Question:
My husband and I are considering the purchase of either a tent trailer
or travel trailer. What are the best kind of tent trailers to look
for? We'd like to explore the used market before considering the
purchase of a brand new model. On the travel trailers - we looked at a
1994 Chateau, but didn't buy because the dealer wanted $12,000! The
trailer had air conditioning, microwave, stabilizers, and awning and
already made bed. Any advice on what to look for in a travel trailer,
and what a good price would be? What brands are the best, or is there
any difference?
Answer:
I have had a camper since 1985 and have used one extensively ever since.
I have changed trailers three times always getting bigger, and changing the
floor plan. The first was a 20 foot Prowler, center kitchen (never again).
The second was a Dutchman 30 footer front kitchen rear bedroom (loved it
wanted more living space). My present trailer is a 33.5 foot rear kitchen
5th wheel with two tip outs(My wife and I love it and do not expect to trade
again unless I win the lottery). Please excuse my spelling errors.
First off I personally would say stay away from Pop ups for the
following reasons:
1. No bathroom facilities.
2. Hard to heat in fall and winter
3. Hard to air-condition in spring and summer.
4. Very little room to move about. If you have children you will hate it
in 2 days.
On travel trailers:
1. Look for either a front kitchen or rear kitchen, this will keep the
traffic away when you are cooking.
2. The already made bed (queen size) is a plus.
3. Look for the largest shower you can find. Very important when washing
your hair.
4. If you have children the bunk house stile is what you will find more
comfortable.
5. If you are retired, the bigger the better, with at least one tip out,
the living room and dinette.
6. The free standing table is attractive but the booth type dinette gives
you more sleeping area, and storage area.
7. I highly recommend a fifth wheel if you have a pick up (F250 or
equivalent with a diesel engine) not some wimpy gasoline engine, no matter
how big, they get rotten gas mileage and can't take a respectable hill with
any speed. The reason I recommend a fifth wheel is the whole trailer is
living space, where as with a tag along you loose 3 feet for the tongue.
Also 5th wheelers are infinitely easier to park and pull with little or no
sway..
8. Make sure it has a minimum of two batteries. Both are used when you are
self contained in primitive campsites They are necessary for the emergency
brakes on the trailer. Any trailer you buy should have electric brakes
which are accuated by the brake pedal in the vechile. There are some which
use the tongue to accurate the brakes and going down hill will jack knife in
a heart beat. You will find this type mainly on popups. They can and have
killed some who are not very skilled in their operation.
9. Water storage should be at the minimum of 30 gallons, for self contained
camping.
10. Hot water heater should work on both Gas and electric.
11. Refrigerator should be both gas and electric.
12. You should have three waste water tanks. 1 for black water(toilet). 1
for bathroom gray water, and 1 for kitchen gray water. Each should be 30
gallons or better. If you can find one with 60 gallons for each one, go for
it.
13. Leveling jack must be on the trailer and the front one must be either
electric or haudraulic. The reason for this is it is the most often used.
The rest should be sissor jacks, because they are easy to operate and on
both the tag-along and 5th wheeler very easy on the person setting up.
14. Must have installed air-conditioning, preferably ducted, to move it all
over the trailer.
15. Heat should be forced air, radiant just does not work well.
16. If it has a TV antenna make sure it has a booster on it, and that there
is a cable hookup on the outside of the trailer. You will be mostly camping
some distance from a TV source is the reason.
17. At least one outside electrical outlet.
There are two brand names which give you the best buy for the buck, but
then again this is personal experience. I like the Dutchman, because of the
quality, and prices. The fifth wheeler I have is a Prowler and again for
the same reasons as above. You should have no problem in the 12 to 18
thousand in a used, and should be able to come up to a 96 or better with a
little haggling, and a few dollars down. You should be able to find 27
footer and up in that price range. New trailer with all the items mentioned
above range from 18,000(for a 30 foot Dutchman tag-along) and up. Happy
trailer hunting. If I can be of any further help, don't hesitate to fire
off the questions. If I don't know we can always hit the news group for
their best answers.
