These Lightweight Camper Trailers Are More Popular Than Ever
At RV LIFE, we’re a big fan of the fiberglass RV. There is just something about the look and quality you get from those molded fiberglass shells. Our customers would agree, as thousands of them gather on our two forums devoted to the fiberglass RV; Escape Forum and FiberglassRV.com.
What Makes A Fiberglass RV So Popular?
There are a few reasons why the fiberglass RV continues to soar in popularity. For insight, we turned to our friends at Escape Trailer in British Columbia, Canada. The folks at Escape have been building fiberglass travel trailers for two decades and know what drives RVers to buy these little gems.
Size
Fiberglass RVs tend to be smaller than their aluminum counterparts. Even the longest of the Escape trailer lineup, the Escape 23, comes in at just over 23ft. This makes towing easier, and ensures you can easily get into those coveted State and National Park sites that are so desired. It also means you can pull into that great campground with a small to mid-size truck without having to shell out tens of thousands of dollars for a big diesel pickup.
Looks
The sleek, often minimalistic look of a fiberglass RV is a big draw as well, especially with the younger generations. That huge, swirl-sided diesel pusher that your parents or grandparents may have driven with its heroic, tribal paint scheme just doesn’t sit well with the fiberglass RV crowd. A little pinstriping or a small color embellishment is all that is needed. That smooth, polished RV shell is beautiful just as it is, and won’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Construction
The construction of a fiberglass RV is one of its greatest strengths…literally. The two halves of molded fiberglass create a waterproof box that is second to none in strength, durability, and the ability to seal out the elements. That strongbox is mounted to a solid steel frame, and starting with the Escape 19, includes dual axles. Only the 17A & 17B are single axle.
Compare that to the mixture of wood and aluminium “sealed” together to create most other travel trailers. Think of it in the simplest of terms; which would you rather use to keep something dry, a tupperware container or a “box” you made from popsicle sticks and aluminum foil? Escape Trailer makes fiberglass RVs in Canada. Who better to know how to keep out the elements in an RV than our friends to the north.
Fiberglass RV Manufacturers
There are relatively few fiberglass RV manufacturers. In comparison to the plethora of other travel trailer manufacturers out there, the number seems downright tiny. In the past, we’ve highlighted the Oliver Travel Trailers and their emphasis on luxury. You’ll also find folks talking about Happier Camper, Casita and Scamp trailers on FiberglassRV.com.
Escape Trailers – Built For You
An Escape fiberglass RV is actually custom built for you, the RVer. Escape is North America’s #1 fastest growing fiberglass travel trailer manufacturer. Escape trailers are sold factory direct to RVers only. This means there are no dealers to hassle with. They even offer pickup and delivery options. It also means that personal customization is almost limitless.
Shoppers can choose from three different cabinet choices, seven flooring & fabric options, and seven countertop choices with your choice of four countertop trims. On the outside, that subtle pinstripe decal we mentioned earlier is available in 17 different color choices. Of their customization process, the folks at Escape Trailer noted:
“We provide industry-leading personalization with an extensive list of upgrades and options available with every trailer. You can choose between the traditional Oak or Maple interiors or our new Contemporary option. You also choose from seven standard choices of countertops, upholstery, and flooring as well as your countertop trim colour to create your perfect style. There are 1000’s of ways to personalize an Escape trailer to ensure it’s your home away from home.”
Fiberglass RV For Sale – Where Can I Buy One?
The first step in purchasing an Escape Trailer fiberglass RV is their home page. From there you can download a catalog, peruse their model line up, and check out the Personalization Page. When you are ready to see one, you can opt for a live, personal video tour with Escape Educators, Harrison & Melisa, or you can view an Escape in person with one of the Brand Ambassadors near you. You can also ask brand ambassadors pre & post-sale customer experience questions.
Conclusion
Fiberglass RVs are more popular than ever. Prices start at $26,995 USD ($34,795 CAD). Enjoy the outdoors in a lightweight and comfortable Escape fiberglass travel trailer.
All around RV industry enthusiast who has been RVing for 8 years and enjoys trips with his wife and dogs in their diesel pusher.
What about Bigfoot? They are one of the better constructed fiberglass trailers and truck campers to come out of British Columbia. We have owned both a trailer and a truck camper and live their quality and interior design and layouts.
Casita in Texas has been making practically the same camper for way more than 20 years. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Escape trailers copied them.
And the casitas are way cheaper price-wise.
You should compare quality of build 🙂
Casita trailers look great. My friends, longtime Alaska residents, bought a Casita but wish they had invested in Escape–better insulated for all-season travel.
Hi
Which tv is best for. SUV haul
When we wanted to buy one and see one in person we were only offered an online live viewing and were told that they can’t show them in person due to covid. It’s impossible to judge the size and space of the trailer over a web cam. So we still have not been able to buy one from them as we are not buying one over a web cam.
I have a Casita 17′ that is pretty much indestructible, because it won’t rust, dent, delaminate or leak at the wall seams because there aren’t any. The only serious drawback that I can think of is its size, but what RV isn’t too small at sometime during its lifetime. If you look around you can find examples that are 25, 30 years old or older for sale with further life left in them.
I’m not sure why Bigfoot travel trailers wasn’t mentioned in your article. Having owned several of them, I would put them in between the higher end Oliver and a lower end Escape. Casita and Scamp aren’t even in the same class.
Check out REVgroup rvs in decatur indiana usa. They have luxury above all else
Is it possible to produce a wheelchair accessible camper?
I like these trailers for multiple reasons but they do have their drawbacks. The 2 majors are they are impossible to keep warm due to lack of insulation and there’s very little storage. I think they’re great for actual “camping” or for mobile lodging in lieu of hotels on a long road trip. Except that for 26k I can purchase a lot of “hotel”. But for long term RVing they’re not so great.
I just bought an Escape 5.0 T.A. After having other campers made in the US with the smooth composite and wood frame construction. My research with Escape brand not only confirmed their long time resale value but adding options like spray foam underneath, composting toilet and solar panel set up, naming a few; my overnight stays are warm dry and comfortable. Lots of storage and we’ll thought out floor plan, I’m more than sold on this brand. It did take a year for my order to be delivered but I can’t say enough about the company and all the help on the forums as well as the ambassador list.
An excellent product. I’ll enjoy it for years to come. Small lightweight truck pulls its 5500 lbs easily. Gas mileage is a bit of a bonus too. On the straight and long distance runs 11-12 miles per gallon apposed to the former number of 7 with my prior camper of the same length on a full size Chevy truck. They’re snapped up quick if you look for used. So, if you’re interested stay vigilant on your searches and don’t waist time after you’ve made up your mind to buy one of these beauties.
As much as I liked the Oliver twin axle trailer with the 6’6″ ceiling height, it seemed cramped and dark as a cave. I hope they build a 25’+ trailer one day. I have a 25′ Airstream with more windows. Also, the Egg trailer was nice till Airstream bought the company, produced the Nest-Egg, but quality control failed.
I have owned 2 f.g. and now an aluminum framed sticky. The escape 21 being the last was the most overrated and over priced camper I have owned. 3 season at best it was cold, very damp, loud a.c. and the list goes on. Good company. My 23′ sticky provided me with everything f.g. did not and could not for a lot less money. I bought a camper that works for us and it will last me the rest of my camping days. No matter what your choice its all about camping.