Asking the seemingly impossible to answer question.

[hwitten]

Have looked at T@B's, BackPacker 2, some Teardrops and a few ProLite's of various sizes.

My requirement was flexible throughout but ultimately came down to wanting minimum overall size with room to sleep and sit.
I finally got a look at the ProLite Suite and it seems to fit the bill. I'm about to order the Deluxe version which has a few extras but heat, cooler and camp stove are all "portable".

My question is not so much if I'm making the right trailer choice, but rather am I making the right choice to "trailer", period.

While I'm guessing that there may be no-one frequenting the forum that has abandoned trailering I thought I'd ask anyways as maybe there is someone that knows someone.....

My primary usage will be to use it as quarters getting from point A to point B, where A is home and B some destination hotel/resort.
I hate hotel/motel'ing it en-route as I have a hard time getting a rest, no matter how dead tired I am when I finally stop.
I also expect to do some outdoorsy camping.

All my previous RV experience has been in various size A and B motorhomes. I have owned a GMC MH for over 20 years but mtce and non-use became too much.

Is it going to be a pain to trailer distances? I.e. many of my projected trips are 1000+ miles.
The only other options I see are 1) stay home or 2) try to get better at taking overnight breaks via hotel/motel. Neither are all that attractive to me so I'm probably stuck at diving into the deep end of the pool but thought I'd see what comments I might generate.

Of course my wife of almost 50 years thinks I'm crazy but is otherwise onboard

[48Rob]

H,

Pulling a small to medium sized trailer long distances isn't a big deal; you'll be used to it after a hundred miles.

Having your own bed/trailer instead of a motel might be better, but it depends on your requirements.

Do you need full hookups?
Do you need a "special" camping area, or will a parking lot do?
Do you need to be around other people when stopped for the night?
Do you need a bathroom and shower in the morning?

Having a toilet is easy if you have a portable, or a holding tank.
A shower gets more complicated, as you must carry (a lot of) fresh water to have a shower, have a place to store the gray water after using it, and a little more work in turning on the gas and lighting the water heater.
You'll also need a 12 volt system that can last the trip before recharging, not a big thing if you only have thousand mile trips, easy enough to do in 2-3 days, but a system with a battery to be maintained.

Me, I love "camping" and I love "touring".
If I just drove 500+ miles, and I arrived at a campground where I will be based for a while, it is all worth it.
If my goal is 500 mile days, in order to "get somewhere" I'd much rather check into a nice motel/hotel, get rested and fed, then be on my way without all the extra work.
Yes, camping/trailer stays are cheaper up front, but if you count the trailer purchase, trailer storage, trailer winterization, trailer maintenance, trailer insurance, and trailer license plates, a hotel room now and then is a lot less expensive.

A trailer for most is a lifestyle choice, similar to a hobby that costs money, but that we don't mind because we have to spend it on something we enjoy!

Rob

[S. Heisley]

For me, the trailer option was the best choice, because I could:

1) Sleep in my own bed...no guesses about who slept there last or whether it is clean and bug free. (It's usually a tad quieter, too.)
2) Have the convenience of cooking my own meals...or not.
3) Leave the trailer in a campground, resort or wherever and drive around where I please while visiting.
4) Take my pet with me.
5) Have low cost storage. (Mine fits in my garage.)

I had never pulled a trailer before but had no problems with pulling it. It pulls like a fabulous dream. However, I am probably the worst backer-upper most have seen. Still, I eventually get the "job" done. (Part of the problem is that I have a short trailer and a short-bed auto, which is not good for back-in parking.) When I can, I opt for a pull-in spot. (Please recognize that most people do just fine when backing up....Then, there's me. Ha! Ha!)

PS. I love my trailer.

[Woodbutcher]

You got 2 great answers there. But only you can really figure out what you want. If you are not sure maybe renting a trailer and try out a few trips to see how you like it before spending lots of money. Could help you make an informed decision.

[Bogo]

If you make your own TD or similar, you can put the same mattress set you have at home in it.

