Re: Why Keystone?
We knew we had weight limits and that we would need to be comfortably within the tow rating/carrying capacity of our 2013 F150 V8, plus the spouse did not want an immense trailer. That was the first " absolute must."
The next absolute musts were:
-- dual axle
-- walk-around queen (or double), permanently set up (no jackknife sofa)
-- room for the dog box that DID NOT require resetting the trailer layout every evening and morning
-- awning that didn't require 2 ladders to set up
-- pass-through front storage
after that we had "strongly preferred"
fridge with separate freezer door
large dinette
small oven
adequate cabinet space given trailer size
maybe a slide for the dinette?
HVAC system
The other factor was cost. Sure, an Airstream is nice (kinda, I don't actually like their layouts in the smaller trailers), but this is something to go camping in, where you spend a lot of time outside. With an upgraded trailer (our earlier trailer was inadequate in a LOT of ways) we would be spending 6-8 weeks a year in the trailer, with maybe a longer winter trip. Something that would hold up to that use, tow fairly well, be within our cash range.
To factor in cost we started out looking at used trailers, but the only way to get much lower prices was to get something much older - RVs that used contact paper on the doors instead of wood, that may or may not have roof or shell or frame integrity issues. That sort of crossed out used.
We looked at probably 7 local dealers and 2 RV shows and decided that while we saw other trailers we liked (a Jayco in particular), we were not going to buy from a seriously out-of-town dealer at an RV show.
There were two local dealers we liked, and one of the had the "rear living" layout with a huge u-shaped dinette at the back of the trailer that we had no idea we wanted until we saw it. They are primarily Heartland and Keystone dealers, so it was a Keystone we picked. Keystone was quite similar to a lot of other trailers, as far as build quality and warranty (Jayco had a slightly better warranty on the frame).
We actually ended up with a trailer a little longer than DH wanted, but it has no slide and yet still feels fairly open. I know many people love their slides, but to us it was just one less mechanical thing to have an issue with. Also, for us, a lot of trailer mfrs spend way too much money on "entertainment" systems. We weren't interest in a TV or sound system, lol, we are musicians and carry our own. We also didn't end up with an HVAC system, just the regular propane heater and roof A/C.
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2017 Keystone Hideout 21FQWE (no name yet)
2013 Ford F150 5.0 V8, 373 rear, HD tow package (Hank)
1928 Gibson F4 mandolin (Lillian)
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