Newbie

[Newbie333]

Hi everyone! I'm new to all of this. I've never owned a trailer or Motorhome, but I have decided to do full time RV ing. I have 2 medium sized dogs who will travel with me, and I'm hoping to get some input from you nice people

I've decided on a fiberglass RV for many reasons but the biggest is health. The older non fibrrglass rv's are loaded with VOC's, and I react to it strongly. I'm very sensitive to chemicals. Another reason is I'm hoping not to have to do a lot of maintenance, I'm not very mechanically inclined. (I wish I was, I've seen your before and after posts and I'm very impressed!)

I know I would like an aluminum frame, all electric, solar.....I'm concerned about having an ac unit and a furnace. I think I can find places to plug a small electric heater in, but the a/c I have to have.....I've been reading your posts about having ac on the top vs inside, and I'm perplexed.....

The casita is a nice trailer, but I sat in one for a while and the carpet bothered me. I know I'm picky as heck, but I'm going to be full timing and need to love what I'm living in.....I also need a queen sized bed.....

I'd love to own an Oliver some day. Until then, I've narrowed it down to the Escape, lil snoozy, egg camper, and maybe a trillium or boler, if it's been completely redone. My budget is 15k or under........any ideas would be helpful, I feel overwhelmed, and want to find one and start full timing!

I also haves Prius so I'm going to trade it in for maybe a Chevy Tahoe or suburban.....

*feeling lost an overwhlemed* but in a good way

[Timber Wolf]

The Queen size bed is going to narrow your options in a used trailer quite a bit. I sleep fine by myself on the standard rear (dinette) bed of my Scamp by myself, it would not be comfortable with a partner (or a dog or two). There will be several people along to tell you how great they sleep as a couple on the tiny bed, and I am happy for them. But what I am concerned about is MY night's sleep. Escape is a great option and Parkliner has a Queen bed. I doubt you will find either in your price range as the Escape is a little more expensive and there are not that many Parkliners let alone used ones. Not going to try towing with the Prius?

[honda03842]

My advice to every beginner is to attend a fiberglass rally. Everyone I've been to has a show and tell day. You'll learn more in a day than you will any where else from real users.

As to the bed, if you want a queen, and considering your budget, I Tim's suggestion of a Parkliner is a good one, an alternative is the Lil' Snoozy. Unfortunately both of these companies are new and there are a lot of them out there though they occasionally come up for sale on this site.

If I were you I would contact the respective factories. They may have a list of local owners. I find them typically friendly and willing to share.


ParkLiner Fiberglass Ultralight Travel Trailers - – Take me somewhere fun! ™

Small Travel Trailer: Camper: Smoakin Concepts Composites

I assume you're considering a Tahoe because of the dogs, really more then enough tow vehicle.

[Newbie333]

Thanks for your replies!

Tim: it's just me and the dogs, just the way I like it! They always end up in my bed.....I have a foam tempur pedic that I'd like to transfer into my trailer, I love my bed and would consider getting it cut to fit a smaller space....do you full time?
Norm and Ginny: I'm trying to find a rally in SoCal...yes I think it's a great idea! Do you full time in your scamp?

[honda03842]

Newbie,

We have been retired for 14 years. We travel a little less then 8 months a year. Every other year we do a loop of the USA and Canada, the odd years we camp some where for the winter and every other year we go to Newfoundland for 2 months in the spring. Occasionally we travel in the summer, using it for places like Alaska.

We had never RVed before retirement. We started in a motorhome and graduated down to small trailers ending up with a Scamp 16. There are a lot of choices and really I'm sure we'd be happy in any of them, we've spent a year in a Casita before our Scamp.

The small trailers are easier to own and handle than the motorhome and allows us to go to a wider range of places.

As Tim said, we're very happy in a small bed. We have no pets. They just don't fit how we travel. I do understand some need larger beds and there are choices for that need.

There are two rallies listed in CA, one in September and one in October.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...266&dg=feature

Good luck in your search.

[Mikmay]

Newbie 333 you may want to check out my sons new trailer at happier camper . Com . His new trailer may suit most of your needs and he is in California . 1st trailer should be ready in 2 to 3 weeks .