Travel Trailer shopping

First, considering it's just the 2 of you, look for a camper that is made for only 2. In other words, you don't need bunk beds or a camper that will sleep 8. The doors are wide open.

You need to determine how much you can tow with your tow vehicle.
You need to determine what type of trailer, 5er, Toy Hauler, or hybrid.
You then need to determine a floor plan that you like.
Then you need to compare that similar floor plan with different manufacturers.

You REALLY need to physically go see them, take photos, take notes.
When you see that "perfect" camper and have the "AH-HA!" moment, you will know it.
Our selections over the years has never made any sense. Maybe our standards are just too high or something. But for all 3 TT's we've owned, each one was an "AH-HA" moment and they turned out to be right!

Begin by narrowing down your floor plan, then start comparing brand against brand. And don't be surprised if, what you end up with is absolutely nothing compared to what you started with.

I suggest going to a RV show to see lots of floorplans and makes and also watching some Y tube video's on how brands are built.

Good advice from Dutchman above.
We have had 5 different trailers. There are just 2 of us and the mutt.
Our favorite floor plan is a "rear lounge" set up with 2 comfortable recliners.

Good luck with your search. Do LOTS of research before you buy and you will maybe avoid some of the famous and never ending "upgrade cycle." trying to get it right.

Our floor plan:

DutchmenSport wrote:
First, considering it's just the 2 of you, look for a camper that is made for only 2. In other words, you don't need bunk beds or a camper that will sleep 8. The doors are wide open.

I'd have to disagree considering the OP said -

"We have a small, no bedroom seasonal cabin in northern MN, and will keep that. The travel trailer will be multi purpose. We want to start traveling and seeing parts of the country we haven't seen or places we want to see more of. We will also use it for having guests at the lake cabin."

This cabin also has no bedrooms so it seems to me they should in fact be looking at bunk bed models, the more the better.

Obviously I do agree the OP first needs to establish just what size of trailer their particular vehicle can safely tow, then decide on just which bunk bed floorplans may best meet their needs. JMO. :)

You need to go to lots of RV shows and look at the various models and floorplans. In our case we first purchased an old non-slide trailer. This allowed us to figure out what we wanted in a floorplan.
For example, when we finally started looking we found the following features were a minimum requirement for us most involved the slide.
1) Access to toilet with slide in.
2) Access to bedroom with slide in.
3) Access to refridge with slide in.
4) Access to pantry/cabinets with slide in.
5) Rear living layout.
6) Free standing table and chairs.
7) Large water tanks for extended boondocking.
There are probably a few others that I have forgotten about.
In the end we purchased the Jayco that is in our signature, which met every requirement.
Just the other day we were out looking at trailers while picking up some parts at the dealer. We are still happy with our layout and did not find any of the new trailers that would work better for us.

Great advice so far, thank you. We have been to sportshows that have campers, but not a specific camping/rv show. That will change this weekend. We know we want a travel trailer. I have a 2015 Suburban, so should handle what we need. I did rent a 31' trailer for pheasant hunting last fall, loved it. Probably a bit large for our needs.
The overflow at the lake we don't need much, just a bedroom, and maybe a sofabed to allow us to get away from the crowd, especially when the crowd is family :)

All solid advice thus far. Just a note that TTs are mass produced and are built and pushed down the assembly line as fast as humanly possible. That can lead to a lemon here or there from most any brand/model in current production. As you begin to have an idea of a floorplan suited to your needs, seeking out a dealer that has a great reputation for customer service in your area will pay dividends down the road when warranty issues arise. Most TTs come with a 1 year warranty and there are a few brands with 2 year warranties although who's to say they are any better quality wise. Good luck, here's hoping whatever you purchase delivers on all your expectations.

ScottG wrote:
I suggest going to a RV show to see lots of floorplans and makes and also watching some Y tube video's on how brands are built.

To add to this:

Brands and lines don't matter near as much as how the unit is maintained. You can buy a top brand / line, let it sit in the woods, and in a short time, it will be in poor condition. Or, you can buy an entry level, maintain it well, and it will last you a long time.

Most important items are floor plan, when, where, and how it will be used / maintained, and build specs that match your needs.

Examples:

Heated holding tanks is a marketing term.

Some manufacturers spray a thin coat of foam on the exposed tanks. Some, install electric heat pads (on the tanks and sewer dump lines), spray the tanks, add fiberglass insulation, route heat ducts near the tanks, and enclose the trailer underbelly. And, some with varying degrees of protection, in between. They all say "we have heated tanks".

Polar package, Cold weather package, Four season package, etc are also marketing terms.

Again, there are varying degrees of cold weather protection. Different wall, ceiling, and floor thickness. Different amounts or types of insulation.

The interior systems (refrigerator, stove, entertainment, heating and cooling, etc) are only made by a few subcontractors, and are pretty much standard for all brands / lines. Same applies to running gear and stabilizer jacks.

They all have their share of units built on Friday afternoon. And, they all will have minor issues after getting bounced down our bad roads.

my first cut is no rubber roof.
bumpy

macminn wrote:
We know we want a travel trailer. I have a 2015 Suburban, so should handle what we need.

Nevertheless you need to know your numbers, account for the weight of everything - don't make the classic newbie mistake of automatically assuming your Sub will necessarily "handle what we need".

The overflow at the lake we don't need much, just a bedroom, and maybe a sofabed to allow us to get away from the crowd, especially when the crowd is family :)

Second newbie mistake is assuming that parking someone on a sofa bed or dinette that has to be converted for bed use is a viable solution. In a pinch, if you have to, sure - but as many who've been down this path themselves will tell you it's a solution that's often tremendously uncomfortable and gets old really quickly. :( Nothing beats an actual bed. :)

Just food for thought. ;)