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Thread: Tent trailers - good or bad?
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06-26-2006, 06:57 PM #1
Tent trailers - good or bad?
I'm thinking of upgrading from a tent to a tent trailer. I have a van that we won't be getting rid of anytime soon so the most I can pull is the smallest of tent trailers (2000 lb max). Does anyone have any insight into these things? I can't decide if I should splurge and get a new one or just go with a beat up used one. Another concern I have is the wear and tear I'll be putting on my tranny. The book says 2k is the max weight. A small tent trailer weighs in around 1.7k - 1.8k.
Are they worth it???
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06-26-2006 06:57 PM # ADS
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06-26-2006, 07:52 PM #2
I've been deciding the same factor. My Honda Element can only pull 1,500 lbs, so I was very limited on the choices. The one I looked at is the Fleetwood Element http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/element/ They are probably the lighest pop up trailers you'd find. You can find used ones for cheaper, the sale price when I went into the dealership was about $6k. There is a dealer in SLC on State and I believe about 3800 South.
All my RV owning friends talking me out of the pop up trailers. They all tell me I will be selling it in a year or so. So undecided I am still trailerless and roughing it
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06-26-2006, 09:08 PM #3
I say get one! Your van would do fine towing it around...no prob. They are great and such a snap to use. I would not buy a brand new one but not an old beater either. Something in the middle would be my preference...perhaps 2-5 years old in good shape. You can also mount a bike rack or some quick release brackets on the top for bikes.
They are a huge step up from a tent and you can consider yourself rich camping snobs.
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06-26-2006, 09:13 PM #4
I was looking at a Starcraft 1701 model. It has everything except A/C. Ray Citte has them for $6700. The Starcraft was built pretty darn good.
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06-26-2006, 09:16 PM #5I would not buy a brand new one but not an old beater either. Something in the middle would be my preference
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06-26-2006, 09:22 PM #6
Yup, the starcrafts have been around forever. I heard that the Coleman trailers are really good too, but pricey. I really don't know much about the particulars though. They are damn cheap though and they do have everything now days....good hell. I have considered getting one several times. For me it is a matter of not being able to pull other toys once I have one. Right now it would be my motorcycle trailer. They are really light to tow and a breeze. I have borrowed them from family on several occasion's and towed them all over. Someone else on here might have more info...
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06-27-2006, 07:13 AM #7
accadacca, you could get a trailer with the "toy" storage. There are some that have a room with a ramp for ATVs, for the motorcycles you wouldn't need as big room as the ATVs. Just food for thought.
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06-27-2006, 07:23 AM #8
Here is a floor plan of the 1701 from the local dealer: http://www.motorsportsland.com/floor...el=1701&Rec=97
Also, here is their pre-owned stock: http://www.motorsportsland.com/used/...FoldingTrailer
1701 looks like exactly the one I was looking at, except I looked at Fleetwood instead of Starcraft, but the layout looks identical.
Anothing thing you might want to do to save cash is to wait until fall/winter time when the prices and demand on these is going to go down and they will be dirt cheap.
Keep in mind that these units do not come with a toilet, I was looking at one of these: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...v=&browse=&s=1 to keep inside for the wife and the children.
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06-27-2006, 08:10 AM #9
Motorsportsland had 'em for $5995 but they are out of the '06 models. They won't get the '07s in for a few weeks and pricing hasn't been released yet.
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06-27-2006, 12:07 PM #10
I just drove by one one sale for $1400. It's a 1983 Jayco 806 model. If you are interested I can give you their phone number, looked in fairly good condition.
This is the floor plan of the 806:
http://www.jayco.com/html/catalog/fl...=94&mod_id=428
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06-27-2006, 02:25 PM #11I just drove by one one sale for $1400. It's a 1983 Jayco 806 model. If you are interested I can give you their phone number, looked in fairly good condition.
A really good place to look for used ones is www.KSL.com. They have a bunch of used ones for sale in the classifieds section. I just haven't been able to find one that quite matches what I want.
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