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Best constructed travel trailer

Steve_911
Explorer
Explorer
I know I'm opening a can of worms here, but, I'm in the market for a new trailer about 20 to 24 feet in length and am having trouble determining who makes the best constructed TT's. I want something solid with a roof that won't collapse when I walk on it or fall apart when I want to occasionally take it off road boon docking. I like the idea of a roof ladder so I can access the roof when needed, but many TT's don't have them. Which leaves me to wonder perhaps the roof is not strong enough to walk on or?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
??
107 REPLIES 107

WesHawkins
Explorer
Explorer
I agree about Komfort, I use to have a 17ft lite and it was a really well built trailer.


Lowsuv wrote:
airstream
KOMFORT ( my choice )
Artic Fox
Lance
the komfort is heavy and built on a heavier frame .
ground clearance is higher on a komfort
holding tanks are larger.
komfort caters to the dispersed camping crowd that will take their trailer down a gravel road to get to the prettiest camping spots .
komfort is made in Oregon where we have an abundance of beautiful spots down a gravel road where we are allowed to camp .
there are probably other good choices .

WesHawkins
Explorer
Explorer
I enjoy this type of topic because it does open up a can of worms and you can find out a lot about different models. The overall best will be mentioned over and over. Right now I own a 2011 North Trail by Heartland manufacturing. Right now were having issues with the exterior walls delaminating and waiting to see if Heartland will do anything about it. So far they haven't but I am going to contact the VP next week. At this point would I buy another Heartland product, probably not. If they step up to the plate and help me out I might change my mind. I also just got done reading on their forum that several owners have had trouble with weak axles. A lot of the time the best depends whether it was built on a Monday or a Friday. Those built from tuesday thru Thursday are ok.

Lowsuv
Explorer
Explorer
airstream
KOMFORT ( my choice )
Artic Fox
Lance
the komfort is heavy and built on a heavier frame .
ground clearance is higher on a komfort
holding tanks are larger.
komfort caters to the dispersed camping crowd that will take their trailer down a gravel road to get to the prettiest camping spots .
komfort is made in Oregon where we have an abundance of beautiful spots down a gravel road where we are allowed to camp .
there are probably other good choices .

Roadrash450
Explorer
Explorer
WoodGlue wrote:
The other thing I always wonder on a thread like this is why the owners aren't supporting the brand that they own. I understand the reputation of Arctic Fox and Airstream precede them, so non owners mention them from viewing the TT at an RV show or some kind of past experience or personal research.

However on a thread like this it's usually an answer like "I like my trailer because it's paid for" or "I got it on sale" Then I look in their signature and wonder why they're not more enthusiastic about the brand that they chose. Buyers regret? Trouble with their RV? Plain old uneducated about what they bought and why?

I realize that you don't have to be a "Homer" like I am, but c'mon people, a little owner pride maybe?

I guess my questions are all rhetorical 🙂

WoodGlue


Ah, Woodglue, you continue to amaze me with the "mines better than yours attitude":R

To the OP:

Most roofs are walkable, and the ladder is an option in most cases.

When you say "off-road", can you be more specific. Dirt roads or off camber situations. Convention builds "stick and tin" will flex alot more than a composite build, unless it has an off-road suspension system, like the Aussie trailers, to do the flexing.

WoodGlue
Explorer
Explorer
RCHamblin wrote:
byways wrote:
outdoors RV


X2

X3

OutdoorsRv to my way of thinking are probably superior to Arctic Fox for off-road use, as they are built specifically for this.

I've never had the pleasure of being in one of their units, but I've watched all the videos on YouTube and understand how they're built, etc.

WoodGlue

** edited to add information
2002 Land Rover Discovery II
2014 Lance 1685 - Loaded - 4 Seasons - Solar - 2 AGM's
When Hell Freezes Over - I'll Camp There Too!
Lance Travel Trailer Info - Lance 1685 Travel Trailer - Lance 1575 Trailer

RCHamblin
Explorer
Explorer
byways wrote:
outdoors RV


X2
2002 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
2012 Outdoors RV Creekside 26BKS

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
Bumpyroad wrote:
the best one is one without a rubber roof.
bumpy
I've had three TTs. One with a aluminum roof, and two with rubber. Guess which one leaked?

I'm not gonna get into a debate about this. You either like them or you don't.

At any rate, most all TTs made now have rubber roofs. If you strike them off the list...Theres not a lot left.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

sh410
Explorer
Explorer
Woodglue---Homer?---Really?

Huntindog
Explorer
Explorer
Having a ladder is no indication of a walk on roof. I had a TT that came from the factory with one, yet it's roof was not a walk on. Was cautioned by the dealer and it was in the manual.

And I would say that most are not really walkon roofs.

My present TT has one, but it is not a deal breaker for me. I don't need to be up there. As long as it's weather tight, I'm good with it.
Huntindog
100% boondocking
2021 Grand Design Momentum 398M
2 bathrooms, no waiting
104 gal grey, 104 black,158 fresh
FullBodyPaint, 3,8Kaxles, DiscBrakes
17.5LRH commercial tires
1860watts solar,800 AH Battleborn batterys
2020 Silverado HighCountry CC DA 4X4 DRW

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
I want to occasionally take it off road boon docking.

Not too many TT's are made for off roading. You're going to want some decent ground clearence and stiff frame. I would be looking at Artic Fox or Nash. Their frames are made in house and they are made for off roading.

Steve_911
Explorer
Explorer
I appreciate all your comments very much.
Thanks

BillB800si
Explorer
Explorer
Look for a trailer that comes with a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty to start with. Within 2 years you'll find any problems that exist.

Jayco has a 2 year warranty. http://www.jayco.com/
Bill B. (S.E. Michigan)
2015 Dodge Ram Crew Cab 4x4 Hemi
2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W

CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Explorer III
I don't have a ladder on my old TT and really don't see why you need one. Sure you want to get up there once or twice a year, depending on how often you use your trailer and how you store it. But, what's so hard about using your home ladder to do that?

CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Explorer III
Bumpyroad wrote:
the best one is one without a rubber roof.
bumpy


And, over 6 hours on this one. Bumpyroad is slow today too.

skipnchar
Explorer
Explorer
Dtaylor wrote:
Ivylog wrote:
Airstream. No ladder needed as they do not leak.

If you can handle the looks, Airstream is the best built of all of them. I may be wrong about the numbers but seems I heard that 80% of all they have ever built are still on the road. I do not know of any other company that can make that claim

Not according to owners reporting on the web site. As for supporting their own brand...I do that regularly. Have towed the trailer over 80,000 towing miles through 49 states and much of Canada before I had our first issue with it. Had to replace the converter on the way home from Alaska when the trailer was 3 years old. Had a SINGLE warranty concern nearing the end of the second year of the factory warranty and that one WOULD have cost me $35.00 had it not been under warranty. Just didn't think that what was all that helpful since opinions of a large NUMBER of owners seems more relevant than a single owners comments.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer

US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population