Trying to pick a camper

[WoodLark]

First, let me apologize; I'm here under false pretenses. Although I do own a motorcycle, it is not one I would ever try to pull a trailer with (650cc single). I do own two small cars, one with a tow rating of 1000 lbs and one with a rating of 2000 lbs. I figure my best bet for something I could tow with either car is a motorcycle camper.

I have been reviewing info on them for a couple of weeks and have come up with some possibles. I would like comments from those who own or have owned these campers. What do you like/dislike about them? I have also listed some specific questions that I have not been able to answer in my research.

Roll-A-Home I like that the dressing area is off the ground, but am concerned about the tent material. Is it durable?

Aspen Classic The dressing area is on the ground. Has this been a problem for anyone?

Leisure Lite Has 8" wheels. How much faster do the tires wear? Any other issues because of the small wheels?

Bunkhouse LX Same question as the Aspen with the dressing area on the ground.

Com-Pac Camper This one is no longer (apparently) being manufactured, but there is a nice looking one on EBay right now. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Viking Express Not actually being marketed as a MC camper although pretty light at 455 lbs. Hard to find any info or anyone with any experience. Price is lower than others. Any thoughts?

[motomac]

I have had two Bunkhouses. The first one was a '95 and I used it greatly. The improvements made from '95 to '04 gave me reason to sell the '95 and get an '04. I have pulled both of them all over the country and Alaska. I'm not sure why the dressing room being on the ground is a big issue. The floor of the dressing room is a heavy vinyl material that withstands all kinds of abuse. I have a piece of carpet I cut to size that I lay down on the dressing room floor. I fold it in half and lay it on top under the cover when in transit. I pull it behind my Gold Wing and have pulled it with an ST 1300 as well. The only problem I see puling it behind a car is you may not be able to see it in the mirrors and if backing was necessary, you would have a tough time. It is a great trailer and if you check the www.GWRRA.org board classifieds you may find some for sale.

[jkane13]

I set a personal requirement of only looking at campers that were not on the ground, and were not more than a couple inches above the ground. Wife has feet problems, and climbing is not fun for her.

I ended up with a Roll-A-Home. Mostly because they met my personal requirements, and they are local also, so shipping was not a big deal. On the down side ... it is the heaviest model made. I pay for that every time I pull it. On the plus side, I carried 2 pop-up shelters and 2 lawn chairs on the top of it last trip due to rain predictions. Those pop-ups are heavy and it handled them just fine. We were laughed at by others until I was sitting under them dry looking at others hiding in their tents. :p

You will find almost no one here will say another brand is no good. You really will have to decide what your needs are and go from there!

Good luck finding the right one.

[WoodLark]

jkane13,

What has been your experience with the tent fabric used by Roll-A-Home? Does it appear to be as durable as other types of fabric (canvas, nylon, etc.)?

[G wizz]

We have the Aspen sentry ... it's the smaller version of the Aspen Classic.
Like the Bunkhouse, it has a tough vinyl flooring that has held up well for us over the years, we place a rubber mat thats the same size as the floor, on the ground first, open the camper, and place a rug on the floor inside.
We've dragged our camper over a countless number of roads, through so many states I've lost count, and the camper has held up great for us.
I'd think you'd be happy with any of the campers Aspen sells, to pull behind you car ... but then, I'm partial becouse of the great preformance of the Aspen has given us.
We looked at both a Roll-a-home, and Leasure Lite before we chose the Aspen.
The Roll-a-home was too expencive for us ... we wanted a vacation camper, not a second morgage ... Also didn't care for the step up, to get onto the "off the ground" floor.
The Leasure Lite, we didn't like becouse there was no storage space inside, once the camper is set up, and the bed was too narrow for our liking. It also has the step up, we don't like.
We looked at the Bunkhouse, it's built kinda like the Aspen.
The Aspen won out for picky little reasons.

As for you question about 8" wheels ... you needn't be concerned about 8" wheels on a small trailer, they'll hold up ok for you, just look around at all the boat trailers, and small cargo trailers out there on the road with 'em on...
If that's what the trailer you're thinking of buying has on it, don't let the tire size be the reason you didn't buy it.

G wizz

[HarpoF6]

Got a Bunkhouse. When I bought it it was between that and the Aspen. Basically the same trailers with some differences. Ive towed the bunkhouse behind my motorcycle and small SUV (Honda Pilot) when we wanted to bring the dog camping with us. Tows fine either way. Towing by car- you can easily forget its not there because you cant see or feel it. Like others say- dressing room is a non-issue. Bathtub style waterproof vinyl on the base. We usually put a RV mat under the dressing area that extends out past the opening just so we dont drag too much stuff in. Outdoor carpet cut to fit inside the dressing area.

