Smaller Travel Trailer.

[Louis]

On the lookout for a smaller travel trailer in newer, good condition. Smaller, being in the twenty-something foot range. A toy hauler feature might be nice but not mandatory. My question is, are there any brands that are recommended, or more important, any that I should stay away from? Thanks

 

[SmokeRoss]

I have a toy hauler and seldom use it. They are necessarily large and heavy to tow. I have a 16' enclosed trailer that I put an air bed in along with some plastic lawn chairs, a propane cook stove, and other camping gear. It's what I usually take and I can haul items with me as well. I just don't have a bathroom or complete kitchen.

 

[cdubbin]

I'd take a good look at the Escape brand...I don't have one, but from doing a bit of research they definitely stand out above the crowd...

 

[urbanhillbilly]

On the lookout for a smaller travel trailer in newer, good condition. Smaller, being in the twenty-something foot range. A toy hauler feature might be nice but not mandatory. My question is, are there any brands that are recommended, or more important, any that I should stay away from? Thanks

An old friend of mine worked at the Keystone factory in Indiana for 15+ years and the one thing he told me that I’ll never forget…

There’s really only two styles of RV’s
1- Stick and tin. You’ve seen them, they are the ones with metal siding. They are built to be of a higher quality, more features, more insulation, a little better at everything. But they are heavier

2- Laminate or fiberglass sides. These are the ones that are all smooth on the siding. They are built to be lighter weight and easier towing, but they use cheaper materials mostly. Usually less insulation and less structural integrity. More prone to leaks and delaminating.

Granted, this does not necessarily make it fact, but once I started comparing trailers I could tell the differences. Good luck!

 

[South Coast Stu]

Check out the Bigfoot's. I have a 2003 21' and love it. They are made in Canada and a true 4-season trailer. Mine has been up the AlCan twice. They also have a 17'. They have been making them for a long time so there are more on the used market than Escape (also a nice trailer).



Speaking of toy haulers, I noticed this small (18') toy hauler and thought it was kinda cool. I like duel axles for safety. https://www.carsontrailer.com/trailers/rv-sport/pull-front-kitchen/fr/

 

[Louis]

Thanks folks. Some really good information to chew on there. Helpful to see some reputable brands since I'm pretty ignorant on this subject. We've just had a ratty old pop up trailer for a number of years. It's served us well but thinking it would be nice to have something that doesn't have to be assembled with a few more amenities. I know it's a little early in the season and it appears that shopping for trailers could involve snow shoes and a shovel.

 

[South Coast Stu]

An old friend of mine worked at the Keystone factory in Indiana for 15+ years and the one thing he told me that I’ll never forget…

There’s really only two styles of RV’s
1- Stick and tin. You’ve seen them, they are the ones with metal siding. They are built to be of a higher quality, more features, more insulation, a little better at everything. But they are heavier

2- Laminate or fiberglass sides. These are the ones that are all smooth on the siding. They are built to be lighter weight and easier towing, but they use cheaper materials mostly. Usually less insulation and less structural integrity. More prone to leaks and delaminating.

Granted, this does not necessarily make it fact, but once I started comparing trailers I could tell the differences. Good luck!

I would add the 3rd type (and best, IMHO) - molded fiberglass. These are a fiberglass shell made like a boat in a mold. The molds cost a lot so they make the same basic trailer models for years and just change around the interior, window/door placement and graphics. They are the most expensive. There are no roof seems so much less likely to leak. Some of the manufacturer's: Bigfoot, Oliver, Escape, Casita and Scamp. The Casita's and Scamp's are smaller single axle trailers.

I guess the 4th type would be aircraft aluminum like Airstream, Silver Streak, etc..

 

[Daveintheburbs]

do they still make smaller 5th wheels? seems like they only come in huge.

 

[Chez]

Here ya go

5th wheel camper for vw bug - Bing video

www.bing.com

 

[ret ff]

Not sure that is what Daveintheburbs was asking, but damn you made me feel old because I remember these. Thanks a fun trip in history.

 

[Chez]

I've neve seen one but thought it was pretty cool

 

[cdubbin]

Thanks folks. Some really good information to chew on there. Helpful to see some reputable brands since I'm pretty ignorant on this subject. We've just had a ratty old pop up trailer for a number of years. It's served us well but thinking it would be nice to have something that doesn't have to be assembled with a few more amenities. I know it's a little early in the season and it appears that shopping for trailers could involve snow shoes and a shovel.

