Tent trailers- need some advice

My boys are to the age where it's becoming easier to get out as a family for weekend trips (ages 3 & 5).  Before kids it was simple, sleep in the back of the 4Runner...that progressed to a tent, then to a small travel trailer, and now back to a tent.  The trailer was just too damn big to get into many of my favorite spots, the tent a bit too much confinement for the boys.

I'm thinking of picking up a tent trailer and looking for any input out there.  Any of you guys that have a tent trailer care to share some advice?  What works great, what sucks (those little porta-crappers seem like a bad idea), how are they in big rain, etc.? 

Thanks guys,
beenfishin

Recently sold mine, could not take another day of towing for 6-7 hours Got a new weather proof family kelty tent.

Just the basics! Buy used (no shower, its messy) Great deals on older trailors that work just as well.

Check:
the lift system, check under the trailor in the corners for rot, if it rots, the lift system will sometimes punch through the corners.

the canvass, look for rips, holes, general wear and tear

The overall condition of the roof?

electrical?

did they store it indoors or out?

look for mold!

Im sure others will add more, but this is what we have always looked for, our last trailor was nice, but old and well cared for

If you decide to buy new let me know, one of my friends from high school owns Fairfield RV right of the 80.

have had mine for  about 10 years,  use it about twice a year.  got a double  queen with a dining room pull out.  coleman, easy to tow
would use it more often if I could,  did not go for an indoor toilet because of  privacy.and most places have  restrooms with showers.

I would recommend you rent a few to see if the tent trailers will work for you before youcommit to buying one. 

here's my 2 cents I picked up over the years of camping and RVing...

Tents:
Pros: It's a tent; quick, easy and fun! Throw it in the back and go!
Cons: It's a tent; cold, wet and noisy! Plus you need to bring and unload all the gear you need.

Pop-Up Trailers: Glorified "Tent"
Pros: 1.) Solid roof keep you drying in the rain. 2.) Elevated off the ground keeps you also dryer and keeps the creatures out. 3.) Mattress for a good night sleep. 4.) can mount racks on roof for your kayak.  5.) still can use tow-vehicle to run around town.
Cons: 1.) Have to drive 55mph 2.) Set-up time 3.) Does not keep the cold or heat in very well. 4.) Limited space for amenities like bathroom, shower, etc.

Travel Trail: Headless Motorhome
Pros: 1.) Good protection from the elements 2.) indoor kitchen, bathroom/shower 3.) more living space the the pop-up. 4.) Minimal set-up time required. 5.) Additional amenties like HVAC, on-board power. 6.) still can use tow-vehicle to run around town.
Cons: 1.) Have to drive 55mph

Motorhome: House on Wheels
Pros: 1.) Good protection from the elements 2.) indoor kitchen, bathroom/shower 3.) more living space  4.) Minimal set-up time required. 5.) Additional amenties like HVAC, on-board power. 6.) Can exceed 55mph when not towing. 6.) Guess not restricted to seats and can consume alcohol while driving!!!!
Cons:1.) $h!tty gas mileage 2.) Need trailer to tow toys & drive 55mph or have to haul them on the roof. 3.) Stuck at campground if you dont have a toad vehicle.


While it's good to always try before you buy; I say buy something you can grow into, not out of....will save you more money in the long run....

First of all, how much do you plan on spending??
We scored  a 2008 last year. It was only used 6 times, never cooked inside and they had it professionally cleaned after each use.
It had the Thule bars mounted on top.
They threw in the outdoor bbq, the screen room, and a new in-the-box outdoor shower.  It still smelled brand new inside. We walked away with it for $3500.
There are deals to be had.
this is the model we got:
http://www.rvguide.com/specs/fleetwood/expandable-trailer/2008/destiny-series/taos.html
No icebox, no shower, no toilet.
All you really need is a little john at night.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=little+john+urinal] [url]http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701&va=little+john+urinal[/url]
I mean really, who gets up in the middle of the night to drop a deuce? And do you really want that in such a confined quarters?? I think not.
Do not get the one piec top. I read a lot of bad reviews.
Read what you can from the internet.
Look in other states on CL what they are selling. Do some research on each one. This will help educate yourself on what to look for.
We got 17 mpg towing it from Placerville to Bodega recently. I don't even get that driving to and from work and my commute is only 4 miles each way.
The only doenside to a tent trailer is the inside cannot be secured the same way a hard shell trailer can be. But the towing is soooo much easier and we are able to keep it in the garage.

