Suggestion for small 4 season TT please

[stevennlv]

I know what I need, just not sure where to start looking (brands / models). This is what I need. I'm a little flexible in some areas, like a smaller bed if I really have to.

1) **Truly 4 season**, at least PNW 4 season. I won't be doing any Dakota's Rockies' wintering.
2) Fully enclosed
3) As small as possible while being fully closed (R-Pod or smaller without having to go outdoors to cook or shower.)
4) Single axle
5) Stove, preferably no oven
6) Fridge
7) AC
😎 Furnace
9) toilet
10) microwave
11) shower, preferably no tub
12) Queen sized bed
13) table / seating for at least one

Basically something as small as possible while being enclosed, just big enough for one who does not have much "stuff" and in which I can get through a couple of 25 degree nights and 100 degree days without being completely miserable.

Something like an Arctic Fox / R-Pod hybrid on the size of an R-Pod or smaller.

Does anybody make any such an animal?

[TurnThePage]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

TurnThePage wrote:
Almost any trailer will get you through a couple 25 degree nights.

Find a small, "true 4 season" TT, one that you can use in MN in January, is going to be next to impossible.

You need at least 2" of foam insulation not only in the walls, but also the floors. The ceiling should have 4". Either that, or get a big furnace.

I guess if you are not paying the electric bill a couple of small electric space heaters will work. You ill have to wire the TT for 30A service with plugs on different breakers.

A heated mattress pad is more comfortable than an electric blanket. You will need one when the temps drop into 20s.

My response was simply based on the OP's original post. IF they are only worried about a couple nights of 25 degrees, they don't need a true 4 season trailer.

However, since the details have become more clear; If I had physical limitations, few belongings, and wanted to live in a small travel trailer, I would likely choose the larger Oliver or a Bigfoot model. Both of those should require about the least maintenance, and endure the widest extremes. A smaller Lance might cut it too.

Of course I don't cook very much, and could get by easily with just the two burners.

[kerrlakeRoo]

OK well, 7000 lbs loaded makes units up to 21-23' within range. So you have a lot of possibilities out there. You had a small TT before, and that size is still fine, dont know if you dealt with a WDH with it, but as you go larger it does become a question. If you are looking at BLM lands for some of the time, you obviously want to pay attention to tank sizes and consider solar. Even if your looking at private party used sale, you will likely want to visit some RV dealers to get an idea of layouts and space. Sounds like shopping time.

[theoldwizard1]

TurnThePage wrote:

If price is not a factor, I would opt for this Oliver travel trailer.

Along the same lines Lil Snoozy

I don't know how warm it will be when it gets below freezing.

[theoldwizard1]

TurnThePage wrote:
Almost any trailer will get you through a couple 25 degree nights.

Find a small, "true 4 season" TT, one that you can use in MN in January, is going to be next to impossible.

You need at least 2" of foam insulation not only in the walls, but also the floors. The ceiling should have 4". Either that, or get a big furnace.

I guess if you are not paying the electric bill a couple of small electric space heaters will work. You ill have to wire the TT for 30A service with plugs on different breakers.

A heated mattress pad is more comfortable than an electric blanket. You will need one when the temps drop into 20s.

[stevennlv]

FT living.

I can't live anywhere else but a mobile unit of some kind. We moved out of an apartment and in to an RV b/c I have allergies so bad that the air freshener and cig smoke coming through the outlets in the walls from our neighbors makes me puke.

House is not an financial option.

TT leaves me in complete control of my environment and if I don't like the neighbors moving is easy.

Tow vehicle is a 2004 Yukon Denali with a factory tow package and aftermarket brake controller. Rated 8600 towing / cargo combo. Would like to stay shy of that. No more than ~7K fully loaded (water and all). Shouldn't be hard depending on the unit. Even with tools kits, yada, yada, every last ounce of what I own in the world lumped on a scale goes less than 500#, easy (pots, pans, underwear, wrenches, etc). By the time I'm done the Yukon will have been overhauled end to end, have a "brand new" remanned tranny and some where around 100-150K miles left on the power plant.

The plan right now is to go up to Portland, putter around, live there, rebuild my life, get some physical therapy, maybe go to community college. But you can never tell with me. I may one day on whim decide that I want to winter down at Quartzite.

About the only places I won't be spending the winters is the high mountains. Or any place with a lot of ice or snow. Too much slip and fall hazard with my injuries.

Other than that, where I hang my hat is home.

I don't want an all in one b/c I don't want to end up having to drive it to work / school in traffic every day.

