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5akman
chico ca
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Joined: 01/25/2010
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Over the years our family has transitioned from a Coleman tent trailer to a KZ bunkhouse with rear queen bed slide and now a Keystone Sprinter 5er. The kids are grown and gone, my knees are bad and my wife hates the steps up to the 5er bedroom. Its time for a new to us bumper pull trailer.
We've probably spent 50 hrs between the two of us researching used trailers, reading reports, watching youtube videos etc and we're confused as all HECK!
We want a couples trailer floor plan, 24' - 30', at least one slide, true queen bed. Sleeping more than the two of us is not a necessity but being able to seat 4-6 people for board games, movies or conversation would be nice. No need for washer/dryer hookups or anything fancy like that. Our budget is maxed at about 15k. We both retire in two years and want to do the occasional 1-3 week road trips. My wife prefers hookups vs boon docking.
Our tow vehicle is a 2001 Dodge CTD 2500 QCSB 2wd, factory camper/tow package with 70k on the clock in pristine condition. I'm a diesel nut and have done all the engine/transmission upgrades needed to handle a decent sized trailer (I figure 10,000lbs or so). I'm not opposed to buying a HA or PP hitch.
So, for those of you in our situation, what trailers do you have and why do you like them? I'm more interested in chassis/build integrity vs fancy decals and outside kitchens. Our Sprinter has the normal front/rear filon delam and there is just no excuse for such poor construction and I don't ever want to have to deal with stuff like that! ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Thanks
Lance
2001 25' Keystone Sprinter 5th wheel, 2001 CTD, QCSB, 2wd with factory camper/tow package. 47re with triple disc/vb mods/electrical/servos/etc, 100hp inj, Quad ADR, Hx 35/40, lift pump, 3.55 gears, PacBrake
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bucky
Raleigh metro
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Joined: 05/07/2003
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We have just done the same thing. From a Ram diesel dually and a giant 5th wheel we went down to a 2010 3500 Chevy Express 15 passenger van and a 2015 Puma 30RKSS. The van was necessary to haul all of the "stuff" that fit in the underbelly of the 5er but not in the TT. We removed some of the seats and may remove one more row.
The 6.0 Vortec engine does just fine pulling the 8800 pound GVWR TT.
I did find a low mileage Ram 1500 with the diesel but found that the specs were too light for towing our TT.
Storage will be an issue so a truck cap will be needed if you go with a pick up. The fridge will be smaller and you can forget that big closet in the nose of the 5er.
We found several "almost" trailers in our search in your price range so they are out there.
Good luck with all of it
Puma 30RKSS
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prichardson
Lafayette, La
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Joined: 10/31/2006
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I have found that a rear living floor plan works good for your described situation. Since you are looking at used; probably more important than brand is age and current condition. I would avoid anything with foam core floor construction.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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Look at small/med size toyhaulers.
They’re everything you describe wanting.
Heavier chassis than comparable TT.
Open space.
Plenty of seating/seating room.
You got plenty of truck to tow it.
They track better than a lot of TTs (when not hauling heavy toys). No sway or wdh needed because they have a lot of tongue weight (may need a new hitch in the truck)
Even though you’re more full hookup, they generally have bigger tanks.
Plenty of them in the $15k range for older ones in good shape.
Quality wise? Good luck. Just find one that everything works and don’t leak.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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MitchF150
Puyallup, WA
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Joined: 07/13/2002
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Here is the floor plan of my "perfect couples trailer". I'm 6'3", so the queen bed works fine for me. (my feet always hang out the end of beds my whole life, so no big deal for me!)
We have the theater seat option, so no table, no couch, no hosting any parties!
We don't 'group camp' with family or friends, as we just like to get away for a long weekend ourselves..
We utilize the outside a lot, so mostly eat outside and stay outside or exploring the area during the day. Specs of the rig are in my sig.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/mE1SEr3l.jpg)
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.
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5akman
chico ca
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Joined: 01/25/2010
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prichardson wrote:I have found that a rear living floor plan works good for your described situation. Since you are looking at used; probably more important than brand is age and current condition. I would avoid anything with foam core floor construction.
I don't suppose there is a directory detailing how the various makes/models are constructed? It would be nice to know who makes an alum frame, solid floor, beefier frame etc.
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canoe on top
Denver, CO, US
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Joined: 07/21/2003
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Check Northwood. My 2008 Arctic Fox has aluminum superstructure and marine plywood subfloor. The aluminum frame has wood inside the aluminum at points where things are screwed to the frame so they don't just put screws into the thin aluminum. The trailer frame is very stout. Northwood makes their own frames in house. It is a true, four season trailer. I have camped comfortably at zero degree temps. My 29V has two slides, a rear full queen size bed, center bath and lots of wardrobe space and lots of kitchen counter space. The dinette seats four, there is a counch and swivel rocker, in the living area. The bath and bedroom and refer and sink are all accessable with the slides in. I am replacing the swivel rocker with a comfortable, folding camp chair. Afer all these years of wrestling the swivel rocker around, a folding chair that can be stowed will make it much easier when traveling and just stopping over night to move around in the living area without putting out the slides.Northwood trailers have huge CCC which, if you read the current post on empty weight vs GVW, you can see is important. The 29V, which, sadly, they don't make anymore, carries 67 gallons of fresh water, has a ten gallon, gas electric water heater and gemerous holding tanks. All the tanks are inclosed and heated.In a used unit, condition is critical but, so is original build.
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TurnThePage
North ID
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Joined: 10/08/2003
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Pretty much any of the stick & tin trailers won't have foam core floors.
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE
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ktmrfs
Portland, Oregon
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Joined: 06/22/2005
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our 2011 keystone outback 295RE is a perfect couples trailer for us. If the kids come, they just need to make up the fold out beds. When we travel with others the opposing sides give great indoor room for days when several couples want to do games inside due to the weather.
you can get to fridge, stove, microwave, dinette, bathroom, bedroom and pantry with the slides in, nice for lunch at a rest stop
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!
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Ltrip
Reno, NV
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Joined: 12/03/2007
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Of course everyone will love the trailer they have! Me too!
We have a 2018 Arctic Fox 25Y.
30' long; 60x80 queen bed; dinette seats 4 for meals and games; plenty of storage; 2 recliner/swivel chairs that actually face the TV.
From what you described, this trailer would not be able to seat 6 very easily for games.
Dinette could become sleeping for 2 grandkids.
Good luck with your search!
Larie Trippet Reno/Tahoe region
2018 Ford F250 Lariat Ultimate CC SB 4X4 diesel
2018 Arctic Fox 25Y
2019 BMW R1250RT
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