Tag Archives: small trailers

Dusting Off The Small Trailer Enthusiast

For several months, I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting this website restarted after a 3 year hibernation. It’s been a great little hobby since I launched it in September of 2011. It grew to levels I never thought imaginable, and opened several doors for me.

But as time passed discouragement set in. Google algorithms did the site no favors unless you posted daily or weekly content to your site. It would get buried in Google searches, which took a hit on the site’s visits, which in turn made it difficult to stay motivated to put the time into heading to an RV dealership to gather info and photos of a new towable you all might be interested in, coupled with the actual writing of the posts on the website, which were often done in the wee hours of the morning. I could easily count on two hands the number of times I rolled into bed at 2am after posting a feature on the website! And mind you, I’ve had a regular 8:30-4:30 job outside of the RV industry the whole time.

As many of you know, I would share the posts on our Facebook page. Facebook’s algorithm was just as difficult to help the site gain traction as Google. With nearly 5000 followers on the site’s Facebook page, the metrics would show “maybe” 10% of the followers would actually see the post in their feed. And maybe 10% of those 10% would react to and/or click on the link to the website.

So it was after I wrote my last feature in early 2022 on the  Encore RŎG that I decided to just let the website sit there with the 11 years of content it had. I didn’t post and didn’t update the comprehensive Manufacturers Page, which was by far the most frequently visited part of the site. Daily visits have taken a hit without new content to the tune of 35 visits a day in 2024, down from 1,400 daily visits during the website’s peak in 2017.

But as I mentioned, a little voice in the back of my head has been talking. I finally listened to that voice this weekend when I attended the Louisville Boat, RV, and Sportshow. I found a nice display of small trailers and teardrop campers that 62 Sales of Charlestown, Indiana had on display. I’d taken a handful of pics and thought of just putting a few comments on our Facebook page, but then decided this would be the perfect spot to dust off the website with a post. It was modest as my previous posts go, but it was just enough to get those creative juices flowing again. I also started going through the links on the Manufacturers page to correct any broken links and clear out any manufacturers that have closed up.

While I may never see 1,400 daily hits on the website again, I’d be happy just to get it back over 100 and be of help to those small trailer enthusiasts researching for their first, or next, small trailer. Afterall, that was my sole intent back in 2011: To be a clearinghouse of small trailer news and resources, “for the small trailer enthusiast in you.”

If you’re an RV dealer or an RV manufacturer reading this and have a small trailer 20 feet or less that you’d like to get noticed, shoot me an email: pat@smalltrailerenthusiast.com I’m located in southern Indiana just north of Louisville, KY. I’d be happy to drop by and see what you’ve got.

Please bookmark and share the website, and join us on our Facebook page: The Small Trailer Enthusiast

 

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Liberty Outdoors adds Camp-Rover to growing line-up

Uniontown, Ohio based Liberty Outdoors recently has introduced the 21′ Camp-Rover to their small trailer line-up, which already includes the Little Guy Max and Mini Max. Designed with the same foot print as the popular Little Guy Max, the Camp Rover will provide a different floorplan, but with the same construction as the Max, yet at a reduced cost.

To get to that lower cost when compared to the Little Guy Max, the Camp-Rover comes with fewer frills which help drive down the MSRP, which will be some $4000-$5000 cheaper than a Max at around $27,000. It will have the ability to sleep 4, thanks to the 60″x80″ rear queen bed, the front dinette that converts to a single bed, and the optional overhead storage cabinets that can convert to a bunk that checks in at 27″X81″.

The Camp-Rover offers standard features, including a full kitchen, wet bath with seamless shower surround, A/C, quick recovery water heater and storage including a 13-inch by 30-inch exterior pass-through baggage door. The Camp-Rover has an internal height of 6 feet and 7 inches and weighs 2,900 pounds. It is 21 feet long and 7 feet wide. As with all Little Guy trailers, optional Rough Rider packages with off-road tires including spare and 2-inch lift, as well as solar panels, are available.

Where they drive down costs are there are fewer electronics, and a smaller air conditioner, utilizing an 5,000BTU unit that is mounted underneath the bed. There are also fewer windows in the Camp-Rover as well, which help reduce overall cost of ownership. As Joe Kicos, Managing Director at Liberty Outdoors, told me, the Camp-Rover is for the true camper who doesn’t need the TVs and stereos, although it is pre-wired for those, but is looking for a quality built trailer the gives the basics at an affordable price point.

