Travel trailers without slides
Are there any travel trailer manufacturers that still make trailers without slides? In the past few years it seems that there are no new ones in any of the RV dealers we have stopped at. Jack L
Forum Discussion
For years the manufacturers have told the public that the most common floor plan sold in the US is a no-slide 24 or 26 foot bunkhouse model.
Because it is the perfect first TT for a family. And tends to be the biggest no-slide model in most manufacturer product lines.
We had one. It was a great trailer. But also I couldn't go to the bathroom if the DW was working on dinner. Too narrow for two folks to pass each other without stopping what they were doing. Storage space and weight very limited. But easy to tow.
We paid less for that TT and were able to put some of that savings into more trips. I think that's a good use of money for someone starting out.
Features like ducted air conditioning, two separate rooms, enclosed tanks, heated tanks, more insulation - tend to come on trailers with slides because of the cost of those features puts them into a price range above the 'entry level'.
I'm sure the dealers have such models, but they are not going to be out front. The profit margin on those models is less than the fancy ones they try to show you. Another factor is that many purchases are made by the desires of the DW for kitchen space, storage space, even interior décor.
Research the models available for the brands the dealers in your area carry, and ask if they have any on the lot.
Another option is to look at some of the models with one slide on only the road side. You get a lot more flexibility in floor plans for only a small weight gain.
Jayco; Forest River's Grey Wolf; Coachmen's Catalina; Crossroads' Z-1; Dutchmen (Thor) has several product lines with no-slide models - Aerolite, Aspen Trail, Coleman Expedition, Dutchmen, Kodiak Ultimate, Razorback, Rubicon; Keystone's Bullet, Passport Express; KZ's Spree and Spree Escape; Palomino's (Forest River) Canyon Cat, SolAire, Puma; StarCraft's Autumn Ridge; Prime Time Mfg's Avenger - all offer no slide models.
Most of the BH type, but there are a few other floor plans available including a couple with a bath in the middle and two entries.
Because it is the perfect first TT for a family. And tends to be the biggest no-slide model in most manufacturer product lines.
We had one. It was a great trailer. But also I couldn't go to the bathroom if the DW was working on dinner. Too narrow for two folks to pass each other without stopping what they were doing. Storage space and weight very limited. But easy to tow.
We paid less for that TT and were able to put some of that savings into more trips. I think that's a good use of money for someone starting out.
Features like ducted air conditioning, two separate rooms, enclosed tanks, heated tanks, more insulation - tend to come on trailers with slides because of the cost of those features puts them into a price range above the 'entry level'.
I'm sure the dealers have such models, but they are not going to be out front. The profit margin on those models is less than the fancy ones they try to show you. Another factor is that many purchases are made by the desires of the DW for kitchen space, storage space, even interior décor.
Research the models available for the brands the dealers in your area carry, and ask if they have any on the lot.
Another option is to look at some of the models with one slide on only the road side. You get a lot more flexibility in floor plans for only a small weight gain.
Jayco; Forest River's Grey Wolf; Coachmen's Catalina; Crossroads' Z-1; Dutchmen (Thor) has several product lines with no-slide models - Aerolite, Aspen Trail, Coleman Expedition, Dutchmen, Kodiak Ultimate, Razorback, Rubicon; Keystone's Bullet, Passport Express; KZ's Spree and Spree Escape; Palomino's (Forest River) Canyon Cat, SolAire, Puma; StarCraft's Autumn Ridge; Prime Time Mfg's Avenger - all offer no slide models.
Most of the BH type, but there are a few other floor plans available including a couple with a bath in the middle and two entries.
