Slowmover wrote:
goducks10 wrote:
Even Airstreams have their share of rot. Just Google 'Wood rot Airstream'. It's more about maintenance than anything. Yes some are not built as well especially when you are in the low end of trailers. But paying more doesn't guarantee you'll have a trouble free trailer. It's up to the owner to keep up on maintenance. I'm also a firm believer in covering your trailer during the winter if you live in the northern 1/2 of the U.S.
Let's see. My folks replaced the main awning and an A/C unit in 27-years. Granted, it wasn't poor cousin Airstream, but a Silver Streak. I've a '76 I'll be selling pretty soon. Zero evidence of water penetration in it either. None of them ever under cover.
As to resealing an A/S its a matter of attending to "rivets and gaskets" for the most part. Sistering in some wood to replace a soft floor. Not walls and roof ready to cave in. A huge difference.
The price is high when new. Used, a bargain. The square trailers aren't ever a bargain. They aren't easier to maintain, they're more difficult. Buy once or buy 3-5 times. Cheap is more expensive short and long-term. 20-50% better fuel economy also matters if high miles is part of the plan. And that one doesn't need a fuel-guzzling, rollover-prone pickup if the TT size is well-chosen.
The OP wanted something that wasn't a throwaway. Only one design/construction type comes close. The rest are a joke if ownership much past ten years is considered (and under cover, I'd agree). Among those jokes one might differentiate, but its a few years of difference at best.
If a Casita or Oliver makes sense as to size then I'd be on board the idea of promoting them as worthy of being termed non-disposable.
A narrower framework of choice would be useful. Say, up to ten years of ownership and 50-75k miles total for a reasonable lifespan. That fits the better square trailers given depreciation and maintenance are then comparable.
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Except for the lousy layouts, small storage, yes they're great trailers. But for the average camper guy they're too much money and don't offer enough value for the dollar. I'd rather spend $20,000 3x than $60,000 once and not have enough room to move around inside.
