10 vs 14xlp

[janivogell]

Hello
My husband and I are seriously considering getting set up with a QS 10 or a 14 XLP.

We just sold our larger trailer, which was only towed with our truck, and we realize it's not the setup that we want...we definitely want a unit that we can tow with our smaller vehicle.

WE are torn between the features that each of them have. My husband likes the idea of the front carry box on the 14 XLP model and the extra storage, as well as the extra loading capacity on the axle. He would also like to lift the unit and install larger wheels/ tires on it.He also likes the option the indoor furnace and possibly the fridge for the weather calls for indoor time. We have two kids that we will be doing camping weekends and a 2 month road trip into Utah and California, Oregon, etc from British Columbia, in two years time with the kids. We know for sure that the queen beds are important to us, and can't consider the 8.0 that reason.

I guess I am wondering if the features on the XLP make it really an alternative that we should consider? We will be towing it with a Toyota Highlander, which has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. we will be trying to figure out a set up to carry for bikes, and possibly a lightweight kayak. Does anybody with the 14 XLP actually use the fridge? Would we perhaps be better off finding a 10 model and finding a separate furnace, using a cooler, and making sure it has the rear deck, and adding the bigger axle? I really like the idea of the removable dinette in the 10 model, as we are not usually in spots with picnic tables.

Any thoughts or opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time. We are looking forward to getting yourself set up with one of these fantastic little units.

[admin]

A lot of this is going to depend on what you want and/or need. I personally have a QS 10.0 and find that it more than meets my needs right now. My family looks at the QS as a tent on wheels with a few luxuries so that is how we camp. Everything we do is still very similar to how we would car camp with a tent. I'll attempt to address some of my thoughts for the different feature though:

1. Refer vs no refer: I find that having a good quality cool does everything we need so we dont miss having a fridge at all. Though we do have a similarly sized fridge that is AC power only that we can bring along on trips. As we have attempted to use it, we found that we dont like packing cold items in the camper while traveling since its not exactly easy to get into it. So we just pack a cooler and keep it in the car with us. This also servers us well for drinks and snacks while on the road.

2. Toilet: The 10.0 does not have a toilet and honestly I'm glad it doesnt. I dont want the headache of dealing with emptying it. Plus everyplace we camp has a bath house so there is no real need for one. Granted its sometimes a 50/50 shot on the quality of the bath house but even so, its there.

3. Furnace: Having the integrated furnace would be nice, but again it all depends on your needs. We currently have a Mr. Heater Buddy and Big Buddy heater that we bring with us depending on how cold it is. This works for us so we dont carry around the extra weight in the summer.

4. Storage: The storage in the 10.0 is more than enough for the average family, but then again who doesnt want more storage. I dont think I've had to leave anything behind that I wanted to bring, but there are times where you have to be smart about it. Between the space under the table, and the walkway there is plenty of room for storage while traveling.

In short I think it boils down to what your plans are...if you want the relative luxury of a fridge, and toilet, ect then the XLP is the way to go. If not, the 10.0 is honestly a great option.

[sandyu]

I agree with the above post. If you have to have the fridge get it. Personally I would just get a 10.0 with the extra 3 foot on the back. I once heard the storage on the front gets wet. You might research that. I do remember one xlp owner complaining about it. Also, my family uses a Coleman porta potty for night trips. I'm sure there are better ones but it works for us.  

[rob]

I looked over the specs for both.  While the dry weight of the XLP is only 500 lbs more, the tongue weight is 100 lbs more (250 lbs dry).  Add on battery and LP tank and you could be closer to 350 lbs........perhaps at the limit of your vehicle.

My house rule is no food in or near the pop-up, so a fridge, for me is useless.  It wouldn't take much for animals to get through the canvas.  We do have a cassette toilet but house rule is, "You use it, you clean it."  Let's just say that it stays at home.

Of course YMMV.  I love my bare bones 8.1.  It is everything that I need and more.

[janivogell]

Some excellent points to consider.

We definitely need the furnace, or a furnace as we live in the Rockies

[janivogell]

Some excellent points to consider.

We definitely need the furnace, or a furnace as we live in the Rockies

[sandyu]

Remember the furnace uses electricity also.  If your not hooked up to shore power it will drain a battery quick. You will probably only get a solid two nights out of it. I have the furnace on my 10.0. It's nice to turn on in the morning to take the chill out of the camper. It will heat it nicely but I rarely leave it on at night because it is so loud when it kicks on and off. It wakes me up to much. I went ahead and bought a little buddy heater that I can use off the grid. It doesn't need electricity.

I did camp once in 22 degree weather in ky where I live last spring break. Between the furnace, electric oil radiator heater, electric blankets we stayed nice and warm. There was condensation on the outside of the tent that turned to ice.  

[janivogell]

What is the electricity used for in the furnace? A blower fan?

[sandyu]

Yes and in cold weather batteries drain quickly.

[admin]

Thats part of the reason I like the Mr. Heater option(s). The Big Buddy heater has a built in fan that will run on D batteries if you want, but I have found that most of the time it keeps the temp more than comfortable without a fan. In other words, no electricity needed at all if you dont need a fan. Plus both of the Buddy heaters run off the 1lb tanks, and easily convert to a bulk tank like the 10 or 20 pounders.

[janivogell]

Do you know if the heater can be uninsalled relatively easily? That sort of heater sounds fairly useless for the kind of camping we do. Cold weather, no plug ins...

[admin]

I dont know how easy it would be to remove. Even if you could remove it, it may make more sense to leave it. I cant imagine it adds much weight, plus if it were removed then you would have a relatively small opening left over with wiring and propane plumbing just hanging out. Then if you ever wanted to sell it would be probably be a decent loss in value if the heater was gone.

If it were me, I would just leave it turned off (maybe even remove the fuse from its electrical connection. Then its there should you ever want it, but its not hurting you to just let it sit.

[sandyu]

Agreed, leave the furnace it takes zero room and weighs very little except for the tank on the tongue which can be easily removed.