Should You Buy a Casita Trailer? Pros and Cons
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- Опубликовано: 16 сен 2021
- If you've ever thought about owning a Casita, here are some pros and cons to owning a Casita Trailer.
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We've had both, a 16' Casita and "up-graded" to a 17' (Spirit Deluxe). We lived in the 17' for months and months and months when we took a long, slow 48 state tour ... with never a problem of any significance. Casitas are good value.
They really are!
Can't remember last time I watched such a good and thorough review! Didn't feel the need to watch another one after. Thanks!
Thank you!
You are a real one!!! 🎉 I learned more in this video than the month I wasted scrolling the internet on how to RV! Thank you!!
So glad to help!
Thanks for putting this together. Super helpful as we consider a Casita!
You’re welcome!
Great video review. Thank you. I'm seriously considering one and this helped immensly.
You’re welcome!
When you have a Casita, you must live in it, like you are in a Submarine. You take an item out, you need to put it back. We have a Independence and it works for 2. More positive than negative. Life is not Perfect.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for the feedback. It’s great for other viewers to have an additional perspective.!
Isn't that for everything??? You take something out, put it back
@@lakemaniac I wish, people don’t always put things back, and mostly want to add more in limited space..
I love love love the retro finish. Its all so much nicer than my big 30ft rig.
I'm so excited about your adorable rig.
Awe, thanks!
Very helpful. Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for your honest review. Your videos have been very helpful! We ordered a Spirit Deluxe to be picked up next summer! It will be a smaller camper for us, but we are very excited about being able to travel farther and to fit in any campsite! 😊
You are welcome! I’m excited for you! Congratulations and happy trails.
I thought there was a 2 year wait?
@@dannypaul8373 we had a one year wait from August 2021 to August 2022.
This was very helpful info. Thx!
You’re welcome!
We are purchasing a new 2022, Spirit unseen. You helped a lot in helping make the decision. We are looking forward to pick up in Texas in March of 2022. We appreciate all the folks who have provided great info. Thanks
You’re so welcome! Congratulations!
Good choice? I here they have good reputation for quality, value
Great review! Lots of good information!!
Thank you!
Super helpful. Thanks!
You’re so welcome!
Very informative! Thanks
You're welcome!
I think this was a fair review, so love it!
Thanks!
You are so cute! Thank you for your series of videos. My husband and I really like them We just bought a used Casita and are heading out this summer for the first time.
Congratulations! And happy trails. You’re in for a fabulous time!
I pass the factory on my way to Dallas from houston ALL the time, LOL!!!
Great video. That's so true about about all that type RV gas Heaters. An Alde system would give you in floor heating, and unlimited hot water, and still run off of gas with no sound. I also agree with those out of date cabinet doors. I have them in my home and love them, but those just look cheap and out of place in that camper.
Thanks! A floor heater would be awesome, and quiet!
That’s one of the things I don’t like also. Plus the doors add a lot of weight to the trailer. But other than that I love my Casita!
Helpful, thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
We owned one for many years, a great unit for quick get aways. Not for everyone. Really well designed and has all the benefits of fully loaded. It was a supplement to our Motorhome and or my roof top tenting Land rover. Hard to beat for efficient and absolutely terrific. I added the usual solar, extra batteries, catalytic heater. Custom rack at rear for extra supplies. 10 outa 10. Sold it for more than I paid for it. Really holds it value.
Did you sell because you are just using the motorhome now?
@@TravelsandTravails Correct
Did you build or buy the custom rack?
very nice video for sure!
Thank you very much!
I still love mine! I am the cool kid when I travel!
Do people ask you about it?
We actually flew to TX, because we couldn't seem to connect with anyone in our area that had one. We ordered an Independence model, but the down size is that we won't have it for a year and half. However, we do need to remove some landscaping, put up a fence and move an A/C unit, so that give us time to complete all that work. We live in S. Florida and know several RV owners of stick trailers who have had leaks, musty odors, rotted out floors etc. because of our humid climate. I don't think we'll have any of those issues with a fiberglass trailer. The small inside space doesn't really bother us, because we're used to a popup and we've always done our cooking outdoors and spent most of our time outside. Thank you of sharing!
Congratulations! And you're welcome! Sorry you have to wait so long. Wait times are crazy right now.
I am in S.Florida(Ft Lauderdale) as well. Thinking about buying one. Will love to hear your feedback once you get it. Thanks
I have a 1987 vintage casita that has been remodeled and it looks great.
