Who knows about travel trailers?

[Midrsv]

We are beginning to think about a travel trailer. No I'm not giving up the bike and I don't plan to tow it around the country. We're thinking about buying one to keep in Florida near Ft. Myers. Basically I would store it somewhere cheap and then drive down and drag it into a park somewhere for 2 weeks to a couple of months at a time. We've thought about condos and and park model mobile homes but we really don't want the upkeep and responsibilities of owning something like that with fees.

 

So we're considering a trailer. Does anyone know about the R-Vision Trail Sport models? I've found a 27ft unit with 1 slideout that seems reasonable, less than $13k. Is this a decent brand and value. At that price I can try it out and if we don't like the trailer life I haven't lost a great deal.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Dennis

[CaptainJoe]

Rv's are basically cars... they depreciate just as fast plus you get to insure essentially a $100,000 Porsche...........

 

trailers depreciate slower but are measured from the center of the hitch so you loose at least 3 feet.

 

Fifth wheels are the best to retain their value and you gain at least three feet and a queen sized bed to boot! also more stable to tow.

 

 

Things to remember about campers:

 

Hook them up to the tow vehicle when a storm approaches and they are covered as far as insurance goes...

 

Buy an aluminum frame when possible(less likely to leak)

 

Never heard of r-vision?

[Midrsv]

Ok a google searched turned up the R-vision web site. Apparently they are part of the Monaco RV family.

 

http://rvisiontowables.com/trail-sport-recreational-vehicles.asp

 

Dennis

[MiCarl]

Some things I learned AFTER we purchased our last trailer:

 

1) Lay down on the bed. That queen is queen wide but only full long. Mattress is poor quality and a good replacement is big $$ because of the odd size. Feet hang off.......

 

2) Sit on the commode and stand in the shower. Because there is plumbing under both in our new trailer my feet don't comfortably reach the floor from the throne and the shower pain is raised enough my head touches the ceiling.

 

Really think about how it'll be used long term. Young adult children that might visit may soon have families. Sleeping arrangements will need to be different if they visit later.

 

Try and anticipate problems in use. If you're working in the galley can she get to the bathroom without dancing around each other? Gets old fast.

 

Is there a convenient place to string a clothes line? What will you do with two wet bath towels? Wet clothes from being caught in the rain?

 

Consider closet space. Is there enough for 2 weeks worth of clothes?

 

Our first trailer was a 25 foot bunkhouse model. The current one is 27. The 27 has less usable space because a chunk is taken up for an actual bedroom. Nice for a couple and one child, but the 25 could comfortably sleep 5.

 

Then after you buy put a large level on front and a smaller one sideways near the tongue jack. They make a variety of ramp devices to level side to side, you can back the trailer up the ramp watching the level. Then you can use the tongue jack to level front-back. Then the jacks at the corners are just used to stabilize it. (really though to level a trailer using four corner jacks).

 

If you've never stayed in a travel trailer consider renting one for a weekend. See what you like and not. Maybe try a different model another weekend.

[Guest scarylarry]

I have on a 5th wheel and TT Travel trailer...Every comment made is dead on the money..

 

If all possible stay away from the TT less head room and worst in the bathroom, 5th wheels are the way to go unless you getting a steal on the TT and might flipping it in a few years..

 

If you plan on staying in it for more than month look at the 5th wheel....One of the largest RV show in the country is in Tampa Fl. in Jan. it wil take 4-5 days to walk through it..Unless you just run through and don't stop and look.

 

Can you wait that long? If not look on RV trader..

 

At 6'3 the shower height was deal breaker for me also if you choose a tub instead of walk in shower you will at least 6 inchs of height if not more...

 

Also keep the seals on the slide lube or they will leak...

 

I do agree with you on parking and doing it this way, makes a lot more sense than a condo and HOA fees.

[Midrsv]

If you've never stayed in a travel trailer consider renting one for a weekend. See what you like and not. Maybe try a different model another weekend.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have stayed in a trailer before. My parents had a 20ft trailer when I was a teenager and I helped set that up on trips. But that was 40+ years ago. We have no kids so no grandkids. Just us and the Golden Retriever.

