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Old 12-31-2021, 01:53 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flydog View Post
SOBs is "some other brands". In my case Jayco and Montana. On the Jayco I had a small but persistent leak on the back vertical seam. I took it apart 3 times and never was able to stop it. Ended up selling at a huge discount.
Jayco does not have a high reputation for quality.

I agree in general that molded fiberglass brings higher construction integrity. But inTech's reputation is pretty good, and they have a three-year warranty on their framework.

As I said in my lead post, we'd probably have bought an Escape if they were more easily available. But I'm really taken with the open, airy feel of the Sol Horizon, and the wife wants the back bed to herself, so it seems like the best solution for now. YMMV.
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Old 12-31-2021, 02:06 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by jgilliam1955 View Post
We would like to get a bigger camper with a bed so we don't have to crawl over each other.
It may be Bigfoot or Escape 5.0? This is a few years off. To scared not to get fiberglass.
Well, if you want a Bigfoot or Escape, better order now. Then you'll get a slot for 2024. But, maybe the market will loosen up, and you'll have easy availability by then.

We needed two separate beds, and I generally stay up later than my wife, so a comfortable dinette bed seems like a workable compromise. As I mentioned, inTech's Terra Oasis has both a comfortable dinette/bed and a walk-around bed; price comparable to Bigfoot 25.
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Old 12-31-2021, 02:19 PM   #23
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Jayco does not have a high reputation for quality.

I agree in general that molded fiberglass brings higher construction integrity. But inTech's reputation is pretty good, and they have a three-year warranty on their framework.

As I said in my lead post, we'd probably have bought an Escape if they were more easily available. But I'm really taken with the open, airy feel of the Sol Horizon, and the wife wants the back bed to herself, so it seems like the best solution for now. YMMV.
My Jayco was built when it was still a family run company and they were known for a quality product back then. In any event, good luck. I hope it's everything you want it to be. 👍
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Old 12-31-2021, 07:54 PM   #24
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While looking at the Intech site and sales info, I cannot see where the batteries are, or what type and size they are. With no rear bumper, the trailer is very vulnerable in the rear, but it seems they have an optional one for at least one of the models. I also see no spare tire, but maybe it is hidden underneath. I saw nothing about insulation either, but I may have missed it.

That panoramic front window will be very nice while camped. Is the cover optional or standard?

The 102" width may take some getting used to. The difference between 7' and 8 1/2' track width is significant while towing.

It seems to have no gray tank and uses only the black tank. If you want to stay out longer, or camp without hookups, you might find a gray tank and dry toilet more practical.
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Old 12-31-2021, 09:33 PM   #25
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While looking at the Intech site and sales info, I cannot see where the batteries are, or what type and size they are. With no rear bumper, the trailer is very vulnerable in the rear, but it seems they have an optional one for at least one of the models. I also see no spare tire, but maybe it is hidden underneath. I saw nothing about insulation either, but I may have missed it.

That panoramic front window will be very nice while camped. Is the cover optional or standard?

The 102" width may take some getting used to. The difference between 7' and 8 1/2' track width is significant while towing.

It seems to have no gray tank and uses only the black tank. If you want to stay out longer, or camp without hookups, you might find a gray tank and dry toilet more practical.
The battery(ies) are under the driver's side of the dinette seat. The Horizon ships with a marine/rv lead-acid battery. Dealers can install different ones if you want (I may opt for a couple of 6V AGM batteries).

All of the Sol models (Dawn, Eclipse, and Horizon) and the Terra Oasis have a Rover option, which includes rear bumper (aluminum bars), rack on tongue, 2 ⅝" axle lift, larger 'off-road' tires, and 'rugged' graphics (uglier IMO). We're getting the Rover option.

The spare tire is underneath. Insulation is limited to 'bubble foil R7' and an air gap. It is not a four-season camper, but does have a propane furnace.

The front window cover is standard (I think it was originally an option).

I'm told it is not hard getting used to the outrigger wheels, which you can see in your regular mirrors. 'Threading the needle' (as my father called it, driving a Class C) through construction sites will be interesting. But I don't think 8.5' is any wider than many utility trailers.

I am not happy with the combined gray/black tank, which can limit boondocking. The larger Terra has both, also dry bath (separate shower). We decided for now that we can live with the combined tank; our Casita also has a wet bath.

