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Choosing a brand

jdrinkh2o
Explorer
Explorer
My wife and I have decided to purchase a travel teailer. We know the layout we want and weight limitations of her 2014 Expedition. We visited our first dealership and frankly i think i am more confused than before we went. We both fell in love with the Heartland North Trail 26LRSS, but this was not on my radar. We were looking at some Forest River, which this dealership sells, but the (supposedly non-comissioned) rep said he has had some issues getting warranty repsirs with FR and steered us toward the NT and also a Mallard with the same layout, but he said the NT was a better built unit. I always thought of more weight=better built, but that may no longer be true. I would like to keep the one piece nose, as i think it is less maintenance. ANY and ALL comments and suggestions will be appreciated. Horror stories also welcomed.

Years ago we had a pop up camper but other than my wife's family having one when shexwas younget, thatvis our only experience with a travel trailer.

Many thanks.
26 REPLIES 26

westend
Explorer
Explorer
I'd suggest, like others, to continue shopping at different dealerships. You and the Missus should develop ways and get hints of the quality of dealerships along the way. Since I wrenched for years, a quick appraisal of the service bays can usually tell me a lot about the quality of service that's delivered. You can develop your own "spider sense" about dealership quality.

The OP states that he knows the limitations of the Expedition but here's a link to the Ford Towing Guide for that year: Ford towing guide The tightest specification to meet will probably be the Payload rating of the vehicle.

Good luck on shopping for your new TT!
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton

Earl_E
Explorer
Explorer
DutchmenSport wrote:
I looked at the floor plan of the LRSS and one thing you should be aware of, the television is a good distance from the chairs at the back window. And anyone sitting at the dinette, only one side can view the television. And the person sitting in the chair next the door, has to look over the sink to see the television. In other words, their view will be blocked. Maybe you won't spend time watching television, but if you do, you'll also find the dinette to be very uncomfortable, unless you put it down into bed position and can recline on it. But then, you might not be able to really stretch out either. (Just an observation).

And, the entry door is right beside the chair at the back window. I think in time, you'll not like to sit in that chair at all. If you put up a TV tray (table) at that spot it will be in the way of the door too, or a small end table, or anything.



Just another observation.

And the small couch? To see the television, any one sitting there will to crook their neck far left. This will get VERY old, very tiring, very fast.

Consider looking at a floor plan that has the television directly across from the couch area and a couch that's comfortable enough, you can recline in it and not have to hold your head up... which is very tiring on your neck. Just one more observation.



Just to point out how we all like something different...we sold our former trailer and bought this exact floor plan. You have great views out the back window when you back up to a view. You have two comfortable chairs in a small layout with a nice TV view. We don't find ourselves too far from the TV at all. You have far more natural light in the trailer. These are all important to us so we have no regrets. I lay on the couch and watch TV all the time by proping my head up on two pillows against the end...my feet hand over the othe end but it is strangely comfortable. There are only two of us so TV viewing or visiting with friends is no problem. Buy the plan you like. We used to fulltime with a fiver that had the same plan, all be it bigger, and we couldn't stand the closed in feelings of other trailer plans.
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel used for fulltiming for several years--SOLD
2014 Sunnybrook 26rl to poke around the smaller parks in the great Southwest
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Prodigy brake control

dvitale300
Explorer
Explorer
One other thing to consider is the breath and depth of the repair support system. I realized very soon that if I am wanting another dealer (other than the one who sold me the unit) to service it under warranty - they wouldn't. There's no such thing as bringing your Chevy into a Chevy dealer. Know what your options are for repair and who will be willing to the factory repair PRIOR to buying.

jdrinkh2o
Explorer
Explorer
DutchmenSport wrote:
I looked at the floor plan of the LRSS and one thing you should be aware of, the television is a good distance from the chairs at the back window. And anyone sitting at the dinette, only one side can view the television. And the person sitting in the chair next the door, has to look over the sink to see the television. In other words, their view will be blocked. Maybe you won't spend time watching television, but if you do, you'll also find the dinette to be very uncomfortable, unless you put it down into bed position and can recline on it. But then, you might not be able to really stretch out either. (Just an observation).

