|
|
08-07-2007, 08:21 PM
|
#1
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
RV Upgrade Successful
While it doesn't hold a candle to the beautiful rigs Steve and REW have recently acquired, we successfully christened our new RV last weekend. After greatly enjoying our first RV (a Class B on a diesel Sprinter chassis) we realized that we loved the ability to get away on a minute's notice, and that RVing (if not full-timing) was something we would keep on doing. But, we needed more space.
Given our limited storage space, we stumbled on the TrailManor, a high end collapsible but rigid wall RV (not a popup camper). It's a travel trailer which collapses down to 24 feet long and 5.5 feet tall, expanding to 31 feet and full height.
Here's the living room and kitchen:
And here it is one under tow:
The technology is aircraft-like so the entire thing weighs under 3200 lbs dry; you can tow it with an SUV (we have a Sequoia but you can use smaller tow vehicles). Full amenities, permanent KING sized bed (yeah!). It stores in our driveway without a problem.
Took it out last weekend and it was almost flawless, including an air conditioner that kept us cool under the worst Florida has to offer. If you're curious the TrailManor web site has more.
Next trip is a 5-day stay at Fort Wilderness. We must be the exact household they had in their marketing sights.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
08-07-2007, 08:32 PM
|
#2
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa
Full amenities, permanent KING sized bed (yeah!).
|
Glad you like it. I couldn't even get a king sized bed in my new bedroom.
Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
|
|
|
08-07-2007, 08:42 PM
|
#3
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,021
|
Doc, looks like the guys who designed your new RV were the same guys who came up with the idea behind the Transformers. That's a great concept and it looks like they did a super job with it. Bet all that additional elbow room feels great.
Since getting mine home I've yet to get it out of the parking spot except for a short trip to get a state inspection sticker. DW is convinced helping out DD#2 with the arrival of a new grandson has priority over an inaugural trip in our new toy, and who am I to disagree. I'm hoping we'll get a weekend or two later this month and a longer trip soon. If not, I may take it on the road solo...
__________________
Numbers is hard
|
|
|
08-07-2007, 09:12 PM
|
#4
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: minnesota
Posts: 13,228
|
I looks like a great use of space and heck, it fits in your driveway. So there is a couch on one end and the bed on the other? What is behind the couch?
I like fort Wilderness, it is so nicely groomed. Enjoy your trip--how hot is it down there anyway?
We have had the hottest summer ever.
I am going out on a three day camping venture with my two sisters next week. Should be interesting.
__________________
.
No more lawyer stuff, no more political stuff, so no more CYA
|
|
|
08-07-2007, 09:14 PM
|
#5
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,532
|
Wow, that is pretty neat. I had no idea they could be so big.
|
|
|
08-07-2007, 09:45 PM
|
#6
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,895
|
very nice. and i thought my collapsible cup was cool.
__________________
"off with their heads"~~dr. joseph-ignace guillotin
"life should begin with age and its privileges and accumulations, and end with youth and its capacity to splendidly enjoy such advantages."~~mark twain - letter to edward kimmitt 1901
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 06:25 AM
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martha
I looks like a great use of space and heck, it fits in your driveway. So there is a couch on one end and the bed on the other? What is behind the couch?
I like fort Wilderness, it is so nicely groomed. Enjoy your trip--how hot is it down there anyway?
...I am going out on a three day camping venture with my two sisters next week. Should be interesting.
|
Wow - three sisters on a camping trip. Lots of togetherness. We'll need narrative and pictures, of course. BTW, we discovered that a $10 window fan on moderate speed keeps the mosquitos at bay outdoors even at dusk- maybe everyone else knew that but it's been great for us.
The TrailManor: the sofa is in front, and provides big storage beneath (golf clubs, etc. The bed is at the rear with a privacy curtain, and has large understorage, too. Tons of counterspace in the kitchen, usable shower, etc.
We're doing Fort Wilderness mostly for Epcot - Wine and Food festival type activities, but of course we'll do Disney.
It's typically hot here, low 90s, humid but nothing earth shattering. I'm afraid it's hotter in the midwest these days (Missouri has 98-100 degrees). I noticed that very hot weather here brings out the midwest winter mentality - you just go about your life. We're fortunate to have beaches where there's always a breeze and good people watching.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 06:46 AM
|
#8
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 854
|
It is beautiful. Let me know if you come up to the panhandle. Better wait though, expected to hit 100 today, with a heat index of 110.
__________________
I would not have anyone adopt my mode of living...but I would have each one be very careful to find out and pursue his own way, and not his father's or his mother's or his neighbor's instead. Thoreau, Walden
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 08:41 AM
|
#9
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
|
Looks cozy.
