Need help selecting new Travel Trailer

[CharlieWhiskey]

I'm about to spend my retirement traveling around the USA in a TT. I want it to be brand spanking new. I'm confounded by the lack of brand selection here in the New Jersey/New York area. It seems all I can find are Heartlands and Colemans. Neither impress me. My Toyota 4runner is rated to tow 4700 lbs. I will be traveling solo. I cannot afford an Airstream. I've not received responses from Casita or Scamp. Why are the most alluring TT's built way the heck out west ? Thanks to anyone who can advise me.

[IND_navyvet]

Riverside RVs

[SkiMore]

****_B wrote:
The April 2015 issue of Trailer Life has a special article on 11 small trailers entitled `It's a Small World'.

Thanks for posting this
http://www.trailerlife.com/reviews/little-big-trailers/

[Dick_B]

The April 2015 issue of Trailer Life has a special article on 11 small trailers entitled `It's a Small World'.

[bakerkids]

NYCGirl, I have a T@B. Love it! In fact, I'm heading to a Beach Caravan next week. There will be 13 T@Bs visiting 4 east coach beach campgrounds.
G1, Elkmont by fivebakers, on Flickr

[CharlieWhiskey]

After agonizing over selecting a TT I chose the Scamp 16', layout 6. It'll be a long ride from New Jersey to take delivery so I'm waiting 'til Late April/early May 2015 to pick it up. I'll then make a leisurely tour home stopping at campgrounds learning how to handle the trailer and the black water hookup. I'm a noobie and will probably provide some campers with a few chuckles on my way. Note to NYCGrrl: the trip from northern NJ to the Scamp factory in Minnesota is about 1450 miles each way. Casita is in Texas and Escape in BC Canada. We don't see these trailers at RV shows here in the NJ/NY area. I bought mine sight unseen relying on the opinions I gleaned on the forums. Good luck. See you out there. You won't miss me. I'll be the guy the very large white rubber gloves trying to stuff the drain hose back into the storage tube 🙂

[Tvov]

SkiMore wrote:

brookside wrote:

SkiMore wrote:
brookside - thanks for posting that link to Taylor. I hadn't seen them before. Interesting models. Are they only sold direct?

Yes, he does them per ordered. He has several "walk-thru" you tube videos of different trailers and no two are alike. They are more pricey but I noticed a 4-year warranty something rarely seen in the US. We are still considering one for our next TT. We got a quote of about $25,000 for a 24' with the adjustments and options we were interested in. We like that they don't use OSB which I detest and it is challenge to find a manufacturer here not using it. We have never seen one in person but we are in the central US so that is not surprising - we don't see anything here. Hope you find something that works and I know it is a challenge when it comes to TTs, so many 5th wheels anymore.

I went to the website and watched a few of those videos. The 8' TT was pretty wild. I wonder how many of those he sells. I liked the 20' with the 2 big reclining chairs.

Those look a lot like some older Sunlines that friends owned, especially with the mid-trailer bathroom layout.

[Steve_B_]

Don't give up on Casita. They offer one with a rear bed, side dinette with captain's chairs which is great. No up and down with a dinette to make the bed.

[SkiMore]

brookside wrote:

SkiMore wrote:
brookside - thanks for posting that link to Taylor. I hadn't seen them before. Interesting models. Are they only sold direct?

Yes, he does them per ordered. He has several "walk-thru" you tube videos of different trailers and no two are alike. They are more pricey but I noticed a 4-year warranty something rarely seen in the US. We are still considering one for our next TT. We got a quote of about $25,000 for a 24' with the adjustments and options we were interested in. We like that they don't use OSB which I detest and it is challenge to find a manufacturer here not using it. We have never seen one in person but we are in the central US so that is not surprising - we don't see anything here. Hope you find something that works and I know it is a challenge when it comes to TTs, so many 5th wheels anymore.

I went to the website and watched a few of those videos. The 8' TT was pretty wild. I wonder how many of those he sells. I liked the 20' with the 2 big reclining chairs.

[NYCgrrl]

I'm also in the market for a smaller TT and frustrated by the offerings at local RV shows. I need/want a unit that'll fit in a standard indoor space, construction specifications that read durable and a long warranty.

At this point I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Alto Safari Condo R series (made in Quebec and sold at the factory or near Niagara Falls) based on my research yet the unit that started me on the road to taking a good look at smaller units is an AeroLite. It was camped next to our tent and the owners were so proud and enthusiastic about their new TT they gave us a tour. Was really impressed with the amt of amenities packed into it. Decided against it ultimately because a newer company took over the line or something similar. Or maybe it was the after use storage issues on my end. Or maybe it was a combination, LOL. Looking at various layouts really keeps the mind engaged.

I looked at and discarded the Coleman QB unit because among other things it didn't have enough windows/natural light for me.

The T@Bs still intrigue me and the fact that they are made closer to the East coast is a definite advantage.

Lance, Casita and Scamp have some nice layouts but traveling out West for pickup is a definite disadvantage for me.

HTH and have fun whatever you choose.

[brookside]

SkiMore wrote:
brookside - thanks for posting that link to Taylor. I hadn't seen them before. Interesting models. Are they only sold direct?

Yes, he does them per ordered. He has several "walk-thru" you tube videos of different trailers and no two are alike. They are more pricey but I noticed a 4-year warranty something rarely seen in the US. We are still considering one for our next TT. We got a quote of about $25,000 for a 24' with the adjustments and options we were interested in. We like that they don't use OSB which I detest and it is challenge to find a manufacturer here not using it. We have never seen one in person but we are in the central US so that is not surprising - we don't see anything here. Hope you find something that works and I know it is a challenge when it comes to TTs, so many 5th wheels anymore.

[SkiMore]

brookside - thanks for posting that link to Taylor. I hadn't seen them before. Interesting models. Are they only sold direct?

[brookside]

I would say "No!" to any Thor product. They basically seem to buy manufacturers of solid units and then, well, do what they have to to increase profit.

Have you looked at: http://www.taylorcoach.com/ It takes both Scamp and Casita a little while to answer. Someone took me through their R-pod and although space was tight, it seemed like the limited space was really thought out. These are very basic and small but have you seen: http://www.eggcamper.com/ and http://www.parkliner.com/

You also have to watch the hitch weight of some of the smaller TTs because some are much higher than you might think.

Also, the weights you normally see are before "options" and without cargo, water, etc.

I love the Scamp 5th wheel, especially the Deluxe with wood but because of so many warm bodies, we just can't do it. They are small as I saw one once parked in a campground although most campers seem bigger on the inside than they do on the outside, not sure why.

[caroline33]

I love the fiberglass TT's, especially the ESCAPE but they all have a wet bathroom which I can't tolerate.
I like the Lance but it's a too pricey for my budget.
Have you looked at the Jayco Jay Flight? For me the 154BH model with bunks will work well. But I'm still looking ......

[Speedogomer]

They may be somewhat expensive, but you should look at Trailmanor.

Even their largest weighs only 3k dry. Since they fold down on themselves, they don't have the frontal area of the typical trailer of their size. Opened up, they are MUCH bigger than any other trailer you could tow.

I always reccommend trailmanor when someone is constrained by weight for their tow vehicle. I think they're really cool units.

Check out the 2720. It's equivalent to a 27ft trailer.