Any Starcraft RT Series Owners?

[GoWilderness]

I'm very close to purchasing our first PU; we've been tenters for years before this. Because we enjoy camping in the boondocks I've been serching "off-road" PU's and have almost settled on the Starcraft RT13.

I'd love to hear any feedback, the good and the bad, from anyone with experience with this line.

This forum has been a great learning tool for me, thanks for sharing your experiences with us first-timers.

[RKCRWLR]

We went down the road of offroad PU.  We researched and looked at the Evolution, RT and Baja.  We liked the RT the best with the exception of the L for the dinette rather that the standard bench on either side.  We went with the Baja.  Love the camper, hate Jayco.  You can't go wrong with any of the three.  Each has some advantages and disadvantages, but nothing too major in either direction.  Hope Viking is listening...they shoud do an offroad popup!!!  My $0.02.  Hope you enjoy which ever you get.

Tim

[gravy]

I guess I shouldn't be responding,but I have a Fleetwood Evolution and am very happy with it. Good luck on your decision.

[weathermaker]

I'm with Old Yeller. Love my Evolution.  

[mspgray]

We have also been looking at all of the off road pu's. Yesterday, we drove 2 hours to see the Baja. Although, there were some advantages over the RT (hitch weight, front deck capacity, etc), I was very disappointed with the amount of available storage. There is one very small cupboard and the under bench openings. Every other cupboard provided access to the heater/plumbing, etc. and are not functional. I prefer to have a little more access to my things, i.e. cooking supplies and food. I also found the seating in the Baja restrictive. I have very long legs and weigh a little more than I should (who doesn't). I would not be able to sit comfortably at the table in the Baja. This is also an issue with the 10RT, 14RT, E1 & E2.

Upon returning to town from looking at the Baja, we went right to the  local RV Show and compared the E3 and the 13RT. We had looked at both before and I was leaning towards the Starcraft. They are very similar with some important (to me) differences. The RT is much more pleasant to look at inside. The E3 is black and silver (for the guys!) and has a "utilitarian" look to it. The RT looks like all of the other tent trailers. The "show" price on both models was exactly the same.

Looks aside, this is what the salesman told us. He sells both models and has no reason to rate one brand differently than the other.

Disclaimer: I'm writing this from the view of a woman. Some details may not be as "technical" as were described to me!

Frame: The RT has a much larger frame than the E3. The RT's frame is the same size (6 in) front to back. The E3's gets smaller as it goes to the back.

Brakes: The braking system is much better on the RT.

Ramps: Although, the rails on the E3 can be used for ramps, they are hearing of bending issues.

Lift cable covers: The E3 has stainless supports and RT's supports are dipped in something. Please refer to disclaimer. Both models' supports are open at the bottom to allow moisture to drain out. Baja's are not. Moisture doesn't drain out.

Beds: The E3 has permanently attached bed supports, but the supports on the RT are stronger. It has 4 instead of 2. RT has plywood  for the beds and the E3 has particle board.

Canopy: The E3 has a cheesy (my word) canopy. You have very small poles to hold it up which require guide wires to the ground to hold them securely upright. Not good for little people or "relaxed" adults. The RT canopy has stronger poles that attach to the frame of the trailer.

Body sides: On the E3, the sides are aluminum that is attached over a wooden frame. The RT provides the same body as a travel trailer. I think he said it was molded or laminated or something. Layman terms: The side of the E3 could be poked or ripped easier if you brushed by something. You can feel the difference if you tap the sides.

Storage: Easy access to the under bench cabinets is the same for both. The E3 has an extra bench which is nice. I felt that the cabinetry is better made in the RT. The E3 has one deep drawer under the stove, while the RT has 2 normal sized drawers. (great for flatware)

Dining Galley: I could sit very comfortably in the slide out galleys in both models. The E3 bench cushions seemed a little more irritating to me as they didn't appear to stay in place well.

Canvas: The RT has the Aqualon tent that has a 7 year warranty. The Aqualon seems to be getting good reviews. The E3 has the traditional canvas that has been in use for years with a 5 year warranty.

Toilet / Shower: The box in the E3 measured 1 inch shorter but 2 inches wider than the RT. I'm tall, this is a concern but I felt not an issue. You guys have the world, while the rest of us have a box! I also preferred the RT's privacy curtain that closes off the whole side of the trailer. To use the potty in the E3 you have to use the shower curtain for privacy.

The E3 has a one piece door while the RT has the screen part that attaches to the trailer door. Baja's door is also one piece.

What it really comes down to is personal preference.  We will be buying the Starcraft because of what I feel are conveniences for me. We currently have a 1983 15' Starcraft that has survived some pretty rough roads, as well as floating through a puddle (no water got inside, by the way).  Personally, I would just love to have one of these bad ass trailers for my own. If someone would come to my door and offer any of them for free, I would be thrilled! They all are very similar, but each addresses individual needs differently.

Enjoy!

I'm very close to purchasing our first PU; we've been tenters for years before this. Because we enjoy camping in the boondocks I've been serching "off-road" PU's and have almost settled on the Starcraft RT13.

I'd love to hear any feedback, the good and the bad, from anyone with experience with this line.

This forum has been a great learning tool for me, thanks for sharing your experiences with us first-timers.

[kamping]

Great write up Mspgrey, very good observations. I just bought an Evolution 2. Same as the E3 but without the slideout dinet. I liked the starcraft aswell, but the evolutions have a higher CCC due in part i guess to the 4400 axel to starcrafts 4000 even though as you say the frame on the starcraft is beefier. I will be carrying a 700 lbs atv on the deck. How do you know the braking is MUCH better on the starcrafts?  I like the permenent bed supports on the evos as they fold up for easy storage. You say the SC are stronger. I have not read anything about EVO bed supports not being strong enough. The floor and beds on the EVO are OSB. (Orreented strand board). I would rather have ply but they come with a 25 year warrenty on them. SC 07 1 year on the floor and beds. SC 08 now have lifetime on the floor. SC 1 year frame. EVO 25 year frame. The sides on my E2 are galvanised steel. They must be different on the E3 as you say. The roof on the EVOs have tracks for racks so you dont have to drill through the roof to bolt. The outdoor grill looked cheap on the the SC. The E2 has a outdoor high presser stove that looked very well made. I almost went with the SC but was worried about the low CCC and the 1 year warrenty on the frame. I'm not trying to start an agument mspgrey, just my 2 cents. They are both very nice units that have great features. Hears a link to the EVO 2  with good picshttp://www.pecocamping.com:80/inventory_new.html Oh yea, I am a guy