 

Knowing my wife, the galley probably won't see much use.

 

Dennis

[Marcarl]

Thanks for the advice. I have stayed in a trailer before. My parents had a 20ft trailer when I was a teenager and I helped set that up on trips. But that was 40+ years ago. We have no kids so no grandkids. Just us and the Golden Retriever.

 

Knowing my wife, the galley probably won't see much use.

 

Dennis

Rent a newer one for a week, then decide.

[Midrsv]

If all possible stay away from the TT less head room and worst in the bathroom, 5th wheels are the way to go unless you getting a steal on the TT and might flipping it in a few years..

 

Can you wait that long? If not look on RV trader..

 

At 6'3 the shower height was deal breaker for me also if you choose a tub instead of walk in shower you will at least 6 inchs of height if not more...

 

Also keep the seals on the slide lube or they will leak...

 

I do agree with you on parking and doing it this way, makes a lot more sense than a condo and HOA fees.

 

A 5th wheel wouldn't work for me because I don't have a pickup. I would tow with a 6.2L Tahoe.

 

At 5'9" I doubt I would have any ceiling height issues and the specs and photos indicate a tub.

 

I found photos of a unit like the one I am considering at this site: http://www.bestvaluerv.com/2012-r-vision-trail-sport-25s-new-travel-trailer-tx-i517883

[Guest scarylarry]

I did not read if the air was duct, if not I wouldn't get it...Most have them but some of the smaller units don't...

 

The price is not bad but can be beat but by how much I don't know that is why you might giving RV trader a look...

 

I love the part of the TT being a enclosed bottom, the 13.5k A/C unit is standard and is plenty for Florida they have a T-Stat on the wall..

 

If one thinks bike sales are off, just wait to they enter the RV world the sales are almost nonexistent...

 

As far the height only true way is look at it....

 

If you not going to move any why not look at a 5th wheel and have someone tow on site for you..

 

The only down side to that is if a hurricane blows you will need to move it and fast....

 

So be prepare to go and get the TT fast....

 

A lot of folks do this and make it happen....I used to belong to a RV web site let me see if I can find it and I'll post...The cost is free and tons of info there..

 

Happy reading http://www.rv.net/forum/

Edited August 23, 2012 by scarylarry
added website

[star4772]

We are beginning to think about a travel trailer. No I'm not giving up the bike and I don't plan to tow it around the country. We're thinking about buying one to keep in Florida near Ft. Myers. Basically I would store it somewhere cheap and then drive down and drag it into a park somewhere for 2 weeks to a couple of months at a time. We've thought about condos and and park model mobile homes but we really don't want the upkeep and responsibilities of owning something like that with fees.

 

So we're considering a trailer. Does anyone know about the R-Vision Trail Sport models? I've found a 27ft unit with 1 slideout that seems reasonable, less than $13k. Is this a decent brand and value. At that price I can try it out and if we don't like the trailer life I haven't lost a great deal.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Dennis

 

What year is it.

PM me I might just want to sell my 34ft 2003 wilderness in like new condition. Everything is upgraded.

 

Joe

[Hummingbird]

I found (for a friend that was retireing) a double wide on a lot in a community w/pool, activities etc in Florida that was completely furnished - washer, dryer, 3 tv's, dishes, sliverware, lawn mower, weed eater, all the furniture and on and on for

 

$12,000

 

Point is, it might be worth a trip or spend some time on the net looking around the area you want to stay in. There are some bargains to be found -

[Midrsv]

I found (for a friend that was retireing) a double wide on a lot in a community w/pool, activities etc in Florida that was completely furnished - washer, dryer, 3 tv's, dishes, sliverware, lawn mower, weed eater, all the furniture and on and on for

 

$12,000

 

Point is, it might be worth a trip or spend some time on the net looking around the area you want to stay in. There are some bargains to be found -

 

I've thought of that as well. But when we've looked around while in the Ft Myers area the parks there would not allow pets and most wouldn't allow motorcycles. Two deal breakers. Also I wasn't too keen on paying $300 to $400 in lot rental all year long to only use it a few weeks.