My 90s Rockwood popup finally died on me last year on the Alcan, after tens of thousands of road miles...2 broken corner posts, the front of the body basically wants to fall off, and the door is JACKED, lol...super sad because the canvas and zippers are all in perfect condition, and everything still works...😥

 

[4merguide]

I still have an Alaskan camper that was built in 1956. Hydraulics still work.

 

[LeonardC]

We have a 21'+ NASH. It has served us well. We did a lot of weekend type trips with it and it got plenty of short term use when it was young. While we were making our big move up here we (2 adults and one dog) lived in it full time for 9 months. No problem up the ALCAN. Our home was scheduled to be done in September, but we didn't get moved in until mid-December. At 20 below some of the RV systems were not working very well! When spring came along everything worked again.

When we first got the trailer home we noticed some minor problems. The local dealership (and NASH !) gave us great service in correcting the problems. In hindsight I think most of those were because of the very high temperatures on the sales lot and the sunshine reflecting off other units making it even hotter.

Our previous unit, another brand...stick and metal siding... was 19'+. We found out it was a lot easier to find a parking spot with a smaller trailer. I wouldn't have thought 2' would make much of a difference, but it does. The old unit still looked good and we never saw any leaks, but it had leaked somewhere and the front floor was rotted out (VERY soft) when we traded it in. The dealer was aware of its condition; we didn't get much trade-in $, but we had a lot of good times with it.

 

[South Coast Stu]

do they still make smaller 5th wheels? seems like they only come in huge.

The only "small" one I'm aware of is the Scamp:

Nice units but spendy.

 

[AKcaveman]

I have owned several travel trailers that were stick built, not best of luck with them over the years buyer beware! Got a Bigfoot 21’ with front bed travel trailer 2008 and it has been awesome! Up and down the AlCan and all over Alaska and bird hunting in lower 48 dozens of times in all weather. Drove back up in November 2022 after upland hunting in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Washington, had -30f on AlCan coming back up no issues with trailer nice and toasty warm nice to have a warm toilet to use when ever you need it. Be heading down for southeast Dusky hunting in mid April then on to Turkey hunt Washington first of May then back to Alaska for fishing.
Like the front storage to carry generator, treager and other gear. Very well built trailer true 4 season!

 

[AKcaveman]

The only "small" one I'm aware of is the Scamp:

Nice units but spendy.

Bigfoot made a few models in the 80’s single and dual axle 5 th wheel trailers hard to find for sale thou today kinda a unicorn!

 

[bswildcat00]

On the lookout for a smaller travel trailer in newer, good condition. Smaller, being in the twenty-something foot range. A toy hauler feature might be nice but not mandatory. My question is, are there any brands that are recommended, or more important, any that I should stay away from? Thanks

Second the dual axle comment they tow a lot nicer and with an extra axle of breaks are much safer. I've learned that no matter what camper you buy they are like a house and there are little things that you will have to fix or tweak to make them right. Don't rely on the manufacturers warranties either they will try to avoid any claims by all means, or so that's my experience.

Find and OCD guy like myself and buy his camper used. LOL

 

[South Coast Stu]

I have owned several travel trailers that were stick built, not best of luck with them over the years buyer beware! Got a Bigfoot 21’ with front bed travel trailer 2008 and it has been awesome! Up and down the AlCan and all over Alaska and bird hunting in lower 48 dozens of times in all weather. Drove back up in November 2022 after upland hunting in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Washington, had -30f on AlCan coming back up no issues with trailer nice and toasty warm nice to have a warm toilet to use when ever you need it. Be heading down for southeast Dusky hunting in mid April then on to Turkey hunt Washington first of May then back to Alaska for fishing.
Like the front storage to carry generator, treager and other gear. Very well built trailer true 4 season!

The only downside to the Bigfoots is the price. The upside is they hold their value so you get your $ back out of them when you sell. If you don't mind me asking, what did you give for your 2008? That front trunk is sweet

Here's a 2023 25B21FB for $73k 😬 https://www.rvtrader.com/Bigfoot-25...odel=2500 SERIES|764965955&trim=25B21FB|34090 What's the saying? Buy once cry once?

 

[FLGator]

Northwood manufacturing, makers of Arctic Fox, Desert Fox and Nash, put together one of the more robust product lines. Many are ‘off road rated’ and are four season units. Definitely worth looking into. Also, RV Consumer Group is a good resource for research.