Community Forums

Capt Dan · 01-29-2016, 11:55 AM

What manufacturer and models produced in the last 3 years are at the top of the QUALITY list? (Prefer to buy 2-3 year old rig) For you experienced boondockers, if you were buying right now, what would you be looking hardest at? What comparisons would you prioritize?

We are getting ready to FT with the DW and 3 kids (5 and under). For a long time we were set on a 40' 5er or TH, but now realize that a 30-34' TT with bunks and slideout (sorry Airstream) would still give us enough space and would allow access more places and also give is use of the pickup bed with shell for storage. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have been prioritizing construction and 4-season insulation (more for efficiency than actually camping in snow), something tough enough to withstand abuse from the kids, and sturdy platform worth making investments in (solar, suspension if needed, etc). Heavy is OK, even preferred if it means better quality (PLanning on towing with 3/4 or 1ton SRW Diesel CC SB). What should I be looking at? Frame and suspension strength (Some advertise off-road rated frame), big water/grey/blank tanks, big fridge for fewer trips into town, outdoor kitchen would help keep the cooking mess outside.

The list so far. Thoughts?

Open Range Roamer 310BHS
Open Range Highlander 31RGR TH
Arctic Fox Classic 31D
Outdoors RV Creekside 27BHS (but they only offer 2-bunk models so I would have to remodel)

1bigmess · 01-29-2016, 08:58 PM

Off road rated trailers: IMO, most of these mean "off the road, but not far from the paved road". Someone will be along to tell us that I don't really know what I am talking about, because they take their trailer to all these places miles off the road. JUst because you can do it, doesn't mean it's a really good idea, or the vehicle is built to take much of it. Nearly All of the four wheel drive type stuff I have been doing lately has been on a road, just not a good, smooth, paved road.

You wrote off Airstream. Too bad. Those things really do seem to be made to last.

Slide outs are just another thing to break and fix. Slide outs don't do well on rough roads. I've seen so many posts on IRV2 about the slides not working after going down a really rough road.

The length you are looking at is fine for almost all RV parks. You can get a rig that long into a National Park, but not all of them, and often not easily. I have a 24 foot trailer (from bumper to tongue) and a Ram 2500 crew cab with the 6'4" bed. The longish spot I had in Yosemite would barely accommodate the entire vehicle. There were longer spaces available, but they were taken by good sized motor homes.

My ORV 19B has been an outstanding home for me and the dog. It takes three to four weeks before I need to dump and refill fresh water. I cannot say anything about the other models, as I wasn't even considering anything that large. Northwoods Mfg./ORV *seems* to be one of the more rugged framed and built travel trailers available.

Sporty27K · 01-29-2016, 11:11 PM

We had a Nash TT for many years before getting our motorhome. We loved the Nash for many reasons. One-it was very well insulated. We could turn the heater on once, and the trailer would stay warm all night. We had 2 kids so we had the bunk house model which worked out very well. The kids were a little rough on the inside but it held up great. It did not have a slide so was a little cramped inside. A little heavier because of all the insulation. We were very happy with it.

1bigmess · 01-30-2016, 09:18 AM

Nash, Arctic Fox, and Outdoors RV are all under the Northwoods Mfg. umbrella of brands.

Phil G. · 01-31-2016, 09:56 AM

Here's what I would do if I was looking for a TT that could take a beating:

Do extensive searching for the off-road trailers that they use in Austrailia. They know how to make them tough over there.

After you discover an Austrailian model that looks like what you want, find a used one of it in the U.S. for sale ... and then go from there.

jtbuilds · 02-03-2016, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil G.

Here's what I would do if I was looking for a TT that could take a beating:

Do extensive searching for the off-road trailers that they use in Austrailia. They know how to make them tough over there.

After you discover an Austrailian model that looks like what you want, find a used one of it in the U.S. for sale ... and then go from there.

Phil G I agree 100%!!!.

I've seen one TT from Aussieland and was thoroughly impressed by the build quality and (many years) deign that went into the layout.

Reed Cundiff · 02-04-2016, 06:04 AM

Agree that U.S. TTs and fifth wheels are not built for rough roads. We have a 34' fifth wheel and are currently on beach near Tulum, Yucatan. Some of the cabinets have loosened slightly after a few thousand miles on Mexican roads and have heard stories of cabinets coming completely off. So we are putting in bracing for them. Most of this is just cutting 4 cm dowling for a snug fit.

Reed and Elaine

Capt Dan · 02-09-2016, 08:05 PM

Found one

Phil G. · 02-11-2016, 03:40 PM

Capt Dan,

From Australia??

(We take our E450-based under loaded Itasca 24 foot Class C on graded desert roads .... but VERY SLOW! It's held together for around 9 years so far.)