While not yet on the market, I anticipate we’ll see them hit dealer lots throughout this summer. Once they do, I’ll be making a trip to one of my nearby Liberty Outdoors dealers to get a first hand report. Stay tuned! Until then, be sure to check out the Liberty Outdoors website for future details on the Camp-Rover at https://golibertyoutdoors.com

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Small Trailer Snapshot: The Aliner Great Ascape

Back in August of 2017, I gave a first hand report of the new for 2017 Aliner Ascape, which you can read here. Aliner has since shuffled the Ascape lineup and now offers one that really hits on all cylinders, so to speak. The Aliner Great Ascape will soon be hitting dealer lots after the new year, and is one worth looking into, especially if you’re short on tow capacity. It’s 9″ wider than the smaller Ascape Camp, ST, MT, and Plus, equating to 12% increased width. But it adds all the features that the smaller versions couldn’t fit in to one floorplan. The Great Ascape continues like the rest of the Ascape lineup with its signature rear entry door, covered by a standard 6′ Thule awning. It also comes standard with a Cool Cat AC/Heat pump, as well as double pain Euro style windows. This is one I’d give a hard look at if I were in the market for something in this class.

Key Features: Unique rear entry door; 9″ overall width increase compared to the entry level Ascape; small footprint and lightweight; loaded with amenities . 

Key Specs: Checks in at just over 1800 lbs, with a 14′ length and 220 lbs hitch weight with 650 lbs of cargo capacity. Interior height is 6’4″ A 6’4″ interior height due to a handy drop floor makes the Great Ascape one that your average camper can easily fit in.

Why I Like It: Why would any small trailer enthusiast not love the Great Ascape? It’s small enough to tow with a plethora of vehicles, it’s got everything one needs to camp comfortably, and it’s got visual appeal. Standard features include a built-in microwave, flush mount sink and stove, 3.0 cubic foot fridge, enclosed wet bath with cassette toilet, and 23″ flat screen TV & sound bar. Exterior features include an outside shower, dual 20 lbs propane tanks, a 6′ Thule awning, and a 100 watt roof mounted solar panel. When the dinette is in full bed configuration, it measures out to an impressive 77″ x 64″. Or if you are camping with a buddy, you can use each side of the dinette booths as single beds. While the Great Ascape is a brand new model in the Ascape line, I’ve not found any out on the market yet, but I suspect that will change within the next couple of months. Look for MSRP’s to be in the mid $20K’s, which should translate to a low $20K take home price.

http://aliner.com/campers/great-ascape-st-shower-model/

Video courtesy Mount Comfort RV

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St. Patrick’s Day Snapshot: Flagstaff Shamrock 19

This morning I thought I’d post a pic on our Facebook page of a Shamrock trailer, wishing you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. That thought soon morphed into writing a post on something I’ve never done before: A hybrid trailer. I’ll be upfront here when I say that hybrids aren’t my cup of sunshine for various reasons. But despite that, I looked over the floorplans Shamrock has to offer and if I were to buy one, the Shamrock 19 offers a nice, simple layout.

Key Features: 6 Sided Aluminum Cage Construction; Vacuum Laminated 1 Piece Roof and Walls; LED TV W/ Multi-directional Antenna; Multi Zone Stereo W/ DVD/CD/AM/FM and Bluetooth Control; Two Maxxair® Ventilation Fans and Vent Covers; 13,500 BTU Roof AC; Recessed Cooktop W/ Flush Mount Cover; Microwave Oven; Water Heater w/ Interior Gas and Electric Switches; Power Awning; Black Tank Flush; Tinted Bonded Frameless Windows; Solid Wood and Raised Panel Doors and Drawers; Ducted Furnace;  Engineered Mold and Mildew Resistant Floor Covering; 13,500 Roof A/C; Battery Disconnect Switch; Bunk Fan/Light Combination with Each Bed; Heated Mattress; WiFi Ranger WiFi Booster; Insulation Factors R-7 Side Wall, R-12 Floor and R-14 Ceiling; Insulation Factors R-7 Side Wall, R-12 Floor and R-14 Ceiling

Key Specs: UVW 3885 lbs;  Total length (closed) 21’3″;  Total width 8′;  Hitch weight 434 lbs; Cargo capacity 1549 lbs; Exterior height 10’3″, 43 gallon fresh water tank; 30 gallon gray water tank; 30 gallon black water tank; 15′ awning.

