2024 Casita 17' Spirit Deluxe

[Tex68w]

I added the Stromberg rack and a generic 30” truck box. Most folks that don’t use the big money Stromberg rack use a 24” box because it fits completely inside the tray. Since my box overhangs the front corners of the tray, I added 1.5” square tube aluminum between it and the tray to lift it up.

My 30 inch box wasn’t much money and holds the chocks, Andersen leveler, orange blocks, EPMS, water hoses/filter, sewer hose supports, stabilizer crank, a handful of 1 pound propane tanks and a few tools.

It is ugly, but I chopped 6” off the rack vertical supports (probably an inch or two too much) to get it lower (and maybe looking slightly better?). I use a soft propane tank cover which I ended up liking better than the hard case because it’s easier to check the switchover indicator.

I do really like carrying absolutely nothing necessary for trailer setup in the truck. It all stays on the trailer all the time all year.

-Mike

The exterior accessible interior space found on the Oliver's and Escapes is a large part of why we would like to upgrade besides the obvious increase in width and length which translates to more interior space. You lose most of the exterior accessible interior storage when you move to the larger fresh water tank as it all but completely blocks that opening from the outside.

Once I've made the electrical cord change I'll be able to store all of the electrical goodies in that space and I'll likely stick the drill for my stabilizers in there as well. This will leave only the wheel chocks, stabilizer pads, and water line accessories stored in the box I carry in the bed. I'd love to be able to carry all of those items within the camper itself but short of storing most of that in the bottom of the closet (which I don't care for) there isn't an option that I like short of the storage container.

I wish they would extend the tongue of the trailer 20-24" and provide a small fiberglass lock box behind the propane tanks like they offer on the Escape trailers. If I had that I would seriously consider keeping the Casita for the long run.

 

[Florida Native]

I get it and it’s all a trade off. We don’t want a giant trailer with slides so we will make do with limited outside storage. Right now, with the front box it works for us. We can even put three folding chairs in the outside compartment with the large water tank.

If/when we go bigger, we’re getting a dry bath, so it’s either Bigfoot or a non-fiberglass (most likely Airstream) for us.

-Mike

 

[Tex68w]

I get it and it’s all a trade off. We don’t want a giant trailer with slides so we will make do with limited outside storage. Right now, with the front box it works for us. We can even put three folding chairs in the outside compartment with the large water tank.

If/when we go bigger, we’re getting a dry bath, so it’s either Bigfoot or a non-fiberglass (most likely Airstream) for us.

-Mike

I had an Airstream in the family, I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole, what an overpriced turd. But hey, that's just me. We love FGRV's and I don't care for slides nor do I need a full dry bath, that's way overrated IMHO and for how often (or little) I actually use it. It'll be an Escape or Oliver replacing the Casita should I send it on down the road. For now it's fulfilling it's role and like you said, there's always a compromise and right now I am willing to make those in favor of the Casita to keep the size and cost down.

 

[Obsessed2findARuggedHybid]

I had an Airstream in the family, I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole, what an overpriced turd. But hey, that's just me. We love FGRV's and I don't care for slides nor do I need a full dry bath, that's way overrated IMHO and for how often (or little) I actually use it. It'll be an Escape or Oliver replacing the Casita should I send it on down the road. For now it's fulfilling it's role and like you said, there's always a compromise and right now I am willing to make those in favor of the Casita to keep the size and cost down.

Airstreams are cool to rent on AirBnB set up on a cool property with a wooden deck built around them. So wide a spacious but like Tex i would want to own one or tow one.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Airstreams, like many things these days. Are not what they used to be.
Watch out for the "firefly" system. And those built during covid.
Thor bought then in 1980,l I believe.

 

[Tex68w]

Airstreams, like many things these days. Are not what they used to be.
Watch out for the "firefly" system. And those built during covid.
Thor bought then in 1980,l I believe.

Thor was the beginning of the end of their moniker having any real meaning.

 

[Tex68w]

We've recently looked at late model Escape 21 and 23 as well as an Oliver Elite II. Much to my surprise, my wife said she far and away prefers the Oliver. I couldn't be any more pleased to hear her utter those words. It sounds like I will eventually get to acquire my dream camper, an Oliver Elite II. We likely won't list the Casita until we've taken at least a few more trips in it this season, but it's possible it might end up on the chopping block sometime this year. Until then we will continue to enjoy it.

 

[Buddha.]

Airstreams, like many things these days. Are not what they used to be.
Watch out for the "firefly" system. And those built during covid.
Thor bought then in 1980,l I believe.

