If you're thinking hard side and can swing the additional $, it's probably your better bet if ease is a priority. If you're in the 20' range, setup/takedown is much easier than the pop-ups (that can change when you get into the big rigs with accessories). JohnR hit the other high points on pop-ups - got to keep them dry and heating/cooling is a challenge. Have you looked at hybrids? Slightly lower cost than hard side of same size/capacity but easier to set up than pop-up and give an option to keep the tent ends closed to reduce heat/cooling loss (if you don't need them for sleeping capacity).
The Official Camper and Camping Thread
- Thread starter hickslawns
- Start date
If you're thinking hard side and can swing the additional $, it's probably your better bet if ease is a priority. If you're in the 20' range, setup/takedown is much easier than the pop-ups (that can change when you get into the big rigs with accessories). JohnR hit the other high points on pop-ups - got to keep them dry and heating/cooling is a challenge. Have you looked at hybrids? Slightly lower cost than hard side of same size/capacity but easier to set up than pop-up and give an option to keep the tent ends closed to reduce heat/cooling loss (if you don't need them for sleeping capacity).
I've spent about 20 minutes looking. It's just a thought. I'm trying to figure out how to steer our family leisure time. I'd prefer an Adam Nickel approach, my wife prefers the beach. I like the beach, but I worry its becomes boring. A camper promotes variety AND opens me up to hunting trips across the country. With a reliable truck purchase on the horizon, a steal of a camper ($2,500) temps me today. Unless I'm better off to wait and spent $5-10K on a more sensible unit. I truly feel a camper would be a very wise investment for building memories with my family which is why I'm even thinking about it.
This will be our second season without a camper-gave it up when my high school aged kid's summers got real short with sports, camps and school activities - and we miss it. IMHO, your spot on - great investment for building memories. My wife and I say that our first era as campers has ended, but we will be back into it when the kids are in college. We have great memories and look forward to more.
I should add that my family never vacationed despite the income to do so. M wife grew up with 2 working parents (my mom stayed home) and neither of her parents have ever made much money, but they made it a point to go on vacation. They did some some trips, some big ones, and always made memories. For me never knowing that kind of life, I want to provide that for my daughter and any future kids. Seems campers are fantastic ways to add value to your family.
Maybe rent one for a trial run? I was surprised at the cost to rent (higher than I expected), but it's a great way to find out if camper life is for you. My background was close to yours - vacation was a rarity - and my wife was wise enough to push for camping and regular family getaways. Glad I listened!
I looked in to renting but holy shit, they want an arm and a leg. To be expected I guess, but dang...
Its all personal preference. Set a budget and move forward. Take risk into consideration. Sounds like the biggest risk to overcome is the Mrs., which you stated last year. No way to know if it works for the family until you try it.
Again, Nick-L-E, not E-L:smiley_coolpeace:
A friend would hope after 15yrs you'd have ur noggin right "Jessie".
Again, Nick-L-E, not E-L:smiley_coolpeace:
A friend would hope after 15yrs you'd have ur noggin right "Jessie".
LOL, ya OK. Coming from a guy who writes novels on the side and never misspells anything
You wordsmith, you.My thoughts on the pop-up since JohnR covered it well. Knowing Tracie a little and the fact she has never camped, I would recommend you try to find an enclosed unit over a popup. The first impressions are going to seal/break the deal and the creature comforts are just not there for someone who is not already used/comfortable with camping. Setup/tear down is much easier with an enclosed unit and having a bathroom is a HUGE plus for the ladies. Sure pop-ups come with toilets, but the privacy that women seek is not there. While sleeping, you can hear everything just like a tent through the canvas. Your neighbors, the entire campground, the rain, the thunder, etc. Everything you do inside of the camper will also be heard by your neighbors. Dropping a deuce, correcting Ms. K., arguing or loving the Mrs., etc. Most don't leak, but they also don't last as long as an enclosed unit unless the owner is someone who goes the extra mile to make sure it's dried out before storing. Mold, musty smells and the fear of the darn roof coming down gets old. I have never owned one, but spent many of nights in older ones through brand new ones. The new pop-ups are sweet, but they are well outside of your price range. Note - any camper you buy for $2500 is going to be 15+yrs old needing a higher level of maintenance. Or, it has had a leak or another issue that the seller most likely will not reveal. Or, it is not going to be over 12' long and now a bathroom and room to be comfortable is not going to be there. What I meant by risk in the earlier post is it's a balance. Anything cheap could give you unforeseen, big headache type of issues. Anything cheap is most likely not going to be easy/fast to sell should you decide it's not for the family then it becomes an argument issue if you're trying to get the $ out of it. You will never hear the end of it.
Don't think you need to buy from a dealer either. It's completely different than the automotive market. They are not loyal to their customers and Jayco has an industry leading, whopping, 2yr warranty. If it gives you peace of mind that is has had the major mechanicals gone over, then do it. Just like anything else, private owners are not going to know or tell you everything about the unit. You will have to go through it top to bottom.
