Starcraft AR-ONE Extreme

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

85badger

85badger

TLCA #23852
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Threads
103
Messages
728
Location
Air Capital of the World! Wichita, Ks/Choctaw, Ok
I've been looking for a medium duty-offroad trailer and came across this, has anyone seen or used one? They are fairly new, 15" offroad tires and the one I'm looking at sleeps 4 and the dry weight is 2650lbs. I'll be pulling this with my ungeared 80 on 35's to the mountains and back from Kansas. I've had popups in the past and of course tents too but this is appealing as it doesn't have the popouts and it's hardsided with a bathroom and shower which the :princess: is requiring at this point. Just wanted to see if anyone has one and what your thoughts are on them? I found a 2011 for a decent price but it doesn't have the 15" tires or the Extreme package.

image-2719772322.webp
 
Sorry to be a buzzkill...but "Starcraft" and "Extreme" seem like an oxymoron to me.
 
spressomon said:
Sorry to be a buzzkill...but "Starcraft" and "Extreme" seem like an oxymoron to me.
Click to expand...

True, not really looking for "offroad" like a chaser or adventure trailer, would love that but need something that can get off the road some, thought something like this would fit the bill, off road glamping.
 
85badger said:
True, not really looking for "offroad" like a chaser or adventure trailer, would love that but need something that can get off the road some, thought something like this would fit the bill, off road glamping.
Click to expand...

Yeah I figured that...but from my experience its the miles and miles of typical FS road washboard that works against staples and MDF.
 
Hhhmm...I wonder if there is another option that I'm not finding. I tried to sell her on a SoCal Teardrop or littleguy Krawler teardrop with a tent on top but she wasn't having any of that....
The r-pod doesn't seem to fit the bill either...
 
Are you handy? You could look for a Casita, they pop up every once in a while (someone posted on ExpedPortal finding them at government auctions for relatively cheap). From what I hear the fiberglass shell is tough...just need to refurb inside and raise the axle.

Kinda what I'm thinking about longer term...for when the wind blows and the cold is a factor...on outings...solid walls = mobetta than fabric ;)
 
A Casita might be a good call. I know that I've looked at them a time or two. There are many cousins of the basic design that go by different names and there is a whole community out there for them. A little toe-dip into that scene should net you a lot of info.
 
Casita Info and Links

I have a Casita - a 17' Spirit Deluxe (17SD) - it's a great fiberglass trailer!

I have their "Hi-Axle" - but it's not all that high - just 1.5" higher than standard.

I've taken it on many FS washboard roads, never faster than about 15mph - only popped a couple of rivets over the 5 years I've owned it. Rivets are easy to replace, but I would never try to take my Casita over anything rougher than washboard FS roads.

Some people have added shocks and/or changed suspension and lifted them to make them more off-road worthy.

The 17SD (17FD and 17LD) have a 3500lb dry weight - I didn't notice what you are towing with - but, 3500lbs maxes out the towing capacity for my 1978 FJ40.

Casita makes a 13' Patriot - that, IMHO, would be a better choice for towing with a 40.

The Scamp is very similiar to the Casita - there are other fiberglass trailers, as well and they ALL KEEP THEIR VALUE EQUALLY - so, even finding a used one will require more of an investment than you probably realize - also, they are like FJ40s - e.g. they sell very fast!

Try casitatraveltrailers.com and scamptrailers.com for NEW info.

Try fiberglassrv.com to see the various fiberglass trailers.

Try casitaclub.com and casitaforum.com for Casita and Scamp info and forums.

Good luck!
 
Also...

Like anything, there are two sides - some people hate stick built trailers (like the one you mention at the top) - some dislike fiberglass.

I have towed both and I feel like you are more like to to have problems with stick built trailers off-road - I could be wrong...

But, the stick-built trailers are typically square-fronted and the fiberglass are typically more aerodynamic - the stick built are MUCH HARDER on gas mileage...

Good luck!
 
Wow, I really like the Casita and have looked at the scamp. I'm having a hard time seeing 2-6 people sleeping in one of these though. I only have 4 but don't really see that comfortably....
 
Yes...sorry for 4 people to be comfie especially when over-nighting in the same location/base camp style camping...you're going to probably want something 20'+ and probably more comfie in the 25'-30' length.

Used Airstream/Avion (assuming you're looking biggest bang/buck...compared to brand new). Mike Spies, owner of Autohome USA (Maggiolina, etc. RTTs) has an Airstream that he raised the suspension and equipped with taller tires...not "off-road" but he pulls it down plenty of gravel roads in route to fishing and hunting spots IIRC.

or

http://www.livinlite.com/camplite-overview.php
 
I grew up in a 19' Airstream that grandad towed all sorts of places (with a '68 Town & Country Station Wagon) that forums like Expo would have you think that you need 4wd or at least high clearance to go there. That trailer slept two adults and two kids to young adults just fine.
 
Won't sleep 6

Yeah, Casita has always said "sleeps six" - but, six what??? :rolleyes:

Ours is their largest (17') - sleeps two comfortably - you could sleep a couple of small kids on the side dinette - feet-to-feet - but they would outgrow it fairly soon.

I don't know what you plan to tow with, but Scamp makes a 19' fifth wheel.

There's also a lot of good reviews for Bigfoot and Escape, but that's all I know about them - except, I seem to recall people saying that one, or both, of them are used in cold climates - good insulation.

Good luck!
 
When we graduated from a tent to a camper the kids still got the tent. They could even bring a friend. We slept in the camper and the kids slept in a tent, sometimes we set up two tents so there was a play tent and a sleep tent. If the weather took a dive we'd find room under cover and the front seats of the truck but usually it was tent camping for them. heck, kids bones are still soft, they need some ground camping to toughen them up. If it sleeps two comfortably you're good for at least three kids, we were.
 
Well I have been looking at one, but I mainly needed to tow behind my LX_450 and planning to use it to travel thru out the USA to visit the National Parks, need the restroom and shower for the wife and also the heater and AC so she is in confort while I hike and explore!

Thoughts!
 
Weve looked at them a few times but they dont have a large enough floor plan to suit our needs.

These are an ok trailer. Very entry level but if you get the price right it'll be worth it.

Just beware towing with an 80 series. We rented a similar size hybrid trailer a few years ago and towing a full height trailer with the 80 can be a lesson in patience. At the time I had the lift and stock size tires. We had no problems running 65mph on the flats but caught a head wind going home and couldnt go over 45mph or so. The 1FZ just doesnt have the power to overcome a barn door hanging off the hitch sometimes.

Now we tow a pop up camper that weighs around 3000lbs and I have no problems running 65-70mph even with a headwind.
 
Thanks, food for thought, The price I can get is 8995 plus ttl so not bad at all, I just hope it does not self destroy on the hwy!
 
eurorom said:
Thanks, food for thought, The price I can get is 8995 plus ttl so not bad at all, I just hope it does not self destroy on the hwy!
Click to expand...

Check here to see a ball park invoice price and get an idea as to what the dealer pain. Depending on floor plan and options that could a decent price at 8995. http://www.seedealercost.com/recv

Good luck with it! Starcraft builds a decent unit and offers the 2 year warranty standard.
 
Thank you that is great information!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom