huachuca
Tarboro, NC
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Joined: 10/31/2005
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Hi Julie. Another vote for the molded fiberglass genre - Bigfoot, Casita, Escape, Oliver, Scamp & others. Some are no longer in business but their products are still around - we camped near a 70 something Trillium this weekend. In the past five years, we've covered over 50K miles and spent 200+ nights in our 02 16' Scamp with much of the towing done by my wife's 05 Tacoma 4WD Double Cab. Although the fuel economy could be a little better (14-16 mpg when towing), its a great combination.
What type of camping do you think you'll be doing - RV parks with full hookups or more rustic campgrounds such as those found on government lands? For us, the 16' Scamp is about the right size - with all our gear, it'll push 3K lbs. Its the side bath model with front bunks as our daughter camped with us until she got to college. Now that she no longer cares to go with us, we're looking for a front bath / side dinette model. I'd recommend that floor plan to any single or couple thinking of purchasing one of these.
Good luck in your search and let us know what you end up with.
Al & Cindy
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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There are a number of happy Taco owners on the various small fiberglass trailer forums pulling TTs and 5W trailers in the 13/16/17/19' sizes.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
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Tiger Fan
Louisiana
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Joined: 12/14/2007
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Hey Julie,
I'm a member over at tacomaworld.com and there is a lot of info on towing with your Tacoma. Maverick has a great writeup under the towing section. It is defiantly everything you need to know about towing. I have an 04 Smokey 19FRB. It's not made anymore but we love it. It's around 3600 dry and 5400 fully loaded. I have an 07 Tacoma with the towing package and have had no problems towing. I would recommend the transmission cooler and weight distribution though.
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beeser
San Diego
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Joined: 06/23/2008
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Hi Julie!
Molded fiberglass trailers are terrific products and have an enthusiastic following. In my 2 year search for a small travel trailer we looked at a number of them; Scamp, Casita, Oliver, Escape, Bigfoot and few others no longer made. A Bigfoot 17 was our final choice with the Oliver a very close second. My suggestion is to look at as many of them as possible before deciding. Viewing pictures and floor plans will help narrow down the field but nothing beats an upfront and personal inspection. You're extremely fortunate to be located near a soon to be gathering of fiberglass trailers. It would be an excellent opportunity to see and touch many of them and talk with their owners. Check out http://www.fiberglassrv.com/index.html for information on the gathering.
I forgot to mention that we also looked at many of the other non-molded fiberglass trailers; Airstream, FunFinder, Eco, etc. The Airstream 16 ft. Bambi was my personal favorite for a while because of the floor plan. We eventually decided against it after hearing some of the horror stories of aluminum skin repairs. I still have a desire to own one though. The other stick built trailers mentioned are all fine and I can't say anything bad about them. Actually, they deliver a lot of value for the money. But I find them rather ordinary and boring. That's just my opinion though.
So, enjoy the search. After looking back, it was a very enjoyable experience sifting through all the options. Good luck!
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afob3
TN
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Joined: 04/17/2008
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We like our Trail-Cruiser C17 that someone else reccomended. The tip out beds make it feel much larger than it's lenght when all set up.
Like others have said, start looking and you will start to narrow the field. It is a lot like house shopping and just takes time.
09 Trail-Cruiser C17
07 Hyundai Entourage
www.familyobrien.net
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SilnJohn
Denver
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Joined: 06/17/2005
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northofnormal wrote:look at what we have a Jayco 165 feather sport, #2800 dry #3500 max.
That's also the trailer in my profile, I towed it with a 2001 Tacoma V6. Didn't win any races but had no problems with the setup.
2009 KZ Spree LX 210KS
2005 Ford 4x4 F-150 SC Lariat
2003 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4
Proud new parents of 1 son born May 2008
Older Brother a 70lb Golden Retriever
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123sand
michigan
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Joined: 05/21/2008
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We have rockwood mini lite 1809 weights 2700.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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Vapor_Trails wrote:Fleetwood Tacoma
Hard wall.
Low wind resistance.
Can store in a garage.
My suggestion also!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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byhamr
Colorado
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I have a 2003 Kia Sorento with published capacity at 3500#... I had to hunt a long time but just found a 1988 Komfort 17LB. Front table folds to queen with rear permanent bunks, full bath, furnace, water heat, fridge, furnace... pretty well equipped. EMpty weight runs 1950# the older ones also are shorter in height and width which helps with wind resistence. It sits really nicely in terms of roof line with the Kia. Came with WDH so pulls really nice. Am headed into Rockies tomorrow. But the more I learn abotu this trailer the more I wonder why they cant make similar units out of current materials and get even lighter and more wind friendly. This unit is so much bigger than the fiiberglass units mentioned here. I almost went that way but being 6'1" and very muscular :-) I felt we wold be cramped... think rainy days...
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this_is_nascar
Gloucester Hts., NJ
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Joined: 05/24/2007
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See my sig-line. Here's what we tow with my '07 Tacoma access cab.
** 2007 Jayco Jay Feather Sport 186 -- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road-SR5 **
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