Small light-weight TT

[mothercoder]

Now that I have my tow vehicle I'm going to be in the market for a TT. It has to be something that a Suburban can tow and I prefer to keep it under 22', even better if it's under 20'.  I don't care so much about tank sizes -- I'll work around whatever it has. 

I'm most concerned about quality and durability.  My max budget is $8k and I've seen a few new Jayco and Ameri-Lite models that can be had for that price.  I don't want to suffer the immediate depreciation of buying something new.  On the other hand, most of these don't see to weather very well after a couple years of use.  I want to make a smart purchase but I don't want to have to dip into my emergency fund 100 miles down the road. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[user 13531]

Now that I have my tow vehicle I'm going to be in the market for a TT. It has to be something that a Suburban can tow and I prefer to keep it under 22', even better if it's under 20'.  I don't care so much about tank sizes -- I'll work around whatever it has. 

I'm most concerned about quality and durability.  My max budget is $8k and I've seen a few new Jayco and Ameri-Lite models that can be had for that price.  I don't want to suffer the immediate depreciation of buying something new.  On the other hand, most of these don't see to weather very well after a couple years of use.  I want to make a smart purchase but I don't want to have to dip into my emergency fund 100 miles down the road. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm in a brand new 2017 Jayco and after 3 weeks have nothing but negative comments. 6 plumbing leaks, pulled interior trim, failed television and failed simmons mattress. Contrary to what they advertise, they essentially have NO warranty. I've been working on this 23RB non stop and I'm in an RV park. Can't imagine what hell I'd be going through if I were on the road with it.

My advice.... Don't buy a Jayco product!

 

[DuneElliot]

I think for your budget you'd definitely be better off finding a higher-quality slightly used trailer than a new, lower quality trailer.

I've heard some amazing things about Lance trailers if you can find one under 5 years old in your budget I would think that would be the way to go. I love my Keystone 5W, but 10 years has made a world of difference in quality apparently and they have gone downhill fast.

Arctic Fox is also another brand to consider if you can find a nice used one but I think they are on the heavier side.

T@B Trailers are also a possibility, and again I have heard really good things about them.

What amenities are you sure you want that are non-negotiable, and what things are more "nice to have"?

What is the tow rating of your Suburban and is it on a 1500 or 2500 chassis? Short or long wheelbase?

 

[mothercoder]

I'm in a brand new 2017 Jayco and after 3 weeks have nothing but negative comments. 6 plumbing leaks, pulled interior trim, failed television and failed simmons mattress. Contrary to what they advertise, they essentially have NO warranty. I've been working on this 23RB non stop and I'm in an RV park. Can't imagine what hell I'd be going through if I were on the road with it.

My advice.... Don't buy a Jayco product!

That's good to know!  I was looking at the Jayflight but I guess not.

 

[mothercoder]

I think for your budget you'd definitely be better off finding a higher-quality slightly used trailer than a new, lower quality trailer.

I've heard some amazing things about Lance trailers if you can find one under 5 years old in your budget I would think that would be the way to go. I love my Keystone 5W, but 10 years has made a world of difference in quality apparently and they have gone downhill fast.

Arctic Fox is also another brand to consider if you can find a nice used one but I think they are on the heavier side.

T@B Trailers are also a possibility, and again I have heard really good things about them.

What amenities are you sure you want that are non-negotiable, and what things are more "nice to have"?

What is the tow rating of your Suburban and is it on a 1500 or 2500 chassis? Short or long wheelbase?

I have a 2001 Suburban 1500 5.3L V8 long wheelbase.  I think the tow capacity is 8,700-8,800 lbs.

I'm pretty easy when it comes to the non-negotiables.  

Non-negotiables:  no hybrids or pop-ups; sink; stovetop; full or queen bed (either convertible from dinette or permanent); vent fan or ability to put one in

Nice to have:  AC; bathroom (dry bath highly preferable but a wet bath is fine); separate sleep and eating areas (i.e. permanent bed and a dinette or space where I can put one; linoleum or laminate floor (no carpeting); awning; solar-ready.

