What kind of camper do you have???

One that can actually go places

 

I found the web site for them. Looks like you went with the higher wind rated model, that's probably what we'd need around here too.

Do you strip the beds before closing it all up? We're having an issue getting the front to close completely without having a gap at the weather seal between the top and camper box. The previous owner put an extra 1" inch of foam under that mattress and I'm wondering if that coupled with leaving the bedding on (sheets and blanket) and storing the supports under the mattress is just too much.

 

We've had those same problems with the front. Here is my system. I bought some of the foam puzzle piece type stuff at harbor freight that some people put down on weight room floors. This is my first layer directly on top of the plywood of the bed. Then the stock PUP mattress is on and then this 2 inch topper in the link below. I wasn't sleeping well on that bed until I did all those things and I wanted to be comfortable in CO after elk hunting all day.

We are able to put sheets on the bed and most of the time are able to close the top no issues. Sometimes we do have issues if we don't fold the canvas just right as we are lowering the roof. I used to keep one of the supports that prevents the roof from falling under the front mattress but it is kept under the other bed now since we added the 2 inch topper and the front was giving us trouble.

So to answer your question, here lately we just make the beds when we get to our destination. We just keep the sheets and blankets in one of those cheap collapsible laundry baskets. Also, we do have the super high wind gizmos. I hated spending the money but they are worth it.

$60 Linenspa 2" Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper – Cooling Mattress Pad – Ventilated and Breathable – CertiPUR Certified - Queen

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYN9K5B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_CAYZD984980NP4G65HTX?_encoding=UTF8

 

Next trip in a couple weeks will be for 3 nights, so we'll try your suggestions. thanks! We spent probably 20 minutes trying different positions of the fabric to get it to close. We have a 2" latex topper that we want to put on after only sleeping in it one night... we thought it was a little too firm too. We'll just bring that along and put it on after we get set up and then try putting most of the supports under the rear bed.

Just received a new battery disconnected I ordered from Amazon. I wanted one that I could use to switch on the breakaway trailer brakes, the camper power, both at the same time, or all off. The one that failed would just switch the camper power.

$17 1-2-Both-Off Battery Disconnect Switch, 12V 24V 48V Battery Selector Master Cutoff Switch for Marine Boat Car RV ATV UTV Vehicle, Waterproof Heavy Duty Battery Isolator Switch, 200/1250Amps

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HT44MP5

 

Anyone have a casita they want to sell?

 

There is one on here.
https://www.fiberglassclassifieds.com/category/trailers-for-sale-2?page=1&orderBy=yearNew
Side note:
Teach your wives to drive boys.
from the ad

 

Picked up an Opus Op4 last Friday. We had a fully restored vintage 1987 Starcraft pop up that we bought during COVID and restored, but it wasn’t hacking it

 

That Opus is some camper, just went to the website and WOW!

 

I hate pull behind campers but that's probably one I'd consider. Meaty tires that won't leave you on the side of the road everywhere and good clearance, nice!

 

This thing is more offroad capable than our trucks are

 

A ton of great looking trailers in here, I just started looking into getting either an older pop up trailer or thinking a cab over, but wasnt sure there would be many options for my crewmax with 5.5ft bed. Also thinking better aerodynamics with a low profile tow behind vs a cab over?
Its just going to be my 4yr old daughter and myself going on weekend trips as if now so I dont need anything too large.

 

Just got a casita!

 

Keep the pictures coming everyone! I'm starting to casually research RVs with a thought to probably buy one next year. So far, I think the top brands I'll be looking into are:

Forest River - best bang for the buck according to my accountant father-in-law
Grand Design, Winnebago and Gulfstream - based on comments I've read here about the quality
Lance - supposed to be very high end but also very expensive compared to other brands

From what I've been reading, Jayco used to be very good as well but maybe seems to have dropped off in terms of quality in the last few years?

So far I don't have a lot of key features that I'm looking out for other than:

Tandem axles
Slide (wife insisted)
Bunks for the kids

Any advice, let me know. Thanks!

