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06-08-2021, 05:39 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clackamas Oregon
Posts: 328
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When is a TT too big?
If you dont take into account price or towing capacity and just look at convenience / enjoyment vs difficult to get into a park / towing, at what size do you just say no, this travel trailer is too big for me?
I really like this Keystone Outback 260UML. (ball to bumper 30'8")
but I am thinking it would be smarter for me to downsize to the passport 229RK or the LANCE 2285 or maybe the Outback 221UMD
Would 4 extra feet be a deal breaker?
I am planning to drive solo across the states a few times for a year or two, and probably due to the lack of campsite availability doing mostly boondocking.
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06-08-2021, 06:09 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 472
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1 vote for the Lance.
I have a 2017 2285.
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06-08-2021, 06:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clackamas Oregon
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scrapperjohn
1 vote for the Lance.
I have a 2017 2285.
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3' 8" less than the model I really like. It is nice looking though.
Do you think that extra 3 ft and change would make life more difficult?
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06-08-2021, 06:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 797
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Trailer length will play a role in camp ground selection. If you are an avid fan of staying in National Parks... many of the campgrounds are older with small spots. I have a 33ft TT and find I'm too long for many NP Campgrounds.
I suggest making a dream sheet of the major places you would like to camp, look up the campgrounds and double check their limitations.
TT size and amenities are a very personal decision.
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06-08-2021, 06:55 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clackamas Oregon
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrollf
Trailer length will play a role in camp ground selection. If you are an avid fan of staying in National Parks... many of the campgrounds are older with small spots. I have a 33ft TT and find I'm too long for many NP Campgrounds.
I suggest making a dream sheet of the major places you would like to camp, look up the campgrounds and double check their limitations.
TT size and amenities are a very personal decision.
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Is that 33ft ball to bumper or box?
Is the length difficult to tow or park, or just to big for the camp max size restriction?
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06-08-2021, 07:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,813
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alikair
If you dont take into account price or towing capacity and just look at convenience / enjoyment vs difficult to get into a park / towing, at what size do you just say no, this travel trailer is too big for me?
I really like this Keystone Outback 260UML. (ball to bumper 30'8")
but I am thinking it would be smarter for me to downsize to the passport 229RK or the LANCE 2285 or maybe the Outback 221UMD
Would 4 extra feet be a deal breaker?
I am planning to drive solo across the states a few times for a year or two, and probably due to the lack of campsite availability doing mostly boondocking.
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There is no such thin as to big. Just limitations on where you can use it.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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06-08-2021, 07:19 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alikair
Is that 33ft ball to bumper or box?
Is the length difficult to tow or park, or just to big for the camp max size restriction?
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33ft ball to bumper.
I have found older campgrounds (which I tend to prefer) with limitations on length below 30ft. It varies, but to me it seams 25 to 28 ft max isn't all that uncommon in older National and State Parks.
That said, I do find a lot that can take my TT, and you can usually find a campground just outside the park that will to.
To clarify, I'm not into 'RV Parks', IMHO they are glorified parking lots. Some people love them. This is why RV selection is such a personal choice. Are you a 'Full hookup RV Resort' type... more into traditional campgrounds... or boondock in some back country forestry road where there isn't much space to manuever?
For me the 33' TT was a compromise with DW. If it was just me, I would probably ditch the TT all together and go with a cab-over camper as I like to be in the back country... DW is more of a full hookups type of person. So we meet in the middle and do some campgrounds with hookups mixed with dry camping and Boondocking. DW also has bad arthritus, so climbing in and out of a cab-over camper is a no go anyways.
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06-08-2021, 07:21 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clackamas Oregon
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amosnandy
There is no such thin as to big. Just limitations on where you can use it.
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I understand the limitations that some campgrounds require, but what about your limitations? is there a size that is too large to maneuver and tow comfortably? I worry that a 30ft long TT might be to tight a fit in some parks I have seen. Worse, not being able to turn around and leave without backing up. My experience is very limited, just voicing my concerns.