I like the T@B trailers but they are hard to find in my budget.

 

[Thirsty Boots Nomad]

An older Jayco --- manufactured BEFORE the purchase by Thor --- may still be a fairly decent TT

 

[mothercoder]

I think for your budget you'd definitely be better off finding a higher-quality slightly used trailer than a new, lower quality trailer.

I've heard some amazing things about Lance trailers if you can find one under 5 years old in your budget I would think that would be the way to go. I love my Keystone 5W, but 10 years has made a world of difference in quality apparently and they have gone downhill fast.

Arctic Fox is also another brand to consider if you can find a nice used one but I think they are on the heavier side.

T@B Trailers are also a possibility, and again I have heard really good things about them.

What amenities are you sure you want that are non-negotiable, and what things are more "nice to have"?

What is the tow rating of your Suburban and is it on a 1500 or 2500 chassis? Short or long wheelbase?

Sadly, I just did a little research on all of those on RVTrader and none of them were in my price range.  It's possible they are available somewhere out there for less but probably not in the $8k range.  The T@B came closest:  the cheapest was $11,500.  :-(

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If I were doing this, I would:

A:  Go over to RV Trader.com  and search Travel Trailers, plugging in my zip code and distance I'd be willing to travel and my maximum $ in order to see what's available.

https://www.rvtrader.com/

and then

B:  Join some of the more mainstream RV forums and ask questions about specific brands, years and models.  There are a LOT more experienced travel trailer owners over there than you will find here.  One has 70,000 + posts in the their travel trailer forum, and the other has 90,000 +.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php


http://www.rv.net/forum/

 

[user 13531]

try this place...

www.bestrv.com

I did my shopping on several models there but ended up buying a trailer out of state in Mesa, Arizona.. Which was another mistake on my part. The Gestapo Government in California doesn't like it when you buy vehicles out of state. Three trips to the DMV and a visit from an independent VIN inspector before I could get it licensed...

 

[mothercoder]

If I were doing this, I would:

A:  Go over to RV Trader.com  and search Travel Trailers, plugging in my zip code and distance I'd be willing to travel and my maximum $ in order to see what's available.

https://www.rvtrader.com/

and then

B:  Join some of the more mainstream RV forums and ask questions about specific brands, years and models.  There are a LOT more experienced travel trailer owners over there than you will find here.  One has 70,000 + posts in the their travel trailer forum, and the other has 90,000 +.

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php


http://www.rv.net/forum/

I've done A but widened the search to "nationwide" since there's not a great amount of used inventory on the east coast (except in Florida but I don't consider that the east coast).  It may be likely that I will have to look for listings when I head out and stop to look at some on my way west.  I'm okay with that but I want to thoroughly research models before I go. 

I will look at some of the other forums.  Thanks.

 

[mothercoder]

try this place...

www.bestrv.com

I did my shopping on several models there but ended up buying a trailer out of state in Mesa, Arizona.. Which was another mistake on my part. The Gestapo Government in California doesn't like it when you buy vehicles out of state. Three trips to the DMV and a visit from an independent VIN inspector before I could get it licensed...

I'm in MD so not like I can really go to CA and take a look at the trailers at BestRV.  And the lowest price TT they have on their lot is $12k, so....

 

[29chico]

I have a 2001 Suburban 1500 5.3L V8 long wheelbase.  I think the tow capacity is 8,700-8,800 lbs.

I'm pretty easy when it comes to the non-negotiables.  

Non-negotiables:  no hybrids or pop-ups; sink; stovetop; full or queen bed (either convertible from dinette or permanent); vent fan or ability to put one in

Nice to have:  AC; bathroom (dry bath highly preferable but a wet bath is fine); separate sleep and eating areas (i.e. permanent bed and a dinette or space where I can put one; linoleum or laminate floor (no carpeting); awning; solar-ready.

I like the T@B trailers but they are hard to find in my budget.

A Casita trailer would suit your needs very well.  They tow super well with a properly set up 1500 series truck, part of this is that they are the same width as a full size truck.  Just a bit challenging to get a nice one in your price range.  Not impossible.

