Shopping: Can you Help Narrow My Search?

[R Brown]

I'm just beginning to shop around for a used egg online and am overwhelmed by all the brands which, in photos, look very similar. Looks like with our vehicle, we're going to be limited to a 13 footer. I feel in need of some way to narrow my search. So, I'm wondering if some brands are wider or provide more space or storage than others. Any suggestions?

[Nancy]

Hi Richard,

Fred and I prefer the Scamp 13 without the front bath as we do not sleep together, and since we are both short the front bunk bed (with the top bunk board removed) is very comfortable for either of us. We make do with the porta potty at night.

to keep our weight down we do not have a refrigerator, air conditioner, or water tanks. In Kansas you will surely want an air conditioner.

We also got the extra overhead front and rear cabinets. I wouldn't want to be without them.

Do plan on having electric brakes.

Hope this helps. There are a couple of lighter weight brands out there, but they are had to find older units.. Weiscraft in Colorado makes a small trailer too.

nancy

[Carol H]

Richard, the Bigfoot is about the widest and although the Escape is narrower it and the Bigfoot tend to have a bit more/better storage layout than my basic Scamp. The Bigfoot is also much heavier than the Escape, Scamps and Casita's though.

If you can you are best to attend a Fiberglass trailer Rally where its a good bet you will get to see lots of different models all in one place. They really are all very different and until you actually sit in one its hard to visualise whether or not you can live with the layout.

[Raz]

Hello Richard and welcome to the forum. Here is a For Sale site you might find interesting. Raz

Molded Fiberglass Trailers | Fiberglass RV's For Sale

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Richard, the Bigfoot is about the widest and although the Escape is narrower...

Carol, are you comparing 13-foot Bigfoot and Escape? Bigfoot hasn't made anything smaller than 17-foot for a very long time.

I think Richard is only interested in the little ones:

Originally Posted by R Brown

Looks like with our vehicle, we're going to be limited to a 13 footer...
I'm wondering if some brands are wider...

Most "eggs" in smaller sizes are the same width: 80" (2 m, 6'8") outside. This is the widest that a trailer is allowed to be in North America without requiring wide vehicle identification and clearance lights. A few designs are a bit narrower (such as Weiscraft's Little Joe), but Boler, Trillium, and brands patterned after them (Scamp, Casita, Escape...) are the same width.

[Jared J]

IMHO, I would limit it by configuration (you'll have to decide what you want for that), condition, and price, not brand.

They've all been proven to stand up for long periods, there is no junk (brand) fiberglass trailer on here.

Perhaps you could post some specifics as to what you want for features? Are you against a fixer upper?

[R Brown]

Jared, that was a really helpful response, as all of them have been. I don't have a lot of fixer upping skills, so should probably limIt myself to ones in god condition. I look forward to attending a nearby rally in Sept. 2013, if not before, to see some variety of set ups. In the meantime, Im learning tons from all you experienced RVers. Thanks for the advise!

[Thomas G.]

Take some time to look at the gallery and registry photo areas (top of page). You will see lots of interior shots and if you have a question, do a quick search including the brand name in the search query. Likely it has been discussed.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Carol, are you comparing 13-foot Bigfoot and Escape? Bigfoot hasn't made anything smaller than 17-foot for a very long time.

I think Richard is only interested in the little ones:

Most "eggs" in smaller sizes are the same width: 80" (2.6 m, 6'8") outside. This is the widest that a trailer is allowed to be in North America without requiring wide vehicle identification and clearance lights. A few designs are a bit narrower (such as Weiscraft's Little Joe), but Boler, Trillium, and brands patterned after them (Scamp, Casita, Escape...) are the same width.

Not sure I understand your statement about width limit in N.America. Plenty of stick built trailers are 8' wide. Even the Lil Snoozy is almost 8' wide if you count the outrigger wheels. Is this some Canadian regulation?

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Carol, are you comparing 13-foot Bigfoot and Escape? Bigfoot hasn't made anything smaller than 17-foot for a very long time.

I think Richard is only interested in the little ones:

Your right. Sorry missed the switch. Yesterday he was interested in 16'.

But one still sees lil Big Foots 13' pop up on the used market from time to time - there is a one for sale in Ontario currently and a few Escape 15's as well (May still be one for sale on this forum).

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Not sure I understand your statement about width limit in N.America. Plenty of stick built trailers are 8' wide. Even the Lil Snoozy is almost 8' wide if you count the outrigger wheels. Is this some Canadian regulation?

new Bigfoots - built in Canada are 8' wide as well.

[carlkeigley]

Originally Posted by R Brown

Jared, that was a really helpful response, as all of them have been. I don't have a lot of fixer upping skills, so should probably limIt myself to ones in god condition. I look forward to attending a nearby rally in Sept. 2013, if not before, to see some variety of set ups. In the meantime, Im learning tons from all you experienced RVers. Thanks for the advise!

There's a rally near Van Buren, Arkansas in September too.

[Donna D.]

A lot of the new Airstreams are over 8' wide. I love the layout of the Eddie Bauer edition, but it's 8' 5.5" wide.... I'd settle for a 5.0 at 6'8" wide.

[Jared J]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

A lot of the new Airstreams are over 8' wide. I love the layout of the Eddie Bauer edition, but it's 8' 5.5" wide.... I'd settle for a 5.0 at 6'8" wide.

That's technically not legal in many states, FYI.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Jared J

That's technically not legal in many states, FYI.

Can't help that Jared. Check the Airstream.com page and look at the specifications under the different models.

[Jared J]

Just more of a general comment. I have an 8'6" car trailer, which is how I know. Some states are 8'6", some are 8'. How much effort they put into enforcing that, I don't have a clue.

[Jon Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Jared J

Just more of a general comment. I have an 8'6" car trailer, which is how I know. Some states are 8'6", some are 8'. How much effort they put into enforcing that, I don't have a clue.

Do you think this guy might have a problem? How they ever got this to Glen Canyon/Lake Powell is beyond me...

[carlkeigley]

Just takes "escorts" and "permits."

States got to have their cut of your budget.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Not sure I understand your statement about width limit in N.America. Plenty of stick built trailers are 8' wide. Even the Lil Snoozy is almost 8' wide if you count the outrigger wheels. Is this some Canadian regulation?

I think he meant the lighting requirements for over 80 inches:

Trailer Poster Table for Website

Charlie Y

[Donna D.]

Yeah, and the 21' and 25' Bigfoots are 8'4" wide. I think the lighting means roof line lighting, because all new, modern trailers have sideline marker lights.