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Post by RickW on Aug 23, 2020 14:32:37 GMT -5
So, once again thinking about acquiring one. My wife doesn’t cook inside one, so facilities to do so are not that important. Fridge probably. Bathroom not necessary, we’d be camping in places that have them. Need a dry place to sleep, and to sit when it’s wet, hopefully with some heat and electricity. Don’t want a tent trailer, have had them, don’t feel like setting them up.
So, for you trailering folks who’ve done your research, any thoughts on makes/models that would be cheap to pick up, and would suit the above. Cheap being the operative word. Which also means small.
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Post by Hobson on Aug 23, 2020 14:43:41 GMT -5
From what I've seen in the news, RVs are hard to come by these days. However, you're looking for something tiny and maybe can pick up a used one from someone who has moved up. I'm thinking that a teardrop camper fits your needs. No idea what make or model or what the costs are.
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Post by theevan on Aug 23, 2020 14:54:06 GMT -5
So, once again thinking about acquiring one. My wife doesn’t cook inside one, so facilities to do so are not that important. Fridge probably. Bathroom not necessary, we’d be camping in places that have them. Need a dry place to sleep, and to sit when it’s wet, hopefully with some heat and electricity. Don’t want a tent trailer, have had them, don’t feel like setting them up. So, for you trailering folks who’ve done your research, any thoughts on makes/models that would be cheap to pick up, and would suit the above. Cheap being the operative word. Which also means small. Cheap means used. Size and weight are governed by the two vehicle. If it's the Outlander that wont be much.
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Post by theevan on Aug 23, 2020 14:57:01 GMT -5
Google tells me capacity is 1500 to 3500 lbs. I suppose the spread is based on how it is spec'd.
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Post by RickW on Aug 23, 2020 15:14:31 GMT -5
Yeah, lots of the little trailers can be towed by the Outlander. There’s the teardrop size. I’m wondering if there isn’t something with a bit more room that goes used for a decent price.
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Post by John B on Aug 23, 2020 15:27:21 GMT -5
The Scamp that David R bought recently would fit the bill.
If you only need to fit two people, there are a lot of options.
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Post by theevan on Aug 23, 2020 15:31:15 GMT -5
Google ultralight travel trailer. RV Planet has a nice blog post on their 5 faves.
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Post by amanajoe on Aug 23, 2020 16:08:37 GMT -5
As a travel trailer owner, search the used market, especially in places snowbirds like to stay. After 10 years of age most aren't worth much (outside of airstreams, which your vehicle won't tow anyway).
One of the negatives of small campers is they tend not to include any air-conditioning.
Also, besides the towing weight, most owners manuals state a max frontal area of the trailer at that tow weight. Even if it says it can tow 3500lbs, that may be with a max front area of 8 sq ft (2'×4').
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Aug 23, 2020 17:04:07 GMT -5
Cheap trailers are old trailers. Old trailer have hidden problems, ususally around leaking seams that lead to dry rot and mold issues. Not to say you can’t find the occasional gem that’s a really good deal, but like guitars and cars, it helps a lot if you know what to look out for and know what you want.
Lots of people imagine how they will use a rv, what they need and don’t need, before ever camping in one. Then they buy it, and find out they really do want the three hob cooktop, or larger air conditioner, or whatever, lots of people think they will be ok with a twenty foot trailer, until they are stuck in one for days at a time while a storm rages outside.
Rent a rv. Camp in it for a while. Learn how to massage the systems, like fresh water, hot water heater, fridge, heater, awnings, hookups, etc. Then make your decision.
Mike
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Post by RickW on Aug 23, 2020 17:45:21 GMT -5
Cheap trailers are old trailers. Old trailer have hidden problems, ususally around leaking seams that lead to dry rot and mold issues. Not to say you can’t find the occasional gem that’s a really good deal, but like guitars and cars, it helps a lot if you know what to look out for and know what you want. Lots of people imagine how they will use a rv, what they need and don’t need, before ever camping in one. Then they buy it, and find out they really do want the three hob cooktop, or larger air conditioner, or whatever, lots of people think they will be ok with a twenty foot trailer, until they are stuck in one for days at a time while a storm rages outside. Rent a rv. Camp in it for a while. Learn how to massage the systems, like fresh water, hot water heater, fridge, heater, awnings, hookups, etc. Then make your decision. Mike We camped a ton. That was our vacations. 3 room tent. Pretty much know what will work for us. The tent trailer was actually not bad, but I’d like something with some heat in it, and that’s a bit simpler to set up. Air con, not a huge priority in BC, and the likelihood of spending much time in the US any time soon is pretty small.
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Post by amanajoe on Aug 23, 2020 17:45:25 GMT -5
Another thing, most campgrounds supply electric, so it is always cheaper to run a couple of small electric indoor heaters (the type with a fan) than burn lp to run the built in heater / furnace.
As to not knowing what you might need, had to clean out the camper before repairs next week. It is amazing the amount of stuff we have in our camper. You tend to not want to load and upload everything after each trip so you end up with a lot of stuff that is always in the camper.
