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Thoughts on camper trailers.,Airstream Basecamp or similar models

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by knizgtr, Jul 7, 2024.

  1. Jul 7, 2024 at 6:38 PM
    #1
    knizgtr

    knizgtr [OP] New Member

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    Hello anyone have experience or advice on affordable //reliable camper trailer similar to the Airstream Basecamp model ….thank you, DHK
     
  2. Jul 7, 2024 at 7:05 PM
    #2
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    Biggest oxymoron EVER!
     
  3. Jul 7, 2024 at 7:15 PM
    #3
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    And yes, I have owned a Basecamp 20X. Very expensive POS straight from the factory. Do your research. I suggest buying something pre-2020 if you are going to roll the dice.
     
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  4. Jul 7, 2024 at 7:33 PM
    #4
    5thToy

    5thToy New Member

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    My grandfather had a few Airstreams over the years. He referred to them as the best of a very bad lot.

    in other words he didn’t think there was any such thing as a reliable camper trailer.

    my subsequent experience has not offered anything to change that opinion. They seem to require a lot of attention.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2024
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  5. Jul 7, 2024 at 8:01 PM
    #5
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    Any camper is a very bad investment when you think about it. You're dragging a tiny home down the road and that tiny home is bending, flexing and being subjected to adverse weather conditions. Plus the wear and tear you and your family put on it when you use it.

    The asset depreciates very fast and it breaks or wears out very easily. My family has owned a few campers. I know upkeep and maintenance can be time consuming and costly. Is it worth it? That's subjective really.

    I don't remember the dollars I spent keeping the camper looking nice, I only remember the great memories that I had in them while I was fishing, hunting, hiking, camping.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2024
  6. Jul 7, 2024 at 8:07 PM
    #6
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    Your grandfather's Airstreams were of a different time and different level of craftsmanship. Every travel trailer and RV is going to require some maintenance. The crap that's coming out of the factories now is just that. CRAP. Literally falling apart from day one. There's no pride in workmanship anymore. It's gone from a quality product (Airstream), to just seeing how many they can pump out in a year. And they're the supposed best. I don't think my experience is an isolated one. There are articles and videos on the subject ad nauseam.
     
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  7. Jul 7, 2024 at 8:38 PM
    #7
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    Keep us apprised on what you are looking at and what you find. I had a Jayco 154BH Baja., took 3 trips in it and sold it. Didn't like all the hooking up and unhooking as well as towing at 55mph. Now that I've had a 2016 Winnebago Minnie Winne 22r for 3 years, I might give a Travel Trailer another try. Why, with a RV like mine it's difficult to do much exploring once you reach your destination. And with all the storage room my wife tends to take too much crap! With a Travel Trailer you can unhook and set up, then you have your Truck or in my case my new 2024 4Runner to explore the surrounding areas. You can get a new 2024 Jayco 154BH for $17,000 new. I bought my 2016 Minnie Winnie 3 years ago for $51,000. It's probably depreciated $17,000! Maintenance is much more extensive and expensive with an RV vs. a Travel Trailer. Most repairs and maintenance can be done on a Travel Trailer by a guy/gal with average skills.
     
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  8. Jul 8, 2024 at 1:40 PM
    #8
    knizgtr

    knizgtr [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for the advice.
     
  9. Jul 8, 2024 at 2:01 PM
    #9
    Acesandeights

    Acesandeights #34

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    I think the Airstream Basecamp looks nice, but it really doesn't seem to be feature-packed, more show than go.

    I would look at Forest River, maybe the R-Pod?
     
  10. Jul 8, 2024 at 2:05 PM
    #10
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    My Jayco was out of Idaho. It was built to Canadian Specs., Insulated bottom side and a couple of other goodies. Solar Panel, extra large water tank, etc. The 154BH Baja had an off-road suspension.
     
  11. Jul 8, 2024 at 2:34 PM
    #11
    CalcityRenegade

    CalcityRenegade New Member

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    The quality of trailers is what holds be back from buying one. I have two kids and a dog so require something with some size, but most of the older better quality trailers are too heavy for what I want. My old trailer was fine when I have a V8 half ton to pull it with.
     
