looking for advice on a camping trailer

[tripleseven]

Well, the wife had enough of crawling up into the bed of the camper, and we sold it. We're now looking at various trailer options. We live on the island, so length is a huge consideration to keep costs on the ferries reasonable...I think something in the 20 foot range would work well. What are your brands that you love or hate? definitely do quite a bit of back country logging roads, and want something that will hold up. Probably looking at a late model used unit. I have a 1 ton diesel. Any comments or suggestions appreciated!

777

[cdub]

I built mine from a cargo trailer. All steel frame 16 foot

[Sharpish]

I will be selling our vintage 17' boler and buying a 17' escape next year. They are made in chilliwack, fibreglass clamshell construction. Worth a look.

[tripleseven]

thanks Sharpish. yes those look really interesting. I think she was liking the idea of a slide out, but they seem like they could be a great point of failure after bouncing down logging roads for a few years. Love the clam shell fiberglass idea.

[okas]

I will be selling our vintage 17' boler and buying a 17' escape next year. They are made in chilliwack, fibreglass clamshell construction. Worth a look.

They are nice . But to nice for me I sold a 13 ft.glass as I have a F J toyo and could see it disappearing in the mirror one day

[jac]

Lance, Bigfoot, Nash I also like the escapes made in the lower main land

[Wagonmaster]

20-21 footer is definitely doable. I've been through all types of units - tents, camperettes, campers, an Alaskan camper, 21 ft. trailer, and now a 24 footer. A 21 footer is great. What ever you buy, make sure it is a dual axle. Single axles bounce way too much on logging roads. Winter package is a bonus. 15 inch tires rather than 14's. Have a look at the clearance; some have sewer drains pretty close to the ground. If buying used, check carefully for leaks and soft spots on the floor and walls. I do miss the days when you could drive the camper to the top of the mountain and get up in the morning and start walking. Trailers are a bit limiting, but sure nice once you are set up. Nice to have the truck free to explore, get to good hunting areas and hopefully retrieve game.

[tripleseven]

thanks Wagonmaster. Hoping a 21 footer will allow me to access some pretty deep brush. does anyone have experience with aluminum framed trailers? seems like they might be worth investing in on the wet coast.

[Redthies]

thanks Wagonmaster. Hoping a 21 footer will allow me to access some pretty deep brush. does anyone have experience with aluminum framed trailers? seems like they might be worth investing in on the wet coast.

I restore vintage trailers for a living, so work on various types and brands regularly, although our main focus is Airstreams. The “aluminum frame” models will be better than standard 2x2 constructed units, but will still have wood roof and floor framing. You won’t avoid rot with them, you’ll just have it in different (less) places. Most “white box” trailers are total junk. Toyhaulers are just heavier pieces of junk. Slide outs are a bad idea for regular fsr use. If you can find a used Escape, in a size and layout that works for you, that will be your best bet for long term durability. I’ve built custom hunting camp trailers before (Wells Cargo enclosed as starting point) and they can be great, but heavy and pricy depending on what/how you kit it out. My personal hunting RV is a 2017 Northern Lite 9’6” camper that I factory ordered to my spec. The main reason I went this route was the fibreglass clamshell (like the Escape has), and the fit and finish of the NL is as good as it gets in the whole industry. It also lets me pull a trailer with boat or quads or my Jeep.

[Drillbit]

I'd recommend a toyhauler.

Way bigger tanks and usually a built in genny.