New hard sided light weight travel trailers are getting very popular.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Lot of my fly fishing friends who are retiring now are getting travel trailers.

I think most are getting lighter ones that weigh around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds so you can pull them with a medium size SUV.

I think 18 to 22 feet is the size that most are getting.


**Some of my friends, like Don Rotsma and Rick Jorgensen, are getting bigger 26' trailers with slide outs that they will pull with a diesel truck.


Video showing light weight Winnebago trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8PsRjSFAOg

[Kneedeep]

We very briefly owned a tent trailer last year. Spent 10 days in Colorado with it and sold it as soon as we got home. Not enough space and way too much packing/unpacking/set up/take down time.

We opted for one of these because it is fully self contained with the bunks closed. Tows with 2014 Ram V6 easily @ just over 3000#.
When you're on the road, you can pull over anytime, make a sandwich, take a pee, or easily grab a few hours of sleep in a parking lot if need be and continue on to your destination. No need to put the bunks down with the couch and drop down table/bed.

http://ventura.craigslist.org/rvd/4993134400.html

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Looks like a good rig.....can't wait till summer.

[Kneedeep]

Thanks, Bill.
We really like it and despite being 4yrs old, its as new. Add the fact the guy selling it took $7800 including the anti-sway hitch and a few other extras made it a sweet deal.

[Rmacneil656]

A lot of people ( including myself) are also building a DIY sleeping platform in the bed of their truck. The picture is of mine, I just completed it. The benefit of the sleeping platform is that it sits above the wheel wells making one large flat platform with storage underneath. Mine is about the size of a queen bed, and I have sleeping pads that I can put on top. I also plan on wiring up some deep cycle batteries to have enough power to run a heater and or lights all night, may also do outlets for something like a mini frig for those hot fall steelhead trips. Camper shell cost $500 on craigslist, and the wood and carpet came out to $100. 10690

[JayDubP]

A lot of people ( including myself) are also building a DIY sleeping platform in the bed of their truck. The picture is of mine, I just completed it. The benefit of the sleeping platform is that it sits above the wheel wells making one large flat platform with storage underneath. Mine is about the size of a queen bed, and I have sleeping pads that I can put on top. I also plan on wiring up some deep cycle batteries to have enough power to run a heater and or lights all night, may also do outlets for something like a mini frig for those hot fall steelhead trips. Camper shell cost $500 on craigslist, and the wood and carpet came out to $100. 10690

Neighbor bought a queen size "platform bed frame" for around $80 from Walmart (I think) that was originally 14 inches high. Covered it with several 1/4" plywood in 2ft by width of truck. He cut legs to 7 inches and uses 6" high plastic "underbed"" storage bins to keep everything in place under the frame.

it is great setup, but as Bill posted, as we get older we crave the hot shower and other creature comforts.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

A lot of people ( including myself) are also building a DIY sleeping platform in the bed of their truck. The picture is of mine, I just completed it. The benefit of the sleeping platform is that it sits above the wheel wells making one large flat platform with storage underneath. Mine is about the size of a queen bed, and I have sleeping pads that I can put on top. I also plan on wiring up some deep cycle batteries to have enough power to run a heater and or lights all night, may also do outlets for something like a mini frig for those hot fall steelhead trips. Camper shell cost $500 on craigslist, and the wood and carpet came out to $100. 10690

This has been a popular setup for many years for fly fishers and outdoor types.

Some of my fishing partners had this setup.

Then we put our prams on top.

http://boredomtherapy.com/diy-adventure-truck/?as=6022439435884

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[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

This is one of the more sophisticated versions of the pickup bed with canopy camper setups.

http://boredomtherapy.com/diy-adventure-truck/?as=6022439435884

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Taking a cargo van and making it into a camper is popular too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GRgoISeTR4

[Rmacneil656]

This is one of the more sophisticated versions of the pickup bed with canopy camper setups.

http://boredomtherapy.com/diy-adventure-truck/?as=6022439435884

I'm heading that direction. I'm going to wire in power, but need to save my pennies for deep cycle batteries and a nice inverter. Another reason I did pop up vs pull out storage is you need the tailgate open for the pull out. If its freezing cold or raining, it would be a pain to have to open the tailgate to get something you may suddenly need.

One of my friends in oregon has a flip pack, and as far as hot shower goes he has modified his heater core to heat water. He has a pump that will suck it through a garden hose, heat and deliver to a shower head. Its outdoors but it works. Not saying that this is better than a RV, its not. But it is 10x better than a tent. When you only have 1 vehicle, limmitted funds and no where to park a large vehicle; options are limmitted.

[JAWallace]

We're committed to get something for short trips (week or less), and have looked at lots of alternatives. We've come down to a small hard side trailer, maybe the one Dan Blanton got last year. I don't understand the Class A and C rigs for fishing. You can tow a boat, but you're pretty stuck if you need to move around. Pop ups are out because of the hassle and my wife has a bear phobia. Having a bear visit us ON a houseboat recently didn't help. Truck campers aren't that comfortable for two and we don't have a full size truck, plus you have the same issue with a motorhome--camper jacks are a hassle if you want to move around. Solo I can still use a tent or sleep in my SUV, but for the two of us an 18-20' trailer seems to be the best option?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I think having a nice bed is important.

One you can get around on both sides so it is easier to make up.

Take your time looking.....

[JAWallace]

It's also nicer when you have two older people that usually have to pee during the night. With the island bed you don't have to crawl over the other. I will not get anything without twins or an island bed. Most of the better RVs have them now.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

In other states you see people towing three in a row.

Truck, 5th wheel and a boat on a trailer.

__________________________________________________ ______

Another way is truck with a canopy with a boat on top and a standard travel trailer.

This is the old way........

I think Rick Jorgensen is going that way.

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[pelcrk]

Been using an ALiner for a few years now. hard-sided A frame pop up . very light, easy to tow (i tow ours with a Toyota Highlander) and sets up completely in about 60 seconds. Has AC, heater,stove, refrigerator.
Best,
Steve

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

http://www.aliner.com/

I think these are a really good choice for something small and light.

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