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Dreman

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Ok, I've seen a lot about towing different travel trailers around, and I'm thinking about one now. The recent hurricanes have given me thoughts about what to do if we get stranded somewhere. A small travel trailer might fit the bill.



So, I'm looking for suggestions. But I have some requirements:



1. I would like it to fit in our garage. I know that limits me, but I need to think about where I'm going to store it. Our Trac just fits, so a trailer the same height and length would also fit.



2. I would like it to have it's own on-board generator.



3. I want it to be hard sided (i.e. no tent campers!)



4. I'm not rich, so low cost is necessary.



5. After that, the normal trailer stuff like bed, shower, toliet, fridge, stove, etc.



Any suggestions?
 
the same height and length as your trac with a toliet fridge and stove.......



I would think a popup camper but it might not have a toilet..........



also you said no tent campers....if you mean popup.....this is going to be a tough find.
 
I think the generator is probably going to be the hard part. Finding one to fit in the garage is possible.
 
Having a gernerator on a trailer is next to impossible. Generators use fuel. Trailers dont.



A Class A or Class C will have a generator, but not a trailer.





Tom
 
Caymen's right. Travel trailer's don't come equipped with generators for several reasons. One big issue would be the weight of the generator and the weight of the fuel tank. Space considerations for the unit and tank are another. Not to mention the safety issues.



About the only thing that might fit in your garage would be one of the shorter Trailmanor models mentioned above, or a HiLo trailer. They are very similar to a Trailmanor. One drawback to these is that you don't get a very big refridgerator due to the folding properties of these trailers. I don't think you're going to find a trailer that fits all of your criteria.
 
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If you end up with a trailer without a toilet, like the teardrop, you could supplement it with one of these!:lol:







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Look around for a scamp, they are light an fairly well built. Any trailer you buy is going to be relativly expensive, I am sure you will be suprised at what you find once you start out. I sold a 30+ year old pop up in junk condition (really ugly) for 500 bucks, the people were happy to get it. Dont get a generatorin the trailer, buy a small honda and slip it in the back of the track and keep it away from the trailer when its operating especially when you are in it. Use it to charge the batteries and run the refrige if you want., an alternative may be to use the box dc outlet with a 750 w inverter. Runs down t he ST battery pretty quickly besides the track is a pretty expensive generator.....

Refrigerators in trailers are dual use, they run on electricity or Propane. They are expensive as well, typically can be $1000 added on the cost of a trailer. Propane lites, stove and frig are the best bet.

heaters are expensive too.....

Ive been through a lot of this, and the advice you will get here is pretty much right on the money. Dont make a impulse buy. At the risk of repeating myself here are some of the things to look for:

How much water storage including grey and sewer.

How many amps does it draw, charger and battery included?

Icebox or refrigerator freezer

Propane lights and 12/120 volt dual use lites?

How big propane tanks?

How much storage

How big, weight etc?

leveling jacks?

if is smells like mice, you might pass on it. The smell never goes away.

Look for obvious leaks around skylights, as well as the inside paneling popping or peeling.

Storage Space( again).
 
dreman - I think a Scamp/Burro/Casita type trailer may be just what you want.

Q - If you are hooked on teardrops, I am too. I am just starting to build mine right now. Hopefully in time for next summer's 7 week road trip. 2 dogs, a newborn, me, my wife, the trac and a teardrop. Yeah maybe I am a little carzy, but it will be worth it.
 
Those Terrawinds are incredible! I think your garage could fit in the Terrawind! When I hit the lottery, (or get rich from Bryce's scheme:p), I'm going to buy one and hit the road full time! You can also get an amphibious trailer to tow behind them, so I could put my Sport Trac on that and go just about anywhere.:cool:



BTW: See the thread below for discussion on the Scamp trailers
 
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Hard side in the garage? Unless you have an oversized garage, you will be hard pressed, except for maybe the trailmanor. My popup (tent trailer) fits in the garage with 1/2" to spare. You will have to buy the gen set separate, I have not seen a trailer with one installed yet, at least from the factory. You would want to put the genny away from the trailor anyway, due to noise.



You say tent camper like its a bad thing... you ought to look at the new models for 05/06. I'll match the comfort of my Coleman angainst most low end TT's, and with the exception of a bathroom, I've got nearly everything they have, with more windows.. Heck, the new highwalls even have ovens. I could have had a shower, but didn't want the moisture inside the camper when I close up.
 
Seriously, check out trailmanor



I want one myself!!
 
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Great wealth of info on this thread. Alot of good advice. You can run generators off of propane if that helps any.

So are you wanting this trailer for emergency use or camping? If it is just for hurricane use I would get an older beater and leave it outside. Put the Trac in the garage.;)

I have gone from tents to a 23' class C and back to tents, although I have been thinking about building an off road teardrop to pull behind the Jeep in rough country.

My $.02 worth of advice would be to realistcially determine how often you will use it, then decide on how much to spend. Happy camping.
 
Trailmanor...



I really like them. I have heard some things about them. First off, they use a chemical toilet. Kinda like a porti-potty. Also, the mechanism is like a garage door. When they work, they work great. When they break, you have to return the unit to the manufacturer to get repaired. It can take as long as 6 to 8 weeks to get repaired. If it is right before a vacation and it doesn't work, you are screwed.



I like Aliners. Small, gas hard sides, very light, and easy to set-up. I don't care about a bathroom. Campgrounds provide them. You have security you dont have with a pop-up and are are simple to set-up.



I am renting one to take to Florida in december. The weight is 900 LBS.





Tom
 
The idea is to get something that my wife would consider acceptable to sleep in when we go camping. My son is getting old enough to start going out places, and camping is one of the best ways I know to get out in the great outdoors. We're going to start backyard camping this winter, which is the best season for it in the south, but next year I'm going to want to go a little farther. The ultimate goal at this point is some of the big national campgrounds like Big Bend National Park.



I don't mind the idea of renting cabins at campgrounds, and ultimately that could wind up cheaper, but you usually have to get your reservations in way in advance, and I enjoy a little spontaneity in my camping. And the generator is in case we have to use it to live in if the power is out. It's a lot easier to power a trailer than a whole house. A stand-alone generator is probably the best bet.
 
If you are considering a trailer, a stand alone generator is your only bet. I have never seen one that has a generator built in. If you are hell bent to get something with a generator, you have to go with a motorhome. Either a Class A, B, or C.



Our 1998 Coachmen Catalina has a 7,000 watt generator. You can power a house with that puppy.





Tom
 

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