What did you do to it?
Mom and I living in our 2007 model...we really like it...
Lucky you!
Outstanding!
Thank you! Cheers!
Would love to see more of your trips
👍 I have lots of footage to edit.
Really enjoyed this. I ordered a 2022 Spirit Deluxe, pick up date is September 15, 2022. It will be just me and my 2 small dogs. I think we’ll be fine, but since I am brand new to camping, it should also be interesting. Keep the videos coming!
Congratulations! You are going to love it! Happy trails.
Hello - we picked our spirit deluxe up in sept also- paid the xtra 3k to get it in 6weeks, site unseen! The reviews, forums and design features sold us. After going to camper world and looking at crappy stick ones, the choice was clear. We luv it so far- not happy about the finish on the cabinet doors and water pump was bad on day one- next year were going for a couple years around the usa with our 2 dogs
Kurt DirtClod cool! I plan to stay somewhere close by the Casita factory for a couple days after pickup in case there are any issues. I hope you were able to resolve the water pump issue. Safe travels!
Thank you!
I have it at home now but not tested everything yet, but not worried - they will stand behind it for any fixes. So far all is good! Have fun also, be safe!
Kurt DirtClod sure thing!
When I started shopping for RV's I think of what I was able to purchase in the 1990's. I owned a toyhauler and it has EVERYTHING. It was particularly long but it was tall and extremely heavy. I miss it! I don't miss towing it!!! Oliver, Escape, Big Foot. Beautiful trailers and ridiculous prices. I want to be able to travel and eat. I don't care for certain things in the Casita. I don't care. I want to travel and not worry about making payments or financing at 9% interest.
Everything has gone up in price!
I get my Casita Independence deluxe in July 2022. Can't wait but really need help knowing what is truly needed &what is just extra stuff to haul.
Congratulations! It’s hard to know what you need when you first start. I have a video of our kitchen set up. Lots of people say camp at your house first, or close to home and you’ll quickly find out what you need. There is a link in the video description to some items in our Amazon store. That might help too.
I like these type of full fiberglass trailers, especially with the current/future gas prices. My problem is I don't like towing. I don't feel comfortable doing it so I had to buy an RV & it's an Overlander which only gets 10mpg's.
If I had a Pepy V6(14-16mpg's) & a smaller-sized full fiberglass trailer like a Casita or a Scamp, Bigfoot or Oliver but those 2 latter ones are extremely expensive & the smallest Bigfoot makes is a 17ft.
We had a 13’ Scamp. Pulled it with a 4-cylinder RAV-4.
You are excellent!!!
Wow, thank you!
I’ve got a 2016 and I could sell it for what I paid for it new! Great investment for an RV!
Excellent balanced review, can tell you've got a lot of experience backing up your opinions.
Thanks!
Have you ever done any winter travel in the Casita? Looking for something small that can handle trips to Massachusetts for Christmas.
Thanks for the review!
We have, but I think the lowest overnight temperature was in the mid-20s and warming during the day. Also, we weren’t hooked up to water so didn’t have that issue. It’s definitely not a four-season trailer.
Excellent, everything you need to no. many thanks.
You are so welcome!
I have a 13 year old Casita Spirit deluxe. I laughed when you talked about hitting your head on the door because I have done that so many times over the years..... We replaced the blinds, as they are junk. I don't mind the carpeted wall. After 13 years, the hot water heater finally went bad and we are in the process of replacing it.
They really hang around for a long time! What did you get in place of the blinds?
@@TravelsandTravails There was a company, if I remember correctly, called Steve's Blinds where we ordered shades from. We got what they called privacy shades
The Lance 1475 has a queen East/West bed unfortunately, but beautiful thermal pane windows, up and down shades, dry bath, bigger fridge, oven, more counter space, storage, way more updated and modern than Casita but it's 2600 lbs and more expensive and the East/West bed fail..lol
I saw a 2018 for 23k which seemed fair.
I guess it depends what we can find used. The Geo/E is about 2900 lbs so I want lighter so a reg Casita liberty with bigger walkway, North/South bed is probably the winner, easy tow, better mileage and less maintenance at 2200 lbs.
Cheers and great info.
Thanks! We like the 1475 too!
Well done... honestly!
Thanks so much!
Another great video. Thanks. The carpet topic is especially irksome. I think it's fine, but the wife's extrasensory perception quickly sees a future where the carpet stores every troubling smell, mold, etc. for years to come. I would think storage of the Casita would mandate continue air handling to ensure it never ever gets moist, etc. How do you handle wall carpet affairs?
We live in a dry climate, so we don’t have mold problems. People who live in damp climates use damp rid when the store the trailer. I’ve never had trouble with smells.
Thank you
You’re welcome!
They are extremely easy to pull. I am somewhat of a large man found the toilet in bathroom extremely hard to use and the double bed was small
True. They are small trailers.
We have a Spirit Deluxe, luv it! I just installed the carlson stromberg shelf on the front- trying to find a honda gen, not available anywhere… Zero!! . Im a liitle concerned about adding even more weight to the tongue load with the generator on the shelf when towing-?? Thought about just keeping ut in the van instead of it being mounted to the shelf
The thing i dont like about the casita is the finish on cabinet doors- not professional looking
I wish they had more updated finishes in the Casita, but hey, they’re selling like hot cakes! It’s crazy how many camping items are out of stock right now!
Have casita Sprit and it is just right. Much better than backpacking.
Yes! Nice to have a real bed, toilet and shower.
Love your videos! I am thinking about forgoing an AGM and using 1-2 lithium batteries instead. How has your boondocking been using the one lithium? How many days can you go without using a generator to recharge it? How long does it take to charge from, say, 20% full to 100% full? We will have a solar panel, but not much sun up here in the PNW.
Thanks! One works great for us, but we typically camp in sunny locations. It really depends on how much power you use. The furnace is the biggest draw of all the electrical loads we have. As far as the charging, it depends on how much sun you have. We've only had to use the generator to charge it one time. We were at Mammoth Lakes and it was 20 degrees outside so we were using the heater a lot and were parked under trees and there was minimal sun. If we camped like that all the time, we'd have two lithium batteries. Also, our vehicle charges the battery while we travel, so that helps too.
Thank you. I was wondering once the battery is at 20%, then you hook up the generator and run it, how many hours it takes to recharge to 100%? Who wired your lithium setup?
Hi Chris, sorry for the delay, I just saw this post. We do charge our lithium battery with the generator when it is low. It only take a couple hours. Doug wired up the lithium battery himself.
It’s cheaper in the long run to use lithium batteries.
Very good presentation, what a Charming lady
Awe! Thanks!
I recently purchased a 2021 Independence Deluxe. The tables that come with it are very inconvenient. Awhile back I watched one of your videos that showed a Lagun table.What model and how did you attach it? Which video is it in. Can’t seem to find it?
Since we have an older model Casita, we were able to attach it to the back of the fiberglass between the beds. Here is the video: ruclips.net/video/LejA75BxAok/видео.html Another viewer told me he was going to attach it to the fiberglass under the driver's-side bed because he has a newer model and there is a hatch in the location where we installed ours.
Since you have a lithium battery, did you install a new converter/charger and a battery monitoring system as well?
The solar charge controller gives us the battery level and we did not install a new converter since we rarely pug in. The battery seems to stay fully charged with the solar. We live and camp mostly in the west so no problem with sunshine.🌞
The roof clinched it.....don't know why other trailer makers don't do this. Carpeted walls may only be a minor concern if cooking odors worry anybody. With the housing/rental crises getting much worse ( unfortunately) these trailers are worth special consideration. Especially so for folks wanting to leave the cities and explore off grid life.
Our friends lived in their Casita while they built their house!
I think u are fab! New sub
Thank you!
I have had a Liberty for 5 years and the only 2 things that really bother me are the 15 gallon size of the black tank (20 plus would be great) and the battery "cave" that limits the battery size and the number of batteries to 1. The carpet on the walls/ceiling bothered me for 10 minutes and then I forgot about it except for its excellent sound reduction function and insulation. The fact that you can take the trailer almost anywhere and park it almost anywhere is pure gold to me, I have never had to turn down a camping space. Casitas rule! (but they get very small inside after 3 plus days of rain, LOL). Oh yeah, I wish they would go back to the small sink in the corner, the new set up pushes into my left leg when sitting on the toity. The prior roominess would be much appreciated.
We have the same model. I think a tongue mounted battery box would have made it much easier to add an extra battery. I do like the under sink storage in the bathroom but the sink isn’t a necessity since we can use the kitchen sink. We got rid of aluminum blinds, our cat made a racket at night trying to see outside. I really like the different Casita forums, there are some incredibly knowledgeable people in them that are very helpful. If you are a tinkerer, the Casita is lots of fun to work on, because it is pretty basic design that you can customize with electrical gizmos, storage designs etc.