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Post by howard lee on Aug 23, 2020 17:53:45 GMT -5
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Aug 23, 2020 18:00:17 GMT -5
Another thing, most campgrounds supply electric, so it is always cheaper to run a couple of small electric indoor heaters (the type with a fan) than burn lp to run the built in heater / furnace. That’s exactly what we do. Until it gets below 42 degrees, then we kick on the propane and the little ceramic heater. Mike
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Post by Marty on Aug 23, 2020 20:48:03 GMT -5
Look into car top tents and tailgate kitchens
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Post by dradtke on Aug 23, 2020 22:34:37 GMT -5
Scamp is perfect, and depending on how much work you want to do, cheap is possible. New ones are pricey, and the wait time can be pretty long. Scamp is fiberglass, so lightweight, you don't need a beefy tow vehicle. We pull ours with an Outback. So far we've only traveled around the flatter midwest, and will probably upgrade the car before we try going over the mountains, but still won't need an F-150. Minnesota-made Scamp is the American version of the Canadian Boler. I don't know if Boler is still in business, but there might be old used ones available. Casita is a similar trailer, made in Texas. Used ones go fast. Ours is a 2001 model, and needed some refurb, but was in really good shape considering. It all depends on how much care and maintenance the previous owner gave it. Do some research into what new styles and features are available and what's important to you, so when a used one pops up you'll know if it fills your bill or not. I lucked into being the first person to respond to the ad, and when we looked at it the guy told us he had someone else's offer waiting if we didn't buy it. We looked at one a couple years ago that had obviously spent too many years neglected in a barn with squirrels living in it, and then did the minimum possible to make it salable and hoped to make a killing. It was depressing to look at, but I'm sure someone bought it. Besides those, I responded to a lot of ads that had already sold. Gotta be quick. Ours has roof-mounted AC, which only runs on 120V plugged in. Most electric sites around here are reserved early in the season, so we rarely get one. The AC was handy in the driveway when I spent hot days working on the interior. Haven't used or needed it camping yet. We wanted one with a bathroom. Every campground has at least an outhouse somewhere, but that walk outside in the middle of the night was getting old. Bathroom is nice to have. We do most of our cooking outside (cast iron dutch oven jambalaya on a campfire is half the reason to go camping) but one rainy morning it was nice to be able to make coffee and eggs and hashbrowns inside. We haven't used the furnace yet. Love the fridge. We have the smallest 3-way, works on 120V, 12V, and propane. Plug it in at home the day before going out to get in nice and cold, switch to 12V when driving so it stays cold (but turn it off if you stop for a couple hours for lunch, it will drain your battery,) then put it on propane at the campsite. Ours doesn't have a freezer but larger models do. And we still use a cooler with ice for the beer, wine, and fizzy water. Food goes in the fridge. Scamp comes in a 13' (which is 10' of trailer and 3' tongue,) 16' like ours, and 19' which has a gooseneck pickup bed mount. We have the side dinette model, so we can leave the rear dinette/bed set up as a bed full time and not have to switch back and forth. That crams the sink and stove together on one countertop with no other counter space, but we do all the cooking outside anyway. There is a surprising amount of storage space. If this place hasn't burned you out on online forums, try these links: www.scamptrailers.com/linkwww.scampowners.com/forumwww.fiberglassrv.com/forums/groups/1-scamp+trailers.html
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Post by RickW on Aug 23, 2020 22:40:02 GMT -5
Look into car top tents and tailgate kitchens Lol, Marty. Not terribly comfortable or warm. Looking for something a bit more solid.
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Post by RickW on Aug 23, 2020 22:41:31 GMT -5
Scamp is perfect, and depending on how much work you want to do, cheap is possible. New ones are pricey, and the wait time can be pretty long. Scamp is fiberglass, so lightweight, you don't need a beefy tow vehicle. We pull ours with an Outback. So far we've only traveled around the flatter midwest, and will probably upgrade the car before we try going over the mountains, but still won't need an F-150. Minnesota-made Scamp is the American version of the Canadian Boler. I don't know if Boler is still in business, but there might be old used ones available. Casita is a similar trailer, made in Texas. Used ones go fast. Ours is a 2001 model, and needed some refurb, but was in really good shape considering. It all depends on how much care and maintenance the previous owner gave it. Do some research into what new styles and features are available and what's important to you, so when a used one pops up you'll know if it fills your bill or not. I lucked into being the first person to respond to the ad, and when we looked at it the guy told us he had someone else's offer waiting if we didn't buy it. We looked at one a couple years ago that had obviously spent too many years neglected in a barn with squirrels living in it, and then did the minimum possible to make it salable and hoped to make a killing. It was depressing to look at, but I'm sure someone bought it. Besides those, I responded to a lot of ads that had already sold. Gotta be quick. Ours has roof-mounted AC, which only runs on 120V plugged in. Most electric sites around here are reserved early in the season, so we rarely get one. The AC was handy in the driveway when I spent hot days working on the interior. Haven't used or needed it camping yet. We wanted one with a bathroom. Every campground has at least an outhouse somewhere, but that walk outside in the middle of the night was getting old. Bathroom is nice to have. We do most of our cooking outside (cast iron dutch oven jambalaya on a campfire is half the reason to go camping) but one rainy morning it was nice to be able to make coffee and eggs and hashbrowns inside. We haven't used the furnace yet. Love the fridge. We have the smallest 3-way, works on 120V, 12V, and propane. Plug it in at home the day before going out to get in nice and cold, switch to 12V when driving so it stays cold (but turn it off if you stop for a couple hours for lunch, it will drain your battery,) then put it on propane at the campsite. Ours doesn't have a freezer but larger models do. And we still use a cooler with ice for the beer, wine, and fizzy water. Food goes in the fridge. Scamp comes in a 13' (which is 10' of trailer and 3' tongue,) 16' like ours, and 19' which has a gooseneck pickup bed mount. We have the side dinette model, so we can leave the rear dinette/bed set up as a bed full time and not have to switch back and forth. That crams the sink and stove together on one countertop with no other counter space, but we do all the cooking outside anyway. There is a surprising amount of storage space. If this place hasn't burned you out on online forums, try these links: www.scamptrailers.com/linkwww.scampowners.com/forumwww.fiberglassrv.com/forums/groups/1-scamp+trailers.htmlThanks, Dave. If we decide to go ahead, I think this is what we’ll probably do. That size seems about right. Got to make decisions about toilet and kitchen inside.
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