Downsizing

[Herd_Fan]

So, now that the kids are all in college now, we've been looking at new travel trailers. I never thought I'd say this, but we've been seriously thinking of going to a smaller trailer. I know, I know....there will still be times when all the planets align correctly and the whole family still goes on a trip together....but 90% of the time it will be just the wife and me. So we may have to use the dinette as a bed once in a great while. We were checking out the Salem Cruise Lite series at our local dealer...nice trailers, and surprisingly big inside considering no slideouts (never thought I'd entertain that concept either).

Decisions, decisions.......anyone else go through this thought process?

[Doug33]

rjxj wrote:
I have had TT without a slide. I cant imagine doing it again.

Bingo! We had a 24' TT with no slide. The length wasn't necessarily the fatal flaw, although not having a couch was something I wanted to address in a new TT. The width was the issue, especially with 4 people in the unit, there was basically only room for one person to walk the center aisle. The new 28' TT has a big slide that makes all the difference in the world. When I go inside the TT with the slide retracted, it looks and feels so cramped.

My daughters are now 20 and 23, but still like to camp with us when they can. So upsizing last year was a great move for us. If it were just the two of us and we wanted to take long trips across the country, I could see justification to downsize for convenience and economy. Although our 28' TT is so much more aerodynamic, that even though it weighs 1000 lbs more than the old 24' TT, we still get the same basic gas mileage while towing.

We basically camp within 2 hours of home, so towing a larger TT is not much of an issue. Even with just two of use we love the additional space inside.

[TURBODOG1000]

When we looking to upsize from our pop-up, my wife wisely shot down a couple of my picks because they did not have a couch. She said the last thing you want to do, is be stuck looking at each other across a dinner table because that was the only place to sit!

Our current trailer had a jacknife couch, after 6 years on it we removed it and installed a Lazyboy reclining love seat. I am a Lazy boy! It only fits because its on a slide out.

[Still_Searchin_]

A lot to be said for TT's in the lower 20 ft. range. We went around the country twice in a 1989 Wilerness 22ft (19ft body) w/o a slide. It was laid out well with dinette in front, side bath & kitchen, back bedroom, 2 door.
Never had a problem getting into sites. Have now got the larger 28ft. below w/slide, and have yet to have a problem getting into a site BUT we are heading for Yosemite this month and have a 35ft. site recomended for 24ft. TT's due to trees, so we will see if we can get into it! Love the 3x11 slide though!

[Fritz_H]

I just downsized from a Jay Feather 311LGT at over 30 feet and two slides to a Dutchmen Denali about six feet shorter with a single slide. As an empty nester and widower, I didn't need all that space. I'm still setting my unit up and haven't camped other than in the driveway, but I'm stunned at how much more usable the smaller trailer seems already, inside and out.

[cdru]

We downsized from a 30 foot with a slide that we bought ten years ago in case we wanted to south in the Winter. After ten years and not leaving Minnesota and our snowmobiling, we sold and bought a 24 foot Salem Cruise Lite and just love it. Much more maneuverable and we did not need the room of a 30ft. We have everything and more in this RV that we had in our 30'. Cruise Lite construction is far superior to our Timberlodge. cdru

[hddecker]

Peg Leg wrote:
If it fits your needs, go for it. In your case the smaller unit may mean more enjoyable times. The kids can bring tents to the next big outing, they need the experience.

Exactly, the kids need to bring the next generation along. We don't regret have been in the tent when the "elders" are comfortable in their camper.

Now we is the elders and the kids know the drill. We think of it as a dose of reality, the codgers worked to get what they have, I guess we have to do the same.

If there was a real need to shelter the kids from the storm, a sleeping bag on the floor of a camper is better than "a river runs through it" in a tent. Sure wish there would have been a camper around that night.

[Opie431]

We take a tent when we are having adult family memebers with us altho we could sleep ten in theory. The tent gives them and us some privacy.
And if it is just one, they get one of the bunks.

[Oregon_Ms]

I'm in the process of downsizing. To support my decision I took a road trip in my Wrangler yesterday, made a huge loop, back country Cascades, through BLM, then federal forest, then on to home. Checked out every single campground and went down dirt roads looking for camping spots everywhere. There are some awesome campsites out there that downsizing vastly opens up to me and supports my decision.

Ironically I was almost talked into a new class A Newmar last week. Unbelievable. That would have been a huge mistake (literally).

[Dog_Folks]

No problem downsizing.

After all, how much room do two people that love each other, and as Dear Abby says:"Share toilet paper," really need?

[dadmomh]

Agree on the Rockwood Mini Lites/Flagstaff Micro Lites. We are on our 2nd Rockwood and pleased with both. Strongly suggest you give more thought to a slide. Not only more comfortable for even 2 of you, but any dinner guests, family, just navigating around each other. Not having a slide could be a potential downside at resale/trade time. Good luck and happy shopping.

[campingken]

We owned a Bigfoot 21.5 ft. trailer without a slide and found that it was a perfect size for our camping style.

[bud121156]

We also looked at, and considered TTs with slides, but bought a bunkhouse model without a slide. My biggest concern coming from a 2100 lb popup and a 2400 lb hybrid,and towing with a 14 year old 1500 Silverado, was keeping the weight down. Seems like what we saw was the slides added 300-400-500 more pounds to the dry weight. We settled on a 25 ft,4200 lb TT.

[Community Alumni]

Take a look at the Forest River's Rockwood's Mini Lites and Flagstaff Micro Lites. We downsized from a moho and bought a Flagsatff 21DS.

Good luck!

[bhh]

Yes. Likewise empty nesters returning to RV after a few years off.

Went with a 19' travel trailer. Seemed to be much more storage space in that extra 2' from a 17'

Specifically wanted one without a slide out. Did not seem to be worth all the trouble. Prior RVs were popups and taking down and setting up in inclement weather was the worst part. Also did not want to have to worry about malfunctions, space intrusion if slide-out not out, and leakage/debris issues.

Looked at some R-Pods and they were just too cramped, wet bath, and at 6'5" a little short on head space.

Ended up with an Ascent 191RB, but there are a number of units with identical floor plans. We liked the fiberglass sides and aluminum frame to avoid water issues.

The only thing I would have liked are a couple of easy chairs. Now we have to use the dinette or outdoor chairs. But it was not worth a huge jump in size and $ to get this.

À chacun son goût