What is the best non fiberglass camper.

[dcs02d]

We're thinking of something a bit larger to live in. If you had to buy a non fiberglass camper what would you get?

[BahneCasita]

Not to be flippant. But you have to decide which one is best for all of your needs.

[Alli]

Jayco or Airstream.

[BahneCasita]

Just dont make the same mistake and let someone pick out your running shoes for your next marathon. One persons "best" may not be yours.

[Alex Adams]

When I was initially looking at buying a new lightweight trailer I looked at:

https://www.roulotteprolite.ca/?lang=en

If I were to go "sticky" and wanted a trailer that would tow like a fiberglass one, this is what I would go for. Their Extreme model is 24 feet long has slide-outs and a dry weight of 3700 lbs.

[Jon in AZ]

"To live in" as in full-time?
“A bit larger” than what?

What's wrong with a Bigfoot 25RQ?

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by dcs02d

We're thinking of something a bit larger to live in. If you had to buy a non fiberglass camper what would you get?

Pretty much impossible to answer in a meaningful way. Too many variables that we have no idea how to align with your needs or concerns. My needs are surely different than yours. But, if I was looking for a non-fiberglass trailer to live in, as you asked about, probably an Airstream. Why not "live" in a fiberglass trailer?

[thrifty bill]

I met a couple that had been full timing for over two years in a 1970s Trillium 1300. No toilet, no AC, small bed. They loved it! Met another couple full timing in a Sprinter van conversion. They had been at it for over a year.

If my wife and I were full timing, it would probably be in a fifth wheel. Then again, I don't see it happening. If we were snow birds (stay in one warm spot during the winter months), it would either be a fifth wheel or a park model. We have yet to have found that "special place" where we want to spend all winter. For one or two months, our Escape 19 works fine.

Really, we have too much stuff to full time in an RV. No interest in eliminating everything, like my workshop, so I can fit in a smaller space.


Friends of mine have a mobile condominium, OK, its actually a 40 foot Class A motorhome with three tip outs. Their mobile condo feels as big as my home (we have a very small house). They even have 1 1/2 bathrooms! With tip outs opposite each other in the living room/kitchen, it makes for a very wide space, very roomy.

It's not camping. But on the other hand, they have their own condo wherever they travel. It's a lot cheaper than owning several condominiums, or even one condo in many places.

Maximum space = either big fifth wheel (think 40 footer with multiple tip outs) or big motorhome. I think motorhomes are limited to a maximum of 45 feet. Just don't plan to pull into many campgrounds, particularly state and national parks.

[Bruce H]

Titanium fifth wheel, if you can find one.

[Donna D.]

This: ORV | Trail Series

[DeanCHS1980]

Hi All,

For the fun of it, my favorite non-molded fiberglass travel trailer would be an Airstream or the Black Series. . .

https://www.blackseriescamper.com/tr...lers/hq15.html

Happy Camping,

Dean

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by DeanCHS1980

Hi All,

For the fun of it, my favorite non-molded fiberglass travel trailer would be an Airstream or the Black Series. . .

Happy Camping,

Dean

You have a collection of Transformers, I'm guessing?

[DeanCHS1980]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

You have a collection of Transformers, I'm guessing?

Hi Glenn,

LOL, I have often thought if I was younger, I would have been a Transformer Kid. Instead, I was a G.I. Joe kid. Hey, I bet G.I. Joe would camp in a Black Series!!!

Happy Camping,

Dean

[trainman]

Originally Posted by dcs02d

We're thinking of something a bit larger to live in. If you had to buy a non fiberglass camper what would you get?

You need to give us a price range and how much you will be towing it, this is where most travel trailer quality comes into question, will it last for a good period of time, or will it self destruct on it's own accord. Most stick-built trailers are going to have problems that the quality built trailers don't seem to have as many of, but all have there problems in time. Water leaks probably do the most damage over a period of time, that's why many go for the fiberglass trailers by there design.

trainman

[Bruce H]

Not to be too critical of someone else's trailer but before you buy an Airstream go lurk on the Airstream forums and read all of the complaints about quality and corrosion problems.



All my life I planned to get an Airstream. Then fifteen years ago I was finally able to go shopping for my first RV trailer. I started doing research about trailers suitable for cold weather (among other things). This brand I had never heard of kept popping up, Bigfoot, billed as a four season trailer. The Airstream is a three season trailer. There was no Bigfoot dealer near me but I was traveling to Los Angeles three or four times a year to see my daughter and there was a Bigfoot dealer in Irvine. I went down there and was able to compare Bigfoot and Airstream side by side. That got me to wondering what happens to an Airstream when it gets caught in one of our mid-west hail storms?



The last Airstream I was in was at an RV dealership near here a couple of years ago. I had gone there with a friend who wanted to look at the motor homes. I wandered around and came upon an Airstream trailer, 30 or 32 ft. long. Don't remember the model but I do remember the price $118,000.00. A new 25' Bigfoot can be had for $50,000. The prices have doubled in the past 15 years. Its your money, not mine.

[WendyW]

I have little first-hand knowledge other than from living in a Casita 17’ full time, but I hear things. Just last night at a Quartzsite pizzeria, the Lance came up, and it sounded strong and sound. I had heard that before, too. Here at the Quartzsite fiberglass rally I’m seeing a lot of Escapes and one Escape 5th wheel. That was a surprise. Finally, keep in mind that Thor has purchased Airstream, meaning the newest ones will be slapped together and unreliable.

Good luck!
WendyW

[stude]

Originally Posted by Alli

Jayco or Airstream.

:both Jayco and Airstream are now owned by Thor. Just thought I would let you know.
Stude

[dblcola]

I would buy a cargo trailer and outfit myself.

[John GR]

After the take over by Thor the Jayco quality went down, cutting to many corners.
I would look at Jayco's at least 8 years old. First of all: all the problems are fixed and price wise you have a bargain. New is always expensive and 30% depreciation of the lot is the norm.

[Raspy]

Originally Posted by Bruce H

Not to be too critical of someone else's trailer but before you buy an Airstream go lurk on the Airstream forums and read all of the complaints about quality and corrosion problems.



All my life I planned to get an Airstream. Then fifteen years ago I was finally able to go shopping for my first RV trailer. I started doing research about trailers suitable for cold weather (among other things). This brand I had never heard of kept popping up, Bigfoot, billed as a four season trailer. The Airstream is a three season trailer. There was no Bigfoot dealer near me but I was traveling to Los Angeles three or four times a year to see my daughter and there was a Bigfoot dealer in Irvine. I went down there and was able to compare Bigfoot and Airstream side by side. That got me to wondering what happens to an Airstream when it gets caught in one of our mid-west hail storms?



The last Airstream I was in was at an RV dealership near here a couple of years ago. I had gone there with a friend who wanted to look at the motor homes. I wandered around and came upon an Airstream trailer, 30 or 32 ft. long. Don't remember the model but I do remember the price $118,000.00. A new 25' Bigfoot can be had for $50,000. The prices have doubled in the past 15 years. Its your money, not mine.

This is why I wish the OP would have clarified what "best" means. Cost, durability, cold weather performance, easy to tow, close dealer network, reputation, bed styles, and for how long it needed to be "best".

The Airstream is the perfect example. They are beautiful, stylish and comfortable as a weekend apartment. But I would not want to boondock in one, or go through a hailstorm in one. Or even tow it on narrow dirt roads. The OP could probably get an older sticky that was well maintained for very little money, and if it was used up later on, so what? It could even be left in Arizona and be lived in in the winter. So many variables.