Thoughts on camper trailers.,Airstream Basecamp or similar models

Hello anyone have experience or advice on affordable //reliable camper trailer similar to the Airstream Basecamp model ….thank you, DHK

 

Biggest oxymoron EVER!

 

And yes, I have owned a Basecamp 20X. Very expensive POS straight from the factory. Do your research. I suggest buying something pre-2020 if you are going to roll the dice.

 

My grandfather had a few Airstreams over the years. He referred to them as the best of a very bad lot.

in other words he didn’t think there was any such thing as a reliable camper trailer.

my subsequent experience has not offered anything to change that opinion. They seem to require a lot of attention.

 

Any camper is a very bad investment when you think about it. You're dragging a tiny home down the road and that tiny home is bending, flexing and being subjected to adverse weather conditions. Plus the wear and tear you and your family put on it when you use it.

The asset depreciates very fast and it breaks or wears out very easily. My family has owned a few campers. I know upkeep and maintenance can be time consuming and costly. Is it worth it? That's subjective really.

I don't remember the dollars I spent keeping the camper looking nice, I only remember the great memories that I had in them while I was fishing, hunting, hiking, camping.

 

Your grandfather's Airstreams were of a different time and different level of craftsmanship. Every travel trailer and RV is going to require some maintenance. The crap that's coming out of the factories now is just that. CRAP. Literally falling apart from day one. There's no pride in workmanship anymore. It's gone from a quality product (Airstream), to just seeing how many they can pump out in a year. And they're the supposed best. I don't think my experience is an isolated one. There are articles and videos on the subject ad nauseam.

 

Keep us apprised on what you are looking at and what you find. I had a Jayco 154BH Baja., took 3 trips in it and sold it. Didn't like all the hooking up and unhooking as well as towing at 55mph. Now that I've had a 2016 Winnebago Minnie Winne 22r for 3 years, I might give a Travel Trailer another try. Why, with a RV like mine it's difficult to do much exploring once you reach your destination. And with all the storage room my wife tends to take too much crap! With a Travel Trailer you can unhook and set up, then you have your Truck or in my case my new 2024 4Runner to explore the surrounding areas. You can get a new 2024 Jayco 154BH for $17,000 new. I bought my 2016 Minnie Winnie 3 years ago for $51,000. It's probably depreciated $17,000! Maintenance is much more extensive and expensive with an RV vs. a Travel Trailer. Most repairs and maintenance can be done on a Travel Trailer by a guy/gal with average skills.

 

Thank you for the advice.

 

I think the Airstream Basecamp looks nice, but it really doesn't seem to be feature-packed, more show than go.

I would look at Forest River, maybe the R-Pod?

 

My Jayco was out of Idaho. It was built to Canadian Specs., Insulated bottom side and a couple of other goodies. Solar Panel, extra large water tank, etc. The 154BH Baja had an off-road suspension.

 

The quality of trailers is what holds be back from buying one. I have two kids and a dog so require something with some size, but most of the older better quality trailers are too heavy for what I want. My old trailer was fine when I have a V8 half ton to pull it with.

 

Is a popup trailer out of the question? When I had my Jayco 154BH the Tacoma occupants were myself at 235lbs. an average petite wife, 1 100lb GSD and a smaller dog at 40lbs. Maybe the 8 cases of beer were a bit much?

 

I just looked at the Basecamp this week... then I looked at a Sol by inTech. Anyone have any interactions with inTech?

 

I remember seeing a documentary movie about Initech, I think it was called Office Space?

 

I'll go see if the TPS reports have anything on travel trailers.

 

We have a 2011 Coachmen Freedom Express that we bought new as a leftover in 2012. We've towed it all over the eastern US for 12 camping seasons. I've replaced several sets of tires, bathroom and kitchen faucets, and added a second battery. Very few problems, lots of great memories.

 

TPS Reports?

 

Uh oh, did you use the wrong cover sheet?

 

Starting at $42,000? Is that camping or Glamping? Looks like lots of do dads that can go bad. Huge front windshield? So you can run around in your skivvies for all to see?

 

There's this cool new invention called shades.

 

Looked at them for a long time. To get what I wanted/needed would have put the 4runner right up against the towing limit.

Decided for the price, the 55 mph,12 mpg while towing, the depreciation and maintenance I could rent a lot of cabins/air b&bs. I'm 72 so an RV or trailer isn't a long term investment for me...

 

Buy used from a private party, dealers are useless.

 

They sent a memo about it. I'll send it to you again

 

I'm 71 with an RV. (3 years now) One of the best things I ever did....my wife enjoys the rig. For her it's a contest to see how much junk she can pack. "isn't a long term investment" at age 72? Where are you going?

 

I thought through the whole RV, Basecamp, Mini, tow fiasco option a few months ago, I couldn't make it work. As another forum member said about towing with a 4R..."These things have enough trouble pulling themselves down the road and up hills without the additional burden of a 3000lb camper."

 

I for one, am not ready to give up finding a Travel Trailer I can tow with my 2024 4Runner V6 4.0 automatic.

 

If you could go ahead and forward that memo to me, that'd be great.

 

Couldn't make it work?

These certainly don't tow like a V8, full size. But they'll get it done.

 

There are plenty out there. Just be prepared to drive slow and get extra shitty gas mileage.