Which One?

Do not miss out on looking at the Arctic Fox camper/trailers from Northwood manufacturing; http://www.northwoodmfg.com/. I just bought my 2nd travel trailer and they are awesome.

I love the Fun Finders, but that wasn't one for which you asked opinions. Of your choices, my vote goes to the Coachmen. 1) The lack of counter space in the other models would drive me nuts. Even my T@B has an "L" shaped kitchen counter. 2) We are constantly in and out to obtain things from the fridge. You can almost reach items without even going into the camper with the Dutchmen model. 3) I don't believe I'd want the door by the bed, as has been mentioned.

One of the things I love about the Fun Finder is the front window, which all of my campers have had. I dislike not having one. I also love the white cabinets.

We have a FunFinder 210WBS which is also made by Cruiser RV and is an identical floor plan to the Shadow Cruiser 195WBS. We find it practically perfect for the two of us. I think the Fun Finder line is a little more expensive, but its upgrades may be worth the extra expense. Only the buyer can decide. If you like the Shadow Cruiser I'd take a look at the Fun Finder also. If you search for a post titled "All my Mods" by ADK Camper you will find several pictures of the inside of our camper.

Thanks for your replies. We know we'll be at our max for towing with the Pathfinder. We're even thinking about basing the TT down in Valdosta, where one of our children lives. He's mentally handicapped (he lives in a developmental center), and we visit him monthly, using our camper as our hotel room. We also do a lot of camping in FL, so this would cut down on the distance we'd have to tow the new TT. I've towed a similar camper in the past with a Tacoma, so I know it's doable - barely.

Terry, I'm also leary of the Aluma Sky, since it's single axle and flat front. I think we'll scratch it off our list. It's also more basic than the other three.

The other three all have gas/electric DSI water heaters (one of the things we like), and either a tub (Shadow Cruiser and Coachmen 192) or a hard-sided door on a triangular shower (the Apex). None have ducted a/c - not available on a camper this small. All have outdoor showers, which we use a lot in FL. All have microwaves and decent storage (for the size).

I don't like the T.V. next to the couch in a couple of them, but we've been told that a longer swing arm can be installed, so that it can swing out further away from the wall.

We really like the Apex (construction and weight), but it's the most expensive of the three we're still considering, but not by much. I guess you get what you pay for. We may research further, and see if we can find it cheaper somewhere else. I think the deal we were offered is pretty good, though (MSRP is around $26,000, and we were offered a deal for $17,300).

Personally. I'd stay away from the single axle. Both for stability while towing, and the Flat front. That nose will make it harder for your TV to pull thru the air.

My choice would be the APEX. For a couple reasons. First is room. It is larger, and will have more room inside. It has ducted air, which really helps with cooling. It has a more robust manual awning, that you will be able to use in more weather conditions. The bathroom is the entire width of the TT, with a huge closet. And it is made of AZDEL. A super strong, and super light material that will not rot, and gives the TT a higher insulation value, and of course a lite weight.
The GVWR of the APEX is the same as your towing capacity. So you know you are inside the TV towing capacity. The dry weight is 3600 lbs. Meaning you would have 2400lbs of carrying capacity. That you would prolly never use. It also has doors on the easy access shower instead of a curtain. And an outside shower.

When you compare features. I believe the APEX comes out on top.

The first three, look vey similar to my Kodiak 200QB, may be a little shorter, but close on floorplans.

Not trying to be a downer, but be careful, if the unit is right at 4,000 lbs (which I would guess, the double-axle ones, with a slide are close too), you may not have enough tow vehicle, depending on where you plan to travel.

I bought my Kodiak 200QB, wieght is 3,986 (unloaded)--originally had a Toyota Tacoma with tow package, rated to tow 6,500.....it could pull it, but was going to REALLY, REALLY strain it, it shiffted up & down, struggled on any hill to keep speed, and did not feel real safe, stopping (now it was my first towing, a larger thing). I quickly, upgraded to Tundra, I am super glad. We do alot of traveling with our Kodiak 200QB, out of Atlanta area, many times into the Mtns. May depend on the type of travling you are going to be doing.

As far as the 4 you are looking at, have heard that APex using Adzel walls, may be benefit over the others?

Still comes down to storing, and maintaining them all for longevity.


Check them out with slides in, we routinely use ours during stops, coming & going into the unit. I suspect with the smaller slides, won't be and issue, but check it out.


Good luck and have fun!

Markiemark

You are going to be in for a different experience with towing those larger TT's. You'll also be bumping up against your payload rating of 1050 lbs..

Many years ago we wanted to upgrade from the popup too. We learned that there are many factors that determined our ability to safely tow the new camper. At the time, our tow vehicle was not a good match for what we wanted to buy :(.

Make sure you check out "VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION" and "TOWING A TRAILER" sections in your Nissan owners manual before you purchase a trailer. I just want you to be confident in towing your new home away from home.


Now, with all the floor plans being similar, I would look at the appliances and other amenities that are important to you.

For example the hot water heater. Is it DSI or do you have to light the pilot. Flipping a switch is much easier than crawling around in the dark trying to light a water heater. Is it just gas or gas and electric?

Heat pump, gas heat, heat strips?

Microwave?

Storage Space (especially for long trips)

Enclosed underside (for cold weather camping)

Etc...

Happy Camper Hunting!

Dutchmen, LOL - I AM the Mrs. and I'm the early riser! I also do the towing, researching, etc. I also like the Coachmen 192, but I hadn't thought about the rear door being nice b/c it's away from the bed - thanks! The Shadow Crusier's such a great deal b/c it's a 2013 hold over - very tempting...

I've not had experience with any of these, but we have looked at several Cruiser RV's and like them very much. But we didn't get one.

From the 4 you listed, I like the 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192 RBS the best and here's why. The other 3 have the entry door right beside the bed. In order to get in and out of those campers, you'll be bumping into the bed every time. If the wife is sleeping, and you're an early morning riser, you open the door and she's going to throw a pillow at you. Not because the neighbors can see her sleeping in her skivies, but because that cold blast of morning air will cause her hair to kink up! At night, open that door and what's the first thing you see? Get my point?

The 192 RBS will give you privacy in bed with the rear entry door. Besides, it looks like the camper is still very functional with the slide in. And hopefully that television beside the microwave will turn and angle toward the bed. You'll most likely be spending most of your time stretched out in bed, rather than the couch.

The bathroom door will block spectators from viewing in when the Mrs. is in there and you happen to open the entry door.

This floor plan just suites me a lot better than the other 3. I just don't like the idea of the entry door right by the bed. Our last trailer was like that, and we both hated it after 4 years!