New Members from Portland, OR

[Bootpdx]

Hello all! What a great community you have here. We are JP & Stephen and have been camping in a Jumping Jack for a few years, but want to upgrade to a hard shell camper partially so we can winter camp at ski resorts.

We're just starting to research and look at models that we can tow with our 2011 Toyota Highlander. The LittleGuy Max is nice, but I like the idea of a fiberglass trailer since they seem like they will hold up better. We plan to look at a Casita this weekend which seems like it might work well for us.

Some of our preferences: wet bath, propane cooktop, solar, tv, heater, awning, outdoor shower, lots of windows that can open, and a setup that ideally allows us to have a bed setup as well as a dinette. Since we spend a lot of time outside, I think we'd generally only cook and hangout inside if it was raining or cold. I'm not sure if we need an a/c unit- we'd be camping mainly in the PNW.

We'd love any tips from you veterans of fiberglass trailers! Thanks again for the opportunity to join this community.

[Jon in AZ]

Welcome!

The Casita 17' Spirit or Freedom Deluxe checks all of your boxes, and they're fairly plentiful in the used market. Only downside is tongue weight, which generally runs in the 425# range, give or take. You'll need the AWD w/factory tow package configuration of the Highlander. Check with a dealer to make sure your Highlander has the full 5000/500# rating. You'll probably benefit from a light-duty weight distributing hitch (Anderson is popular).

Most Casitas do have air conditioning, and I'd recommend it both for unexpected hot weather and for eventual resale. I'd also recommend the factory propane furnace for times you don't have shore power.

You can have the same layout in a Scamp 16' layout 6, except the bed is smaller (45" vs. 54" for the Casita), as are the holding tanks. It would be an easier tow with your Highlander, and no WDH should be needed. It'll work if you only have the 3500/350# Highlander configuration.

Neither is a true cold weather trailer, though. As long as you have heat in the trailer you can use the fresh water and toilet (fresh and black tanks are inside the heated space) but not the shower. Drain lines and grey water tank are underneath and exposed. Single pane windows and thin insulation means they'll run through quite a but of propane (and battery or shore power) to heat.

Bigfoot makes a nice 17.5' four-season trailer, but it's wider, boxier, and heavier than the Casita and requires a more capable tow vehicle.

Best wishes finding the right trailer for all your needs!

[jerrybob]

Welcome...we love our Casita SD and also live in the PNW. Jon's description is perfect. I would only add....winter camping in freezing weather does require some special prepartions....freezing water lines and tanks can be a problem. These little trailers are not rated for 4 season camping. Good luck in your search.

[Bootpdx]

Thank you both! Our Highlander is the V6 Limited which has 5,000 lbs towing capacity and 500 lbs tongue weight, so should be good to go on that front.

I appreciate the particulars on the winter camping. One of the reasons we like the Casita is that the tanks are in the heated space, but good to know about the shower and grey water tank. We would have to figure out a work around, or just not use the shower. There is a Spirit Deluxe and a Liberty Deluxe close by that we hope to check out this weekend.

Really appreciate the quick and informative replies!

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Bootpdx

Hello all! What a great community you have here. We are JP & Stephen and have been camping in a Jumping Jack for a few years, but want to upgrade to a hard shell camper partially so we can winter camp at ski resorts.

We're just starting to research and look at models that we can tow with our 2011 Toyota Highlander. The LittleGuy Max is nice, but I like the idea of a fiberglass trailer since they seem like they will hold up better. We plan to look at a Casita this weekend which seems like it might work well for us.

Some of our preferences: wet bath, propane cooktop, solar, tv, heater, awning, outdoor shower, lots of windows that can open, and a setup that ideally allows us to have a bed setup as well as a dinette. Since we spend a lot of time outside, I think we'd generally only cook and hangout inside if it was raining or cold. I'm not sure if we need an a/c unit- we'd be camping mainly in the PNW.

We'd love any tips from you veterans of fiberglass trailers! Thanks again for the opportunity to join this community.

You should get an A/C. Most of them also have a heat strip in the A/C. So if hooked to shore power you have heat also. The A/C would be nice for when it is hot even in the PNW. We used our A/C up there. You may find out you want to go other places in the future.

[Guyd]

The air conditioner heat strip unlike the furnace has a lot more air movement.

Helps dry my rain coat when camping when it’s raining out. But note the “more air movement” comes with a lot of wind noise.

[Bootpdx]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. After looking at multiple trailers in our area we are in final negotiations to purchase a 17" deluxe spirit. It's only a year old and never been used. We're excited to join this fun community with such a great trailer.

[jerrybob]

Really hope it works out for you....we love our 2011 SD.....been all over the western states.....still the perfect trailer for us. Good luck.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Bootpdx

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. After looking at multiple trailers in our area we are in final negotiations to purchase a 17" deluxe spirit. It's only a year old and never been used. We're excited to join this fun community with such a great trailer.

Good move! I'd highly recommend a WDH with your Highlander. It'll be fine to tow home empty, but once you load up, you'll get a better and safer tow with WDH. Many Casita owners use the Anderson WDH with mid-sized crossovers. Do you already have a brake controller and a 7-pin round connector?

Wishing you many happy adventures with your new Casita!