Forum Discussion

jackson96's avatar
jackson96
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017

TT recommendations

My wife and I attended an RV show here in Denver this past weekend. We are thinking about purchasing a travel trailer - the show was a bit overwhelming and everything started blurring together. The 4 models we looked and liked that we think would fit our needs are:

Shasta Oasis 310K
Heartland North Trail 26DBSS
KZ Sport Trek ST270VBH
Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 276BHSS

Can anyone offer any pros/cons, thoughts in general on any of these brands (doesn't need to be model specific) -- having a hard time finding any review sites that might help us get a little less foggy on what we might want to buy. Any ideas/thoughts on other models we aren't thinking about also would be appreciated -- ideally we're looking for a bunkhouse floor plan that might be good through hunting season here in Colorado.

Thanks in advance -- there is so much to sort out I feel like and we're just looking for honest opinions...
  • I looked at all 4 floor plans from your selections:

    Shasta here.

    Hartland here.

    KZ here.

    Apex here.

    (Hope these links work).

    I will say, the floor plan you have selected is pretty consistent between all 4 campers. But, all 4 of them screamed "NO" at me and here's why.

    Did you look at the campers with the slides pulled in? I bet you did not. With all 4 models, with slides are in, you will not be able to access the bathroom. The kitchen stove, refrigerator, and cabinets will be blocked or restricted.

    I think 2 of the most important features of a camper is the bathroom and the kitchen. And when "traveling" to have access to both, without having to pull slides out. Also, when in storage, or if parked at home, you may want the slides in and need to access everything. You won't be able to. All 4 of these campers greatly restrict access to the 2 most important "luxuries" of dragging your own house with you down the road ... bathroom and kitchen. (Think about it).

    Also, with slides in:
    the 31OK, Sofa will be right up against the sink. You'll have to climb over the sofa to get to the bathroom. Then once at the bathroom, you probably will not be able to open the door, as it looks like it will right up against the dinette. The television is center front. Did you actually sit at the dinette and the couch for more than 10 seconds and try to focus on watching television. You will find it very uncomfortable, and someone will have their back to the television. With slides in, you have only 1 access door to the master bed room. Someone will be climbing over someone else to get in out out, if you decide to snooze while on the road.

    Hartland, KZ, and Apex ... same identical problems... exactly.

    This floor plan is NOT very user friendly. Oh, looks great with slides out, but you'll hate it with slides in. And there will be times you'll need to use it with slides in.

    The Apex has a middle island, with virtually, absolutely, no counter space. You'll hate this after using it a couple times. Sink in the middle of the floor with such small counter top space is a real waste of floor space.

    The next thing you REALLY need to find out also, is, where are the hook-ups positioned, water intake, sewer outlet, and electric hook-up. Where is the drain for the fresh water tank? How hard is it to reach? How hard are the valves for the black and grey tanks to reach ... with slides OUT? Do the slides block the valves, so you have to crawl under the slide to dump when you have full hook up? Or are they easily accessible with slides in or out?

    In the Apex, the refrigerator, microwave, stove slide will be "under" your awning, taking up space from under the awning. You'll hate this after a while too. You want your awning so you can sit under all of it, not just part of it. Slides under the main awning rob your outside shade space!

    I'm sorry I just dumped a bucket of water on your fire! But you really need to think about the placement of these types of things before you buy.

    And FYI, all 4 of these campers are comparable in quality and build. There is nothing truly outstanding about any of them. It boils down to the small things that will make your decision, like the placement of dump valves, ease of access to water and electric hook up, interior color and trim, and cost. Basically, in my opinion, they are all about equal.

    Next time you visit a dealership, have the dealer pull the slides IN, then sit in the camper for 30 minutes and try to move around. Don't worry about the salesman trying to push you around, tell him, if you're going to buy this unit, you want to spend time in it first! And ask if the camper is strong enough you can walk on the roof? If so, ask him for a ladder so you can look at it! (REALLY!)

    And one more thing? Did you crawl under the campers to see what they look like? Are they enclosed, open, covered with nylon material, or something that looks like black plastic cardboard. Is there insulation under the floor? Are the air ducts under the floor insulated.

    Where does the heat blow out from the furnace? Where's it located. If it's located on the awning side, you'll hate it there. Water heater? Under the awning side? You'll hate it on that side with you sit outside in the summer and it kick on, blowing heat when it's already 95 degrees.

    And air conditioner, how many BTU?
  • "the show was a bit overwhelming and everything started blurring together"

    I respectfully say you aren't ready to buy just yet. Wait until you see a TT you love without any blurring.
  • And before you put the cart before the horse - what do you plan to tow it with?
  • What ever you do, don't get anything made by Forest River.

    Advice from someone who just recently bought a new 2016 because of the great floor plan layout and who is now going through much anguish trying to get one warrantee item after another done.

    Jack L
  • Remember, those designated as "lite" or "ultralite" are that for a reason. Generally less insulation, thinner lighter materials are at least part of the equasion. For a decent TT that will keep you comfortable into hunting season, look at the offerings from Northwood Mfg or their sister co Outdoors RV. Both out of LaGrande,OR.