New member with a question

[kb0zke]

After nearly eight years with our Foretravel DP we're wanting to switch to a travel trailer. I've been looking at the Reflections, and they seem to have floorplans that are suitable for us. We're full-timers with a winter base in NM. Is a Reflection suitable for full-time use? There are just the cat and her two slaves.

[WhittleBurner]

​Hi and welcome to the forum. We have not full timed in oours exactly but do spend 6 to 8 months sometimes more in ours and it has held up well. On some the storage for full timing can be an issue if you pack like we do lol!

[SolarPoweredRV]

The Solitude line is more designed for Full Time use.

If you are going Full Time, I would suggest you stay away from the coaches that have a two part landing gear (the kind with a pin in the middle). Our Solitude has a one piece landing gear and I would hate to have the two piece landing gear and set that gear every time we stop somewhere. With the one-piece, it is just pick up and go, no leaning down to pickup the gear on both sides.

[Sportsdad60]

I would agree with SolarPoweredRV.
We researched the Reflections and Solitudes extensively, like for a year! Once we got inside each, it was no question that we wanted the Solitude for living in full time during the winter months. Actually, we spend about 6 months out of the year in our trailer (4 months in texas, 2 months on the road) and the Solitude had plenty of room for our "Stuff" along with two chocolate labs.

The hydraulic landing gear are god-sent. Easy deploy, level, and then up and go when traveling. I sold my X-Chokes and king pin stablizers....no need for those anymore with 6 landing gear!

[Second Chance]

The Solitude line is more designed for Full Time use.

If you are going Full Time, I would suggest you stay away from the coaches that have a two part landing gear (the kind with a pin in the middle). Our Solitude has a one piece landing gear and I would hate to have the two piece landing gear and set that gear every time we stop somewhere. With the one-piece, it is just pick up and go, no leaning down to pickup the gear on both sides.

@SolarPoweredRV - are you talking about the difference between electric and hydraulic auto-leveling? If so, the Reflections have electric leveling (will require pulling a pin a setting the length of the front landing gear) while the regular Solitudes and Momentums (not the S-Class or M-Class) have hydraulic systems with one-piece rams.

Now, as to suitability of the Reflection series for full-timing... we were full-time in a Reflection 337RLS for 4-1/2 years. The Reflections do not have batting style insulation on top of the Coroplast underbelly (only a layer of Reflectix) and are not quite as well insulated as the Solitudes. We also had single pane windows. These two things made it harder to keep the rig warm (and the water lines to the kitchen island thawed) in the winter. We did weather some very cold temps, but had to take extra precautions to stay functional. When we made the decision to stay full-time as long as health and circumstances permit, we moved up to a Solitude. We ordered it with dual pane windows and a residential refrigerator (we had lots of issues with the Dometic absorption refrigerator in the Reflection). After a year in the Solitude, now, it was the right choice for us. It's easier to cool in the summer, heat in the winter, and we are using much less propane (a number of nights in the low 20s here in MD so far). I'm a native New Mexican and we spend quite a bit of time out there with near my family. Depending on where your home base is (Las Cruces vs. ABQ, Santa Fe, Taos, etc.), I would start looking at the smaller Solitudes like our 310GK.

On another note, the Reflection 337, when loaded, puts 3,000 lbs. on the pin... at least 1-ton SRW territory. We tow our Solitude 310GK-R with a dual rear wheel truck (about 3,400 lbs. pin weight).

Rob

[SolarPoweredRV]

@SolarPoweredRV - are you talking about the difference between electric and hydraulic auto-leveling? If so, the Reflections have electric leveling (will require pulling a pin a setting the length of the front landing gear) while the regular Solitudes and Momentums (not the S-Class or M-Class) have hydraulic systems with one-piece rams.

Now, as to suitability of the Reflection series for full-timing... we were full-time in a Reflection 337RLS for 4-1/2 years. The Reflections do not have batting style insulation on top of the Coroplast underbelly (only a layer of Reflectix) and are not quite as well insulated as the Solitudes. We also had single pane windows. These two things made it harder to keep the rig warm (and the water lines to the kitchen island thawed) in the winter. We did weather some very cold temps, but had to take extra precautions to stay functional. When we made the decision to stay full-time as long as health and circumstances permit, we moved up to a Solitude. We ordered it with dual pane windows and a residential refrigerator (we had lots of issues with the Dometic absorption refrigerator in the Reflection). After a year in the Solitude, now, it was the right choice for us. It's easier to cool in the summer, heat in the winter, and we are using much less propane (a number of nights in the low 20s here in MD so far). I'm a native New Mexican and we spend quite a bit of time out there with near my family. Depending on where your home base is (Las Cruces vs. ABQ, Santa Fe, Taos, etc.), I would start looking at the smaller Solitudes like our 310GK.

On another note, the Reflection 337, when loaded, puts 3,000 lbs. on the pin... at least 1-ton SRW territory. We tow our Solitude 310GK-R with a dual rear wheel truck (about 3,400 lbs. pin weight).

Rob

Rob, yes I was talking about the campers that use a two piece landing gear versus the single piece Landing gear. I find that our rig with the hydraulic landing gear (single piece ram) and leveling system makes setup easy, simple, and fast.

I also recommend towing with the dual rear wheel pickup, very stable and a smooth ride, especially with the Reese Goosebox hitch and factory "Puck" system in the bed of the truck.

[kb0zke]

Just to be clear, we're looking at the Reflection travel trailer, not the fifth wheel.

[Ynot4me2]

Just to be clear, we're looking at the Reflection travel trailer, not the fifth wheel.

Well know, that will change where the conversation was going. Lol

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

[Second Chance]

Just to be clear, we're looking at the Reflection travel trailer, not the fifth wheel.

Everything stays the same regarding insulation, etc. The Reflection TTs and fifth wheels are built essentially the same.

Rob