Hello from beautiful east Tennessee

[caheath]

Hi to all...

My SO and I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee, and I have been camping and rv'ing most of my adult life. In addition to tent camping, We've had a camper van and two class A motor homes. Our current rig is a 35' National RV Dolphin gasser.

We're interested in downsizing to a small (16-19') bumper-pull and pretty sure a fiberglass camper is the way to go. I'm researching to learn more about this, including evaluating various vehicles to use as a tug.

We want to downsize because of the relative simplicity of a small pull-behind, much lower maintenance and storage costs, and increased flexibility in where we camp. We're excited at the prospect of making a change!

[thrifty bill]

Suggest you go to the rally in Townsend in April. Very few 19s out there. The two most plentiful brands are Casita and Scamp. Casita maxes out at 17 foot, Scamp maxes out at 16 foot (other than their fifth wheel). Its amazing what a couple of feet can mean space wise.

IMHO, many people under-estimate the weight of molded trailers and over-estimate the tow capacity of their vehicle. I saw a Honda Fit towing a Boler last year (the Fit has zero tow rating).

Molded FG trailers tend to be both shorter in length than traditional trailers and narrower as well. So compromises are key. Its easy moving from a tent to a FG trailer. Its harder moving from a larger trailer or motorhome. You are right though, a smaller trailer is more convenient, will fit in more campsites, easier to store, etc.

[RV Doctor]

Welcome!
You are near Oliver Trailer. Maybe have a look!

[caheath]

Thank you for the tip about April!

I am meticulous about tow weights, etc., but there is always more to learn. My plan is for the fully provisioned camper to come in 20% less than TWR and also keep below GCWR after loading the tug with pax and cargo.

I'm looking at the Nissan Pathfinder (6000#), Honda Pilot (5000#), Toyota Highlander (5000#), and the Hyundai Santa Fe (5000#). I like the specs and ratings on the Kia Sorento (5000#) but the tongue weight rating is low (350#) so that would knock Casita off the list of potential campers.

[caheath]

Yes... we plan on visiting Oliver. Discovered them only a couple days ago.

[Carol and Mike]

Give Anita or Heather a call at Oliver and arrange a factory tour the day you visit. It’s 2-3 hours long but worth the time. Olivers are expensive and the tour will explain why. Good luck with your search! Mike

[GerthT]

We love our 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe. It's a great size and we pull with an older Toyota Sequoia. We lived in Newport, TN, for 7 years in the late 80's/early 90's. Yes, East Tennessee is a beautiful part of the world! Enjoy your search!

[Eric Frye]

Good luck with your search. I've lived most of my life here in East Tennessee and it's a great place to camp. The wife and I purchased a 16' Scamp last summer and we love it. Way easier to pull than the standard mega travel trailers and a nice bed to sleep in out of the elements. The biggest thing I think you might have a problem with, especially going from a Class A is storage. You kind of have to think more like a back packer and lighten the load. My wife struggles with that. I swear the first time we took out the Scamp her pile of stuff to take was bigger than the camper.

[caheath]

Originally Posted by GerthT

We love our 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe. It's a great size and we pull with an older Toyota Sequoia. We lived in Newport, TN, for 7 years in the late 80's/early 90's. Yes, East Tennessee is a beautiful part of the world! Enjoy your search!

Thank you!

[caheath]

Eric,

You are right about storage differences! We have been "steeling" ourselves for that. But as longtime tent campers, I think we're up to the transition. I'm actually looking forward to simplifying.

[DeanCHS1980]

Hi Consuelo!

Wishing you the best with your search for your egg and a great tug. We are currently camping in our Casita and starting our 3rd season. We love it. Check out a rally this spring! Townsend is a great possibility.

Take care,

Dean

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by thrifty bill

Suggest you go to the rally in Townsend in April. Very few 19s out there. The two most plentiful brands are Casita and Scamp. Casita maxes out at 17 foot, Scamp maxes out at 16 foot (other than their fifth wheel). Its amazing what a couple of feet can mean space wise.

IMHO, many people under-estimate the weight of molded trailers and over-estimate the tow capacity of their vehicle. I saw a Honda Fit towing a Boler last year (the Fit has zero tow rating).

Molded FG trailers tend to be both shorter in length than traditional trailers and narrower as well. So compromises are key. Its easy moving from a tent to a FG trailer. Its harder moving from a larger trailer or motorhome. You are right though, a smaller trailer is more convenient, will fit in more campsites, easier to store, etc.

There is no rally shown on the map for April in Tennessee at Townsend?

[rgrugg]

Take a look at the Escape 19. Not a lot of Escapes in the eastern part of the country but a phone call to the factory in Chillawack, BC will refer you to any owners within a reasonable distance from you. I’ve shown my 19 several times.

[thrifty bill]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

There is no rally shown on the map for April in Tennessee at Townsend?

Not every rally takes the time to list at this site. I am not connected with the group holding the event, its an informal club

The Egg Camping Club of Georgia, Tennessee, & Alabama holds the rally. Little to no information out on it yet, except a date and place: KOA Townsend, TN. Great location by the way, once you run the gauntlet of Pigeon Forge. Less than 1 mile from one entrance to Smoky Mtn NP.

I usually avoid all KOAs, but this one is nice! Its the only KOA i've been to that wasn't wedged between the Interstate and a major freight train track.....

Be sure to tell them you are with the rally to save big on the camping.

[caheath]

The Escape is on my short-list! I really like them. Did you buy new? If so, have to had to have any warranty work done?

[Glenn Baglo]

Appliances are covered by the individual manufacturer's warranty. Your instruction manual will provide information for locating a authorized service centre near you.
For the trailer itself, you would contact Escape with the issue of concern and they would approve arrangements for repair at a location near you.
That said, the only issue I had with mine was the furnace and I had it fixed under warranty at an RV centre a mile away from my home.

[caheath]

Thanks, Glenn!

[Mitzi Agnew-Giles]

Hello Consuelo! I love my Lil Snoozy. First RV. I lurked at RV forums for 12 years before purchasing. Went from a car camper to a backpacker to a KOA Kamping Kabin "kamper" during those years.
Eric, your wife sounds like my DH. I only overpack on food, myself.
You should call the factories of the brands you are interested in and see if they have any owners in your area who are agreeable to showing off their babies. I do this for Lil Snoozy frequently. There was quite a difference between looking at floor plans and actually eyeballing the trailer. I was quite convinced the RPod was it, until I actually toured one. Despite the size of it, and the slide (which I didn't want) I felt very, very cramped moving about in it. Have fun researching, I'm sure your perfect trailer is out there.

[caheath]

Thank you, Mitzi!