OT Quality camper trailers OT

alaskanassasin

 We are interested in high end camper trailers. Our first option was Airstream. After visiting the Airstream dealer we were not blown away by a $150,000 camper, it was 30 or so feet bumper pull but did not have any outside storage ( boots, firewood, chairs etc.) and no where to easily mount a generator. 

 We would like to buy a high end camper but I can not think of any other brands, the goal is to snow bird south in the winter and relax somewhere warm for a couple months.

 

DoubleEgger

My brother is looking at a KZ. 

DoubleEgger

Might want to check out Oliver as well.  

TEXASBGE2018

My brother has an Imagine by Grand Design. He has a fireplace, massaging recliners, 4 season ready. It's awesome.

TEXASBGE2018

I guess the other questions to ask are how big of one do you want, what are you towing it with and when you say high end how high end do you mean? Airstreams in my opinion are ugly, heavy, and as you stated have no storage.

alaskanassasin

 We were looking in the 30' range, the plan is to live out of it for a few months so it would be nice to have some room, but nothing size wise is set in stone. I guess my biggest problem is that the mainstream campers all seem like crap, the trim is falling off, floors are soft, panels wavy, tables pulling out of the floor, and this you can see on the show room floor models!

alaskanassasin

Dodge 3500 cummins

 

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

If you want true luxury, check out a Foretravel pusher. If you are set on pulling, take a look at Jayco.

Eggdicted_Dawgfan

Either way, it sounds like you are living the life. 

alaskanassasin

DoubleEgger said:

Might want to check out Oliver as well.  

 

Thanks for the suggestions! The KZ does not look good, bad reviews. The Oliver however looks like a nice rig just not big enough.

TEXASBGE2018

alaskanassasin said:

 We were looking in the 30' range, the plan is to live out of it for a few months so it would be nice to have some room, but nothing size wise is set in stone. I guess my biggest problem is that the mainstream campers all seem like crap, the trim is falling off, floors are soft, panels wavy, tables pulling out of the floor, and this you can see on the show room floor models!

I would take a look at the Grand Designs. Either the Reflection Series or the Imagine Series. My brothers doesn't have the issues you state above. He has a 4 Burner Stainless Gas cooktop and fridge, gas oven, Dishwasher, fireplace, massaging leather furniture, 2 AC units, Farmhouse kitchen sink. I think his bed may also be memory foam. I think you can also get one that has an outdoor kitchen cubby. There is only 1 thing I don't like on his and that is the awning layout. For his because he has 1 pullout there is about an open air 2-3ft gap between his 2 front awnings. That's just me nitpicking though.

Cornholio

Good call seeking higher end trailers, it’s quite a scam industry with many subpar construction brands and shady dealers. You get what you pay for applies here for sure.  My father in law has had a few since I’ve known him and he flips them before they start falling apart, his have not been “high end” though.  Definitely do your research, check out an RV forum.  

alaskanassasin

Eggdicted_Dawgfan said:

Either way, it sounds like you are living the life. 

 HA! We are trying to, I farm so after harvest there is no reason to hang around for the winds and cold, and she walks on water at work so we are pretty sure she can work remotely for a few months out of the year with no problems.

YEMTrey

Buy a condo and rent it the rest of the year.

alaskanassasin

YEMTrey said:

Buy a condo and rent it the rest of the year.

This is a good suggestion however we like the idea of being able to move around to different areas of the country. 

SGH

alaskanassasin said:

 We are interested in high end camper trailers. Our first option was Airstream. After visiting the Airstream dealer we were not blown away by a $150,000 camper, it was 30 or so feet bumper pull but did not have any outside storage ( boots, firewood, chairs etc.) and no where to easily mount a generator. 

 We would like to buy a high end camper but I can not think of any other brands, the goal is to snow bird south in the winter and relax somewhere warm for a couple months.

 

First let me say right up front, I sure wish that I had your money. I can tell right up front that you may have problems, but money isn’t one of them. On that same note, the selling point of Airstream is they (are to the best of my knowledge) the only camper/trailers that almost never have leaks. The roof on an Airstream is solid aluminum. Most all others have rolled rubber. 
With that said, I haven’t looked at camper/trailers in several years. So the situation may of changed. But at one time Airstream was the only ones with a solid roof. Maybe someone who is in the know can chime in and say if that’s still true or not. That’s where your money went when you bought an Airstream. Peace of mind. 

