Looking to learn more about todays campers

[5Cent]

Phil, what would you be doing wrong? If you are finding what you want when you buy, then I don't see any issue with that. Used units are great, especially if you find one that was only used a few times a year. Lots of people do that, same with boats, snowmobiles, etc. Then time/life gets in the way and they just sit. These are definitely out there, just going to take a little looking.

Nothing to stand down too, just sharing personal input from experience. I hope you and others will continue to do the same for Dave and Beener. I think the biggest surprise to most is the lack of payload capacity of the truck when using a 1/2 ton. Dave is good there with the ram , Chuck, if using your Dakota, you will be limited on options.

 

[Beentown]

That 07 Dakota I drove is just the extra family vehicle. It was purchased by my Mom in 08 with 17k on it and now it has 30K on it I believe. Lol. It is a good truck but a turd. Those older small block dodge engines sucked in HP/mileage.

I have a full size with air bags. I don't plan on anything huge anyway. 26-28 foot "lite" series. This will tell me if we like camping as a family enough to really invest in something. I am in no rush and will by "right" (in my favor).

Ideally I want a master with queen, bunks, pull out for a larger live in area and an outdoor kitchen.

 

[giblet]

I don’t know Giles……I would think hard about doing this and think hard again before pulling the trigger on buying a camper.

You can rent one hell of a lot of cabins and or hotel rooms for what you are going to have wrapped up in a camper and when you are done with a rented place you can just close the door and forget about it.

I suppose it depends totally on the person and what they became accustomed to over the years but being raised in a rural setting I never saw how modern camping made much sense. You go into these places where they pack you in like sardines and you are usually elbow to asshole with a bunch of people. Factor in all the differences amongst people, likes and dislikes and well, you can start to see how that might make for a long weekend. Let’s not forget on top of that most places are getting you for about $50/night plus or minus.

But……..knowing all this beforehand, I still fell into this trap 2 years ago. Was looking for a way to spend more time with the kids. To make a long story short, I’ll just say we had the camper out twice last year and most weekends we got a campfire going in the backyard listening to the peepers and watching the stars…….and ain’t nobody complaining about nothing.

Some people absolutely love this type of camping though and go every weekend. Just make sure you are going into it with eyes wide open and remember there is a reason there are so many used campers for sale around the countryside all the time.

 

["J"]

Found your camper Dave......

 

[giles]

I don’t know Giles……I would think hard about doing this and think hard again before pulling the trigger on buying a camper.

You can rent one hell of a lot of cabins and or hotel rooms for what you are going to have wrapped up in a camper and when you are done with a rented place you can just close the door and forget about it.

I suppose it depends totally on the person and what they became accustomed to over the years but being raised in a rural setting I never saw how modern camping made much sense. You go into these places where they pack you in like sardines and you are usually elbow to asshole with a bunch of people. Factor in all the differences amongst people, likes and dislikes and well, you can start to see how that might make for a long weekend. Let’s not forget on top of that most places are getting you for about $50/night plus or minus.

But……..knowing all this beforehand, I still fell into this trap 2 years ago. Was looking for a way to spend more time with the kids. To make a long story short, I’ll just say we had the camper out twice last year and most weekends we got a campfire going in the backyard listening to the peepers and watching the stars…….and ain’t nobody complaining about nothing.

Some people absolutely love this type of camping though and go every weekend. Just make sure you are going into it with eyes wide open and remember there is a reason there are so many used campers for sale around the countryside all the time.

We have a group of friends that goes every weekend anyways. We would be added to that group of campers. As is, we spend most weekends out with them anyways, we just drive home at the end of the night.

Going from camping in Alaska, to what they call camping here....I see your point for sure! It ain't camping in my book. The camper will also serve as a place for our guest to have when they come visit. None of our family lives around here, so they'd have a quiet place to go to and hide. Also, right now when we go visit my folks in NW Ohio, we end up sleeping all over the place.

 

[giles]

View attachment 41045

Found your camper Dave......

Just needs a buck strapped to the roof! Lol

 

[hickslawns]

Good points. Camping at $50/night isn't really "camping" in my eyes either, but we enjoy it. Ours doesn't see as much use as we would like. Then again we don't owe anything on the camper, I have a third the cost of a new one in it, and we still have fun.

Weight of the camper is something to think about. We pull ours with a crew cab dually, with Timbrens front and rear. I noticed the weight difference between the campers. We have had ultralight and mid sized. 4600-8500lbs. Current one is 7600 empty and about perfect. I would NOT want one any taller or heavier. Knew a guy with real tall, triaxle toy hauler weighing it around 15000lbs. He pulled it with a 5500. Said he wouldn't want to pull it with a 3500. He noticed it a bunch with a 4x4 5500.

