It seems to me that the Trail Manor of today is completely different from the Trail Manor of a few years ago. I have had more than one dealer tell me that they started carrying Trail Manor recently because of all of the improvements. For example:

(1) rounded wheelwells
(2) air conditioner in middle of coach (quieter in sleeping area)
(3) larger hot water heater (6 gallon vs. 3 gallon)
(4) rounded rear bumper
(5) spare tire storage underneath rather than on rear bumper
(6) swing away tongue
(7) elimination of flimsy lamps
(8) more neutral interior colors (older models are pretty loud inside)
(9) more stout axles
(10) better quality tires
(11) apparently a tv stand in the rear sleeping area soon
(12) no structural wood in the upper portion of the coach
(13) dead bolt locks

This is a partial list, but my point is that the Trail Manor of today just seems totally superior to the Trail Manors of even two or three years ago. These factors lead me to believe that paying a premium for a new one may be preferable to purchasing an immaculate, but obsolete, older model.

I understand that the journey toward innovation is not yet complete. For example:

(1) how about a cover for the propane bottles

Overall, though, the 2004 models appear to be the result of a steep design improvement curve.

Any thoughts on this issue?