I hate the Firefly system and its competitor the One Control as well. Everything is integrated into the touchscreen and its computer. I don’t understand what was wrong with switches.

 

[AtomicGeo]

The converter claims it's capable of a lithium charging profile all the way up to 14.6v so in theory it should be able to do it. I think my issue is that I am charging via the available 15amp outlet in my unit instead of the full 30amp as it's designed for. If I had a 30amp hookup nearby I could plug it in and see if it would then take it the rest of the way. I might rent a space at one of the local RV parks here in town later this week and leave it overnight to see if it'll take it the rest of the way.

Hello. May I ask what model WFCO converter model you have in your Casita. I just picked up a 2025 Spirit Deluxe, now I am planning the same upgrade from my lead acid to lifepo4. I will probably go with the same 300Ahr size you used. My converter is a WFCO WF-8955-AD. Just wondering if I need to upgrade the wire size. Thanks.

 

[Tex68w]

Hello. May I ask what model WFCO converter model you have in your Casita. I just picked up a 2025 Spirit Deluxe, now I am planning the same upgrade from my lead acid to lifepo4. I will probably go with the same 300Ahr size you used. My converter is a WFCO WF-8955-AD. Just wondering if I need to upgrade the wire size. Thanks.

That's the same model and you're fine, it can handle it.

 

[Tex68w]

I had a quick two-night trip to Fredericksburg this weekend for a motorcycle event. We had 3+ inches of rain early Saturday morning with 45+ mph winds and pea size hail, the trailer took it like a champ, no leaks or issues. I really do wish I could keep this little trailer for my solo travels.

 

[AtomicGeo]

That's the same model and you're fine, it can handle it.

Thanks. I was hoping not to have to go with a larger wire gauge size.

 

[AtomicGeo]

I had a quick two-night trip to Fredericksburg this weekend for a motorcycle event. We had 3+ inches of rain early Saturday morning with 45+ mph winds and pea size hail, the trailer took it like a champ, no leaks or issues. I really do wish I could keep this little trailer for my solo travels.

What front scissor jacks do you have? Way cool that you added that.

 

[Tex68w]

What front scissor jacks do you have? Way cool that you added that.

Those are BAL 7500 scissor jacks front and back, took those pathetic little ones they come with on the back off and had mounting plates welded on so they can be bolted on and removed/replaced if ever damaged. Casita Works sells the plates. The cool thing is I can jack the trailer up in a few seconds with an impact to change a flat.

 

[4RunnerGuy]

Still researching but leaning towards Arkto, BRS Pursuit and the Antishanty right now.

Interesting to see the alternatives here.

Yea I'd agree, that's more of a $10-12K trailer depending on condition.

Whew!! I knew the pricing on these went up during covid but glad to see I'm not priced out of the used market should I decide to jump in.

Wow, great thread, really nice trailer, and incredibly informative for this potential Casita/fiberglass trailer buyer! I've been wanting a Casita on and off for 5 yrs now. Completely missed the boat on a well-maintained one here in my little pocket of paradise in Los Angeles County, that sold quickly a week before the covid craziness and I'm sure that buyer was grinning ear-to-ear 6 months later.

Intro: Hi Everyone, I'm Dealmaker on many other (Toyota) forums. On the bad side of 60 now, and as I move closer and closer to either being retired or unemployed my interest in these is increasing. I, too, love the Oliver Elite II, but one of my main parameters is to be able to use one of my three 2UZFEs (4.7L V8 Toyota engine) to tow. I've got a slightly built '04 4WD, a stock '06 2WD 4Runner, and a stock '06 LX470. Unfortunately, from the reading I've done, looks like I'll be relegated to a single-axle <20 ft. if I want to stick with any of those. Was hoping to stick with one of those so I can decouple and use the trailer as a home base while exploring trails and roads up and down the Sierra, Death/Panamint Valleys, and even into UT and states north of there. My 4Runner and I'm sure my LX would be great at the exploring part, but they are towing-compromised. Alternatively, considering a p/u with FWC.

I thought I had read that a difference between Oliver and Casita (and others) is that Oliver uses a composite floor (not sure if its all molded in to the bottom half), vs. the others using a wood floor, which eventually rots and becomes problematic to repair. Can anyone confirm this?

Primary tow vehicle, and passenger photos below. My 6'3 son would likely join in, maybe the wife, too, but probably never more that two people at once. The GSD is huge, "only" 105 lbs but 30" at the withers and he takes up a lot of space. If I pull the trigger and buy one, I'd likely store it near Ridgecrest, or maybe climate-controlled storage in Las Vegas.