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Old 09-23-2003, 08:48 AM   #11
chvaka
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Default Re:What won you over??

Firefly,

I am new to camping myself. Our first trailer is our current 97 3023. We moved to Utah about a year ago. I rarely ever camped and my wife grew up camping in the mountains etc. We went camping with her Aunt and Uncle and I immediately fell in love with the mountains and camping, cooking outside, etc. Plus my 2 year old daughter absolutely loved it. We decided we needed to get a trailer for the following year. I started researching trailers and knew I would have to get a truck as well to tow it. I just happened to come across the TM website and thought that seemed to be the ticket. I found on the website there was 1 dealer in SLC. So when I called to find out the prices I was a little shocked at the price of the TM brand new. I then asked if they had any used TM's and he said he has only seen 2 used TM's come through his dealership in the last 20 years and the 2nd one just arrived today. My wife and I went and looked at it on a Thursday and bought it that Saturday. Having a trailer that is so light allowed me to buy a 1/2 ton truck instead of something bigger. We have used it twice this year and loved it. It is a cinch to operate, tows like a dream, and has plenty of space. The way this all happened so quickly, I think we were just meant to have a TM. Just like everyone says, this board it fabulous, Jimmy Davis is fabulous, and the TM is fabulous!
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Old 09-23-2003, 04:41 PM   #12
kempert
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Default Re:What won you over??

I went to a RV show and went through every single trailer. The first thing that got my attention was that the TM was different. There were three main selling points:
1- the bathroom has more room than most other RVs.
2- much better fuel economy
3- no need to buy a big vehicle to pull it. 8)
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Old 09-23-2003, 06:28 PM   #13
kempert
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Default Re:What won you over??

Forgot to mention about the leaks. I had a temporary leak the weekend before last until I remembered that I had opened it in a steady rain. I had gotten lazy and didn't bother to level the TM. The door side was higher so water ran down the outside then came in around the door hinges. The problem was solved as soon as I leveled the TM. I fell asleep to the sound of the unique sound of the rain on the roof. BTW - It seems that every time I use the TM it starts raining. When I start for home - clear skies. I'm still amazed at how dry it stays on the inside.
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Old 09-24-2003, 08:10 AM   #14
arknoah
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Default Re:What won you over??

Back in the early 1970s my parents purchased a used trailer, and I always enjoyed my few trips with them before college. When I saw an ad for the new Coleman pop-ups with slide outs, I was sold, however, after long discussions and considering other kinds of units, Ellen said she absolutely wanted the secure feeling of solid walls and a full size bathroom (small as RV bathrooms are, that is). I insisted on the open feeling you get with a pop-up where cabinets and counters tops are lower. The Trailmanor was the perfect solution. It is very easy to tow (the one thing I dreaded about with full size trailers), has all the amenities you could want, and is very well built.

During a really bad hail storm this spring, we developed a leak at one of the overhear vents. After consulting this excellent board, we took out the old caulk and replaced it, which is something even some as non-handy as I could do. Since this is our third season, I don't think a leak at this time is really a problem.

Eventually, as our kids get bigger, we may want more space, but for now, this was a great purchase.
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Old 09-24-2003, 08:17 AM   #15
MawCraig
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Default Re:What won you over??

Our major consideration when upgrading from our Coleman pop-up to the TM was the weight of the trailer. We couldn't afford a new camper and a new vehicle, so we had to find something we could pull with our Ranger. I ordered brochures from just about every manufacturer that advertised lightweight campers. The Trailmanor brochure was the first to arrive. We studied it carefully and were quite impressed. As each brochure from the other companies came, we compared those campers to the TM. We kept the TM brochure and tossed the others in the trash!

On one of our camping trips to Cherokee, we took a day trip to Knoxville to visit what was then the closest dealer to us. We had planned to just look at the TM, but we ended up giving them a down-payment and came back two weeks later (on our next camping trip to Cherokee) to give them the Coleman and pick up our 2720.