 

My suggestion would be the Grand Design 2400BH.

 

We love our Grand Design 2800BH for a family of 4 and 2 55lbs dogs. Good storage space, good tank capacities, and ampme room to comfortably host or bring additional people without tripping over each other.

4 season rated, built for full-time use, and just feels different than many others wrt livable space and roominess.

 

I think that's a little longer and heavier than I'm comfortable towing in the Rockies with the Tundra. Maybe if I decide to dump her for a 3500 gasser...

 

Copy that. It's certainly at the upper range of weights. We are in the Northeast and it does fine 95% of the time towing, (99.9% of all my driving in total). The few climbs i wish it had more are probably what you deal with on a regular basis.

Happy to see the brand is on your short list of candidates.

 

My escape 231bh is quite nice and light at 5k gvw. My main detriment is the diminutive fresh tank size at only 20 gallons.

 

I am partial to Forest River, as I have found them to have great features, layouts, and quality. My in-laws have a Gulfstream (Vintage Cruiser) and have been super happy with it.

I tow a GeoPro G20BHS, which may be smaller than you want, but we love it. Fixed bed for us, bunks for the kids, and a slide out dinette that we can all 4 sit around. For us, it was still about being outdoors, so we didn't look for anything too big. It's a place to sleep, prepare food, and use the bathroom, or to sit around the dinette for a meal together, then get back outside.

For us, having fiberglass walls rather than aluminum was important. I also liked that the GeoPros use very little wood. The bed and dinette bench frames, for example, are aluminum rather than wood. It adds costs but reduces weight when compared to wood. Ours has an oven, which I didn't much care about but have ended up using multiple times each and every camping trip. If I were to have a complaint, I would prefer that the gray water tank was a touch bigger. At 30 gallons and being very careful, we still fill it up rather quickly. Other features I have enjoyed or found useful that I would want again are the solar panel, the black water flush, the strong furnace and AC, bike rack, outdoor shower, and the outdoor LP line/connection.

Good luck in your search!

 

I did look at the GeoPros but yeah, I think something sightly bigger would be nice for us if it's cold or raining (and my wife likes to cook and eat indoors much more than I do). Also, I think they're all single axle if I'm not mistaken.

 

There are a ton of really good choices out there. I am sure you'll be able to find something that fits your needs perfectly.

 

The one thing I don't like about Forest River is most of them have a U-dinette. I feel like you can more comfortably put 4 people at a booth dinette (especially when playing cards).

 

Having a 4 person dinette was a requirement for us. I really wanted to make sure the four of us could comfortably sit around it for a meal or playing games. I was very surprised by the number of trailers I saw that could sleep 4-6 people but then only had a dinette for two. Makes no sense to me.

 

Great A frame. Love that dormer

 

I’ve posted this on here before but if your looking for a light trailer ( less than 4000 lbs fully loaded ) check out the jayco 174 bh Baja. Lifted, go anywhere and sleeps 4

 

We originally pulled our 2800BH with a Tundra. Switched over to GMC HD gasser after about a year and a half and a dozen trips. Main reasons were the limited payload and how it handled with significant wind. If I had to do it all over again I would either have a 2400BH with a Tundra or to a smaller 5th wheel with my HD truck. I like our 2800BH but the stability and maneuvering of a 5th wheel seem to be much better.

I know the GD Imagine’s are shown as “4 season rated” but I can’t say I was very impressed with how it handled below freezing weather. The insulation, single pane windows and a furnace that doesn’t heat the rear of the trailer well really limits it. Other brands like Outdoor RV are probably more equipped for actual Winter temperatures.

 

We currently do all our camping between June and August and I doubt that would change with a trailer.

 

We are happy with how it handles the summer. Had one trip this year that it got to at least 105. We only have the single AC unit since we live in the NW, handled it well. The two biggest things we don’t like about it is the cabinet finish is delicate and no sink in the outdoor kitchen. Still think the Imagine’s are the best option for it’s price class.

 

For $44k... I cannot believe what trailers cost these days.