Best fiberglass RVs?

[Ian G.]

As others have said size, floorplan and conveniences have to be decided based on your needs and planned use of the trailer. What I can say is molded fiberglass is the best costruction hands down. Last summer we just arrived home from an outing with our Boler and one of the worst hail storms to hit Calgary came. Golfball sized hail that were solid ice, yes they were clear like an ice cube. The results of the storm were $25,000 damage to our home (skylight broken, holes through roof, siding destroyed, etc). One of my cars was written off by the insurance company while my 2008 4Runner received over $7,000 in damage. The boler which was connected to the 4Runner had some dents in the metal roof vent and the aluminum rain cap over the door was slightly damaged the rest of the trailer was perfect (actually the storm cleaned all the bugs off the trailer that accumulated on our trip).

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by brian m.

The "best" one is the one in your driveway.

While I'll have to agree with Brian, if you are buying new, one advantage to the Escape is their flexibility. If you want something out of the ordinary, talk with the manufacturer.

I wanted a back up camera as well as a cell phone antenna & amplifier built into my trailer. Escape was the only manufacturer that said no problem, as long as I supplied the items - they would find a way to install them. They also have a long list of well thought out options, including an excellent front storage box. (Well, probably not that useful for the 5th wheel!)

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I will venture to compare them as follows:
Scamp is sort of like a Chevy.
Casita, a Buick.
Escape, a Lexus
LIl Snoozy, a Honda
Parkliner, a Nissan
AIrstream = a Mercedes (big reputation based on past quality)
Any stick built trailer = a Yugo
JMHO

Bigfoot, a BMW

The Scamp was the best one for my needs at the time I bought it even though its just a Chevy and I now wish for a slightly bigger Lexus or BMW.

Which one is the best depends a lot on your style of camping, where you camp and the number of people you plan to house in it. They all vary in regards to layout and features. What you plan to tow it with will also have a big impact as to which make is the the best one for you.

[Francesca Knowles]

Dunno about "best"- will you settle for "most copied"?

Imitation's not just the sincerest form of flattery- it's a sign that an originator did something right.

Of course, all little molded rigs swiped the concept from the Boler, but the most imitated/duplicated design is the Trillium.

That shell/frame has borne at least four labels, including the three presently in production. (Outback, Trillium U.S.A., and Escape)

Francesca

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I will venture to compare them as follows:
Scamp is sort of like a Chevy.
Casita, a Buick.
Escape, a Lexus
LIl Snoozy, a Honda
Parkliner, a Nissan
AIrstream = a Mercedes (big reputation based on past quality)
Any stick built trailer = a Yugo

JMHO

Being a Ford guy, I'm not real fond of the "Chevy" reference when applied to my 13 Scamp Deluxe, but I must confess to having used it myself....
I have said ..."This is the "Corvette" of travel trailers. It is small, fiberglass,draws a lot of attention, and you have to tow it if you want to go anywhere with it.
There are several nice trailers available and I love them all, but there is not one for which I would trade my Scamp.
I would sure like the Willerby, the Oxygen, the LiteHouse, or maybe the PlayPac for a second trailer though.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Dunno about "best"- will you settle for "most copied"?

Imitation's not just the sincerest form of flattery- it's a sign that an originator did something right.

Of course, all little molded rigs swiped the concept from the Boler, but the most imitated/duplicated design is the Trillium.

That shell/frame has borne at least four labels, including the three presently in production. (Outback, Trillium U.S.A., and Escape)

Francesca

Boler shares(or has shared) it' basic design with Bigfoot, Casita, ECO, LoveBug, Minit, PlayMor, Scamp, TrailMite and several more which are too obscure to recall at the moment.

[Francesca Knowles]

Didja miss that in line three of my post, Floyd?

Francesca

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

Hi, Alf! One of these days, I want to make it to one of the ONT gatherings, and I'll look you up. Are you a white wine or red wine guy?

