Travel Trailers

I've had 3 campers and had minimal problems with each. Each one had a couple initial warranty items that were fixed promptly. After that, all 3 were good campers, except for stuff I goofed up myself.

First was a Dutchmen
Second was a Keystone Springdale
Third was a Keystone Outback

Of the 3, I think the Outback has been the best.

Well you find out what his price range is, what he has to tow it with first.

Then find out if he wants a trailer for himself, a couple, or a family with pets.

Then find out what he intends to do with it. Park it in a park, take it boondocking, use it in all seasons.

Then come back and give us that information, and get some help. Millions of people are very happy with their units, but having skills to repair them or an unlimited amount of money and patience to have someone else fix simple things is essential.

I would avoid Coachman. During the course of my RV repair career, I noticed that they were more notably the "leakers" in the industry. The poor quality allows rain to intrude causing thousands of dollars in damages.

I think its time for your friend to do something besides ask you....and then blame you for anything going wrong after purchasing the recommendation you made.

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Well you find out what his price range is, what he has to tow it with first.

Then find out if he wants a trailer for himself, a couple, or a family with pets.

Then find out what he intends to do with it. Park it in a park, take it boondocking, use it in all seasons.

Then come back and give us that information, and get some help. Millions of people are very happy with their units, but having skills to repair them or an unlimited amount of money and patience to have someone else fix simple things is essential.

^^^^^^^^
best answer
lots of variables.

One thing about brands . A Dutchman of a few years ago ( just one example) is not owned , made? By the same people ? Or plant ? That they were a few years back . Fleetwood sold off their brand names to others. Some that were good went down hill yet some got better. I’ve been hearing my Open Range that was sold to Jayco then sold to Thor are no longer the quality built units they were just a couple years back.

Best of luck

You can tell your friend that the majority of TT are built to a price point. That means they are built to the level of quality that most customers is are willing to pay for.

If they were all trash and garbage the industry would not sell well over 450,000 units each year for the last five years. Most TTs serve their owners well and those owners keep coming back for the same newer and often bigger units.

If you want more quality and are willing to pay for it, look to Lance, Nash, the Arctic series or the Airstream group. Others such as Casita, Scamp, Bigfoot and other shell types are often rejected because of the cost per size.

If folks really wanted a high quality TT the low volume venders would not be low volume.

The industry builds what the customer will buy. That does include some rather high dollar motor coaches by the way.

Artum Snowbird wrote:
having skills to repair them or an unlimited amount of money and patience to have someone else fix simple things is essential.

I'm not sure there is a more important piece of advice for a first time owner than this. If you have a limited budget and hire a professional for every leaky drain or faulty light switch in your home - owning a trailer may not be for you. If you are ready and able to pay someone for repairs (and to wait for them to be done), or you are somewhat adept at basic home repairs, you can be fine.

I'm not a tradesman by any means, but I do the vast majority of my basic home maintenance and repairs myself. The trailer is no different. We've owned ours for six years and have had a few issues here and there (this year that has included a toilet seal, a broken faucet, a failing pump and a defective thermostat). That being said, it's only been in the shop twice...

• Once for new tires.
• Once to replace an axle.

Artum Snowbird, sgfrye.
Well you find out what his price range is, what he has to tow it with first.
Money no problem. 2018 one ton Chevy dual wheel

He wants it for a family with pets.

Will take it boondocking, use it in all seasons.

Then come back and give us that information, and get some help. Millions of people are very happy with their units, but having skills to repair t

Grand Design Reflection and Imagine series travel trailers.