A little discouraged

[IrishIroamed]

...This one has a bike storage area...I like looking at floor plans. So many options but some of them make me scratch my head.

The bike storage was kind of neat, but I'd have to see it. My luck, if I have to crawl into the space with my bike, I'd end up getting stuck

And Melissa, if you like looking at floor plans so much, how 'bout I just send you my wish list and you look for me Getting to the point were I've forgotten where I left off last summer.

[MelissaD]

If you have a wish list, send it. I'll keep it in mid as I poke around and I'll let you know if I find something. Love shopping without spend my money.

[drocknut]

Melissa, you are a gem but I think you are looking too big for what I want. Those are all nice TT but I'm looking more in the 19' range both for weight as well as ease of towing (I'm really new to towing and I want to be able to park it almost anywhere since I go rockhounding a lot). Arctic Fox doesn't show any TT below 20' with a GVWR of 7000 lbs.. I'm ok with one that is not a true 4 seasons trailer since I'm probably going to be going south in the winter anyway (much as I don't like being accused of being a snowbird...lol). Unfortunately my budget is more in line with the Jayco Jay Flight Swift which is still a little heavy and the bed is tucked in the corner.
How about just for giggles I try to do a wish list on here and see what you all think.
Wish list:
Under 3000lbs dry weight (I know dry weight is a mythological number but it's for reference)
Queen or Full size bed (preferably not tucked in the corner with a bunk above it. I'm only one person and doubt I'll have company so I only need one area for sleeping so bunks are not needed or wanted although I know they come standard in most models.
A sofa or seating area other than the dinette. I may be able to convert the dinette or take it out eventually but would like to not have to do that off the bat.
The dinette can be small since I don't intend to have dinner parties at it. Heck I can even do without it because I have two Tablemate tables to use that fold up and store nicely.
A tub/shower would be preferable to just a shower stall.
Refrigerator that runs on propane or electric
decent size fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks ( bigger is better but more than the standard 16gal fresh, 15 gal. gray, and 9gal black (shown in the brochure by Jayco for the smaller tt)).
I don't need new but am open to that if the price is within reason (below $15000).

I plan on doing a lot of boondocking (that is if I can wade through all the articles and such and learn how to do it properly) since I don't have any income right now and I'll admit, I'm very frugal. I actually like camping out in a tent so can live without a microwave, coffee maker, tv (I know...shock), hair dryer, or most modern conviences but living in one full-time is not an option for my back or for my safety.
I want to also get a generator to charge the batteries plus get some LED lights or battery powered lights or solar lights and maybe even a portable solar panel to charge my cell phone and laptop (although I don't know if one exists that wouldn't cost an arm and leg plus work well - I'm still doing research on that). I know I can charge both the cell phone and laptop in my truck but would like to be able to do it without wearing out the battery in the truck.

I think I covered everything but feel free to ask questions if you have them.
I appreciate all the help since I am terrible at finding floor plans (sometimes because my mom thinks I spend too much time on my computer - I know I'm 47 but I still care about what she thinks when I'm on her turf).

Thanks again.

[Azusateach]

Melissa, you are a gem but I think you are looking too big for what I want. Those are all nice TT but I'm looking more in the 19' range both for weight as well as ease of towing (I'm really new to towing and I want to be able to park it almost anywhere since I go rockhounding a lot). Arctic Fox doesn't show any TT below 20' with a GVWR of 7000 lbs.. I'm ok with one that is not a true 4 seasons trailer since I'm probably going to be going south in the winter anyway (much as I don't like being accused of being a snowbird...lol). Unfortunately my budget is more in line with the Jayco Jay Flight Swift which is still a little heavy and the bed is tucked in the corner.
How about just for giggles I try to do a wish list on here and see what you all think.
Wish list:
Under 3000lbs dry weight (I know dry weight is a mythological number but it's for reference)
Queen or Full size bed (preferably not tucked in the corner with a bunk above it. I'm only one person and doubt I'll have company so I only need one area for sleeping so bunks are not needed or wanted although I know they come standard in most models.
A sofa or seating area other than the dinette. I may be able to convert the dinette or take it out eventually but would like to not have to do that off the bat.
The dinette can be small since I don't intend to have dinner parties at it. Heck I can even do without it because I have two Tablemate tables to use that fold up and store nicely.
A tub/shower would be preferable to just a shower stall.
Refrigerator that runs on propane or electric
decent size fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks ( bigger is better but more than the standard 16gal fresh, 15 gal. gray, and 9gal black (shown in the brochure by Jayco for the smaller tt)).
I don't need new but am open to that if the price is within reason (below $15000).

