We have had four trailers in our long lifetime and we bought them all based on floor plan. The biggest problem has been that each has had the perfect floor plan, but have been the lowest quality trailers. On our last one we searched on the net all over the country, and came back with the same thing -floor plan vs quality and ended up once again getting the low quality one with the floor plan we were looking forLuckily I am handy and have been able to rebuild things and repair other things. I just wish a few of the high end companies would have a bigger selection of floor plans.So how did you buy ?Jack L

We went to a lot of shows. Found what we thought we would like. Rented a similar unit.We found, our idea floor plan was not idea, our 200 hp. pick up had the cargo capacity but not the power, 10 mpg. and 300 mile days were the norm.Based on our rental experience, we looked for a better TV and the floor plan that was more suited to our needs. In the time it took us to find he right TT and TV, both three years old, we had saved enough additional funds to purchase both outright. Renting before you buy, saves a lot of buyer's remorse.

I haven't bought yet, I'm still a long way off from it actually, but what I'm doing is reading a TON of forum posts and blogs. That and I'm trying to visualize what sort of camping I want to do and find a manufacturer that caters to that style. To be more precise, I want to boondock a lot, so I want a good 4-season "home". A lot of reading has pointed me towards Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV (and to a degree, Lance). Outdoors RV has some nice options for rougher country, solar panels and whatnot. So now that I've found a few manufacturers I like the look of, THEN I start looking at floorplans and what kind of vehicle I'd need to tow it.

we found a floor plan we loved, was/is our first trailer, looked at a bunch of others, then looked at what mfg made that floor plan. there were several. Now the first one we saw was a sprinter, but the sprinter dealer near us IMHO was/is nothing but sleazeballs. But previously I had made a 7x14 cargo trailer into a mini toyhauler with living quarters and had delt with another local dealer for parts etc. I was impressed with them, and they carried outbacks, very similar floorplan that we even liked better. Sales guys were nice, no pressure really wanted to help us pick the trailer we wanted. And that's what we did, with a minimal haggle on price. The sales guy spent over 3 hours with us on predelivery inspection, he found a few minor items. DW found a few, and they fixed them while we went to lunch. That was 2010, and we've put about 30K miles on the trailer, use it almost 3 months/year and have yet to find a trailer we would replace it with. So far it has held up well. Are there things we would like different in it? well, yes. But the same on any other floor plan we have looked at.And for quality, virtually all the mfg use the same brands for fridge, stove, oven, microwave, ac, toilets, vanities, hw heater, tanks, and likely flooring and seating.The structure is where most of the differences are.

We came from a background of canoe and tent and 18th century reenactments. Sleeping on the ground, paddling and the wilderness trips with the grandkids were a blast.When I retired we decided to RV around the country, another great adventure. Now the bulk of our travels are sightseeing trips. For us that meant a 25 ft TT, big enough for us but small enough to get where we want to go.

We saw our friends Arctic Fox. When they were ready to sell we were first in line. It was practically new, about 3 mo usage. Never been 1 problem except shearing off wheel bolts in N Pa.

How did you decide on which TT to buy ? | Good Sam Community

_1nobby
Explorer
Dec 12, 2017
rvshrinker wrote:
Spent two years shopping for both tow vehicle and trailer.

I required:

- true four season capability
- durable and quality built, to handle rough dirt roads and not to have things break all the time
- under 27 feet to fit in most national park campgrounds
- decent size grey and fresh water tanks for boondocking
- good for kids and friends so zeroed in on bunk models

In the end went with Outdoors RV 23DBS bunk model, picked it up 5 weeks ago. Have slept in the driveway many times since, and one real overnight trip. Love it so far. Can sleep 8 in a pinch, 5 very comfortably, and last night the kids were ‘sweating’ with the heat set at 60, a few blankets, and an outdoor temperature of 23 degrees. Plan to take this skiing in a couple weeks as well as weeklong summer trips and multiple weekends throughout the year.

I wish there was a "LIKE" button on this forum.

LIKE
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Dec 11, 2017
Spent two years shopping for both tow vehicle and trailer.

