Quality of Mallard, Outback, Mallard TT's?

[lbowden]

Any feedback about the relative quality of Mallard, Outback,
or Jayco travel trailers? Any good experiences? Bad ones?
I'm talking about TT's that are 10-15 maybe even 20 yrs old.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[Mac J]

Fiberglass trailers are small, lightweight and stand the test of time. Is the outback you are referring to fiberglass? The stick built trailers leak after a time and rot but they are larger. It's most important to match your trucks ability to towing with the trailers weight.

www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com will show you some fiberglass trailers that may suit your budget and location.

 

[Mac J]

Larry, once again it is important to know what you plan on doing with a travel trailer and how many people will be using it. I would guess that a travel trailer that is 10-15 maybe even 20 yrs old is on its way to being worn out if it is "stick built" (wood structure wrapped with vinyl covered particle board or similar, or even aluminum). The problem is, they leak and have been leaking for some time. LP hoses are dry and possibly cracked, tires are beyond due date, the electronics may be out dated and sketchy, brakes, tanks, sensors etc etc. That's all workable if you intend on staying on/in a trailer court. These trailers need larger vehicles to tow safely. A fiberglass trailers, on the other hand, weigh in at 1000 lbs to 3000 lbs fully loaded. They can be gutted and tricked out to suit your needs because the inside core is dry. Stick built, on the other hand can also be gutted and tricked out to suit your needs but now you may be looking at a whole new can of worms. You may even need a covered area to work on it.

just sayin'

 

[lbowden]

One person. Need work space as well as living space.

I'll probably stay in one place for a month or more then
move.

While the fiberglass "clamshell" designs seem less susceptible
to the water intrusion they're just too small. Most are 16' or
17' with a rare 19' Scamp 5th wheel.

Which larger ones have aluminum or steel frames? Some TT's
that have frames also have fiberglass outside covers... they
just don't derive their structural integrity from the shell itself.
Think of them as vertebrates and invertebrates.

 

[Mac J]

The molded fiberglass trailers do not use aluminum or wood supports for strength rather they use the inside shelving and glassed in wall and furniture. The are small no doubt about it but they are meant to be small and are light weight eliminating a large tow vehicle. There are some 21 footers and 5th wheel style molded fiberglass (used and new) trailers out there. Some have wet baths, LP heaters, fans, AC, hot water on demand refrigerators and weigh under 3000 pounds.
You're right though, small and no work space.

---

The fg trailers hold their value better than stick built too so that could work to your advantage. The stick built may fit your budget better.

 

[westriver]

To answer your specific question. Jayco is a family held company with a good reputation and a long history. 10-15 years ago, Mallard was a Fleetwood brand, and based on our very ugly experience with one during that time frame, they are junk. The company tanked hard during the recession and no longer produces towable products. Outbacks are a Keystone product. Keystone is a giant manufacturer with a middle of the road reputation, they are nowhere near the quality of Jayco, KZ or Nash products. From a lot of experience, I strongly disagree with the claim here that all 10-15 year old "sticks and tin" trailers are going to be rotting piles of scrap. There are plenty of well cared for units out there that will be relatively trouble free, and a small fraction of the price of a new one. Good luck