Brands of Travel Trailers

[412lorie_dave]

We are new to buying a travel trailer. It's overwhelming trying to decide. My question is can you give me your opinions on 3 or 4 of the better constructed trav trail.. I know its somewhat personal opinion but we don't want bottom of barrel. Requirements are around 30', and 1 or 2 slideouts. Thank you all

[FrankShore]

Take a look at Lance Travel Trailers. I've been very happy with mine!

[TurnThePage]

There's just not that much difference between the typical trailers out there, unless you want to really $pend. Basically, inspect it thoroughly, looking for complete caulking around the roof and roof fixtures, loose doors and cabinets, loose fixtures. Water damage is probably the worst thing that normally happens. That's why you inspect that roof and those windows, exterior lights, etc. Cabinet doors falling off or stripped screws are also common. Plumbing leaks have been known to happen too. All these things can and do happen to ANY brand. A very thorough initial inspection and preventive maintenance are the keys.

Good luck! 🙂

[GaryWT]

nickthehunter wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
TTs generally into two catagories. Wood frame and aluminum frame. Wood frames tend to be the lower grade, often termed light weight. They will have cheaper grade cabinets, thinner seating materials, less insulation and smaller tank capacities. Aluminum framed TTs can also fit into that catagory, but generally will have larger tanks, better cabinets and furniture...

Pure Hogwash!

When I first read this I did read it twice. Most wood frames trailers that I have seen are the heavier ones around and the aluminum are the light or ultras light. My aluminum trailer has small tanks, that is one way of how they keep the weight down.

[jmtandem]

Start looking at Northwood's Arctic Fox products. They are well insulated and tend to be a little heavier than others. They also make their own frames that is considered by most as a plus. And, of course, if you can live without a slide out you can always go for the gold standard in travel trailers, the venerable long lasting and extremely well made Airstream. They are not exactly light in the check book but tow well and will outlast the payments, something so many other brands won't do.

[nickthehunter]

Hum, "run your mouth with no content" - seems like the pot calling the kettle black. Your generalizations have no basis in fact.

The part Aluminum framed TT's having larger tanks and better cabinets caused me to spew coffee out my nose laughing so hard.

For myself, I would rely on the opinion of people that have been in 100's of thousands of RV's and make their living evaluating RV's. They seem to contradict your generalizations clicky worth a read

Syonara

[donn0128]

Explain. Dont just run your mouth with no content.

[nickthehunter]

donn0128 wrote:
TTs generally into two catagories. Wood frame and aluminum frame. Wood frames tend to be the lower grade, often termed light weight. They will have cheaper grade cabinets, thinner seating materials, less insulation and smaller tank capacities. Aluminum framed TTs can also fit into that catagory, but generally will have larger tanks, better cabinets and furniture...

Pure Hogwash!

[Sandia_Man]

First and foremost, no matter the brand or manufacturer, these rigs are built as fast as they can push them out the door. Once you've determined your towing capacities, Jayco Eagle, Open Range Roamer, and Grand Design Reflection are some of the nicer TT's, built to the exact standards as their fifth wheel counterparts, some with the same floorplans just no stairs to contend with. These TTs are built for extended living and come with all the creature comforts available in higher-end units, plus Jayco and Open Range RVs carry 2 year warranties.

Just as important as the TT you choose is the dealer you purchase from, some are seriously lacking when it comes to handling/resolving warranty issues. If you are handy with tools, most issues are minor and can be remedied at home without the hassle of dragging your unit to the dealer and waiting for them to get to it. Our dealer had no issue giving me the parts to fix these minor annoyances myself. Here's hoping your TT is all you expected, be sure to have dealer demonstrate all systems as fully functional at time of pick-up. Happy RVing!!!

[rbpru]

Once you decide what you can tow, afford and a floor plan you like; rent one of a similar size and weight. You will learn a lot quickly.

There are no hard and fast rules about materials, wood and aluminum, the so called stick and tin is an old established construction method. Fiberglass is newer but has been around for a while. It lends itself to more modern shapes and exterior paint jobs.

Virtually all the manufacturers use the same appliances and amenities.

All manufacturers build to price points. The so called entry level TTs use less expensive materials; the high end units have more bells and whistles. Light weight TTs use less materials to keep weight down.

You will find that those brands such as Air Stream which command the high end market have the price to match.

[SoundGuy]

newman fulltimer wrote:
buy the one built by lippert :B

[1stgenfarmboy]

We just bought a new TT one week after we sold out 03 lance TC, "but" I had been looking for almost a year, looked at everything on the market and narrowed it down to 3 trailers 3 brands, ( we had an extencive list of wants ) but if you add in a weight limit and size limit you can cut out most of the field.

we are happy so far but we had to "settle" for one that the awning didn't cover the outdoor kitchen.......

oh the problems we have in a 1st world country.

[Bears_Den]

We have a 30 ft Dutchmen Kodiak. It has 2 slides and empty weight is 6000 lbs. We love it and have had no trouble with it, by the way its a 2014. Ours is aluminum framed and easy to tow with our F150 pickup. We looked at TT for 3 years before buying this one, you will not find one that has all the bells and whistles you want. One may have all but one of your bells or whistles and another may have two of your bells and whistles. Sometimes you have to just settle on what you really need. Mods and upgrades are always available.

[newman_fulltime]

buy the one built by lippert :B

[fla-gypsy]

You have much to learn. As suggested you need to know how much you can really tow first and then realize that nearly all RV trailers share many common parts regardless of price. The major differences in trailers are found in construction technique and some materials each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Often overlooked is the actual chassis components which can have an impact on longevity. Do not get mesmerized on the fluff on the inside and gadgetry that rarely works well. Make no mistake, every maker builds these things as cheaply as possible to maximize return regardless of brand but if you research enough you can make an informed purchase. BTW, I bought a bottom of the barrel TT 11+ years ago that I'm still using very successfully.