Why I Like It: As someone who’d probably not consider a hybrid from my own camping leisure, if I were, this floorplan would be a strong contender. It’s simple, no slide outs and has a front and rear pop out. The basic four person dinette plus jackknife sofa opposite the dinette give the perfect amount of seating for a family of 4-5. And Flagstaff is a pretty good name in this industry, so there’s a trust factor for me there. But based on the key features listed above, these things pack a punch! There are plenty more features on them as well as a lot of optional things you can put on to make it a comfortable camping experience.

For more info on this and other Shamrock floorplans, visit the Flagstaff website at http://www.forestriverinc.com/travel-trailers/flagstaff-shamrock 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 

 

 

 

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Jayco rolls out the Hummingbird 10RK

I’ve seen pics of the Jayco Hummingbird 10RK for a couple month, but up until now hadn’t heard much about it. Today, Jayco officially introduced the 10RK, what I like to call a “box drop” trailer. It’s the same idea as a traditional teardrop trailer, but instead of the classic teardrop shape, it’s built with a square design.

The 10RK comes with the traditional Jayco 2 year warranty and sits on two Goodyear Endurance radial tires. The galley area is equipped with a TV, microwave, refrigerator, and sink with some storage. Quick observation that sticks out is the exterior height of 90″, despite it’s just 13′ length. Most residential garages have 7′ garage doors, so this would be problematic for storing it onsite for some. Also, the unloaded vehicle weight of just over 1500 lbs will likely rule out towing with some lighter tow vehicles capable of towing lighter weight teardrops.

But that said, if those factors aren’t a factor for you, give it a look. I’ve not seen one in person yet, but Jayco sells the most trailers in the free world, so the Hummingbird 10RK is likely no slouch. I found just two for sale on rvtrader.com. One dealer in Minnesota, Ted’s RV Land, showed an MSRP of $18,500 with a selling price of $10,300, which may not be too bad for the budget conscience buyer wanting to get in to this type of trailer.

For more info, visit the Jayco website at https://www.jayco.com/products/travel- trailers/2018-hummingbird/10rk/ and be sure to watch the walk through video below, courtesy the Jayco RV YouTube channel.

(photos courtesy Ted’s RV Land)

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Aliner expands Ascape floorplans

It was about this time last year when Aliner introduced the diminutive Ascape travel trailer. The 13 foot, 1350lbs Ascape initially came with a fridge, microwave, stove, and sink, with a TV and sound bar, awning, air conditioning, and potty as a packaged option.

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Aliner has increased the floorplans for 2018 for the Ascape to give you four different layouts, ranging from a spartan interior with no appliances to one with a wet bath and kitchen.

The Ascape MT is the spartan layout. It’s geared for maybe those who tent camp that want to get off the ground and into a little bit better shelter. You won’t get a microwave, stove, sink, or toilet with the MT. But you will get lights, a Fantastic Fan, and a solar port. And you’ll get decent sleeping quarters and a very lightweight trailer at just 1170 lbs.

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(courtesy http://mountcomfortrv.com)

The Ascape Camp is a nice upgrade from the MT. The Camp offers excellent cabinet storage on the right as you enter, and on the left if a standard 2-burner stove, sink, and a 1.9 cubic foot refrigerator, with additional overhead cabinets and storage below the counter as well. This is a very good floor plan if you want storage, a kitchen, and excellent counter prep space. Other standards on the Camp include an outside shower, a 16K BTU Atwood furnace, a 6 gallon Suburban water heater, and a 9200 BTU Coleman Mach 8 rooftop air conditioner. While heavier than the MT, the Ascape Camp is still considerably lightweight at 1495 lbs.

