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grillsgt23235
Richmond, VA
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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We are considering a Trailmanor or HiLo for our first RV purchase. What are the pros-cons of each?
Which would you recommend?
Thanks for your help.
Carroll
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mudmanrv
Indiana
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Joined: 07/08/2005
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Con for both is that they are similar to a pop-up -- you have to raise them to pack them, and raise them to unpack them. We have a Pop, and are already considering the move to a TT. whomever packs the trailer has to set it up twice for every trip out. the pros, they pull tucked down like a pop up, vs. catching wind like a TT. both are more expensive than a tradition popup. have you considered a hybrid trailer?
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BigPackFan
Endicott, NY USA
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Joined: 07/01/2004
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Currently, I am a happy TowLite owner (TowLite is basically a low trim level Hi-Lo). One day, I plan to be a happy TrailManor owner.
Our TowLite is an 18 footer which "creates" some of my dislikes of the trailer - the primary one being that it has a wet bath (combo toilet & shower). I'm too big to use it. My other complaint is that we have to set up the beds each night & tear them down each morning. Both of those "problems" would be alleviated with a larger unit but then I couldn't keep it in my garage, which is one of my favorite aspects of the TowLite. Some others are: good quality, easy to tow, easy 12 second set up (to lift the top), negligible effect on TV mileage.
I'm interested in the TrailManor because I would like a "larger" trailer that I can still store inside my regular garage. With the bed ends going out like a pop-up, you gain a lot more floorspace inside the TT & you don't need to do the beds each day/night. Some of the drawbacks to the TM that I've thought of are: less storage, majority of storage is "low", single axle. Some of the positives are: larger size, lighter in weight, permanent beds, manual/spring driven set up.
Here are 2 websites where you can ask questions of owners:
Hi-Lo Group on Yahoo!
TrailManor Owner's Forum
If you have any specific questions about my TowLite, feel free to ask here or PM me. Good luck in your search.
BPF
Searching for the right RV
2007 GMC Envoy
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JimmyRV
Parkland, FL
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Joined: 07/08/2005
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grillsgt23235 wrote:We are considering a Trailmanor or HiLo for our first RV purchase. What are the pros-cons of each?
Which would you recommend?
Thanks for your help.
Carroll
Not to start a flame post here, but I just attended an RV show that featured the Trailmanors and the HiLos. I was UNimpressed by both. I cant see how the Trailmanor is possibly watertight. Everything must get soaked if its raining during setup. The collapsible bathroom is a joke. The salesperson didn't even bother setting it up properly. I would stay away from both and buy a used hard side TT a year or so old. Trailmanors and hi-los are darn expensive too!!! You wont regret your decision of avoiding these 2 brands.
2016 Coachmen Prism 24G
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Ocala,Fl
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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I had a 2001 Trailmanor 27SD. Never again!!. Didn't get anything wet when setting up, but bath was a joke. Showering, you had to take two of everything in case you dropped something as you weren't picking it up. Door next to impossible to keep latched properly and front box system's flap kept pulling out. Factory took it back for repairs. In all the time we had it there were two good days, day we bought and day we got rid of it. Towed OK etc.
charles weidman
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Nimshew4
Woodland CA 95695 U.S.A.
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Joined: 10/07/2003
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Had a Trail Manor 3124 for about a year a few years ago. It was the worst trailer I have ever owned. Everything about it broke twice. The latches that hold it closed had to be replaced every six months. Could not control its sway no matter what I tried. Finally it rolled over and was totaled. As I was towing with a full sized pickup both the truck and I were ok.
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WishWeWereCamping
South Santa Cruz County, CA
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Joined: 02/23/2004
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We have a 1997 TrailManor 2720. We have had it for 2 years, and love it. Things do not get wet inside when setting up or closing in the rain. The bathroom is plenty large for us (and we're not small people, my DH is pretty tall). It's very easy to set up and close down and has enough storage (2 adults and 2 teens). Ours does not sway at all when we tow it. We haven't had much break on ours over the two years we've had it, only the Winegard antenna and the a/c (neither of which were made by TrailManor). Oh yeah, a cabinet latch broke. I have heard of people having trouble with the outside latches, but they can be easily fixed.
From what I've read, you get more trailer space inside with the TrailManors vs. the HiLo's, since they not only expand up but out at each end. The HiLo's are supposed to be easier to set up, just push a button. There is some setup inside with the TrailManor but it's very quick. You have to swing up a wardrobe (5 seconds) and set up the bathroom walls, which takes about half a minute.
Check out the TrailManor owner's board, ask any questions you want and you will get honest answers. I'm not sure if you have to register as a trial member to read all the posts, but you can do that for free and read everything for 30 days. There are also postings there of used TM's for sale.
Good luck with your purchase!
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houtrz
Lake Jackson Texas
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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I think for the size of them, they are pretty heavy. So your now towing a sail down the road like a TT but instead your towing a wagon full of lead. Its a wash, I'd go with a HTT or TT.
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BigPackFan
Endicott, NY USA
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houtrz wrote:I think for the size of them, they are pretty heavy. So your now towing a sail down the road like a TT but instead your towing a wagon full of lead. Its a wash, I'd go with a HTT or TT.
Huh?
TM's are some of the lightest trailers, especially for the size, of anything out there.
Hi-Lo's are heavier than TM's but I doubt that they're significantly different from a conventional TT.
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Sportsman2505qss
Winter Springs, Fl USA
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Joined: 05/03/2002
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We looked at them both and decided to go with the Travel Trailer. After owning a popup, the one thing we knew for sure was we wanted the least work as possible. We went with a hardside expandable queen glide. 4 1/2 years later and still no regrets.
2002 KZ Sportsmen 2505qss bought in 2001 Sold 1999F-150
Itasca Spirit 2014
Manatee Hammock
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