Me again decisions decisions

[drocknut]

Hey there haven't been much of an active participant lately, mostly because I was getting thinks ready and then driving back to Montana. I'm still looking for a travel trailer to full time. I found a couple that might fit the bill although there are drawbacks to all of them. I stopped in Butte on the way to Helena since it's only an hour south. I looked at several trailers that had polar package and where nice. One was a dutchman 190qb and I liked the floor plan but it is a little longer and heavier than I was wanting. I also looked at an Aspen trail 190rb but again it was longer than I was wanting. The Aspen trail 1600rb was ok but I didnt fall in love with it. When I left I was leaning towards the Dutchman 1900rb which I think they priced at around 16,000 (no haggle or hassle pricing). Then I came back to Helena and went to another dealer (also, it turns out, with no hassle no haggle). They had Puma and Nash trailers both with polar package with about the same features as the others although they seemed to be more cold weather friendly with more insulation. They also had bigger price tags at around 19,000. I tried to talk them down but they are set on price since those are higher end trailers I can understand. I looked at Nash in Az but they didn't have the smaller one and the sales guy was horrible (long story). The place here in Helena has the Nash 17k which is the smallest they make. It is really well made including extra insulation, a 20 watt solar panel, 10 gallon water heater, roof rack and ladder (which the others don't have). Unfortunately the Nash has the bathroom in the middle and the dinette in back which makes it seem small. I do like the big rear windows that that style has but am torn on if I should just suck it up and pay more for the quality and sturdier Nash with less than ideal configuration that I could live with or try to go with something a bit less expensive but less quality. Hoping you gals might have an opinion or two that might help me. I would ask this on the other rv forum but you all know about trying to get a straight answer from there. Any words of wisdom or advice are appreciated. Thanks.
Diane

[Deeann]

I think I would wait until I found exactly what I want. If you don't like the floor plan now, you'll likely hate it later. If you plan on living in it, the $3000 price difference isn't that big a deal. IMHO. If you keep it for just 6 years that's only $500 per year more to get the better trailer. Just over $40 a month; a dollar and change per day. A buck a day isn't much to get a better quality trailer with more insulation. The extra insulation will save you money. And could be the difference between your trailer being 72 degrees in the summer as opposed to 78-80 degrees. I'm a firm believer in a quality built trailer with good insulation. You can't go wrong with that. A cheap rig will cost you more money in the long run and can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter. You can't always camp in the shade so the more insulation, the better.

I'm not familiar with Nash trailers. I'll have to google it.

[JudyJB]

Ditto what Deeann just said. I think you really have to fall in love, or you will really be unhappy.

The extra insulation will easily be worth the extra money because it will cost you so much more in propane with a cheaper unit, but you have to be comfortable with the floor plan. Make sure you consider being able to reach things and storage space, as well as plugs (both 12v and 110v) that are convenient. You need at least one very comfortable place to sit and be comfortable and be able to get into and out of the bed easily, etc.

By the way, one thing I might disagree with is the size of the hot water heater. Mine is propane and heats up within less than 4-5 minutes so I have never run out of hot water even with just a 6 gallon tank. You mix the hot with cold, so 6 gallons goes a long way, especially with one person. Grey water tank size is more important.

[MandysMom]

I agree with the others, wait until, as Beth,would say, you know when you walk in that it is THE one for you. Impatience can lead to regret. Hope that was a misprint on 20 watt solar panel as that is so small it would take a very very long time to charge a house battery in an RV. We have a 185 watt panel on our van and it takes all day to recharge our two big AGM batteries most days. Bigger the wattage the faster the charge. Many recommend a panel per battery, but that depends of course on size of battery and size of panel. AM Solar of Oregon has a lot of good info on their site to learn. Have fun with the looking and be patient as THE one will eventually speak to you.
Velda

[Colliemom]

Check out the Rockwood Mini Lite line from Forest River. They are insulated pretty good. And have some nice floor plans.

[drocknut]

Sorry for the long delay in replying but been busy trying to deal with life in general. I haven't had good internet access so it's been hard to get on here to reply and check in. I'm still looking but may have found one I could live in. It's not as high priced as the Nash I was looking at but is still more than the Dutchman by about $3000. It is an Outdoors Black Rock model and since it is 2014 they are willing to deal on it. It is built and insulated almost exactly like the Nash but doesn't have the solar panel, which you pointed out isn't that great to charge batteries since it is very small as far as solar panels go. I like the higher end model in this line but the one I'm looking at is also good. It's a little darker inside because it doesn't have a big window at the back but it does have a couch, lots of storage space, and more room than the Nash. I just have to bite the bullet and make the decision. It is scary but I realize the more I procrastinate the scarier it seems. Does that make sense?
The next thing I have to conquer is finding places to camp that are accessible by the 23' trailer and don't cost a lot. That's hard. But I think I'll think about that tomorrow..
Thank you all for being so willing to let me rant and rave on here. I know I don't participate much but I'm sure glad the forum is here.

[Bethers]

Sounds like you might have found the one for you.

As to inexpensive places, I've become a queen at that. Much easier out west, but still some in the rest of the country.

[mitch5252]

...That's hard. But I think I'll think about that tomorrow..

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Great balls o' fire, I think I'll call you Scarlett...
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