Question Best Trailer??

[Wright640]

I’m just now getting in the market for a towable. I’ve been reading a bit about different manufacturers and how some have gone down hill in recent years. Who are the best and worst? Looking for a bunkhouse model with one slide out. Appreciate any guidance.

 

[John&Andrea]

Welcome to the group. I’m sure others will comment on this as well.
Find something that works for you, I do not think there is a best or worst. There will be problems with any RV. Being able to do at least some of your repair will help.
The used market should be coming down, RV Trader.com is a good place to check pricing. It’s a good place to look at different trailers.
Stay under your max tow limit on you tow vehicle. Overall handling, stopping and power to climb hills are big parts of towing.
Good luck and happy shopping.

 

[Rosy]

I don't think there's any one brand that's better or worse than the others. We're really happy with our Coachmen Freedom Express 25SE, which has bunks and one slide but you can find an equivalent model from pretty much any manufacturer.

 

[TheLooks]

I like the Jayco Jayflight line and I would seriously look at the new camper Bish's RV is introducing. It is being built by Jayco.
To also add, we have the 26BH Jayflight with no bump out, 2011. Love it. As an RV tech, I dislike bump outs. Other then the money I make from them. But the same Jayflight with a bump out is available.

 

[Wright640]

I like the Jayco Jayflight line and I would seriously look at the new camper Bish's RV is introducing. It is being built by Jayco.
To also add, we have the 26BH Jayflight with no bump out, 2011. Love it. As an RV tech, I dislike bump outs. Other then the money I make from them. But the same Jayflight with a bump out is available.

Thanks for the advice. I’m usually a keep it simple kind of guy. I believe The more technology and moving parts just means more things to break but my boss likes the extra room, so you know what I’m doing. I like happy more than simple

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks for the advice. I’m usually a keep it simple kind of guy. I believe The more technology and moving parts just means more things to break but my boss likes the extra room, so you know what I’m doing. I like happy more than simple

I guessed what a bumpout was but had no idea really. So rather than ask I searched!

Anyhow, because you now specify slide out, you eliminated this!!!

The Disadvantages of RV Slide Outs » Bowlus Blog

The Disadvantages of RV Slide Outs - RV slide outs may seem like a great idea, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see that the disadvantages quite possibly outweigh the benefits of any added space.

bowlus.com

 

[TheLooks]

Terminology war. I admit they are more commonly called slide outs.....

 

[Wright640]

I guessed what a bumpout was but had no idea really. So rather than ask I searched!

Anyhow, because you now specify slide out, you eliminated this!!!

The Disadvantages of RV Slide Outs » Bowlus Blog

The Disadvantages of RV Slide Outs - RV slide outs may seem like a great idea, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see that the disadvantages quite possibly outweigh the benefits of any added space.

bowlus.com

Gee thanks now I have something else to worry about. Can I have my wife call you about slide out problems because she’ll never listen to me? . Just kidding, great points to consider.

 

[Lil'Skeet]

Gee thanks now I have something else to worry about. Can I have my wife call you about slide out problems because she’ll never listen to me? . Just kidding, great points to consider.

I'm in the same exact boat and feel like I am standing directly under a huge hornets nest, and about to hit it with a rock. Wife went from 1 slide out to 3 in a couple days. I told her she better learn to use a ladder and caulk gun. Oh, and in the rain too. She said "why in the rain"? "Because that's when things get wet and leak!" Ugh, she's a great mother to my our kids though.

 

[sanda]

I've had several different brands of trailers over the years and overall the best was the Cougar. I've never had a slideout problem on any of them. I do have some concerns with the schwintek slide but time will tell. I use my trailers a lot and average 10k miles per year.

 

[MyRVTravels]

I’m just now getting in the market for a towable. I’ve been reading a bit about different manufacturers and how some have gone down hill in recent years. Who are the best and worst? Looking for a bunkhouse model with one slide out. Appreciate any guidance.

There's definitely a lot TT's out there to choose from, some better than others for sure. I have had several Forest River trailers, the last one being the Surveyor 245BH had it for 5 years was a great trailer, didn't have any major issues with it aside from normal wear and tear.
Had been wanting to upgrade to something a bit nicer and now that my kids are older didn’t need a bunk house anymore.
After lots of research I chose the Ember 26RB Touring Edition, for the build quality and features they offered. Ember does have two Bunk House models that are both similar and very nice, you might check out.
It’s hard to find a good rig out there, it's even harder to find one with good customer service that you can rely on. I had an issue with one of the dual pane acrylic windows, Ember stepped right up made an exception and shipped the replacement window direct to me rather than having to go through a dealer. Typically, they’d ship to a dealer to perform and warranty issues.
I’m not affiliated with Ember aside from a being happy customer.

