DH and I have had almost every type of pull behind trailer, and now we're looking at the hard sided PUPs. We like the Aliners, but they're pretty pricey, as are the Trailmanors. The Trailmanors are also a little too heavy for our tow vehicle.
We've also looked at a Flagstaff hardsided PUP, which we liked the features and the price of, that looks like an Aliner. However, when we looked underneath, it wasn't sealed like the Aliner, and we're worried about water leaks/damage. It looked like wood underneath that had been painted with the black water repellant stuff. Not sure if that's enough to do the job. The Rockwood hardsided PUP is the same as the Flagstaff, I think.
Does anyone have experience with any of these PUPs, and if so, what is your opionion of the Flagstaff/Rockwood ones, as far as water tightness is concerned?
I have a 6-year-old PUP with exposed OSB that Weyerhaeuser called Structurwood that shows no signs of succumbing to water, rot, mold, mildew or any other signs of breaking down.
Having had a previous PUP with an OSB floor, but coated as you mention, I was quite leery of this stuff until I researched ad nauseum. With a 25-year warranty, I'm ok with it.
With the previous PUP having the black coating, I actually worried more about any of the new holes I had added or the existing holes from the mfgr not being properly sealed, but encountered no issues at all in the 4 years I had it.
If it is much of a concern but you otherwise like the hardside, get it and add your own protective cover underneath. I wouldn't recommend it, but to that's something you'll have to decide.
I had a 1990 Aliner that had rubberized undercoating sprayed on the bottom of the floor. After about 4 years, I attached some 2" thick expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) to the bottom for insulation because I mostly used it in very cold temperatures. One day I was talking to someone at the factory and they asked me about my mods. This led them to the changes you see today.
That 1990 Aliner is owned by a friend now. He lets it sit out in the weather and at one point was off level so water could run in at the bottom of the door. This has resulted in the floor rotting out just inside the door. Still hasn't fixed it yet.
Take a look at the original "solid state" (both hard sided side walls and hard sided bed ends) Apaches built from 1971 to 1987 by Vesely Corporation and its dealer network. My wife and I have a 1979 Apache Ramada and it is still very well built and durable, no problems whatsoever. Go to the Apache site - www,apachepopups.net
Mike '63
Bonnie '64
John '88
Katharine '91
James '92
1979 Apache Ramada
2005 Chevy TrailBlazer LT
I have a 2005 Aliner that I bought used in 2010. At the time, Aliner and Chelet were the two hard sided brands I was looking for. Either was acceptable, but Chalets had an edge. You should check out both brands.
I can't remember the name of the site, but I found one that searched all of the Craig's List postings in the US and, if you told it what you were looking for, it would e-mail you a link whenever what you were searching for turned up for sale. I needed one with air conditioning, so it took me about 3 months to find one that was in very good condition. I had to drive from CO to OK to get it, but I saved a ton of money over buying a new one and I am truly happy with the one I found. If price is an issue and "pre-owned" is not a huge turn-off for you, you may want to consider going this route.
I own a 2012 Flagstaff A-Frame and am very pleased. I had also checked out A-liners and just couldn't justify spending an extra 5K for less features. I suggest anybody interested in A-frame campers to check Forest River Rockwood/Flagstaff models in addition to Aliner and Chalet.
I have a 2012 Rockwood A128S and have been very happy with it. The price made the differance. With Aliner, everything was an option, with the Rockwood, it all came equipped and ready to go for a lot less money as loganmartin said.
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