Investigating moving from ATC/FWC to travel trailer....

[goinoregon]

Sorry to hear about the spate of mishaps/injuries. as u say, this forum is a pretty considerate space, so i am not going to bring up a helmet....
but will be following your exploration of alternatives for the next rig - i for one have learned a lot from your observations and experiences.
i went the van route - just for the lady to have access to a toilet.... but the sprinter has been fantastic for driving, and forest svc roads. good luck. greg

 

[Tom n N]

We have had several friends have had to replace their FWC’s because of age or health reasons, so we have had many long discussions about what we are going to do when our time comes. We have basically come to the same conclusions as rando. A trailer of any kind just wouldn’t work for our style of travel. We like to explore all day, then find a campsite (usually at dark) rather than camp, then explore. So we find ourselves making a LOT of u-turns on dicey trails that are even a challenge in our small Toyota.

We figure a 4wd van would work best for our needs. I’m not a big fan of Sprinters, but would probably be happy with a Ford conversion. Have several friends that love them.

As far as the kayak, also agree with rando that one of those lever action ladder racks that you see on a lot of painters vans could be configured to work with a kayak. Also have heard good things about inflatable and folding options, but have no personal experience.

Look forward to hearing what you come up with, as a lot of us will be in the same situation sooner or later.
Good luck,
Tom

 

[Vic Harder]

Thanks for the ideas. Helmets - not a bad idea... they would help against smaller bumps (like when I forget that the top is still down and latched and try to stand up anyway)... but I don't think they can protect my neck or against old age.

 

[ntsqd]

Only gotten thru page one so far, but as a kid my grandparents took us all over the West in first a 19 ft. and then later a 23 ft. Airstream. Grandad had no fear of towing that trailer down a dirt road. After all, that's how you get to the best fishin' spots! It is those trips that spawned my interest in where all of these dirt roads go.

 

[Vic Harder]

Only gotten thru page one so far, but as a kid my grandparents took us all over the West in first a 19 ft. and then later a 23 ft. Airstream. Grandad had no fear of towing that trailer down a dirt road. After all, that's how you get to the best fishin' spots! It is those trips that spawned my interest in where all of these dirt roads go.

Brave man. Newer airstreams may have more sophisticated suspensions, but i have heard of at least one case where an unfortunate adventurer drove a new airstream down the Hole in the Rock road and stopped for lunch only to discover all the upper cabinets on the floor of the trailer. Total write-off. I wish to avoid this!!!

 

[ntsqd]

His newest Airstream was built in 1973 and we took it down roads not too dissimilar from Hole in the Rock (less that last couple of miles or so) starting about 1977 or so.
He was never in a rush to get anywhere when towing.

 

[Tom n N]

Look up pictures from some of the trips Wally Byam lead the early Airstream owners club on. Some pretty crazy adventures most would not attempt today!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Vic, I’m an Airstream fan, we’ve had two, but I would probably never buy another. On our 2012 Flying Cloud 25FB, we had our shower door and the sink cabinet door fall off while traveling. They are also quite hot in summer, and cold in winter, aluminum inner and outer skin, plus aluminum ribs is very good at transferring heat.

That said, there are very few travel trailers that are made as well.

 

[kmacafee]

Thanks for those ideas and links. Most truck campers are “galley” style and really feel cramped to me. And yes, the mobility and camping/exploration options are best with a truck camper.

My significant other is less enthused about remote places than I am, so this is perhaps a new phase for us.

Vic if you haven't already, check out a flatbed camper with a side entrance. It allows one to utilize the full width of the bed and eliminates the "galley" feel of many campers.

 

[pvstoy]

Vic if you haven't already, check out a flatbed camper with a side entrance. It allows one to utilize the full width of the bed and eliminates the "galley" feel of many campers.

I told my gal I would not get another slide in but a flatbed i would, and did. So much more open room and storage.

 

[Vic Harder]

Vic if you haven't already, check out a flatbed camper with a side entrance. It allows one to utilize the full width of the bed and eliminates the "galley" feel of many campers.

I had considered that. They do feel better inside. The problem is still the entry door height, as well loading a canoe and wanting to cook inside in Bear country.

We’re looking for a travel trailer at this point. ;-(

 

[Vic Harder]

Vic, I’m an Airstream fan, we’ve had two, but I would probably never buy another. On our 2012 Flying Cloud 25FB, we had our shower door and the sink cabinet door fall off while traveling. They are also quite hot in summer, and cold in winter, aluminum inner and outer skin, plus aluminum ribs is very good at transferring heat.

That said, there are very few travel trailers that are made as well.

True. I think I have found all the makes by now that are off-road worthy, and most are mucho $$$. And my spouse recalled that friends have an Escape 5.0TA that we real liked… so the hunt is on for her. For me, I’d prefer a Bigfoot 25RQ… much “roomier” inside. The size/weight/towability are completely different though. Both are out of our price range new, so I’m getting into that market and reading LOTS on their respective forums.