Hi: Pam Garlow... At the Niagara Wine Escape we go out for winery tours and do lots of tastings. It's usually in mid Sept. so the grapes are ripe!!! To much red makes me blush so I usually gravitate to the whites. Something with a bit of sweet 1-2 on the sugar scale. I really love the Ice Wines but my sweet heart says I shouldn't!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Spanke]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I will venture to compare them as follows:
Scamp is sort of like a Chevy.
Casita, a Buick.
Escape, a Lexus
LIl Snoozy, a Honda
Parkliner, a Nissan
AIrstream = a Mercedes (big reputation based on past quality)
Any stick built trailer = a Yugo

JMHO

Trillium = Bentley

But I may be biased!

Spanke

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Spanke

Trillium = Bentley

But I may be biased!

Spanke

But...why not a "Rolls"?

Especially since it does...and so well, too!

Francesca, 'nother lucky one.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by brian m.

The "best" one is the one in your driveway.

Or simply, the one that gets you out camping.

I liked the fact that I could do some minor mods and had lots of flexibility during the build of my Escape. If I were to buy new, I would be back to Escape in a heartbeat.

[Colorado Barb]

Okay, so I have been put in my place about the definition of "best"! I love everyone's comments - and needed the perspective.

Yes, we own a new-to-us Casita. I'm not kidding when I say I had no idea there was any other brand of fiberglass trailer out there! We thought Casita was it. Now I am almost a little disappointed because I have always fantasized about owning a classic Bentley.

My husband and I recently returned from our virgin trip in the Casita. We loved it! Trailer camping is so much cleaner and more comfortable than tent camping. I am getting addicted to this forum!

Barb

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Colorado Barb

I am getting addicted to this forum!

Barb

That happens!

Enjoy every moment and every memory you make with your Casita. Because honestly, if there was only one perfect trailer... there would be only one brand/model for sale.

PS: I'm hoping to own an Lexus!

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Colorado Barb

Okay, so I have been put in my place about the definition of "best"! I love everyone's comments - and needed the perspective.

Yes, we own a new-to-us Casita. I'm not kidding when I say I had no idea there was any other brand of fiberglass trailer out there! We thought Casita was it. Now I am almost a little disappointed because I have always fantasized about owning a classic Bentley.

My husband and I recently returned from our virgin trip in the Casita. We loved it! Trailer camping is so much cleaner and more comfortable than tent camping. I am getting addicted to this forum!

Barb

Casita's a really great trailer, Barb.

If this discussion were strictly about currently made trailers I'd put it at or near the top of the list- certainly well ahead of those that are using so much wood in the interior!

I much prefer the more classical approach of using molded interior fixtures, as Casita continues to do...

Francesca

[rabbit]

I also prefer the "classical" approach to interior construction. Scamp and EggCamper should be included as currently-produced marques minimizing wood framing and finish inside.

I would place Scamp and Casita together based on a shared method of attaching "furniture" to the exterior hull.

EggCamper should be grouped with double-hulled trailers (none of which is currently produced) to include Oliver, U-Haul, Sac City and Escondido Burro, and possibly Cloud[?].

jack

[Francesca Knowles]

I'm working on a "hierarchy of what molded trailers should look like/do", and I expect it to Turn the Whole World on Its Ear when I get it done...

Well, at least that part of "the Whole World" that's actually heard of molded trailers...

Think there's a Nobel Prize for "the things some folks do that normal people couldn't care less about"?

Francesca

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

I'm working on a "hierarchy of what molded trailers should look like/do", and I expect it to Turn the Whole World on Its Ear when I get it done...

hummmmmm is this going to be anotheroneofthose opinion pieces? IMHO opinions are like belly buttons... everyone has one! For instance, I just had a lengthy personal conversation with someone who is looking to purchase a front dinette/rear bedroom molded trailer... and that's not a layout I'd ever look for....

[Francesca Knowles]

"Opinion piece"????

Heavens to Murgatroyd, no.

Like everything else I post publicly, it'll be 100% cast-in-stone, undeniably provable fact.

The only thing stopping me so far is that I haven't quite got all my references together. The applicable Biblical verse, for example, continues to elude me...

Francesca

[Donna D.]

Okay Francesca... go for it. This should prove to be interesting

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles

Didja miss that in line three of my post, Floyd?

Francesca

No, just pointing out that the Boler is the "the most imitated/duplicated design".