I would like to have a pull behind travel trailer/camper in the future. I do not want one with any slide outs. I think the Alaska/Canada rated ones would provide much more comfort from hot/cold temperatures. I also I like the look of the smooth sided ones vs the ones that have ribs like metal roofing. I have not looked at anything new yet but have visited a couple of local lots that have 3-4 on them. I see a lot with roof leaks, window leaks and leaks from things that protrude through the wall. Is there any that don’t leak? What are some things to look for...
- Thread starter pburchett
- Start date
I used to work at an RV dealer. The smooth sides are fiberglass you need to watch them
for delamination. You are right things that stick out will leak just the nature of the
beast. It's a house that is in 70mph wind all the time. Bumpouts have gotten better
but the more you use them the more problems... The biggest thing is maint. Take care
of things before they become a big problem,
for delamination. You are right things that stick out will leak just the nature of the
beast. It's a house that is in 70mph wind all the time. Bumpouts have gotten better
but the more you use them the more problems... The biggest thing is maint. Take care
of things before they become a big problem,
caterpillar guy
Well-known Member
Preventing leaks is like any other thing maintenance is the thing. If you don't it will.
I have one we bought new in '13. Been up and down the East coast several times and towed locally also. Never had a leak. The things are horribly built,but must be adequate because I have never had a downtime problem.
Much to do is spoken about warranties or lack there of. Pretty much the only thing warranted by the manufacturer is the box itself. All other components are covered by their respective maker.
Much to do is spoken about warranties or lack there of. Pretty much the only thing warranted by the manufacturer is the box itself. All other components are covered by their respective maker.
BarnyardEngineering
Well-known Member
- Location
- Rochester, NY
Not only a house in a 70MPH wind, but LIGHTLY-BUILT house experiencing a mild earthquake for a good portion of its lifespan.
No such thing as maintenance free. You need to keep on top of maintenance or you will have leaks.
Could they build them better? Yes, but when build quality goes up, cost goes up. These trailers are built to a price point so that middle class families think they can afford the payments on them. A trailer actually built to withstand the rigors of road travel and not require at least annual maintenance to avoid leaks would be out of reach of all but the wealthy.
No such thing as maintenance free. You need to keep on top of maintenance or you will have leaks.
Could they build them better? Yes, but when build quality goes up, cost goes up. These trailers are built to a price point so that middle class families think they can afford the payments on them. A trailer actually built to withstand the rigors of road travel and not require at least annual maintenance to avoid leaks would be out of reach of all but the wealthy.
I have an 89 that did not leak untill the ice storm of 05 but 5 limbs off the maple tree thru the roof. If the dealer that supposedly did the repair would have done what they were supposed to have done and insurance paid for it would still be good, as is it is junk. I talked to owner of bussiness later and found out the service manager was fired because of him doing that kind of work and about put the deaership down. The ribs in the mettal siding provide strength. If you like the smooth side models look at Airstream that is built next to me. Personaly I do not like their styling, But I think they are probably the best constructed avaible.
RedGreenGuy
Member
While trailer shopping look at fit and finish not bling. RV manufacturing has been at a such
fast pace for last few years. Quality has been reduced and bling has been king to sell their
fast stapled together units.
fast pace for last few years. Quality has been reduced and bling has been king to sell their
fast stapled together units.
I have a 04 Rockwood 30ft fifth wheel I purchased in 05, it was used one year, it has one slide out. We put about 2,000 miles a
year on it. The rear of the camper came lose from the frame in about 07. I paid some camper repair place 500 bucks to do a
repair that lasted about 2 years. I then made a couple a braces that seem to be still keeping it in place. Although after I
purchased it I had a guy weld up a trailer receiver on the back and it may have compromised it, not sure.
I have never left the state of Michigan with the trailer and would be scared to do so. It would be junk before it made it to
Alaska I do know that. We do keep up the maintenance on it and have sealed the roof once.I've replaced the tires three times on
it. The original tires blew out one by one. I called Carlyle tire and they sent me a whole new set of free tires. The original
tires were not even rated to carry the weight of the camper. It has never leaked and everything else has held up other than the
rear end. I've looked at allot of them and they are all built about the same way. One guy said my trailer probably went down the
line on a Friday afternoon hence the rear end problems.
year on it. The rear of the camper came lose from the frame in about 07. I paid some camper repair place 500 bucks to do a
repair that lasted about 2 years. I then made a couple a braces that seem to be still keeping it in place. Although after I
purchased it I had a guy weld up a trailer receiver on the back and it may have compromised it, not sure.
