New info on the new models!

**Bill** · 09-21-2019, 11:19 AM

Yesterday I had a pleasant half-hour phone conversation with Paul Wipf, President of the new Trail Manor Company. He seems to be doing wonderful things with TrailManors, and new design elements and building techniques are showing up in many places. The company is attending a lot of major RV shows across the country, and getting a lot of attention from potential buyers and potential dealers.

He and I discussed a number of items, some of which I have summarized below.

First, the company reduced the sometimes bewildering array of major models down to just four, corresponding to four different lengths. The four lengths are 25’, 27’, 29’, and 31’. The two-foot increment between models means everyone can find what is best for the individual situation.

Every model length is available in three configurations - the front bed, the front slide-dinette, and the front slide-sofa. Although the 27-foot model retains the queen-size rear bed, the 25, 29, and 31 foot models all have a king size rear bed. This has been the subject of a lot of “wouldn’t it be nice” conversations, and the company has responded.

As has been true in some models recently, the kitchen counters are single-level. This allows for a somewhat larger sink. The refrigerator has also been upsized a bit, to 3.0 cubic feet from the 2.4 cubic feet that previous owners like me have been used to. And the interior wall color is more pleasing than the yellowish off-white we have come to know.

All trailers have an outside accessible rear storage compartment.

The 25-foot model has grown up, with a number of important changes from the few and hard-to-find 24-foot trailers. The cooktop has two burners rather than three in the other models, the smaller unit allowing for more space for the rear bed and the outside storage compartment. The 25-foot unit also has a dry bath with shower and cassette toilet, though the bathroom sink has been removed, again to make room for the big bed and the outside storage. Good trade, in my opinion. BTW, the cassette toilet is optional on the other models. I’m not sure about the refrigerator in the 25-foot model, a question worth asking the sales staff at Trailmanor.

It is the company’s intent to have a swing hitch on all trailers, though I don't think they are quite there yet on the 3124. Swing hitch, previously a rather expensive option, is a very popular feature, and by making it standard, they can build more quickly and have a lower price for most buyers.

A power slide is now standard on slide-out models! My aching back thanks you!

After our conversation, Paul was kind enough to forward a new brochure to me, which I have attached below. It is densely packed with important stuff, not all of which is on the web site yet, so be sure to look it over carefully. If it sounds like I am enthusiastic, it is because I am!

Bill

Texastrailerguy · 09-21-2019, 10:41 PM

Bill, I would like to see the new trailer front shell with a a/c on top have a alum. frame rail in the top some how( built in rib?) to keep it from dropping/going flat and having to be "lifted" some how. Seems like I have seen quite few pics of ones for sale with "fallen" roof tops.
The new colors are sweet looking. I like. The swing hitch makes me no difference, it not a deal maker or breaker for me I do wish they would get rid of the recirc. toilet. Just my 2cents. Anyway hope they can get the cost down some.

**Bill** · 09-22-2019, 08:14 AM

Good comments TexasTrailerGuy. But it would be better to post them in the Feedback to Trailmanor section - or send them directly to Trailmanor so the engineers can evaluate.

I'll offer my thoughts re the air conditioner and roof sag. The air conditioner has been on the front shell for nearly 20 years - it was located on the front roof of my 2002 TM. In that time, thousands of TMs have been built, and if the air conditioner location was a problem, I would think we would have seen many more cases. From what I have seen, roof collapse is more often caused by snow load. If a foot or two of snow accumulates on the roof, and then it rains, the load of several hundred pounds of wet snow can be catastrophic. The Owner's Manual warns owners to clear the roof of snow, so it doesn't happen.

As for the recirc toilet. A number of people feel as you do, and the company responded, offering a cassette toilet as an option.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Bill

Casey Freswick · 09-26-2019, 06:29 AM

it is great to see the new TM advertisement. It looks great. I saw the standard auto slide out at the factory about 2 years ago, but not the outside storage. I have not seen any picture that help with that one, but I am assuming you enter the storage through a window? Is that the case? Any pictures?

Casey Freswick · 09-26-2019, 06:34 AM

Well I live in MI and do not have room to put my TM in my garage. But there is room under my deck so no more worries about snow and ice build up. It could have happened. Also the second common roof collapsing issue is likely walking on the roof. I did a lot of work requiring me to be on the roof and worked to distribute weight when doing that work.

**Bill** · 09-26-2019, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey Freswick

I saw the standard auto slide out at the factory about 2 years ago, but not the outside storage. I have not seen any picture that help with that one, but I am assuming you enter the storage through a window?

As near as I can tell, outside access is via an outside door under the rear bed, and inside access is via an inside door under the rear bed - just as it is in your current 2720. What I think is new is that in the past, not all models had a rear storage compartment. Now it appears that they all do. The floor plan drawings say that 2922 and 3124 have a wardrobe occupying half of that under-bed storage area, though I'm not sure how that would work. Perhaps someone has pictures?

Bill

**kempert** · 09-26-2019, 12:46 PM

When I was at the factory in April, I didn't notice any new outside doors. I may have missed them. I did make a suggestion about the power cord and they walked me around a new unit. They were already doing what I'd suggested. You no longer have to try to shove it into the little opening with the flap (that keeps breaking on mine). This is great for those of us who camp in cold weather as the cord gets extremely stiff when it's cold. You can now either store it in your TM or your tow vehicle.

I've attempted to attach two photos (a first for me).

I still plan to write about my visit to the plant in April. My part time job as a HS coach has turned into a full time job. I'm now doing the job of two people for the pay (way below minimum wage) of one. I would quit but I don't want to do it to a group of very nice teenagers. That's not the type of lesson that I want to teach them.

Larryjb · 09-26-2019, 12:59 PM

This actually looks like a fairly easy retrofit. I wonder how easy/practical it would be to splice an alternative power port near the hitch? (I drag my TM up my driveway. Neighbours look at it and are puzzled how I parked it that way.)

**kempert** · 09-26-2019, 01:10 PM

I've already talked with my guy (I know enough about electricity to leave it to the pros) and he told me it's very simple and cheap to do. Especially if you already need to replace your power cord. He used to sell TMs and said he's pretty sure it doesn't even need to be opened to do it.

I support my local RV dealer rather than going to the big companies and I'm sure I've saved money in the long run.

**Bill** · 10-04-2019, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kempert

You no longer have to try to shove it into the little opening with the flap (that keeps breaking on mine). This is great for those of us who camp in cold weather as the cord gets extremely stiff when it's cold. You can now either store it in your TM or your tow vehicle.

Kempert -

I agree about the mousehole and the always-breaking cover. But there is an easy alternative. Just push the cord all the way back through the mousehole, then push the plug through the mousehole, too. The whole thing drops into the small compartment under the left end of the rear bumper cover. Now you can store the cord by simply coiling it up in that compartment - even when it is cold. And in the center of the coil, there is just enough storage for a couple adapters, so they are always handy. When you arrive at the campground, just deploy the amount of cord you need, no need to unpack and lug the entire cord. And no need for an electrician, or an expensive heavy-duty power plug/socket pair. This setup is especially handy when it is raining and you don't want to mess with the "elaborate" solution.

BTW, you can remove the bumper cover by releasing the rear corner latches. That takes the pressure off the cover, and it slides right out.

Bill