Help deciding on first travel trailer

I have spent at least a year studying up on different RV's, asking a few questions here and reading a ton. The tax return has come and I am finally ready to pull the trigger. I have ruled out 5th wheels, campers and hybrids. After a lot of consideration I think I feel most comfortable in the 25-26' length bumper pull travel trailers. My TV is a 2006 Duramax crew long bed. My crew is 2 adults and 2 children (8 and 9).

My GF really loves this one http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/rvs/4397010215.html 2009 CruiserRV Fun Finder X Travel Trailer (X-189FDS) 18ft w/Slide Out because it is small and Cute :R . For a small trailer it is the only one I would consider because it has a slide. I don't think it is what I really want though.

I really like this http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/rvs/4347306506.html 2006 Coachmen Captiva 265ex. I like the bunks for the kids. I figured they could use the top bunk for storage and the bottom for sleeping. I really like the closet space in front of the bunks for the kids. And both my GF and I like the push out bed in the front. I am a little worried about the floor space if we just want to lounge around inside. The thought of lounging around inside is beyond my GF as we are currently tent campers and she thinks we just need enough room to shower, sleep and poop.

The other trailer that I think is at the top of my list is this http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/rvs/4347306506.htmlFleetwood Pioneer 26' bunk house with slide. I love all the room with the slide out. I love the bunks so we don't have to tear down beds to serve breakfast. My biggest concern is the lack of interior storage.

So help me out here. Is interior floor space not as important as I think it is? I am worried about going bigger than 26' or so as being too much of a hassle with camping spots, parking lots, storage etc. (I like to dry camp, my GF has only camped at campgrounds).

This is another option I like. http://eugene.craigslist.org/rvs/4378182712.html 2007 WILDWOOD Travel Trailer 28 bunk house with large rear storage. I am a little hesitant of the 28' length. I am also a little hesitant of what appears to be meager interior storage. I like the rear exterior storage! I haven't traveled the 2 hrs to see this one but the floor plan shows a rear exterior refrigerator???? Could this be so?

We have a few trips planned for this summer. A couple of our usual local lakes with friends. The big trip will be to Yellowstone where we will be meeting my sister and her family in late July.

Thank you for the advice!

usmc616
Explorer
Apr 08, 2014
I suggest you get the family together and go look at each TT. See how the floorplan works with the 4 of you in there. One thing I learned is if you settle for something less than you want eventially it will bug you.
packpe89
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
Here's my $0.02
First, I have a similar pioneer you are looking at, but with out the slide. I wish I had the slide. We have really enjoyed it. I have three boys, and ours has a double lower bunk and single upper bunk and use the couch for the other bed, so we don't have to covert the table, which is very nice. The biggest issue we ever have is the lack of clothes storage for the kids, there is room, just not very convenient.

Towing, I have been using my in-laws 2004 duramax, extend cab, short wheel base. It tows it with ease, very little sway. For short flat trips my sons 1/2 ton will manage, but I grip the wheel much tighter. I purchased a 2500HD gasser this weekend, so looking forward to towing with that.

As one of my sons is in college and a second to follow soon, we will look for that third camper in a couple of years. Will likely be a fifth wheel with more inside room. I've never towed a fifth, but have never heard anyone say they are not easier to tow than a travel trailer. But for now, we love our pioneer. We take it to the beach and to the mountains every year (live in NC). Took it across country to Yellowstone a couple of years back and planning to go to Grand Canyon next year.

Enjoy.
wmoses
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
Good pick. I liked the Pioneer best as well and though the bed was sideways there is some space on two sides, although based on your reorientation plans that may be a moot point. I also prefer the l natural wood finish to the cabinetry as I dislike the white finish on one of your other trailer options.
oughtsix
Explorer
Apr 07, 2014
Thanks everyone! I printed out this thread and my GF read it on our way to look at the trailer. She was convinced that the little trailer would be too small. After spending a couple hours checking out everything on the used trailer check list I printed out from this site we found that the trailer appears to be in excellent shape. I gave the owner a $100 check to hold the trailer for us while I talk to my credit union this coming week after which we will pick it up next Saturday.