HeavyG

alaskanassasin said:

YEMTrey said:

Buy a condo and rent it the rest of the year.

This is a good suggestion however we like the idea of being able to move around to different areas of the country. 

Buy multiple condos in different areas and rent them out when not needed.

U_tarded

Bowlus road chief.  Amazing, hand built in California.  on the lower end of price but solid quality look at Lance campers, they have nice features a solid build and won’t break the bank.  My in laws have one that is about 30 years old and is nicer than our new Jayco.  We looked at some newer Lances and they appear to be a great value. 

fishlessman

look for a slightly used airstream for half the price. i see alot of campers that were bought and just never get used as planned. then barter for a week or two

alaskanassasin

SGH said:

alaskanassasin said:

 We are interested in high end camper trailers. Our first option was Airstream. After visiting the Airstream dealer we were not blown away by a $150,000 camper, it was 30 or so feet bumper pull but did not have any outside storage ( boots, firewood, chairs etc.) and no where to easily mount a generator. 

 We would like to buy a high end camper but I can not think of any other brands, the goal is to snow bird south in the winter and relax somewhere warm for a couple months.

 

First let me say right up front, I sure wish that I had your money. I can tell right up front that you may have problems, but money isn’t one of them. On that same note, the selling point of Airstream is they (are to the best of my knowledge) the only camper/trailers that almost never have leaks. The roof on an Airstream is solid aluminum. Most all others have rolled rubber. 
With that said, I haven’t looked at camper/trailers in several years. So the situation may of changed. But at one time Airstream was the only ones with a solid roof. Maybe someone who is in the know can chime in and say if that’s still true or not. That’s where your money went when you bought an Airstream. Peace of mind. 

 That is funny! If I had your money I would throw mine away!  You are on to something though, we would like a one piece roof, fiberglass is a good option in that department.  We are starting to save money for a camper, this purchase would be a couple years out, we really don't do anything in a hurry, shopping is a big part of the fun on big purchases for us.

Jeremiah

We have a **** Keystone. It’s a love/ hate relationship. But they’re all ****, even the high end models. ****. 

Jupiter Jim

We have a 2012 Fleetwood Bounder Motor Home 34' purchased new have been very happy with it. We thought we would travel more when we first got it, quickly realized that many of the places we thought we would winter were to expensive for us. Thought we would spend more time on the east or west coast of FL but lot rent is usually $900.00 to 1000.00 per month plus electric. If I knew then what I know now we would probably rent for the 5-6 months we are in FL. The RV industry is for the most part not much quality and after having many boats in my life to me it's like owning a boat. Something is going to break or stop working for sure and I will have to pay to get it fixed but we love the RV life. I have always had extended warranty and that has helped.  I can't say enough good things about Lazy Days in Tampa FL, we got the motor home there and back in 2012 they were awesome. Good Luck

Eoin

Eriba caravans are nice, do you get those in the US? The biggest one is close to what you are looking for and has a one piece aluminium roof. We have a 30 year old Eriba, the small one (we like compact camping), aluminium skin and GRP roof with poptop. Still completely waterproof. They are usually efficient weight wise for their size, less of a drag to tow.

alaskanassasin

U_tarded said:

Bowlus road chief.  Amazing, hand built in California.  on the lower end of price but solid quality look at Lance campers, they have nice features a solid build and won’t break the bank.  My in laws have one that is about 30 years old and is nicer than our new Jayco.  We looked at some newer Lances and they appear to be a great value. 

  Thanks that Bowlus is a cool looking camper! a bit small but great idea thanks!

alaskanassasin

Jupiter Jim said:

We have a 2012 Fleetwood Bounder Motor Home 34' purchased new have been very happy with it. We thought we would travel more when we first got it, quickly realized that many of the places we thought we would winter were to expensive for us. Thought we would spend more time on the east or west coast of FL but lot rent is usually $900.00 to 1000.00 per month plus electric. If I knew then what I know now we would probably rent for the 5-6 months we are in FL. The RV industry is for the most part not much quality and after having many boats in my life to me it's like owning a boat. Something is going to break or stop working for sure and I will have to pay to get it fixed but we love the RV life. I have always had extended warranty and that has helped.  I can't say enough good things about Lazy Days in Tampa FL, we got the motor home there and back in 2012 they were awesome. Good Luck

 This is a good comment, before we pull the trigger I would like to call rv parks and get a idea of monthly rates, very valid point.

alaskanassasin

Eoin said:

Eriba caravans are nice, do you get those in the US? The biggest one is close to what you are looking for and has a one piece aluminium roof. We have a 30 year old Eriba, the small one (we like compact camping), aluminium skin and GRP roof with poptop. Still completely waterproof. They are usually efficient weight wise for their size, less of a drag to tow.