 

Dennis

[Hummingbird]

I've thought of that as well. But when we've looked around while in the Ft Myers area the parks there would not allow pets and most wouldn't allow motorcycles. Two deal breakers. Also I wasn't too keen on paying $300 to $400 in lot rental all year long to only use it a few weeks.

 

Dennis

 

Ft. Meyers -

 

Couldn't you find a more expensive place to settle ? lol

[GeorgeS]

Look into the cost of simply " Renting One " during the time you want to spend down there.

No upkeep, no storage cost, over time, maby , would be far cheaper then owning anything !! Also, if things don't work out over time, you are not locked into takeing care of something.

 

At the present time, RV's are a Glut On the Market !!!!

 

I once, compared the cost of " Owning a time share " as compared to simply staying in a Middle priced, hotel room. Turned out, that over about a 10 year period of time, it was far cheaper to simply book a " Hotel Room " !!!

[Guest scarylarry]

How many months do you plan on using this TT?

[Marcarl]

Check all the panels, inside and out. They should all be tight to the underlay. If there is looseness, that shows signs of leaking. Don't forget the ceiling, especially around any vents and other protrusions through the roof.

[Midrsv]

We would probably only use it a couple weeks a year for the next couple of years. After that maybe 2 months a year.

 

Our problem with renting is no one rents to pet owners.

[Smilin Jack]

I am currently trying to sell my 5th wheel. I agree with most things already stated about the TT. The price for a 5th wheel is usually a little more than a TT...but you get what you pay for. Mine is a 38' Coachman and in excellent condition with a king size tempurpedic mattress. It has all the bells and whistles commonly found in an upper end unit. Send me a pm and I'll send you all the details w/ photos.

Smilin Jack

[Freebird]

You folks are missing the part where he doesn't have a truck. He is going to pull it with a Tahoe.

[wes0778]

You folks are missing the part where he doesn't have a truck. He is going to pull it with a Tahoe.

 

For a 5th Wheel, maybe he could modify the back like the 60s Studebaker station wagons, where the rear part of the roof slid forward! :stirthepot::stickpoke::stickpoke:

:crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup:

[Guest scarylarry]

We would probably only use it a couple weeks a year for the next couple of years. After that maybe 2 months a year.

 

Our problem with renting is no one rents to pet owners.

 

If that the case and you want to save some $$$ rent a condo...Up keep on the units can get costly fridge 1500.00+ unless you want to rig a home fridge in there and yes it can be done and made to look great you just lose the gas part of it..

 

Water heater 500.00+ depends on a lot of factors.

 

I would look later and rent a condo since it will be no more than a couple of weeks a year..

 

Also when getting that TT don't forget load and sway bars will need to be added if you are towing any distance to the campground....

 

That is another expense..

 

Just my thought...

[Guest scarylarry]

For a 5th Wheel, maybe he could modify the back like the 60s Studebaker station wagons, where the rear part of the roof slid forward! :stirthepot::stickpoke::stickpoke:

:crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup::crackup:

 

Can you do this? If so let us all know we want to watch or just post the video.....:crackup:

[Midrsv]

You folks are missing the part where he doesn't have a truck. He is going to pull it with a Tahoe.

 

Exactly right and I have no desire or need for a truck.

 

Dennis

[Midrsv]

If that the case and you want to save some $$$ rent a condo...Up keep on the units can get costly fridge 1500.00+ unless you want to rig a home fridge in there and yes it can be done and made to look great you just lose the gas part of it..

 

Water heater 500.00+ depends on a lot of factors.

 

I would look later and rent a condo since it will be no more than a couple of weeks a year..

 

Also when getting that TT don't forget load and sway bars will need to be added if you are towing any distance to the campground....

 

That is another expense..

 

Just my thought...

 

We usually do rent and will be doing so again in October. The problem with renting is no one will rent with pets.

 

The used one I am looking at has the hitch and sway bars with it. My Tahoe is already set up for towing with a factory electric brake controller.

 

Denis

[Midrsv]

Ft. Meyers -

 

Couldn't you find a more expensive place to settle ? lol

 

We may spend some time in Naples too. LOL Actually there are a couple of restaurants we visit in Naples.

 

Dennis