I plan on doing a lot of boondocking (that is if I can wade through all the articles and such and learn how to do it properly) since I don't have any income right now and I'll admit, I'm very frugal. I actually like camping out in a tent so can live without a microwave, coffee maker, tv (I know...shock), hair dryer, or most modern conviences but living in one full-time is not an option for my back or for my safety.
I want to also get a generator to charge the batteries plus get some LED lights or battery powered lights or solar lights and maybe even a portable solar panel to charge my cell phone and laptop (although I don't know if one exists that wouldn't cost an arm and leg plus work well - I'm still doing research on that). I know I can charge both the cell phone and laptop in my truck but would like to be able to do it without wearing out the battery in the truck.

I think I covered everything but feel free to ask questions if you have them.
I appreciate all the help since I am terrible at finding floor plans (sometimes because my mom thinks I spend too much time on my computer - I know I'm 47 but I still care about what she thinks when I'm on her turf).

Thanks again.

Whew! With that wish list I think you're going to have to compromise somewhere. All of that just cant be put into a 19' box -- and remember, it IS a box.

That said, I had a 19' Keystone Hideout that just about fits your bill. The only "give" would be the bed. It was a full-sized corner bed. Had a bunk that converted into cupboard space. LOVED it. You might check them out. And with your TV, you'd be fine towing this. Won't even know it's behind you.

On edit: It's the 19FLB. Take a look at the floorplan. It might just work. I had absolutely NO issues with mine -- just needed more space and ended up with something almost 10' longer with a 12' slide. If it were just my dog and me, I'd have kept it.

Laura

[JudyJB]

Consider getting something you can modify. I bought new and made sure what I bought had a dinette with nothing important underneath so it could be removed. I had the dealer remove it before I took delivery, and I stored the pieces in a storage shed along with my furniture from my condo. (When I sell this someday, the buyer can replace it because I also saved the hardware.) There was only a small sound speaker, which I never use, and a small place where the fresh water goes from the outside into the tank. In the place of the dinette, I put in my old leather recliner in the place where the dinette was, and it works great for me because I have a bad back and need to recline a few hours a day. It left a few hardly noticeable holes in the floor.

You could put a table and chair, desk and chair, or a recliner where a dinette goes, so take the cushions off and peek underneath when you are shopping. Also, the bunk sounds like an opportunity to turn it into storage for bed linens and towels if you know someone handy.

[Colliemom]

http://kz-rv.com/sportsmen-classic/190.html

I have one of these parked in my driveway. You might want to check into this. They are nice, small dinette that can be removed etc. I'm planning on selling mine this spring though as I have my eye on a Rockwood Mimi Lite which is over the weight you are looking for. But Sportsmans 9made by KZ RV) are nice and within your price range. You can always modify as others have said.

[drocknut]

Thanks Laura, I know it's a bit of a stretch as far as a wish list for a small trailer but it is a "wish list" after all. I may have to give up on the bed not being in a corner or the couch but at least I have some idea of what I'd want ideally. That Hideout does look good aside from the corner bed.
Judy, those are great ideas too. I will probably modify anything I buy but might be a while before I could afford to do that although some modifications wouldn't cost all that much. I'm pretty handy as long as I have an idea of how to do it. I probably could get ideas from all of you and the internet. I wish I was better at decorating but I'm not overly picky about that anyway.
The sportsman also looks good especially as far as the bed goes. It doesn't have a sofa but as Judy pointed out I could always modify it.
Lots of things to think about plus I'd like to research quality of the trailers and warranty if I'm getting a new one. It seems like almost all the smaller trailers are basically similar in floor plans among all the manufacturers. Some variations but not much although that, I'm sure, is do to the lack of space and the fact that they are mostly for people who just occasionally use them.

[mitch5252]

Here's the floor plan of my little dream trailer...too bad it's so dang expensive!



Box Length 16-'4"
Dry Weight *3,070 lbs.
Overall Length: 19'-10"
Load Capacity: *1,930 lbs.
Overall Width: 7'-0"
Hitch Weight: 230 lbs.
Height w/AC: 9'-6"
Grey Water: 32 gal.
Black Water: 28 gal.
Fresh Water: 38 gal.
Tire Size: 13"
GVWR: 5,000 lbs.

