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.