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PastorClare · 10-13-2017, 05:44 AM

Hi! My husband and I are planning to buy a lightweight travel trailer for the two of us to use on weekends and vacations, along with an occasional grandchild. We are impressed with the Coleman Ultralites and the 1705RB has a great floorpan for us. But the Forest River Wolf Pup is similar in cost and features. Does anyone have information on the quality level of either model? I really appreciate your input! Thanks-

Superslif · 10-13-2017, 06:11 AM

Quote:

We are impressed with the Coleman Ultralites and the 1705RB has a great floorpan for us. But the Forest River Wolf Pup is similar in cost and features. Does anyone have information on the quality level of either model? I really appreciate your input! Thanks-

I would look at them again...As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Yes, both are entry level type units. If price is the determining factor, then for $13-14k is about where you can get into the RVing lifestyle.

Between the two. The Coleman has larger tanks 43 fresh, 39 gray, Wolf Pup 32 fresh 23 gray...That is a big difference....If you were planning on taking showers, that 23 gray in the Pup would last a just a weekend. Also the cargo capacity is 30-40% more in the Colemans.

In the last month with a buddy who was looking at cheaper trailers too, I have looked at both....At least the Coleman, the one we looked at on a Camp World lot in VA. was in my opinion in need of "better" fit & finish.

PastorClare · 10-14-2017, 02:17 PM

I had noticed the difference in tanks, plus that the Coleman has two propane canisters with an auto switch. But I hadn't thought about what a difference the gray water tanks would make. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

richamor · 10-15-2017, 05:05 PM

We looked at a lot of campers but the overall floorplan, features, and finish steered me towards the Coleman. BUT......be aware there may be issues you don't even notice until you use it. And there is always the potential for problems no matter what brand you buy.

I look at TTs like I do a lot of things, Harleys for instance, in that you buy a basic package you like. Over time you fix and fiddle and change and modify to make it what you want to fit your needs.

We just returned from a trouble free weekend in out Coleman at a beautiful SC state park. No problems at all except for a to hard mattress and a wonky bathroom door.

CoreyR · 05-01-2018, 06:03 AM

I'm sure you have already made you choice by now but, in case anyone else is looking at these units. My wife and I purchased a Coleman 1705 RB last August and have had nothing but problems with it. I really wish we had gone with one of the other units we had in our "final selection."
The blackwater drain is the biggest problem. It has an unnecessary "dogleg" twist in it and clogs on almost every trip. I mean REALLY clogs. The 20 year old Jayco we had before this brand new Coleman had a straight pipe and we never had a problem.
Next, the fold down murphy bed is made of cheap "press board" and has broken once already. We took it in, under warranty, and all they did was move the cheap hinges to an unbroken part of the same pressboard. It is just going to break again! I am going to have to replace this with good, sound, plywood and try to match the veneer myself.
The furnace would not work because of loose wiring that the dealer had to fix. Did not help us, on top of the blue ridge in November when we discovered the problem. Had to cut a trip short.
On our latest trip the cheap, plastic "L" bracket, which holds the door open, broke when a gust of wind hit the door. It wasn't even high wind. Just snapped right in two.
Every trip we have to wonder, what will break this time? I am scared to use the bathroom in the thing. Really. I suppose I will have to work it all out, I carry lots of tools with me, every trip, but I paid too much money, cash, to spend my trips repairing my camper.
If you are looking at the Coleman 1705RB my advice is, look elsewhere. I'm stuck with it.

tuffr2 · 05-01-2018, 06:12 AM

You can try to use more water when you flush. That might help. For us, it is always a balancing act to use enough water vs filling up the tank too fast. Most state parks as you probably know have electric hook-ups but a dump station so it is nice to be able to dump once a week.

geoff1200 · 05-01-2018, 06:16 AM

We had a Wolf Pup for a year (traded it for a class C) Just not big enough for 2 dogs and/or grandkids. Only thing I didn't like about the pup was the bed....

CoreyR · 05-02-2018, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

You can try to use more water when you flush. That might help. For us, it is always a balancing act to use enough water vs filling up the tank too fast. Most state parks as you probably know have electric hook-ups but a dump station so it is nice to be able to dump once a week.

THanks for the advice but we do not go out for more than a weekend at a time, unless it is vacation.
I hear you about "more water" but it is still irritating that a brand new camper, which I shelled out a LOT of ca$h for, has this problem when a 20 year old camper had no problem at all.

I also forgot to mention that the water pump is horrible on this unit. It makes a horrible noise every time we use it. It has been back to the shop three times now. They keep claiming it is "fixed" and it keeps making a racket. I know that it is a mounting problem, at least partially, but I suspect the pump, itself, is just crap.
I looked at that bed last night and I am going to have to tear it down and rebuild it, almost completely. Now it looks like I will have to replace the water pump. I spent a pile of money buying this camper and did not want a "project." I could have gotten that for next to nothing on Craigslist.
If anyone wants my opinion, of the Coleman 1705RB, stay away from it. It is made from cheap crap and poorly constructed at that.