Community Forums

go44 · 04-21-2006, 05:36 AM

Good Day
I would like to hear about the 2006 lite weights, any improvements , problems etc..
What is your experience , I may purchase another one soon.....

Our 2000 Trail Lite model 8261 has actually been a very good trailer but we would like a slide out model..

go44 · 04-21-2006, 05:36 AM

Good Day
I would like to hear about the 2006 lite weights, any improvements , problems etc..
What is your experience , I may purchase another one soon.....

Our 2000 Trail Lite model 8261 has actually been a very good trailer but we would like a slide out model..

Randy the sly old fox · 04-21-2006, 10:40 PM

Barrie,
Good to hear that your TrailLite lasted so long. My 99 7211 developed a severe leak just after warranty expired. The entire fromt end had to be rebuilt on the inside. While doing that work I realized how poor this style of construction was. Even the techs who rebuilt it did not have much good to say about it. No vertical support members anywhere and poorly designed and built seams (that is what caused my leak}. I traded it for an Arctic Fox 22H last summer. While the AF is heavy (5,000lbs) it is well built with real wood framing, fiberglass insulation, a sloped trussed roof, and hard side walls. I also looked at another factor - how close was the factory to me. So I limited my search to west coast mfgs. The other rigs I looked at were Forrest River products made at the Oregon Plant, Fleetwood, Komfort, Extreme RV. Most of them were semi lightweight, Komfort makes only alum framed with either alum or filon siding. My last Komfort gave me 12yrs of trouble free camping. That is what I was looking for again. Good luck in your search, personally I would not buy another rig with the type of construction used by TL, Aerolite, Fleetwood etc. esp in a larger unit.

go44 · 04-22-2006, 03:56 PM

Hi Randy
I agree with your comments on the construction of the Trail Lite and others ...A leaking roof could write-off this type of trailer very quickly , I have heard many horror stories..

I resealed all the seams when my trailer was about one year old , made sure each seam was about one inch wide , used a whole tube around each air vent frame and this has worked out good..
The original caulking on my TL was a hit and miss job , poor workmanship is often the cause of many problems which relates to poor wages and product quality assurance ( I don't think there is quality assurance in RV's )....

Thanks for your comments

WillYum · 05-10-2006, 04:24 AM

Just finished first trip with Jayco Jay Feather 29N. Started out in Prince George, BC, traveled down to Cache Creek, then Armstrong, on to Midway (where we crossed the border) and stopped in Orofino, Idaho. After visit with family in Orofino we crossed over to Vancouver, Washington through the Columbia River gorge. We encountered wind gusts up to 60 MPH through the gorge and although it was definately noticable in the truck we had no real serious problems (thank god for the Reese strait-line hitch I bought). Semi was blown over that day just after we got through. Anyway, we traveled over mountain (several 7% grades) and dale and truck pulled trailer with no problem. Calculated between 10 to 12 MPG depending on terrain traveled between fill-ups.

Only serious problem that came up was the clearance under trailer. The unit is built very low and we struck bottom three times just coming out of driveways. The waste disposal drops straight down just ahead of the front axle and the cap was badly scraped. Dealer is looking into modification for this problem. Also due to low height and misjudging turning radius I knocked fresh water drain valve off against curb. No real problem to replace, just a real

p--s off. I asked about having the axles inverted but it may not be possible with this unit.

Other than that and a few minor problems that the dealer will 'deal' with when I get it in to him we were very satisfied. Did find that register vent in bath needs to be changed to louvered type as it is directly across from furnace and will cook you out when furnace is running.

267 days till retirement

brad03ca · 05-15-2006, 11:12 AM

Flipping the axel is a good way to gain height WillYum. Not sure of the axel configuration of your unit, but just remember not to get too high for your T/V. May cause some towing and sway issues.

I have what is supposed to be the lightest 5er, able to be pulled with a 1/2ton. The unit is light... the only thing I don't like is the Mickey Mouse flooring.

Did you cross Hwy#99 with the trailer?

milzat · 05-18-2006, 03:09 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WillYum:

Only serious problem that came up was the clearance under trailer. The unit is built very low and we struck bottom three times just coming out of driveways. The waste disposal drops straight down just ahead of the front axle and the cap was badly scraped. Dealer is looking into modification for this problem. Also due to low height and misjudging turning radius I knocked fresh water drain valve off against curb. No real problem to replace, just a real

p--s off. I asked about having the axles inverted but it may not be possible with this unit. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WillYum, If I'm not mistaken, your TT is built using a Weld-free modular HSLA steel frame . Better known as Norco/ BAL frame. My last Lite Weight TT had this type frame. I wanted a little more ground clearance but the manufacturer of the TT did not offer a riser kit, so I built my own 3" lift. After readjusting my WD hitch to correct for the raised TT hight, all went well.

Mike

3&acat · 05-29-2006, 02:33 PM

We have a 2006 29Y, Been out twice.
Jayco has a 2" lift for the 2006 campers, but the dealer didn't call Jayco in in time after I noticed it on their web page

We has just a couple of small things that the dealer took care of after our 1st trip. Only thing I found on our last trip was in using the DVD Home Theater system. The right rea speaker didn't work. This past weekend I took the speaker down & found one speaker wire off. Fixed it now all is good.

sccamping · 11-21-2006, 08:56 AM

I know the Zeppelin's got a bad rap but we have had very few minor problems with our 241 with a single slide out. The line has been discontinued for 2007 models and they are almost giving them away.
You could really get a terrific price on them now, where you can find them. I saw a post on another site who purchased an 07 291 model for $13,000.
They are owned by Keystone, which makes someting like 10 other lines so the servicing/warranty work is in good shape. And, Keystone is owned by Thor, the biggest manufacturer of RV's. Just a thought. Their website is : http://www.keystonerv.com and elevator on down to the Zep line. We LOVE ours. We have the 241 and also there is a 290 both have the corner shower (no stepping over a tub).

venatic · 11-30-2006, 04:18 PM

We just bought a 2007 Outback 26RLS that I wasn't really sure if I could pull or not with my 1/2 ton truck. I was surprised that I was able to pull it without too much trouble. We've only been able to take it out twice so far. The first trip was just someplace close to home to try everything out. The second trip was in November for a week deer hunting.

So far it's been great. When we looked at a lot of the light weight trailers, they were all pretty much the same in some respects. The Outback was different. It has the full aluminum framing around the windows and doors and studding in the walls. The dinette seats are also aluminum framed. The bottom frame is 8" tall where most others are 6". This allows for bigger water tanks. The fresh water tank is 50 gallons, black 40 and grey 80. All the water tanks are enclosed. They consider this a 4 seasons trailer. New this year was a U shaped dinette seating which makes it more convienent for four people.

I don't really care much for the two separate grey tanks, but not much I can it. I wish they also would have one key for both doors.

Superslif · 12-02-2006, 06:30 AM

We have camped over 100 nights (2 seasons) in our 05' Aerolite Cub (hybrid). I'm 100% satisflied with the way thinks have held up. We bought the 24' foot model #236. I love the layout. It has so much cabinet and counter space. It's very light to pull. It weighs about 4300-4400 loaded. We looked at all the hybrids before we bought. The Aerolite's are a little more $$$ but the fit-and-finish is a step above. The 236 model has a small sofa slide that really opens up the aisle. the trailer is 8' wide. I call it our "condo on wheels".

rocinante · 12-02-2006, 07:09 PM

Just got home from a 1200 mile tow in heavy cross winds/ colorado to michigan. I can say this trailer is rock steady in terrible conditions,they really do make towing a pleasure. I almost went with an airstream, but this Hi-Lo is tough to beat.

2manytoyz1 · 12-12-2006, 07:46 AM

My buddy has spent the last two years fulltiming in his 2004 27' Rockwood by Forest River. His home base is here in FL. He's been up the East coast into Canada, and as far West as Oregon. Most everywhere inbetween. Lots of use, varying road & weather conditions.

His camper still looks almost new. I was so impressed with it, I ordered a smaller 25' model, same brand. It's very well put together, and very lightweight. The dry weight, with all the options on my 25' model, is 3993 lbs. I'm towing it with my 2005 Xterra.