Trailer Decision

[daddydarko]

I have a Bushtec hitch installed on my Spyder and I'm finally ready to buy a trailer. I was sold on a Bushtec until recently (still think they're the best cargo trailer) but I started looking at camper trailers.

I travel a lot with my teen and getting off the ground at night would be great. As many trips as we take, we save a fortune by camping. Also, many of the campers double as cargo trailers.

I've accepted that I will lose the "don't know it's there" feeling Bushtec offers. I will also lose some storage but that hasn't been an issue yet and a camper frees up the trunk for something other than a tent, sleeping bag, and mattress pad.

Does anyone have any experience with camper trailers? Here is the one I'm looking at if you're interested:

- Mini Mate

 

[bjt]

I like it. As soon as you get it, you'll be ready to head out with Deb and I on that LA trip this summer. :thumbup:

 

[DynamoBT]

Wow!! I had no idea something like this existed. What a way to travel!!!

 

[RoHo]

:2thumbs: Now THAT is cool !! :clap::clap::clap:

 

[Lamonster]

Haven't used a camp trailer for a bike but I will say all the RV's, 5th wheels and camp trailers I've bought through the years never saved me any money and never got used as much as I thought they would have. Hope it works out for you. :doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

There are a variety of these available. We always see a few at the BMW rallies and at Mid-Ohio. Large, but practical. I expect they will hurt you gas mileage, however.
-Scotty

 

[daddydarko]

There are a variety of these available. We always see a few at the BMW rallies and at Mid-Ohio. Large, but practical. I expect they will hurt you gas mileage, however.
-Scotty

It actually weighs 100lbs less (275lbs dry) than Lamonster's Quantum (I think he has a Quantum) so maybe he can weigh in on the mileage impact.

 

[Lamonster]

It actually weighs 100lbs less (275lbs dry) than Lamonster's Quantum (I think he has a Quantum) so maybe he can weigh in on the mileage impact.

About 30 to 32 with the trailer, 34 to 38 without the trailer. :doorag:

 

[flyjake]

I'm waiting on delivery of a Trailmaster Aspen Sentry in 3 days. Weighs 300 lbs, 25 lb tongue weight, sleeps two, queen-size fold out, lots of storage room in lower part of the trailer. There are a number out there, some pretty expensive, but deals are available. I plan to travel pretty much solo, with trips through the Canadian Maritimes this summer. I'll post when I tow for the first time.

 

[Firefly]

I've been researching all of them for quite some time now.

I'm leaning towards the Roll-A-Home brand. Both the Roll-a-home and Leesurelite flip open and the roof becomes the floor.


The major players:

http://www.trailmasterinc.com/

These units are very nice, well built and the most bang for your buck as far as stock options. You can get pretty well equipped for $4,000

http://www.leesurelite.com/

These are really slick units, but don't come standard with many things you'll need to add on later. Very lightweight. Made in Canada. With needed options you're gonna spend around $6,000

http://rollahome.com/

This is the one I'm most interested in. Heavier than the leesurelite - but comes in Black as well as white, is less expensive and has more standard options. Made in WI. I considering buying one and taking the ferry over from MI to pick it up. Can get pretty equipped for under $5,000

Some other ones:

http://www.roadmancampers.com/


http://www.openroadoutfitters.com/

This is the one in the video you posted. The campers are pretty simple, but Dale is a heck of a nice guy and will take time to talk with you about your needs.


Let me know if you have any questions - I've spoken with all of these places and asked tons of questions (type of frame, axle, weight, tongue weight, etc.).

 

[Firefly]

I'm waiting on delivery of a Trailmaster Aspen Sentry in 3 days. Weighs 300 lbs, 25 lb tongue weight, sleeps two, queen-size fold out, lots of storage room in lower part of the trailer. There are a number out there, some pretty expensive, but deals are available. I plan to travel pretty much solo, with trips through the Canadian Maritimes this summer. I'll post when I tow for the first time.

Those are really a nice unit and everyone says they tow GREAT. They have a real 'Torflex' suspension. Well built.

Only two things I really didn't like about theses:

1.Lack of a hard-top cover - which they don't make for the Sentry. Have to step up in size to the Classic.

2. The tent floor part rests on the ground instead of elevated like the Roll-a-home.

Other than that, they had the best deal around - and for the amount I would actually use one - would probably work just fine.

_______________________

Another thing I just thought of pertaining to the Leesurelite and Roll-A-Home is that they can both store vertically on stands that you can install - so they won't take up much space in your garage in the winter. The Roll-A-Home even has a tongue that you can remove if you have a low ceiling in your garage or shed so you can still stand it up on end.

