Cool Thread. I went though this a few months ago. I was set on the Fleetwood cobalt or element, that is until I looked at one. They don't really have any suspension to speak of, just wider tires, and they are made pretty crappy. Once you step up to the E1 you get a better suspension with shocks and a nicer build.
I really wanted a StarCraft 11RT or Jayco Baja 10Y, I just missed out on a great used 11RT, all the other ones I found after that used were too expensive (>8K). I need need sleeping for 5 + 1 dog. Wound up getting mint used regular tent trailer (StarCraft 2107) for now. Figured we'd get some use out of it and experience so we would know what we really want when we are ready to move up. I really like the tent trailer because of the relative small size and large sleep capacity and the low wind profile. We use it as a base camp and it works great for the whole family. The heater is killer, below freezing last weekend in the low sierras and never below 60 in the trailer all night. Wife and kids love that.
I have it narrowed down to 2 classes of tent trailer for the next trailer. First is the larger trailer with bathroom and larger front deck for Bikes and firewood. Either a Jayco 10Y or the Starcraft 11RT. Second is a slightly smaller trailer that is more offroad friendly the Starcraft 10RT, Jayco 10Z (discontinues last year) or maybe the E1 but I dislike the black interior. If I cant get the cash together I may consider modifying our current trailer with a lift and better suspension.
Still plan on using the tent for the more hardcord quick trips with camping along the way. There are so many great state and federal parks in CA and the tent trailer opens up a whole new "camping" element we never considered before. One downfall of the trailer is you highway speed in CA is limited to 65-70 (55MPH speed limit) after that you stand a good change of being pulled over. Having the 12HP 3.0 your speed on the passes and steeper inclines is even further limited. Setup and take down is more than 2 minutes 10-15 minimum if you don't over pack the inside of the trailer. Still way faster than a tent, way more comfortable and way better in the cold and rain.
Those customs and offroads are really cool but they are just to small to fit the whole family into.