ksd
Medina, MN
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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We are considering ordering a new TT through our dealer. It would be built to our order. This particular manufacturer offers quite a few real "options" in addition to the "mandatory option" packages. Never having owned a TT before, we'd appreciate some advice as to how useful each of the following options is:
1. Tinted Safety Glass Windows
2. Exterior hung glass (Huh? What is that?)
3. Aluminum wheels IPO steel
4. Rear ladder
5. Electric awning
6. heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option)
7. Slider windows replace fixed on slide ends
8. Outside grill
9. Step light
10. Front window with rock guard
11. 15M BTU AC IPO standard 13.5M
12. 21 inch range IPO standard 17 inch
13. Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage)
14. Porcelain toilet (IPO plastic, I assume)
FWIW, this is abotu a 30 foot bunkhouse trailer that will be used for three season camping in the upper midwest by a family of five (kids' ages are 8, 5 and 3 at present). We will not be parking permanently at a site, but will take it with us on weekend and occasional week-long trips.
So, which of these, if any, do you think are worthwhile, and why? Right now, I'm inclined to skip the electric awning and go with the manual. I'm also inclined to skip the outdoor grill, as we do just fine bringing the one we have. The rest of the options, however, I'm just not sure about.
Thanks!
2008 Salem LA 312QBBS
2006 Suburban 2500 LT 8.1/4.10
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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darn good set of tires
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lobo princesa
northern calif
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Joined: 05/25/2004
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we have and love:
1. Tinted Safety Glass Windows (much more privacy and helps keep the heat out in real hot campgrounds.
4. Rear ladder (easy access to the roof, and a great place to put up your "flag")
6. heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option) in your part of the country I would imagine you would want these (frozen pipes are NO fun)
7. Slider windows replace fixed on slide ends (great for ventilation)
13. Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage)LOVE THESE!!!!! we had the dealer install the sliding drawers under BOTH dinette seats.
Happy shopping 
The husband,the kids, and me of course
2003 Dodge 2500 Diesel
2004 Sprinter 297FWBHS rear dual bunks!!
2 Honda EU2000i
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BurbMan
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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We got this same set of options on our new Terry...with the exception of the dinette, we opted for table/chairs. I didn't favor thr outside grill, although some folks like them.
The dual-pane windows are nice, they really keep the trailer quiet from outside noise. The tinting also helps keep the TT cooler in the sun. The ladder is nice, makes it easy to get up on the roof to clean, sweep debris off the slide out etc. Our TT came with chrome wheels and bias-ply tires, which had already started to rust when we took delivery. I bought a set of Aluminum wheels from a guy here on the forum and added radial tires.
Windows on the slide end are nice if the breeze is blowing front-rear instead of side-side. Open the windows in the slide ends and you get ventilation no matter what. I would have gotten a front window as well, but it wasn't offered on our model. Upgraded a/c is a must on a TT that size, and the porcelain toilet is nice also.
We got heated tanks, the underbelly is enclosed and a heat duct blows into the space to keep the tanks from freezing. We like Fall camping without electric, so this was a nice feature for us. Some tanks are wrapped with heat tape type stuff, so they only work when on shore power. Consider if you plan to use the TT in cold weather, and whether you will have access to shore power if you do.
The electric awning is very convenient, but has the major disadvantage of not being able to lower one end when it rains so it drains. I'm not sure I'd spend the cash for it if I was doing it again.
Feel free to PM if you need more info. Of course you know that all of these options add weight, but then again what's a few pounds to that monster of a truck you just bought?!?!?
Our 32' is not a bunkhouse, weighs in at 8800 lbs at the scale packed and ready to go with full water. Our previous TT was a 34' quad-bunkhouse, and weighed about the same.
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rvdogette
SW Louisiana
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Joined: 07/03/2007
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1. Tinted Safety Glass Windows YES
2. Exterior hung glass (Huh? What is that?) ?
3. Aluminum wheels IPO steel YES
4. Rear ladder YES
5. Electric awning NO, READ TO MANY CONS
HERE ABOUT THEM
6. heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option) YES
7. Slider windows replace fixed on slide ends YES
8. Outside grill MAYBE NOT, LOTS OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO COOK WITH THEM UNDER THEIR AWNING.
9. Step light YES
10. Front window with rock guard MAYBE, POSSIBLE FUTURE
LEAKAGE
11. 15M BTU AC IPO standard 13.5M 31' TT, YES
12. 21 inch range IPO standard 17 inch 3 CHILDREN TO FEED, YES
13. Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage) YES, CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT ONE FOR OUR TT RIGHT NOW
14. Porcelain toilet (IPO plastic, I assume) MAYBE, MY SIL LOVES HERS
2005 Keystone Springdale
1 Hubby
2 boys 20 & 19
2 sweet dogs, spoiled rotten
Isabella we had to let go due to old age, just prior to her 17th BD.
Sara who we lost from a sudden illness. She was the best camping dog.
A new grandbaby puppy GS, she is a sweety
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ksd
Medina, MN
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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old guy wrote:darn good set of tires
The TT comes standard with Goodyear radials. I assume that's a decent set.
