Looking for real world feedback on these three TTs

[FloridaTime]

Hello Folks,

We have narrowed our search down to three travel trailers for our small family. Our TV is a Range Rover that is rated for 7700lbs but everything we are looking at is way under that rating. I would love some real world feedback on the three TTs below from owners. I’m open to anyone’s feedback also. Below are some pros and cons of each model to us.

Coachmen Clipper 17BH:
Gross 3620lbs
Roof Top Air
Large Bike Door
Nice Exterior Styling
Loaded with Features
Lacks Sink in Bathroom
Not Sold Locally

Jayco Jayflight SLX 174BH:
Gross 3750lbs
Roof Too Air
Nicer Fit & Finish
Better Construction Materials
Best Factory Warranty
Local Dealer
Lacks Sink in Bathroom
Most Expensive
Very Plain
Light on Features

Keystone Hideout 175LHS:
Gross 4400lbs
Sink in Bathroom!!!
Well Equipped
Hanging Wardrobe
Local Dealer
Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty
Only Available with Wall Mount AC
Suspect Construction Materials


I know there is no perfect TT just the perfect compromise.

[Takamine]

As wrvond alluded to, most RVs that have a side mount A/C also come with an option for a roof mount, at least in the units I looked at. I'm surprised a dealer in Florida would have models with the side mount A/C.

Another BIG difference between these models is the Clipper and Jayco are 7' wide and the Hideout is 8'. (correct me if I'm wrong). One of the things affected by the width is the size of the dinette, as well as towing ability. We looked at some 7' units, but the dinette was too small for more than two people.

I'd also compare the size of the water tanks on these three units. We went through this process about 2 years ago and there are a lot of things to consider before pulling the trigger. Good luck!!

[afidel]

trail-explorer wrote:

FloridaTime wrote:
Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Every one of those dealer supplied lifetime warranties I've asked about, the owner is required to take the rig in for annual inspections/maintenance (and pay a huge service bill) to keep the lifetime warranty in effect.

I think the yearly service was somewhere around $200.00.

See I'd rather spend that money on 3 months of underground storage and actively avoid problems caused by freeze/thaw, but that's just me and why I never did anything to keep my "free" warranty up.

[trail-explorer]

FloridaTime wrote:
Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Every one of those dealer supplied lifetime warranties I've asked about, the owner is required to take the rig in for annual inspections/maintenance (and pay a huge service bill) to keep the lifetime warranty in effect.

I think the yearly service was somewhere around $200.00.

[Fordlover]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

FloridaTime wrote:

Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Has to be the "Warranty Forever".

You may want to research that one further as it's a really great yearly revenue generator for the dealers service dept. As something that benefits you, not so great. Ask them to see the language and terms of the Warranty Forever prior to the purchase.

The warranty forever only covers a few things, so don't get too excited. It does seem to cover appliances which is nice if your A/C fails like ours did at 5 months of ownership. Warranty forever paid to replace it.

[wrvond]

FloridaTime wrote:

Clicck wrote:
Why is a wall mount AC a negative?

I’m worried a wall mount will not be able to cool the trailer in Florida where I do my camping. I’ve read a bunch of places online where the wall mounts struggle against our heat and humidity. So you have experience with a wall mount in Florida or somewhere else in the Southeast? It’s the main thing deterring me from pulling the trigger on the Keystone.

I have a Summerland Mini by Springdale, which is Keystone. It is a 2016 SM1750 with a wall mount air conditioner. When I purchased the unit in 2015 I thought the wall mount AC was a great idea, now, not so much.
Pros:
1. Inexpensive - I had the top half of my 15k BTU unit on my Coachmen Catalina go bad after the warranty expired - it cost me $750.00 for the part and I installed it myself. If a wall unit goes bad it's only $125.00 at Walmart, or any number of other places.
2. You get a lower roof, that is to say more clearance without the AC sitting up there.

