Newbie Curious About Owner's Experiences with Aliners

[2Groodles]

Not only am I new to trailers of any kind, I'm also new to posting on discussion boards. I mistakenly posted this under Travel Trailers first and should have put it here. Oops!

I was tent camping at Molas Lake in Colorado last summer and saw an Aliner in the campground. It caught my eye as the perfect solution for me and my two dogs. I'm looking for something safer than a tent that I can take up dirt and gravel roads and camp in dispersed areas, as well as in established campgrounds. I'd like to be able to lock it up and leave it for the day as I head up to the mountains on day hikes with my pups. As a former backpacker and tent camper, the Aliner seemed like a good fit: small, light, low profile, with hard sides, and not too many bells and whistles.

Can anyone who has owned an Aliner tell me about their experiences with this brand and its products? I'm considering either the Classic or Ranger 12. What are their pluses and minuses?

Thanks!

[RobertRyan]

They have also brought out a new version of their original folding trailers, the Avan Ray
Common in the early 1960's, as Expandavans( looked like a small Caravan with two huge slideouts). As well they own the Golf Caravan division, different from the AVAN Caravans and are also in the process of providing European Knaus Caravans, built on the Australian AVAN chassis
AVAN Ray

Golf Caravans Pop Top

AVAN Infinity Caravan

AVAN Infinity interior

[2Groodles]

RobertRyan wrote:
AVAN here in Australia, makes the Aliner under licence here
AVAN Aliner
You could search for AVAN Aliner forums they actually make more of these than Aliner in the US, they also have a completely different folding Trailer as well called the AVAN Ray
AVAN Ray
AVAN ALiner

Now you're talkin'! I'd love to come to Australia, buy an AVAN Aliner and tour your beautiful country!

[gheicher]

I thought I already posted this but must have hit the wrong button!:h
Anyhow, I have owned three Aliners over the past ten years with much enjoyment and minimum complaints. All have been pre-owned and the first was a 1994 Classic, no AC or fridge. I did have a couple of small leaks around the bubble windows which was easily repaired. Decided to upgrade to a non-folding TT with AC an a toilet but always missed my Aliner.

In addition to my non-folding TT I purchased an Aliner Alite (400 lbs net) for those times I would travel myself. Great for solo use but even though it will sleep two, the complete interior is utilized for the bed. So after a couple of years I just didn't go myself enough to justify it.

Sold the Alite and got a 2004 Aliner DL (995 lbs net). Added AC and a cassette toilet and am presently using the unit. Although I also have a Starcraft AR_ONE 15RB hybrid, the Aliner is so easy to tow and being able to see over the trailer thorough the rear-view mirror is great. Good gas mileage, hard sides, and easy setup makes it really nice for long trips.

I realize the A-Frame units are not everyone's cup-of-tea, and usually are not used for long term family camping, but they are a really good travel trailer for two. Some have even used them for very extended trips, e.g. Sandi's Route 66

[RobertRyan]

AVAN here in Australia, makes the Aliner under licence here
AVAN Aliner
You could search for AVAN Aliner forums they actually make more of these than Aliner in the US, they also have a completely different folding Trailer as well called the AVAN Ray
AVAN Ray
AVAN ALiner

[2Groodles]

Wakita46 wrote:
I can also remove the food from the Aliner which is recommended in bear country.

This makes so much sense, especially here in CO where bears are plenty.

[2Groodles]

beemerphile1 wrote:
FWIW, Aliner offers an off road suspension option.

Yes, they sure do, and that's the option I'll choose.

[2Groodles]

jackquontee wrote:


The bottom line is you can make it your own and make it work for you.

Super helpful! Thank you!

[jackquontee]

2Groodles wrote:


I like your idea of removing the fridge and sink as they don't particularly fit my needs. Perhaps a Scout is a better fit for me than the Ranger or Classic. I don't want to fuss with propane, generators, A/C, microwaves, etc., etc. I just want to camp, really camp. 😉 I too basically would just like to be off the ground and have more secure walls around me than tent fabric.

Good to know your thoughts on their finish level and hauling them on dirt roads. I would get one with the off road package, which might help a bit.

Thanks so much for your ideas and experience regarding your Scout.

Here's an idea of what my modified interior looks like:

Showing where the fridge used to be

posted image

tv sitting where the sink used to be

upload gif

And the exterior tv antenna:


upload a gif

The bottom line is you can make it your own and make it work for you.

[beemerphile1]

FWIW, Aliner offers an off road suspension option.

