Anyone Look At A Raptor/Carbon 27 and Choose The XLR 27HFS Instead?

[Crop Duster]

I'm debating between a used 2014 Raptor 27FS and a 2013 XLR 27HFS. The units are very similar except the Raptor seems to have roughly 800# more carrying capacity and the A/C is a 15,000 BTU instead of a 13.5. I believe the heater is also a higher BTU rating but I have not confirmed that with the dealer yet. I'm having a hard time trying to figure out which one to go with. The Raptor is $19,900 and the XLR is $16,900 so a $3,000 difference.

My big hangup is the rear door location on the XLR. It's just my girlfriend and I and we would be using the rear bed in the garage as a storage shelf type of thing. However, from the photos I've seen (I've never looked at an XLR as there is not one within 500 miles of me) you could not use the rear man door in the garage if the bed was halfway down as it would block the door.

We are using the unit extensively in the winter for skiing and snowmobiling and the rear door is important as we'd enter through there so we don't fill the LQ with snow. Do any of you that own one have this problem with the rear door location?

Any thoughts or advice to make my decision any easier?

[Berjr1]

With the bed down in the rear of the XLR you would not be able to walk out door with out bumping your head. the bed needs to be all the way up to for proper clearance. The door opens out so it will open and you could crouch down to get in and out but as a usable pass through normal door with the bed down, would say no. Also i think if you are going to use the unit in the winter you would want some insulation in the floor at least and a upgraded heater unit.

[WolfWhistle]

Hey CD, Welcome to the forum! I am still surprised that the XLR put the rear door where they did on the 27, but many small toy haulers don't even have two doors.

I looked at both the Carbon line and XLR Hyperlite, but looked past the 27s (in both lines) because of two deal breakers that you probably already have considered, but if not you should. One is the sideways bed; the other is the 9 foot garage. Getting in and out of bed from the foot is not easy and can't be done quietly. And, many, many toys won't fit the 9 foot garage.

If these two things are okay with you, and if all things about these units are equal and in good order, I would lean towards the Carbon for the reasons you give: better placed door (again, you still have another door), higher capacity AC and furnace. There could be other factors that could tilt the choice to one or the other.

Another point that might not be important is the exterior height: the Carbon seems taller than it is at 12'3" - XLR is 11'2".... my 29 is actually 10'11". That lower height can help you while traveling or in campgrounds with lots of trees.

My thoughts on the AC. If camping in the south and you actually use the garage to live in you will need a second AC back there, no matter the unit you decide to buy. If you do that, the XLR with its smaller AC would 't be an issue and the lower price could do several things for you , like the second AC, or upgraded mattress (a must do), or tires, or ???

You need to see each one and kick the tires... see if you like one interior over the other. What you mentioned seems like a good price, but I bet there is more wiggle room since it is the off season.

WW