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The Ascape ST is a floor plan that Aliner needed to introduce to stay competitive with other brands of similar size. I got several notes after my review of the Ascape last summer from readers lamenting the fact there was no shower in the first Ascape floor plan that hit the market in 2017. And it was my opinion for the Ascape to survive against a similarly priced T@B that had a wet bath, they needed to add one too, and that they did with the Ascape ST. Not only does it offer a fair sized wet bath on the right as you come in, but it also has the same kitchen features as the Ascape Camp with the sink, 2-burner stove, and 1.9 cubic foot refrigerator. However, with the addition of the wet bath on the right, you lose a lot of storage and all that prep space the Camp features. But it doesn’t take much creativity to utilize the table for prep space, or on a good day, take it outside. The standards on the ST mirror those of the Camp model with an outside shower, a 16K BTU Atwood furnace, a 6 gallon Suburban water heater, and a 9200 BTU Coleman Mach 8 rooftop air conditioner. With the shower, you gain a 13 gallon gray water tank. There is not a black water tank for the toilet as the ST utilizes a cassette toilet. The weight on the ST is just a tad heavier than the Camp, checking in at 1575 lbs.

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The last floor plan, the Ascape Plus, is the original floor plan that hit the market in 2017. It also offers the greatest number of features as standard, including a larger sink, 2-burner stove, range hood, microwave, 5′ awning, 23″ flat screen TV with sound bar, Thetford cassette toilet, front mounted solar panel, outside shower, dual 20lbs propane tanks, Suburban 6 gallon water heater, 16K BTU Atwood furnace, and a 3.0 cubic foot 3-way refrigerator. Again, all those are standard features. The only thing not offered in the Ascape Plus is the interior shower. Having the most number of goodies, the Plus is the heaviest of the four floor plans, but it still comes in at a manageable 1630 lbs.

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So as we can see, the folks at Aliner have been busy this past year developing new floor plans for the Ascape. And what they’ve come up with should really satisfy a lot of different camping needs amongst the small trailerists looking for something less than 2,000 lbs that you can stand in. Due to the drop floor in the Ascape, all four models have a maximum 6’4″ interior height, are a total 13′ in length from hitch to tail, are just 6’1″ wide, and 8’4″ tall including the roof top air conditioner (7’5″ on the MT model without A/C). With the dinette in the bed configuration, it produces a roomy 77″ x 64″ sleeping area. All floor plans sit on a 2500 lbs Dexter axle, which equates to cargo capacities ranging from 870 lbs to 1330 lbs, and hitch weights from 170 lbs to 229 lbs. You also have four different exterior graphic colors to choose from in red, black, green, and blue.

To learn more about the Aliner Ascape, visit the Aliner website at http://aliner.com/campers/

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2018 Aliner Ascape: Firsthand Report

Aliner has been building hard sided pop up campers since 1984, and they’ve been generally accepted in the industry as the standard which other manufacturers follow in that category. In the late 2000’s, Aliner experimented with conventional small travel trailers with the Marco and the Amelia, which were short lived with minimal success. This year, Aliner has made a comeback in the small travel trailer segment with the introduction of the 13 foot Ascape.

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The Ascape is produced in Aliner’s Mt Pleasant, Pennsylvania’s plant. In these times where every manufacturer is copy-catting what everyone else is doing, it’s refreshing to see someone come out with something that no one else has. And despite its diminutive size, the Ascape is loaded with a lot of amenities.

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One of the unique features of the Ascape is the rear entry door, which includes a drop floor creating a generous 6’4″ of interior head room. When the dinette is converted into a bed formation, it creates a very roomy 64″ x 77″ sleeping area.

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The Ascape packs a lot of standard options, including outside shower, 40 watt front roof mounted solar panel, electric brakes, 13″ aluminum wheels, 3.0 cubic foot refrigerator with freezer, 6 gallon water heater, range hood with fan, Fantastic Fan, screen door, LED lighting throughout, 2 burner range top stove, deep stainless steel sink with pull out faucet, microwave oven, dual 20 lbs propane tanks,  and 16K BTU furnace.

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When it comes to options the Ascape offers, there are just a few and they come in one package: 9200 BTU roof mounted A/C, a 5 foot Carefree awning that mounts over the rear door, Thetford cassette toilet, and a 23′ flat screen TV with a Bluetooth sound bar.

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I did mention above that the optional air conditioner is a roof mount. However, for a period this year, Aliner was installing wall mounted units, which is how these units I looked over at Mount Comfort RV were equipped. I’ve been told that newer Ascapes being produced will have the roof mounted unit. If you go with option package that includes A/C, this will negate the standard Fantastic Fan. However, if you want both the wall mounted A/C and the Fantastic Fan, as you can see from these pics, there are some out there.

