Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions...... With Answers?

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Question: "Why is there a question mark after Answers?"

Answer? It's because there are usually no "Yes" or "No" answers to these questions. They are my best guess, best opinion, best presentation of The Truth. But I could be wrong... you are free to make your own judgment. Danny

Question: "I understand you sell both Aliners and Chalets. What are the differences between the two? Is one better than the other?"

Answer? Chalets and Aliners have many similarities, but also a number of differences. Both are hard-sided pop-up A-frame campers, both are relatively light campers, both set up and take down very quickly, and they do have some models that are similar in size and amenities. And while they share the same outer skin (fiberglass), insulation in walls and roof (Styrofoam) and interior paneling (vinyl covered plywood), virtually everything else is different in the materials used in construction by each manufacturer. While we could argue for hours about which is "better" (Aliners PerforMax 500 flooring vs. Chalets Composite-Core floor system, Chalets leaf spring suspension vs. Aliners torsion axles, Chalets painted extrusions vs. Aliners anodized extrusions, Aliners Plexiglas windows vs. Chalets tempered tinted glass, Aliners Dometic refrigerators vs. Chalets Norcold fridges, etc.), I can easily point out advantages and disadvantages in the materials of both of our product lines.

Are the "craftsmen" (and "craftswomen") on the west coast (Chalet) inherently more "crafty" than the folks from out east (Aliner)? I think not. I have seen a lot of good stuff, and some real boners, from both camps. I have also watched my customers go from one camper to the other, and one will exclaim, "How obvious it is that Aliner is the higher quality trailer." and his wife will fall in love with the "style" of the Chalet interior. "Better" is almost always the individuals personal choice, not the accumulation of rational plusses and minuses.

Then, when you throw in the wide variety of floor plans and options that each offers, the choice usually comes down to the particular model which best meets your own needs and wants. You should make a list of your requirements--both true needs (must-haves) and desired things (wants) and prioritize the list. Then assess your requirements against the various models of both campers to determine which is best for you, personally.

Things you might want to consider (along with additional requirements based on your situation, of course) are weight your tow vehicle can handle, how many people will use the camper (and their sizes, i.e., children or adults), how you plan to use it (just for short overnights, living out of for months at a time...), whether you plan to cook in it, do you need a refrigerator, will you use the camper in cold weather (thus need a furnace) or very hot weather (thus may want air conditioning, or at least a Fantastic Fan), and so on.

The best bet? Come and see the A-frames of both manufacturers in one place, and talk to folks to whom "hard-sided folding trailers" is a livelihood, not a sideline.

Question: What are the advantages of an A-frame camper over a regular pulled trailer or motorhome? Are there any disadvantages?

Answer? The folding capability of A-frames is their main advantage. Due to their relatively light weight and their low profile while driving, gas mileage is impacted significantly less than when pulling a regular trailer (or driving a low MPG motorhome). Yet in an A-frame (depending on model) one can have many if not most of the amenities available in larger campers and motorhomes.

Also the folding allows A-frames to fit in many people's garages.

Compared to folding canvas campers, the biggest advantages are speed of set-up (under 30 seconds for an A-frame vs. a number of minutes or even longer for a canvas pop-up tent camper) and the comfort of an A-frame in cold weather (with furnace) or hot weather (with Fantastic Fan or air conditioner).

In terms of disadvantages, it depends what you are looking for in a camper. Some people might consider the relatively small size of A-frames to be a disadvantage, but the smallness makes them easy to tow with even small cars, and when open, a six foot tall person can easily stand up inside the camper. (The peak in the Chalet XL series campers is 8'8" above the floor) Many people are surprised at the roominess in the A-frames when they first enter them.

If you'd like to compare the various models of both Aliner and Chalet hard-sided pop-up campers, please come visit us!

Question: I'm planning a trip out west this summer. I understand some campgrounds in national parks such as Glacier and Yellowstone (and maybe others) do not allow tents or canvas pop-ups due to concerns about bears. Are a-frames allowed in these campgrounds?

