Travel Trailer

[214skier]

Considering moving from a truck camper to a travel trailer to accommodate a growing family. We camp year-round. We are narrowing in on Keystone and/or Jayco models based on floor plan (bunkhouse) as well as fit / finish.

Any advice? Our biggest concern is insulation and getting a true 4-season rig.

Open to any and all comments. Thank you in advance.

[AH64ID]

Congrats!

[214skier]

Thank you everyone for the excellent input.

Last Saturday I bought the 2014 OutdoorRV Timber Creek 270DBHS. Awesome experience so far--bought from a dealer in Boise--round trip from Seattle to Idaho Friday/ Saturday. Left this past Sunday for the coast and a shake down cruise in our new rig. All thumbs up--so far very impressed with this camper!

[clubhouse]

I love my Jayco (both of them in fact) but I wouldn't consider them to be a true 4 Season TT -- even if you get the Polar Package or other insulating packages.

IMO a four season trailer is more than just some extra insulation...one true way to see if a mfg is serious about year round use, see if you can get double pane windows.

[sgrizzle]

IMO...there are lemons lurking in every product line...Just when I think I may want a new camper...you see on the forum someone is having an issue with it...sometimes I think, you might be better off buying a slightly used one, if you can feel comfortable with the seller...

My first was a Grey Wolf, by forest river. It was a chance for us to "tip or toe" into camping. It was great! We sold that one after 3 years and bought a 2009 Laredo, by Keystone...Love it! It has great upgrades from our first camper. The seller was very honest about the condition and we have loved it!

Now, as to your OP on floor plans...a friend of mine had a 5ver BH...both sides of the BH slide out and it formed a fantastic "room" for the kids. I don't know if that is an option for TT, but it would be one I would sure like to find!

Back to your question...ID your price range, look at floor plans and options and pick the one you like and enjoy!!

[abby323]

Go With Jayco, Much less headaches, Keystone's full of problems.

[Ron3rd]

FrankShore wrote:
I'm not too keen on Forest River (Berkshire Hathaway) which is a solid company, but they have 48 product lines (and usually 8 floorplans within each line) Too big and too many pokers in the fire for my liking. I'd say Northwoods MFG (Nash, Arctic Fox), OutdoorRV or Lance are going to be your 3 biggest and best options. I don't think Jayco cuts it when it comes to their supposed "Polar Package" I have the Arctic Fox 22G but it's heavy and kinda clunky. I'm thinking about a Lance for the lightweight and true 4 Seasons Package. Don't know if I'll pull the trigger or not.

That could be true as FR makes many product lines, some probably better than others. The Rockwood or Flagstaff twin seem to be higher end IMO than their cheaper lines. So far I've been impressed with the fit and finish, they way they construct their walls, etc. Lots of good trailers out their if you do your homework. Jayco has a big following and we looked at those too but found the FR Rockwood to be of better quality in our opinion.

[Ron3rd]

matt_r wrote:

FrankShore wrote:
By the way, I'd personally avoid anything made by Thor Industries (Keystone) It appears they are having financial difficulties lately.

UGH. Keystone is on my list...

What about Forrest River?

We love our Rockwood Winjammer by FR. Very good attention to detail IMO.

[dahkota]

We have owned both Jayco and Keystone (currently Sprinter). To be honest, neither are 4 season tts. We camped in snow down to 20 degrees - our Jayco did not have heated (did have insulated) tanks and did okay as long as the fresh water was more than 1/2 full. The Sprinter (with heated tanks) had no problem. Both used a lot of propane to keep the tts at a livable temperature (65 degrees). We also have camped in both up to 100 degrees (115 in the Sprinter). Neither were able to keep the tt truly comfortable with 13.5K a/cs. In full sun, the best they could do was about 20 degrees less than outside air. The results were better in the shade.

Honestly, I thought the Jayco was a better made trailer. The Sprinter has a good chassis but some of the fit and finish is a little less than the Jayco. If we were just using the tts for an occasional weekend or vacation trip, no extreme temps or extreme backroads, either would be good. But for extended, extreme, or rough use, I would consider Northwoods products. In fact, we are getting ready to sell or trade in our Sprinter.

[AH64ID]

Opie431 wrote:
Our TT has four bunks, they are long enough that each child can keep a Rubbermaid box at the end of the bunk. During the day it becomes a desk or table. It can hold their toys or extra clothes.
When the children are older their boxes are stacked on the floor overnight.
If you get bunks be sure to have something along the side that will keep them from falling out.

That is a great idea!!

[Opie431]

Our TT has four bunks, they are long enough that each child can keep a Rubbermaid box at the end of the bunk. During the day it becomes a desk or table. It can hold their toys or extra clothes.
When the children are older their boxes are stacked on the floor overnight.
If you get bunks be sure to have something along the side that will keep them from falling out.

[FrankShore]

I'm not too keen on Forest River (Berkshire Hathaway) which is a solid company, but they have 48 product lines (and usually 8 floorplans within each line) Too big and too many pokers in the fire for my liking. I'd say Northwoods MFG (Nash, Arctic Fox), OutdoorRV or Lance are going to be your 3 biggest and best options. I don't think Jayco cuts it when it comes to their supposed "Polar Package" I have the Arctic Fox 22G but it's heavy and kinda clunky. I'm thinking about a Lance for the lightweight and true 4 Seasons Package. Don't know if I'll pull the trigger or not.

[214skier]

FrankShore wrote:
By the way, I'd personally avoid anything made by Thor Industries (Keystone) It appears they are having financial difficulties lately.

UGH. Keystone is on my list...

What about Forrest River?

[FrankShore]

By the way, I'd personally avoid anything made by Thor Industries (Keystone) It appears they are having financial difficulties lately.

[lhenry8113]

Check out the Northwood products--they are well known for their quality and that they are a 4 seasons camper. Lars

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/