 

[5Cent]

Lol, lets stay on task. Theres a million different reasons why people go camping and what camping means to them. The OP was to talk about campers.

Dave, what else are ya specifically looking for? Throw up the models you check out and let everyone provide some input. Unless you get real crazy to Phil's point, youre not going to have any issue with a road worthy/easy handeling setup with weights of a 26-36' unit.

 

[5Cent]

A few quick finds looking at our local dealer:

http://www.tacrv.com/inventory-unit/?id=1797680

http://www.tacrv.com/inventory-unit/?id=1797699

http://www.tacrv.com/inventory-unit/?id=1810021

 

[Beentown]

Seems pretty close to what I want.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/rvs/5393913646.html

 

[5Cent]

That's the original bunkhouse layout prior to slides becoming prevalent, a nice lightweight one Beener.

You can find brand new ones in same layout for almost same price:
http://www.tacrv.com/inventory-unit/?id=1709196

http://www.tacrv.com/inventory-unit/?id=1781626

 

[giles]

I have no idea what she wants for a layout. We need to start looking at the physically. I just felt the need to start a thread before aimlessly wondering around. Lol

 

[Dustinb80]

My wife brought this up just the other day. Caught me off guard to be honest. As much as I would like to get one, its just not practical right now. Ill be following this thread tho for sure. Tons of knowledge so far.

 

[Hunter II]

Seems pretty close to what I want.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/rvs/5393913646.html

I just sold a 2011 last summer exactly like this for 7000. Watch the tires. Mine were worn out after 2 trips to kansas and once ti virginia beach.

 

[hickslawns]

We have had two with slide outs, two without. We won't own another without. With 3 kids, my wife and I, and often times my parents. . . There simply isn't enough room for us without a super slide. They create an amazing amount of extra space. Sadly, they also add to the price. What I have seen is the resale they provide is well worth the increased up front cost (whether buying new or used). Just my opinion. If you are looking at sleeping 8people or more, I can't imagine one without the super slide. It would be cramped. This is simply "my opinion". Sounds like you need to do some tours of layouts with and without super slide. Then decide for yourself Giles.

 

[giles]

Thanks for the thoughts about slides Phil, I never thought about the resale value. That makes good sense!

 

[DJK Frank 16]

Lot of good info here. I've looked hard for the last couple of years, Adam is right, if you are going to do it and buy new, now is the time. RV shows are everywhere right now. My wife and I just pulled the trigger on a Forest River Grey Wolf 26dbh. Been watching them anywhere from $18,000 to $22,000 depending on where we looked. Found a dealer close to us running an "Internet Special" for around $16. We went with new because with our kids age (1.5 and 3.5) we will get a solid 8-10 years out of it. I'm not the most handy guy when it comes to DIY shit, so the warranty was a big play for us.

I looked at a bunch of them. The differences are most of the time minimal, just pick the layout that works best for you and that will narrow your search. Outside storage was one thing I kept in mind, I knew I would get more use out of more storage and a little bigger sleeping area then I would an outdoor kitchen. Just have to weigh each option.

I will say this, there are a ton of nice campers out there in the 8-10 range. If I wouldn't have seen this price drop, we most likely would have bought used. It also seemed like the newer ones are lighter as well, with my truck situation that had me leaning towards newer as well.

Pay attention to your vehicle. We put the cart before the horse, as I was planning on getting a 3/4 ton truck first. My trucks (F150) towing capacity is 8000lbs with a weight distribution hitch. The camper is 5700lbs dry. They say average 600lbs for a family of 4 when they start putting stuff in it. I'm going to be within a thousand lbs of spec on my truck. We plan to stay close the first year and just hit the local campgrounds and Indian Lake state park. I doubt I will be comfortable in my truck heading 2-3 hours away. I will be adding air bags, heavier brakes, and a tranny cooler just to be safe. I went ahead and got the bigger weight dist. hitch as well.

Feel like I'm rambling a bit, but hopefully some of that you can keep in the back of your mind while shopping. Good luck!!

 

[hickslawns]

Good stuff Drake. Sounds like you have lots of fun ahead of you!

 

[5Cent]

Congrats Frank, enjoy!

A few things you have to be aware of when looking at weights. While the truck has a 8k trailer rating, it's the cargo capacity and axle ratings that you need to be aware of. Also, TT dry weights are without A/c, propane tanks (duel 30's usually) or batteries. Remember those are on the tongue of the trailer and are almost 1:1 for calculated weight.

