Aisle/hallway widths

[kari13]

We are trailer shopping. I feel like I've stared at countless floor plans and watched hours of YouTube video tours. One spec I'd really like to find (but seems impossible to locate) is the width of the aisle/hallway in the models we are comparing, in particular.

16' Scamp models
17' Casita models (most interested in the Spirit Deluxe)
Discontinued Eggcamper

Not sure if there is a lot of variation in aisle widths depending on year, but any numbers folks could report would be helpful, as we will likely buy used. Thanks!

[Escape 15A]

Here is a Casita liberty and an Independence

[Mike Magee]

I think the Scamp 16 aisle is about 36" wide. So, maybe 4" difference?


Having been inside both Scamps and Casitas, I can definitely say the Scamp feels substantially more spacious. The greater aisle width, greater interior height, and lack of carpet on the walls all contribute to that feeling.


One great way to compare is to show up at a fiberglass trailer rally. A variety of brands and models can be seen at one time and place! Plenty of owners are happy to show off their trailers. I hope you can to to the one in NH on May 15-17. Don't be surprised if you fall in love with the Escapes (I'm biased, LOL).

[kari13]

Thank you both!

I do get a sense of the best way to experience a trailer is to actually step inside one. We saw our very first fiberglass trailer yesterday (a Scamp 16 Layout 7) and it felt a lot roomier than we expected. I'm sure the bunks in front and additional window letting in light contributed to that feeling (vs having a solid wall when you enter if you get the bathroom option instead). In videos it appears the Scamp aisle is a smidge wider than the Casitas but being that wide angle lenses distort perspective and people are different sizes it is really hard to tell. The measurements suggested above appear to check out.

I'm really excited to be able to see more fiberglass campers. Unfortunately the Spring Fling Rally in NH is literally the only weekend in the foreseeable future that doesn't work for my family (go figure). ANY other weekend we would absolutely plan to go. There is a chance I could go without my husband, but considering he's the "big" one, I'd much rather be able to see them with him and get a feel of "is this enough ceiling height for him to feel comfortable, can we pass each other in the aisle with relative ease, etc?" For example, based on measurements I was convinced there was no way we could comfortably fit in the 44" bed of the Scamp but when we actually tried it we found it to be sufficient.

I would LOVE to see a 17' Escape (the 17B F2 seems like the perfect floor plan) but it seems like the 19' and larger models are more popular. We are looking to buy pre-owned (vs new from the factory) and there seem to be many more used Scamps and Casitas out there to choose from.

[Escape 15A]

There is a Scamp relatively close to you.

https://www.fiberglassclassifieds.co...-new-york-4330

[Jon in AZ]

Scamp's aisles are wider because the cabinets are shallower. It's a trade-off: open space for storage. Our 13'er has 35" clearance in the center galley area. Some Scamp layouts have "pinch points," for example, layout 4 where the bath enclosure is opposite the deeper fridge cabinet.

But I don't think aisle width should be your decider. Two people moving about simultaneously is not going to happen very often and will take some maneuvering in any small trailer.

Beds, on the other hand, should be a prime consideration. A good night's sleep is the #1 function of a travel trailer. If the 44" Scamp bed works for you, that's great. It didn't for us, and we're not big people. My wife hated the confining feeling of the back spot against the wall. We had to make some adjustments in our 13' layout 1. She took the outside spot on the 44" rear bed with our younger daughter inside, sleeping head-to-toe for more room. I split the front bunks with our older.

I agree that all-around windows greatly increase the feeling of spaciousness, and the Escape 17B is probably your best bet. You'll definitely want to be on the Escape forum to have the best shot at snagging one.

Best wishes with your search!

[Sunnyfalls]

Our 2023 Casita Liberty trailer has a 28 inches wide aisle. The 2023 Casita Independence has a 16 inches wide aisle. It should be noted that only the Casita Liberty and Independence models have the desired king size bed configuration which avoids having to climb over your partner in middle of night to go to bathroom.

We specifically chose the Casita Liberty model because of the wider aisle. We eliminated all of our Casita trailer OEM uncomfortable cushions and replaced them with 8 inch thick mattresses from Mattress Insider, a highly reputable company that has specialized in high quality Casita trailer mattresses for many years, which we had custom designed/shaped for us and custom built to each of our unique and preferred firmness levels. Our custom mattress sleeping area design provides the preferable Independence model 30 inches wide sleeping berths in the upper torso area where highly beneficial while also still retaining the preferable Liberty model 28 inches wide aisle in the dining area. This avoids having the problematic Independence model 16 inches narrow aisle which results in having to play footsies when dining. These 8” thick mattresses also still allow us to use our Casita trailer OEM folding kitchen counter top shelf which provides desirable additional food preparation space.

Mattress Insider use a combination of high quality cooling gel foam and high quality memory foams of various densities to create your preferred firmness level and they use Hypervent Aire-Flow Moisture Barrier between the mattress bottom and where they are placed to avoid having any mildew issues. Working with Mattress Insider was a real pleasure and we were also able to get custom mattress zipper enclosures and custom matching 300 thread count fitted sheets, flat sheets and pillow cases from them at a reasonable cost.

Mattress Insider provides a 20 year warranty and a 365 day no risk trial period. Their mattresses are handcrafted in the USA and adhere to strict Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) requirements unlike many other RV mattresses. So there's no obnoxious VOC smell and VOC off-gassing that has been linked to lung cancer. So perhaps this is something to consider and ask about too if you are health conscious and shopping for an RV mattress.

Our custom sleeping area design retains the Liberty model’s advantageous design which makes it easier access to our Casita trailer lower bench seat and overhead storage areas, easier to sheet/blanket the mattresses and allows the mattresses to always be kept fully made up and always available. Our custom sleeping area in concert with our custom dining area Lagun Table System enables us to ALWAYS have BOTH sleeping and dining capability and WITHOUT needing to reconfigure anything.

The minimal 16 inches of gap between the 30 inches wide torso sections of our custom mattresses retains our desired sleeping closeness factor while also enabling the creation of a custom sleeping area cabinet (and cat bathroom) created within the 28 inches wide by 41 inches long by 15 inches deep space below the mattresses and created within the 16 inches wide by 41 inches long by 12 inches deep space that goes through and 4 inches above the mattresses (which provides a total of 25,092 cubic inches or 14.5 cubic feet of storage volume for heavy items) and which supports the 30 inches wide torso sections of our custom mattresses without having to permanently modify our Casita trailer in any way.

More photos and details on the aforementioned and all our other Casita trailer modifications may be found by Googling our trailer name.

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[kari13]

Yes those pinch points are good to note. I personally would opt for a bit more hallway space and a more open feel over more cabinet storage. With a young child whose eye level is maybe just at cabinet level and the plan to get a dog in the future I feel like a little more wiggle room for moving past one another is going to provide a more enjoyable experience than being able to store a few extra food or clothing items. I do wish Scamp offered the 54" bed upgrade on the standard 16' models (I do not care for the look of the all wood interior at all, nor do I want the added weight) but I don't think the 44" bed is a dealbreaker like we thought it might be. I do come from a tent camping background and we camp in the back of our pickup truck bed so are used to tight quarters and crawling over one another.

We are planning to buy used to limited as to whats available, but the 16' Scamp Layout 6 and 17' Casita Spirit Deluxe (pretty much the same layout, proportions slightly different), along with maybe the discontinued Eggcamper (which also has the same layout and a much larger main bed space but only a 66" long side bed/dinette) appeals to us the most. Still have yet to see those in person though!