Which small trailer would you choose? - Fiberglass RV
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Old 04-29-2008, 09:20 PM   #1
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If you were to purchase a new 16/17 foot fiberglass travel trailer, and money was of no concern (within the purchase price), which one would you purchase? Must be able to pull with a V-6 Toyota Tacoma, must have a bathroom with shower and must be able to "dry camp" for at least one week.

Please let me know which brand you would choose and why.

I'm leaning towards an Oliver Legacy.

Thanks,
Joel
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Old 04-29-2008, 09:26 PM   #2
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With your V6 you could pull any small trailer including a 17 foot. There are a number of Companies now actively making these units. Too name just one is hard to do. Look at top of page and go to Albums and see what you like. I personally have a Escape, with full bathroom. I have had a number of fiberglass units and i like this one i have now. Perfect layout for us
http://album.fiberglassrv.com/gallery2/main.php
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Old 04-29-2008, 09:29 PM   #3
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Escape 5th wheel.
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Old 04-29-2008, 09:58 PM   #4
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I think it depends on what mood I'm in.

An EggCamper kit is very attractive to me because I get a basic, functional camper shell that I can customize to meet my needs. So I'd get the camper kit with everything I need to install their toilet & shower and the gray water tank. After that . . . I'd pick components from various suppliers, like a combo stainless steel sink with an integrated two burner stove and fold down cover. That's not an option you can buy from EggCamper, but it's so cool and functional . . . I'd like to have one.

An Escape trailer, on the other hand, can come with just about every option I'd ever want, and is quite possibly the best made smaller camper trailer on the market today. Their 5th wheel would be my choice because it's got a nice queen-sized bed that's oriented very much like the bed I've customized for my Scamp 5th wheel. If I wanted a camper that was off the assembly line and ready for camping, that would be my choice.

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Old 04-29-2008, 10:44 PM   #5
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I'm with you - Oliver trailers for coastal camping near salt water. The aluminum frame + fiberglass body = no rust. Last winter Oliver was working on molds for a taller version of the Legacy. I was due out this summer. I would ask about it if you are 6' or taller.

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If you were to purchase a [b]new 16/17 foot fiberglass travel trailer, and money was of no concern (within the purchase price), which one would you purchase? Must be able to pull with a V-6 Toyota Tacoma, must have a bathroom with shower and must be able to "dry camp" for at least one week.

Please let me know which brand you would choose and why.

I'm leaning towards an Oliver Legacy.

Thanks,
Joel
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Old 04-29-2008, 10:59 PM   #6
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Hi: The Escape... either 17' straight trailer with a bathroom or the 5.0 5th. wheel gets my vote and it's not just because I'am Canadian Eh!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie
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Old 04-29-2008, 11:20 PM   #7
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Escape 17'

Best layout (sleeps 4)
Bathroom/shower
Excellent build quality
Loads of options
Reace and Tammy (company owners) were very friendly and helpful and willing to make some "custom" mods to ours.

We couldn't be happier with the product or the customer service. Plus it's built locally.
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Old 04-29-2008, 11:24 PM   #8
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The best way to decide is to go inside each one you are interested in considering. Lay on the bed, how does it feel. Does it have enough windows and is it easy to make the bed. Sit on the toilet. Can you reach the TP. Is there plenty of room to move around? Do your shoulders hit the walls? Stand in the shower. Can you move around? Does the space in the shower room feel comfortable?

How much water can you carry? What is the Fresh Water capacity? What is the gray water capacity? What is the Black Water Capacity. Gray water usually fills first. This is usually the limiting factor in Boon-docking.

What is the Sway, Balance and Towability of the trailer? I would stay away from all the 16 foot trailers. The 17 foot trailers have much better design in my opinion.

