Won't someone please make rugged small trailers??

I would expect to pay more, just not Airstream-more.

gmw photos wrote:

Slowmover wrote:
.....snip....


You're inspection skills need upgrading. A probe equipped moisture meter for starters.

It's seldom that I will agree with much of what Mr Slowmover says, but here is one time I will agree :)

Actually I do have a moisture meter, and I agree one is a very useful tool in maintaining a trailer. The one I have I bought at Lowe's for about $30.

As to the rest of his post, let's just say the world of travel trailers I observe in my travels around the country is maintenance....we have to keep the water out, and that's true no matter the construction. Even our sticks and bricks....we have to keep the water out.

Anybody that thinks old Airstreams are immune to rot from the inside out simply need go over to the airforum and read a few of the "full monte restore" threads. About all that is left of an old A/S that's usable is the outer and inner shell. The rest of it ( main frame, interior, axles, appliances ) typically needs refurb or replacement. These things become labors of love, and some of those guys do a fabulous job on them. Often they spend $20K to $40K and 3 to 5 years to complete them.

Forgot something. Total rebuild is usually past the forty year mark. Rot is usually confined to the floor. There are threads there with owners restoring rare trailers. Like a barn find Packard. You'll take whT you can get. That's a different scenario.

And that it can be rebuilt is what matters. Not all trailers that age need it. I just sold a forty year old Silver Streak with zero leaks. Hardly unique. But mor likely with the better built aluminum trailers than an Airstream.

Those owners are more motivated about long term maintenance. They aren't around here. It's a new trailer every so often. Very different approach.

Besides, taking one apart and putting it back together can be DIY, or it could go to a professional highly experienced with the type. I hired a crew to help rebuilding a rear bath on another SS. The furnishings come apart with screws. It all came thru the 26" wide doorway originally. Sister in some plywood in the floor due to a PO allowing a toilet sprayer to leak wasn't any big deal.

It's not even structural, unlike what would be the case with any wood framed trailer where structural damage means a salvage title at best. Good luck with coverag

Lighter weight, far better suspension, better road manners and indefinite lifespan. Or buy the cheaply made trailer and spend more in the long run.

The value on mine is increasing. May not cover every dollar spent in resto, but it will get a lot of it

That restored trailer referred to in above post will be one where the owner is constantly getting offers to sell. And insurance value won't be difficult due to some insurers experience. A good appraisal and one actually has an asset versus a depreciating burden.

Think it through.

I would not trade my Bigfoot for 99 % of the junk made now

Mostly known for teardrops they seem to be getting into the small trailer. In the early years they had some rot issues. They seem to have that figured out now. I have a 2009 teardrop and no issues so far.

http://www.golittleguy.com

Lance does make smaller than 17' trailers!

A few years ago, Northwood made a tough-as-rocks small trailer called the Freelance. I remember looking at one, and could tell it would stand up to a real beating. You should be able to find a used one in good shape.

They quit making them, due to lack of demand.

I found a bit about them HERE, and it looks like they have some kind of a Facebook group HERE.

Hope that helps you.

When we had our 18ft Funfinder, we got stuck a couple of times. It was easier than many think to unhook and turn the trailer around. Short, light-weight, single axle.

As a boondocker, what I see as some of the critical areas are:

Wheel wells (poor quality sheet metal that tear easily)

Very low rear ends that have a tendency to be hit with frequency

Overall quality of manufacture that allows for cheap joints and screws that you have to have constant vigil over

profdant39,

profdant139 wrote:
My point is that there must be a fair number of folks like me, who want a small tough trailer, rather than luxury. The market used to provide some products that filled this niche, but not now. Which is so strange, since the Australian market (far smaller than ours) provides a wide range of similar options. The advantage of having a market of 300 million people is that as a manufacturer, you can still make a profit by selling to a small fraction of the total. There are economy cars, and luxury cars, and off-road trucks, and so forth.

I just don't know how to persuade American trailer makers that they are missing out on a un-served niche.

Bingo! To wit: Winnebago recently announced that they would be bringing their 4x4 Concept Adventure Vehicle to market in the summer of 2017. Winnebago built the prototype and has been moving it from show to show gaging reaction. They folllowed up with an online survey and are now responding within a year! If a big manufacturer can be that agile in the marketplace others could too. If someone did a similar with an Australian style TT, I. Think folks would buy it. It would take a big player to do it here though. The Adak Adventure Trailer was close but couldn't be marketed. The manufacturer was too small and couldn't produce the trailer at a reasonable cost. Ruggedness costs money. The Australian (now available here in the US) BruderX goes for $80,000 +/- pretty well loaded.

My $0.02 and worth about that,

Bill

djsamuel wrote:
We have a 2013 Camplite 21BHS and they are excellent. It is a full aluminum trailer and all of the walls and even the cabinets are all integral to the frame structure. The camper is as solid today as it was the day we bought it. No wood, aluminum floor, easy to tow, and very solid. Not as fancy or luxurious as other trailers, and some have told us it looks too utilitarian, but we really like it.

I'm with ya brother. Built like tank. M
Kinda crude but no surprises. Just what OP wants!!

What about a cargo trailer conversion? You can buy ones that are tall inside. If it comes with a drop axle, you can install a straight axle for more ground clearance. The idea appeals to me.