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chi6488
florida
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Joined: 03/07/2008
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It all depends on what is important to you and what you can flip the bill for. If you can do it all then go for it. If not weigh out what you feel is more important to you.
Some items are based on your geographic region. In FL the 15k ac is first on my list but up north it would not mean much.
2009 Jayco Eagle 324BHDS
2008 F250 King Ranch 4wd
2005 GLacier Bay 2670 Cat
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handye9
Park City, IL 60085
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Joined: 05/16/2003
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1. Tinted Safety Glass Windows - Guess this would be personal choice. I think non tinted would allow more light inside.
2. Exterior hung glass (Huh? What is that?) - I don't know.
3. Aluminum wheels IPO steel - They look nice, but, you need to pay closer attention to torque on the lug nuts.
4. Rear ladder - Yes, you want access to your roof for cleaning off the slide roof (if you have a slide) when closing. You want roof access for cleaning and inspecting.
5. Electric awning - Can't say from personal experience. From what I've read on here, and, from talking to folks who have it, I would say no. You want one awning end or the other to be at a different height than the other, for water runn off. I've been told, you can't do that with electric awnings.
6. heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option) - Check this link to see about heated tanks. Personal experience (deer camp in minus 10 degree weather)tells me that heated tanks are useless unless the entire dump system is protected.
7. Slider windows replace fixed on slide ends - Don't understand this question
8. Outside grill - Last trailer had one (tried it and didn't like it). This trailer came with one (it's been collecting dust in the garage for going on three years).
9. Step light - Nice to have. This trailer came without. I added it.
10. Front window with rock guard - Due to where we park on our Minnesota lake property, wife refused to look at any trailer without a front window.
11. 15M BTU AC IPO standard 13.5M - Not a lot of difference when camping in the midwest.
12. 21 inch range IPO standard 17 inch - Extra cooking space would be nice.
13. Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage) - Convenient. Mine has both a storage drawer under each dinnette seat and storage behind that is accessible by removing the cushions.
14. Porcelain toilet (IPO plastic, I assume - Due to age (mine), I would elect a toilet riser (Thetford makes one) rather than a porcelain toilet.
Maybe you should be looking at a different manufacturer. A lot of these options are standard equipment on other trailers. Feel free to PM with specific questions or check out my TT in my mods link below.
Here's a link to Forest River where you can look at similar floor plans and maybe find something with all your intended options.
08 F250 Crewcab 4X4 Short bed
06 Flagstaff 831QBSS
Wife and I
Buddy the Beagle
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Check out my mods
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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These would be my preference
Tinted Safety Glass Windows
heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option
15M BTU AC IPO standard 13.5M
21 inch range IPO standard 17 inch
Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage
Porcelain toilet (IPO plastic, I assume)
05 Super Duty XLT CC 5.4/3.73 5 sp auto Torqshift
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The"Cracker Cabana")
Reese HP Dual Cam
Camping Photos
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SteveRankin
Sequim, WA
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Joined: 05/05/2005
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1. Tinted Safety Glass Windows
Those aren't standard?
2. Exterior hung glass (Huh? What is that?)
Beats me.
3. Aluminum wheels IPO steel
I'd be more concerned about making sure the wheels and tires have capacities far in excess of the actual loads expected. What are your finances like? Can you afford the $$ for appearances?
4. Rear ladder
Yes, definitely.
5. Electric awning
Nope. IMO, electric awnings are MH toys or possibly on high-end towables. But, not on a coach with some of these basics on the option list. Manual awnings are also much more adjustable for sun and rain than electric.
6. heated/wrapped holding tanks (TT underbelly is not enclosed, so they offer insulated holding tanks as an option)
You said 3-season camping. In MN that could include freezing weather, right? If so, then definitely. But, if you know you won't be going out in freezing weather, then you won't need it.
Every RV, except one had an enclosed belly. Our Arctic Fox has both, an enclosed belly, heated by the furnace, 12VDC heating pads or 120VAC heating pads. Whichever is convenient.
7. Slider windows replace fixed on slide ends
Yes. You can never have too much ventilation.
8. Outside grill
Been there, done that once. The grill that came with the TT was to bulky. We now use a Weber 'Go-Anywhere' that is adapted to the TT's propane outlet. Plenty big enough for us, yet so much more compact, cooks very well like Webers tend to do and only cost $50.
9. Step light
If you have a porch light, you don't need it.
10. Front window with rock guard
An opening front window with rock guard.
11. 15M BTU AC IPO standard 13.5M
With a large family and all the coming and going through the door and the humidity of the midwest, you won't regret the 15.
12. 21 inch range IPO standard 17 inch
How much does the wife like to cook? Most wives would prefer more galley storage, which is why most MH's don't even have a range anymore--just a cooktop and a convection microwave.
13. Dinette access doors (on ends of dinette, so you don't have to remove cushions to access storage)
You not only don't have to remove the cushions, you don't have to get the little person off the settee first. 
14. Porcelain toilet (IPO plastic, I assume)
Are you pushing the limits on your TV or on the CCC of the TT? If so, do what you can to keep the weight down. If not, porcelain is nice & easier to clean. A rinse nozzle is something we use.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
2009 Arctic Fox 29V
2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4X4 Crewcab
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