What is the best Travel Trailer?

[trophyhunt]

I had been researching for the last year on a TT purchase.
We had some requirements we were not willing to skimp on with a baby and 2 year, so we were very selective in floor plan as well as build quality.  What I found in all my research was that OutdoorsRV is the highest quality, I feel like.  Next in line (in our price range) in no order seemed to be Lance and Keystone.  I was only researching trailers that are framed out of aluminum and fiberglass siding.  I did not want wood frame and aluminum siding.  One thing I do know is that no matter what, at some point you will have a water issue.  I do not want a water issue with wood.
OutdoorsRV have great floor plans but they are high priced trailer!
Even used, if you can find one, are higher than most anything else new.
Once I figured this out and knew that I had to stay within our budget, my search went to the Keystone Cougars.
We ended up finding a new one, that fit the bill of all out needs and desires a few weeks ago and made the purchase.
It had the largest fresh water tank for the length we wanted (besides OutdoorsRV)
True four season with enclosed bottom, heat ducted underneath, plus heat pads all on the tanks. Full size bunk beds so the kids can grow into them and also full grown adults can easily fit and roll around.  I am amazed how big they are.  I believe the mattress size is a full.  Bath tub for washing the baby for the next year or two.
I enjoy it so far, and look forward to many trips in it this year.
You will also find reviews that say they are horrible, but you will find those same reviews for every travel trailer brand.  I feel like the people that complain go into the travel trailer world without the right mental mindset of things will break and go down and need fixing, even on a brand new unit.  I had that mindset at the beginning but then switched after long research and camping with fols that own their own travel trailer. 
I would recommend the keystone cougar and if you ever make it to the tricities, you are more than welcome to come check it out.

Great info, thank you very much.  I'm looking at a 2011 cougar, is that year ok, aluminum frame?  I also am afraid of rotten floors as our last trailer had two spots that rotted out.  What are key areas I should look at when I do check out a used trailer?  Where did you buy your new one and were you happy with the price?  what length, model did you buy and how much was it out the door?  We also want to stay within a certain price.  Thanks again

[kirkl]

What is the story with keystone trailers? looking at a cougar model, looks nice.

i my post above about my cheaper one only having one issue, it was a keystone springdale. It was a good trailer, the cougar is a step above the springdale. Stay away from Forrest River.

[Woodchuck]

My neighbor has a cougar and they like it for the most part. The one weird thing about that model is apparently only certain trucks can park them. They get home, he tries to park it for 10 minutes, then his wife comes and gets me. I hook the trailer up and it parks fine. Seems to irritate him as he is sure he is doing it the same way I do. His wife seems to get a laugh out of it. Weird. 

[92xj]

Great info, thank you very much.  I'm looking at a 2011 cougar, is that year ok, aluminum frame?  I also am afraid of rotten floors as our last trailer had two spots that rotted out.  What are key areas I should look at when I do check out a used trailer?  Where did you buy your new one and were you happy with the price?  what length, model did you buy and how much was it out the door?  We also want to stay within a certain price.  Thanks again

I cant answer to the used aspect and that year as we were looking newish to new.

Side note: another of our requirements was a curved roof.  The curve over a flat makes a huge difference outside with the elements but also inside head roof.  It's amazing.

I would look at all the seems on the outside of the trailer, then match those seems on the inside and take a look.  I personally feel like when looking used, you are looking for water damage 95% of the inspection.  Look for any crack or loose silicon around doors and windows where water can get in.  Get on top, if you can (The new Keystone cougar is built with a walkable roof, another huge plus for us) and look around the roof penetrations.  Water in, anywhere, will cause issues. 

We bought at Camping World in Pasco, but I searched and was willing to purchase anywhere in the PacNW.  I called places in Spokane valley, Boise and central Oregon.  The central Oregon place (I cant remember) had the best price on the same trailer that pasco had.  They gave be a print out of an out the door price and I told them I was going to take that to Pasco, if they didn't match I was going to jump in the truck and make the 4 hour trip to Oregon to pick it up. I walked into the Pasco store, told them I was there to Purchase, I will be playing the best price game and I have no issues walking away on a "want" toy item, as this is not a "need" for us.  They understood my mindset and cut to the chase instantly with me.  I told them I had other options and was planning to head down to Oregon to buy.  The guy asked me exactly what it would take to keep my business in Pasco, I told him the final, out the door price.  He left and came back 10 minutes later with a price that was $49.99 under my price, shook his hand and made the deal.  My price was well under their online sale price you see on the website. 

