Howdy from Steve in Michigan

[SteveF]

Hi, I'm Steve from East Lansing, MI--been lurking for a while, researching tiny trailers as an upgrade to my old tent. I'm a buyer not a builder--that sort of project falls well outside my skill-set, to say the least!

So far, I'm pretty much down to the WAZAT or the Mega-Mini. The WAZAT is locally available and the dealer is a nice guy so those are plusses. the Mega Mini appears to be a more nicely-appointed trailer but it doesn't sound as though they really has production up to speed. So I'm leaning more toward the Wazat at the moment largely base on it's availability.

Also considering a used 13-foot Scamp trailer or the like--seems like a lot more trailer for the weight and money. Being able to stand up inside it is a nice feature!

My needs are pretty simple since I'm coming from a tent--anything with walls that thump when you tap them would be an upgrade! I also need to keep it under 1,000 pounds out of respect for my 4-cylinder RAV-4.

I'm a cyclist, mainly--camping is a way to explore new riding areas. I've been splitting my travels between moteling it which is nice but spendy and limits you to more settled areas, and tent camping, which I don't enjoy as much as when I was younger, so a little trailer like this is an interesting option.

Do most folks store their campers indoors somehow? I'd have to leave my car outside if I did so that's a tough sell. How do such trailers stand up to being left outside in a variable climate like Michigan? I'd probably stake down a tarp over it and maybe jack it off it's wheels but otherwise it'd just be out there. We also have a lot of squirrels and chipmunks around the yard so I'm a bit concerned about wire chewing and nest building...

...or should I ask questions in a separate thread from the newby-intro post?

That's it, I guess. Nice place y'all have here--glad I found it!

SteveF

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Steve, welcome to the forum. You're just in time to follow a "local" gathering in Michigan.

Here are some details.
http://www.tearjerkers.net/forums/viewt ... d089#28338

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=37744

You should plan to stop by and check it out.

[bobhenry]

Steve here is a post a few weeks back that will be real interesting to you.

http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=691214&highlight=#691214

One of the Hoosier clan has a Wazat and I was really impressed by it.

They are a well made little unit.

OH !

as a P.S.

Rodents ( yep chipmunks are rodents) DO NOT like moth balls. A few inside and a couple hands full under the unit will keep them far away !

[SteveF]

Thanks for the welcomes and suggestions! Kurt, yeah, I saw that when I was still in lurking mode. I ride the bike trails at Brighton quite a bit so I'm familiar with the area. I don't think I'll have a trailer that soon but I could definitely swing though and take a look at some.

Bobhenry, saw that thread--it was the one that made me rethink ordering a Mega-Mini. Too bad--the trailer shows a lot of potential.

I got a chance to look at a WAZAT at an RV place last weekend. It's a nice unit, though a bit sterile compared to the wood and home-quality fittings of the Mega and my other fav, the gorgeous but 'spensive Camp-Inn 550.

Still, the WAZAT is a serviceable little camper for sure, and the price is right(er).

Mothballs are a good idear-thanks!

[Shadow Catcher]

Hopefully we will have our MM shortly and we will be camping and to what ever gatherings are available in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. We live about two hours from you and once we have it you would be welcome to come and see it.
Tom

[SteveF]

Hopefully we will have our MM shortly and we will be camping and to what ever gatherings are available in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. We live about two hours from you and once we have it you would be welcome to come and see it.
Tom

Thanks, Tom-I appreciate the offer. Though given some of the nice custom features you've spec'd I might suffer from a bit of trailer envy!

Maybe it'll come in time for that Brighton gathering Kurt mentioned...