Community Forums

LFord · 12-22-2016, 03:07 PM

Greetings:

New, "wannbe" RVer here, looking for advice. One of the possible travel trailers I'm looking at is a 2013 R-Vision Trail-Lite Trek 212RB model. It appears the company is out of business, so looking for (1) any comments from Trail-Lite (especially Trek) owners (now or formerly) as to that line of travel trailers and (2) possible source for owner's manual, which this unit does not have.

I do have a tow vehicle, a 2013 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab 4x2 with the 3.5 Liter ecoBoost V6, factory towing package, with 8600 lbs. tow capacity. As the GVWR of the 212RB is around 6100 lbs., I should be OK.

A couple of appealing aspects of this unit is that it comes with (1) a weight-distribution hitch, and (2) a "Prodigy" trailer brake controller. As the factory tow package on the F-150 included everything BUT the factory trailer brake controller, I had just purchased an OEM brake controller unit from a Ford dealer, but not yet installed. The RV sales person (that RV is at a Ford dealership that also sells RVs) says that with the Prodigy brake controller (master unit installed on the trailer tongue, remote unit goes in cab of truck), I won't need the Ford OEM integrated brake controller and can save the installation expense and put the unit on eBay - can anyone confirm that?

Unit is clean, no visible leaks nor delamination, and appliances appear to work, based upon initial examination. I plan on going back with an experienced RVer friend and/or professional inspector for a more thorough inspection. Roof looks good to a "naked eye" inspection. Previous local, one-owner couple bought it new and had it stationary on a site with a shed roof over it, according to the sale person.

Also planning on looking at a 2007 Keystone Outback 18RS (rear slide-out w/queen bed) as well.

Any additional thoughts?

Thanks.

Larry J. Ford

Badlands Bob · 12-22-2016, 04:43 PM

Buying an orphan will mean there is no factory support available. No schematics, part numbers or customer service. If you're comfortable with this, go for it. There are lots of orphans out there.

Pricejh · 12-22-2016, 06:59 PM

We owned a 2011 Onyx 25RB. The Onyx was built by R-Vision. Very similar construction to the Trail-Lite. As long as the structure is good, the appliances are pretty standard RV equipment. Make sure that the roof seams are well sealed and that the rest of the systems work as designed. I full times in ours for three years when I was working at construction job sites away from home.

Bought the unit for 17 and traded it for 12.5. Dealer sold it for 15.

Only reason we trained was we wanted more room when I retired a year ago.

LarrytheBear · 12-22-2016, 09:26 PM

We had a 2009 TS25 (Trail Sport) by R-Vision. We bought it in 2012 and sold it in 2014.
We made two extended trips from North Georgia after I retired and had no problems that were unusual. One trip was 2 months out west and the other was 1 1/2 months to the NE.
They are lightweight so things tend to come un-nailed or unstapled... This usually resulted in putting it back better than original with additional reinforcement.
We had the owner's manual but it was so generic it was not very useful.
The trailer served us well and we learned a lot with it.
We bought it for 10K in 2012 and got 12K on trade in 2014.

Superslif · 12-22-2016, 10:00 PM

Being a 2013, it has been used for 4-5 years. Need to check the roof for caulking condition. If it is on a dealers lot, they may say you are not allowed on the roof. At that point I would walk away, or bring your own ladder to inspect.

Also look inside the outer storage areas / bays for soft floors where the walls meet the floor structure.

Melvo · 12-23-2016, 10:28 AM

Had two Trailites not the same model but had no major problems with either one. Most of the stuff that might need replacing is standard TT and can be obtained from the manufacturer. I used a prodigy controller for the first one, worked fine.

LFord · 12-23-2016, 10:42 AM

Thanks to all for the very helpful comments.

Regarding a couple of specific comments/questions, I did get up on a ladder at the dealer lot to take a quick look at the roof, and it did appear to be in good shape (TT was supposedly kept stationary at a camp site after being bought new, under a shed roof of some sort), with good sealing around the visible vent openings, etc. I did tell the dealership I wanted to bring back an inspector for a more thorough inspection, including getting up on the roof.

It being an "orphan," I am going to compare the 2013 Trail-Lite Trek closely with a 2007 Keystone Outback 18RS, as according to the Keystone factory today, they still "fully support" that TT through its authorized dealer network.

If the Outback is in comparable shape, I may well go with that one despite the age difference.

Thanks.

Larry J. Ford
-----------------------------
No "rig" yet; still looking
2013 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab 4x2 3.5L ecoBoost V6

66joej · 12-23-2016, 02:45 PM

We owned a 2008 Trail-Cruiser 26RKS built by R-Vision and had no problems with it.
This same company builds or built Monaco motorhomes.

Wireman1 · 12-23-2016, 04:17 PM

It will need new tires, especially if sitting in one spot. Could be permanently flat spotted. Tires need to be on the road and being used for maximum life.

I wouldn't take a chance on them.

LarryW21 · 12-23-2016, 08:37 PM

Minor point...fresh water is only 36 gallons. That's a little low for extended boondocking. Waste tanks at 30 gallons each is good for a 25 foot unit.

LFord · 12-25-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryW21

Minor point...fresh water is only 36 gallons. That's a little low for extended boondocking. Waste tanks at 30 gallons each is good for a 25 foot unit.

That's a good point, and one I have thought about, but at least it has better fresh water capacity than a lot of the "smaller" TTs I've looked at. Until I retire, I will not be doing a lot of extended boondocking/dry camping. Mostly, extended/holiday weekends, for now.

One "plus" is that it will just be me - no wife, no kids, no grandkids, so hopefully that would extend the fresh water a bit. However, that begs the question: "What is the rule of thumb for fresh water use per person per day?"

Thanks.

LJF

sinnettc · 01-03-2017, 01:36 AM

If you go with the R-Vision TT be sure to check out the owners' forum: R-Vision Camping Club

It's been a bit quiet lately but there's some good info there.

Badlands Bob · 01-03-2017, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFord

That's a good point, and one I have thought about, but at least it has better fresh water capacity than a lot of the "smaller" TTs I've looked at. Until I retire, I will not be doing a lot of extended boondocking/dry camping. Mostly, extended/holiday weekends, for now.

One "plus" is that it will just be me - no wife, no kids, no grandkids, so hopefully that would extend the fresh water a bit. However, that begs the question: "What is the rule of thumb for fresh water use per person per day?"

Thanks.

LJF

I use 5 gallons per person per day. That's taking a Navy shower every other day. Your mileage may vary.