Our Honda Pilot is rated to tow 3500 lbs. I think around 2000 lbs gross be a good fit to tow. Weigh and wind resistance is of course main factors when towing. For that reason I am considering the Classic, or older model Expedition for it's size and features, without the extra height, width and weigh. Should I be concerned about the extra width, height? Another question is resale value of Aliners. I heard it is poor. This could make a differance between buying new or used.
DJB wrote: Our Honda Pilot is rated to tow 3500 lbs. I think around 2000 lbs gross be a good fit to tow. Weigh and wind resistance is of course main factors when towing. For that reason I am considering the Classic, or older model Expedition for it's size and features, without the extra height, width and weigh. Should I be concerned about the extra width, height? Another question is resale value of Aliners. I heard it is poor. This could make a differance between buying new or used.
We had and loved our 2006 Aliner Classic, used it extensively for a little over a year and just flat out grew it. We wanted the additional amenities (full bath and kitchen), of a TT. Because they ride so low the wind resistance is almost non existent and anything will tow them, ours was not much more than 1,000# loaded for camping.
As far as resale we did well, got what I thought was a great deal at $7,000 nicely equipped in like new condition. Sold it after a year of serious use for $6,700 and the phone rang off the hook from the first day it was on Craigslist. Clean, well equipped Aliners are hard to find and sell quickly. Can't recommend buying new, too much of a hit driving off the lot. If you can live with their inherent limitations, bang for the buck, you probably can't do any better.
If you start shopping for a used Aliner you will find out about resell value. They can be difficult to find and hold their value extremely well.
You will love the Classic. If buying new you might want the off-road axle for the increased weight capacity and ground clearance. Many people really love the high wall option for higher counter tops and increased head room when sitting at dinette or sofa.
We tow our 2012 Aliner Classic with a 6 cylinder Toyota Rav 4 and it does well (19-21 mpg at 65 mph interstate towing, depending on grade). I have to pay attention to speed when towing to keep from going over 65 - the tires aren't rated for more than that, plus the general safety issue...
I assume your camper would be for only 2 people. It's very small! We like ours a lot and are learning how to create storage where there isn't any!
Thanks for all your good replies about Aliners. There will be only my wife and me in the Aliner. I finally talked her into one just for our needs only.
Desert Captain you hit it on the nail head, six year old Classic, nice equipted price range what I have in mind.
beemerphile1 you are right about hard to find. I just missed one last month in Florida, 2005 Classic, $6000, sold the day before I could get there. There does not seem to be many used Aliners listed, do not know why? Neither Aliner or Columbia appears in NADA Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide. This quide shows suggested list price by year and model, plus used whoesale trade in, and used retail.
xteacher I was really impressed with your 2012 Classic you pull and get around 20 MPG. Is it a high wall, and wide body?
All the pictures look great, makes me more determined to find one. Thanks again for all your inputs.
...beemerphile1 you are right about hard to find. I just missed one last month in Florida, 2005 Classic, $6000, sold the day before I could get there. There does not seem to be many used Aliners listed, do not know why? Neither Aliner or Columbia appears in NADA Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide. This quide shows suggested list price by year and model, plus used whoesale trade in, and used retail...
NADA does list Aliners. Of course they spell it wrong as is so often done. They spell it "A Liner".
There isn't a large number available used because they are a small manufacturer. Plus many people that have them fall in love and keep them for a long time. I bought my 2009 used in 2009 on eBay.
Over the years I have purchased three used Aliners from online ads. Persistence and patience is the secret. Craiglist, Casita and Aliner Clubs classified, and using a search engine such as Bing or Google are mainly what I used.
Our Aliner has a standard axle and body (not the off road package or high wall) and is standard width (6.5 ft.). That's the beauty of them - they don't go much beyond the footprint of your smaller tow vehicle, which is why they get such great gas mileage towing them. The off road package added more cost, and we didn't really need it.
If I did camp off the grid, I'd definitely want the off-road package! The axle has a 1000 pound higher capacity and is obviously higher off the ground.
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