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05-07-2003, 11:33 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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Casita's, Bigfoot's and Bambi's, oh my
This is my first post here but I have been posting on the Casita
site for a while -
Several weeks ago we looked at a Bambi, very nice but a little pricy.
Last Weekend we finallly looked at a 17' Casita. To small!!! In any
strech I do not see how it would be comfortable for mor then 2
people. My wife and I are around 6' with two pre-teen growing
daughters.
However, I really like the idea of fiberglass! So next we will
be looking at a bigfoot. Since their does not seem to be any in
my area (Portland, OR), I would like some opinions from owners.
Will the 17' work for us? Should I be looking at the 21.5'?
I really like the L goucho model 17'. How big are the beds when
folded down?
I sent for info on the web from Bigfoot but they haven't responded
yet.
Thanks.
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05-07-2003, 11:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 18,870
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Joe
welcome to the forum :wave
Try this:
Gib's RV / Phone (541) 888-3424 - Toll Free (800) 824-4388
1845 Ocean Blvd., Coos Bay, OR 97420
I own a 21.5 foot Bigfoot TT and I'm 6 feet tall. I have no problem with the length of the bed at all (and I sleep on the inside).
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb944d4a75ab2003_floorplans.gif/>
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05-07-2003, 11:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 18,870
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RVs of Merritt -- Scotts Valley
5015 Scotts Valley Drive
Scotts Valley, CA , 95066
2002 BIGFOOT IND Travel Trailer, Canadian built Trailer with very high standards. Two piece "clam shell" construction. Virtually impossible to leak. Low profile, aerodynamic, smooth tow rig. Call Bennett Hall (Wed-Sun 9-5Pacific Time) @ 1-800-588-4787
There are more listed on www.rvtraderonline.com Do a search for Bigfoot (do not search by Travel trailer as the ads are not placed correctly) Most are in CA and WA.
Good Luck! :)
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05-07-2003, 11:56 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
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Thanks Rick!
Thanks for the info Rick. This is more then I had.
I have the 54" dimension on your 21' unit. How does this compere
to the back bed (L goucho) size in the 17' unit?
- Joe
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05-07-2003, 12:39 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 18,870
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I think Mike T has the gaucho - he'll answer you soon. :)
I'm thinking once folded down the width and length are the same....
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb952c9dded32003_floorplans.gif/>
P.S. the 15B17G (corner bath) seems to be the most popular.
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05-07-2003, 01:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
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Roseman's
Mike Roseman has a used 21' for sale. You may want to check with them they are in Vernon, BC.
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05-07-2003, 03:28 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
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I never considered he wanted to buy up here in Canada:
try www.buysell.com for dealer and private Bigfoot sales.
also www.canadatrader.com
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05-07-2003, 03:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
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Stephen
where did you see the used 21.5 footer? I couldn't find it anywhere.
http://www.rosmanrv.com
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05-07-2003, 03:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
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bigfoot Canada
Rick those are very good links to use. I really think western Canada is the place to buy a Bigfoot. You have one the factory located in B.C. and both a new and used market. Also the largest Bigfoot dealer is located in B.C.
I have been keeping track of what is avaliable as I do place on buying a Bigfoot once I replace this truck later this summer. I also plan on buying in Canada. Not sure if it will be a trailer or camper but I can't go wrong either way.
Since he is only in Portland that is not to far to go. Plus if he finds something maybe someone could go look at it first before one drives on up.
With two kids I would be looking at a 21 or even the new 25.
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05-07-2003, 04:09 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
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Thanks Steven
But where is that used 21.5 footer you were mentioning? They are very rare.
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05-07-2003, 04:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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Thanks for the great info
Thanks for the great info. When I go to buy, I would consider
driving up to BC to get the best price although I do like to
support local companies for service (if the cost doesn't kill me).
However, after my disppointment on seeing how small a Casita was,
I really need to look at a unit before I make the effort to buy. I
will consider a trip to Coos Bay (around a four hour drive) but BC
is out of the question.
I would like to get by with as small a unit as I can and still
sleep comfortably. That is why I am looking at the 17' vs the 21'.
It looks like the front bed (table) is the same size in both units.
So I just want to know about the back bed.
The 19' Bambi works for size and weight but I am not sure the
cost is justified and I really like fiberglass! I also did not like
the permanant bed. It seems like a waist of space in the day time.
I have looked at a lot of older travel trailers and the best
looking, after several years, are fiberglass.
- Joe
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05-07-2003, 04:25 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
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Joe
Portland is not that long of a drive from Vancouver! Head up the coast and make it your last vacation before you buy.
300 miles and 5/6 hour drive per Mapquest.
Remember your money goes farther here. If you are sure you want a 17 foot Bigfoot then be prepared to spend 7000-1000 CDN for a used one.