We ended up buying the Cougar 25BHSWE. 
Key features we wanted were the full size bunks for kids and grown ups.
True 4 season.
*censored* AC unit for summer time midday kid naps
Tub
As large of water tank for me during hunting season.  I am allergic to dander so I take showers often if water is available.
Slide out for floor space as we have 3 large dogs as well.
Curved roof and ceiling.
Huge awning.
I have a long bed truck and needed a bumper pull as I have a canopy and live in the back of the truck 20 or so nights a year, not giving up my canopy for a 5th wheel. So, as short of a trailer as I could find that still met out requirements.  I would have liked to step up to the 27-28 footers to gain the couch in the slide out, but just not worth the additional length dragging it all through the forest, so 25 footer it was.

[92xj]

My neighbor has a cougar and they like it for the most part. The one weird thing about that model is apparently only certain trucks can park them. They get home, he tries to park it for 10 minutes, then his wife comes and gets me. I hook the trailer up and it parks fine. Seems to irritate him as he is sure he is doing it the same way I do. His wife seems to get a laugh out of it. Weird. 

I'm glad you could borrow my Dodge for that parking job. 

[Woodchuck]

My neighbor has a cougar and they like it for the most part. The one weird thing about that model is apparently only certain trucks can park them. They get home, he tries to park it for 10 minutes, then his wife comes and gets me. I hook the trailer up and it parks fine. Seems to irritate him as he is sure he is doing it the same way I do. His wife seems to get a laugh out of it. Weird. 

I'm glad you could borrow my Dodge for that parking job. 

[trophyhunt]

What are your thoughts on the Dutchman brand?

[N7XW]

Tagging along on this one..

[Timberstalker]

My neighbor has a cougar and they like it for the most part. The one weird thing about that model is apparently only certain trucks can park them. They get home, he tries to park it for 10 minutes, then his wife comes and gets me. I hook the trailer up and it parks fine. Seems to irritate him as he is sure he is doing it the same way I do. His wife seems to get a laugh out of it. Weird. 

I'm glad you could borrow my Dodge for that parking job. 

Ha!  So damn true, though!

[gramps]

He knows where he can borrow a Doge that is already trained

[eastsidemallard74]

We bought a 31' Jayco jay Flight 2 yrs. ago, family of 5, pull it with my 1/2 ton. Love it. No issues, other than when my ground pole at home shorted and fried my electrical system in it.  nice and light, and roomy. My parents had a 36'5 Cougar 5th wheel. A beast to pull, and very luxurious inside.

[jrebel]

When I was purchasing I had a hard time deciding on aluminum vs fibreglass. I ended up with aluminum due to the delaminating and discoloration of fiberglass.  Fiberglass will discolor and yellow over time.  It can also delaminate causeing the trailer to look like garbage.  Google delamination on trailers....we have all seen one driving down the road that looked like this. 

I know this is 100% a preference thing as aluminum has it's own problems....but something to think about. 

[trophyhunt]

Bump for info on Dutchman, open rd rv in Monroe has some good sales. 92xj , your inbox is full!!!!    @92xj

[baker5150]

When I was purchasing I had a hard time deciding on aluminum vs fibreglass. I ended up with aluminum due to the delaminating and discoloration of fiberglass.  Fiberglass will discolor and yellow over time.  It can also delaminate causeing the trailer to look like garbage.  Google delamination on trailers....we have all seen one driving down the road that looked like this. 

I know this is 100% a preference thing as aluminum has it's own problems....but something to think about.

Delam is an issue for sure.  I had my last trailer get a small leak I didn’t know about and it bubbled the fiberglass. It was an easy fix but still an issue. Just have to stay on top of sealing them. Which goes for both types I suppose
The new leak test is worth the money.  100 bucks every other year or so is cheap
Insurance.

[92xj]

Bump for info on Dutchman, open rd rv in Monroe has some good sales. 92xj , your inbox is full!!!!    @92xj

Cleared a few out. Should be good.