I have never left the state of Michigan with the trailer and would be scared to do so. It would be junk before it made it to
Alaska I do know that. We do keep up the maintenance on it and have sealed the roof once.I've replaced the tires three times on
it. The original tires blew out one by one. I called Carlyle tire and they sent me a whole new set of free tires. The original
tires were not even rated to carry the weight of the camper. It has never leaked and everything else has held up other than the
rear end. I've looked at allot of them and they are all built about the same way. One guy said my trailer probably went down the
line on a Friday afternoon hence the rear end problems.
Bruce from Can.
Well-known Member
- Location
- Woodville, Ontario, Canada
I was happy twice with our bumper type pull behind
trailer, the day we got it, and the day it left. We
bought the trailer used from one of my brothers, and
it was in good shape. I always stored the house
trailer inside when not in use, and never had leak
issues. The roof on many trailers is mane of fabric,
and it will deteriorate with constant exposure to
sunlight. Our trailer had a slide out, and that was no
problem, and did make it much nicer. We simply
found that a travel trailer was just a big hassle to
travel with. It cost more to go down the road, and
you have to pay for camp sites, and still cook meals,
wash dishes empty the septic, set up and tear down
camp. A lot of extra bother I don?t want when I go
somewhere. I would rather rent a hotel room, let
someone else clean up the room and do the dishes.
And I can drive down the road without any concerns
about the trailer behind me, flat tires etc.
trailer, the day we got it, and the day it left. We
bought the trailer used from one of my brothers, and
it was in good shape. I always stored the house
trailer inside when not in use, and never had leak
issues. The roof on many trailers is mane of fabric,
and it will deteriorate with constant exposure to
sunlight. Our trailer had a slide out, and that was no
problem, and did make it much nicer. We simply
found that a travel trailer was just a big hassle to
travel with. It cost more to go down the road, and
you have to pay for camp sites, and still cook meals,
wash dishes empty the septic, set up and tear down
camp. A lot of extra bother I don?t want when I go
somewhere. I would rather rent a hotel room, let
someone else clean up the room and do the dishes.
And I can drive down the road without any concerns
about the trailer behind me, flat tires etc.
I have owned RV's consecutively for 49 years (different shapes brands styles and sizes) and am a past used RV dealer and in order to prevent roof leaks YOU ABSOLUTLETY MUST PERFORM REGULAR MAINTENANCE otherwise they will leak grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Proper cleaning and proper coatings (depends on roof material) and proper sealing products IS A MUST.
Being built to sell and all the sun n moisture and vibration is tough on cheap built roofs
Flat roofs are more prone to leak then crowned roofs WELL DUH Buy a crowned roof is my advice
Of course if you have several hundred thousand and buy a high end coach like a Prevost chances of roof leaks are far less
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE is the way to prevent roof leaks
John T Currently in my RV at a tractor show in White Springs Florida
Proper cleaning and proper coatings (depends on roof material) and proper sealing products IS A MUST.
Being built to sell and all the sun n moisture and vibration is tough on cheap built roofs
Flat roofs are more prone to leak then crowned roofs WELL DUH Buy a crowned roof is my advice
Of course if you have several hundred thousand and buy a high end coach like a Prevost chances of roof leaks are far less
MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE is the way to prevent roof leaks
John T Currently in my RV at a tractor show in White Springs Florida
Coshoo makes a good point, keep it stored inside will greatly lengthen it's life.
Ours is a smooth side tandem hybrid..both ends will open up like a tent trailer. It
is almost 20 years old and has likely around 30000 miles on it. I did some repair
to the floor area due to a leaking window, but the roof is still good. It has
started to delaminate, so I put some bolts through the side in a non conspicuous
area with a large flat washer....not pretty but it will keep the sides in place.
Get a tandem axle if your vehicle will tow that size and get an air conditioner.