 

[Believer45]

We have a 2012 Forest River Rockwood Windjammer 3008W and are pleased with the build. It was 10 years old when we bought so someone else went through the "new RV" issues. Before that our "newest" RV was a lat 70s or early 80s Starcraft popup so we cannot really offer any opinion on anything like a new build. Our current layout is great for two but not really set up for any more than that.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We have a 2012 Forest River Rockwood Windjammer 3008W and are pleased with the build. It waas 10 years old when we bought so someone else went through the "new RV" issues. Before that our "newest" RV was a lat 70s or early 80s Starcraft popup so we cannot really offer any opinion on anything like a new build. Our current layout is great for two but not really set up for any more than that.

It is safe to say trailers at least 10 years old,have seen some form of transformation. I personally only know of one trailer that has not!!!

So older trailers in some opinion have been improved upon!!!

 

[old timer]

I worked on machines for years, the ones that were the most dependable were the ones with the least moving parts. We had a phrase KIS, Keep It Simple .

 

[Seniorchief56]

Check out the Grand Design rigs

 

[wiscampsin]

Rockwood and it's twin sister brand Flagstaff are considered well built and a good value for the money. I would suggest avoiding anything with Schwintek slide mechanisms.

 

[sanda]

I agree with the schwintek issue. Everyone I know including myself have nothing but problems with them.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

This brings us to the other side of the equation—owners not understanding how the system works and proper operation. We have said this time and again: The unit must be level and secure before extending or retracting the room, otherwise the twisting and resistance on the gear and motor will create issues. Most trailer and 5th wheel owners pull into the campground and extend the rooms before doing this, as it requires them to go outside to extend the stabilizers or jacks. Even if the unit is level, the weight of the room extending can twist the sidewall at the opening just enough to put resistance to the fastening points such as the rivets. Once the rails are loose, it’s not long before there is a problem.

Also, one of the biggest issues according to the Schwintek technician is synchronizing the motors. In the owner’s manual, it states that when extending or retracting, keep the button pushed in even after the room touches the wall and until the motor stops. This allows the two motors to “sync” back together. Most RV manufacturers do not build a slide room with the same weight on each side of the room, so one motor may be required to work harder than the other. Plus, no RV owner packs their ”stuff” with weight distribution in mind, so the motors will get out of sync.

Most owners let go of the button when the room touches the side as the motors start to “whine” like they are going to burn up! So the more the room gets extended and retracted without the synchronizing procedure, the more the motors get out of sync or alignment and eventually stop working due to the resistance.

Bob

 

[sanda]

T

This brings us to the other side of the equation—owners not understanding how the system works and proper operation. We have said this time and again: The unit must be level and secure before extending or retracting the room, otherwise the twisting and resistance on the gear and motor will create issues. Most trailer and 5th wheel owners pull into the campground and extend the rooms before doing this, as it requires them to go outside to extend the stabilizers or jacks. Even if the unit is level, the weight of the room extending can twist the sidewall at the opening just enough to put resistance to the fastening points such as the rivets. Once the rails are loose, it’s not long before there is a problem.

Also, one of the biggest issues according to the Schwintek technician is synchronizing the motors. In the owner’s manual, it states that when extending or retracting, keep the button pushed in even after the room touches the wall and until the motor stops. This allows the two motors to “sync” back together. Most RV manufacturers do not build a slide room with the same weight on each side of the room, so one motor may be required to work harder than the other. Plus, no RV owner packs their ”stuff” with weight distribution in mind, so the motors will get out of sync.

Most owners let go of the button when the room touches the side as the motors start to “whine” like they are going to burn up! So the more the room gets extended and retracted without the synchronizing procedure, the more the motors get out of sync or alignment and eventually stop working due to the resistance.

Bob

Those are indeed the proper ways to keep from having Schwintek issues BUT I use all the proper procedures and still have problems. It's well known within the industry. I would add that you must have fully charged batteries before operating the slide.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Of course, there is nothing indicating one way or the other that the slide was built and installed per Schwintek specs. I think we have all seen too many factory errors for one reason or another in the RV industry.

Regarding batteries and charging of same, I see too many posts where it is apparent folks do not understand the electrical systems on their RVs. No, we are not supposed to be an Electrical Engineer but a bit of study and common sense should prevail.

Bob