magnusfide
montana
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Joined: 10/30/2009
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I agree with Kwattro's quote below. We bought an 8 year old TT that was one of the first to have an aluminum frame. It's been a rock as far as dependability. Cabinets can be replaced (by yourself if you're handy or a local cabinet maker.) On another thread I read (can't remember where it is now)someone made their own flip down bunk for added sleeping space.
If I were you I would look at a Sunnybrook or other good aluminum framed trailer then negotiate the rest.
Kwattro wrote:Lots of 30+ year old trailers around without aluminum stud construction. It's personal opinion frankly, I find entry level trailers have a great square footage to cost ratio and a lot of the differences between the entry level and levels higher were only in the use of higher end fixtures and fancier interior materials. Even the chassis and running gear were identical in a lot of examples. When I camp I'm not the slightest bit interested if my cupboards are maple or particle board. It's all in how well you treat and maintain it. If everything meets your requirements and you think the dealer is competent, go for it.
Jeet yet? Keep on rollin'!
Magnus
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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ENTRY LEVEL is merely a marketing term... it has no meaning what so ever... the same units are built at different price points... the differences between price points can be really small and mostly cosmetic... that is often the case...
I have owned many TT's in different price points from 18’ to 36’… the three very best ones in longetivity and low maintenance have all been entry-level, and the two worst have been at the higher price points… when they say you get what you pay for it is a myth…
I have a Keystone Hornet entry-level that I have lived in full time now going on 6 years with virtually no trouble… it is used stationary about half of the year and towed the other half…
It is the standard stick and tin construction because it was my choice in construction, as will my next one be… I won't own a laminent again...
You shouldn’t need to worry about the construction of the keystone product, I think you will find keystone gives you more bang for you buck than most of the others out there…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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javaseuf
California's Gold Coast
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Joined: 03/30/2005
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When it comes down to it, I would imagine that a company that builds a line of custom 40' diesel motor homes in a price range of say $1,000,000.00 to $3,000,000.00, considers the $1,000,00.00 unit "entry-level".
Steve
2007 Springdale 291RKL
2009 F150, 5.4 ltr.
1986 Palomino Hard-Side PUP
"Nobody knows how we got to the top of the hill, but since we're on our way down, we might as well enjoy the ride". ("The Secret Of Life", James Taylor).
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Bigdog
silverdale wa.
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RJsfishin wrote:"Entry Level" is fine,...... to me means that your kids should be a little bit disciplined in that they don't stand and jump on open drawers, and don't swing on the cupboard doors 
GO COUGARS
2001 Ford 7.3L PSD Excursion
Ride Rite air bags
AFE Stage 1
4"MBRP exh
Hellwig rear sway bar
DP Tuner
2005 Keystone COUGAR 304BHS
Tekonsha Prodigy
1200 Equalizer hitch
2000 Thomas school bus (RETIRED !!! )
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mwebber78
Maine
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Joined: 08/07/2005
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I have seen some really nice "entry level" trailers in my spare time at RV shows. Crossroads for example calls the Zinger line "entry level", I guess times have changed becuase I don't call Cherry finished cabinets, 7 speaker audio, porcelin toliet, etc. entry level!
Buy what you want!! Enjoy 
Michael 
2 DD's and my DW
6 Acre's in Southern Maine
2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB
2008 Chevy 2500HD LT 4X4
Camping Pictures
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Empty Nest, Soon
Southeast Ohio
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Not a thing in the world wrong with an "entry-level" TT, except smaller profits for the manufacturer's and dealers.
If it looks good and suits your needs at a fair price, go for it.
Wayne
Wayne & Michelle
2004 Pioneer 19T4
1998 GMC 2500HD, 5.7L, HD 5-speed, 3.73
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okraman
White Hall, AR, USA
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As fordsooperdooty said, don't get in a rush. Shop around, check the different manufactures on-line. Check out the floorplans, try to imagine how the features and floorplans meet the needs of you and your family. Go to the dealers and look at the ones that seem promising. Check out the beds and sleeping arrangements, is there enough room in the bathroom, do you need a slide-out? Will you travel enough where you stop in route and need access to the bathroom, fridge or bed? If yes, and you have a slide-out, can you access those areas with the slide in. Check out the fit and finish of the various makes and models as you look. We shopped for over 2 years. We feel we found a TT that met our needs. Most of us need to get it as right as possible, would be expensive if you don't and want to trade TT's after a few months. A seemingly good price isn't so good if the TT doesn't meet your needs and lifestyle.
2004 GMC 2500HD EC 6.0L 4.10 4X4
'05 Jayco Eagle 298 BHS
16' Nova Craft Prospector Canoe
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daystrom
NE Ohio
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Mike Up wrote:
I think you have it backwards. The EPDM Rubber roofs are the more reliable where the felt backed TPO roofs were nightmares. All makers have ditched the troubled TPO Vinyl/rubber roofs to go with EPDM Rubber roofs.
Have a good one.
Don't mean to hijack this but...
What Mike Up said may have been true a few years ago but I know for a fact that Alpha systems now makes a non-felt backed TPO roof. I have it in fact on my 2010 trailer. TPO is the way to go.
2010 AmeriLite 25BH
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 4x4 3.92 Axle
2004 Viking Epic 17.5LS (SOLD 2005)
2005 Jayco Select 12HW (SOLD 2009)
Lots of camping photos
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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My thoughts on entry level?? How far you have to lift your foot to get in.. You can have 2 of the exact same models side by side, and can sometimes see a difference in quality based on construction. Example, One was put together by Joe, who had a good nights sleep, the other by Sam who is a bit hung over after drinking a case of beer the night before. Using my TT as an example, I got the one Sam built. By performing general preventative maintenance, I came across some interesting things, missing or snapped screws under the trim, dinnete spaced too far apart, set the table up as a bed and fall right thru it, blocked duct work, fridge mounting loose, plumbing fixtures loose, etc, etc. Good quality control would make a difference.
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping  Our pics
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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daystrom wrote:Mike Up wrote:
I think you have it backwards. The EPDM Rubber roofs are the more reliable where the felt backed TPO roofs were nightmares. All makers have ditched the troubled TPO Vinyl/rubber roofs to go with EPDM Rubber roofs.
Have a good one.
Don't mean to hijack this but...
What Mike Up said may have been true a few years ago but I know for a fact that Alpha systems now makes a non-felt backed TPO roof. I have it in fact on my 2010 trailer. TPO is the way to go.
TPO has been reformulated 3 or 4 times now because of failures, and while it is no longer felt backed it us still backed… The current membrane formulations are reinforced with a polyester fabric and manufactured using an ultraviolet-resistant thermoplastic polyolefin formulation.
With each reformulation the promises and marketing was the same, and with each reformulation I guess it gets better, but I am not sure if its better yet…
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