What was your window covering solution?
Since we always had the bathroom cabinet I never missed the legroom. But now that you mention it, the little sink doesn’t take up much room.
@@TravelsandTravails Curtains, but also applied a white, perforated privacy film to the outside of the windows that also reflects heat.
@@TravelsandTravails I still have the blinds but if I had someone to make some curtains for me I would do that. Yes, the blinds are noisy and ger bent out of shape easily. The factory roller shades in their video look like they are either all the way open or all the way closed. least with the blinds you can regulate the airflow and the amount of sunlight.
This is a Pros and CONS video. When commenting, keep in mind that a real person reads the comments. Nasty comments (yes, I've had some) will be removed and the commenter will be banned. WANT TO SEE SOME CASITA MODELS? Check out this playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLQSsBXUc5YiqnGxukxjGQT-GYsmUPemMT
The lack of storage space could be a deal breaker, I know there are storage space from the towing vehicle. But what if under server weather that you don't want to get out the trailer??????
Yep, that's always our challenge.
Check out Lance 1475 and their other models. Huge outside passthrough that you can access from inside.
Good review.
One thing that I'm noticing on all these different reviews is no one mentions about brakes.
You know, do these trailers have brakes whether electric or other. Even on a small trailer, I would prefer brakes.
Decades ago, we had an Electrolux trailer that had a special hydraulic braking system.
There was no connection to the truck for brakes! It was a piston system, where, when you braked, the piston on the hitch would push in and cause the brakes to engage. You brake a little, it would brake a little. You hit the brakes and it would adjust for that pressure. Excellent system.
I doubt any N. American trailer has that. It's too bad, because it was a great system.
They do have trailer brakes.
@@TravelsandTravails But electric, right?
Not the type I mentioned that are hydraulic and activated by the tongue compressing when vehicle brakes applied??
Those were amazing brakes, because we didn't have to add any equipment to the van to make brakes work.
Just hit the brakes on the van, the trailer's weight pushing into the van's hitch, caused the hydraulics on the trailer to apply brakes.
Very cool.
I don't know if any manufacturer uses these.
@BlondieSL yes. Electric.
So do you like casita or not? What i hear is you don't like it. Oliver and bigfoot is better. Oliver used to be a cadita owner and started making trailers to give what casita doesn't. Otherwise little big max for me. Thank you for sharing and be safe.
Thank you! We do love our Casita. It’s the best trailer for us at this size and price point. There’s no perfect trailer.
I wish the casita had a dry bath option. It seems there would be room if you took the closet out.
That would be awesome!
I live in Minnesota where Scamps are made. They still use exposed plywood on their trailers! Junk! Casita looks much more able to stand up to outside storage in Minnesota.
Wow! Where is the plywood exposed? The floor?
Such a gem of a video. 99% of videos on these are just garbage salesman pointing out the most blatantly obvious things. Thank you for making this!
You’re so welcome!
I’m short 5’1 I won’t have any problem with headroom.
👍
You had me thinking it was the best thing since sliced bread with the positives..1/4 way into the negatives I thought nope! time to move on! I'm 6 ft. 4 and 1/2 and want a small trailer to pull behind my midsize SUV. A 2012 Ford edge. Anybody got any recommendations where to start looking?
What is your towing capacity?
Blackout curtains are great
Indeed!
Huge fan of huge cans
Still made without any shock absorbers on the suspension?
That's correct. Casita does not offer the shock absorbers as an option.
You Americans should look at the escape trailers out of Chilliwack British Columbia with the exchange rate on the dollar your getting a much better trailer .. trust me
They are beautiful trailers.
Sadly Escape took away that option. US buyers all have prices in USD and they won't let you buy in CAD and take the FX risk. I looked at them but went with Oliver. I wanted twin option and Escape still doesn't have date for new 23 model with twins to hit mark.
Love the 23!
I have a 2016 SD and I could sell it tomorrow for what I paid for it new.
It's a crazy market right now!
Was your lithium battery a simple swap or was there wiring involved?
We did just swap it, but it was difficult to get the battery out of the battery tray. There is some variance in the door height from trailer to trailer so yours might be easier. Keep in mind that the converter will not fully charge the battery. Our solor kit has a setting for lithium batteries so we were able to fully charge that way, but the shore power won't charge the battery completely.
