Hey folks,I'm new to the forum and also pretty inexperienced when it comes to travel trailers. We rented a Vibe trailer last year and it was a good experience and I'm considering purchasing some sort of smaller trailer for next year. That being said, I'm fairly disappointed with the various configurations I have seen and looked through. There are a couple of R-pod configurations that are decent and the Safari Condo R-series looks intriguing (no dealers in Western Canada though.) As such, I've started to look beyond Canada/USA to see what is on the market in the UK and Australia. There are some really cool travel trailers available in the UK that have floor plans which look very attractive. Does anyone know if it is possible or if it makes sense to try to import a trailer from the UK? Would there be issues with fuel sources (propane?) or with electrical systems? Are there importation restrictions (particularly into Canada)? Do trailers in the UK have similar fresh/black/grey water components as NA trailers? Thanks

I don't know how hard it is to import, but they will come with the door on the wrong side unless it is made for the US/Canada market.

That would be a no go, unless you go threw a lot of conversions so It will work here. I think they use 240v in the UK, so thats a whole new electrical system. And their water system hook ups are different as well as their black/grey tanks too. And they are left entry so everything is on the other side. And then theirs shipping, registration, and many inspections too. Not worth it. It could be close to double what you pay for the RV after everything is sorted out.

Not to mention a pretty steep price to have it shipped over, picked up at the dock, serviced and ready for you to pick up. Believe I'd have another look at the R-pod or similar.

dadmomh wrote:Not to mention a pretty steep price to have it shipped over, picked up at the dock, serviced and ready for you to pick up. Believe I'd have another look at the R-pod or similar.Shipping and associated costs might be a real killer but the purchase seems to be pretty decent. Some of the new units I've quickly taken a look at are around $25,000CAD after currency conversion. Used models might be very affordable.

calgarygeologist wrote:dadmomh wrote:Not to mention a pretty steep price to have it shipped over, picked up at the dock, serviced and ready for you to pick up. Believe I'd have another look at the R-pod or similar.Shipping and associated costs might be a real killer but the purchase seems to be pretty decent. Some of the new units I've quickly taken a look at are around $25,000CAD after currency conversion. Used models might be very affordable.Like Open Range said, they use 240V in the UK and Australia. You would be looking at a retrofit to120V, then all of your hook ups and entry are going to be reversed to the way NA campgrounds are set up. Then there is going to be an inspection and certification required before you would be able to register and licence it. I suggest that you start here, http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-importation-usa-index-445.htm, then decide if you think it will be worth the trouble and expense.

TT from UK? | Good Sam Community

ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Also remember, their tongue weight is really light there. That could be an issue here in North America.
AirForceAngler
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
You could just have one custom built like this, uh, person. Click

:h
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
I would hazard a guess that a person could buy a trailer here, bring it home, gut the insides and rebuilt it to the floorplan of your liking, for less money and hassle than trying to import one from overseas, and do the previously mentioned retrofits.
If you really look inside one of these campers, they are actually very simple, rather crude tiny little homes. Anybody that is even the slightest bit handy could rebuild the insides of one.
calgarygeologis
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
DesertHawk wrote:
Yep! Prices for molded fiberglass are always higher. But are pretty bullet proof.

We have a Lance 1985 TT & just love it. They are very well made as well. We went with a somewhat larger one a
@ 23'4". But they have some smaller with the Lance 1575 being their smallest trailer @ 19'6". These are made in Lancaster, CA.

Photos of our Lance.

Have you checked them out?

The Lance trailers are nice. I would consider one except that the smaller units don't appear to have a bunk configuration. The current 2185 would be too much weight for my tow vehicle. Maybe there are previous model years which are 23' or so and have a bunk configuration in which case I would be interested.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2014
Really it's a small travel trailer that you would use for camping. Is "the perfect" floor plan that important? It will cost additional thousands just to get one shipped here. Then where do you go for parts or service?

B.O.
DesertHawk
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Yep! Prices for molded fiberglass are always higher. But are pretty bullet proof.

We have a Lance 1985 TT & just love it. They are very well made as well. We went with a somewhat larger one a
@ 23'4". But they have some smaller with the Lance 1575 being their smallest trailer @ 19'6". These are made in Lancaster, CA.

Photos of our Lance.

Have you checked them out?
calgarygeologis
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
DesertHawk wrote:
Have you looked at the Escape moldered fiberglass TTs. They make several sizes & have optional floor plans, even make a small 5th wheel. Very well make rigs. Make in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

http://escapetrailer.com/

I found their website a couple of weeks ago. Prices seem high especially considering all the options that would need to be included. I haven't actually seen one in person but the layouts and interior photos were not getting me excited.
DesertHawk
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Have you looked at the Escape moldered fiberglass TTs. They make several sizes & have optional floor plans, even make a small 5th wheel. Very well make rigs. Make in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

http://escapetrailer.com/
loulou57
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
Think of these things......

...electrical, propane, plumbing and sewer are all different
...purchase price and exchange rate
...insulation and tires are different
...warranty, repair, parts

Everything is different over there. Tire sizes and even the frame may not be suitable for here. You have to remember, people over there may only travel 15 to 20 miles to camp. The whole country is less than 500 miles in length. They are built for Europe.

I am from the UK. My cousin just bought a new 2014 Caravan. Sleeps 6 on convertible sofas. Smaller fridge, no air. They paid £25,000 which would convert to about $45,000. Now when you include shipping you are looking at a lot of $ for something different that you may not ever sell over here.
hddecker
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014
calgarygeologist wrote:
dadmomh wrote:
Not to mention a pretty steep price to have it shipped over, picked up at the dock, serviced and ready for you to pick up. Believe I'd have another look at the R-pod or similar.

Shipping and associated costs might be a real killer but the purchase seems to be pretty decent. Some of the new units I've quickly taken a look at are around $25,000CAD after currency conversion. Used models might be very affordable.

Like Open Range said, they use 240V in the UK and Australia. You would be looking at a retrofit to120V, then all of your hook ups and entry are going to be reversed to the way NA campgrounds are set up.

Then there is going to be an inspection and certification required before you would be able to register and licence it.

I suggest that you start here, http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles-importation-usa-index-445.htm, then decide if you think it will be worth the trouble and expense.

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