Familiar with Cortez 17?

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Just looked at the Model 17 on the Cortez RV web site. I was very impressed. While I will likely keep my Snoozy for the rest of my RVing years (I'm pushing 74) this is what I will buy should my Snoozy meet with a catastrophic accident.
Interested in hearing comments from Cortez 17 owners or people that have viewed this model.

[daveandalice]

There are numerous threads about the Cortes on this forum, in fact the owner of the company sought input from members of the forum in the planning stages and was provided with numerous ideas in designing the trailer.

They designed the trailer during the covid era when new fiberglass trailers were scarce and manufacturers could ask extreme prices for trailers.

They took a Casita trailer and proudly posted pictures of themselves copying the body with a small change to the height.(photos attached)

The first trailers they built had several items that were eliminated on subsequent models such as a bathroom door, bathroom vent, bathroom window, aluminum frame, dinette window, large fridge, etc.

The white flooring, no bathroom door, toilet and sink (too low) right next to each other, no counter space and the bizarre single dinette seems to be the deal killer. One of their new models has the kitchen wall that folds down into the bathroom for more counterspace (yikes!)

It looks like some of the dealers that received them a few years ago still have them sitting on their lots since the market reversed right when they started production and the prices are extremely high.
So they are probably willing to deal.

You can buy a nice used Oliver or two Casita trailers for what they retail for.

On the plus side they are extremely light for pulling with a small suv.

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

Just looked at the Model 17 on the Cortez RV web site. I was very impressed. While I will likely keep my Snoozy for the rest of my RVing years (I'm pushing 74) this is what I will buy should my Snoozy meet with a catastrophic accident.
Interested in hearing comments from Cortez 17 owners or people that have viewed this model.

Before we ordered our Casita, we went and looked at a Cortes in person. Some of my comments posted elsewhere:

Got a chance to go and check it out in person this weekend. Man do they need to air it out. Smelled pretty bad. The white floor would be a disaster I believe. It was already marked up a bit. No bathroom door was a show stopper for my wife. Loved the appliances. Looked like the table top was electric, did not try it out. Materials inside seemed top notch. Inside storage isn't as nice as the Casita. No closet door, just two access panels. No outside storage was, of course a big concern. No awning upset the wife as well. I think they did a pretty good job as a first run, if they listen to their customers and make a few changes, I think they could find a market

[daveandalice]

There was an article on the trailer last year that basically summarizes their history.

https://www.theautopian.com/this-new...ble-marketing/

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

I was surveyed by the company as to what I want in a RV prior to them beginning manufacture. I saw a You tube video of a 17 and it along with their web site makes it look very impressive.
I am hoping to hear from someone here that has had real hands on experience with one.

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

Just looked at the Model 17 on the Cortez RV web site. I was very impressed. While I will likely keep my Snoozy for the rest of my RVing years (I'm pushing 74) this is what I will buy should my Snoozy meet with a catastrophic accident.
Interested in hearing comments from Cortez 17 owners or people that have viewed this model.

For $39,000-$49,000 I would want more than a 2 cu ft fridge, doors on the bathroom and much more. I am not impressed at all. I've seen a couple on the road I think (color paint scheme) but had no idea what they were. I think I'd keep my Casita before buying a Cortez.

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

I was surveyed by the company as to what I want in a RV prior to them beginning manufacture. I saw a You tube video of a 17 and it along with their web site makes it look very impressive.
I am hoping to hear from someone here that has had real hands on experience with one.

We toured one right before putting an order in with Casita. We like the upgraded materials and appliances, but the white floor, no bathroom door, lack of storage, no outside storage at all, no awning...well, we ordered and waited a year for the Casita.

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Well, I got my answer. Obviously , to me, they look better on screen than you all have suggested.

[daveandalice]

They eventually started offering an awning option but it was an afterthought and it's installed very far back on top of the roof which requires you to carry a ladder with you to install the center rafter, a safety strap or even remove debris from the top of it before retracting it.

It also sticks out quite far forward on the trailer, perhaps a shorter model would have worked.

[ShelbyM]

Originally Posted by Bill in Pittsburgh

Well, I got my answer. Obviously , to me, they look better on screen than you all have suggested.

Yep, for those familiar with the origin they have an uphill struggle and would have to offer substantially more for less. Not to mention the unfortunate choice of name.