I'd only add a couple things, dropping the duce in the trailer might not be pleasant or often (if ever) but I'd say get a decent porta crapper, kids n wife will feel better about the middle of the night emergencies. I basically raised my kids in a cabover camper, lots of rainy weather camping, and the porta pot was like I said unpleasant but really an asset on sick kid nights in the cold and rain.

One other thing that you already know but may not think about with a popup is that you'll have to make sure all the canvas is bone dry before storing for more than a day or 2 (like with a tent).  Which probably means putting it up at home after any trip to the coast.

I've never owned one, went from a tent directly to a small travel trailer but have camped for years with friends that have them.  A really great compromise for all the reasons listed above. Go for it and enjoy.

I'm no expert on the matter but I have owned and used van and pick-up trucks for car camping in hopes to never use a tent again. The best vehicle that worked for me was a Euro Van with the pop-up tent. It can sleep 2 adults and 2 kids comfortably. You can put a rack on top of the roof for 2 yaks but you'd have to take 'em off if you need to pop-up the tent. It drives like a sedan even though it's a van. BUT, seeing so many NCKA RV owners, I've been checking out everyone's rig and if I had the $, i'd go for this one....(the middle pic)

*I just like the fact that I can leave the rig behind at the camp site and drive off to where ever I need to go AND I don't have to drive 55 MPH  (I don't like towing)

Camper van is what I would get if I can find one cheap that needs work. You really cant find older VW Westphalias around. We had a 1982 and it was Ok once you got there. It was the year before they went watercooled and it kind of sucked with the heater smelling oily. But................. once you arrived it was bliss man. 2 burner stove. 3 way frig. pop top for the boys upstairs. I would get another in a heartbeat if I could find one. I bought a used 2003 tent trailer last fall for 2500.00. Great buy, excellent shape. Heater, 3way frig. one queen and one double. I cant wait to really try it out. Im going to HATE driving 55 though........ I mean hate.

Ok I've owned all of the above and here is my opinion.

I had an older Coleman plantation and absolutely loved it. Porta potty thing is not really an issue when my kids were younger around 5ish they understood number 2 not allowed. Problem solved. It is very nice to be able to tinkle in the middle of the night without Puting shoes on. As far as cooking goes we still do most of our cooking outside with a few exceptions. Today I own a 30 foot pull trailer/house on wheels. And sometimes I still miss my popup for too many reasons to list.

Bottom line is if your thinking of getting one I'd say do it. Do your research and find a good deal, anyway you look at it it's an upgrade from a tent. I got to where I could fully set up my pop up in less time it took for others to put up done tents.


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http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,8271.0.html

We have had our tent trailer for two yrs now. We love it! easy to maintain, easy to tow etc.. One thing I would recommend is to look for one with storage in the front. It is a lot easier to pack, and you can leave most of the stuff inside until the next trip.. Craigslist has some great deals.

As always, a wealth of great information from my yak-brothers.  I'm a self-confessed craigslist whore, but missed a deal last week on a super clean '98 Coleman for $1800.  My budget is anywhere up to around $3k...seems there isn't too much difference between a '98 and an '08.  As far as towing, most of the miles I'll put on it are off the main highways so speed limit will run 55 anyways. 

And even when I had my older travel trailer there was a strict no deuce policy...but a little potty for the boys/wife to use at night would be worth it's weight in gold. 

I found a RV rental outfit nearby, I think I'll fork over the $75 and grab one for a night, take the kids out to make sure it's what I had in mind. 

My take. I have a '76 Coleman. I redid all the inside and repainted the outside. If I did it over I would keep it super basic. We (wife and two young kids) are not going to camp in the rain so all the cooking is done outside. So no real need for a sink or stove inside. Just takes up space. I got rid of the porta potty. We really only use it as a family and no way the wife with use that thing. So its campgrounds with restrooms (and showers) for us. I also don't see a need for a three way fridge....I have one that I need to sell. Again, we are only going to be camping for a few days and coolers work for that length of time.

All the comforts are sweet!!!!! But for us its just a waste of space. I do need to re wire that darn thing. I think 35 yrs is long enough for. The crazy thing is I'd say I have 4-5 people every summer ask me if its for sale so the resale value is great.