Advice on buying a travel trailer for lakeside site

[Hellroseplace]

Hello all!

Brand new to the forum and to TTs in general. Currently residing in Toronto, ontario, Canada. Hope you're all doing well!

I recently took over an lease site (lakeside, flat, near Haliburton, Ontario) and im looking to put a travel trailer on it.

Was hoping to get some advice on what models to look at.

My criteria:

Will most likely be buying a used unit as my budget is somewhat limited.

Would like to keep it under 12000 but could possibly go up to 15000.

We are a couple in our 30s, no kids, but would have guests.

Can go up to 35' in length. Would like a spacious interior.

Would like a big slide with couch, dinette and a couple recliners. (If anything could sacrifice the dinette)

Good layout for entertaining or for watching tv.

Parked on a non electrical/plumbing site with direct access to a nice little lake, so hopefully a water pump + propane fridge, etc (is this standard?)

Will most likely be stationary unless we buy a truck years in the future.

Can run a genny during the day and will use a moderate amount of electricity at night. Will eventually put solar panels on the property (south facing property) but maybe not for a few years.

Queen+ bed, walkaround preferred

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With this my needs/wants in mind, what makes/models would you suggest?

(I realize i put a lot of bullet points up but figured more is better than less)

Any input i very much appreciated, thanks in advance!

[Hellroseplace]

Great thanks everyone, very much apperciated.

[GLaidlaw]

Looks like you have all the bases covered.

One suggestion would be to go to the Toronto RV show in the spring. Even though you are not intending to buy new, it would be a good opportunity to see the various types of trailers and if one type of layout is suitable for you. You could then have an idea when searching for used ones in your price range. Good luck.

[Glendale_290]

Hellroseplace;

Some good dealers that sell nice quality used units in the Toronto area and just north of TO would be:

Heidi's RV on Hwy 11 just south of Orillia.

Lazzy Acres near Casino Rama off Hwy 12.


Most of the Citation / Corsair and Glendette / Golden Falcon / Travelaire park models will have black water tanks for sewage and grey water, (no separate grey tank) and no fresh water tanks although it could be added (fresh water) with a 12 volt demand pump wired in and plumbed in .

I wouldn't suggest a fifth wheel as they are constructed differently then a park model. Most park models have thicker walls and roof support then fifth-wheel / travel trailers.

Good Luck in your search and have fun shopping!

Lou

[GENECOP]

Hellroseplace wrote:
@Glendale, thank you for the recommendations.

Saw some Citations online that looked appealing layout-wise, wondering if the fifth wheels are as well bulit as the park models? Will have a look at the other makes as well now that they have a nod of approval. 🙂

Any recommendations on used dealers in Toronto, or Haliburton area (or somewhere in between)?

Fifth Wheels or TT are usually better built, traveling the roads regularly compared to one trip to a site......since you have an outhouse tanks and pumps might not be an issue...

[Hellroseplace]

@Glendale, thank you for the recommendations.

Saw some Citations online that looked appealing layout-wise, wondering if the fifth wheels are as well bulit as the park models? Will have a look at the other makes as well now that they have a nod of approval. 🙂

Any recommendations on used dealers in Toronto, or Haliburton area (or somewhere in between)?

[Hellroseplace]

Wow thanks for all the replies! Very much appreciated!

I will try to address all questions as best i can:

- On a privately owned & managed Forest/Lake in Haliburton area, trailers 100% allowed (in fact only allowed trailer or camping)

- Outhouse on property

- Will just be buying drinking water

- Mainly recreational summer use for now. Might eventually have a 10x10 add-a-room w/ woodstove built for shoulder seasons but playing it by ear for now.

- Re: guests, more asking for entertaining when the weather isnt ideal than sleeping in the unit (guests will most likely camp on site in the summer, also have a friend across the lake w/ trailer + another on an adjoining lake)

Hope this answers your queries!

[colliehauler]

A lot of park models have a 110 volt frige, some have a 2 way. What are you going to do for water and waste?

[GLaidlaw]

Before purchasing a trailer, I would suggest you check into zoning requirements in Haliburton re trailer placement on a lot. Some municipalities in Haliburton county are becoming strict. Of course, if this lot is in an RV park or other area approved for this use, then this would not apply.
Waste disposal is almost more of a problem than no water since you could pump from the lake and bring in drinking water. Septic systems can be expensive in that area of the Province. Check into the local Health regulations re disposal. In some areas outhouses may be prohibited and dumping waste on the land could be a big problem, even more so if near a lake. The MNR and Fisheries Dept. can be nasty to deal with if there is a problem.

If you have checked into all of this or it does not apply, then go ahead. Buying a trailer and finding out later that there are problems could be expensive.

Municipalities in Haliburton are even becoming strict re year round living in RV parks since they are only zoned for seasonal use.

[GENECOP]

Glendale 290 wrote:
Would suggest that you look at 35 ft. to 40 ft. used parkmodel trailer with a large slide. You could pick up a late 90's or early to mid 2000 in this price range. Canadian made units to look at would be Glendette, Golden Falcon, Travelaire or Citation . All very well made and hold up well for years. Check out KIJJI for a huge selection. They are well insulated, framed similar to a cottage , but look like a trailer.

Lou

I was thinking Park Model but was under the impression that most do not have storage tanks or water pumps.......

[Glendale_290]

Would suggest that you look at 35 ft. to 40 ft. used parkmodel trailer with a large slide. You could pick up a late 90's or early to mid 2000 in this price range. Canadian made units to look at would be Glendette, Golden Falcon, Travelaire or Citation . All very well made and hold up well for years. Check out KIJJI for a huge selection. They are well insulated, framed similar to a cottage , but look like a trailer.

Lou

[Opie431]

Where are you getting drinking water from?
Waste disposal?
Guests are more fun in theory than in fact in a small area. We could sleep a dozen in our TT. we could not live 12.
And I do know someone who did put in six spaces on a lake so each of her children could camp.

[GENECOP]

Will the unit be for summer use ? Yes water pump and 2 way fridge is common......what about dumping waste.....