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06-08-2021, 07:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Clackamas Oregon
Posts: 328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrollf
33ft ball to bumper.
I have found older campgrounds (which I tend to prefer) with limitations on length below 30ft. It varies, but to me it seams 25 to 28 ft max isn't all that uncommon in older National and State Parks.
That said, I do find a lot that can take my TT, and you can usually find a campground just outside the park that will to.
To clarify, I'm not into 'RV Parks', IMHO they are glorified parking lots. Some people love them. This is why RV selection is such a personal choice. Are you a 'Full hookup RV Resort' type... more into traditional campgrounds... or boondock in some back country forestry road where there isn't much space to manuever?
For me the 33' TT was a compromise with DW. If it was just me, I would probably ditch the TT all together and go with a cab-over camper as I like to be in the back country... DW is more of a full hookups type of person. So we meet in the middle and do some campgrounds with hookups mixed with dry camping and Boondocking. DW also has bad arthritus, so climbing in and out of a cab-over camper is a no go anyways.
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I would probably fit into the description of a Glamper who wants to boondock instead of a fancy RV park.
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06-08-2021, 07:29 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,603
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I would say that 30' is pushing the limits of what you can comfortably tow with a 1 ton pickup. More than that you should consider a 5th wheel.
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06-08-2021, 07:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Granger TX
Posts: 380
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I don’t know too much about Lance’s reputation for quality, but I know much more about Keystone products. I had a 2017 Keystone Laredo 330RL before my Montana. The Laredo had some issues and we lost confidence that other issues would show up. We traded it for the Montana. My Montana has been trouble free on the big stuff. I have fixed the small stuff. I had nothing that was worth the trouble of a warranty claim. I would encourage you to read up on both manufacturers quality control and dealer service. I have seen some Lance products at RV shows and they were very impressive. Good luck with the hunt.
__________________
MikenDebbie, Aggie ‘77
2018 Montana 3921FB+2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2004 Southwind 32VS W22 8.1+2011 Jeep Liberty-Blue Ox+RVi3 brake
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06-08-2021, 08:46 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 515
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alikair
If you dont take into account price or towing capacity and just look at convenience / enjoyment vs difficult to get into a park / towing, at what size do you just say no, this travel trailer is too big for me?
I really like this Keystone Outback 260UML. (ball to bumper 30'8")
but I am thinking it would be smarter for me to downsize to the passport 229RK or the LANCE 2285 or maybe the Outback 221UMD
Would 4 extra feet be a deal breaker?
I am planning to drive solo across the states a few times for a year or two, and probably due to the lack of campsite availability doing mostly boondocking.
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The issue isn't the length; it is the qualities you want.
I need a couple of things: a sofa to lie down on and a dinnet.
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06-08-2021, 09:57 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 1,950
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Everybody has different styles, and ways to camp. We are finding ourselves getting away more into remote locations. This involves boondocking within small campgrounds, and very small sites. Wouldn’t want our Lance 1995 to be any bigger. We go camping to be outside.
It’s getting more difficult finding sites at popular State, and National Parks, and will only get worse. Personally I would stay as small as your comfort level allows.
__________________
Owners of a 2018 Lance 1995
St.George, UT
Former 02 Intrigue by Country Coach
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06-09-2021, 08:45 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,654
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I tow a 31' TT with a 3500 Ram CTD CC LB and 95% of the time have zero issues finding a spot. We do a variety of CG's from st parks, RV parks, County parks and Forest Service types to dispersed camping.
Can we fit in everywhere? No. But when we're setup we have the comfort that we want. Do I wish our TT was shorter. Only when towing is certain conditions but those conditions are only a fraction of overall use.
There's really no one size fits all TT. It's always a compromise somewhere.
Another factor in the equation is truck length. Our truck is 22' long. Getting a short bed shortens that to 20'6". Doesn't seem like much but it will help a lot when backing into sites where the front of the truck needs to swing around.
For us having two seating areas and lots of counter space were #1 on our priority list.
Can't get that in a short TT.
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