How to buy a travel trailer?

[mattb5150]

Hey guys/gals,

I'm looking to buy a trailer that my wife, our 3 month old son, and I can live in for up to year while our house is being built. We would like to keep the trailer afterwards for trips to other parts of California and an occasional trip during the summer to perhaps Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, etc.

We've been looking at models between 28-34 ft. in length with two slides between $20-30K. We have dogs and have a shell on our Dmax/Alli 2500 HD so we don't want a fiver. I found a website www.rv.org that sells memberships where you can get buyers guides, reports etc. similar to this site but fopr Rv's.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Matt B.

[Tinbender]

www.RV.net has a lot of info and several links.

Bob

[Tsckey]

www.rv.net is an excellent resource. You should have no trouble finding a trailer in the size and price range you're looking for, though there are comparatively fewer travel trailers under 30' with two slides. Once you've gotten some ideas ask the members of that forum for advice. They have a world of experience and share it generously, sometimes too generously, but that seems to happen everywhere.

[Mark Heiken]

Be sure to look at any trailer you are serious about before buying. Floor plan and how it fits your family is the most important thing to consider since you are going to spend a lot of time in it. I would avoid any of the cheaper built rigs. Middle of the road rigs cost about the same and if you look close there is a big difference in quality. Good luck, and enjoy.

[DonG]

mattb5150,

The RV.ORG site is a good rating site that allows you to compare the quality, safety, towability, and durability of various trailers that are manufactured.

Only you can decide what design and floor plan is best for your needs, and you can get a lot of help from the rv.net site as many have suggested.

If you have not done much with a trailer yet, I would do your research and then buy a used trailer for your first one. Trailers depreciate just like vehicles, and if you are still experimenting, then going used will save a lot of money. However, if you buy used, you must be sure to inspect the trailer fully before you buy.

Again, the rv.org membership can help you there on how to insure your used purchase does not contain hidden surprises.

Good Luck, Don

[TBC]

Matt

I have recently been searching for a TT with 2 slides and have found only 1 that is 30 ft and that is a Holiday Rambler Alumascape TT30SKD. There are several brands including HR that have trailers with dual slides in the 33-34 ft range. HR is pricey but several others are around then range you are looking at. If it were not for the length not fitting my driveway my first choice would be the Mountainer. They have two models, one front kitchen and one rear living room. They are a very nice trailer. Made by Keystone. The dealer in Amarillo had one that was well equipted for around $28,000. That was his sale price. List was $33,000 or so.

Tom

[roegs]

You might also take a look at www.irv2.com. Lots of good RV info, and a friendly group to provide answers.

[mattb5150]

Thanks for all the advice. TBC I am considering a Trail Bay 31FKBS, which measures 31' 11" long. Check them out at www.trail-lite.com or this site I found is great www.rvwholesalers.com and they sell Trail Bay. The same trailer that is on the lot here in town, with one slide(31FKSS) is $24,800, on rvwholesalers it's $8K less!

Anyone had any experience with Trail Bay trailers? They are very nice inside, medium colored oak cabinets, brushed stainless hardware and microwave, all seams caulked, really modern looking. Lots of closet space too for fulltime living.

Matt B.

[felpa41]

You can custom built a travel trailer to fit your personal design criteria, if you are willing to wait about 6-10 weeks for manufacture.

The highest rated RV's (four and five stars by the RV rating book) are the Horizon's, made in Junction City Kansas. They make 5th wheels and travel trailers only.

They are made for fulltime living and are not cheap. Folks who own them seem to swear by them and when I get my fultiming rig, I am going to get them to build it for me.

www.horizonsrv.com

[Fathead]

My NewHorizon 5th. wheel is the highest quality product I have ever owned . Buy a used one if you don't want to spend the money for a new one. With new carpeting you won't know the difference. Be warned that the RV industry, more than almost all others ,is full of junk.
FH. smile.gif

[Ranger354]

Try Trader Online for prices on new and used trailers in your area. YOu can search by length, model, price, etc...

[a5150nut]

Mattb5150

I see you are another krazy one too! Take a ride over the hill to Los Banos. Look at the AutoMate. First trailer lot on the right, Bill Wyrics. My wife and I bought a used 36ft fiver and have enjoyed living in it for 3 1/2 years now.
They build all customs. We were able to find a 95 we liked better than anything else we looked at over 3 months from Redding to Los Banos. It's roomy, light inside, plenty of cubords/storage and a large shower. Oh, and two large skylites. Its big enough for the two of us and two small dogs but small enough the kids can't try to move back in!

If nothing else, it would make for a nice saterday drive!

[sonofagun]

Matt,

try RVTRADER.com. Good site, with lots of data and really good deals on low miles used stuff. I have sold there with good success.

Good luck,

Bob

[pontiac_m18]

MATT, E-BAY has about 700 rvs of all sorts & locations. Go to e-bay & then e-bay motors.Then go to rv section. It has a place to pick your area alone, also! You can also try = www.rvsearch.com Howard :D :D :D

[ 05-01-2003: Message edited by: pontiac_m18 ]</p>