[BarbaraRose]

Here is one I was looking at that has the slide out couch and a full size bed...(just shower, no tub, tho)

http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTra ... e=trailers

And it is under $15K.

With Mitch's option above, you could take out one of the beds and replace it with a love seat or lounge chair.

[JudyJB]

I am guessing you want a bed in the middle so you can make it easier, right?

A sideways bed like that could be easy to make if you tucked everything in on the far side and just pulled out the bedding on the near side when you went to bed every night. I do that with my bed even though I have a little space on both sides. Problem is I use that space on the far side to put my dirty clothes bags and stuff I want to hide.

Consider also that you could put on fitted sheets and just use a comforter on top, which makes bed making a lot easier. I skip top sheets entirely and tuck my comforter in on the far side well under the mattress, so it is easy in the morning to just straighten out the one side I got out of.

Also, most RV sofas are very uncomfortable, but they do make some that are two recliners with a table in the middle. Might be better than a sofa unless you want one that folds out for guests. Just some ideas.

[Colliemom]

I had a corner bed in my last TT and it wasn't really all that hard to make up. Like Judy said, you leave the one side tucked in and just make it up from there. What I liked about the Mini Light and I think the Micro Lite is same, is that they have a front window. That lets in more light and makes those small trailers seem more open. And I like to watch what's going on outside in front too. You don't have to have it open, can leave the cover down over it, but it's neat laying in bed and looking up at the sky at night. My dogs loved it as they used to lay there in the morning looking out. Bed is low enough that nobody can see you in it.

Then I got a trailer with a center queen bed, but found that making that up isn't much easier. There are nightstands on both sided but there is also a little section in front of them which is part of the front exterior storage area, so you can't get right to the top of the bed without having to reach up there. Think I will take my corner bed back.

Barbie, that floor plan you like is one that I had. Loved it except it didn't have exterior storage. Now it does. But it was cozy and the way the dinette slide was, you could have it open or closed and still access everything.

That's another point to watch for when RV shopping. If you are going to go with a slide out, make sure you can access stuff even with it pulled in, like the bathroom, fridge. Sometimes you don't want to put the slide out but still need access to that stuff.

[bluepinecones]

Sadly I can be of no help in your quest as I know nothing about TT or towing. Just wanted to add my 2 cents on not getting too discouraged. When the process starts getting too overwhelming, try to back off and think of ways to simplify it. That seems to help me even if I don't actually find a away to simplify my approach. Also just standing back and thinking about how important it is to you will give you the motivation to keep searching.
Good luck and I hope you find something sooner rather than later.

[BarbaraRose]

Another thought is that this time of year (especially up here in the north) is maybe not the best time to look. I would think that spring time would be better with people de-winterizing their trailers for the summer and deciding to upgrade or downgrade to a new one at that time. I know up here, nothing happens until the snow melts.

[drocknut]

Thanks to all of you again. Great suggestions and helpful encouragement are great.

Mitch, that looks like a cool floor plan although the two small beds don't appeal to me. I know I could take one out and put something in as BarbaraRose said but I don't know that I'd like to do that. Also expensive isn't in my vocabulary right now I looked at an Oliver travel trailer which is modeled after the Casita (I think that's what the guy said) but is tricked out in every way and there again expensive was the part that didn't appeal to me.

I wasn't really thinking of the bed making but rather wanted it to be more like a "home" plus I thought it might be easier to get in and out of. Glad you talked about that, Judy and Colliemom. It would be cool to be able to look out at the stars Colliemom. I was reading about buying a travel trailer and the guy said the same thing as you about making sure you can use the trailer with the slide in. I'm not sure I'd want a slide but it is an option.

Judy, I figured an rv sofa might be uncomfortable but didn't see many options. I want something I can stretch out on and not be scruntched into a dinette when I have to sit inside the trailer. I have seen the Casita ( I think that's the one) with the two captain's chairs with a little table but there again I haven't seen any with a recliner in them.

BarbaraRose, you might be right although I suspect that down here in AZ where I'm visiting right now the seasons are flipped since there's no snow here and a lot of winter visitors are around trading in their smaller trailers for bigger ones. That micro lite is nice looking although it is heavier than some I've seen, maybe because of the slide.

bluepinecones, thanks for the encouragement.

[MelissaD]

There's a lazy boy recliner that many people put in their RV's so remember you can change furniture.