  That is a cool looking camper, looks like they are maybe just starting here

Jeremiah

alaskanassasin said:

SGH said:

alaskanassasin said:

 We are interested in high end camper trailers. Our first option was Airstream. After visiting the Airstream dealer we were not blown away by a $150,000 camper, it was 30 or so feet bumper pull but did not have any outside storage ( boots, firewood, chairs etc.) and no where to easily mount a generator. 

 We would like to buy a high end camper but I can not think of any other brands, the goal is to snow bird south in the winter and relax somewhere warm for a couple months.

 

First let me say right up front, I sure wish that I had your money. I can tell right up front that you may have problems, but money isn’t one of them. On that same note, the selling point of Airstream is they (are to the best of my knowledge) the only camper/trailers that almost never have leaks. The roof on an Airstream is solid aluminum. Most all others have rolled rubber. 
With that said, I haven’t looked at camper/trailers in several years. So the situation may of changed. But at one time Airstream was the only ones with a solid roof. Maybe someone who is in the know can chime in and say if that’s still true or not. That’s where your money went when you bought an Airstream. Peace of mind. 

 That is funny! If I had your money I would throw mine away!  You are on to something though, we would like a one piece roof, fiberglass is a good option in that department.  We are starting to save money for a camper, this purchase would be a couple years out, we really don't do anything in a hurry, shopping is a big part of the fun on big purchases for us.

They leak too. I joined a couple Airstream groups on Facebook a year or two ago. Plenty of unhappy customer there too. That’s one thing I can say at least for my crappy Keystone, it doesn’t leak—yet lol.

If I may be so blunt, what’s your price range? There are some really nice 5ers, but they ain’t cheap, or light. 

Eoin

What are the rules like for camping in the US? In the UK, camping is quite restrictive due to laws preventing permanent travellers pitching up everywhere. You basically have to stay on sites, although in Scotland wild camping is allowed in most areas. Other European countries have more wild camping, generally for camper vans (what you call an RV) but not for trailers. Then you can move around self contained and stop for free.

alaskanassasin

We would like to be less than 100k, again we are in the saving stage and we do want to spend all that money on something that falls apart every time we take it out.

DoubleEgger

Jeremiah said:

alaskanassasin said:

SGH said:

alaskanassasin said:

 We are interested in high end camper trailers. Our first option was Airstream. After visiting the Airstream dealer we were not blown away by a $150,000 camper, it was 30 or so feet bumper pull but did not have any outside storage ( boots, firewood, chairs etc.) and no where to easily mount a generator. 

 We would like to buy a high end camper but I can not think of any other brands, the goal is to snow bird south in the winter and relax somewhere warm for a couple months.

 

First let me say right up front, I sure wish that I had your money. I can tell right up front that you may have problems, but money isn’t one of them. On that same note, the selling point of Airstream is they (are to the best of my knowledge) the only camper/trailers that almost never have leaks. The roof on an Airstream is solid aluminum. Most all others have rolled rubber. 
With that said, I haven’t looked at camper/trailers in several years. So the situation may of changed. But at one time Airstream was the only ones with a solid roof. Maybe someone who is in the know can chime in and say if that’s still true or not. That’s where your money went when you bought an Airstream. Peace of mind. 

 That is funny! If I had your money I would throw mine away!  You are on to something though, we would like a one piece roof, fiberglass is a good option in that department.  We are starting to save money for a camper, this purchase would be a couple years out, we really don't do anything in a hurry, shopping is a big part of the fun on big purchases for us.

They leak too. I joined a couple Airstream groups on Facebook a year or two ago. Plenty of unhappy customer there too. That’s one thing I can say at least for my crappy Keystone, it doesn’t leak—yet lol.

If I may be so blunt, what’s your price range? There are some really nice 5ers, but they ain’t cheap, or light. 

I read that Airstream’s average employee tenure used to be 20 years. Due to increased demand and retirement, the average tenure is just over five years. All of the riveting is done by hand. We all know about talent drain...

alaskanassasin

 If we can actually zero in on a good quality camper we would probably go used as a previous poster said,