My husband and I are in the market for our first travel trailer. This decision is mostly the result of several recent tenting expeditions in the cold and rain. We were overwhelmed by the variety and size of the RV's in the campgrounds we stayed at. After much research and visits to a couple of local dealers we've narrowed our search down to a particular model as our "trainer rig".We have found a new 2014 Skyline Nomad 183 Retro (also known as the "couple's camper". It has all the basic criteria we listed on our wishlist when wanting to upgrade from a tent: queen island bed, A/C and lite weight for our Ford Ranger. We plan to travel in a 3-state area of northern Wisconsin, U.P. Michigan and Minnesota. Usually just the two of us for 2 or 3 days at a time. We like quiet private camping sites near a body of water where we can relax and enjoy the outdoors. This TT has a warranty included and the standard propane tank, battery, hoses etc. It is in our budget of $10k with affordable monthly payments.We are looking for some input on first time purchasing and wondering if this is a good model for first time??

As long as the floor plan, price, and weight for your tow vehicle are good then there isn't any reason not to go for it,enjoy!

I looked up some pictures online. Looks like a nice starter unit - the only thing that gives me paause is the AC unit. Its an in wall model insead of being mounted on the roof. Maybe its not an isue in the states you mention, but on hot days, I'm betting it will run constantly. I would get a floor fan to circulate the air as well if you go this way. The bathrom has good storage, but they kind of short changed it by the bed - wold not hav eben to much to add a wardrobe on each side as in mant TT's. Good luck with your purchase - you will have lots of good times!

I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.

Tvov wrote:I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.Well then google the TT mentioned and check it out. Once you see the size of the TT and the AC unit installed in it - yes in the wall, you will understand my point. I know someone with a similar setup, so I'm not just guessing.

It seems to be a nice basic camper. The refrigerator is small so you may find that you'll want to take along a cooler chest for canned/bottled drinks. I would suggest that you have the electric hooked up and actually listen to the air conditioner unit as some of those window units can be noisy when in tight quarters. It should have plenty of cooling power for northern summers. If you've checked out a lot of dealers and campers and this is the one you like the best...go for it and enjoy. Once you've owned a camper for awhile, you'll learn what features/designs are important to you. As an example of that, we were pop-up owners for years (w/kids). Then we bought our Sunline. Now, we're looking to downsize and one feature that we want to get is the outside kitchen...something that we've missed with the Sunline. When we had our Starcraft pop ups, we always used the stove unit outside where it was near the grill and our cooler chest (later, a small bar fridge). Good luck and have some great camping adventures!

Tips Needed for Buying first Travel Trailer | Good Sam Community

edsland
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
As long as the floor plan, price, and weight for your tow vehicle are good then there isn't any reason not to go for it,enjoy!
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
I looked up some pictures online. Looks like a nice starter unit - the only thing that gives me paause is the AC unit. Its an in wall model insead of being mounted on the roof. Maybe its not an isue in the states you mention, but on hot days, I'm betting it will run constantly. I would get a floor fan to circulate the air as well if you go this way. The bathrom has good storage, but they kind of short changed it by the bed - wold not hav eben to much to add a wardrobe on each side as in mant TT's. Good luck with your purchase - you will have lots of good times!
Tvov
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
Tvov wrote:
I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.
Well then google the TT mentioned and check it out. Once you see the size of the TT and the AC unit installed in it - yes in the wall, you will understand my point. I know someone with a similar setup, so I'm not just guessing.
scbwr
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
It seems to be a nice basic camper. The refrigerator is small so you may find that you'll want to take along a cooler chest for canned/bottled drinks. I would suggest that you have the electric hooked up and actually listen to the air conditioner unit as some of those window units can be noisy when in tight quarters. It should have plenty of cooling power for northern summers. If you've checked out a lot of dealers and campers and this is the one you like the best...go for it and enjoy. Once you've owned a camper for awhile, you'll learn what features/designs are important to you.

As an example of that, we were pop-up owners for years (w/kids). Then we bought our Sunline. Now, we're looking to downsize and one feature that we want to get is the outside kitchen...something that we've missed with the Sunline. When we had our Starcraft pop ups, we always used the stove unit outside where it was near the grill and our cooler chest (later, a small bar fridge).

Good luck and have some great camping adventures!
Winged_One
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Looks like for 2014 they moved the AC to the roof, based on looking at a 2014 online.

Personally, I had a roof mounted in a short 199ml trailer. I bet the side mounted AC would be quieter. Has to be.

Anyway, I agree, enjoy the trailer. I think for what you are going to do with it, it will be fine. Don't be surprised if you have some minor tweeks that the dealer has to take care of. That is normal in the RV industry. But try to find all the issues you can during your walkthrough and have it fixed before you buy or pickup if you can.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
What is the towing capacity of your Ranger? You don't want to be maxed out with a travel trailer. Towing a low profile boat at the max is one thing, but towing a big box behind you at max weight is pretty darn miserable.
CincyGus
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2013
Snowman9000 wrote:
What is the towing capacity of your Ranger? You don't want to be maxed out with a travel trailer. Towing a low profile boat at the max is one thing, but towing a big box behind you at max weight is pretty darn miserable.

See nothing wrong with the trailer for your stated needs. It will be quite the step up from your tenting experiences. Make sure it's within the towing rating of your truck and by that, I mean do the research, don't take the salesman's word for it. Payload and max towing ratings and payload is the one I would be most concerned about as that's the one that usually is the problem getting under with small trucks. Most ranger size trucks are limited to popups from what I have seen at campgrounds but you'll need to do the math.

The window air unit will be plenty for that size camper.

I would ask for a better battery capacity since your likely to be dry camping (two class 27's or two 6v) as part of the deal. this will give you the 3 days or so of power your looking for without recharging with a genny or solar if your conservative with your furnace use.

Good Luck and check back in if you need help!
endsoftheearth
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
Thanks for all the great advice. We are just so excited and yet cautious to make this purchase!

The Ford Ranger is 4x4 and tow capacity is 5,000. We are really researching this topic fully. Plan to look into getting an equalizer and brake controller installed. We are short people and travel light and mostly cook outside with coleman cookstove and won't be using the air too often, but glad to have the option if we need it.

We plan to call the dealer today, about 1 1/2 hour drive away and ask to do a walk through. Do most RV'ers store their TT in garage for winter???
Winged_One
Explorer
Aug 20, 2013
endsoftheearth wrote:
Do most RV'ers store their TT in garage for winter???

I would say most do not. But they would if they could.

Get an indoor winter storage if you can.