My wife and I are starting our search for a travel trailer. We had a couple of pop up campers when our kids were growing up, and made fabulous memories, things that the kids still talk about to this day.We have a small, no bedroom seasonal cabin in northern MN, and will keep that. The travel trailer will be multi purpose. We want to start traveling and seeing parts of the country we haven't seen or places we want to see more of. We will also use it for having guests at the lake cabin.We've only had the pop ups before. We are narrowing down our floor plans. Wondering how do we choose a manufacturer, and/or trailer line within those manufacturers? We'd like to spend a bit more and stick with a better quality line.

First, considering it's just the 2 of you, look for a camper that is made for only 2. In other words, you don't need bunk beds or a camper that will sleep 8. The doors are wide open.You need to determine how much you can tow with your tow vehicle.You need to determine what type of trailer, 5er, Toy Hauler, or hybrid.You then need to determine a floor plan that you like.Then you need to compare that similar floor plan with different manufacturers.You REALLY need to physically go see them, take photos, take notes.When you see that "perfect" camper and have the "AH-HA!" moment, you will know it.Our selections over the years has never made any sense. Maybe our standards are just too high or something. But for all 3 TT's we've owned, each one was an "AH-HA" moment and they turned out to be right!Begin by narrowing down your floor plan, then start comparing brand against brand. And don't be surprised if, what you end up with is absolutely nothing compared to what you started with.

I suggest going to a RV show to see lots of floorplans and makes and also watching some Y tube video's on how brands are built.

Good advice from Dutchman above.We have had 5 different trailers. There are just 2 of us and the mutt.Our favorite floor plan is a "rear lounge" set up with 2 comfortable recliners. Good luck with your search. Do LOTS of research before you buy and you will maybe avoid some of the famous and never ending "upgrade cycle." trying to get it right.Our floor plan:

DutchmenSport wrote:First, considering it's just the 2 of you, look for a camper that is made for only 2. In other words, you don't need bunk beds or a camper that will sleep 8. The doors are wide open.I'd have to disagree considering the OP said -"We have a small, no bedroom seasonal cabin in northern MN, and will keep that. The travel trailer will be multi purpose. We want to start traveling and seeing parts of the country we haven't seen or places we want to see more of. We will also use it for having guests at the lake cabin."This cabin also has no bedrooms so it seems to me they should in fact be looking at bunk bed models, the more the better.Obviously I do agree the OP first needs to establish just what size of trailer their particular vehicle can safely tow, then decide on just which bunk bed floorplans may best meet their needs. JMO. :)

You need to go to lots of RV shows and look at the various models and floorplans. In our case we first purchased an old non-slide trailer. This allowed us to figure out what we wanted in a floorplan.For example, when we finally started looking we found the following features were a minimum requirement for us most involved the slide.1) Access to toilet with slide in.2) Access to bedroom with slide in.3) Access to refridge with slide in.4) Access to pantry/cabinets with slide in.5) Rear living layout.6) Free standing table and chairs.7) Large water tanks for extended boondocking.There are probably a few others that I have forgotten about.In the end we purchased the Jayco that is in our signature, which met every requirement. Just the other day we were out looking at trailers while picking up some parts at the dealer. We are still happy with our layout and did not find any of the new trailers that would work better for us.

Travel Trailer shopping | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

ScottG
Nomad
Feb 06, 2017
I suggest going to a RV show to see lots of floorplans and makes and also watching some Y tube video's on how brands are built.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Feb 06, 2017
First, considering it's just the 2 of you, look for a camper that is made for only 2. In other words, you don't need bunk beds or a camper that will sleep 8. The doors are wide open.

You need to determine how much you can tow with your tow vehicle.
You need to determine what type of trailer, 5er, Toy Hauler, or hybrid.
You then need to determine a floor plan that you like.
Then you need to compare that similar floor plan with different manufacturers.

You REALLY need to physically go see them, take photos, take notes.
When you see that "perfect" camper and have the "AH-HA!" moment, you will know it.
Our selections over the years has never made any sense. Maybe our standards are just too high or something. But for all 3 TT's we've owned, each one was an "AH-HA" moment and they turned out to be right!

Begin by narrowing down your floor plan, then start comparing brand against brand. And don't be surprised if, what you end up with is absolutely nothing compared to what you started with.

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