aliner v chalet?

[sandykayak]

First the BIG news, I'm getting married in December!  To someone who has never trailered anything nor kayaked!  But he did a lot of camping when the boys from his first family were young and he's game for pop-upping.

(He first proposed 23 years ago and then again 7 years ago!  Things like small children and finances kept interfering!  Now I am a single mom (again!) as his now 16 y.o. daughter is living with me.  He and his ex lost their homes in New Orleans.) and we are once again in a long-distance relationship.  He works in the New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness and there is (to say the least!) a lot to do.

Okay, so I've got him happy with the popupping idea (and the retiring in Mexico for at least part of the year plan!).  I happened to mention that once we are retired (in 08) I'd love to take off around the country and go to Alaska...but that for that we'd be better with an A-frame popup since I still have one on my lifetime wish list.   He went as far as looking at their websites.

So, this weekend he bought his daughter a laptop with all the gizmos and I said something like, "Chile', you are one lucky girl.  I have NEVER been given such an expensive present."  Fiance then said, "That Aliner is starting to look prettier, isn't it?"  Daughter:  "What's an Aliner?"  "A camper Miz Sandy wants."  and then he said something like, "It's going to be her wedding present!"   EEEK!!!!

So, what's the problem?   Welllll, while I'm still in Florida and will still be camping on my own or with new daughter and, at times, her friend, the Jayco Qwest 8 is easier for me to handle and is much better with the screened walls.  Plus, I prefer to sleep with the a/c off.

I'm 5'0" and the 58" height makes it almost as tall as I am ..and it scares me!!  I need something I am comfortable with.  The 8' box is great, but the set-up is a PITA.  Also, I have a V6 Toyota Highlander - presumably it will tow OK?

I don't have the guts to ask my friend if I can store TWO popups in her back yard!!  And my garage is full.

I'm like...."What if I say "not now" and then something happens and I never get it?"

The wedding is scheduled for Dec. 24th so what I'd like is for comments on the pros and cons of the Aliner compared to the Chalet.  I suspect that the Aliner is more common on the East coast...hmmm.. better check on dealers.

Also, can anyone recommend a forum that dedicates itself exclusively to the A-frames?  I want to start eavesdropping and picking up tips and info.

thanks

[ForestCreature]

First off, CONGRATS!! on the upcoming wedding.
 
  An A frame for an Alaskan trip will be perfect (not that I'm biased).
 
  The differences between the Aliner and Chalet.....
 
  Aliner is aluminum skinned, Chalet is fiberglass.
 
  Windows....Aliner-Plexiglass, Chalet-Glass
 
  Fit and finish is said to be better on the Chalet.
 
  There used to be a floor rot problem in the Aliner, that has been solved and is not a problem now.
 
 The Aliner is lighter than the Chalet
 
   Both have a nice variety of floorplans to pick from.
 
   You can snoop around on 2 boards that I kknow of...
 
 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/alinerchaleta-frames/
   (this has both Aliner and Chalet owners, lots of reading to be done)
 
 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/chaletcamping/
   (This is just Chalet owners,they're looking for a new home so not sure is it's active right now.)

[Kelly]

I just knew Marcy would come around with some ALiner/Chalet help ...  I just wanted to say Congratulations!!!

I love her idea of heading to Alaska with one ~ that's my retirement dream.  My camping buddy wants the biggest TT he can find for that trip.  Good thing the ladies always win, eh?  

Best wishes as you move forward, Sandy.[/FONT]

[SpeakEasy]

Congratulations!!!

I can't comment on the Aliner/Chalet question, but I can tell you for sure, your Highlander will tow like a dream come true.

[Papaso]

Hey Sandy,

Congratulations, I'm very happy for you. One of my neighbors has a A-Liner and they love it. For me and my family it's to small after having this huge camper I think I'm spoiled. One other downside is I love my awning it gives us all that extra space outside. My neighbors don't have an awning on thiers and I don't know if you can even put one on them. But they seem very well made,they've had it for about 8 years. Again congrats.
 
John

[ForestCreature]

Hey Sandy,
 
 My neighbors don't have an awning on thiers and I don't know if you can even put one on them
 
 John

You can put an Awning on, it's a royal PIA and not worth the trouble unless you are staying put for atleast a week. The design has improved some since we bought ours, an  add a room of sorts. But still goes on about the same. We put our awning on 2 times in the 6 years we've had it. An Easy Up or Quickshade is easier.

[forestwalker]

We use an umbrella in front of our Chalet,though we still miss an awning
(got to have a place to hang those tacky lights).