Opinions needed for a newb!

[someday]

First of all I would like to start by saying I THINK this would be the right place to post this, if its not, then Mod's please post in the proper section.

I have been lurking on this forum for over a year right I stumbled across it following a semi-self contained, 4000 mile truck/tent camping trip my g/f and I took two summers ago. I loved the trip and have been anxiously awaiting another. Well, after buying a house last year, this summer we SHOULD be ready for another x-county camping loop! :wings:

SO, I would LOVE some opinions (yay or nay) on the following three trailers and feel free to add any to my list. I am looking for a trailer that would be able to handle class 2 MAYBE class 3 trails. From what I have been reading, it seems like washboards just reak havoc on trailers. The tow vehicle will be a stock DCSB tacoma so Im not looking to get into anything crazy. It must be big enough to sleep g/f, myself and two 80 lb dogs (right now we all sleep daily on a queen size bed just fine, and yeah, we are THOSE type of dog people ). Since the dogs will be with us, that leaves out rtt, and flip pacs. I am a teacher and during the summer I am a raft guide, so it will be used as my primary residence 5-7 days/week (I have a couple acres a mile hike from the outpost which I hike to/from work everyday). Last couple years it has been the bed of my truck with a leer cap. So, that is the criteria, unfortunately my budget will be $5000-10,000. Anything over $5000 I will have to finance so I am really leaning more towards the $5000 mark. Also, there are not alot of places to 'shop' around here in the northeast for trailers so my choices are somewhat limited.

Here are the three;
Little guy rough rider-leaning towards the 6-wide, just so we have little extra room during crappy weather
http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/models/rough-rider/


SerroScotty, I know, these arent intended for offroad use, but do you think with upgraded suspension, bigger tires it could handle lite offroad use?Also, brand new is a little out of budget, so any upgrades would be a little down the road. I talked to a dealer at our local RV show and he 'claims' they are built "like a tank". Has anyone seen or have any experience with newer models?
http://www.scottytrailers.com/pup.php


Aliner would be the third. Like the other, just slightly out of price range but could swing it if I knew it was going to last. I would obvioulsy get the offroad package. I know there is gentleman who regularly posts on here with one. I would be afraid of those large windows cracking/leaking.
http://www.aliner.com/products_detail.php?Type=PRODUCTS&prodid=4&sectid=5


I have also considered the fleetwood cobalt/neon. But after reading about upkeep with canvas and extra time to set up/break down camp, not totally against it yet.

Also the camper for Xpotrail looks to be my best bet, but a definite price and a definite final date has yet to be determined. So waiting for one of those is also an option?

Thanks for any input! :sombrero:

 

[The Swiss]

Welcome aboard!

My vote would be the XpoTrail, but you might also want to look at http://www.weiscrafttrailers.com/

 

[Flyfishjeep]

I have a couple of questions that you may have already answered your self:

1) Is this the sole purpose of this trailer and you would not need it for other purposes (hauling, dump runs, etc)?
2) Tent camping vs. contained trailer, is a tent out of the question (weather in areas you travel bad, time of year too cold, etc)?
3) Do you have future plans to improve the trailer, or improve the tow vehicle to go to even more difficult areas?

If you have answered these questions to your self already, then I think all 3 have pros and cons to which you are the best judge of what is right. If not, then you may want to look around at some of the other trailer types that are geared towards expandibility that would also serve your needs (such as an AT style or some of the similar home builds you have seen here) to open up options for the future. I would hat eto see you spend the money now, and then a year or two later possibly want to add up and have to shell an additional sum of money and not be able to get back what you have already spent.

You may want to look around and see if you can find someone or someplace that you can rent one of these type of trailers before you lay out the cash for a purchase? Just my thoughts

 

[someday]

1) Is this the sole purpose of this trailer and you would not need it for other purposes (hauling, dump runs, etc)?
- purpose? weekends, road trips, and stay in 4-5 days a week through july-august.


2) Tent camping vs. contained trailer, is a tent out of the question (weather in areas you travel bad, time of year too cold, etc)?
- there will be some winter camping involved, dont want to worry about putting tent away wet

3) Do you have future plans to improve the trailer, or improve the tow vehicle to go to even more difficult area
- as far as improving tent, maybe solar power, or upgrade suspension. tow vehicle will eventually get A/T tires and billy's. Truck is an '09 and plan on keeping it till it dies.