From my limited knowledge, I would buy a used trailer. It seems that they are a much better deal than new ones. I also worry about storing them and keeping the mice out of them. My wife and I have wanted a small camper but we've decided that for the few times we'd use it we are better off staying in a hotel.
Funny this thread came up. We just upgraded our little r-pod by Forest River to just a little bit bigger one. We tow with a 2014 Tacoma and it seems to handle it quite well. r-pod West Coast Travel Trailers by Forest River RV
We like motor homes. Yet we used to have a pop-up and loved it so long as it is used for short term because of not so good facilities when it comes to bathroom and showers. We're still considering buying another pop-up right now as we sold our motor home many moons ago but missing some camping times.
In former lives, we've both camped, but long ago. No pop-up camper, per wifely instruction. I agree, too small for us and dogs. We've taken dogs on trips and stayed in dog friendly hotels, but that's not ideal. Nice links XXL, and Woodwidow . both look promising.
We're probably heading to the Black Hills this summer and considered camping too, since we too did it in former lives!! Probably 15 years of annual mileage since then!! Probably just rent rooms somewhere instead!
I would personally stay away from pop ups and hybrid trailers. On damp/rainy days it feels like you're in a tent.(cause you partially are) The light weight trailers are fine but with the Explorer will be near max load even with the smallest of lightweight trailers considering the trailers weight plus the carrying capacity.(and towing near max capacity sucks) For a trailer at your capacity it will probably only have the bedroom and a table which is fine for you and the wife but if you want to have room for 4 to visit and be comfortable you probably want a couch too. I've always heard rear kitchens get tossed around pretty good being at the back of the trailer but I have no personally experience with it. All the trailers I've owned have had the kitchen in the middle. Take your time and browse all the sites on-line then find a dealer and walk through some of them to see what you like and don't like. I didn't buy from these people but their site is pretty good for getting an idea of what you want. Michigan RV Dealer,Keystone RV Dealer,Heartland RV Dealer,Forest River Dealer As far as leaks go, all trailers leak at some point, people call them rolling earthquakes for good reason. Our current trailer is our first new one, I figured I wanted one that was leak free for a little while. I hoping it will be easier to keep a new one sealed up rather than trying to seal up a leaky used one.
Under 25' and under 5000lbs. New Travel Trailer RVs, Travel Trailers Something like this maybe. New 2017 Forest River Wolf Pup 18TO For Sale.5839 Pay no attention to most of the pricing listed on these sites, I personally wouldn't pay a dime over 35% off msrp. Also if you buy new don't let them hit you with any of the trailer prep and destination charges. I can understand the destination charge but laughed at anyone who wanted me to pay to prep a new trailer.
Ran into my brother and his wife at HD this afternoon, and he told me there's an RV & camping show in Houghton Lake late this week. I can't make it, but they're going. We have plenty of time. Thanks for the info rdust .
If you're in no rush, consider this.. Buy an older school bus with a sound drivetrain and low miles (DT466 and Allison trans), they can be had cheap. Like 4K cheap. Then spend another 10K-15K making it what you want on the inside. Just a thought.
Friend of mine and I (MANY moons ago) bought an old, already converted school bus, swapped in a big block 455 and trans out of a station wagon, then used it a couple times to drive down with a bunch of guys from work to the Silver Dome to watch the lions lose. Don't remember what we did with it after that.