And, the entry door is right beside the chair at the back window. I think in time, you'll not like to sit in that chair at all. If you put up a TV tray (table) at that spot it will be in the way of the door too, or a small end table, or anything.

Just another observation.

And the small couch? To see the television, any one sitting there will to crook their neck far left. This will get VERY old, very tiring, very fast.

Consider looking at a floor plan that has the television directly across from the couch area and a couch that's comfortable enough, you can recline in it and not have to hold your head up... which is very tiring on your neck. Just one more observation.




Watching TV is not one of our priorities, may not even put one in it, but thanks for the observation. Will keep that in mind. We liked the 2 chairs next to the couch for visiting with friends.

jdrinkh2o
Explorer
Explorer
theoldwizard1 wrote:
jdrinkh2o wrote:
My wife and I have decided to purchase a travel teailer. We know the layout we want and weight limitations of her 2014 Expedition.

If you do NOT have the factory install HD Trailer Towing Package, your weight limitation is much less ! (BTDT)

You can install the HD radiator and the auxiliary transmission cooler. They are worth the money.


We just bought the Expedition a few weeks aho and it already has the factory HD towing package in it, but thanks for the heads up.

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Explorer II
jdrinkh2o wrote:
My wife and I have decided to purchase a travel teailer. We know the layout we want and weight limitations of her 2014 Expedition.

If you do NOT have the factory install HD Trailer Towing Package, your weight limitation is much less ! (BTDT)

You can install the HD radiator and the auxiliary transmission cooler. They are worth the money.

nineoaks2004
Explorer
Explorer
Take your time and look at several units (spend some time in them)until YOU decide exactly what you want. check with different dealers, remember their job is to sell. As far as manufacturers, as stated they are all about alike in production quickly, cheaply and most are over priced. Dealer repairs are the big thing after you purchase as very few units do not have problems to begin with most of the small problems I fix myself. It usually takes me awhile to get a new, or used unit set up like I want it. It's called "making it your own".
By the time you learn the rules of life
You're to old to play the game

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
I looked at the floor plan of the LRSS and one thing you should be aware of, the television is a good distance from the chairs at the back window. And anyone sitting at the dinette, only one side can view the television. And the person sitting in the chair next the door, has to look over the sink to see the television. In other words, their view will be blocked. Maybe you won't spend time watching television, but if you do, you'll also find the dinette to be very uncomfortable, unless you put it down into bed position and can recline on it. But then, you might not be able to really stretch out either. (Just an observation).

And, the entry door is right beside the chair at the back window. I think in time, you'll not like to sit in that chair at all. If you put up a TV tray (table) at that spot it will be in the way of the door too, or a small end table, or anything.

Just another observation.

And the small couch? To see the television, any one sitting there will to crook their neck far left. This will get VERY old, very tiring, very fast.

Consider looking at a floor plan that has the television directly across from the couch area and a couch that's comfortable enough, you can recline in it and not have to hold your head up... which is very tiring on your neck. Just one more observation.

Peg_Leg
Explorer
Explorer
You've studied enough to know what you want and your limitations. Now you've found that your more informed that the salesman, he know's the units he wants to sell (money in his pocket). Don't let him steer you into anything until you do a bit more studying. Your going down the right road just keep the center line to your left. Good luck and happy camping.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
2019 Open Range OF337RLS
Yamaha EF3000iSE
retired gadgetman

Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Explorer
I wouldn't brood too much over brand and I especially don't think there's anything compelling about Forrest River. Not guaranteed quality and trouble free with any of them.
Jayco-noslide

azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
Find the floor plan you like and go with that. Brand doesn't really matter because all the trailers are made one way - quickly and with little, if any, quality control checks. Buying a trailer is a **** shoot; you may get a good one or you might not. It took me a few months to get the bugs worked out of my trailer and now it's very reliable.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

Alabama_Jim
Explorer
Explorer
Take a look at the models by Riverside Manufacturing in Lagrange, IN. They make a quality product.