Finding the right trailer for a couple

[gwandsh]

We are looking for our first TT. Probably a used unit, under 4500# dry weight. Watching Craigslist and some FS sites, we are totally overwhelmed by the options available.
We want something that has a decent sized bathroom (no tub), and queen walk around bed. What we don't need are bunks and fold-out couches - in other words, we don't wish to sleep more than two.
Of course we have a list of features we'd like, but the purpose of this post is to ask if there are certain models that cater to folks looking for a lightweight "couples" trailer.
Advice appreciated.
Cheers

[GrandpaKip]

We are perfectly happy with the layout of our Dart. Loads of storage, almost 2000# cargo capacity, walk around queen, large bathroom.
We spend most of our time outside, including cooking, so the 21’ box presents no problems for us.
Other models from Skyline were Joey, Koala, Ecocamper, and Nomad.
Skyline went out of business around 2016, was taken over by Evergreen, which closed shortly after.

[tdiller]

gwandsh wrote:
We are looking for our first TT. Probably a used unit, under 4500# dry weight. Watching Craigslist and some FS sites, we are totally overwhelmed by the options available.
We want something that has a decent sized bathroom (no tub), and queen walk around bed. What we don't need are bunks and fold-out couches - in other words, we don't wish to sleep more than two.
Of course we have a list of features we'd like, but the purpose of this post is to ask if there are certain models that cater to folks looking for a lightweight "couples" trailer.
Advice appreciated.
Cheers

We shopped for three years. Attended many RV shows and visited several dealers. We were looking for what my wife calls the honeymoon suite. We did not want a dinette since they tend to be cramped for larger people.We wanted a bed that we did not have to crawl over another to get out of for those midnight trips to the bathroom. We found the flagstaff mini light 21fbrs and while it was an early favorite we kept looking for another couple of years while we used our 17 year old popup. We finally made the plunge last year and have had a great time so far last year with it. We tow with a ram 1500 and the trailer weighs in around 5,000 dry so probably closer to 5500. We towed it from Chicago to Washington DC and back last summer and it worked out well in the mountains through Pennsylvania. We tow it without the water tank full and fill up at the campground if we don't have a water hookup to keep the weight down while traveling. Gas mileage on the Ram while towing is around 15MPG so not a s bad as I expected. We love being able to pull into a site level the trailer and be done.

[the_e-man]

Like others have said, look at many units to see what might be a fit for you. For just a couple, consider models that have RB, RK, or RL in their name. That would be rear bath, rear kitchen, and rear living.

After a year of research, we decided to get a Grand Design Transcend 28MKS. It has a rear kitchen, L-shaped sitting area with a couch, theater seats, and a dining area. The bath is in the middle and there is a queen bed in front. It suits us as it is optimized for a couple but allows us to have company inside on a cold or rainy day.

We looked at smaller units and I really wanted to stay less than 30 feet overall. However, we found that most had only a camper queen size bed. Many had a u-shaped dinettes, which many people find to be too small for adults. And most had very limited storage for our kitchen items. After having a Jayco 26BH, moving to a unit with a slide meant losing a lot of storage compared to one with no slide.

What suits you will likely be different.

the e-man

[ThunderRock]

We had a Remington Sunnybrook, made by Winnebago for 5 years....loved it. Size-wise it was perfect for just my wife & I. They call them a "Minnie Winnie" now.
You're right, there ARE a lot of choices/options out there.
We just recently upgraded to a Keystone Hideaway 232LHS; wife wanted more storage space. :R
Here we go again, LOL!

[bob213]

Some of the smaller rear living trailers might work for you. The one comment that always sticks in my mind when we were looking at trailers was, "No matter how big the trailer is, they are really only comfortable for two." Too small for me could result in a divorce :W

[gwandsh]

Thanks all, good info. Yes, the tow vehicle is a recent f150 ecoboost, but a midrange rear end limits its' tow potential, hence the 4500# limit.
Cheers

[Last_Train]

BB_TX wrote:
Since this is your first, I would visit as many dealers as possible with large TT inventories looking at all the variations you can. And there are a lot. You really need to spend some time in multiple units of different sizes and floorplans to see what will work for you. When you narrow it down to what you like, then you can start a search for similar used units in good condition.