[Wakita46]

I agree with several people that the sink and the refrigerator in the Scout are not really all that useful. The refrigerator might be useful for a weekend trip but anything longer than that and it is too small. I am using an Extreme cooler that will hold a lot of groceries; it will keep ice for several days and ice is available almost anywhere. I can also remove the food from the Aliner which is recommended in bear country. I'm removing the refrigerator to put a porta potty in the Scout.
The sink has to be winterized and for the use I get out of it, it is just a waste of space. You can brush your teeth in the Aliner and I suppose you could shave but I haven't tried it (I would have to heat water).

[2Groodles]

ElBesoBlanco wrote:
Aww...i am just sharing excitement with a future A-Frame owner! Lol - its so much fun to spy another one on the road and wave (like motorcyle riders do). Then it's a guessing game of who you saw on your travels. The FB group is pretty friendly and doesn't hesitate to send a shout out should you encounter a member...there's even a tech rally coming up this summer, to cover many topics that might help an owner maintain or mod their unit.

Nice! 😄

[ElBesoBlanco]

Aww...i am just sharing excitement with a future A-Frame owner! Lol - its so much fun to spy another one on the road and wave (like motorcyle riders do). Then it's a guessing game of who you saw on your travels. The FB group is pretty friendly and doesn't hesitate to send a shout out should you encounter a member...there's even a tech rally coming up this summer, to cover many topics that might help an owner maintain or mod their unit.

[2Groodles]

ElBesoBlanco wrote:
Hi 2Groodles - FB is abbreviation for Facebook. My A-Frame is an off road model with a toydeck made to carry motorcycles or ATV. Interior storage space is limited to a 12 ft box (just like in a tent trailer). Don't know how much stuff the average traveling camper feels they need to take but so far, it's plenty of room for our take along needs. It requires thought and organizational skills because (just like a tent trailer) you instantly lose space when the trailer folds down.

Solid walls are nice and having the propane onboard is wonderful for heat when the weather unexpectedly turns nasty. For what you are going to pay for an A-Frame, you might as well enjoy the onboard amenities when the time comes. Mine came fully loaded with more than I felt I would use. It took a year before I decided to use the onboard stove to cook on. I rarely use the A/C because we're usually outdoors somewhere. The fans are awesome to pull out the heat at night. Don't feel guilty about having the extras. Camping is still whatever you make it. At my age, I wanted off the ground and wanted to be comfortable when the daytime adventures were over and it is time to come in. I no longer care what others think - it's my weekend adventure & I am not out there to worry about what someone else thinks because I brought along a tv to watch an evening movie to enjoy. It might be a small trailer in comparison to the larger traditional travel trailers but those who come over for a tour (or a skeptical laugh) always leave with a different opinion of what these trailers are about. It never fails that we give a tour or draw a curious on looker when we set up. It's an A-Frame given. Haha

Thanks so much for this thoughtful reply and explaining FB. It sounds like you're making excellent use of your set up and it's truly working for you. No guilt here about using all the stuff that might come with an A-frame pop-up. I just don't like to fork out cash for things that likley won't get used. It's helpful, though, to consider that I might employ them one day.

[ElBesoBlanco]

Hi 2Groodles - FB is abbreviation for Facebook. My A-Frame is an off road model with a toydeck made to carry motorcycles or ATV. Interior storage space is limited to a 12 ft box (just like in a tent trailer). Don't know how much stuff the average traveling camper feels they need to take but so far, it's plenty of room for our take along needs. It requires thought and organizational skills because (just like a tent trailer) you instantly lose space when the trailer folds down.

Solid walls are nice and having the propane onboard is wonderful for heat when the weather unexpectedly turns nasty. For what you are going to pay for an A-Frame, you might as well enjoy the onboard amenities when the time comes. Mine came fully loaded with more than I felt I would use. It took a year before I decided to use the onboard stove to cook on. I rarely use the A/C because we're usually outdoors somewhere. The fans are awesome to pull out the heat at night. Don't feel guilty about having the extras. Camping is still whatever you make it. At my age, I wanted off the ground and wanted to be comfortable when the daytime adventures were over and it is time to come in. I no longer care what others think - it's my weekend adventure & I am not out there to worry about what someone else thinks because I brought along a tv to watch an evening movie to enjoy. It might be a small trailer in comparison to the larger traditional travel trailers but those who come over for a tour (or a skeptical laugh) always leave with a different opinion of what these trailers are about. It never fails that we give a tour or draw a curious on looker when we set up. It's an A-Frame given. Haha