This is my first post and I wanted to communicate with people who are experts in travel trailer manufacturers.
My wife and I have decided to get a travel trailer. This is something that we plan to live in full time, maybe move around every several years or so. We have come to like the idea of making extended stays in different areas.
In our website browsing, just like other things, we noticed the wide range in prices of trailers of similar dimensions. We noticed Airstream (quite expensive, even for their smaller models) and Jayco (more in our price range.) Since this will be a home that we live in full time, we don’t want anything that will implode in 10 or 15 years. What manufacturers would you all recommend? Any help would be deeply appreciated. We are green at this.
First welcome to the forum and welcome to the world of RVing.
My DW (Dear Wife) and I just bought a new fifth wheel that we are planning on living and traveling in full-time. We went with a Keystone Montana because we like the quality and it fit our budget. No the Montana isn't the highest quality coach available, but it is what we could afford, and we feel that Keystone makes a good quality unit.
Every manufacturer will give you the details of how their coaches are constructed. You will have to do the comparison.
An additional comment is when picking out a layout, be sure your livingroom and kitchen are separated. I don't mean with a wall but there are many layouts that have the livingroom around the kitchen. In other words, when you are sitting in the livingroom you have to look through the kitchen to watch the television. If someone is in the kitchen it becomes a real PITA. There are plenty of layouts that eliminate that problem.
* This post was
edited 07/11/08 08:36am by outdoorsman2007 *
If you plan to full time in a TT, make sure you get one that is considered a fours season trailer, which means it will have an insulated underbelly, and should be insulated well enough to withstand winter conditions. A well insulated unit will also be easier to cool with AC. Jayco is a pretty good company, but you should consider their better lines. I'd suggest that you look at Arctic Fox trailers. Also, since you indicate budget constraints, you may want to look for a good used trailer, i.e. go for a better trailer but slightly used.
If you are new to this, make sure you understand what it takes to tow a good sized travel trailer. If you are going to live in it year round, you will need space and storage room for your stuff. Most likely, you will need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.....unless you can go full time in a relatively small rig.
I think you need to do a lot of looking at trailers, and get an idea of what you think you really need in terms of size. Then see what kind of tow vehicle you will need. If you haven't towed a trailer before, just make sure you avoid one of the most common mistakes........buying too much trailer for the tow vehicle.
Good luck in your search. Welcome to the forums, and don't hesitate to ask more questions.
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For full timing, you should check into the Nash/Arctic Fox, Jayco Eagle, or Keystone Montana Mountaineer. Those are only a few lines of TT's, but ones that would serve you well for your intentions.
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There are two reasons for higher prices. One is superior construction quality, the other is premium priced interior fittings. The second is more common than the first. The highest prices combine both.
Carriage builds for full-time, year round living, the warranty applies . They currently manufacture only fifth wheel trailers. Their Cameo line is often no more expensive than premium trim in trailer lines not designed for full time living.
There are other manufacturers who make towables in this class, but do not necessarily approve full-time (there are issues about which housing manufacturing standards must apply, manufactured home vs RV). New Horizons, Teton, last for many years of continuous use. NuWa is also popular regionally with snowbirds in the midwest.
Keep in mind, most people who buy new and live in them full time, do not keep a trailer for 10-15 years. The extended life of the best constructed towables is most enjoyed by second, third, fourth owners. There is always something new coming out, something to trade up to, for those who like to enjoy new RVs.
For year round living, at modest cost, I recommend Northwood.
If you are considering staying several years at one place, you might consider manufactured housing rather then RV, and have the house professionally moved. The construction standards, and design goals, are different. There is a penalty
Scbwr is correct. You need a 4-seasons rig for more than just cold weather camping. Get the double pane window option. If you do not, condensation from living/cooking will cause moisture to form on the inner surface of windows, and the water then runs down and rots the wall underneath.
Be sure to read brochures and make sure the one you’re thinking about does NOT say ‘’for camping use only’’ (or ‘’for temporary use only’’) because full time living adds stress not normally put onto a rig, such as the window sweat problem. A trailer built for full time living has a lot of special features added that camping only rigs lack. A lot of large fifth wheel trailers are built for full time living. Not all, but a lot are, and that’s why they’re more expensive. Don’t cut corners or the rig will not stand up to the usage. Also, warranties are generally thrown out the window on a camping only trailer if find out you’re full timing in it.
Since you’ll be presumably be traveling a lot as you move around to have new scenery out your windows, you might add in a heavier axle option. My aunt and uncle had a constant blowout problem on their 40’ 5’er until he got tired of it and replaced the axles with heavier 16.5’’ wheels and commercial tires. End of problem. The OEM 15’’ wheels/tires and light duty axles will likely be a problem since you’ll have a lot more ‘stuff’’ with you since you’ll be living out of it, and that either overloads the axles or pushes their limits to the max.
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you might add in a heavier axle option. My aunt and uncle had a constant blowout problem on their 40’ 5’er until he got tired of it and replaced the axles with heavier 16.5’’ wheels and commercial tires. End of problem. The OEM 15’’ wheels/tires and light duty axles will likely be a problem since you’ll have a lot more ‘stuff’’ with you since you’ll be living out of it, and that either overloads the axles or pushes their limits to the max.