[jkane13]

Only on our second season with the roll-a-home. Tent fabric is fine. No problems with it. There is some coating on the inside of the canvas that seems to be even more water proof. Only wet spots are typical when the air mattress touches the sides. Otherwise, no leaks and it seems to withstand the wind fine.

[Chief]

We have an Aspen Classic also and are really enjoying it. We pull it with our Gold Wing or behind a Toyota Solara convertible and it has been perfect with either vehicle.
We have a 5000 BTU window air conditioner that we have used in 3 days that were around 100 degrees and slept great. We use a rug in the dressing area also.

[tourusaon2]

We looked for long time at all the trailers you have listed and a few more and chose an Aspen Classic for many many reasons. After talking to many camper owners we found out that having the floor on the ground is a plus not a problem. After a couple of years the off ground floor tend to warp and bend and the hinges bend unless you are level every time. With the floor on the ground nothing moves or shakes when you walk. The Bunkhouse and the Aspen look similar until you look close. The Aspen has a much more impressive frame and more cargo area. It has inside bows that make a one person set up easy. Also with the inside bows you get a one piece seamless roof, no stitches in the roof. The windows are bigger for more ventilation and it has a larger dressing area with the floor seams higher. When I am pulling it with my car I add a fiberglass pole like the ones on bike flags with wire ties so I can see it. Another plus is that it is lightweight so you can unhook it and move it into a tight camping spot. You can check them out at www.trailmasterinc.com

[WoodLark]

tourusaon2,

Thank you, your post was very helpful. I hadn't thought about the possibility of hinge problems with the off-the ground floors. Also your idea about the bike flags is great. I have a utility trailer now, and backing it is a real pain because it is so low I can't see it. Off to Wally World to buy some bike flags!

[bigTom]

Another place for the flags: An ATV/Off Road dealer. The price is about the same and the shaft is more capable with road speeds.

[WoodLark]

Thanks bigTom.

Of course that would mean a trip to the local motorcycle dealer which is NOT a safe place to visit; they have entirely too many nice toys! :D

[jkane13]

Here are the places I went to do research.

Of course ... this forum is first! :D

http://www.mctrailerguide.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=37

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Mwge7xdakAMJ:bohica.homeip.net:591/~mark/Campers.html&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us&lr=lang_en
(That web page is not a standard port 80 http site and firewalls, such as by an employer, will block it. Hence, the hard coded google link to see the cache instead of the real web page.)
http://bohica.homeip.net:591/~mark/Campers.html (The direct link if you don't have a strong firewall.)

http://www.leesurelite.com/

http://www.trailmasterinc.com/

http://www.timeouttrailer.com/default2.asp?active_page_id=119

http://www.bf-specialties.com/specials.html

http://www.rollahome.com/index.html

http://www.apachetents.com/ (a tent, but instant up kind)

I think someone mentioned http://bbs.gwrra.org/board/messages/16/16.html as a good place to find used trailers too.


As for the hinges and having to be level ... Yes, that is a concern. Keep it in mind. I have not found it to be a problem. I find rocks or pieces of tree branch to help level mine when we camp. I prefer the hard floor over a soft one. The roll-a-home includes a carpet that is in Velcro locked "puzzle" pieces that come out easy for shaking sand out of.

[jmtracin]

OK here's my 2cents, Rolla-a-home, storage inside & on top. Cut a couple of 1x4" to level with. I just spent 13 days in it, cool nite's, rain & hard winds with no probelms. You could even sleep 2 extra people on the floor--Dry!!! Yes it's heavy but you have to take everthing if your wife go's with you!!!

[jkane13]

Another plus for Roll-a-home is that the storage is accessible both on the road and after it's set up. It flips sideways to get inside while traveling. And then there is a trap door under the bed to get to the storage once it's set up. That is nice.

[GoldWingGL]

Another one here for the Roll-a-Home. Easy setup, hard floor (no problems with mine either and never an issue), lots of storage inside and on top, on the standard model it is the Only Trailer that the Bed is completely insulated from the outside cold by the storage area (yes this can be a factor), and one of the best features is that it tows like a dream.

[WoodLark]

Well, I bought a camper today. I found what I think was an excellent deal on an older, no longer made trailer called a "Napper II". The fellow I bought it from had done some upgrades and renovations, so it was in excellent condition. Looks a lot like a smaller version of the Aspen Ambassador. I gave $700.00 for it which is certainly less of an investment than any of the new models.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all of your help! P^

[jkane13]

Congrats! Can't go wrong on a very well priced used one! When I first started looking, a lady at work was selling a Time Out for $500. I thought it was a little too much, and I waited a day while researching it. When I called her the next day after learning it was a very good deal, she had already sold it.

[ravenshield1941]

Check out the timeout campers too Woodlark.
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