Having travelled extensively with it, there are still pros and cons, and Bruce does
bring up some valid pionts regarding costs. You do have a bit more freedom with the
trailer since booking hotel rooms ahead of time to assure availability does tie you
into a schedule. If travelling with more than two (We had as many as two adults and
6 kids in ours on holidays) then the trailer does have the advantage. Getting AAA
coverage for those long trips can also be a good idea...one fellow we met in the
Yukon said it cost him 20 hours down time plus a thousand dollars to have his
trailer towed in for repairs since he was far from any repair shop.
Look used ones over good, any leak will have progressed to the floor, so check out
those areas where the sides meet the floor for soft spots.
Happy RVing!
Ben
Ours is a smooth side tandem hybrid..both ends will open up like a tent trailer. It
is almost 20 years old and has likely around 30000 miles on it. I did some repair
to the floor area due to a leaking window, but the roof is still good. It has
started to delaminate, so I put some bolts through the side in a non conspicuous
area with a large flat washer....not pretty but it will keep the sides in place.
Get a tandem axle if your vehicle will tow that size and get an air conditioner.
Having travelled extensively with it, there are still pros and cons, and Bruce does
bring up some valid pionts regarding costs. You do have a bit more freedom with the
trailer since booking hotel rooms ahead of time to assure availability does tie you
into a schedule. If travelling with more than two (We had as many as two adults and
6 kids in ours on holidays) then the trailer does have the advantage. Getting AAA
coverage for those long trips can also be a good idea...one fellow we met in the
Yukon said it cost him 20 hours down time plus a thousand dollars to have his
trailer towed in for repairs since he was far from any repair shop.
Look used ones over good, any leak will have progressed to the floor, so check out
those areas where the sides meet the floor for soft spots.
Happy RVing!
Ben
riveroadrat
Well-known Member
Airstream!
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
My camper is 44 years old this year and
does NOT leak.
Of course it doesn't go far - or fast
anymore. I move it a hundred feet a
couple times a year just to mow under
it.
The photo is just to keep this thread
TRACTOR related.
😉
does NOT leak.
Of course it doesn't go far - or fast
anymore. I move it a hundred feet a
couple times a year just to mow under
it.
The photo is just to keep this thread
TRACTOR related.
😉
Dumb question:
For occasional use, would renting or leasing an RV be better than owning an RV?
Motel rooms are expensive, but it would be interesting to compare the cost of storing an RV inside for a year to how many nights you could stay in a motel. Would the monthly storage cost pay for one or two nights in a motel each month?
For occasional use, would renting or leasing an RV be better than owning an RV?
Motel rooms are expensive, but it would be interesting to compare the cost of storing an RV inside for a year to how many nights you could stay in a motel. Would the monthly storage cost pay for one or two nights in a motel each month?
johnofnewhaven
Well-known Member
I also have had several campers.
I will never own a smooth side
(fiberglass/FRP)! They rot, warp
and separate. I have seen them
only a few years old that have
problems. I would definitely go
with aluminum sides. Remember
they all are made of sticks and
Staples. As others have said
maintenance is the key and if you
can keep them under cover will
greatly help them last.
I will never own a smooth side
(fiberglass/FRP)! They rot, warp
and separate. I have seen them
only a few years old that have
problems. I would definitely go
with aluminum sides. Remember
they all are made of sticks and
Staples. As others have said
maintenance is the key and if you
can keep them under cover will
greatly help them last.
As far as storage is concerned, we had one of those metal garages put up- 40 X 24 (so we can store both the RV and mom's pickup and horse trailer) for abut $4,000. A narrower one for just an RV would probably be about $2,500, which you'd use up pretty fast paying for commercial RV storage. Plus it would be available as extra bedroom when company shows up, or when power goes out in a storm.
wilson ind
Well-known Member
I have had a couple fifth wheel and other pull behind models. I do not know what is BLING in an RV . Actually do not know what it is in any thing!!
johnofnewhaven
Well-known Member
Now that's a camper!!! In a class all by themselves!!!
Hobo,NC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Sanford, NC
If you rented you would always have the latest greatest that has all the whistles and bells... RV'N is a life style if you enjoy it you don't worry about the cost... One of the biggest advantages to me was I could use my own bathroom
...If you can afford a RV/camper you can afford a shed to park it under when not in use... I have had my share the one I enjoyed the most was a 1972 ford van with a pop top... A bud and I could go fishing for a week end are the wife and I could go aaaaa camping for a week end... It sure beat a tent are hunt'n for a motel...
