another_newfie
Ontario
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Joined: 10/06/2008
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Well since I own a Keystone Summerland I figure I will put in my 2 cents. To date we have camped in our unit almost 70 nights (including a LOT of winter camping) and I've had zero issues. I also know of a few other Summerland owners who are experiencing the same level of happiness that I am with my unit. "Entry level" is thrown around quite a lot and to be honest I pay little attention to that designation.
2009 Springdale Summerland 2600 TBL
2008 Ford F-150 Supercrew XLT 4X4
Prodigy + Equal-i-zer
4 Seasons Camping Tips & Tricks!
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Wes Tausend
Bismarck, ND
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Joined: 12/04/2008
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...
Really, the only difference in what might be sold as an entry level TT and that which might be sold as a premium TT is probably as little as a difference in fabrics, floor coverings and decals. Unlike the performance difference between a Mercedes Sedan and Chevy Sedan, these campers are all clones underneath the skin.
But a large part of choosing an image is what ones peers think. So I propose you buy the Keystone Summerland and adapt a humble attitude in your friends camping presence. Let him think he has the better unit. While deep down you will smugly know he has overpaid.
From an engineering standpoint, all common building materials have equal strength for the same weight. Slight exceptions are manmade carbon fiber and natures balsa wood. Steel works best for most items, but it corrodes easily and is not stiff in light weights. An equal weight of aluminum is stiff (because of greater thickness) but tends to fatigue and crack. Wood of equal weight is stiffer yet (thickest), handles fatigue well, but is biodegradable (rot). All these materials can be used to build a similar item, such as a TT, and, at best, sometimes differences can be slightly optimised at some other compromise.
All in all, it is hard to beat an optimal wood framed TT with classic lightweight thin corrugated aluminum siding. But there will always be folks that want to feel that somehow, a more exotic material is superior ...because they want to feel superior. Marketing is willing to accomodate. But now you'll know the philosophical truth. There isn't a nickels worth the difference. Just don't tell them.
Wes
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- 2000 Excursion V-10 - 1995 Coachmen Catalina 280RK, 5091# tare
- Hensley Arrow pending - McKesh mirrors - Champion 4000w/3500w gen
- 1994 Mazda B4000 1/2 ton, 4.0L V6, 3.73, 125"wb
- 1978 Pace Arrow 25' Motorhome, GM 3500 chassis 454cu.in
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colliehauler
Mc Pherson KS USA
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Joined: 01/27/2004
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Some of the very best trailers made have wood frames. Some of the least expensive trailers made have wood frames.
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2inAlabama
Huntsville, AL
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Joined: 01/08/2008
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I think what your friend is referring to is a structure that has aluminum studs, similar to commercial construction, and molded aluminum skin. My 2008 Sunset Creek 27RB is made like that. The only wood is in floors, roof, and of course, furniture. I believe it is of excellent quality. It is made by Sunnybrook. They make a lower-end line called
the Brookside, I think. Welcome to the forum.
Good luck and happy camping.
I just checked. The lower-end line by Sunnybrook is called the Edgewater. The Brookside is their fifth wheel.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 04:31pm by 2inAlabama *
Just DH & DW
2007 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
2008 Sunset Creek 279RB, Prodigy Brake Control, Equalizer Hitch
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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My 2006 Sprindale (entry level) has been great for four years so far. A couple minor warranty fixes the first year but nothing major. I would buy it again.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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