The Ranger was able to pull the camper, although we had to use the truck lane going up Saluda Mountain every other weekend on the way to Cherokee. Wayne always said, "If I only had 50 more horse power!" Then we came across a great deal on the Explorer .... and it has that extra 50 hp. Now we are the proverbial happy campers!!!
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Old 01-08-2004, 03:40 PM   #16
jniles
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Forgot exactly when, in the Mid 90's or so, I was cruising west on IH 40 about 75-80 mph. Noticed something being towed moving up behind. I was somewhere in Tennessee or Arkansas and finally he guy blew past me pulling his TM. I remember I thought what a neat trailer - wonder what it is. About a mile or so later he was slowing to exit so I hurried up to check out the Brand name again and I remembered it from then on.

A few years later one of the daughters wanted to get involved in boating since those are the best family times she remembers and wanted her kids to have some similar good times. She thought boating too expensive so camping was suggested and I knew a guy at the office with a Popup and I suggested that. We ended up buying a new 98 Coleman Niagara equivalent but I remembered the TMs so looked up their web site then decided that would be RVing not camping. Daughter bought a plush TT.

We kept thinking about TM over the years as I wanted to escort our three daughter's families to Yellowstone. In any event we even traded again for a new 02 Niagara and once more we considered bear country and the TM but was talked out of it again, "don't base a purchase on one trip dad". I was sold on the luxury of TM (quality really) since we had been in one at a show in 1999.

Finally I retired and Karen will in Apr 05. We realized we both really enjoyed our camping experiences and thought we may do a lot more and some RVing too. Eldest daughter bought a very nice TT last year moving up from Popups. We considered TTs, 5th Wheels, Hi-Lo (including the lites) and diesel pushers. Everytime it just comes back to practicality and mostly just having fun.

When you pass them, have you ever noticed the faces of the old geezers (like me) driving or trying to drive their big units down the Interstate, in traffic and/or wind. I just knew there has to be a better way to have fun and enjoy the drive.

So we finally did it after years of consideration and studying this board. The board has been our single most respected source for information and is in fact the real reason we finally ordered a TM. A little, light, high quality trailer from TM is just the ticket for us now, or so it would seem.
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Old 01-13-2004, 08:03 AM   #17
arknoah
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Default Re:What won you over??

We were looking at Coleman pop-ups (which have come along way since the 70s when my parents and I started camping), but Ellen was concerned about the canvas sides, and wanted a real bathroom. The Trailmanor seemed to fit the bill, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, now she would like to get a bit more "running around" space that you can only get with a side slide out room, so next year may be our last in the TM.

For ease of towing, construction, excellent customer service from the factory and head-turning appeal, the Trailmanor can't be beat.
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Old 01-13-2004, 12:11 PM   #18
2619PDX
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Default Re:What won you over??

We bought our TM 2619 because it is a real hard sided trailer that happens to fold down.

When I make campground reservations, I tell the park that I have a 26 foot travel trailer.

Anyway, my wife wanted something she would feel comfortable towing. We looked at the Alpine and Chalet trailers, but they were too small, and we looked at Hi-Lo trailers too.

We also looked at the traditional Coleman pop-up, but my wife would have nothing to do with them since we live in Oregon and contrary to public perception : it rains a lot up here, so it would be wet inside from folding down the plastic and canvas top...

I did some research on the web and found the TrailManor. We liked the basic layout of the TM, and the ease of towing it. We bought ours used after doing much research both on the net and off.

As far as leakage goes, yes, several of our members - including myself - have experienced leaks. Keep in mind that no matter what RV you get, the older it gets, the more potential you have for leaks.

In my case, I had to recaulk the seam behind the awning on the door side. I still haven't done every seam yet. The amazing thing is that in my case again, the leak only happened in the down position!

We've used our trailer in some heavy rainstorms over the last two years, and in my opinion, there is no better place to be as it is warm, dry and comfortable inside!!

Hope this helps!

Gregg
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