IlliniJohn
Member
I've owned 3 RV pull type trailer, my Father had 2-pull types, a 5th wheel and a pick-up trailer - -they all had advantages / disadvantages.
How far are you going to pull it, and in what kind of wind/terrain? My opinion: an aerodynamic exterior is MUCH EASIER to tow in ANY terrain that a light or heavy weight trailer.
Whenever I've pulled a trailer, there is ALWAYS a Head or Quartering wind adding tow resistance -- pulling a boxy trailer (on both ends) is a huge parachute behind you.
A 5th Wheel tows and resists "whipping" much better than a bumper hitch
Bumper hitch trailers need anti-sway bar and load leveling bars - -keep it behind you, tail don't wag da dog, and keep trailer and tow vehicle balanced.
I personally like Fiberglas (CASITA, BIGFOOT, etc)or full aluminum (i.e., AIRSTREAM)trailers: better quality, aerodynamics, value over lifetime.
I also don't like slide-outs: extra weight, complexity, and stuff to go wrong - BUT, slide-outs do add a lot of room IF you're going to spend a lot of time in the RV.
Don't be afraid to but a little bigger trailer than what you may think you need - you may be surprised at how much time you will spend in it due to inclement weather, crowded due to "Extra" folks camping with you, unexpected lay-overs due to other needs.
BUT, don't buy a trailer too big or too boxy for your tow vehicle!!
Cheap trailers are cheap: fall apart in 4-6 years, value goes to ZIP faster than a politician changes their mind.
I haven't rented a trailer - guess I always wanted my bed to be my bed - and if not, stay in a motel.
Couple of websites to peruse:
RV Trader https://www.rvtrader.com/
Fiberglas RVs: https://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/rv-for-sale
Best Wishes!!
How far are you going to pull it, and in what kind of wind/terrain? My opinion: an aerodynamic exterior is MUCH EASIER to tow in ANY terrain that a light or heavy weight trailer.
Whenever I've pulled a trailer, there is ALWAYS a Head or Quartering wind adding tow resistance -- pulling a boxy trailer (on both ends) is a huge parachute behind you.
A 5th Wheel tows and resists "whipping" much better than a bumper hitch
Bumper hitch trailers need anti-sway bar and load leveling bars - -keep it behind you, tail don't wag da dog, and keep trailer and tow vehicle balanced.
I personally like Fiberglas (CASITA, BIGFOOT, etc)or full aluminum (i.e., AIRSTREAM)trailers: better quality, aerodynamics, value over lifetime.
I also don't like slide-outs: extra weight, complexity, and stuff to go wrong - BUT, slide-outs do add a lot of room IF you're going to spend a lot of time in the RV.
Don't be afraid to but a little bigger trailer than what you may think you need - you may be surprised at how much time you will spend in it due to inclement weather, crowded due to "Extra" folks camping with you, unexpected lay-overs due to other needs.
BUT, don't buy a trailer too big or too boxy for your tow vehicle!!
Cheap trailers are cheap: fall apart in 4-6 years, value goes to ZIP faster than a politician changes their mind.
I haven't rented a trailer - guess I always wanted my bed to be my bed - and if not, stay in a motel.
Couple of websites to peruse:
RV Trader https://www.rvtrader.com/
Fiberglas RVs: https://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/rv-for-sale
Best Wishes!!
Motel rooms and an economy car are way cheaper than any rv.
I get sick and tired of hotel rooms and restaurant food traveling for work. I have a travel trailer for enjoyment. Twice a year attention with a caulking gun is key no matter what it is built of.
I get sick and tired of hotel rooms and restaurant food traveling for work. I have a travel trailer for enjoyment. Twice a year attention with a caulking gun is key no matter what it is built of.
Blackhole49
Well-known Member
- Location
- White Lake MI
I bought this Dutchman 24' camper (1991) in 93. It had only been used twice. I still have it and use it a couple time a year (about 1,000 miles). It has been to FL and back and to every corner of MI. This is hunting camp. Never had a leak and the only thing that has been replaced besides the batteries is the water pump. It is stored inside when not in use. If you are going to store outside, you better figure some type of cover in the winter. If you let snow and ice sit on the roof, eventually it will leak.
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