Can you imagine 4 kids and no bathroom,NIGHTMARE!
No, not even.
For some 80's is dated foe younger crowds it's vintage and stylish 😂
Right?!
Does the casita offer real wood vs particle board like the scamp does?
The doors are not wood, they are either MDF or particle board.
@@TravelsandTravails MDF?
@@DavidMedina4All Medium Density Fiberboard
It seems like they could have gone to ceiling height of 6’6” to accommodate more men. My husband is 6’1” so I’m guessing he won’t consider this.
You’d be surprised how many people over 6’ ask me about it though. The Independence has twin beds that are 83” long. If you want something comparable, check out Escape trailers: travelsandtravails.com/what-is-an-escape-travel-trailer/
any models for tall people? I'm 6' 3"
The Independence has the 83” bed. But you’d still have to duck inside. Snoozy II has a Little more head room inside.
The eightys called and want their faucets back! 😂
Yep
where did you purchase your mattress?
Southern Mattress
Casita or the Airstream Basecamp ? Thx
Tough call. I really like the Basecamp, but you can’t beat the Casita for price. Plus, Casita has more floor plans. We like our Independence for the twin bed, but that doesn’t matter if you’re single. IMO, fiberglass is better than aluminum just because it’s more forgiving if you have to repair it. Aluminum is very expensive to repair if you’re in an accident.
For me, when camping, rv or not, I almost always cook over a camp fire. 99.9% of the time
I would love to hear what type of cooking you do. Dutch oven or open fire? What do you make?
@@TravelsandTravails Open fire, in a fire pit, with a grate. I cook steaks on a long handled spit. Hamburgers on the grate, after cleaning it. Dogs. For breakfast we cook eggs, cheese,potatoes, onions, bacon in a scramble, in a long handle skillet. Have snacks during the day. Repeat. Once in a great while chops or ribs, - Pork. Fish if we catch them. Have had brisket with cut potatoes. Sometimes baked potatoes. Just depends on several things.😊
I wonder what's worse. Whacking your head entering the Casita RV or hearing singer Fergie singing the National Anthem. RUclipsrs please help me with this dilemma.
Ha!
I like every thing about them but carpet on the walls. It seems almost all fiberglass trailers do the carpet on the walls.
It’s a deal-breaker for a lot of people. Escape, Snoozy II and Big Foot are a few of the trailers that don’t have the carpet.
@@TravelsandTravails Thanks for the information. So the one's without the carpet have found a way to insulate and sound deaden without it. I suppose the cost is more.
@@frankmckinley1254 Bigfoot is expensive. Escape and Snoozy II are somewhat comparably priced. Escape Trailer is in Canada, so you get the advantage of the exchange rate.
can i pull a casita with Honda Oddesey?
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVRW) for a Casita is about 3500 Lbs. Check the tow rating on your Oddesey to see if it is less than that. Some people recommend that the GVRW be 80 % of the tow rating. We used to tow with our Toyota Venza that had a tow rating of 3500 lbs. and did just fine.
@@TravelsandTravails thank you very much
@@pkp2023 You're Welcome!
I really hate the carpet on the walls and ceilings.. yuck
That's probably the biggest negative for Casita and Scamp. Escape is a wonderful option.
My wife say's the same thing but I like the carpet. Who will win? Not me.
The cons sounds like are fixable 😌
Some of them are. The ceiling height can't be changed. The entry door can't be changed. Some of the other ones are fixable.
I don't like fuzzy walls.
Some people don't.
I'm sold.... When I buy it will be a Casita.
Good choice!
“Fixtures from the 80s”. The blinds are annoying, but for all the other fixtures, they would be outdated in just a few years as well. Might as well save money while starting outdated….it is inevitable anyway.
Lots of people update their trailers. I'm going to change out the blinds. I wish I could change the faucets. Sadly, I just can't find anything out there on the RV market that will work.
I guess valley girls still exist they're just older.
Like totally!
They are now apparently running California 😮
Complaining about the 80's? You mean when things were built BETTER, okay, got it
Sounds like getting a Casita wasn't your idea.
It wasn’t, but it’s grown on me.
Too small!!!!
The negatives outweigh the positives!
It is small.
One reason I was drawn to fiberglass was the size They are easier to tow and can get into state and national parks but I know they are not for everyone.
Same here!
Casia is a functional trailer and is cheap laugh its design is old fashion.
They haven’t made many changes.