I required:

- true four season capability
- durable and quality built, to handle rough dirt roads and not to have things break all the time
- under 27 feet to fit in most national park campgrounds
- decent size grey and fresh water tanks for boondocking
- good for kids and friends so zeroed in on bunk models

In the end went with Outdoors RV 23DBS bunk model, picked it up 5 weeks ago. Have slept in the driveway many times since, and one real overnight trip. Love it so far. Can sleep 8 in a pinch, 5 very comfortably, and last night the kids were ‘sweating’ with the heat set at 60, a few blankets, and an outdoor temperature of 23 degrees. Plan to take this skiing in a couple weeks as well as weeklong summer trips and multiple weekends throughout the year.
_1nobby
Explorer
Dec 10, 2017
It had to be under 25 feet....to fit in the driveway.
It had to have 4 wheels (2 axles)
It had to have kitchen counter space.
It had to have large holding tanks.
It had to be made well with above basic products.
It had to be lightly used.

THEN...I looked at floor plans....and NO slides.
FrankShore
Explorer
Dec 09, 2017
In no particular order:

1) Construction
2) How It's Assembled
3) Construction
4) Warranty
5) Manufacturer Reputation
6) Construction

I'm glad to be rid of the Minnie Winnie and the Arctic Fox. Glad to have a Lance with the quality construction and superior materials utilized.
Vintage465
Nomad
Dec 09, 2017
Once my wife found that there were trailers with a rear U-Shaped dinette and a giant window, that was the starting point. I wanted 22' to 24'f, aluminum frame,no slide. We wanted a walk around queen sized bed. After doing some research regarding wall thickness on aluminum framed trailers we went with Creek Side 20fq. Also I really think they do have a better frame than most. Someday we may go to something that has the free standing barrel chairs. And it'll likely be an Outdoors RV or Northwoods product.
pasusan
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
We have had some sort of TT since we were married in '77. We had the perfect trailer for us 2 traveling across the country for our honeymoon. Then we had the perfect trailer for our family - taking our kids camping. We knew what we liked and what we wanted next - the shortest trailer with dedicated beds for just us 2 (again). I drew up a floorplan that would work for us - then we found the exact trailer on eBay. Once we knew what we wanted we had to look at a few before we found the one that was in perfect condition. Still totally happy with what we have.
Bears_Den
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
We went to RV shows for 3 yrs and each yr came back to the same floor plan and finally bought it. No regrets with our decision.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
I'm impressed at how much research (i.e. work!) many put into this! :E We just went to our closest local dealer and picked a lot model we really liked. I suppose if he didn't have anything that appealed we'd have shopped further away but it never came to that. That was in 2013 and we've been quite satisfied with our choice. K.I.S.S. :W
redwing10
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
1st trailer was a pop-up for 20 years. Said I was done with pop-up to DW, time to get new hardside trailer. 1st I said I pick out trailer frame DW picks out floor plan. Reading about trailers I found out about Arctic Fox trailers Looked at trailer frame and that sold me witch maker to choose. As a welding Instructor I knew they where very strongly made better then other trailers. We drive a lot of back gravel roads here in CO and I bent up trailer frame on the pop-up. Know we have had a Arctic Fox 25Y for the last 3 years and love it.
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
BizmarksMom wrote:
My first trailer I bought based on floor plan. When it became obvious that trailer was not holding up to the dirt roads I drive down to get to my preferred boondocking spots, I started looking for trailers built with heavier suspensions and underbodies.

1) Nothing over 25' total, so I could still get into the campsites I like and down the roads I like.
2) Has to hold up to dirt and gravel roads. Nothing extreme, (I drop the trailer before I do that stuff) but definitely not smooth pavement.
3) My F150 was paid for, and I wasn't prepared to buy another truck right then.

I looked at the floor plans that met the above requirements, and chose my current Nash 22h.
My first question for people looking for their first trailer is "what kind of camping do you plan on doing?" If you are driving good roads into a KOA campground, a rolling luxury condo with all of the amenities will do fine. If you are driving 20 miles up a (decent) dirt road to a dry forest service campsite, you're going to need a different trailer.

Exactly!!! Well said