Curious About Aliners

rexlion wrote:
After admiring A-frames for several years, I decided to give one a try and bought a used 2010 Ranger 12 late last summer. I've only had one camping trip (planning another in March) but so far it's been a pleasant experience. I am glad that I bought a 2010 and not an earlier year, because earlier models have a lighter frame and I've read of some problems with frame weakness especially with carrying a bicycle on the rear bumper as I do.

The Aliner was a little harder for me to set up than for some guys because I'm only 5'8" and I need to be able to push that panel up high enough. I bought a push pole (actually it's a telescoping pole to set inside a sliding door channel to keep burglars out, but hey it works for this also!) and that helped immensely.

I have a porta potti in mine. If I feel like I'm missing the indoor shower too much, I think I'd sell the Aliner and buy a Rockwood A194HW (or its Flagstaff twin). I'm also having to adjust to the lack of a gray water tank, but so far a 2 gallon container positioned under the drain is doing the job. I do like the A-frame well enough otherwise. The angled roof panels created a smaller-volume space compared to my previous trailers, and it's a snap to heat and cool.

Thanks for this feedback. I appreciate it. As a former backpacker I'm not too concerned about a port potti or indoor shower, at this point. I've looked at various Rockwood and Flagstaff models. They're nice too, but not quite as suitable for taking down some of Colorado's unpaved roads as they're wider and heavier, and My Jeep Grand Cherokee is better equipped to pull something lighter. It all seems to be a matter of what one is used to as to how they adapt. For me, just having the hardsides and a mattress will be luxurious!

The point about height is an important one. Since I'm 5' 9" I'll take your telescoping pole idea into serious consideration.