The main advantage over our Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe is the layout with big front dinette/bed (the big rectangular sink is nice, too). The Casita has both gray and black tanks, and a sink in the wet bath (which the Horizon lacks, but its bathroom is much larger). Win some, lose some.
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Old 12-31-2021, 11:45 PM   #26
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Have you considered lithium batteries? Everything about them is better, except the cost and extreme cold weather charging. Having them inside eliminates the extreme cold weather problem. Some are on sale these days at 50% of their original cost. And, of course, solar to support them.

I'm now a pretty heavy power user in my trailer, mainly because I can. In reasonable weather, I never have to plug in. Never. In overcast and cold weather, I have to charge maybe once a week, and that is with a 12 volt compressor fridge, the furnace and electric coffee maker. As well as the normal stuff like computer and phone charging, TV, lights, etc.

The combination of no black tank, lithium and solar, leads to extended boondocking, if that is what you are interested in.
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Old 01-01-2022, 07:01 AM   #27
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Last I looked, lithium batteries were maybe three times the cost of AGMs. And then I read of electric vehicle batteries catching fire (enough so they are banned in some apartment garages), and that sounds like something I can do without.

I do want to get enough solar to keep the battery(ies) charged and run the external-kitchen fridge (the inside one is 3-way), furnace fan, computer and camera batteries, and such. The Sol Horizon comes with an external plug for portable solar panels, though I might opt for some on the roof.

I don't think we need extended boondocking capability at this point. Wife wants to play tourist and visit parts of the country we've never seen (most of it, really). We tend to stay in state-park campgrounds, many of which have electric sites.

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Let's hope this one is better than '21.
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Old 01-01-2022, 08:19 AM   #28
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Jon MB again. I've quoted edited prior postings to accentuate the salient points. Feel free to review those original posts to assure that I haven't changed the poster's intent.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Lynn View Post
The Altos ... retractable roof sounds problematic to me... they were way up in Quebec to boot...
...a lot of the Altos have twin beds, ...many twins are quite narrow... If you can deal with a 26' trailer (and a $70k price), the inTech Terra Oasis has a queen 'walk around' N-S bed (plus dry bath, and the same great U-dinette as the Horizon, but even larger).
I also have apprehension on the electric ball-screw actuators used for roof raising not working. The user's group members that have posted there claim they have not had issues. The bed situation in the Casita is a reason we (really 'she') started looking for alternatives. We now leave the Casita's rear dinette permanently set up as a bed (Southern Mattress) and use the side dinette table. The trailer width / rear bed length is marginally enough for my 5'10" height. In the Alto R the bed is in-line, not transverse like the Casita. We're getting the 1713 due to the larger bed at 72x76 (due to the toilet-only cabinet) while the 1723 bed is 60x76 (larger cabinet for the wet bath eats space).
Quebec City is just 340 miles away from me.
The 1713R's 1,850 lb dry weight is another advantage. The Casita S-D 17 is 2,500 dry. The Oasis? 5,600

Quote:
Originally Posted by jgilliam1955 View Post
...Too scared not to get fiberglass.
I fully understand that point. The Alto R lift actuators durability and the seals as the roof and upper half wall move past the lower half walls don't make me warm and fuzzy. No owner reported issues on the users group, but still.....
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Old 01-01-2022, 12:01 PM   #29
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I'm pleased to see that I have succeeded in being a bad influence (again - I'm known for that). Congratulations on your decision and we will be interested in what your thoughts are once you take delivery and camp in it a few times. I saw one of the Intech trailers for the first time in the campground when I was picking up my Escape 17 from its previous owner near Orlando, Florida. We stopped in a campground overnight on the way back to Georgia and saw one of the Intech teardrop trailers and it really caught my attention. Very interesting designs and they appear to be well built.
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Old 01-01-2022, 01:06 PM   #30
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I'm pleased to see that I have succeeded in being a bad influence (again - I'm known for that). Congratulations on your decision and we will be interested in what your thoughts are once you take delivery and camp in it a few times. I saw one of the Intech trailers for the first time in the campground when I was picking up my Escape 17 from its previous owner near Orlando, Florida. We stopped in a campground overnight on the way back to Georgia and saw one of the Intech teardrop trailers and it really caught my attention. Very interesting designs and they appear to be well built.


