I found a Casita. . .

[Bethers]

Call them back.. The city. Often the driveway isn't allowed, but you can park on the side or back. Check the exact wording of the ordinance.

I'm not a big believer in that top three... I believe #2 gets the worst ratings in some also. Just saying lol

[monik7]

Sent you a PM Anne. I think the new 2019 models will be out soon so 2018s will be going down. I got a good markdown when I bought mine in May.
Sandi

[Colliemom]

Annie, you will need to have a Class Iii hitch unstalled and a wiring harness for the trailers lights, usually a round 7 or 8 pin harness, forgot which. You can't just use any hitch. Get a Class III hitch receiver installed and wait before going any farther. You need a weight distribution sysyem to balance out the weight and a sway control device to help with wind. Also a trailer brake controller. Anything over 2,000 pounds is required to have brakes in most states. Some people will say a weight distribution isn’t required, but unless you want to see saw going down the road, put extra strain on the van or trailer suspension, you should have one. They balance the weight along the trailer and tow vehicles frame. Ever see some going down the road with the rear end sagging a bit? That’s what happens when you don’t use one. If you buy used, you can have a dealervindtall that dystem ascthey need to be done just right.

A high riding trailer likecthat Baja isn’t necessary unless you are going off rod in some darn rough country. Remember, the van’s clearance will be lower than that trailer anyway.

[Colliemom]

Sometimes it’s not the who’s best or least Beth, it’s the customer relations that makes a big part too. I’ve had two Forest Rivers and a KZ and wouldn’t recommend KZ to anybody. Their customer service is zilch. Even the dealer who I bought the trailer from has quit carrying them. My experience with Forest River has always been pleasant via the dealers and other than ordering some extra cabinet doors, have had no quality issues on my two trailers. I did have slide out issues on current one, bought used from a dealer, but it was due to somebody apparently moving and not reinstalling the slide motor correctly for some reason, which led to the motor shorting out. When my dealers guys found it, we replaced the motor, they installed it in it’s proper location and that was it.

As to not seeing very many of certain models for sale could be an indication that owners love them, have had good results and not parting with them.. if I see to many of a certain model for sale, I get suscipious that something must be wrong with them.

Couple websites for you to,play with sometime, both Facebook groups but loaded with ideas for storage, remodels etc.

RV Storage Ideas
RV Exterior/Interior Ideas

Just put them into the search box on FB and you can bring them up, if you are on FB

[Bethers]

I agree Sue. I just take the ratings with a grain of salt. I loved my Gulf Stream and luckily didn't read the ratings first. Winnebago has good ratings, yet I've had more than my share of issues.

[Colliemom]

I think the biggest issue right now, is there’s a big demand for RV’s and the manufactures can't keep up, so no matter what the make or model, it’s hurry up and get them out and quality control is slipping by.

[Azusateach]

Do most of you pay to store your units somewhere for the off-season? Would be interested to know what the going rate for this might be in your area.

Anne, we pay $200/mo. to store our 31' ACE (a Thor rig) 15 miles up the road from where we live in So. California. Yup, it's pricey, but nobody said that owning an RV is cheap. We're hoping that some day we'll be able to park it here where we live, but don't know when that will happen. Before moving to San Juan Capistrano we stored it in Azusa, about 65 miles NE, and it cost $115, but we'd been customers for years and the owner said that she wouldn't raise the rent. I think spaces were going for upwards of $150/mo.. I don't think we'd ever find a commercial place for less than $150 anymore here. It's all about supply and demand. RV spaces are at an extreme premium in So. California, and those that have them know it. So for now we pay it and try not to think about it.

Laura

[Bethers]

I'm lucky... If I should ever need to store my rv, I can do so in the storage area where I purchased my leased lot with no additional charge. It's a great perk, should I need it.

[Cougarfan]

I think most of the rv's made today have more problems than a few years ago. Just like someone said, they are pumping those rv's out as fast as they can so quality is lacking with every manufacturer. The good news is that you are quite handy and can probably fix most of the minor stuff. If you do go with Jayco, they have the 2 year warranty for the major stuff which is better than most of the manufacturers.

I had the Jayco 145RB. Great little trailer but poor design with the side air conditioner for Oregon. It just rains too much here so I had a significant leak. I believe they have redesigned the opening so there it is less likely to leak like mine did. If you can see daylight around the a/c from the inside, it is the old design. The great thing about that a/c is that it is a simple window-type a/c unit that you can put in your house that runs off regular 110 house current. That means you can plug it in and use it at your house while you're loading your trailer!

