RV - Travel trailers

[Rondinone]

Anyone here ever own a travel trailer? We're looking at a 25 footer for the next few vacations, but have never actually used one. Is it as cool as it seems, or does it suck? Anyone ever buy one and hate it? Thanks,

Rondinone

[cegerer]

Make sure whatever you buy, it has a slideout or multiple slideouts - it makes all the difference in the world! As for camping - some people love it and some hate it. I do know people who bought trailers and hated it. Most who love it, came up gradually from tents, to tent-campers, to small travel trailers, to big travel trailers/motorhomes.

[schamp]

A 25 foot RV is OK. Not all that heavy. Depends on what you have to tow it with. I think 25 is on the small side but if using with just 2 people would be ok. I have a 33 jayco with slide. Use it mostly for nascar races and then have at least 4 to 6. If looking used check the roof. If a rubber roof check it good. That rubber is very thin and a bird can put a hole in it. Leaks are the problem over every thing else. If buying new, be careful. The sales guys will blow so much smoke up your skirt you will think your getting a deal. Check on ebay for past sales. Not saying buy one on ebay but check completed listing for past sales. Towing is another thing. Good luck. Spencer

[goat]

Had a 22 Alpinlite 5th wheel. Previously had only done tent camping.
for 2 people and two dogs it was snug. But most of our trips lead to dirt roads with lots of ruts & stuff. So we flipped the axles which lifted it up a bit.
When we camp we spend most of our time outside anyway so was not really a big deal for the size factor except when eating and getting ready to start the day.

[id10t]

A friend lives in one year-round, travelign to various Renn Fests to make her living.

Your big worries will be how much it weighs, how much you can tow, and how much stuff you plan on takign with you.

Her dream trailer would have 2 slide outs, one for living room and one for bedroom. Also, the "lightweight" trailers are often under-insulated. Take in account toting around waste water, etc. as well....

[930addict]

Rondinone, check out this site: www.rv.net. It's the Pelicanparts site for RV people.

[bigchillcar]

i had a 35' motorhome for several years. it had a big ford 460 in it, so it was a gas hog. i never left the state in it, but traveled frequently to local state parks..lots of good memories. it was a '90, so now slide-outs, but it was a 'side aisle', which made for more rear bedroom privacy, although that probably mattered little to me..i had a gf, but no kids to have to 'hide from'. i sold it for a couple thousand less than i paid for it, which was okay by me..i sold it and bought a house instead. living in it got pretty cramped after a couple years, but some people manage it very well. but at 6'2" and 240, i was bumping into things quite a bit. for travel i think they're great..you stay in your own place, cook and eat your own food..and generally other rv'ers are good company when doing walks around the parks. it's nice to not have the added pressure of 'checkout times', etc.
ryan

[911boost]

I have a 1979 Mallard, 18 footer. Yeah go ahead and laugh, I paid under $2K for it, everything works just fine, and like others have mentioned, when I camp, I like to spend my time outside. Otherwise I 'd just stay home.

When we camp, we don't do campgrounds. Being near the Rockies and the Snowy Range in Wyoming, there are a lot of great campsites that aren't actual campgrounds. Typically I have to use 4 low to get to our spots.

I also pull a 5x8 trailer behind my Mallard with the dirt bikes on it, so we go places where we can do that, along with Fly fishing (upi would be amazed at some of the great fly fishing spots you can get to on a dirtbike / 4wheeler), etc.

My advice would definitley be to buy a used one, see if you like it, and if so, move up to something bigger. Also decide what kind of camping you are going to be doing. If you are going to always in parks with hook-ups, it will definitley change your requirements.

Personally, I like the old stuff, while it might be heavier (mine has actual 2x4's in the walls) my Tahoe still pulls it fine with the right hitch, and I own it. Not my idea of a good time to make payments on something I use maybe 6 or 7 times a year.

Here are a couple of pictures, the interiro is a trip (brown plaid and daisy pattern linoleum floor).




Bill

[Hugh R]

I have a pop up camping trailer, so no experience here except to say before you buy one, whatever brand, check out the parts availability, like our cars, buying one that you can get the right part for makes an awful lot of jobs easier. Most items are custom made for that application.

[bigchillcar]

My advice would definitley be to buy a used one, see if you like it, and if so, move up to something bigger.

yes, definitely buy used...these things depreciate like a mofo..
ryan