This is the way to do it. Also like was said above we, too took over a year of patient searching to arrive at how "we" would live in our home on wheels for various periods of time. Think about what things you want to do when camping and then sort of role play how you would live/function inside for sleeping, dressing, cooking, cleaning, etc.

We also were blessed by having four friend/couples who were mature, experienced RV'rs, and we drove them nuts with questions.

We ended up with a delightful rig: Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS (as has been noted above). It works great for us and our 47 lb dog. We only camp about 5,000 miles per year, but we take a number of 3-4 night trips during the year and then one trip annually on a larger scale.

Examples of our longer trips from the Houston area: ranged up to the Arkansas Ozark Mountains - about 2 1/2 weeks; Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore area - 3 weeks; Illinois, Indiana & Ohio - 3 1/2 weeks. I mention these trips since it may be important to you to know if a rig this size is tolerable for more than just a few nights. For us - absolutely. For someone else - maybe not.

Size wise, this TT comes in at 4,600-4,700lbs on the CATScales when fully loaded for a trip - though we typically carry minimal fresh water.

Holler if you have any questions.

[philh]

https://coachmenrv.com/travel-trailers/freedom-express-ultra-lite/192RBS/235

[ppine]

Here is the old boat rule:
6 for drinks
4 for dinner
2 for overnight.
Most traditional trailers are pretty good for two. Now a lot of people seem to want to sleep 8-10. Not in a million years.

I like the trailers made in Oregon a lot. Good ones in the 22-26 foot range.

[BarabooBob]

My wife and I wanted a TT that was easy to use for 2 also. We wanted a comfortable place to sit, decent sized bath (no tub) light weight, queen bed, no slides, & as many windows as possible in the seating area. We found that a Viking 17FQ fit the bill for us. We did not want a larger TT because we own a tree farm with a private campsite and limited amount of parking for all of the people that camp there over several weekends during the summer. We also boondock whenever possible throughout the west on BLM land and like to be able to get around easily.

[lhenry8113]

If you are in Portland, Or.-take a look at Nash & Arctic Fox models. They are made in La Grande, Or., by Northwood, Mfg.
http://northwoodmfg.com/

[Ride_S40T]

BB_TX wrote:
Since this is your first, I would visit as many dealers as possible with large TT inventories looking at all the variations you can. And there are a lot. You really need to spend some time in multiple units of different sizes and floorplans to see what will work for you. When you narrow it down to what you like, then you can start a search for similar used units in good condition.

^^^^This. Best advice. We looked for over a year, piled through small, large, single and double axle, chatted with a host of salesmen. Some knew things, others didn't.

After poking around several dealerships, forums like this are really your best source of info going forward. The folks "living it" are not trying to sell you, just sharing good info.

[BB_TX]

Since this is your first, I would visit as many dealers as possible with large TT inventories looking at all the variations you can. And there are a lot. You really need to spend some time in multiple units of different sizes and floorplans to see what will work for you. When you narrow it down to what you like, then you can start a search for similar used units in good condition.

[Big_Katuna]

Everybody has different wants, needs and styles.

We like sitting and reading and watching tv shows and movies so a comfortable couch or recliners facing a larger tv would be a requirement.

We never use a dinette: waste of space Prefer table and chairs or nothing at all and eat outside or use TV trays.

An 80” bed is important too if you’re tall. Many are 75”.

You might start with an older clean unit and modify it.

[TxTwoSome]

You Might Want To Check Out The Jayco 24RL

We Have The Older Version 23RLSW And For The Two Of Us Is Great.

I Think We Would Have been Hard Pressed To Find A Better Model For Just The Two Of us.