Suggestions

[Sjm9911]

I like my KZ spree. I think its built pretty well. But I have no clue what new costs. They do have things like this:https://www.kz-rv.com/products/sportsmen-classic-travel-trailers/160QB.html
But that may be at your upper limits. Remember that also, while you are within your tow limits, the weight and height will cause you to not accelerate as fast. Or stop as fast. Its a big brick, but you know this allready. I would look for something like the link above. Seems like that what you want. If you can find it in a smaller package that would be nice. But I think if you get to smaller, you will have a bed that needs to be transformed. They have a smaller model, but with the sofa bed, and with that you dont have your space. This one is sort of a compromise.

 

[jmkay1]

My brother has a regular camper that he lives in. In Virginia our temps typically fluctuate in the 30’s. In the winter he put up moving blankets to stop the wind from blowing under the camper which helps retain some heat. He does have to put a heater under the camper if it goes in the low 20s so his pipes doesn’t freeze. Havent heard complaints about condensation. So don’t know about that. Although hes had issues with pipes freezing but thankfully he was able to thaw things out without lasting damage.

 

[Sjm9911]

Yea, the person in the next campsite asked me if I had water in the morning, I did. But I also disconected the fresh water hose at night. Then I had to explain their hose was frozen and lent them my extra one. They left thier hose hooked up all night so it froze solid. Lol. Little details matter.

 

[Econ]

What is the difference in a wet bath and a dry bath??


If you ever have had a Aliner in the winter you will know why I ask about condensation/ raining.

 

[neighbormike]

A wet bath has the crapper IN the shower… dry bath has a separate shower so you don’t get your feet wet on the can… hopefully
I use a small dehumidifier in my camper in cold temperatures… and usually keep a window cracked to help combat moisture build-up.

 

[Econ]

@Lug_Nut
What's your general impression of the Castia?
Does it severely effect the gas mileage.?

What are phrases you can plug into youtube that would produce a comparison of 5 or 6 campers?

 

[neighbormike]

This is one (of many) videos I have watched… Personally, I would LOVE a Big Foot!

 

[Sotovoce]

...DW is looking. She found an Oliver. I asked her where's the new used TV <GG>. Plus they weren't going to depreciate that much unless they throw a fiat currency crisis in with the recession /financial crisis...

You are spot on about the tow vehicle. My son-in-law parted with his PUP and purchased an Oliver about $20,000 ago before the prices went crazy. It was expensive enough then. He tows it with a Ford F-150 and I think he has a weight distribution hitch as well.
He and my daughter really like their Oliver. Your wife found a good camping trailer.

 

[Econ]

before the prices went crazy.

A lot of this maybe what is available plus the severity and depth of the recession. The US economic indicators that count are terrible. Switzerland's second largest bank has a run against it. This will probably be an international recession. Keeping with the Chinese curse, we maybe in interesting times soon.

Other than Craigslists, what are good websites that sell campers?

Thanks

 

[kitphantom]

@Econ - I haven't sold anything since our last popup, 8 years ago, when I did use Craigslist. I have geven away stuff, the last couple of things were on NextDoor. FB Marketplace is also a place to list, it can work locally or at distance, although, like CL, scams abound. That's where my friend and I have found vintage sewing machines. RV Trader is another I see mentioned.

 

[kudzu]

In a different thread you asked how I like my Coachman & if it was large enough for two. Short version of my answer is I love it & it’s big enough. But…

Towing limits :4500 pounds, 450 pound tongue weight without getting a different TV.

My Freedom Express Select Blast 17BLSE could be towed but I don’t think you could load a big cruiser & stay in your tow capacity. I got mine for smaller, lighter toys like dirt bikes, bicycle & recumbent trike, a folding kayak & a modular kayak. If we took it all at once, something would have to go in the van.

DW demands
1) A bed configured so she doesn't have to crawl over me at 2 AM
2) A hand rail at the main entrance
3) A 2 way frig-- Propane or 120 volt.
4) Commode
5) Door in front of the John.
6) Shower space
7) Canopy over the cooking area nice but not mandatory.

1) The bed is 54” x 80”, a full XL. I have to climb over BFs toes to get up in the morning. If he was taller it would be his ankles.
2) It comes with a handle but one of those nice folks out hand rails could be installed.
3) through 7) got all that

His demands:
1) I have a 13" thick mattress in the current camper
2) No heat pump. The Atwood was a wonderful heater.
3) A/C
4) All Season preferred but not required.

1) The bed platform is already tall. If you added a 13” mattress you would need a step to get into the bed. On the plus side, there is a ton of storage under that bed. But items in that storage area would all add tongue weight.
2) yep
3) yep
4) no - It’s almost 3 season, but that depends on the harshness of your seasons. In the SE it’s fine for most of the Winter. Up North? If it is starting around freezing out below you’d have to Winterize.

 

[Lug_Nut]

Lug_Nut
What's your general impression of the Castia?
Does it severely effect the gas mileage.?

What are phrases you can plug into youtube that would produce a comparison of 5 or 6 campers?

Sorry for a tardy reply.
Having a camper ready set up is convenient when desiring to stop briefly when traveling. Every parking turn-out can be a full service rest stop. But that's true of any non-folding camper. The used market value of the fiberglass campers holds strong. Current valuation implies we could sell this year for what we paid a few years ago which is also what the original owner paid new a few years before that. Not many 'stick-built' campers hold value that well, but buying a lightly used 'stickie' will get more content and space for what we paid, or the same for much less than our purchase payment.
I have mild annoyance at interior space that I see as lost to questionable placement of equipment. I look and see that if an ithem were installed a few inches that way, or turned 90 degrees ths way, that much more usable volume could be gained. That may well be reasons for the factory arrangements, but at the prices being asked from the factory it ain't for cost saving. Some placements are dictated by the rounded corners and ends (e.g.: cube water tank wasn't able to be fitted tightly into a rounded corner). Quality of construction is holding up well. There's more wood grain printed, pressed sawdust, lumber used than is my desire, but it's put together well. I've had one drawer glide come unstapled from the drawer base, but otherwise no construction issues.
Fuel economy hasn't suffered any more than with our prior pop-up (Jayco 12SO). The pop-up was boxier, wider and stuck out futher to the sides. The Casita is narrower. I can use the truck's side view mirror to see around it. The pop-up was lower, but was still blocking the rear mirror view. The weight of the Jayco was a shade over 2000 lb., the Casita close to 2500. Fuel economy took a 1/3 cut with each (27-ish w/o, just under 20 when towing)

 

[AstroBob]

Here is what I traded my Aliner for last October. Only been on one short trip, It's been parked at my cabin the rest of the time.

Apex Nano 16R Travel Trailers by Coachmen RV

Apex Nano Travel Trailers Designed for towing with today’s half-ton trucks, minivans and SUVs, with weights all under 4,000 lb. Link opens in a new tab/window Link opens in a new tab/window

coachmenrv.com

So far, no issues. The two-way fridge/freezer is fricking great, for an absorption fridge. Freezes wonderful, cools excellent. The A/C works perfect, if a little loud. I can power it with my EU2200 honda without a soft start.

Furnace works well, I have run it plenty on some cold days. It also has tank heaters.
It's an Azdel walled camper. Aluminum framed and roof trusses.

50 gallon fresh, but if you fill that, you basically can't haul much, so I limit it to 25gal. 35 black, 35 grey.

It's got a 100 watt solar panel, but I am adding a new controller with bluetooth and an additional 100 watt panel before I head out in the spring.

Here she is "boondocking" at my farm.