Newcomer trying to decide between Aliner or Class C

[hepcat]

Well, awesome, Chip. I stand corrected! Thanks!

Roger

 

[SoulRaven]

I would look at both and choose the one I liked the best. If you really like something, it is so much easier to deal with when something goes wrong with it! If the choice is between a new or almost new Aliner or an older used Class C, which will be difficult to find and for best handling don't go over 26', I would probably look hard at the Aliner. The best Class C would be BornFree and Lazy Daze, both expensive units even when used, Fleetwood had some decent ones in the 1990s, overcab windows often leak and rot the area in some units. Class C's often don't have that much storage space, always look in the cupboards, cabinets and under seats as there could be "systems" taking up a lot of the space.

 

[Txjaybird]

 Last year I had a 1991 4x4 Ford Ranger w/200k+miles and a sleeps 7 Viking pop up that I hadn't used in 4yrs because I could no longer set it up by myself. 

 In the fall of 2016 I traded/bought a 2004 Aliner with a off road axle, water tank w/hand pump in the kitchen + full galley and Kingsize bed that took up 1/2 the trailer. 

Now I have a twin size bed, no couch and plenty of room to move around.  Since it's just me and Queenie, my Chihuahua, it will work for us.  My tow  vehicle now is a 1998 GMC hightop conversion van that my Mom purchased new and has only a little over 100k miles.  So far I get 14mpg in town.......I have a lead foot!  

The GMC will be rigged for shorter trips and will be the "closet", storage, guest bedroom, & daily driver when towing the Aliner.  
The tall ceiling in the Aliner and the fact that I can set it up quickly and fairly easily with my physical {tore up from the floor up} limitations were the main reasons I wanted it instead of an "egg" T.T. although they are my 2nd choice for my situation.

Something I didn't budget for was replacing all the tires on both due to them being over 10yrs old.

I hope you are able to find the "just right" rig for you guys.  Happy hunting.

Jewellann

 

[mayble]

I would look at both and choose the one I liked the best.  If you really like something, it is so much easier to deal with when something goes wrong with it!  

That's some good advice, right there.  While it's never good to lead with your emotions, you don't want to ignore them altogether either.  
If you've done your research and are down to two or three options, odds are good that any of them will work for you just fine.  Neither will be perfect, but either will be good.  Choose the one that makes you smile and you'll be way ahead when the inevitable problems come up.

 

[CarolMCL]

What is the tow capacity for your Outback?  That should be in your owner's manual or you can look it up online.  Are you looking at new or used?  There might be a molded fiberglass TT that would have a bed of sufficient size, but they are overpriced even when used, but last nearly for forever, said to be easy to tow.  Most units have owner's forums where you address specific questions once you zone in on what seems like it will work.

Our tow capacity is 2500. We have not decided whether new or used at this point. We will decide that when we hash out, and come to a decision as far as tow or drive.

 

[CarolMCL]

Thanks Carol.
I'm sure there are a lot of dwellers here that would be interested !
Where are/will you be then ?

We don't have our full summer schedule figured out yet. We have children in several states we will be visiting (OH, IN, PA) plus a trip to the Grand Canyon, and a trip for a family reunion in AR. Our home is in TN, so we will probably be here when we decide to sell/trade.

 

[SoulRaven]

Depending on the model of Aliner, unless the more simple ones, you'll run really close to the max on your towing. Have you seen their "Ascape", not a foldable but light and small?