Answer? Our understanding is yes, hard-sided pop-ups are allowed in any national park campgrounds where regular hard-sided RVs are allowed. A-frames have sturdy walls once they are set up, just like regular RVs. Any type of canvas units are not allowed because they can easily be ripped into by bears, apparently. However, to be extra safe, you probably should contact the national parks you are interested in prior to traveling there just to be sure.

Question: How are a-frame campers in windy conditions?

Answer? A-frames hold up quite well in winds, but of course any RV (or mobile home, for that matter) may be damaged in very severe winds. A-frame owners have several options to provide additional security in windy conditions.

Perhaps the simplest guideline is to face the A-frame into the wind if at all possible. That means have the front--where the vehicle hitch is--facing into the wind. Also if you have the option to leave the unit hitched to the tow vehicle, that's a good idea as well. If you need to unhitch it, ensure you put down the stabilizers.

Next, many people use two strong ropes thrown over the a-frame and secured to the frame of the trailer (bumper and hitch) for added security if high winds are anticipated.

Third, Columbia Northwest (Aliners) offers a Wind Kit which may be purchased and installed on any "A". Chalets come with (for the last couple years) Wind Pins, which serve to secure the roof panels automatically when the sides go up.

Fourth, try to wait for a brief calm period if winds are high when you plan to set up your A-frame. Before the sides are secured to the roof, there's always the chance of an extreme wind making a mess out of things. Regular winds are not a problem, but if you're having trouble standing erect, or you can imagine the difficulty of carrying a 4'x8' sheet of plywood, you might want to wait for the winds to calm a bit before erecting your trailer.

Question:  You don't know any way we could see a trail manor anywhere in the Minneapolis, MN area?  (Maybe your sister lives around here?)

Answer?  I wish I did have a bunch of willing owners who like showing off their campers for TrailManor wannabees.... but it is still on my list of things to do..

Question:  Are you open on the weekends at all?

Answer?  We are open Saturdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.  I occasionally make special arrangements to show trailers after hours, but we have been so busy there aren't many "after hours" left.

Question:  What kind of mattresses are in the trail manor campers?

Answer?  TrailManor mattresses are foam rubber... and pretty firm to prevent bottoming out.  Some folks add a softer foam topper or "egg crate" foam to increase the comfort.

Question:  In the pictures it looks like there is a radio installed, is that true?

Answer?  There is a radio, AM FM CD stereo, with two speakers in the cabinet on the front wall over the bed.

Question:  How many vents are on the roof of TrailManor stock number 6233?

Answer?  There are a total of five roof vents (two more than normal).  There is the standard Fantastic vent over the stove/entryway, and two in the "living room"

on each side about the center of the couches.  In addition, there is one over the front bed and one over the rear bed.

Question:  Can you get to the refrigerator when the unit is 'down'?

Answer?  When folded, all the contents of the trailer are safe from intruders and thieves.   The trailer must be popped up to access both the interior and the storage door/compartment.  Since the tops go up so easily... why crawl when you can pop it up and walk in?

Question:  How does the sofa fold into a bed?

Answer? The bottom cushion of the sofa pulls out and the back cushion lays down behind to form the bed.  There is an aisle between the couch/bed and the couch by the door for easy access to the front sleeping area.

Question:  How does the camper hold up against hail since it is all Aluminum?

Answer?  Being all aluminum, the trailer doesn't do well in a big hail storm.  Regular hail (if there is such a thing) maybe up to pea size doesn't faze it, but nickel size and better will leave marks.

 I have seen a TrailManor after tennis ball size hail, and it wasn't pretty... but neither was a lot of stuff.  The trailer was still solid and useable.

Question: Can you hookup to full sewer at a campground?

Answer?  Sure you can. Once hooked up you can just let the grey water flow.  You still have to hold waste water in the toilet to get it to flush, but when you want to empty it, just open two valves and let it go.

  "Recharging" with water and deodorant is easy using the shower wand.

Question:  How does an electric toilet save weight?

Answer?  The weight savings comes from not having the 30 - 40 gallon permanent tank beneath the trailer (300 to 400 pounds when full), and not having to carry/add more water for every flush.