Find the floor plan that "speaks to you" and then find the best deal for that floor plan regardless of the manufacturer. There are tons of small trailers out there made by multiple manufacturers. Thor and Forest River aren't really manufacturers, so I wouldn't get hung up on quality of either name.

Laura

[Colliemom]

I agree with you Laura. The floor plan that calls home is the key. It’s why I bought my first Rockwood Mimi Lite. Loved it’s open space with the slideout and the nice front window. Made it feel so big and spacious. Sold that one and couple years later bought the Sportsman for it’s floor plan and exterior storage, which the Mini Lite was lacking. . But with two collies a bit snug, so traded it for another slide equipped and better quality Mini Lite again with great exterior storage area, bigger gray and black water tanks and dual propanectanks too. Would have bought a Flagstaff Micro Lite in similiar floor plan, but couldn’t find a used one. As was, had a hard time finding the one I eventually bought. I also wanted dual axles for better ride and also if one tire blows, there’s anothervone on that side for leverage. It also rides high than the Sportsman did. and has the sofa inatead of a dinette, I can put the table up if I want but usually eat outside. So yes, it’s all in the floor plan.

[OregonLuvr]

I totally agree that the quality has definitely decreased instead of increasing with bigger and better features. Just read the Lance was bought by REV Group, that owns Fleetwood, American Traveler, Monaco and a few others.

When I retired Laura and I went looking at smaller rigs for me like a Class C. Not a one spoke to me. AND I would have had to throw way more money at it and I wasnt interested in doing that. I have a 2007 Class A that spoke to me immediately when I walked in that unit. AND I had looked at hundreds Even Laura's Mom was looking for me ha ha Laura would send me the links and I would go up to Portland area and check them out. THE ONE met several of my criteria and even a few things that I didnt know I wanted ha ha I have maintained it meticulously, have done quite a few upgrades some spendy some not so much. I have had minimal problems with it over the years and I lived in it pretty much full time when I was on assignment working. Still looks brand new inside with the fit and finishes. The outside is fading a little in spots and the decals are curling in places but hey, it is just an RV and still looks pretty darn good.

Keep looking Anne you will find THE ONE and you will know it as soon as you walk inside. I was able to look past the "pretty stuff" and move on to the functional things.

I live in a private community and we have a gated graveled lot I store my RV at which is really handy as I can wash it there (if so inclined LOL) and we also have a sewer dump. I pay $25 a month so well worth it.

I hope you find what you are looking for soon as the prices will be going up soon for the summer rush.

[BarbaraRose]

Cute little trailer. I have one suggestion tho. When you see it, crawl into the lower bunk and see how much head room there is and then crawl back out again. Mine was set up like that and I discovered it was a real pain in the butt to get in and out of because of the lack of headroom and the tight quarters (and mine was full size). That was the only thing I really disliked about my trailer (and I am not a very big person).

On the plus side, the top bunk was nice for storage. I put plastic bins with drawers up there for my clothes and then put a tension bar across the front while towing to keep them from falling off.

Good luck!

[SoCalGalcas]

Annie, love all this info u are gathering. I will keep my eyes open on the Lance site. One never knows what will turn up.
Now, in California, the tow vehicle must have an additional brake as well as the trailer. I do not know what to call it. The mechanic at the place I bought my truck knew immediately what I was talking about. He put in into my truck.
The receptical for the trailer lights is a 7 pin.
Lyn

[BarbaraRose]

I agree that if there are not many available trailers of a certain kind out there, that they are probably better ones and people don't want to sell them. If there are a lot of one kind available, then there is probably a reason people are dumping them. Same with cars, I have found.

Here in San Diego, I stored my trailer for $65 a month at Big Box storage. May be something to check into if they have those in your area. Where I live now, I can store a trailer for $40 per month.

When I had my popup camper, I took out the table and just used a folding tray table as needed. Gave me a lot more space. I would prefer a couch to a dinette and just use a folding table like that to eat on.

[Colliemom]

Lynn, you are referring to a trailer brake controller. Some vehicles have them integrated into them as mine does and others ned them installed as yours did. They activate the electric trailer brakes when you apply the vehicle brakes. As I mentioned back up in a post, a lot of states require them as normal vehicle brakes do not have the capacity to brake a trailer over 2,000 pounds and even that’s pushing the limit.

This is a fun topic. Been quite awhile since anybody’s fired a lot of questions about an RV. After all we are an RV group.