Travel Trailer for the long haul

[maddod_duck]

I'm looking for recommendations on a trailer that's up to the challenge of high miles.

My first TT was a 23' 2008 Surveyor. It was well built and sturdy. It had no slides. And it got tight for our family of 4 on long trips.

My second (and current) TT is a 2014 30' Flaggstaff Vlite bunkhouse. We love the layout, but as an ultralight, I fear it may be a little flimsy for our use.

In the 2 years we've owned it, it's been from Texas to South Dakota (Mt Rushmore), Arizona (Grand Canyon), Colorado, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; and--literally--all over Texas. That's at least 12,000 miles.

I'm starting to see a gap between the floor and the back wall (daylight can be seen)...about 1/4 inch. The slides don't seem to hold adjustment. Walking from the living room to the bedroom (back of the trailer) feels like you're walking down-hill. I replaced the C-rated tires with E-rated tires as soon as I bought the trailer. While none of the tires has blown, they have all worn horribly...and I'm told torsion axles can't be aligned.

My tow vehicle is a diesel 2016 GMC 2500HD quad cab standard bed 4x4.

What are some brands/models that would be considered standard as opposed to "ultralight"? I'd like to stick to a TT because sometimes I carry my ATV in the bed of the truck. I'd be open to a 5th wheel and tandem towing a small utility trailer for that purpose. My wife has never seen a toy hauler she liked.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shine on this.

Matt

[coolmom42]

If you have plenty of money, take a look at Oliver trailers. Top-shelf!

[Atlee]

I have a light weight, a Skyline Koala 21CS, 24 ft bumper to ball, with a GVWR of 4950#.

I've put over 21k miles on it, including over 7900 miles from Virginia to LA, California and back, of course.

It's held up pretty solidly.

All I've done is grease the axles, and put new tires on when I bought it. Knock on wood, the Maxxis have performed well, and hardly look worn.

[hawkeye-08]

Lynnmor wrote:
If/when I trade it will be an Arctic Fox.

Things I will never buy again:
10" brakes.
2-3/8" axles.
3 piece welded I-beams.
Electric awning.

the 4th one I would change to, Electric awning without adjustable pitch.

[Houston_Remodel]

We have 10,000 + miles on our TT. Still looks great.

[Oldcow]

Lynnmor wrote:
If/when I trade it will be an Arctic Fox.

Things I will never buy again:
10" brakes.
2-3/8" axles.
3 piece welded I-beams.
Electric awning.

I agree with the brakes. I have them on my 34 foot 7500 lbs trailer and they are terrible.

Can you explain the why for the rest of your list?

Oldcow

[Lynnmor]

If/when I trade it will be an Arctic Fox.

Things I will never buy again:
10" brakes.
2-3/8" axles.
3 piece welded I-beams.
Electric awning.

[keymastr]

Northwoods and Outdoors RV offer upgraded Mor-Ryde suspensions and wet bolt HD shackle kits as standard equipment and every trailer has shock absorbers, 4 season insulation, thermal pane windows, pre-wired for solar etc. Better built and ready for off road.

They are heavy though so unless you have a 1 ton carrying a quad in the truck bed is not going to work.

As you have discovered, light weight and well built are two different worlds.

[lhenry8113]

I also recommend Arctic Fox or Nash. Both RV's have been on the road for years--are well thought of as a 4 seasons camper, a heavy duty camper that is made to go off road as well as down the paved road. My experience with the Arctic Fox 5'vr and 30,000+ miles later convinced my DW and I this is a well built camper. Our last trip from So. Calif. to B.C. and the Yukon Terr. sure made a believer out of us. Good Luck, Lars
http://northwoodmfg.com/

[Mr__Camper]

Stay on top of regular maintenance. Not just before and after a trip but during the trip.

[DownTheAvenue]

aftermath wrote:
I have heard very good things about the Arctic Fox brand. My cousin has one but his is one of their heavy duty options with thermal glass all around. His is pretty high off of the ground too but man, is it solid. We walk around in it during fishing trips and with three of us, you can't feel it give anywhere.

You are right to stay away from ultra lights as your experience tells you.

Good luck in the hunt.

X2

Nash or Artic Fox. Heavy trailers but built solid.

[carringb]

Northwood or Outdoors RV (sister companies, same owner, same in-house built chassis.

[aftermath]

I have heard very good things about the Arctic Fox brand. My cousin has one but his is one of their heavy duty options with thermal glass all around. His is pretty high off of the ground too but man, is it solid. We walk around in it during fishing trips and with three of us, you can't feel it give anywhere.

You are right to stay away from ultra lights as your experience tells you.

Good luck in the hunt.

[Chuck_thehammer]

I can not offer any suggestions.

I went from a "light" weight 21 foot to a little older more solid type of trailer.. 30 foot.. but went from 3,500 pounds to 8,000. but its much better built and made with stronger stuff. my opinion

but it does look like most trailers today are "Light" , extra "Light" extreme "Light"

best of Luck in your search...