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Tkelly · 08-07-2017, 02:23 PM

Hi... I'm new to trailer camping and have yet to purchase a trailer 🙂... I have looked at a few different brands and was nervous to look at airstreams cause I knew it would be game over and there would be no turning back ...as this is my dream trailer...I was going to wait until I retire to purchase my dream, but after viewing them up close, I'm even more in love ❤️... And I don't think I'm going to be able to wait. I'm giving myself a 1-2 year window to find the exact one I would like to buy! Im here to learn more about these wonderful trailers and gain more insight into what's involved in owning one of these dream boats😍😍😍😍... I don't yet even own a vehicle to tow 😂😂😂. So any info will here will be valuable😁 Happy trails everyone!

Isuzusweet · 08-07-2017, 03:00 PM

Welcome to the asylum and good luck with your search.

Are you looking for new or used? One or more in your family?

A little tid bit of info first to help you search.......choose your trailer first, and then your tow vehicle (TV), or be really smart and choose both at the same time, like me; (Airstream Classic 1983 310 turbo diesel motorhome).

FYI There is a guy in Hamilton selling AS trailers on Kijiji all the time; be careful.

Cheers
Tony

sandollars · 08-07-2017, 03:23 PM

Yup, what Isuzusweet said: Trailer first. It is my observation that a lot of people buy too small because of the prohibitive cost of these units. My advice to you is DO NOT SETTLE for smaller. Get the one you want. Chances are it will be a lifetime purchase. The cost of entry is steep in relation to other trailers, but you only have to buy it once.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

uncle_bob · 08-07-2017, 03:33 PM

Hi

Welcome !!!

Regardless of where you fall in the new / used debate, head over to a dealer. Get everybody involved over there at once. Spend a day "trying on" different trailers. Think about what you will do and how you will function. This is not as easy to sort out as you might think.

Next take a look at the sort of places you would like to go. See how that bumps up against your "fit" into various trailers. There is a dynamic here. Big is fine for fitting everything in the trailer. Tiny is best for getting to "that place". There is some major back and forth.

Trying to work this out looking first at this one and a month later at that one is tough. Being able to go from one to the other is much easier. Don't assume it's a one time check. You may well go back in a month or two to do it all again.

No matter how you look at the cost of a trailer, buying the "wrong" one and trading six months later is a significant added expense. It may be bigger or smaller financially depending on the specific trailer. It's a big "time expense" no matter what.

I know this makes it sound like a bunch of work. It's not as much work as a series of fun things to do. Getting up to speed should be enjoyable.

Dive into it !!!

Bob

Tkelly · 08-08-2017, 07:41 AM

Thanks .. It's just the 2 of us and 2 dogs... I seen the ads from the guy in Hamilton �� I'm looking for used and the midels I like are the 2003-2004 signature 28fb down to the 27 .... They seem to be in my price range and about the size that would accommodate us for many years to come! Thanks for the advice

Tkelly · 08-08-2017, 07:44 AM

Thanks so much I never even considered the places I want to go .. I just thought get a trailer and go ... Wow thanks for that insightful info�� Much appreciated!

Tkelly · 08-08-2017, 07:47 AM

Thanks... I have been mulling it over for a few months but I'm sure there is a few more months of mulling because for me it will be a one time deal... I'm on Cloud nine just thinking about those campers and can't wait to start traveling!!!

uncle_bob · 08-08-2017, 08:36 AM

Hi

If the 27 and 28's look good right now, at the very least take a look at the 25 through 30 range. To a lot of people 28' is the ideal length and I certainly will not argue with that at all. There are a lot of floor plans. Each of them has some tradeoffs. One may work better or worse for you. Floor plans change slowly. Looking at what's out there new will give you a fair idea of what was out there ten to fifteen years ago.

Price of used trailers can be a bit weird. I'd suggest la fairly broad date range in your search. You never know when a deal may come along. That's even more true as we head into fall / winter and people start to think about storage. Put another way, I'd certainly shop 2010 through 2000 rather than narrowing to 2003 /2004.

Bob