Community Forums

Gusto2 · 08-03-2011, 05:06 PM

Been shopping for our first TT for several months and have looked at so many, we are just getting more confused. Today we saw a 2011 Gulf Stream Visa and really liked the way it looked and especially the fact that it is an ultra-lite. Does anyone know anything about this unit?

Also, we like the Aerolite by Dutchmen and the Flagstaff Micro lites. Any comments or info about these would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Russ & Sarah
(still wannabes)

Francesca · 08-03-2011, 05:31 PM

How light do you want to be, and how much room do you need?
There're some pretty cool all-aluminum rigs out there, but they might be small for you...

Gusto2 · 08-03-2011, 05:49 PM

We are trying to keep the weight around 4,000. Our vehicle would tow more, but we don't want to go over that and would like to stay under 23 feet (total length). The only thing that we both really want is a walk-around bed. We realize it will be hard to find a unit with both sofa and cafe table in that size range, so we would be happy with just the sofa. Slide-out is not even that important to us with the right floor plan.
Appreciate your reply.

Francesca · 08-03-2011, 06:08 PM

Well, I've been drooling over CampLite Trailers for a while now but they may be a bit smaller than you want.
Biggest thing they make is about 20' total length- but it weighs less than 3,000 lbs.!
And not a scrap of wood in them. Hardly any steel, either.
Probably not what you're looking for, but here's a video about them you might find interesting anyway!

‪2011 CampLite All Aluminum Travel Trailer by LivinLite‬‏ - YouTube

CampLite All Aluminum Travel Trailer Overview by LivinLite

Good luck in your search!

Francesca

Gusto2 · 08-03-2011, 06:26 PM

Thanks for the reply, Francesca. We had actually come across that video in the early stages of our "hunt". When trying to locate a dealership, we were told the manufacturer's factory had been destroyed by fire and no units were being produced. It might be a little small (bedwise) for us, but we will certainly research them again.
Russ & Sarah

offthewall · 08-03-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gusto2

Been shopping for our first TT for several months and have looked at so many, we are just getting more confused. Today we saw a 2011 Gulf Stream Visa and really liked the way it looked and especially the fact that it is an ultra-lite. Does anyone know anything about this unit?

Also, we like the Aerolite by Dutchmen and the Flagstaff Micro lites. Any comments or info about these would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Russ & Sarah
(still wannabes)

Hopefully manufacturers have improved over the years but we had a 1998 and a 2000 Aerolite TT. Both were pieces of junk. We kept the second one for 7 years but it was always falling apart. Aerolite's idea of light met making everything on the interior out of really thin cheap wood. Screws were always cracking too thin wood apart everywhere. Benches falling apart, shelves falling off walls, cabinet doors falling off. You get the idea.

Francesca · 08-03-2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gusto2

Thanks for the reply, Francesca. We had actually come across that video in the early stages of our "hunt". When trying to locate a dealership, we were told the manufacturer's factory had been destroyed by fire and no units were being produced. It might be a little small (bedwise) for us, but we will certainly research them again.
Russ & Sarah

That's so sad (about the manufacturer).
Thanks for the update.
I hope they recover and get going again- that looks like a really fine product.

Francesca

TXiceman · 08-03-2011, 07:05 PM

Too many of the so called "Ultralite" trailer manufacturers this is another way to spell cheap. A few and I mean a few manufactures actually build a quality lite trailer. The problem is going lite generally means a bit more cost.

We have a 1989 Avion (silver) aluminum trailer that is holding together because the manufacturer built a quality trailer. These trailers were not cheap for the market they were sold in, but there are trailers from the 1950's and 1960's still on the road.

So you spend money up front for a better built long-life trailer or get on that will last 10 years or maybe even 15.

Ken

offthewall · 08-03-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesca

That's so sad (about the manufacturer).
Thanks for the update.
I hope they recover and get going again- that looks like a really fine product.

Francesca

Don't think that's the case. They are updating their Facebook page regularly as recent as 22 hours ago.

offthewall · 08-03-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by offthewall

Don't think that's the case. They are updating their Facebook page regularly as recent as 22 hours ago.

And boy that does look like an awesome product. I wish they made a DP class a with that quality construction.

Rysh · 08-03-2011, 10:11 PM

We looked at several of the ultra-lights before buying our Sunset Trail Reserve this year. We are extremely happy so far. We looked at the Aerolite while we were in the process of hunting. We also liked the Bullet Premier line (even ordered one, but we walked away because of the dealer). I think they make a 23' with a single slide that has the sofa and a removable table.

Gusto2 · 08-04-2011, 06:50 AM

I was able to find a new Camplite for sale online in south Florida - wish they made one with walk around bed.

Ken, have to agree with you about the quality aspect. Would be afraid to drive off lot with a few we have seen. Not having a TT before, we felt buying "new" with a warranty would be the way to go. Certainly not afraid to spend the money to get quality; just having a hard time knowing which units fall into that category.

Rysh, we looked at a Bullet Premier at a dealership about 100 miles from us and have to say it seemed to be put together better than anything else we have seen. Will probably look at it again this weekend.

Again, thanks to all. We appreciate any and all replies.
Sarah

chiefneon · 08-04-2011, 09:18 AM

Howdy!

One of the new TT's out now that has cough my eye is the Earthbound RV. Appear to be well made with new technology.

Earthbound RV | A New Kind of RV

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

glennwest · 08-04-2011, 09:32 AM

I weld by profession. Light metals that are as strong as steel are very expensive. You will never see a camper built out of stainless or the many alloys that fall in this category. Cheapest route for any manufacturer is steel. Beware of "cheap and light". durability and strength can't fall in this category. These units take a beating running around this country. They need a good chassis. lots of flex will break them.