My neighbor has one of these
Very cool trailer [emoji106]
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Old 01-01-2022, 01:51 PM   #31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Walter View Post
I'm pleased to see that I have succeeded in being a bad influence (again - I'm known for that). Congratulations on your decision and we will be interested in what your thoughts are once you take delivery and camp in it a few times. I saw one of the Intech trailers for the first time in the campground when I was picking up my Escape 17 from its previous owner near Orlando, Florida. We stopped in a campground overnight on the way back to Georgia and saw one of the Intech teardrop trailers and it really caught my attention. Very interesting designs and they appear to be well built.
Thanks, Jack— Yes, you stimulated my interest in the inTech line. Interesting that they have taken the same basic design in the Luna teardrop you photographed and expanded it to a whole range of larger travel trailers. Will definitely get back here once we've had some experience with the Sol Horizon this Spring.
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Old 01-09-2022, 04:57 PM   #32
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Uh-Oh—May Have Spoken Too Soon!

The inTech Sol Facebook Group is suddenly full of reports of Sol Horizon trailers losing their (single) axles! There are at last three over the past year or two, plus one owner who noticed dangerous cracks in the mounts to which the axle is bolted.

The mounting brackets are aluminum, welded to the aluminum frame. The axle brackets are bolted to these. Apparently in some instances the welds are inadequate to handle axle stresses. In one case the owner clipped a gas-station bollard, which could have damaged wheel and axle, but should not have broken off the frame brackets (according to welding pros who viewed owner's photos).

Sounds to me like a design flaw, creating a weak point of failure, but I'm no expert. At this point, I've alerted our dealer, and will wait to see how the company responds. I'd recommend a recall and redesign, but I don't even own one of these trailers yet—which may turn out a good thing.

In which case, we'd be back to square one.
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Old 01-09-2022, 06:35 PM   #33
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neede mopre production

That is the one issue with fiberglass trailers. They basically are impossible to get. We need more of them produced.

I know if I really had the money to start a business this is one I certainly would consider. Now I love my scamp, but I would change some things. The main thing is that I would make it longer, and then use the extra for a bigger bed. I also would have outside storage. I might make a way to have a tear drop like outdoor kitchen on the back.
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Old 01-09-2022, 07:43 PM   #34
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That is the one issue with fiberglass trailers. They basically are impossible to get. We need more of them produced.

I know if I really had the money to start a business this is one I certainly would consider. Now I love my scamp, but I would change some things. The main thing is that I would make it longer, and then use the extra for a bigger bed. I also would have outside storage. I might make a way to have a tear drop like outdoor kitchen on the back.
You would have liked the Genesis. Check out the pics here: https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...5-a-39220.html
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Old 01-09-2022, 11:40 PM   #35
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Nice looking trailer. We really like the look of them but I wish they had a closet! Sort of a deal breaker for me. But maybe there is no 'perfect' trailer. Happy trails and safe travels.
Kathie
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Old 01-10-2022, 07:44 AM   #36
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You would have liked the Genesis. Check out the pics here: https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...5-a-39220.html

Head room is an interesting added thing. Do have a friend who is kind of too tall for my scamp. But it appears to be pretty short and didn't see an inside kitchen and a good bed. That would be were I would be going with one.

I have also thought that someone in the RV frig industry should make a frig which can be accessed from front AND back.
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Old 01-10-2022, 09:10 AM   #37
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But it appears to be pretty short and didn't see an inside kitchen and a good bed.
You said you wanted an outdoor kitchen


Quote:
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I might make a way to have a tear drop like outdoor kitchen on the back.
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Old 01-10-2022, 10:56 AM   #38
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I suppose he wants both.

Personally, I like my outdoor kitchen away from the trailer,. We cook messy fried and grilled stuff outside, and I’d rather keep the smoke, odors, and possible critters away from our bedroom. Inside kitchen is for simple meals on inclement weather days. To my thinking hatches, clamshells, and slide-out kitchens just mean more potential leaks to prevent and cure.

We all have our own idea of the perfect trailer. Mass produced trailers have to avoid idiosyncratic features and tend to stick with tried and true layouts.

For a reality check on the impossibility of pleasing everyone, pull up Robert Johans’ long thread on the Nest design and prototype build. I don’t think there was one single design choice that didn’t generate heated discussion.
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Old 01-11-2022, 06:02 PM   #39
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You said you wanted an outdoor kitchen
I said I wanted both.
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Old 01-11-2022, 06:16 PM   #40
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I said I wanted both.
Okay.
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