[kerrlakeRoo]

OK now that you have expanded the information on what you want and the physical limitations let me point to a couple of other considerations.
If this is going to become a full time residence Tow vehicle requirements may make something like an egg trailer more workable. Their rounded edges and light weight make towing easier with a minivan or small crossover vehicle.
You may want to consider a small Class C or Class B, no towing , hooking up etc, easy to install back up camera , all facilities are right there with you at all times.

[bobndot]

What TV (tow vehicle) do you plan to use ?
Or, do you plan to have a trailer delivered to a CG for a seasonal site ?
If you're using a seasonal CG site, find a CG with heated bathrooms/showers. That way, you won't have any frozen water lines. Drain your system and dry camp. You can get by with a lighter trailer if needed.

4 season rv is a loose term. If you look at Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV, you will need enough TV to tow them.
If you go lighter, like the single axle Jayco you mentioned, then you'll have a much lesser 3 season rv .

[stevennlv]

I've looked at the at the outdoors rv units. They are very nice if they live up to the advertising.

I was actually hoping to find something like 10' or less. But then I have to go outside to cook or do without something I actually need.

Long story short; some of you may or may not remember me from about 10 months ago. The wife and I were in a rollover b/c we were attacked on the highway. I broke my neck. With my injuries 97% chance I should have been dead. I can still turn my head but it hurts like crazy.

The last of the settlements is coming through in the next few weeks. The wife wants me gone. I have limitations now and she doesn't want to deal with them.

I am leaving her the current 18 foot trailer and striking out on my own with no copilot / navigator / backing up spotter and I'm quite frankly nervous about trying to handle an 18 foot rig with a stiff neck and no help.

I plan to get as many gizmos as I can to help: dashboard BU cam for the SUV, wireless BU cam for TT rear. I was just hoping to find something tiny with everything I need.

[normal_dave]

Bigfoot Industries covers your list with this model, but it's gonna cost...
Bigfoot 25B175G

Bigfoot 2500 series trailers

[ScottG]

Since you ask for a "True 4 season trailer", I suggest you check out Northwood products. The other brands may make it through a night but NW stuff can be used without worrying about vavles and lines freezing on an ongoing basis.
Often folks don't realize what components will suffer from the cold in a trailer until they experience it.

[normal_dave]

Road Trip...(similar but supposedly more affordable than Casita)
Escape trailers

Also, is an 19' floor plan too big for you? This back country trailer is a tandem axle, but quite light, and fairly small for what you get. You'll need to get one with the power pack to have A/C and microwave, (most dealers have them fitted this way).

Outdoors RV Black Rock 18DB

1) **Truly 4 season**, at least PNW 4 season.
2) Fully enclosed
3) ---------(size 18' floor, 23' hitch to back bumper)
4) -------- (tandem axle)
5) Stove, preferably no oven
6) Fridge
7) AC
😎 Furnace
9) toilet
10) microwave
11) shower, preferably no tub
12) Queen sized bed
13) table / seating for at least one
14) Freezer

Back Country video

My cargo conversion is a tandem, but I don't tow anywhere near the weight capacity. I like the tandem for better ride over bumps, the "included" spare wheel(s) if I get a flat tire, I just think they tow better. Now backing and turning, the tires will slide a little in a tight spot, and I guess your turning radius shrinks a little vs. single axle, but I also think it backs a little easier and more predictable.

[stevennlv]

Thanks for the replys. I'll look in to the models suggested.

I just started this search. I've found recommendations on line about wintering in these smaller units by doing things like using a skirt and putting a ceramic heater underneath on an ext cord run from the podium. Anyone have experience with a set up like that? Good idea? Bad? I'm a little on the paranoid side about fire risks. Even with insurance I can't afford for everything to go up in smoke.

After I posted I found the jayco hummingbird and winnie drop.

Something I noticed in the brochures I've seen so far is that the ones in this size range (~14'?) do not have a "full" fridge, I.E. no freezer and only have a two burner stove.

So, to add to my specs of *must* haves:

A freeze

And preferably a 3 burner stove, at least as an option. I never bake and don't broil much. I can get by with a small grill. But I cook a lot. Usually in big batches and then store the leftovers.

[RedRocket204]

I'd be looking at a Lance 1475 or 1575 to at least compare with other models you are finding.

[TurnThePage]

Almost any trailer will get you through a couple 25 degree nights. Add an air conditioner and it will get you through a hot summer too.

If price is not a factor, I would opt for this Oliver travel trailer.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Camplite, casita, scamp, Starcraft comet or satellite.
That will give you a few to gander at.