Maintenance & Restoration

Nut501 · 06-30-2014, 01:33 PM

I have been reading this forum for a while and it has lots of information and a few opinions (well maybe more than a few!

). There appears to be no doubt that fiberglass RVs are popular and last a long time. But, what I can not figure out and maybe some one can give me some advice on this issue, are the Canadian built RVs better built than the ones built in American? Are the Canadian RVs better insulated? I see Escape, Bigfoot and others mention that are made in Canada.

So please let the information start coming fourth!! Let us have a good discussion!

MC1 · 06-30-2014, 02:04 PM

Good day Carl.... Back in the hay days of RV trailer building in the 50's and 60's the American built trailers were far superior when compared to the Canadian counterparts. The Canadians back then built poor quality trailers. My dad was in the RV sales business, was a guy who understood the difference between good and bad workmanship, and imported most of his trailers from the States. The problem was that by the time he got them up to Canada they got a little pricey and in many cases became a little hard to sell compared to lower priced Canadian versions.

Anyway I would have to say times have changed. The Bigfoots etc are very well made and desirable. Whether or not they are superior or not is a question best answered by someone who has more knowledge about them than me.
I'm sure you will get some quality opinions from some of the more qualified glass egg owners.

Glenn Baglo · 06-30-2014, 02:08 PM

What type of trailers did you dad sell? Stickies or FG?
Would help to know specifically what you are referring to, although the '50s and '60s are a long time ago.

Night Sailor · 07-22-2014, 10:44 PM

Canadians make great RV's. It's colder so they "have to be better built."

I once asked my Canadian friend Mike how it comes to be he can fix things so quickly. He said that "when its. 40° below, you have to be quick."

I was looking for a 2500 series truck camper for years. These always sold for above book value. I'm grateful I found the one I bought. I use it constantly.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Glenn Baglo · 07-22-2014, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Sailor

I once asked my Canadian friend Mike how it comes to be he can fix things so quickly. He said that "when its. 40° below, you have to be quick."
Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Look at a map sometime. There are many parts of Canada that are south of many parts of the U.S.A.

Night Sailor · 07-24-2014, 03:13 AM

And that is where most of the people are.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Night Sailor · 07-24-2014, 03:17 AM

Any of these solid glass egg campers will hold up well. We all know water is the biggest enemy to longevity.

The other factor is look at is insulation value. I've been in many a dripping tent or boat and like it dry inside-- free from condensation.

Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Mike Magee · 07-24-2014, 08:02 AM

I debated with myself long and hard about whether to sell my stickie, because it seemed like a good trailer and I liked it. But I decided I'd really rather have something that pushes less wind. Well, 8 days after I sold that (3 year old) trailer, the new owner called me and said it was leaking from the roof!

Some great workmanship there, huh.

tractors1 · 07-24-2014, 09:01 AM

Having toured the Escape manufacturing floor, wandered inside the units being built, and examining the mounting methods - using glassed in wooden blocks and screws instead of rivets through the roof - the wiring and plumbing routes that leave everything accessible, and observed the fiberglass finish, I can say my new 21 will be FAR easier to work on (think mods) than my Casita 17LD ever was...

Charlie Y

Nut501 · 07-24-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Having toured the Escape manufacturing floor, wandered inside the units being built, and examining the mounting methods - using glassed in wooden blocks and screws instead of rivets through the roof - the wiring and plumbing routes that leave everything accessible, and observed the fiberglass finish, I can say my new 21 will be FAR easier to work on (think mods) than my Casita 17LD ever was...

Charlie Y

Charlie,
Are you saying that the Casita's are hard to work on and repair? Can you give me an example of what you are talking about?
Thanks,

Rob Outlaw · 07-24-2014, 09:31 AM

Carl

I will throw in my two cents worth, just keep in mind I don't own a FG camper yet. For the last 7 years its been a T@b which we love for what it is but are now wanting something a bit larger with bath.

Clearly there are some very fine campers made in Canada that rival and surpass the vast amount of product on the market. However I also believe the US makes some equal counterparts. The first that comes to mind are the Oliver's made in TN. Some folks believe Airstreams have no peers, but frankly I would rather own an Escape or Oliver any day having studied and looked at them for years now. Understand too there are few US companies building 4 season high quality campers/trailers however they are not molded FG types. Arctic Fox is one that comes to mind. Personally I don't care for the looks of these stick built trailers be it aluminum/fiberglass panels or wood with corrugated steel panels. Keep in mind too there are number of companies making humungous molded FG 5th Wheels which by any measure seems to be the new standard. And some people would say that Little Guy Trailers are building very high quality campers albeit very small ones, such as their teardrops or the T@b's but again not molded FG.

Having said all this my two current favorites or what I have narrowed my search down to are the Oliver's and Escapes. They each have their strong points and probably few if any weak points other than aesthetic considerations. The Oliver's are a bit more expensive… sort of, but I also think you get what you pay for.

Hope this helps.

David Tilston · 07-24-2014, 09:38 AM

Canada is a big country. My brother, who installs elevators, tells me that anything they get that was made in Ontario is "crap". Anything made in BC is "awesome". He attributes this to the variety of intoxicant consumed in the various regions.

tractors1 · 07-24-2014, 09:41 AM

Carl,

Access to systems (pump, water heater, converter) is more difficult with the molded seats & cabinets in a Casita, so it's actually easier to remove the seats than try to work through the little access panels. Fishing around the electrical wiring to find which twist-on Skotchlock connector has come loose is not fun either. Replacing broken roof rivets that hold up the cabinets happens too often.

Not saying Casita makes a bad trailer, just that I think Escape has a more robust and systematic design that is well-executed and worth a bit more $.

Nut501 · 07-24-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Canada is a big country. My brother, who installs elevators, tells me that anything they get that was made in Ontario is "crap". Anything made in BC is "awesome". He attributes this to the variety of intoxicant consumed in the various regions.

David,
How much do we owe you for the tip???? HA!

It is good to know that the folks in BC do not indulge in intoxicants!

thanks

tractors1 · 07-24-2014, 09:46 AM

One of the primary reasons I chose Escape over Oliver and Parkliner is the lesser dry weight of the Escape when compared to similar layouts of the other two. When fully loaded for camping, others with a 21 footer have weighed in at 4100-4300 pounds.

Charlie Y

**Jim Bennett** · 07-24-2014, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nut501

It is good to know that the folks in BC do not indulge in intoxicants!

thanks

He never said any, just those of a differing variety. I have partied with my fair share of intoxicated B.Cipians.

floyd · 07-25-2014, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

One of the primary reasons I chose Escape over Oliver and Parkliner is the lesser dry weight of the Escape when compared to similar layouts of the other two. When fully loaded for camping, others with a 21 footer have weighed in at 4100-4300 pounds.

Charlie Y

So far the Parkliner only comes in a 15fter.

Donna D. · 07-25-2014, 06:58 PM

I would have purchased my Escape 5.0TA if it were made in Boise, Idaho. To me, it was about fit and finish and layout. I'm just fortunate enough to be 5-6 hours from the factory in Canada. PLUS the customer service is OUTSTANDING! Let me repeat that... OUTSTANDING!