As far as brands. I have seen the Oliver, Escape, Casita 17 footers. Also, I have seen the Scamp 5er, and the Escape 5er. For my tastes, the Oliver has the best gadgetry and the worst storage space. The Escape is the best built in both the 17’ and the 5th wheel. The Casita and Scamp are about equal. With those two it is a matter of preference in Look & Feel. The Escape, Casita and Scamp have great service and support plans even though it is long distance. (I have no experience with Oliver’s service, but it is probably good.)

I hope this helps.

PS: I bought a Bigfoot because we wanted size to go Full Timing. Escape was not ready to build a 25’, so I had to go with Bigfoot.
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Old 04-30-2008, 03:28 AM   #9
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With no money concerns, I'd might go Oliver.

I have not seen one but they look really good. I did see an Escape 5th Wheel, very nice.

Yes, Oliver just might be the one.

Still happy with our Scamp 16'. But Oliver seems to be sweet.
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Old 04-30-2008, 06:09 AM   #10
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A big concern for us was bed size. I would be sure and get those measurements, especially since most people spend more of their time in their trailers sleeping than anything else. Just because the size and layout of the trailers are the same, it doesn't mean the beds are the same size.
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Old 04-30-2008, 08:52 AM   #11
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Bigfoot 17 side gaucho. It has full bath, large dinette, "Living room" area that is actually usable, and its a 4 season trailer.

I am quite happy with my Burro 17 tho. It is most of that.. but it doesn't have that wide "open" feeling.
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Old 04-30-2008, 11:37 AM   #12
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Joel3217,
We respect those with the wisdom to weigh all the choices by being fully informed, so heed Mike's advice by attending a rally. Only in that way can you get a personal feel for what works for you. Instead of "making do" with a choice which you may regret or subjecting yourself to financial loss because you just can't live with a poor selection, FIRST become fully informed!

We all have our individual preferences, but everyone's needs and wants vary with our life experiences.

Are you planning on taking extended trips where storage capacity of liquids, clothing and foodstuffs will be a consideration? Or will your adventures consist primarily of week-end trips with 2 or 3 kids, a dog and a couple of adults at campgrounds which provide restroom and shower facilities? Will you need to consider taking a bar-b-que, ice chest, table and chairs, and where will they be carried? As you can see, your parameters are indeed individual. Sit down and make a list, and include the rest of the family, about what everyone envisions. Then all of you should attend a rally together. Don't be shy about asking to view someone's "castle on wheels" because most of us are proud of our FGRV's, and will be disappointed if no one asks for a tour! Part of the list making process, is to come up with any questions you may have and ask them during the tours. Writing down the replies is also part of wisdom, so you can refer to them later. Trust me, your heads will swim from the shear volume of information gleaned at a rally. If kids are with you who are old enough, let them help record the information, as long as it's legible.

At this stage, with the whole family's input, make a new enlightened list and make an informed decision. What must you absolutely have, what would you like to have, and what manufacturer provides for your family's needs. It is interesting to see the differences in your 2 lists.

The anticipation, the gathering of information and the sharing with the family are all part of the fun!
Enjoy!...

Next, keep us all informed about your progress, what selections you have made and ultimately what your funds have purchased (& lest I forget, share pictures of your wheeled castle-away-from-home)!
Kurt & Ann K.
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Old 05-13-2008, 09:13 PM   #13
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We just got back from about two weeks of boondocking in our Oliver Legacy in North Carolina. No internet, no hookups... just springtime in the mountains.... We bought the Oliver for this purpose and are very happy. We have the lift kit for the rough roads. Lots of tankage and storage for its size. (The overhead storage and drawers are much bigger and more numerous than many current brands.) We carry a small (Honda 1000i) generator to top off the batteries when needed, very efficient and quiet, and I can lift it with one hand. Headroom and bed length for my husband (5'11") is great, and he can stand up in the shower. We looked at a lot of brands and are very happy with our decision to buy the Oliver. The gelcoat interior is really easy to clean up. We tow with a Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton and a Volvo XC90. I'm sure the Tacoma would do just fine. The Oliver tows very easily.
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