Try this once:

1. Get GVWR of truck from door jamb.
2. Fill up gas tank, load up family, put in WDH insert into hitch and head to scales (local elevator charges $5-$10, or find a local CAT scale at rest/truck stop.
3. Weigh truck (if able, do each axle - CAT scales can do this). You can use this info for WDH setup.
4. Subtract scale weight from GVWR.
5. Output is cargo capacity left on truck.

You will end up around 1k (aka 1/2 ton capacity). This is the amount of weight, per the manufacturer, not a legality number if in a wreck, that you can still add to the truck.

6. Subtract TT tongue weight.
7. The number you are left with is what you can now put in the bed (firewood, coolers, bikes, chairs).

Now, this is the manufacturers recommendation not to exceed. If exceeded (we all see it all the time), then bushings,bearings, shocks, brakes, etc wear out prematurely. Not the most stable ride, but the truck will have plenty of power and stopping capability.

The issue with a 1/2 ton as you approach 7k is not just cargo capacity, but also GVAWR (axle weight rating). This is a legal number that you cannot surpass. With a family, I feel you need to be very aware of this. All the add-ons you listed will help in the towing experience but weights are the most important, even if just hitting the local campground. No reason to go out and buy a new truck, but be aware and do due diligence when you get the unit. Load it up and take it to the scales and do your WDH set. If you want a sure way of getting tongue weight, Check out a sherline scale or bust out the bathroom scale and a long 2x4 and your statics book lol.

Try different loading techniques with all of the outdoor storage you were looking for. You'll be amazed if you weigh everything that you put in the trailer...1k plus easily with kids. Remember H2O weighs 8.3lbs/gal, so there's another couple hundred pounds. Depending on H2O tank location (behind, over, or in front) of the axle could add tongue weight. If any questions on what to weigh in what process with the unit to setup the WDH at the scales, just ask. Keep the tongue weight in the 10-15% range (ready, the light bulb should have gone off....say 6500 fully loaded, that's 650-975lbs.....there goes the 1k cargo)

I apologize if you know all of this already, but most don't so I felt it was important to add to this post.

 

[giles]

Congrats Frank, enjoy!

A few things you have to be aware of when looking at weights. While the truck has a 8k trailer rating, it's the cargo capacity and axle ratings that you need to be aware of. Also, TT dry weights are without A/c, propane tanks (duel 30's usually) or batteries. Remember those are on the tongue of the trailer and are almost 1:1 for calculated weight.

Try this once:

1. Get GVWR of truck from door jamb.
2. Fill up gas tank, load up family, put in WDH insert into hitch and head to scales (local elevator charges $5-$10, or find a local CAT scale at rest/truck stop.
3. Weigh truck (if able, do each axle - CAT scales can do this). You can use this info for WDH setup.
4. Subtract scale weight from GVWR.
5. Output is cargo capacity left on truck.

You will end up around 1k (aka 1/2 ton capacity). This is the amount of weight, per the manufacturer, not a legality number if in a wreck, that you can still add to the truck.

6. Subtract TT tongue weight.
7. The number you are left with is what you can now put in the bed (firewood, coolers, bikes, chairs).

Now, this is the manufacturers recommendation not to exceed. If exceeded (we all see it all the time), then bushings,bearings, shocks, brakes, etc wear out prematurely. Not the most stable ride, but the truck will have plenty of power and stopping capability.

The issue with a 1/2 ton as you approach 7k is not just cargo capacity, but also GVAWR (axle weight rating). This is a legal number that you cannot surpass. With a family, I feel you need to be very aware of this. All the add-ons you listed will help in the towing experience but weights are the most important, even if just hitting the local campground. No reason to go out and buy a new truck, but be aware and do due diligence when you get the unit. Load it up and take it to the scales and do your WDH set. If you want a sure way of getting tongue weight, Check out a sherline scale or bust out the bathroom scale and a long 2x4 and your statics book lol.

Try different loading techniques with all of the outdoor storage you were looking for. You'll be amazed if you weigh everything that you put in the trailer...1k plus easily with kids. Remember H2O weighs 8.3lbs/gal, so there's another couple hundred pounds. Depending on H2O tank location (behind, over, or in front) of the axle could add tongue weight. If any questions on what to weigh in what process with the unit to setup the WDH at the scales, just ask. Keep the tongue weight in the 10-15% range (ready, the light bulb should have gone off....say 6500 fully loaded, that's 650-975lbs.....there goes the 1k cargo)

I apologize if you know all of this already, but most don't so I felt it was important to add to this post.

Very good post! Weight placement is key when the cart is before the horse. So is trailer brake settings! You want to feel them working.