Getting Older and Slower

[SCBillandJane]

We have enjoyed our Trailmanor for years, but we are not immune to aging and some limitations of age. We see a time coming when we want to continue camping, but need a camper that we don't have to raise and lower. Trailmanor does so many things well that we don't know what to look for as a replacement. We want to stay light weight and in the 16 to 22 foot size range. Any ideas or makes that you can recommend?

 

[Bill]

To me, all trailers have a lot of common features, so within limits, you could live with any of them. All trailers have beds, all trailers have stoves, all trailers have refrigerators, and so forth. Yes, minor differences in beds, stoves, or refrigerators might steer your final choice, but whether a trailer has a 3-burner stove or a 4-burner stove is unlikely to be world shaking.

However, as you look at different trailers, a major distinguishing feature in my eyes is likely to be the bathroom. Does it even have one? Assuming yes, is it a wet bath or a dry bath? Is the toilet a standard (black tank) unit, a cassette, or a recirculating unit? If I were going out to look at new trailers, I would first build a must-have list for the bathroom. That will eliminate a lot of possibilities and make the remaining choice easier.

Just my thought.

Bill

 

[Redtail cruiser]

"Older and slower" aren't we all; however it's better than the alternative. DW and I have given some thought to this ourselves. We were seriously thinking about the TM Rise, but I'm afraid that ship has already sailed. If we were going to do it right now, I would give serious consideration to either the Keystone Outback Terrain 210 TRS or the Dutchman Aerolite 213 RBSL. Both have king size beds, electric slides and weigh in at under 5,000 lbs.

Probably not in our immediate future, but in not too many more years.

Good luck in your search

 

[Burquena]

Before I "found" Trailmanors, I was very seriously looking at a Lance 1685. Lance has the 1685, 1985 and 1995 all under 24' total length and 4000 lbs. They are very nice and well made and if the day comes to give up the TM, I would go back to Lance. MarkoPolo just moved from his TM to a 1995 - if you search for the thread " A found Farewell to our Trailmanor" he posted some info after his first trip in it.

 

[RogerR]

Due to knee problems it's hard to get into and out of bed and the strain of setting up we have been looking at the Jayco SLX series. The 18 ft model has a walk around queen bed and weights 2,800 pounds. The smaller SLX series have different bed setups and are lighter.

 

[Shrimpburrito]

I have not done any searching for such a unit, but one manufacturer of some of the larger trailers (larger than ~17 feet) that has always impressed me with quality construction is Big Foot. At least from what I could tell, anyway. They are not cheap, but they seem to stand out in my mind as probably being several notches above most RV manufacturers that "jam it in and screw it", knowing that most folks only keep it for ~5 years.

Dave

 

[MT Camper]

I understand what you are saying. We planned on keeping the TM a few more years and due to hail damage and circumstances we let the insurance take the TM and we decided to look for a different trailer. I had a list of must haves; light weight and 22' or under, walk around bed, fridge and freezer a little bigger and not below the counter top, shower/potty/sink (dry bath), oven, 3 burners and a small slide were my must haves. I looked at a lot of trailers online and on lots. I finally decided on the Winnebago Mini because it met my wants and needs. There are a lot of trailers that would have "worked", but availability and price were also factors. The Winnebago was a new 2015 so was discounted this time of year. Keep in mind that end of the season might have the best prices/deals. So good luck in your search and take the time to look at some trailers and get a good idea of what you really want and I hope you find exactly what will best meet your needs and your wants.

 

[stormpeakco]

We have enjoyed our Trailmanor for years, but we are not immune to aging and some limitations of age. We see a time coming when we want to continue camping, but need a camper that we don't have to raise and lower. Trailmanor does so many things well that we don't know what to look for as a replacement. We want to stay light weight and in the 16 to 22 foot size range. Any ideas or makes that you can recommend?

For just a couple, Oliver might be a name to view. they're not cheap.

 

[SCBillandJane]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will be sure to look at each. We will be going to Florida soon for three weeks camping in the TM. We will have an opportunity to ask other people why they chose their campers. I hesitate to move to a different camper because we have such wonderful memories made possible by our Trailmanor especially in Alaska.