I'm notorious for pulling over at a rest stop and sleeping in the back of my truck.

[hwitten]

Thank you all for your comments.

They served as confirmation that I have done my due diligence and that the only test left is to do it.

I do have a tad of a concern in that the Suite is using 13inch Alu wheels. I had hoped for 14's but maybe that's just due to old school when all we had was steel.

I did think seriously about renting but the problem is that unless one can rent same or at least close to proposed purchase it's not a fair test. I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and if total disaster I'll just have to find it a new home.
I should know quickly as I intend to pick it up in Quebec and tow it home to the WestCoast.

Will report success/failure in June

[JuneBug]

You are so fortunate to have access to the ProLite brand (Canadian). I've looked at their Web site and really admired their designs and light weight!
Check out their Web site HERE.

[Vedette]

Good Luck with your new adventure.
Hope it is an enjoyable experience for you and your wife, and becomes part of a whole new lifestyle for you.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[mrsanderson]

We bought a teardrop because we enjoyed road trips and wanted to find a cost effective way to take them and be gone for long stretchs of time. Hotels and restaurants add up quick! We had a small SUV so a tear was the perfect solution. Also, it allowed us to try out the RVing world without a lot of cash at risk. After 5 years we now know we enjoy the freedom and comfort of having our own hotel on wheels however, we just bought a used "standy" and took it out on a short maiden voyage. Only 17' but it has a shower and toilet. Loved it!!! btw, we have upgraded our tow vehicle to a midsize truck, thereby making the larger trailer a possibility. We still have the teardrop and have agreed to keep it for at least another year while we consider it's future. while we love our trailer, it was always about the traveling for us and as we approach retirement, comfort will probably trump quaintness. The idea of pulling into an RV spot and quickly setting up our hotel on wheels while dinner cooks in the oven is exciting.

Hope that helps.....sounds like you will make the right decision which ever way you go.

[Backroads4me]

Bob and I, and the dogs, love to camp---and over the years we were tent only, whatever could fit in the back of the pickup, campers. Rustic or primitive camping for us (or the most secluded sites we could find in state parks). While Bob is in excellent health and shape for an old geezer, this geezerette is having problems from years of heavy physical labor, equestrian accidents when a kid (didn't hurt then, but coming back to haunt me now), and standing 8 hours a day on concrete floors at my current job. Air mattresses, cots and the tenting experience wasn't cutting it for me anymore. We knew we didn't want a full blown travel trailer, couldn't find a vintage style, small canned ham in decent condition or the price we wanted to pay,---then we stumbled upon the world of teardrops.

Another thing I like about the teardrop versus the tent----what we don't put in Bob's newer truck with the hardtop, lockable pickup bed, we can put in the lockable teardrop and leave it at the campsite while we go off on backroad, hiking, antiqueing or whatever suits us adventures. While we've never had anything stolen from our campsites, I (unlike Bob) always worry about opportunists, or unsupervised children wandering through camp.

[hwitten]

Decision made.

Had even considered an SUV tent in the "research".

However, the word "tent" wasn't received too well in my household

Going to order my ProLite. 680lbs/1250lbs dry/gross weight.
Height is only a foot above the SantaFe so hopefully an easy tow.
Not a standup trailer but ample room for sitting. Guess one could say a TearDrop Crossover

Taking a bit of a gamble since it's special order but what the heck...
Looking forward to the trip to Quebec to get it, once the snow is gone.

Will report back once I have it home.

[wagondude]

Really interested in hearing how you like the Prolite. Like stated above. it would be nice if we could get them on this side of the boarder.

[hwitten]

I think you may be able to get them now as I see a reference to information for US residents. But it may be just info.

[48Rob]

Congrats on your decision!

My wife and I have an in between trailer too.
We can't stand up all the way, but it is still very comfortable and easy to move around in.

Rob

[wagondude]

I think you may be able to get them now as I see a reference to information for US residents. But it may be just info.

It's just information on forms and such for anyone who wants to import one. With out a dealer where I could check one out, I couldn't even consider one. Might use their floor plan for a build though.