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As for the exterior, the Ascape is a smooth aluminum siding with a one piece of aluminum on the roof. Four stabilizer jacks are standard as is the front mounted spare tire. The graphics packages offers four different color options. The green pictured above is standard, but you can also pick from black, red, and blue.

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As for overall specs, the Ascape is 13 feet from hitch to tail, and fully optioned will weigh right around 1700 lbs. Exterior height is 7’5″ without A/C and 8’4″ with the roof top A/C. The box width is 66″ and the total width is 73″. The hitch weight is 170 lbs and the GVWR is 2500 lbs, giving you somewhere around 700-800 lbs of cargo capacity.

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So you might ask who is the Ascape made for? Several! It’s great if you have a tow vehicle with minimal tow capacity. It’s also a perfect fit for a growing segment of buyers, and that would be single females looking for something easy to tow with minimal effort to camp in. I also see this set up well for the adventure outdoors buyers looking for something they can use off the grid, as the standard solar panel and dual propane tanks can offer some extended boondocking. Or it’s also good for those of you who like unique, cool looking small trailers with good features. Overall, my opinion is positive on the Ascape. It would be nice if there was a wet bath feature, but given the small footprint of the Ascape, a wet bath would take away much of its storage, so it would take some creativity. However, Aliner has been pretty creative over the last 30 plus years they’ve been in business, so if it can be done, they’ll be able to.

While at Mount Comfort RV looking over the Ascape, I also did a little 10 minute walk thru video for you to get a little more up close look. A fully loaded Ascape has an MSRP of just over $20,000, so you should be able to fetch one somewhere in the mid teens range.

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Little Guy transformation kicks off with the Max

 

The report of my death was an exaggeration. – Mark Twain

That famed quote by Mark Twain in a letter he wrote in 1897 is something that popped into my head on the drive back home to Indiana recently after visiting Liberty Outdoors’ facility in Somerset, Pennsylvania. For after the split of Little Guy Worldwide (now Liberty Outdoors) with longtime manufacturer Pleasant Valley Teardrops (now nuCamp RV), a lot of people left the Little Guy team for dead.

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Destined to become more than just a teardrop marketer, Little Guy entered the arena of manufacturing, something quite new to them. With the recently acquired rights to the Serro Scotty brand, Little Guy formed an alliance with Gulf Stream to manufacture an “everyman’s camper” in the Serro Scotty. The Scotty took a beating on the internet, and especially in the vintage Serro Scotty community, due to its perceived lack of styling with its standard travel trailer boxiness prevalent in the industry today. Little Guy assured everyone that this was just the first wave, and more products were yet to come that would be more in line with their roots that they would manufacture themselves.

That day has come.

Fresh from their own plant in Somerset, Pennsylvania, comes the Little Guy Max.

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The Max is just the first of many new lines you’ll be seeing coming out of the plant in Somerset over the next two years. And based on my first hand observations of the Max last month, the product offerings from Little Guy will undoubtedly set the small trailer community on its ear. But until then, let’s first take a look at the Max.

I met Little Guy Director of Operations, Dylan DeHoff, at the Liberty Outdoors Somerset plant one Wednesday morning last month. Along with Dylan to meet me was a celebrity in the world of camping podcasts, Janine Pettit of the Girl Camper podcast. Janine was lucky enough to be taking the 3rd Max built back to her home in New Jersey, as she was going to do some hands on critiquing of the Max for Little Guy on a 4 week trip out west starting this month.

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Janine and Dylan took me on a tour of hers before she took it back to New Jersey. The first thing you notice when you first step into the 21′ Max is the incredibly open feel, due in part to the seven dual paned windows throughout, including a window in the door that opens up for additional airflow. IMG_6686[1]

There are also two windows in the rear of the Max that also open, including the vertical window above the spacious 60″ x 80″ queen bed, with a mattress locally made exclusively for Little Guy.

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If there’s one word that really defines the Max it would have to be space. You really feel the space in the actual physical size of the Max, including an impressive 6’7″ ceiling height. In addition,  the light tones of the real maple hardwood cabinetry open it up to create such a refreshing environment that’ll rival the great outdoors for your time spent camping.

lg max4Space is also highlighted in the form of storage space. And for a trailer of this size, I don’t recall anything have the storage, and it’s smart storage, as the Max. A total of two pantries, a deep drawer below the fridge, storage below both the queen bed and the front dinette, as well as three kitchen drawers, and overhead cabinets and cubby holes at every turn.

