The New Trailer Bug Has Bitten Again

Diane · 11-17-2014, 01:47 PM

We are already SOB's but decided after four years with the current unit, we needed a bigger one. LOL The plans are that this will be the last one.

We are trading our Heartland North Trail 24RBS on an Open Range 288FLR Roamer. It is 33 feet long but GVWR is only 9800 so the truck will have no problem with the new trailer. I'm sure we will have more problems learning to maneuver the bigger unit.

An odd thing happens when we trailer shop: we compare all that we see to the Sunline we owned. Having that as a first unit set the standard for our expectations. The Open Range units remind us very much of the Sunline as far as fit and finish and livability of the floorplans. However, Marshall is very quick to say that the Sunline cabinets had a nicer finish than the Open Range but the Open Range is "close."

Thursday is our delivery date which will be a long day with the PDI and then getting it home. Friday will be spent putting things away and then on Saturday we leave for the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach for Thanksgiving week. Yes we are crazy taking a brand new unit on vacation but the vacation plans were already made and we don't want to cancel them. Keep your fingers crossed for us!!

Diane

j52wf · 11-17-2014, 04:23 PM

Where are you staying in Outer Banks and Va. Beach? I will be travelling through Va. Beach on way to Hampton for Thanksgiving.

Diane · 11-17-2014, 06:28 PM

The Koa in Rodanthe is the first stop for four nights and then the Holiday Travel Park on General Booth Boulevard for four nights. Are you staying in Virginia Beach?

Diane

j52wf · 11-17-2014, 07:28 PM

No. We will be staying with my brother in Hampton. We stayed at the KOA in Rodanthe a couple of years ago. Liked the area very much. Don't know how much activity is available this time of year.

j52wf · 12-03-2014, 09:11 AM

How was the trip?

Diane · 12-03-2014, 04:07 PM

The trip went very well. We left a day later than planned and drove straight to Rodanthe arriving in the dark and rain. The trailer was easy to set up despite the weather and the room inside is enormous. We did see two lighthouses and enjoyed driving to the village of Ocracoke. Would have loved taking the ferry to Ocracoke Island but time did not allow so we will just have to visit the area again. The KOA was very nice and the bathhouses were sparkling clean. There is a great off leash dog area.

The trip from Rodanthe to Virginia Beach was in a nor'easter with driving rain. The truck pulled the trailer with no issues despite the high winds. Crossing Oregon Inlet on the bridge in the wind and rain was an experience but no real sway issues.

We had a super site at the Holiday Travel Park in Virginia Beach with a concrete pad so leveling was easy peasy. There was lots of room to walk the dogs who did not get into the dog park due to all the rain leaving mud behind.

Both of us are thrilled with the Open Range and it reminds us so much of our Sunline quality. The North Trail was a nice trailer but not the quality of either the Sunline or the Open Range.

The tongue weight on the Open Range is high (1,000 pounds dry) and our truck squats one to two inches so air bags may be installed or different springs.

Diane