Earlier this year we purchased our first travel trailer (the Coachmen Clipper 16CFB) to test out camping and explore more of Ontario. We spent a few months researching and looking at different options that would meet our needs. It was overwhelming at first. We knew absolutely nothing about trailers. Actually – we really knew nothing about camping either! So this was a pretty new adventure we were embarking on. After checking out numerous trailers, we came up with our list of “must-haves” features that included:
- something small enough to fit in our driveway when we weren’t using it
- a shower and toilet (no wetbath)
- plenty of storage
- a bed that remained in a bed position (not a convertible table or a murphy bed)
And, the Coachmen Clipper 16CFB fit all of our requirements – and more! (But there is one thing I hate! See below)
Coachmen Clipper 16CFB Travel Trailer Tour
Over the summer and fall we went on 20 camping and boondocking trips with our trailer. We ventured to 13 Ontario Provincial Parks, a private campground, and a few Harvest Host destinations. Now I can say we absolutely love camping, and the Coachmen Clipper 16CFB has been the perfect travel trailer to start this adventure with. In the above video I’ve shared a tour of our Coachmen Clipper and some of the interior updates we did to maximize the storage.
Overall Thoughts of our Clipper – Positives and Negatives
Some of my favourite features of the Coachmen Clipper 16CFB are the ample storage, the coat closet, and pantry. I also really like the bathroom set-up and having a separate shower for those times you’re just not close to a comfort station. And on the negative side, I hate the fridge. It’s only usable on shore-power, so that is rather inconvenient as we have to bring a cooler full of ice with our food, and then transfer it to the fridge once it gets cold. It also limits us from driving to multiple destinations on one trip, unless we want to empty the food into the cooler and back again… just super inconvenient!
I am already looking forward to our next camping season and taking our compact trailer to even more Ontario Provincial Parks and perhaps even over the border. I’ve planned out a few interior updates I’d like to make and some new organizational updates to maximize how we use the space, and I cannot wait!
Are you a camper? Do you have a trailer or prefer tent camping? Let me know in the comments below.
