FrazzledHunter
SILVER Star
This is great to hear. We've only done 2 big trips and a few smaller trips so far. Especially since we have a really big trip of approx. 6000 miles coming up.
200 series camper suggestions?
- Thread starter tincan45
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I am all set to pick up my first 200 this weekend, a 2015 LX570, and now my shopping pivots to camper trailer.
The two camper trailers I’ve keyed in on, after previously giving serious consideration to the 16-17 foot Scamp and Casita fiberglass eggs, are the Mission Overland Summit and the Intech Sol Dawn Rover. Both are aluminum or steel framed construction and woodless, but very different concepts.
The Mission Overland Summit (would purchase used) can probably go anywhere that I would take my Lexus. Dispersed campsite in a national forest or BLM land (if I ever go out west) is NO problem. Cape Lookout at the outer banks? Air down both the tow rig and the trailer and I’m all set. It has a popup roof, so it has less wind drag while towing, but the interior is basically a queen bed convertible to a dinette, and some storage. The kitchen and shower are outside the rig, so the idea is you sleep inside off the ground, you set up the 270 awning, and your lounge space is outside. Also, because of the popup, I could park it in my garage and avoid storage costs.
The InTech Sol Dawn has more of an interior orientation. It has a pretty rugged (for a camper) aluminum frame and panel construction, and the Rover option looks like it could handle some forest roads and slightly rough dirt/gravel road. There are a couple places I like that I would not take it, but it would be MUCH more comfortable and spacious in inclement weather (which I would generally avoid for a camping trip, even in a camper trailer). Lightweight, but pretty tall so wind drag is more of a hit compared to Summit. Also, my home does not have storage for this kind of camper, and my HOA would prohibit it even if I had a place to park outside, so I would have to pay for storage.
I think I need to look at both models in person to get a better sense of them, but those are my two favorites so far. I would be curious if anyone else has experience towing these trailers with a 200.
The two camper trailers I’ve keyed in on, after previously giving serious consideration to the 16-17 foot Scamp and Casita fiberglass eggs, are the Mission Overland Summit and the Intech Sol Dawn Rover. Both are aluminum or steel framed construction and woodless, but very different concepts.
The Mission Overland Summit (would purchase used) can probably go anywhere that I would take my Lexus. Dispersed campsite in a national forest or BLM land (if I ever go out west) is NO problem. Cape Lookout at the outer banks? Air down both the tow rig and the trailer and I’m all set. It has a popup roof, so it has less wind drag while towing, but the interior is basically a queen bed convertible to a dinette, and some storage. The kitchen and shower are outside the rig, so the idea is you sleep inside off the ground, you set up the 270 awning, and your lounge space is outside. Also, because of the popup, I could park it in my garage and avoid storage costs.
The InTech Sol Dawn has more of an interior orientation. It has a pretty rugged (for a camper) aluminum frame and panel construction, and the Rover option looks like it could handle some forest roads and slightly rough dirt/gravel road. There are a couple places I like that I would not take it, but it would be MUCH more comfortable and spacious in inclement weather (which I would generally avoid for a camping trip, even in a camper trailer). Lightweight, but pretty tall so wind drag is more of a hit compared to Summit. Also, my home does not have storage for this kind of camper, and my HOA would prohibit it even if I had a place to park outside, so I would have to pay for storage.
I think I need to look at both models in person to get a better sense of them, but those are my two favorites so far. I would be curious if anyone else has experience towing these trailers with a 200.
The 200 will tow either of these like they are not there. Myself and others tow campers that are over double the size and weight of these.
Some more info would help with input though. How many people will be camping most of the time just you? Dogs? How long will your trips be? Mostly off grid or with hook ups? Mostly used just in the SE US?
Mostly would be used in WNC mountains or on the coast. Part of the reason I wanted to be 200 series + lightweight camper is that I wanted to be able to get over mountain passes without too much pain. I’m not at all concerned about the mostly flat drives to the beach. I could occasionally, maybe once a year, drive up to visit family in the Great Lakes states, which requires driving through the mountains before getting to flat land. Mostly weekend trips, probably roughly even split of on/off grid, but occasionally 3-4 day or week long trips are possible.
Right now it’s just me and my dog, but I’m cautiously optimistic that could be expanding to two people + three med/large dogs. I should have a better sense of how likely that is before I make a purchase.
Another friend just suggested I rent ANY smallish camper for a weekend trip before I make a purchase, which seems like a great idea.
Right now it’s just me and my dog, but I’m cautiously optimistic that could be expanding to two people + three med/large dogs. I should have a better sense of how likely that is before I make a purchase.
Another friend just suggested I rent ANY smallish camper for a weekend trip before I make a purchase, which seems like a great idea.
Don’t worry about the hills you all have on the east coast. I tow a 7k lb trailer up the Dalton through the brooks range to hunt caribou every fall (August).
I vote for the InTech Sol Dawn. I see a ton of them up here in Alaska, we have a large dealer but I also see a ton with people that drive them up from the lower 48 for a couple of months then back down.
In size my general advice especially for your first is get a camper is slightly larger than you think you need. Especially if you do a bunch of activities that require gear.
Edit: if your HOA won’t let you have one, it will greatly inhibit its use. For me one of the biggest advantages of my camper is during the season it stays fully stocked even the fridge, plugged into my house and ready to go. If you have it at a storage lot you will have to go there 2-3 days before your trip and turn the fridge on, then come back, tow it home, …. Much more of a hassle.
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I’ve got a 17’ casita. Tows easy. Cozy/quiet/insulated inside.
If the refrigerator dies, you have to take a window out to remove it. That’s a bummer.
I considered popups, even hard sided ones, but reviews seem to consistently indicate the air conditioners struggle in big heat.
If you’re 6’ tall, back sleeping on the main mattress is possible…but if you sleep on your stomach w arms over head, it’s cramped. I put mattresses on the floor and sleep there…wife and smallest child in main bed, other child on couch. You can easily add a bunk bed to the couch to put two kids there too (it’s an option on some casitas).
The philosophy w these is to have a well insulated “just enough” sized camper. Theres not lots of room for storage but there are little hacks…like a front storage rack on the camper and a reinforced hitch carrier on the back…some even extend the trailer frame in front of the camper for storing larger items.