Travel trailers

[VikingInMouseEars]

We are starting the quest to purchase a travel trailer. So far the ones that we are interested in are Airstream, Arctic Fox and Grand Design. Do any of y'all have personal experience or knowledge with these brands? Yes, we know that Airstream is much more expensive, but their longevity is pretty impressive also.
Any other suggestions? We are looking for something in the 23-28 foot range. It needs to be capable handling temp extremes of 20 degrees F to 100 degrees F so a true lightweight really isn't in the cards. We do not want a 5th wheel.

Thanks in advance.

 

[peg110]

I don't have experience with any of those brands, but what I will say.... Get one that you WANT. If you "Compromise" just know that in a few years you are likely to "Change" and/or regret your decision.

So if you think the bathroom is too small.... keep looking. If you think the bed is to small, keep looking....

My other advice is to ignore the "Oven". Just my opinion of course but they all seem to be way to small to really be useful, particularly if you were to consider "Full Time". If you are NOT going to Full Time it, then who wants to deal with an oven anyway... Right?

Good luck in your purchase.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

I don't have experience with any of those brands, but what I will say.... Get one that you WANT. If you "Compromise" just know that in a few years you are likely to "Change" and/or regret your decision.

So if you think the bathroom is too small.... keep looking. If you think the bed is to small, keep looking....

My other advice is to ignore the "Oven". Just my opinion of course but they all seem to be way to small to really be useful, particularly if you were to consider "Full Time". If you are NOT going to Full Time it, then who wants to deal with an oven anyway... Right?

Good luck in your purchase.

Thanks, good advice and we were kind of think that way about the oven since most of them have convection microwaves as at least an option and that would seem to make more sense. We are a ways off from purchase and I imagine will be looking at many TTs and I fully intend to lay on the bed, stand in the shower and sit on the toliet. LOL

 

[tripleb]

Also, consider your tow vehicle. The length ranges you are talking about, especially without being lite versions, are going to be heavy. You will most likely need a 3/4 ton truck and a diesel would be most desirable.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Also, consider your tow vehicle. The length ranges you are talking about, especially without being lite versions, are going to be heavy. You will most likely need a 3/4 ton truck and a diesel would be most desirable.

Yep, tow vehicle has been narrowed down to a couple, both of which are plenty for what ever we decide. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[bama_ed]

Viking,

I toured the factory this fall where Airstreams are built in Jackson Center, OH and fell in love with them even though I can't afford them. The machines cut the parts but they are for the most part hand assembled inside. I was impressed with the finished quality of the units I saw. If I was going to buy a non-slide out unit and keep it for 20 years, I would consider an Airstream. If you bought one, it would probably serve you well.



The other two brands I have no knowledge of.

Bama Ed

PS - I took a tour once of the automobile assembly plant in Bowling Green, KY where they build Corvettes and fell in love with those too. I'm easy I guess...

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Viking,

I toured the factory this fall where Airstreams are built in Jackson Center, OH and fell in love with them even though I can't afford them. The machines cut the parts but they are for the most part hand assembled inside. I was impressed with the finished quality of the units I saw. If I was going to buy a non-slide out unit and keep it for 20 years, I would consider an Airstream. If you bought one, it would probably serve you well.

The other two brands I have no knowledge of.

Bama Ed

PS - I took a tour once of the automobile assembly plant in Bowling Green, KY where they build Corvettes and fell in love with those too. I'm easy I guess...

I would love to go take that tour....actually both of those tours LOL

 

[2goofycampers]

Get the one you want. Trading is expensive. As for us, we'd go with the Grand Design. We know a couple people who have one and are happy with them. The warranty is good and they have nice floor plans and slides. Airstream doesn't have slides.

 

[peg110]

So this is a custom Mod?

 

[2goofycampers]

View attachment 236469

So this is a custom Mod?

Yes, we were looking at some TTs in a place that had some Airstream and the sales guy said no slides. I also don't see any on their site. There is a $146,000.00 Land Yacht though.

 

[peg110]

There is a $146,000.00 Land Yacht though.

Is that all? I'll take 2 then.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

View attachment 236469

So this is a custom Mod?

No, a few years ago Airstream did put a slide on 1 or 2 models, it wasn't very popular and they stopped doing it. To my knowledge there were only around 85 to 90 made so you won't see them very often.

 

[Lmans77]

My parents are experienced Airstreamers. They've owned a 1976, a 1991, and currently a 2016. We almost bought the '91 off of them, but it didn't work for our family of 4. There is no doubt the quality of an Airstream. It will literally last you forever, whereas you might get a good 10-15 years out of some other box. They bought the 1976 in 2010, and it was totally usable from the beginning. They then completely gutted and remodeled it.

My dad's take...if you are going to travel long distances, Airstream is the way to go due to ease of towing. They take lots of cross country trips of 3+ weeks. OTOH, if you want some big slides, and other bigger flashier and are going to stay within several hundred miles from home, and are the type to go to a location, park for a week and then go home, then go with a different trailer.

That said, we looked at the Grand Design. I did love it..its a nice trailer.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

My parents are experienced Airstreamers. They've owned a 1976, a 1991, and currently a 2016. We almost bought the '91 off of them, but it didn't work for our family of 4. There is no doubt the quality of an Airstream. It will literally last you forever, whereas you might get a good 10-15 years out of some other box. They bought the 1976 in 2010, and it was totally usable from the beginning. They then completely gutted and remodeled it.

My dad's take...if you are going to travel long distances, Airstream is the way to go due to ease of towing. They take lots of cross country trips of 3+ weeks. OTOH, if you want some big slides, and other bigger flashier and are going to stay within several hundred miles from home, and are the type to go to a location, park for a week and then go home, then go with a different trailer.

That said, we looked at the Grand Design. I did love it..its a nice trailer.

Thanks, that pretty much reinforces what I hear about Airstreams. We are looking at the others mainly because they aren't as pricey, but yes, Airstreams keep their value longer and are much better built than the others.