New TT for Compact Cars

[gheicher]

Columbia Northwest has just announced a new non-folding travel trailer that weighs under 1500 lbs. The ASCAPE
Utilizes a drop-floor to increase headroom while keeping the outside profile low. Being introduced at Louisville show this week.

Appears to be targeting small SUV tow vehicles with no more than two people that want to travel.

[bsandey]

SoundGuy wrote:
The Ascape is no doubt a niche product but there's nothing wrong with that if it serves your purposes ... and for just one or two adults it sure beats setting up a tent trailer in the rain. :W

FWIW, after decades of doing so my own local dealer has now completely discontinued selling popups - so little market it's not worth the effort. Reality is that given a choice the majority of us would prefer to just walk into a trailer, not have to first crank up the roof & pull out beds ... this Ascape is further testament to that fact.

I have nothing against pop-ups. We had one when the kids were younger, and fit our needs perfectly. All 6 of us could fit in it (wife and I plus 4 kids), and we could tow it with the minivan.

But the wife and I divorced a few years ago, 3 of the 4 kids are grown and on their own (youngest is a sophomore in high school), so didn't need anything with that much sleeping room anymore. Park it, level it, unhook, and put the jack stands down, and I'm done setting it up.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Congratulations. Looks like a great fit for you. Really like the awning.

The awning works great for keeping the entry into the camper dry when it's raining. Not much for providing shade, though, but I wanted one mainly just to have a dry area to take shoes off and wipe the dogs paws before getting into the camper.

[mgirardo]

Here's an article with interior photos.

-Michael

[GrandpaKip]

Congratulations. Looks like a great fit for you. Really like the awning.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Where's the rest of it?

[SoundGuy]

gheicher wrote:
Columbia Northwest has just announced a new non-folding travel trailer that weighs under 1500 lbs. The ASCAPE
Utilizes a drop-floor to increase headroom while keeping the outside profile low. Being introduced at Louisville show this week.

Appears to be targeting small SUV tow vehicles with no more than two people that want to travel.

The Ascape is no doubt a niche product but there's nothing wrong with that if it serves your purposes ... and for just one or two adults it sure beats setting up a tent trailer in the rain. :W

FWIW, after decades of doing so my own local dealer has now completely discontinued selling popups - so little market it's not worth the effort. Reality is that given a choice the majority of us would prefer to just walk into a trailer, not have to first crank up the roof & pull out beds ... this Ascape is further testament to that fact.

[rbpru]

Cute, but way to small for us. I would go for a PUP or A-Liner first.

[bsandey]

Apologize for necro-posting, but I just wanted to share that I am an owner of an 2018 Aliner Ascape. I just would like to respond with my opinion and experience with it so far.

gheicher wrote:
Appears to be targeting small SUV tow vehicles with no more than two people that want to travel.

Absolutely. There is a niche market for small trailers, and people that don't want to haul a big trailer just for themselves or a partner. Half the time I've gone with just my dog, and the other half with my 15 year old son (and the dog). It does the job, and I don't have to buy a larger vehicle to tow (I have a Jeep Patriot with 2.4L engine).

Bucky Badger wrote:
They probably want over 10 grand for that thing too

Yes, it is. Mine was $16k. But if you price these types of trailers, that is what they go for. So there's no surprise with that.

keymastr wrote:
With that tall flat back it will take almost as much power to pull it as a bigger ultralight.

It's actually not that bad towing. With everything in it, I'm around 2000 lbs, which is the limit for my car. But it has no major issues towing. Yes, I can feel it back there, and it does get sluggish on hills, but I'm in no hurry. And so far, I've always arrive at the campground with plenty of time to camp.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Reminds me of the old Gremlin commercial where the guy says, "Hey, toots, where's the rest of your car?"

I get comments like that a lot - Where's the rest of your trailer?" (or similar). My response - "The wife got it in the divorce."


My final verdict - It's perfect for what I need - Small, compact, can tow with the car I have, and has everything I need (and more).

[CavemanCharlie]

I try to keep a open mind but, I just don't like that one.

[profdant139]

Interesting!! I wonder if it can be "lifted." This would make a pretty good boondocking trailer. And it fits on the driveway -- no monthly storage fees!

Very few companies are making ultra-small trailers these days, so this odd unit has a real chance to fill that gap.

[fla-gypsy]

Not for me and frankly, it's ugly

[GrandpaKip]

Reminds me of the old Gremlin commercial where the guy says, "Hey, toots, where's the rest of your car?"

[bobndot]

Bucky Badger wrote:
They probably want over 10 grand for that thing too, but I guess if people want them

🙂 $10k might be a good deal .

Here is another brand but the same general trailer idea.
check out $ , then add options.
lil snoozy

[colliehauler]

Not my cup of tea. If I were to purchase a small TT it would be the small fiberglass egg type, a lot more aero dynamic.

[RPreeb]

The Jayco Hummingbird 16FD is a bit heavier at 2555 dry, but it's also a complete TT that can sleep 4, with at least a bit of elbow room. It can be still towed by most SUVs equipped with a tow package, and it doesn't look like a home project that someone just quit on after they built the front half.

[Snowman9000]

keymastr wrote:
With that tall flat back it will take almost as much power to pull it as a bigger ultralight. A Ford Model A is more aerodynamic in reverse than forward since the air clings to the large flat rear end.

Seems like there are already a ton of choices in this market segment. I would be more partial to a scamp type design.

Yes, that thing is about as non-aero as can be. But if they made it longer, it would get heavier. And if they made an aero rear but did not make it longer, it would not be space-efficient.