Surveyor opinions

birderdiane526 · 05-21-2017, 07:18 AM

Hi, would appreciate your opinions and insights about the Surveyor in general and specifically the 201 RBS. We have an Rpod but are thinking of stepping up in trailer size. Thanks!

ptt87 · 05-22-2017, 03:46 PM

We have a 2012 SP280 and love it.

We looked at several different makes and models before we purchased. We felt that the Surveyor gave us the best value for the price in terms of craftsmanship, style, and weight. It hasn't disappointed.

bob213 · 05-22-2017, 03:51 PM

We have a 2012 264RK and we are very happy with it. Wife says it fits all her needs and can't see a need to replace it in the future. By time it gets old enough to replace I'll be done RVing.

2Bryans · 05-22-2017, 07:44 PM

We have a 2017 265RLDS and we love it. We looked at a lot of trailers and we agree with ptt87, features and construction quality would be hard to beat.

tragusa3 · 05-22-2017, 07:55 PM

We've got about 12k miles on ours and 150 nights. No major problems.

Trailers are trailers...none are built to expectations, but I feel like we have a fair value with ours. Clearly 3-4 notches above our previous entry level trailer.

Buck1032 · 05-22-2017, 09:05 PM

We had a 2013 SP260 and we loved it for the three years we had it. Our son out grew the bunk and rolled out of it last fall while camping at Ft Wilderness. We are now SOB's with a Cougar 28 RDB. The Surveyor we had was a great first camper. It never gave us fits or had any problems or issues. Had our 10 y/o DS not shot up over 5ft we would still have it.

BaltimoreMark · 05-23-2017, 11:57 AM

We have a 2017 200mble and love it. We just got it 2 months ago and have been out 3 times. No problems so far, like the design, everything works fine. Have been in some real downpours and no leaks. Going on a 3 night venture to WV this weekend.

trinityfly · 05-30-2017, 11:05 PM

Birderdiane we too had an Rpod. Loved the idea of it but in reality making the bed killed our backs, trying to use the all in one bathroom was a hassle and the stool down right painful. Also anytime spent sitting in the dinette was cramped. Sold the Rpod and bought a 2017 surveyor 201rbs last fall and all those problems disappeared. Great bathroom and stand up shower. The walk around queen made all the difference when making up the bed. While it only had half the kitchen counter space of our 179 Rpod it has tons of storage space. Keep in mind the surveyor 201rbs is a slightly bigger trailer but at 25 ft we still find lots of good camping in national parks and forest service camp grounds where bigger units fear to tread.

Having said all this the materials used in the construction of ultralite rvs are pretty cheesy. From what I can tell this is the hazard of having ultra light travel trailers. We had a water leak recently repaired under the bath. It was manufacturing problem so warranty covered it.
We named our surveyor "twerp" and really enjoy having it. Happy trails

Like many rv's

mjones12 · 06-19-2017, 09:00 AM

Our 25-foot Surveyor 220 weighs 4300 pounds empty, but cargo capacity is a whopping 3000 pounds. Great storage space.

Saw an article on a longer Lance, but only 320 pounds of cargo capacity.

We figure we only carry about 1000 or 1200 pounds, so lots of extra space.

johncarm84 · 06-22-2017, 09:58 AM

Just purchased our '16 201RBS. Have yet to "take her out", but we researched diligently various models for "our size" and want and needs list. The 201RBS met most of our desires. The number 1 & 2 item on our list was "walk around" bed and full bath. Would have liked the Wolf Pup TO' but no walk around bed.

DavidandAmy · 06-24-2017, 06:53 PM

We have a 243rbs and absolutely love it. Just the wife and i and our pup. Been out on 3 trips camped 18 days 700 miles. So far no issues

EricNCSU1204 · 06-24-2017, 09:20 PM

What is the difference between the Surveyor and the Micro Lite/Mini Lite? Seem about the same level.

johncarm84 · 06-26-2017, 07:36 AM

Awesome. Enjoy!

Pokerstar · 06-27-2017, 07:52 AM

I bought a '16 201rbs last spring and really enjoy it. I started looking at R-Pods but decided the 201 offered more usable space and amenities. I've have virtually no issues with it. Just got back from a chilly, rainy weekend at Whitewater State park in Minnesota and we were warm and dry all weekend!

Living4Christ · 07-05-2017, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricNCSU1204

What is the difference between the Surveyor and the Micro Lite/Mini Lite? Seem about the same level.

Couldnt find any info on the construction of those two light trailers. Surveyors have every door/window/opening framed in aluminum for long term stability & reliability. many "lite" version trailers do not do this, and are framed in wood. I would personally stay away from any trailer advertised as "lite" as they are typically more cheaply made.

Link for Surveyor construction methods: https://youtu.be/UIITZZeSjtI

clarkbre · 07-05-2017, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Living4Christ

Couldnt find any info on the construction of those two light trailers. Surveyors have every door/window/opening framed in aluminum for long term stability & reliability. many "lite" version trailers do not do this, and are framed in wood. I would personally stay away from any trailer advertised as "lite" as they are typically more cheaply made....

This is one of the main reasons I chose the Surveyor line. So far, I have not looked back. Shopping for all other brands, nothing compared to the build quality/value of the Surveyor. Did we pay more, YES. Is the quality better, YES. I will forget the price as I see the quality.

My wife and I looked at many Wildwood grade trailers and just felt that they compromised in many ways. The Surveyors had basic, standard features that others didn't come close to offering.

acadianbob · 07-10-2017, 09:05 AM

We are on our second Surveyor; this one a 5er. We have found them to have good features and quality for the money; and to be trouble free. They aren't particularly fancy. But a good trailer.

szabla · 07-18-2017, 03:52 PM

"I" made a mistake buying a 2015 surveyor 274BHS. It is too light for a good ride.
The axles are too far forward and the there are better priced 5rs used with all the amenities I am missing. I am not happy with workmanship, or the layout. I made a mistake not doing more research. The poor insulation makes it too hot or cold to sleep in 4 seasons.

**bikendan** · 07-18-2017, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szabla

The poor insulation makes it too hot or cold to sleep in 4 seasons.

The Surveyor line are ultralight trailers.
As far as I know, there is no 4 season ultralight trailer made by anyone of the major manufacturers.
And FR doesn't make any true 4 season trailers, except for the ice fishing trailers.

True 4 season trailers weigh more, such as Arctic Fox trailers.

szabla · 07-30-2017, 07:20 AM

You are correct, like I said I made the mistake.
Pulling a heavier trailer is not a problem, my diesel can handle it.
As for 4 season the trailer my son bought a "used" 5th wheel which was lived in year round in Vail Colorado, it has everything to make it a true four season 5th wheel. I am using it's setup to modify mine.
I am very aware of the weight and the mods are not heavy but different.
What I did with my trailer is add some items to help with the colder nights. I added thermal reflective insulation to the bottom an sealed all obvious holes in and ducted the heater vent into the bottom of the trailer. I also have been foaming the inside of the roof slowly.
We spent a night last month in July where it got down to 35 degrees, the inside temp never dropped below 57 degrees inside. I had the heater set to 55 to come on, it never did. Before the heater would come on about every hour at that temp.

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