5280tunage
Full Access Members
Hey Folks... Looking for some constructive input here, in a way that hopefully creates a thread folks way on down the road can use as well. I realize that many folks have personal attachments (almost said religious but didn't want to get in trouble these days, lol) to certain brands but I'm hoping to keep this more open, as I'm definitely open to ideas.
I'm not new to towing, and have done some pretty crazy tows in the past, but I've never owned a travel trailer. Growing up my family had (and still has) a 1987 coleman popup that still works to this day. yes, it's need a lot of love over the years and I've done most of the work to keep it alive, but I'm on to bigger things.
First and foremost, I will say I'm torn. I'm in CO, so with the right gear we're mostly a 2-3 season camping state. I don't have room to store a trailer, so unfortunately that means I'll be paying monthly storage fees years round and due to HOA's I'm not allowed to keep it in front of my home unless I'm prepping it. I'm torn as I'm just not sure if I'll use one enough to warrant the purchase. Mostly because I have two young kids who are starting out in sports, etc, and I'm just not sure that we'll be able to make it out more than a few times a year even though I'd love to do more than that.
This summer, we're considering a long trip to visit a bunch of national parks in the west/midwest, on to visit some family in MN. I'm excited to use my 2019 expy and I do have the HD Tow package.
For me personally, I would love love love to do the Airstream thing but I could buy 2-3 superlites for the price of a decent Airstream so that's kind of out. A few features I really want, are a slide out (to feel more spacious), a separate master bedroom (like the idea of a little privacy), all weather package, walkable roof, pre-wired for solar, decent sized electric/gas fridge, and bunks for the kids. No toy hauling, I wish. Looking for the 25-32' range.
Several that I've been looking at are:
Grand Design Imagine XLS 23BHE
Grand Design Imagine 2400BH
Keystone Passport SL 267BHWE or 268BH
But I'm not really familiar with any of these brands, so any advice/input is appreciated. Or is this like popups where basically due to acquisitions, all "brands" are made essentially in two factories anyway. Most of the above models are pretty close in price and weight, as well as size.
Interestingly, from what I'm seeing, none of these have certain towing features I would have expected to see, like electronic brakes or even hydraulic momentum brakes, etc. I've towed several boats that all weighed around this same amount, and they always have them.
Last but not least, we're considering just renting one for this first big trip, but that has concerns as well, like reliability (last thing I want is to start off on a great big family trip to have the trailer break down). I know you can also save a lot by buying used.
I am very DIY, so I have not problem taking care of these things, but I figured I'd ask the group for some thoughts. Thank you in advance.
I'm not new to towing, and have done some pretty crazy tows in the past, but I've never owned a travel trailer. Growing up my family had (and still has) a 1987 coleman popup that still works to this day. yes, it's need a lot of love over the years and I've done most of the work to keep it alive, but I'm on to bigger things.
First and foremost, I will say I'm torn. I'm in CO, so with the right gear we're mostly a 2-3 season camping state. I don't have room to store a trailer, so unfortunately that means I'll be paying monthly storage fees years round and due to HOA's I'm not allowed to keep it in front of my home unless I'm prepping it. I'm torn as I'm just not sure if I'll use one enough to warrant the purchase. Mostly because I have two young kids who are starting out in sports, etc, and I'm just not sure that we'll be able to make it out more than a few times a year even though I'd love to do more than that.
This summer, we're considering a long trip to visit a bunch of national parks in the west/midwest, on to visit some family in MN. I'm excited to use my 2019 expy and I do have the HD Tow package.
For me personally, I would love love love to do the Airstream thing but I could buy 2-3 superlites for the price of a decent Airstream so that's kind of out. A few features I really want, are a slide out (to feel more spacious), a separate master bedroom (like the idea of a little privacy), all weather package, walkable roof, pre-wired for solar, decent sized electric/gas fridge, and bunks for the kids. No toy hauling, I wish. Looking for the 25-32' range.
Several that I've been looking at are:
Grand Design Imagine XLS 23BHE
Grand Design Imagine 2400BH
Keystone Passport SL 267BHWE or 268BH
But I'm not really familiar with any of these brands, so any advice/input is appreciated. Or is this like popups where basically due to acquisitions, all "brands" are made essentially in two factories anyway. Most of the above models are pretty close in price and weight, as well as size.
Interestingly, from what I'm seeing, none of these have certain towing features I would have expected to see, like electronic brakes or even hydraulic momentum brakes, etc. I've towed several boats that all weighed around this same amount, and they always have them.
Last but not least, we're considering just renting one for this first big trip, but that has concerns as well, like reliability (last thing I want is to start off on a great big family trip to have the trailer break down). I know you can also save a lot by buying used.
I am very DIY, so I have not problem taking care of these things, but I figured I'd ask the group for some thoughts. Thank you in advance.