You are comfortable pulling trailers. You will have a full size truck. Set a budget, stick to it, and figure out what falls in the sweet spot. Plenty of guys here that provide input, just start posting the ones you are looking at and we'll chime in. If you are set on paying cash only, then talk it over with her to see if you forego 1-2 beach trips. Just keep in mind if you need some leverage in the tax arena, interest is deductible as a second dwelling as long as it has a bathroom and sleeping areas.
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We got buy for years in AK camping out of an 18-20' older campers. I'm sure you've read my thread about "today's campers", let me tell you that they have come a long way. Mine sets up in minutes and was very reasonably priced. We looked and looked at used...ended up spending a couple more dollars and bought a new unit.
Much like you, I love off the beaten path a little and my kids didn't interact with many other kids outside of school. It's been real fun watching them play with other kids along with all the other memories we have made already this year.
Another additional cost you may want to consider is the extra cost in fuel going to and from, the cost of the campsite, and the cost of fixing shit on both the camper and the truck.
The worst part about camping is packing up and dealing with sleepy grumpy kids on Sunday evening. But if that's my bitch, life is alright!
Much like you, I love off the beaten path a little and my kids didn't interact with many other kids outside of school. It's been real fun watching them play with other kids along with all the other memories we have made already this year.
Another additional cost you may want to consider is the extra cost in fuel going to and from, the cost of the campsite, and the cost of fixing shit on both the camper and the truck.
The worst part about camping is packing up and dealing with sleepy grumpy kids on Sunday evening. But if that's my bitch, life is alright!
twireman
Senior Member
Dewinterized ours this weekend as we will be out wed-sun night this week. Wife is packing clothes up as I type. Lotta shit to pack with a 2 and 4 yr old.
Also this will be a fun year as my inlaws got there "retirement" camper. Cant wait to see them enjoy it as they always put everyone else first.
Also this will be a fun year as my inlaws got there "retirement" camper. Cant wait to see them enjoy it as they always put everyone else first.
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twireman
Senior Member
Enjoy the week twire. I hear you about the amount of kid crap to pack!
That's a great looking 5th wheel for the in laws. The color combo with the truck is a nice touch! Is that a 6.5' bed, or just the angle of the picture? Not sure what the Mega Cab config. options are?
That's a great looking 5th wheel for the in laws. The color combo with the truck is a nice touch! Is that a 6.5' bed, or just the angle of the picture? Not sure what the Mega Cab config. options are?
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twireman
Senior Member
The first long weekend is in the books. Sorry to the guys on Facebook, but a few good pictures to share:
Oldest (4) and cousin (4) fishing
Middle (3) practicing the button around the fire.
Youngest (2months) being a lady killer
Chillin by the fire
Our site. Had to rip out old landscaping around the pad a month ago and the grass seed is slowly coming in. Early in the weekend and stuff continued to get moved to its permanent home based on usage. Fire ring got its finishing block job too. The neighbor is from Lima and is older, have not met them yet.
Time flew by as always and I am not wanting to get on a jet airplane tomorrow, but such is life. Next weekend can't get here fast enough!
Oldest (4) and cousin (4) fishing
Middle (3) practicing the button around the fire.
Youngest (2months) being a lady killer
Chillin by the fire
Our site. Had to rip out old landscaping around the pad a month ago and the grass seed is slowly coming in. Early in the weekend and stuff continued to get moved to its permanent home based on usage. Fire ring got its finishing block job too. The neighbor is from Lima and is older, have not met them yet.
Time flew by as always and I am not wanting to get on a jet airplane tomorrow, but such is life. Next weekend can't get here fast enough!
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Nice rig Twireman. The inlaws have a Rolls Royce from the looks of things. That is slick.
Jesse- There are some pretty reasonably priced smaller campers out there. No slide outs and shorter units don't carry the massive price tag, but don't re-sale as high either. If you were in the $4-5k range I would think you could find a pretty darn nice one.
Jesse- There are some pretty reasonably priced smaller campers out there. No slide outs and shorter units don't carry the massive price tag, but don't re-sale as high either. If you were in the $4-5k range I would think you could find a pretty darn nice one.
Seen a really nice local unit for $5K yesterday. 24' I believe. I'm going to go look at it for shits and giggles. Reality of this purchase is it happens in 2017 or 2018. But it's one I want to spend plenty of time on since I know very little about them. With my truck situation and baby #2 in the works (trying commenced last weekend), now is not the time. We're on pace to sell our place and buy my parents in 2018, so next year would be a nice time to do this.
I talked to Tracie about us forgoing the beach next year and putting that money towards a camper, then taking the camper to the beach when we go. She said she'd be up for that. When we go down this year, I'm going to spend an early morning driving around looking for campgrounds close by so we have an idea of what's possible.
I talked to Tracie about us forgoing the beach next year and putting that money towards a camper, then taking the camper to the beach when we go. She said she'd be up for that. When we go down this year, I'm going to spend an early morning driving around looking for campgrounds close by so we have an idea of what's possible.
Get the specs and post them up along with some pictures.
That's a full plate brother, be conscious of the impact on buying a house. I would recommend finishing that transaction first before looking at a toy. A truck purchase will also impact the house accusation, just something to keep in mind.