Regarding your disappointment with Casita size:
These trailers are much loved by many and for good reason. There are tradeoffs with anything you choose. Size/space vs weight, options/extras, etc. I'm sure you read enough about all the trailers on this site to figure out which one may or may not be for you. I'd buy a Casita in a minute as we have no kids.
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05-07-2003, 06:03 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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Like the ol' expression goes ... Joe, you pay your money and take your choice.
I'm 6'4" ... We've owned three Casita because the only molded fiberglass trailer that comes with a king-sized bed is a Casita (although, that new Bigfoot 25B25RQ sure looks tempting!)
Our kids (as teenagers) always preferred to bring their friends and camp in tents around our rig. They always had bathroom privileges in the trailer ... as well as the right to crash with us in the king-sized bed when storms blew their tents into the next county.
But it was always more of an adventure for them to camp in tents rather than camp in the trailer with mom and dad. (And well, without spelling it out, mom and dad were able to well, renew their marriage vows while the kids were out in the tents).
Interestingly enough, the kids must have enjoyed it, because both kids (one married, one engaged) still occasionally go camping with us.
Our daughter and her husband are meeting us at Starved Rock State Park for an upcoming weekend. Our son and his bride-to-be are talking about coming out to Colorado for part of our trip.
So, as I say, you pay your money and you take your choice.
What ever you choose, make sure it is as much fun for your kids and spouse as it is for you. Make it an adventure ... one they all want to repeat again and again and again.
(Oh yeah, and don't underestimate the power of the ability to do mom and dad things while the kids are sleeping soundly in tents!):)
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05-07-2003, 06:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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When we have grand kids ... when the grandkids are old enough, and we take them ... plans call for one grandkid to sleep in a pup-tent with Grampa, while the other grandkid sleeps with Grandma in the trailer.
I ask you ... which sounds like more fun, from a kid's point of view. Sleeping out in the wild in a tent? Or sleeping with a Grandma (in a trailer)?
I think the same would be true, no matter what sized trailer you have.
Don't get me wrong ... a Bigfoot would be a Great trailer ... but so is a Amerigo, BIOD, Boler, Burro, Casita, Compact Jr., Fiber Stream, Lite House, Love Bug, Oxygen, Play-Pac, Scamp, Surfside, Trillium, U-Haul.
Life's an adventure. Enjoy the trip!
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05-07-2003, 06:17 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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why can't grandma sleep in the pup tent
Oh never mind what was i thinking lol
Let the snoreing begin hehe
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05-07-2003, 06:23 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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size does matter
I know, I know ... I do not expect the kids to always sleep in
the trailer with us but in a pinch (to hot or to cold or to rainy)
or when we are making tracks (using the camper as a traveling hotel
room), I do not want them in the tent.
Also my wife (and daughters) are not the outdoor type. We need a
clean, quiet place to spend some of the time.
I loved everything about the Casita, except the size. I am sure that
I am not the first to want a 18' or 19' model, or one that is a foot
wider and a little higher. The Scamp 19' is not an option. My tow
vehicle is an Avalanche, so no way to do a 5th wheel. My problem
is that I am sold on the look and durability and quality of the
Casitas and Scamps that I have seen.
I would think one of the "egg" makers would address the family market
a little more (I hope the bigger Bigfoot) is that.
As I said in an earlier post. The 19' Bambi looked just about right
but I really, really want a fiberglass!
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05-07-2003, 06:31 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 18,870
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I had originally looked at the Bambi before I found my Fiberglass TT. The price in CDN dollars was 45 to 55 k.
:wave
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05-07-2003, 06:41 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
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Posts: 18,870
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to Rick
Rick Rosemans is or was listing a 21.5 on their web site. My reasoning behind Bigfoot is I want a 4 seasons rolling hotel and intend to make an Alaska trip withing the next two years.
Now don't get me wrong that Lance 1161 is very nice as well and very well made. They are stick built but use an Alum. roof. When it comes to slide in's you have Bigfoot, Lance and Northern Lite as the 3 top in my opinion.
That 21.5 is also a very late model and probally is around $ 22,000 CAD. However you are also correct that finding a 17' would be easier on buysell or canadatrader.
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05-07-2003, 09:17 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
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you could alway get a used 17 ft Burro. wider and taller. hard to find though. then there is the 17 ft Boler. nice looking trailer. also hard to find.
"I loved everything about the Casita, except the size" Yep, I know what you mean, those 17s are just too big for me. Couldn't pull them with my little Escape. so I got a 14 - perfect.
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05-07-2003, 09:49 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 18,870
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I think I want something new
Thanks for all the good ideas!
Actually, as much as I love those older Burro's and Bolers, I
would rather get something new. I want something that will
fit me for a long time and I really don't want to take the time or
make the effort to do a restore job.
After getting my wife to look at a Bambi, anything else seems
inexpensive!
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