FuzzyBob
SE Michigan
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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Hello,
My wife and I currently have an '08 Fleetwood Avalon and an '08 Suburban for a tow vehicle. We're looking to downsize and are considering something along the lines of an 18 to low 20's foot trailer.
What we're looking for:
1) Smaller size, maybe 25 foot max
2) Light weight, under 4500lbs if possible (lighter the better)
3) queen size bed
4) a slide-out to give us a little more room
5) would almost prefer a "range/no oven" model, we never used the oven in our Avalon.
Some of the brands I've seen are Coachmen Apex 189FBS, Heartland MPG 184, and the Prime Time Tracer 200RQS. These seem a little small to me but the wife thinks they're "cute".
Can anyone suggest some models that are a little over 20ft? Most of those have the bigger shower area that looks really nice.
Thanks!
-Bob
2008 Suburban LT/Z71 4X4
2012 Rockwood 2304 Trailer
1 Big Fuzzy Geek (me)
1 Awesome Cookie Baker (DW)
2 Goofy Dogs
Nights camped in 2011 - 17 (not enough!)
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Looking and researching can be half the fun (as it were). Here's a link where you can check how owners from different manufacturers rate their own RVs based on a standard list of questions. Good luck with your search / Skip
http://www.rv-coach.com/RV/manufacturers/survey/rate_your_rv_results.html
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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sparkyjcm
North Carolina
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Joined: 08/16/2011
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I'm biased but the Coachmen Freedom Express LTZ 230BH has done well for us so far. 23 ft, around 4100# dry. No slide out but is 8ft wide. The DH can be claustrophobic but has no problem with this unit.
http://www.coachmenrv.com/products/freed........x?page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=4150
Ah, I see now you're probably not interested in a BH.
2012 Coachmen Freedom Express LTZ 230BH
2009 GMC Sierra SLT Extended Cab 5.3L 1/2 Ton 3.73 Ratio
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FuzzyBob
SE Michigan
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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I like that site, it gives a general feel for the brands. The only problem is I don't see a way to get more detailed information in regards to what sub-brand or model the rating is for. Some companies make a wide variety of camper types and trim levels so it's hard to know who rated what. 
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Cedarhill
Deep South
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Joined: 09/20/2011
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This summer, my wife and I bought a Flagstaff model 21 FBRS, which is identical to the Rockwood 2109S. Here is a link. You will have to cut and paste it as the "Link" function in the editor doesn't work for some reason.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/default22.asp?location=rv&unittype=&page=floorviewertt&model=21FBRS&choice=flag&nav=rec&name=4001&series=MicroLite
So far, the layout has proven to be ideal for our purposes. We are coming from camping in a pop up and the amount of room for living and storage is quite good. We are the type of campers who spend most of our time outside unless the weather is bad (we have only turned the TV on once). Having a couch instead of a dinette in the slide out is our preference by far since every dinette on every trailer we looked at was even less comfortable than the one in our pop up. We just put the removable dining table outside under the awning when we set up.
We tow with a 2011 Nissan Frontier (4L V-6, 270 hp, 6500# tow rating) and it is more than adequate, although a V-8 would mean lower RPMs and less engine noise pulling steep hills. The weight fully loaded with 35 gallons of water, 2 full propane tanks, a Group 27 battery and all our usual supplies and equipment is just over 4400 pounds. We ordered it with the 14 inch wheels and I recommend that option. It gives it some extra ground clearance and means the Chinese may-pops are only loaded to 60% of rated capacity.
We were disappointed with the quality of materials and craftsmanship, although nothing has failed to work properly. We were equally disappointed with the materials and craftsmanship of every other brand we looked at. To meet my rather high standards, I would probably have to pay Airstream prices.
Edit: We looked at the Heartland MPG models, as well as the Forest River R-Pod teardrop style trailers. Both appeared to be a little better built than average but I finally rejected them because I couldn't take the wet bath. I had enough of that in our pop up.