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This doesn’t even cover the storage under and around the front dinette either, which there is plenty there as well. You’ll notice in the photo above the 24″ Furrion TV at the foot of the bed. There’s also another Furrion TV concealed at the front dinette that opens up with the press of a button. That front dinette also folds down to make a single bed, as typical in most RVs.

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As for construction, the Max is built quite a bit sturdier than your typical trailer in this class. First, it sits on a tubular steel frame that is powder coated to automotive standards. As is the case with most of the components Little Guy uses in production, the frames are locally built. The cage is aluminum and insulated with block foam insulation and covered by Azdel paneling. The one piece fiberglass roof and sidewalls can come in either a white or silver base, with exterior trim in your choice of black, silver, or red.

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The floor is made of a 3/4″ thick product called PerforMAX 500, which is a wood product engineered to better withstand moisture and be more stronger and stable than plywood.

performax500The construction really shines especially in the cabinetry. The dovetail construction used throughout is something you just don’t see much in the industry. I learned during my visit there that they’re building trailers to last you a long, long time. They have the confidence in their trailers that they’ve put a standard 2 year warranty on them, which in the industry is still the exception.

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As for bathroom facilities, the Max has a wet bath with a height of a generous 6’2″, giving ample headroom for most. It also includes a full size multi-speed fan, which is a rarity when it comes to trailer bathroom vents. lg max10

The standards on the Max are plenty, and things you wouldn’t even see as options on other trailers in this class. As for some of the exterior features, they include a 6’3″ Thule awning with LED light strip, 2″ rear receiver for the optional bike rack, 15″ aluminum wheels, sliding screen door, exterior speakers and TV mount, pass through storage with slam latch doors, illuminated aluminum entry step and illuminated grab handle.

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On the inside of the Max, you’ll find (aside from those features already mentioned), an 8″ deep stainless steel kitchen sink with residential style high rise faucet with sprayer, a flush mounted 2 burner gas stove with glass top, a stainless steel microwave, stainless steel 4 cubic foot stainless steel refrigerator, 13,500 BTU roof mount air conditioner, traditional 6 gallon Dometic hot water heater, LED touch screen and switch panel for monitoring tanks and lighting controls, LED lighting throughout including various accent lighting above cabinets, and Furrion Stereo, Bluetooth, MP3, MP4, DVD.

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As for standard specifications, the Max checks in with a dry weight of 2,900 lbs, tongue weight of 281 lbs, and is an even 21 feet long. The holding tanks are 20 gallon fresh water, 14 gallon gray water, and 9 gallon black water. Overall width is 7 feet and height comes in at 9’1″. There’s also an optional Rough Rider package you can buy that gives you a 3.5″ axle lift, black diamond plate, and 15″ matte black off road wheels and tires.

The options on the Max are four: solar panel, bike rack, power tongue jack, and stained cabinetry, if you want your interior a little darker.

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Even though I’ve given you a lot of information here, chances are I’m probably forgetting a few things, which is testament to how loaded this “little guy” really is. It packs a feature punch that honestly I’ve not seen in a trailer this size in the years I’ve been doing this. While some will balk at the $29,999 MSRP, once you see one for yourself, you’ll soon realize that you’re not going to really find much on the level of the Max’s build quality and features. And that MSRP isn’t as high as other similar high end trailers within its size range. And from my visit to their factory, I would consider the Max a high end trailer that will last you many, many good camping years…and look pretty cool rolling into the campground to boot.

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I asked Janine a week after she took to the Max what her impressions were of it and she told me, “Liberty Outdoors just raised the bar in the light weight towable market with their Little Guy Max. It’s built to an exacting standard, thoughtfully designed and affordable. It’s a win, win, win for all RV enthusiasts.”

Based on what I saw of the Max and the other projects set to come online in the next year, that bar will be raised even higher.  Their story is just beginning.

