Cortes Campers

[Johnny M]

I just read the closed thread by Jim Babcock regarding Cortes Trailers. I have been following along on Cortes since their first announcement. I have to be honest I am not really that impressed with what I am seeing so far. I was expecting more than what appears to be a re-inventing of the wheel so to speak of a rebranded Casita trailer. The European style windows are nice but seems like Casita could do that too. Many other manufacturers are going with the Euro windows outside of the molded fiberglass world for a few years now and they are gaining in popularity. Same goes for the appliances and deep sink. Bathroom doesn't appear to be significantly different either. The The curb side 1 person dinette doesn't make sense for a 2 person camper. And the frame and blue gel coat is the only other things that look significantly different. I see their website says patent pending so I am hoping someone from Cortes, hopefully Jim Babcock, will chime in and clarify what exactly it is that is patent pending about the Cortes from a Casita. Not trying to knock Cortes so to speak but I just don't get it. I was expecting some real innovation differences. Is it just me or do you share my sentiments?

[CalCop]

So far the only interior information has been computer generated images. I haven't located anything that actually depicts in the interior in real life.
I agree the company simply cloned the shell from a Casita.
Time will tell, but so far I'm not moved to rush out and buy

[ShelbyM]

There's a reason they close these threads. This won't end well. Maybe re-visit if a product is ever actually available.

[Stephen_Albers]

Assessing conventional accouterments is the wrong place to look. Actually, IF (and it is a big IF) the Cortez lives up to the subtleties in its description, the Cortes may carve out new ground: An unimproved road, a 12-month operational trailer. A factory Casita is a throw-away device that can't come close to that.

[JoelInTexas]

Originally Posted by Johnny M

Not trying to knock Cortes so to speak but I just don't get it. I was expecting some real innovation differences. Is it just me or do you share my sentiments?

No, it's not just you.

It struck me as being a wildly overpriced, very conventional piece of vaporware which might have eventually become a real product.

The most noteworthy aspect was the rugged screen door - very handy in bear country.

[Jim B Cortes]

Hello,

As I am in the production area daily I can definitely say there are actual physical campers underway. When the production ready camper is done we will be updating the website and offering factory tours here in Cleveland Ohio. As with any new product in this day in age I understand the internet's instinct to cry "vaporware" but this is not the case. All I can say is wait and see the finished final product to render an opinion on it.

Updated pictures : https://www.cortescampers.com/blog

[CalCop]

Hey Jim,
You have a major public image nightmare that should be addressed.

[Jim B Cortes]

216-896-7000 ext 209

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by Jim B Cortes

216-896-7000 ext 209

Who are you talking to?

[parmm]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Who are you talking to?

Think he's talking to:

Originally Posted by CalCop

Hey Jim,
You have a major public image nightmare that should be addressed.

[CalCop]

Any conversation to be had would be better served on the forum. I see no reason not to have all discussions in a public area.
Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.
One area I'd liked explained would be the obvious molding (copying) of a Casita trailer as being the foundation of this new and supposed better trailer.

[Cathy P.]

I was impressed. I thought the blue was pretty, and that the insides were in line with Oliver. They are calling them "4 season". It appears they are coming from the marine industry, which to me, does a little better job than the RV industry does. We have often shopped "marine" RV stuff vs "RV" stuff websites, and often gotten better quality and cheaper prices.

Well, I wish them a lot of luck! If they can produce a quality product at a fair price, i think they will do well. They are located in OH, so not overly close to the other fiberglass manufacturers.

https://www.cortescampers.com/

The website links to a short video on vimeo.

At the TX dealer, they will have a 2023 for $48,500. I wonder how that compares to current prices on the other manufacturers as I have looked at their websites in some time.

[jgilliam1955]

Nice not to have rivets. I like it. But isn't an Oliver close to the same price? Looking forward to seeing the finished product. For that much money, I'd look at Bigfoot or an Escape 5th wheel or Escape 21 foot.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by CalCop

Hey Jim,
You have a major public image nightmare that should be addressed.

Yep....

[JoelInTexas]

Originally Posted by jgilliam1955

Nice not to have rivets. I like it. But isn't an Oliver close to the same price?

Oliver's website says that their 2023 models start at $65,500 .

I assume that's for the small "Legacy Elite" model.

Originally Posted by Cathy P.

At the TX dealer, they will have a 2023 for $48,500. I wonder how that compares to current prices on the other manufacturers as I have looked at their websites in some time.

That would buy you almost two Casitas (the 17' Standard model is $25K)

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by JoelInTexas

Oliver's website says that their 2023 models start at $65,500 .
I assume that's for the small "Legacy Elite" model.

That would buy you almost two Casitas (the 17' Standard model is $25K)

I'm guessing the typical selling price of a 17D is around $30K or a little over now. So we're talking closer to 1-1/2 Casitas for a Cortes. There's been significant price inflation across all the molded manufacturers.

Of course all bets are off regarding the Cortes until they actually start selling them. Their target price seems to be aiming for a middle ground between Casita and Oliver. Whether they'll be able to meet that target given increasing costs for labor, materials, and components is a big question.

Who will buy this trailer, I wonder? From what I can see, Oliver sells very few of the smaller units. I wonder how Happier Camper is doing with their similar-sized new Traveler model, which starts at $68,950? It seems to be aimed at younger buyers and at trade-ups from the HC1. But younger buyers are going to be stretched with housing and transportation costs in the near term.

And all this as the RV market appears headed for a contraction. At the very least, their timing seems out of sync.

[oldwave]

There were some posts about some federal indictments a while ago. I think that was the PR that was referred to. I hadn't heard the disposition of that.

[oldwave]

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...cr-00491-0.pdf
Not sure if this guy is involved with Cortes still. The parent company is referred to.

[Glenn Baglo]

"Representatives" post here from time to time. When confronted with information about SEC charges against the parent company and their marketing schemes, they disappear.