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dahkota
Washington, DC
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Joined: 01/20/2011
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You might try the Jayco 221, the feather light version of the 22FB we have. It is about 26' long and has a walk around bed, decent size bath, and storage space.
2008 Ford F250 diesel
2011 Jayco 22FB
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FuzzyBob
SE Michigan
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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Cedarhill wrote:We tow with a 2011 Nissan Frontier (4L V-6, 270 hp, 6500# tow rating) and it is more than adequate, although a V-8 would mean lower RPMs and less engine noise pulling steep hills. The weight fully loaded with 35 gallons of water, 2 full propane tanks, a Group 27 battery and all our usual supplies and equipment is just over 4400 pounds. We ordered it with the 14 inch wheels and I recommend that option. It gives it some extra ground clearance and means the Chinese may-pops are only loaded to 60% of rated capacity.
Yeah, my wife drives the Suburban on city streets, getting 16mpg or so, and we can get 20-21 not towing highway and 16 towing on highway. Most of the vehicles I've seen are around what we get now with it so I'm not sure we're going to part with the truck just yet... She loves the Ford Flex though, but that's a different topic for later. 
-Bob
* This post was
edited 12/01/11 01:45pm by FuzzyBob *
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gtkato
Aurora, CO
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Joined: 01/15/2005
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I have the Rockwood Mini Lite 1809S with couch slide and 14" wheels and option package with Tuscany interior. Pulled with 08 Xterra v-6 for about 3 months, but here in Colorado, most of our camping is the the high mountains. I did add the Hypertech Max Tuner which increased horsepower to 290 hp and 300 lbs of torque. I just sold an Dodge CTD with 400hp and 700lb of torque hauling a 3000lb TC, so I am spoiled with all the power and torque. I just purchased an 08 Dodge Durango with Hemi 5.7 and max tow package to pull the Mini-Lite.
Really like the layout of the Mini Lite and so far has met most of my expectations (especially like the light tongue weight and large holding tanks). We also looked at the R-pods and MPG's and feel the MPG by Heartland are better over quality. We did not want the small wet bath (since we spent 5 years with that in our Truck Camper).
This spring, we are going to look at the NEW Lance 1575 which has a huge slide out dinette, AND FUll Queen Size bed AND fiberglass roof and comes under the weights of our Mini Lite (caveat is that they are very expensive, and not many good deals). Just use the 80/20 rule based on your TV, then shop....Wolf Creek by Northwoods is also a good prospect.
FlyFishn
2012 Lance 1685 with 4 Season Cert
2008 Dodge Durango Hemi, Diablo, Sens-Trac with Blue Ox Sway Pro
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FuzzyBob
SE Michigan
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Joined: 07/31/2007
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gtkato wrote:This spring, we are going to look at the NEW Lance 1575 which has a huge slide out dinette, AND FUll Queen Size bed AND fiberglass roof and comes under the weights of our Mini Lite (caveat is that they are very expensive, and not many good deals).
(quick search, looks at price)  man, you ain't kiddin!
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fordsooperdooty
Southern California
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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TrailManor builds a line of hard wall trailers that are extremely lite, very well made, have 4 models under 24' long when towed, weighing less than 3000lbs dry..yet range from 23' to 26' when open.
They don't have slideouts, yet the huge windows and open floorspace maked them feel larger. Queen beds and even king beds..and plus models that sleep 4 to 6 adults. All the ammenities like A/C, furnace, shower and enclosed bath, etc. They are a bit $$$ however, but used ones are a good value.
And at just 2300 lbs dry..Jayco makes an Aluminum light weight conventional trailer. The Swift SLX is made by Jayco, the 3rd largest RV Builder in the World, and one of the oldest at 43 years. It comes well equipped with awning, microwave, refrigerator etc. 2 year warranty and great quality and customer service. New under $9,000.00 on sale.
Aerolite by Dutchmen has a 212RBSL queen bed travel trailer with sofa slideout, 23'9" long and 4400 lb dry.
Good luck!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
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