Community Forums

ready2wander · 07-28-2013, 06:10 PM

Hi!

My husband and I are shopping for our first TT. One that we really like is the Coachman Catalina 253RKS-- the floor plan is exactly what we are looking for!!

The trailer is made with a wood frame and alumin siding...We would be grateful for any feedback concerning those materials. Is there any additional care/maintenance that needs to be done to trailers that are built w/ those materials.

I would also be grateful for any feeback regarding Coachman and/or the Catalina models--

We are just beginning our search. We want to make sure that we get a good quality trailer that will be able to withstand heavy use. Your thoughts, feedback and suggestions are apprecaited.

Safe travels!

jesilvas · 07-28-2013, 06:40 PM

What kind of use are you going to be putting it through? Full time? Part time?

You can't perform any maintenance on framing within the walls, other than making sure that the sidewalls and roof always stay sealed up well from water.

ready2wander · 07-28-2013, 06:56 PM

Thanks for your reply.

We'd like to work toward full-timing....Our goal is to do some workamping/volunteering and be in places for about 2-3 months at a time...so we are planning on giving the trailer some pretty heavy use.

I know that the roofs need to be conditioned and checked very regularly... but I was not sure what people do to keep their siding up on these types of trailers? waxing?? some other type of treatment? or is the siding relatively maintenance free as long as you guard against leaks w/ checking the caulking?

Sorry...I know this is probably a really newbie question

Cjnfamily · 07-28-2013, 07:43 PM

Outside corners are bad about leaking. Whatever you buy check these and reseal. If the wallpaper or paneling s disclosed in the corners probably to late. Wood inside wall is probably rotten

ready2wander · 07-29-2013, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the reply...and the helpful advice.

We are looking at a new 2013 Coachman Catalina 253RKS... just wondering about long term advantages and disadvantages to the aluminum sides as opposed to fiberglass w/ regards to care since we'd like to keep the TT for many years.

MikenAmber · 07-29-2013, 07:56 PM

We own a Coachman Captive 2008 with the fiberglass walls with aluminum framing we have had very few problems with it. The fiberglass washes up really nice we wax it once a year. It sets outside all year. The awning is beginning to come apart and will need to be replaced soon. Still works but one of the two plys is deprecating.

Cjnfamily · 07-30-2013, 07:02 PM

On the awning, ours was doing the same thing. Went to Home Depot and bought the white colored roof coating... Rolled it out a few feet cleaned and painted the first 2 foot or so of the awning ( what takes the beating the most).

Painted it twice and it sealed up the holes pretty good. Will probably do it again before winter.

Rolls up just fine.

Will be able to put off buying a new one for a few more years or maybe longer

FamFun4 u · 08-05-2013, 07:24 AM

I had a 03 spirit of America 297 RKS the only thing I didn't like was the gutter ends were to short. Made for some nasty black streaks. Aluminum sided campers are alittle hater to clean, but I put some longer ends on and it made cleaning it awhole lot easier. Other then that had no problems with it