To find out more of the Little Guy Max, visit their website at http://golittleguy.com/lg-max/

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Winnebago Spruces Up Exterior of the Winnie Drop

A long time ago, many jobs ago, the CFO of the company I worked for once told me, “Pat, just because someone has an idea, doesn’t mean it’s a good one”. Fortunately he wasn’t referring to me, just giving me advice that’s stuck with me all these years. When the Winnebago Winnie Drop was introduced a couple of years ago, that advice came to the surface of my thinking. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the Winnebago Industries. Not only has Winnebago been synonymous with RVing for decades, but their products are synonymous with quality. And it could be I’ve had an affection for Winnebago for some 40 years when my mom and dad bought me the famous Tonka Winnebago Indian that came out in the early 1970’s that I got for a Christmas present when I was a young lad. I really wish I still had that thing!

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But when the Winnie Drop first came out, I was initially excited about Winnebago introducing a small trailer that was eye catching, but the more I looked at one, the less excited I got. I just could not get past the graphics and the interior color. Let’s face it, the graphics were nothing short of a cluttered mess that left the word “garish” embarrassed.

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Instead of enhancing the Winnie Drop, these graphics did nothing more than distract from it. With the size and shape, as well as the exterior colors offered by Winnebago, the graphic package never did this trailer any favors. Up until now.

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(image courtesy Josh Winters of Haylett RV – haylettautoandrv.com)

This late 2017 graphics update for the Winnie Drop is exactly what this trailer needed. Now what do we have? A trailer that is accented by an excellent balance of size, shape, sidewall color and a much less vocal graphics package. Even the new Winnie Drop logo on the side is very nicely done with a simple arch incorporating the Winnebago “W” as a wheel.

Aside from the new graphics on the Winnie Drop, Winnebago has also increased the number of available colors it comes in. As Josh Winters of Haylett RV in Coldwater, Michigan tells me, “If yellow isn’t your color, then remember it only comes in six other amazing colors!” Up until now, the only colors it came in were cherry, blue, white, and platinum. In addition to those, you can also get it in orange, champagne, and the lemon color shown above.

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Now hopefully Winnebago will look into going with a lighter interior instead of the, as I call it, “brownish-gray” that they’ve had since its inception.

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Going with the interior color Winnebago is now putting in their Minnie line of trailers would open up the feel tremendously in their 6 1/2′ wide Winnie Drops. mi-b2f-16(image courtesy winnebagoind.com)

For those of you new to Winnie Drops, Josh put together another one of his stellar walk through videos of the Winnie Drop with the new exterior graphics. Be sure to visit the Haylett RV site for more info on their line of Winnebagos in stock.

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Small sightings at the Indy RV Expo

As the winter months drag on, I’m sure a lot of you have hit an RV show in your region. I was fortunate to work at one in Indianapolis for a couple of Saturdays this month for Mount Comfort RV at the Indy RV Expo. Seven dealers packed over 200 RVs in the West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for the 9 day event. Here are some of the small trailer offerings that the dealers brought to the show. In case you didn’t see some of these at the show(s) you attended, here’s a little more for you to research. For ease of viewing, I’ve put the 5 of the 7 dealer’s photo above all the trailers that follow it. One dealer didn’t have anything small. There were a couple I would’ve taken at Camping World’s booth, but 3 of their sales people were standing in front of them, too busy watching a football game on an outside TV on a motorhome across the aisle. Their loss….they should’ve been working.

DSC_0620Braun’s Fun Time Campers

DSC_0570Winnebago Winnie Drop WD 1780

DSC_0585Winnebago Winnie Drop WD 1710

DSC_0571DSC_0573DSC_0575White Water Retro, Jr.

DSC_0577White Water Retro 177SE

DSC_0581DSC_0580White Water Retro 176S 

DSC_0614Mount Comfort RV

DSC_0587DSC_0588TAXA Cricket Trek

DSC_0590TAXA Cricket Camp

IMG_0583[1]Shasta Oasis 18BH

DSC_0591Palomino Palomini 177BH

DSC_0598Palomino Palomini 150RBS

DSC_0595Aliner LXE

DSC_0596Aliner Scout Lite

DSC_0615Colerain RV

DSC_0601Coachmen Apex Nano 172CKS

DSC_0603Venture Sonic 190VRB

DSC_0606Modern Trailer Sales

DSC_0604Summerland Mini 1700FQ

DSC_0607Springdale Summerland Series Mini 1800BH

DSC_0608Keystone Bullet 1800RB

DSC_0609Walnut Ridge Family RV Sales

DSC_0610Keystone Hideout 177LHS

DSC_0612Keystone Hideout 185LHS

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