 

[Firefly]

Haven't used a camp trailer for a bike but I will say all the RV's, 5th wheels and camp trailers I've bought through the years never saved me any money and never got used as much as I thought they would have. Hope it works out for you. :doorag:

I agree 100%. You will never 'save' enough money camping as compared to staying in hotels to actually pay for the camper. It's about the experience of camping. Camping isn't as cheap as it used to be - unless you're one of those Wal-Mart campers. Yes, Wally Mart allows RV's to camp in their parking lots for free. I'll never shop there, but in a pinch I could sleep in their parking lot!

I'm still undecided on whether to get a camper or not.

 

[NancysToy]

I love to go motorcycle camping. I don't mind a tent in the least, but it was always impossible to get both Nancy and the camping gear on my RT at the same time. That is one of the main reasons the Spyder came into the garage. Now she can tote her own sleeping bag. I agree with your approach Daddydarko. If you take the kid, and want to camp, you will probably need a trailer. Would not have to be a camper, though, a nice big tent plus all your gear would easily fit in a standard trailer like the Bushtec.
-Scotty

 

[tatt2r]

sorry evolved from camping no pool ,jacuzzi,cable, or wifi...... i'm going to shoot for cargo trailer.....
but hey have a ball ....:2thumbs:

 

[daddydarko]

Firefly,

Thanks for the info. I've looked at all those brands too. My decision has come down to price and customer service and so far, Openroadoutfitters.com is blowing the competition away in both categories.

I saw some great Tear-drop campers and even one with a galley but they are waaaay too expensive. I think they all have some great ideas but none of them are particularly appealing ascetically.

Any reason you're steering away from the Mini-Mate? It's quite a bit cheaper than the Roll-A-Home.

 

[NancysToy]

I saw some great Tear-drop campers and even one with a galley but they are waaaay too expensive. I think they all have some great ideas but none of them are particularly appealing ascetically.

How light are the teardrops you found? Most seem too big and heavy. I have considered them, since they would look great behind the hotrod or Falcon ragtop, too.
-Scotty

 

[daddydarko]

How light are the teardrops you found? Most seem too big and heavy. I have considered them, since they would look great behind the hotrod or Falcon ragtop, too.
-Scotty

http://www.lassenviewcustoms.teardrops.net/images/lvcteardrop.jpg
http://www.lassenviewcustoms.teardrops.net/index.html

I don't know the weight but it can be pulled by non-trikes so it can't be too bad.

 

[Firefly]

I found some other teardrops that were even smaller - really looked cool - but you can't change in them, etc.

A few reasons I basically took the Mini-Mate off my list - and it was one of the first I found that got me looking around:

1. I can't have a white trailer - no way - no how. This means having it painted - extra $$$. If I can get one in standard black and add some silver accents - I'll be a happy camper - /

2. I wanted something a bit larger with a larger changing area.

3. The 'boxy' looks of the Mini-Mate kind of bother me.

Other than those - which really are personal things - I think it's a slick little unit.

The Mini-Mate was one of the first I ran across. Then I found the Aspen units, then the Leesurelite and Roll-a-home. So it was a continual stepping-up the more I looked at them.

If looks were not an issue for me, the Aspen would be my #1 pick. Best bang for the buck - they throw in (or at least they were in Feb) tons of extras. The Sentry is like $3650--- which isn't a ton more than the Mini-Mate - but I think it offers much more, and can come in BLACK - which I preferred. The frame and trailer of the Aspen units are the best out there from everything I've read in various forums.

Considering the Mini-Mate is $2900 and the Aspen Sentry is $3650 - I think the Sentry is a much better equipped unit, larger, etc.

The ROA and LL units kind of hooked me with their 'cool' factor they way they open and set up in 10 seconds - I likes my gadgets! LOL

So now I'm just stuck wondering just how much I would really use it - as I usually can only sneak away for 3-4 day weekends here and there.

Have you seen that large pink one that the gal in Australia has for her Spyder? Unreal -

 

[Lowflyingowl]

You might also try one from Microlite:

http://www.microlitetrailer.com/

 

[Smylinacha]

I think it is totally kewl BUT for one person. Two people - no way. You guys would be on top of one another. HDX and I have a toy hauler and we have a good sized bed in there and I still get squished - I am five feet nothin and he's over six feet. If your son is small that is cool but if it's two adult sized people, bring along another tent in case one gets fed up and wants to sleep on the ground. I know if we had that, I'd be on the ground. HDX would kick me out.