Cons:
1. It is mounted where a cabinet used to be so you lose a bit of storage. Pretty important in units this small.
2. This kind of AC uses condensate to cool it's coils. As you drive down the road and hit bumps, etc. this condensate splashes out of the tray and into the inside of the camper. You'll have to mop the floor when you arrive.
3. Mine is mounted right over the television so if it's running, the noise is competing directly with the TV.
4. It's also mounted behind the bathroom. AC does not cool around corners. I have to put a small fan on the kitchen counter to direct cool air towards the front of the camper.
5. Even on high, the window unit does not blow with the force of a roof mount. Less "force" means the cool air really doesn't quite make it all the way to the end of the camper so cooling there is more conduction than radiation, for lack of a better term.

At the time of purchase I thought the window air was the only option for this camper as well. After the fact, I found several dealers with the same camper in stock with 13.5k roof mount air conditioner and storage cabinet over the television.

[2012Coleman]

FloridaTime wrote:

Clicck wrote:
Why is a wall mount AC a negative?

I’m worried a wall mount will not be able to cool the trailer in Florida where I do my camping. I’ve read a bunch of places online where the wall mounts struggle against our heat and humidity. So you have experience with a wall mount in Florida or somewhere else in the Southeast? It’s the main thing deterring me from pulling the trigger on the Keystone.

Your worries are well founded. Don't get the wall mounted AC. In-laws had a small Starcraft with just a wall mounted AC. Camped several times with us (in Florida summer) and they were just short of miserable. IMO, the Jayco is the one to focus on - order one with a bigger AC if possible. Better to have ducted AC as well.

I'm skeptical on lifetime warranties. Read the fine print. Note that Jayco usually comes with a 2 year factory warranty.

[theoldwizard1]

If you can tow the additional weight, any kid of a slide out is great ! @ more to consider are the Jayco 184BS and the Coachman 193BHS.

If you are a first timer, I suggest you shop for a 2-4 year old unit. If you decide this is not for your family you won't loose as much money. Also, you will find out it the floor plan works for you and what features are really important. (How important is a sink in the bathroom ? I don't think you will know until you try not having one !)

[GrandpaKip]

If I was going to do the majority of camping in Florida, I would want the largest AC I could get. We just got back from Atlantic Beach and North Beach. The 13.5k AC kept us cool enough at night, but I wouldn’t want to have only 8k available.
In addition, I am very leary of wall mounted AC’s in a camper from the standpoint of condensation ending up inside.

[Ralph_Cramden]

FloridaTime wrote:

Ralph Cramden wrote:

FloridaTime wrote:

Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Has to be the "Warranty Forever".

You may want to research that one further as it's a really great yearly revenue generator for the dealers service dept. As something that benefits you, not so great. Ask them to see the language and terms of the Warranty Forever prior to the purchase.

It is and I read what they had on their website, from what I read I can have the yearly services done by an approved independent RV tech. It’s not a key selling factor to me but it’s a bonus.

Yearly maintenance is a good thing........considering a sales gimmick a bonus possibly not so much. I would suggest reading up on the fine folks who administer the Warranty forever, National Warranty Administration Network, LLC.

[FloridaTime]

Clicck wrote:
Why is a wall mount AC a negative?

I’m worried a wall mount will not be able to cool the trailer in Florida where I do my camping. I’ve read a bunch of places online where the wall mounts struggle against our heat and humidity. So you have experience with a wall mount in Florida or somewhere else in the Southeast? It’s the main thing deterring me from pulling the trigger on the Keystone.

[FloridaTime]

Ralph Cramden wrote:

FloridaTime wrote:

Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Has to be the "Warranty Forever".

You may want to research that one further as it's a really great yearly revenue generator for the dealers service dept. As something that benefits you, not so great. Ask them to see the language and terms of the Warranty Forever prior to the purchase.

It is and I read what they had on their website, from what I read I can have the yearly services done by an approved independent RV tech. It’s not a key selling factor to me but it’s a bonus.

[Clicck]

Why is a wall mount AC a negative?

[Ralph_Cramden]

FloridaTime wrote:

Decent Dealer Supplied LifeTime Warranty

Has to be the "Warranty Forever".

You may want to research that one further as it's a really great yearly revenue generator for the dealers service dept. As something that benefits you, not so great. Ask them to see the language and terms of the Warranty Forever prior to the purchase.

[newman_fulltime]

Take a look at the starcraft 180 bhs