HELP!! My husband and I are considering two different hybrid travel trailers to buy. Both are in very good condition. The older one may actually be in slightly better shape. They are both about the same price. Both are about the same size and weight. We are currently tenters and not familiar with the day to day use of a trailer. Any advice on which would be the best?#1 2003 Wanderer Lite by ThorPros:Has the better kitchen:Large refrigerator/Freezer at waist level so easier to see and reach food Microwave and ovendouble sinkCD/AM/FM radioMore updated lookThe fold out ends tuck in more neatly. Which I think would be nice if we don't use them and only use the bed inside the trailer. Cons: The table is very awkwardly situated. It is a VERY tight fit. It is hard to get in and out of even for my slender husband. If the table is centered, we cannot get out without tipping the table. Would this be a daily annoyance? Can we modify this somehow?This has a single axle.#2 1999 Bantam Trail LitePros:Two tables for eating.Both tables are easy to accessHas been stored in a garage its entire life. They claim it has only been used a couple of times.Double axle.Cons:Smaller refrigerator at floor levelNo ovenNo microwaveNo AM/FM/CD playerSmall single sink No outside showerThanks for any advice!!

Buy the Bantam Lite. The benefit of garaging for 14 years outways a larger sink. You can add a microwave. Be sure to check the roof, check for water damage to the floor, and check plumbing and electric. Both of these are outside the model years (nothing older than 5 years) I would consider, and they may both be time bombs.

I would LOVE to have a newer model, but this is all we can afford at this time.

i would pick the Thor, based simply on the fact of it being 5 years newer.the 1999 would be only the second year of hybrids ever being made and a lot of improvements came along between then and 2003.without pics or model #'s, it's hard to suggest if the table could be modded.but the main thing would be checking the WHOLE trailer for leaks/soft spots, especially around the bunk ends. that includes looking under the bunk door hinges and the doors for delamination.

But will I get better prices now than in the Spring?

Need on advice on which HTT to buy. | Good Sam Community

PAThwacker
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
We have a 6 bed htt for monkey business. No couch nor dinette use.
Padlin
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Too late Bob, they got the 2nd.

Congrats folks, have a good time. We're 2 of us and find the 2 bed unit works great. We leave 1 closed up when it gets cold.
Oasisbob
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
I would vote for the first. Which ever you choose do yourself a favor and have the seller hook up EVERYTHING and see for yourself all is working before money changes hands. I saved hundreds on stuff the seller assured me was fine.
3LittleDucks
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Congrats on your purchase! Enjoy!
bikendan
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
PAThwacker wrote:
Htt, for 2 seems like a bad idea.

i have to disagree.
we've had our Roo 23SS for nearly 7 years now and it's just the two of us.
we've only had someone else stay in the trailer with us , about 3x in the entire time we've owned it.
if we open it, we find having the 2nd bunk end is a nice place to put extra stuff, like the DW's guitar and my bike stuff.
it's nice to have the 2nd bunk just in case someone wants to camp with us.
when i retire to Washington next year, we'll be around a lot more family so we'll probably be using the 2nd bunk way more than we have.
kmel
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Thees would be over the top for just the two of us, but we want to take some of our grand kids and maybe their parents :-) with us when we go. Also have a single adult daughter that would frequently join us. So these seem like the way to go. We actually have purchased the older, but less used HTT. Can't wait for our maiden voyage this weekend!!
PAThwacker
Explorer
Sep 14, 2013
Htt, for 2 seems like a bad idea. We have a 2 bed, plus bh hybrid. All of the beds are used for kids, gear, and playrooms. Gizmos over the tent ends for direct in the 90 degree sun days, and can turtle it for winter hunting use.
3LittleDucks
Explorer
Sep 14, 2013
Will it be just the 2 of you camping? Maybe a small TT would work better if you are not in love with the idea of canvas? Both HTTs seem nice, but I would also keep looking. There might be some good deals to be had in the spring as people hit the RV shows, but new ones and have to sell the old. We have a U dinette in our HTT, we generally have it pushed over to 1 side for easier access.
bikendan
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
kmel wrote:
Thanks, everyone. Some VERY good advice and things I had not thought about. I appreciate the input. I am 58 and my husband is 2 years older. I think it is a really good idea to make sure we can open and close ends.

the DW and i are about the same age as the two of you and we have no problems opening/closing the ends.
i'm 6' and she's 5'5". i hold the door and she pulls in the canvas from inside. our Roo has the non pre-attached canvas, which is what the two you're looking at have.
i'm also able to close up the ends by myself, including tucking in the canvas. it just doesn't look as neat as when the DW helps.;)

but we're retiring next year, which may be the end of having a hybrid.
we may be part-timing in a 5th wheel by the end of next summer.
kmel
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
Thanks, everyone. Some VERY good advice and things I had not thought about. I appreciate the input. I am 58 and my husband is 2 years older. I think it is a really good idea to make sure we can open and close ends.

Forum Discussion

Need on advice on which HTT to buy.

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

towing advice

weight advice

Need Advice

Buying Advice

Truck Advice