A few thoughts/ observations on the Cortes:
It looks like they switched from the advertised robust aluminum frame to a standard bolt together BAL Products steel frame with a shorter tongue ( understandable, try keeping qualified highly paid aluminum welders on staff)
The leveling jacks are nice.
They should incorporate a BAL Products under carriage spare tire carrier, some versions have the tire mounted to a bumper bracket, some to the body, and the latest to a frame mounted bracket behind the bumper.
The Timbren axle/ suspension system is nice but typically used on off road trailers with robust frames.
It needs one or two small access doors on the outside to store items under the bed such as the power cord, sewer fittings, etc.
I've never seen a trailer with tank heaters and a fully exposed undercarriage, I guess they can't hurt but would be concerned camping in Minnesota during the winter.
They got rid of that cheapo water heater in the closet and now use a nice Suburban model mounted under the sink.
I wonder what kind of television antenna is used, you won't be able to hide cables under carpet like in a Casita if you install one.
The Propex heater system is incredible (if the system is installed properly).
The
fridge, stove, sink look very nice. I assume the vent hood doesn't vent to the outside of trailer.
Some units have a bathroom door and others have only a curtain.
The dual batteries on the tongue are nice, but I would guess those that will surely install LiFePo4 batteries won't want them on display up there.
The
battery shut off switch is located on the tongue exposed to the elements but the stereo is inside mounted in a waterproof marine enclosure in case you decide to hose down the interior (like those kids in the Subaru commercial)
The dinette with one seat has me puzzled.
The industrial looking white floor with the raised dimples is a challenge to clean, (we used those in mobile laboratories and they could only be cleaned with a scrub brush and waterhose, a mop simply passes over the high spots, I prefer the smooth laminates.
The earlier versions shown on their brochure have some nice looking cabinet doors similar to the
Oliver trailers, now they are the off the shelf marine hatches with dual latches.
The white model in their brochure has a window in the kitchen and a small one in the bathroom, they are both gone now. I can understand removing the one in the kitchen but the bathroom really needs one.
I just can't come to like that weird curved window on the door.
The power converter is also a Furrion, not familiar with it enough to see if it will handle the lithium batteries such as the Progressive Dynamics converters.
I don't see any red and amber marker
lights on the exterior of the trailer, only two
tail lights.
The
license plate bolted to the bumper looks like an afterthought, it will surely get bent.
Not sure if a two pin "Zamp" style SAE DC port is included to plug in suitcase style
solar panels.
A outside shower hatch is standard on most Rv's nowadays or at least an option, most people don't use them to shower, they wash the dog or do dishes with them.
Seeing this many changes among the models listed at various dealers is encouraging that they seem to be trying to perfect the trailer with the limited choices/ availability of supplies they can get their hands on. If and when they come up with a slightly longer trailer with a twin bed setup it will fill the gap between the Casita and Olivers.
They will surely need a few good regional service centers because most RV dealers won't do warranty work on brands they don't sell and most most won't touch brands that they carry but were purchased elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see an owners forum on these trailers and what mods the owners will perform such as a tongue mounted storage compartment,
generator trays, rear mounted storage,
solar panels, satellite antenna, larger
tires, frame mounted receiver hitch, the first mod I would do would be to install the Hengs
LED lights on the ceiling vent assembly.