Hello, I'm new to this forum, and I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right section or not. I was hoping I could get personal opinions on TrailManor Campers. I would like to purchase one someday but I want real opinions on them. What are the likes and dislikes of having one and would you recommend it or something very close to it?
Thanks for any feedback.
I think the Trail Manor is an engineering marvel. No question that for its size (open) its the cheapest (gas usage) on the market.
Having said that, I think (me) they are cheaply made for the crazy price they get. Useless on the road due to not being able to get inside. The awning is a flimsy piece of &%$#. You can't add water (most models) if closed up. And the list goes on and on. My friend has one and rarely uses it as it takes so much effort to open, pack, close, open, set it up etc. etc.
Pay your money and take your chances. Many that have them love them, not my buddy. The cost for one can be two to three times a comparable hard sided TT. For ME not worth it.
my wife and i have owned two. 05-3023 and 07-3326.the cost of the 3326 was $36,600.we enjoyed both but requires alot of fixing loose screews and componets.my wife and i didnt like crawing up and down to the bed. the bathroom small shower,the toilet waste capacity not to mention the smell regardless how much chemicals you use.we now own a 08-jayco eagle 322fks with everthing including electric awning seperate glass shower and dvd- surround sound with 26 inch tv.purchased it less than we paid for the 3326.
I appreciate the info! If I'm going to make a decision, I want it to be a smart one especially if I'm shelling out that kind of money for something. Maybe I was fooled by their website and the product they were selling, but I'm so happy to hear that it could be a wrong decision by choosing a TrailManor.
We looked at them about 7 years ago. DH and I did not like what we saw. Not as secure as other campers. For the price I could purchase better with more options than what it had to offer. I am sure you will find others who would not have anything else. Just a real disappointment from what you see online to in person.
I have looked at them on several occasions. My Observations:
1. Did not like the small bathroom.
2. Did not like the setup-tear down time
3. Did not like the lack of storage, more like a PUP in that respect.
4. Price!! Are you kidding?
5. Wanted a walk around queen bed.. Not available.
6. Not impressed with general construction quality.
We looked at them also when we were shopping last year. The low profile towing makes a lot of sense but they were to cramped for us. Go here to the owners forum. Lots of people like them.
Bud
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS The Jaybird
2006 Dodge 2500 Mega Cab 5.9 CTD
TruControl, Hensley Arrow
Schnauzer- Sir Winston
CamperMan2Be wrote: I appreciate the info! If I'm going to make a decision, I want it to be a smart one especially if I'm shelling out that kind of money for something. Maybe I was fooled by their website and the product they were selling, but I'm so happy to hear that it could be a wrong decision by choosing a TrailManor.
Wife and I looked at Trail Manor and Hi Lo at the RV show back a few years ago. Also have checked out both web sites.
While the two brands offer great stream lined towing that enhanced your fuel mileage because they are folded like a tent trailer, I was taken back by their pricing, and interior finish.
I'm trying to remember which brand goes almost exclusively with single axles unless you purchase their biggest model. That has bothered me too.
Anyway, as one of the earlier posters mentioned; the pricing of the Trail Manor is incredibly high. So, here's the difference. With a standard travel trailer, you might get 13-15 mpg diesel, or 8-12 mpg gasoline, but with the Trail Manor or Hi Lo, you might get closer to 18-19 with the diesel, and maybe 15 Mpg with the gasoline powered tow vehicle.
Wind resistance is what Trail Manor and Hi Lo help you with, which in-turn saves you on fuel used to tow them.
Now thats the only upside I can see. Of course it is a "big" upside, but then you must weigh-in the negatives. Your pulling into the campground or wherever your staying and it's dark and late at night, and your tired. You just want to put on the pajamas and have a place to crash ASAP. You have to go through the whole "popping-up" process, rearrange all that is packed inside the trailer, etc..
It really isn't much different than when we owned a 1406 Jayco Tent trailer. It weighed 3,000 lbs, and was a double axle, and with a diesel we knocked off 19 mpg, but now with a 7,000-9,000 lb. 27 foot TT, we are getting around 14 mpg diesel. Wind resistance is the enemy, and only enemy, cause once you get a trailer rolling, the resistance to being pulled isn't that much different with varying weights of trailer.
As someone mentioned too, you stop at a rest stop, and want to jump in the trailer and make a sandwich and just take it easy, you've got to crank up the Trail Manor/Hi Lo.
I agree that they are a real innovation, but build quality doesn't justify their astronomical pricing, unless these folding mechanisms cost ten's of thousands of dollars to make?
I think their pricing is based on their being a limited type of trailer design. The collapsible hard sided trailer offerings are very limited. People are willing to fork over the $20k more, compared to a similar sized standard TT, just to gain a couple MPG's.
I can see their point, but I'm tired of cranking up folding trailers. My kids are grown up and it's me and the Mrs. now, and neither of us want to pack and repack a folding trailer so the roof will go down just right and lock in place for every place we stay and travel-on.
We are heading out on a trip this weekend that will take us from the S.F. bay area to the Grand Canyon, and then we will be coming back into Calif. via San Diego area. We are going to be doing one night stops on a couple days at KOA's, and we don't want to have to fold and unfold the trailer and repack things just to get going and stop each day. I'll just have to bite the bullet and pay a little more for fuel, and have the extra wind resistance.
I'd say, price, quality of build or interior finish, and convenience are the downsides to those trailers. Upside, is better fuel mileage for your TV.
Regards, Eightballsidepocket
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 4x2 Quad Cab, Cummins, 48RE Tranny, Lg Bed, Line-X Spray-on Bed Liner.
06 T25BS Komfort Trailblazer TT
"If you can't say it in person, it isn't worth saying while hiding behind an anonymous P.C.!"
As suggested by BudnLiz, check out the Owner's Forum to hear from owners who have lived with the trailers rather than getting opinions from people who looked at them for 30 minutes to maybe a couple of hours & disliked them for various legitimate reasons. My point is that some of the negatives may not be so bad when you hear how owners have overcome them (I'm not knocking anyone's personal opinions).
You can also visit the Yahoo! Group but they are less active than the above forum.
I agree with mike, a great concept that was poorly executed with the cheapest materials and build quality possible. you can buy a nice size TT and use the money saved to pay for the mpg difference. I looked at one along with a friend of mine and we walked away shaking our heads at the price vs. quality. stick with a traditional PuP with a dinette slide! much nicer.
If you`re looking for a hardsided PuP TT look at the Hi-Lo`s. much better build quality and they can be had with a sofa tipout. yes, maybe you can`t fit the larger ones in your garage, but they tow the same as a TrailManor and provide the same mileage. all around a better design!
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