I'm still fuzzy on the mechanics here. For example, that cabinet on the left -- where does it go when you collapse the trailer?
Is the main advantage of a collapsible trailer the decreased wind resistance (mileage and stability)?
How long does it take to collapse or uncollapse it?
__________________
Al
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 09:16 AM
|
#10
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by TromboneAl
Looks cozy.
I'm still fuzzy on the mechanics here. For example, that cabinet on the left -- where does it go when you collapse the trailer?
Is the main advantage of a collapsible trailer the decreased wind resistance (mileage and stability)?
How long does it take to collapse or uncollapse it?
|
The cabinets unhook and get placed on the floor during travel. They weigh next to nothing and contain things like cereal, napkins. Collapsing makes for better driveway storage (it shrinks by 7 feet in length, and in height). But equally important is that the light weight is towable with an SUV (rather than a heavy duty pickup).
Finally, towing travel trailers is dicey with the big ones; this one is so light and low that you barely know it's there even in windy conditions. A good choice for us.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 09:31 AM
|
#11
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,483
|
My neighbors have one of those, Rich. They are SWEET.
__________________
Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:)
This Thread is USELESS without pics.........:)
|
|
|
Trailmanor's are great...
08-08-2007, 12:37 PM
|
#12
|
Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 56
|
Trailmanor's are great...
Rich, We bought one new when we lived in So. Cal, in 2002. The main reason for buying this particular unit was - that I could keep it in my garage - as space was certainly at a premium out there.
We loved it and used it often. The engineering is nothing short of incredible.
After moving back east, having more room for storage, family growing up - we decided to spring for a 34 ft. 5th wheel in late 2005. No regrets there either.
As you know - there is a rigid opening/closing process/proceedure. If something doesn't close easily - don't force it! Go back and re-trace your steps. Usually not a problem but occaisionally, I'd get in a hurry .
Enjoy the Trailmanor.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 12:46 PM
|
#13
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
Fine advice and good endorsement, Jim. I'm a checklist type of guy on things like this.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 01:42 PM
|
#14
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 927
|
If you don't mind my asking, Rich, how did the resale value of the Sprinter hold up?
I'd like to "start small" with a Sprinter the way you did, and if it's worth my time to search one out, I'd like to buy used vs new.
Thanks, and congratulations on the new rig!
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 03:27 PM
|
#15
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caroline
If you don't mind my asking, Rich, how did the resale value of the Sprinter hold up?
|
Badly, as expected at age 11 months - lost about 25% on purchase price. However, we found a win-win in that the trade-in was worth more than the new RV, so I got a big check back. This in turn eliminated sales tax (7%). To even it out I also negotiated no-charge fancy hitch (almost $1k retail), brake controller and a few other odds and ends that cost the dealer little but saved me lots.
I would recommend a class B to start but they are not cheap, and be certain you can sleep comfortably in the one you choose. Used is great, too, if you don't mind the usual issues.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 03:48 PM
|
#16
|
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,677
|
That's an interesting RV option, I'll have to check those out with DH when he gets back from his trip. Very cool Rich!
__________________
Dogs aren't our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. - Roger Caras
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 04:10 PM
|
#17
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 927
|
Thank you kindly, Rich!
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 04:49 PM
|
#18
|
Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 678
|
Totally cool! I checked out their website and would have chosen the same model that you did. I have the same question as Trombone Al--how long does it take to collapse or uncollapse?
Thanks for sharing it.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 05:37 PM
|
#19
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodSense
Totally cool! I checked out their website and would have chosen the same model that you did. I have the same question as Trombone Al--how long does it take to collapse or uncollapse?
|
We're beginners. It took me about 6 minutes when I timed it, about the same opening and closing, and that's going through the checklist item by item, reading them off one by one. Experienced users, like the salesman, took about 3-4 minutes. I figure 5 minutes is real-world. (this doesn't include all the generic RV tasks you'd have with any model, like hooking up the hose, electric, leveling, etc.)
It's ingenious, really. All balanced on torsion bars wtih a tubular sausage-like thing sealing all the gaps with no action on the owners' part. The founder was a metallurgical engineer/RVer who basically invented it in 1980 and has stuck with the same basic design ever since, making only incremental changes over the last 25 years. Basically, it works.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.
As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
|
|
|
08-08-2007, 06:08 PM
|
#20
|
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Losing my whump
Posts: 22,708
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreamer
Wow, that is pretty neat. I had no idea they could be so big.
|
(cough)
__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Quick Links
|
|
|