I have one for sale in the trading post but it seems to be too expensive for this forum as I have not have any offers on it.

I would personally not tow more than 4400 lbs with a 1500 Suburban or pickup. 
Trailer brakes mandatory.  I would upgrade the tires to a minimum of load range D with load range E preferred.  A nice big auxiliary transmission cooler would go a long way in preventing transmission problems.   The 1500 series trucks are usually skimpy in the engine and transmission cooling systems.

 

[mothercoder]

A Casita trailer would suit your needs very well.  They tow super well with properly set up 1500 series truck, part of this is that they are the same width as a full size truck.  Just a bit challenging to get a nice one in your price range.  Not impossible.

I have one for sale in the trading post but it seems to be too expensive for this forum as I have not have any offers on it.

I would personally not tow more than 4400 lbs with a 1500 Suburban or pickup. 
Trailer brakes mandatory.  I would upgrade the tires to a minimum of load range D with load range E preferred.  A nice big auxiliary transmission cooler would go a long way in preventing transmission problems.   The 1500 series trucks are usually skimpy in the engine and transmission cooling systems.

I love the Casitas and Scamps but impossible to find on the east coast and also hard to find under $8k. 

My truck as the factory installed tow package with the transmission cooling system.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

There's a site devoted to all the "fiberglass egg" trailers, not just Casitas.  They have a for sale forum where members post their trailers for sale:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f53/

 

[mothercoder]

There's a site devoted to all the "fiberglass egg" trailers, not just Casitas.  They have a for sale forum where members post their trailers for sale:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f53/

Yep, I watch it on a daily basis.    And I see some that could work if only I had the $$ now.  The problem is that none of them are in my area and if I want one, I might have to purchase sight unseen in order to beat out the competition.

 

[DuneElliot]

I've done A but widened the search to "nationwide" since there's not a great amount of used inventory on the east coast (except in Florida but I don't consider that the east coast).  It may be likely that I will have to look for listings when I head out and stop to look at some on my way west.  I'm okay with that but I want to thoroughly research models before I go. 

I will look at some of the other forums.  Thanks.

I was actually about to suggest this when I read your post. Since you will already be set up in your Suburban you can take your time to find the right trailer. You will be getting to the end of summer by the time you get out west and that is when it will be a buyer's market. A that time a lot of inventory will start to show up on consignment lots and on For Sale pages like Craigslist and Upcycle on Facebook because people don't want to keep them through the winter.

 

[mothercoder]

I was actually about to suggest this when I read your post. Since you will already be set up in your Suburban you can take your time to find the right trailer. You will be getting to the end of summer by the time you get out west and that is when it will be a buyer's market. A that time a lot of inventory will start to show up on consignment lots and on For Sale pages like Craigslist and Upcycle on Facebook because people don't want to keep them through the winter.

Good point and what I figured my best tactic was.  I can also have a "home base" in NV to travel from for a while if need be.  I just want to do all my research and hone in on those units that I know will serve me well.

 

[DannyB1954]

I bought a 22' toy hauler trailer. I believe they are made a bit heavier especially in the floor. Mine has an aluminium frame for the body and fiberglass panels for the structure. I paid $9K used but in nice shape. Mine has an open floor plan that could be modified anyway you like. here is the same model on youtube. A Keystone Hobbi 220.

Fix your vehicle up for camping, and when you come out west you can pick up a trailer anywhere you like.

 

[user 13531]

My be worth looking at dealers online in quartzite, AZ... Ton's of snowbirds sell their RV's and fly home after the winter visit to same. I've been by there a couple times in the last month. There's a lot of RV product out there for sure....

 

[mothercoder]

My be worth looking at dealers online in quartzite, AZ... Ton's of snowbirds sell their RV's and fly home after the winter visit to same. I've been by there a couple times in the last month. There's a lot of RV product out there for sure....

I would not be getting to Quartzite until September if I went.  And I really don't want to be in Quartzite in September.  Something tells me it won't be pleasant weather-wise.