We loved the quad bunks and the large amount of interior and exterior storage available. The slide out bed is 76" wide (Bed is 76" long). I am 75" tall. That doesn't make for a comfortable bed. I decided to put a piece of plywood under the bed that I can slide out so we can put a longer bed in and sleep length wise instead of cross wise eliminating the problem of the bed being too short and having to crawl over someone to get in or out of bed. I think we will be quite happy with this modified bed layout.

I was quite impressed that I could fit in the bunks with room to spare. Thank you to the person that mentioned that I try laying down in the bunks to see how much room the kids have to grow in them. The kids should be fine for several years!

Thanks again for all the advice, I am sure you guys will be seeing more of me.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
it looks to me like the Cruiser has a worse bed orientation?
bumpy
oughtsix
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Thank you, the rotated master bed is one of the things I picked up on too... not from experience but from doing a lot of reading here. And yes, I have gotten tons off excellent information here. My GF claims I can't buy toilet paper without 10 hours of research on the internet first! She just buys what ever toilet paper looks cute! Yes I am traveling with women... which is why I have not left yet.

This is my top pick so far... http://eastoregon.craigslist.org/rvs/4347306506.html

Lots of floor space with the big slide. It is an 8 hour round trip that we might attempt next weekend. The one disadvantage I see to this fleetwood pioneer is it doesn't look like it has much interior storage where the coachman with the slide appears to have a whole lot of interior storage! I really like the loading bay next to the bunks on both of these trailers. I like the large floor space... my GF isn't convinced that we will ever be inside the trailer because we have never spent any time lounging around the inside of out 6 man tent!
wmoses
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
Thanks for coming back to the thread and clearing up a few details.

Okay so you are new to RVing so there is a lot to learn - no problem, as we all were newbies at one time. You will also pick up a lot as you start camping in the RV and coming here for advice was a good idea.

On the Coachmen - personally speaking and coming from a hybrid and popup I don't like the master bed slideout as it is oriented such that the person on the inside has to crawl over the other person and this does get old quickly especially if you get a knee crushing you where you east expect it. Some RVs with rear slides have the bed oriented longitudinally and that is not as bad.

Now that I am on my 3rd trailer I have everything as I want it - walk-around master bed and some space between the sofa and dinette - that is a choke-point in this trailer. Other than that it looks like a good RV.
oughtsix
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
OP here - We are taking off for a 6 hour round trip to see the 26' Coachman Captiva with quad bunks and a push out queen bed in 5 minutes:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/rvs/4399737128.html

This is my first RV of any kind. I bought and paid off my 2006 Duramax last year so I could get pretty much anything I want in an RV with an eye to a 11' camper with a slide out. Turns out I don't have enough truck for the Artic fox 11' slide out I fell in love with.

I have NEVER purchased a new vehicle of any kind I have always bought used and let someone else pay for the new smell. I have saved $8000 and will leverage our June bonus at work because I don't like to finance things... A couple months I am comfortable with. I have looked at hundreds if not approaching thousands of new RV's and the one thing I say for sure is I don't like RV dealers and don't trust them.

I will print this thread for my GF to read on the trip. I thank everyone SO MUCH for saying an 18' is too small. From everything else I read here I knew this to be true but this thread will strengthen my argument! I am really trying to skip buying my first two RV's and buy my third right off the bat.

Thanks again!
LakeN
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
I'd go with the Pioneer. They are built a bit higher off ground giving you more clearance. Looked at purchasing a Pioneer about 5 years ago. Seems like there were pretty well constructed. Bunkhouse sounds like it fits your family. 18 ft is def short! as said, check the specs on tank sizes. Good luck.
awoodwaring
Explorer
Apr 06, 2014
We purchased a 24' bunkhouse when our kids were younger. Loved it. However, now that they are 11 and 13, we are looking for a bunkhouse unit where the bed area is not so crowded for the kids. My new test for size will be having my husband crawl into the bed. That way, I know our son won't outgrow it in 2 years. I also suggest you look at the new rv prices in Ohio/Iowa. They are 1000's cheaper than those on the west coast.