Anyone ever use a park model trailer? - Montana Owners Club

John Young · 07-02-2009, 06:31 PM

We have about 3 campgrounds we really like to hit.. and we are wondering if going with a larger park model might be a good idea..

we could park it in each one for about a month in the summer...

are these unit easily moved for doing such a thing?

stiles watson · 07-02-2009, 09:39 PM

I am currently in an Escapees park. There are a large number of park models here. From the look of them, I think moving them would be a major issue compared to moving a fifth wheel. When one is brought in, it is by a crew that sets it up on blocks and then drives metal stakes to strap it down. The one I saw being set up took the better part of a day for professionals to get it done.

This sounds like a contradiction, but they look to be for near permanent installation. A lot of the units are Woodland Park, Inc.

Bill and Ann · 07-03-2009, 12:55 AM

As far as I know, Park Models are meant to be attached to a site as Stiles mentioned. Not for towing around the country.

DarMar · 07-03-2009, 03:08 AM

Not saying they can't be moved around a bit, but I believe they are meant to be use as seasonal units. Are they not just a tad bit wider as well making travel up and down the highways that much more difficult.

SlickWillie · 07-03-2009, 04:45 AM

I would agree, park models are for a pretty permanent set up. The ones I have seen have residential type central AC systems, and this alone would pose a problem with moving it very often.

RV manufacturers are building what they call "extended stay" TT now though. We looked at a couple SOB units in Rockport, and looked at the Keystone web site, and they have one too, called "Residence". http://keystone-residence.com/ The SOB we looked at had the residential appliances like the park models. Not sure about Keystone, as the Keystone dealer doesn't carry them.

HughM · 07-03-2009, 05:45 AM

Had a park model several years ago. It was in Florida and I used the fifth wheel to travel around the state. The a/c is a issue as well as the width. Then there's the weigth of the park model.
My opinion is you would be a lot better off with a RV.
Hugh

Art-n-Marge · 07-03-2009, 08:47 AM

Look at a Park Model as a mobile home first, then an RV second. Then tend to be heavier because of it. But since they treat it as an RV, some things get "underpowered". It can only get heavier after that.

dersequim · 07-03-2009, 06:26 PM

As a Park Model owner I can tell you the newer ones, mines an 08, are designed as a Mini mfg Home. They have ALL residential Appliances and Bathroom fixtures. Need a Heat Pump or 1.5 ton or more AC, have a Hard wired Electrical System same as in your home and are designed to connect to a Sewer System. They are usually between 11-12' wide and DON'T come with BRAKES!

Now some of the Woodland Park models do look like they could be towed. A neighbor has a Franklin that is designed like some of the Earlier models and it is designed for longterm living and MINOR towing. Do your Research!

**Rondo** · 07-03-2009, 07:27 PM

As Will's site from Keystone on the Residence says, it is more of a permanent unit or shall we say a moveable permanent unit like putting it on a permanent site at a lake or someplace similar to that. The Residence is about three and a half foot longer than the longest Montana they make. It has a detachable tow bar or whatever you want to call it also so it can be parked and left for long periods of time. Looks to me like it is smaller version of a mobile home that Keystone is experimenting with for those that want to get away to a site somewhere for weekends or a few weeks at at time and not tow it as we do! Park units are to bulky to be moving down the highways and byways! Remember also that the park units in some states have to have escorts to go down the highways and that ain't cheap!

John Young · 07-06-2009, 10:09 AM

The ones I have been looking at are similar to what Rondo was talking about.. the oversized looking travel trailers.. I need to see them up close I suppose..

**Rondo** · 07-06-2009, 10:20 AM

John-- They had one of them at our Boat, Sports, and Travel Show here in Omaha last fallor winter. It wasn't the Redidence by Keystone but another brand and they really were not that bad! If I had someplace on a lake or in the mountains that I could keep it as a permanent getaway, I'd be looking at it. Very nice inside and all regular stick house appliances and etc. Looks like the Residence is the same after reading about it! They don't have any of them around here. You might want to contact Keystone and see where the closest dealer is to you that might have one to look at especially since you are from the "Land of the Lakes"! Keep us informed!

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