  12. Jul 8, 2024 at 8:42 PM
    #12
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    Is a popup trailer out of the question? When I had my Jayco 154BH the Tacoma occupants were myself at 235lbs. an average petite wife, 1 100lb GSD and a smaller dog at 40lbs. Maybe the 8 cases of beer were a bit much?
     
  13. Jul 9, 2024 at 3:17 PM
    #13
    riggs

    riggs New Member

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    I just looked at the Basecamp this week... then I looked at a Sol by inTech. Anyone have any interactions with inTech?
     
  14. Jul 9, 2024 at 3:37 PM
    #14
    Acesandeights

    Acesandeights #34

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    I remember seeing a documentary movie about Initech, I think it was called Office Space?
     
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  15. Jul 9, 2024 at 5:39 PM
    #15
    riggs

    riggs New Member

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    I'll go see if the TPS reports have anything on travel trailers.
     
  16. Jul 9, 2024 at 6:01 PM
    #16
    Borracho Loco

    Borracho Loco My 4Runner identifies as a Prius!

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    [​IMG]
     
  17. Jul 9, 2024 at 6:55 PM
    #17
    Deputy25

    Deputy25 New Member

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    We have a 2011 Coachmen Freedom Express that we bought new as a leftover in 2012. We've towed it all over the eastern US for 12 camping seasons. I've replaced several sets of tires, bathroom and kitchen faucets, and added a second battery. Very few problems, lots of great memories.
     
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  18. Jul 9, 2024 at 8:26 PM
    #18
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    TPS Reports?
     
  19. Jul 9, 2024 at 8:35 PM
    #19
    Acesandeights

    Acesandeights #34

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    Uh oh, did you use the wrong cover sheet?
     
  20. Jul 9, 2024 at 8:36 PM
    #20
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    Starting at $42,000? Is that camping or Glamping? Looks like lots of do dads that can go bad. Huge front windshield? So you can run around in your skivvies for all to see?
     
  21. Jul 10, 2024 at 3:58 AM
    #21
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    There's this cool new invention called shades. ;)
     
  22. Jul 10, 2024 at 7:13 AM
    #22
    UncleShorty

    UncleShorty New Member

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    Looked at them for a long time. To get what I wanted/needed would have put the 4runner right up against the towing limit.

    Decided for the price, the 55 mph,12 mpg while towing, the depreciation and maintenance I could rent a lot of cabins/air b&bs. I'm 72 so an RV or trailer isn't a long term investment for me...
     
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  23. Jul 10, 2024 at 2:58 PM
    #23
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    Buy used from a private party, dealers are useless.
     
  24. Jul 10, 2024 at 3:00 PM
    #24
    FN2187

    FN2187 Stormtrooper

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    They sent a memo about it. I'll send it to you again
     
  25. Jul 10, 2024 at 3:28 PM
    #25
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    I'm 71 with an RV. (3 years now) One of the best things I ever did....my wife enjoys the rig. For her it's a contest to see how much junk she can pack. "isn't a long term investment" at age 72? Where are you going?
     
  26. Jul 10, 2024 at 3:55 PM
    #26
    like2lean

    like2lean New Member

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    I thought through the whole RV, Basecamp, Mini, tow fiasco option a few months ago, I couldn't make it work. As another forum member said about towing with a 4R..."These things have enough trouble pulling themselves down the road and up hills without the additional burden of a 3000lb camper." :D
     
  27. Jul 10, 2024 at 10:00 PM
    #27
    NeverTooLate71

    NeverTooLate71 New Member

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    I for one, am not ready to give up finding a Travel Trailer I can tow with my 2024 4Runner V6 4.0 automatic.
     
  28. Jul 11, 2024 at 2:59 AM
    #28
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    If you could go ahead and forward that memo to me, that'd be great.
     
  29. Jul 11, 2024 at 3:01 AM
    #29
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Couldn't make it work?

    These certainly don't tow like a V8, full size. But they'll get it done.
     
    NeverTooLate71 likes this.
  30. Jul 11, 2024 at 3:02 AM
    #30
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    There are plenty out there. Just be prepared to drive slow and get extra shitty gas mileage.
     

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