While everyone on here loves molded FG trailers, and most would not consider other designs, they do have limitations.
Limits:
First, they cost more than stick built trailers, sometimes a lot more. The market decides the value and pricing of FG trailers, and not your budget. Its the old champagne taste on a beer budget....Many new to FG trailers are not realistic on budget.
Secondly, they are small. They are not only short in overall length, they are narrower too. Some have low ceiling heights too. (There are exceptions, the 25 foot
Bigfoot is wider and much bigger than any of the other FG trailers.)
The older smaller ones typically do not have a bathroom or AC.
Most are designed for two people. Some can handle four (two children).
If you want to buy used, they can be hard to find.
They are not as
light in
weight as some people think. I often see FG trailers
for sale with dreamland, ridiculously low and not real weights. Weights in the real world will give you actual data. You can't tow them with ANY car. Some cars for example are not rated to tow ANY trailer. Read your owners manual carefully, and then look at the weights in the real world spreadsheet.
Pluses:
Nothing holds its value better than a molded FG trailer. Its not unusual for someone to buy one used, maintain it properly, use it for five years, and sell it for as much or more than what they paid for it. Wish my tow vehicle held its value as well!
Durable: they are the most durable RV trailer out there. No wood in the walls and ceiling to rot, typically the roof is one piece all the way to the side of the trailer. So no roof to wall seams, no sharp corners, etc. They do have wood in the floor which can rot if
leaks are allowed to continue.
Smaller trailers fit in more campgrounds and camp sites, are easier to tow, and can be towed by smaller vehicles. Many campgrounds in National Parks in particular were designed for smaller campers.
Towing a narrower trailer is EASIER! My two FG trailers are both the same width as my truck. So its no harder keeping the trailer in my lane as it is keeping my pickup in my lane. If you have ever towed a wide trailer, it can be a workout. Did you know that Atlanta added a lane on the main freeway through town just by making all of the original lanes narrower? Thanks Atlanta.
Despite the small size, I've met people living full time in vintage 13 foot molded FG trailers. They were perfectly happy with it! People that want to take everything with them, have two bathrooms, etc., will not be happy with a FG trailer.
The best way to tour a lot of brands at one time is to go to a
rally. We went to our first FG
rally AFTER we bought our trailer! Oops! At the rally, we discovered the trailer we should have bought..... Get knowledge first, then buy. There is a lot of variation in layout/floor plan between the various brands. Even something that appears as simple as the width of the center aisle can be much different. How will that affect you? Try getting dressed in the morning if one of you can't get past the other....