Looking to learn more about todays campers
- Thread starter giles
- Start date
I wasn't saying yours and Dave's campers are huge. Trust me when i say i have seen some that might as well been a mobile home lol. I was just saying if it's just Dustin, the wife and dogs then he wouldn't necessarily need one that size. He could always get a smaller rig and try it out for a season or two and upgrade later. If it's going to be parked at the house more then it's used then your not out a bunch of money. Granted it's pretty easy to sell one no matter what you go with.
The other reason was the fact Dustin was worried about storage. If that's also the case smaller would be a better choice.
Go hit some RV and camper lots and look around Dustin. They will have plenty to choose from and most will be open for you guys to look around inside. Take your time and get a good feel for the inside layout and make sure it fits your needs. As you know by attending TOO Outings it isn't always sunny and dry all weekend lol.
No there is not an HOA.
Quite often i have to inch along to get to the bottom of the street, more specifically with my next door neighbor. He parks in the driveway, wife parks in the garage. His 3 kids all drive trucks and park on the street. 2 on our side, 1 across the street. So I have to squeeze in between 2 trucks just to get to my driveway. Also, the neighbor across the street sometimes has a vehicle parked on their side of the street that is directly across from my driveway. Theres no way in hell I can get it to my house unless there were zero vehicles parked don the street.
I think we are going to the local dealership Friday to take a look. A buddy of mine used to be a salesman at camping world. And some of his friends are salesman at the local dealer we are headed to. Here is a link to the one we are looking at buying.
https://www.couchsrvnation.com/forest-river/travel-trailer/salem-cruise-lite/201bh192
I was quoted a firm price of $14,220.00 They said that I can look all I want and I wont find it cheaper anywhere else. My buddy that worked at Camping world confirmed that they are the best priced lot anywhere.
Im ecxited about the whole idea, but also a little reserved about it as well. not just the monthly payments on top of everything else we are paying for right now, but the real possibility of constant repairs. Told the wife that if shes not 100% on board, then we wont do it. Her big concern is that she will be the one to have to clean it all the time. Told her that her OCD about that shit could ruin the fun that we could have with it.
Yes...repairs are a real concern. It’s a toy, not an investment, a toy. All toys come with downfalls.
Don’t fall for the crazy cheap payment...10 year loan crap. People with those types of loans can never get out of them. Sure, the monthly payment is low, but the camper is never worth what you owe.
Don’t fall for the crazy cheap payment...10 year loan crap. People with those types of loans can never get out of them. Sure, the monthly payment is low, but the camper is never worth what you owe.
Ah yes. That means I get take a nap on the bed in the RV instead of napping in front seat of the truck
Looks like a nice one Dustin.
Like Dave said, it's a toy. Your going to have maintenance with it just like anything else.
Like Dave said, it's a toy. Your going to have maintenance with it just like anything else.
Best of luck in your adventures Dustin! A few things that I have learned through the years, take em with a grain of salt.
1. Price discussion never starts below 30% off MSRP. If they won't start the discussion there, find another dealer. The one you linked to is at 36.8%, good start.
2. Shop around, might be the same model but the options can be a game changer and will be why one dealer is cheaper than another (i.e. outdoor shower, roof ladder, spare tire, electronic front jack, 20vs30lb propane tanks, Hot H2O heater size, electric/gas vs just one on the H2O heater). It's nothing to have $2-5k in options/accessories.
3. Look at those ST tires. Are they bias ply or radial? China or USA? How old are they? They typically on last 4-5yrs, even when maintained. Remember that UV comment?
4. Light weight trailers often = less robust materials (important for the bulls in a China shop or with kids). But, technology is changing materials and building methods, so you just have to dive into it.
5. It's a toss up to buy new vs used. I can tell you from experience, new campers require shake down trips. Remember the AC leaking into my unit the first year at Mingo? Construction debris blocked drainage holes, never would have known till the situation presented itself. A used unit will have the kinks worked out but other things have been used, potentially leading to a shorter lifespan than a new part. Plus, you don't know who had done what in the couch, in the bed, etc. LMAO.
6. This is the most important thing I have learned. It's not which is the best, it's which is not the worst. I am only aware of Jayco having a 2yr warranty. Everyone else is/was 1yr.
1. Price discussion never starts below 30% off MSRP. If they won't start the discussion there, find another dealer. The one you linked to is at 36.8%, good start.
2. Shop around, might be the same model but the options can be a game changer and will be why one dealer is cheaper than another (i.e. outdoor shower, roof ladder, spare tire, electronic front jack, 20vs30lb propane tanks, Hot H2O heater size, electric/gas vs just one on the H2O heater). It's nothing to have $2-5k in options/accessories.
3. Look at those ST tires. Are they bias ply or radial? China or USA? How old are they? They typically on last 4-5yrs, even when maintained. Remember that UV comment?
4. Light weight trailers often = less robust materials (important for the bulls in a China shop or with kids). But, technology is changing materials and building methods, so you just have to dive into it.
5. It's a toss up to buy new vs used. I can tell you from experience, new campers require shake down trips. Remember the AC leaking into my unit the first year at Mingo? Construction debris blocked drainage holes, never would have known till the situation presented itself. A used unit will have the kinks worked out but other things have been used, potentially leading to a shorter lifespan than a new part. Plus, you don't know who had done what in the couch, in the bed, etc. LMAO.
6. This is the most important thing I have learned. It's not which is the best, it's which is not the worst. I am only aware of Jayco having a 2yr warranty. Everyone else is/was 1yr.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
Checked it out on the link provided...looks great. Like Giles said, I’d try to keep the payments to under 5 years...like a car payment. In five years you’ll own it. Good luck with it.
If you have an inkling of doubt about buying/financing one of these. . . Maybe you shouldn't be doing it. If things get tight you'll be kicking yourself. I hate to be a downer but I consider you a brother. I'd want to hear it if the shoe was on the other foot.
First year is great. 4-6 times taking it out. Second year a few times. Third year maybe a couple. Payments 12mo out of the year for this little bit of use sucks. Don't get me wrong, you guys may find it the best thing you have done and use the crap out of it. I hope so. I'm just trying to throw a common scenario out to you.
License plates are cheap. Insurance is reasonable. Storage for you may end up $25-50/Month if can't store at home. Winterization will cost a bit if you don't do it yourself as well. I think this covers most of the "extras" you may or may not have figured into your cost.
First year is great. 4-6 times taking it out. Second year a few times. Third year maybe a couple. Payments 12mo out of the year for this little bit of use sucks. Don't get me wrong, you guys may find it the best thing you have done and use the crap out of it. I hope so. I'm just trying to throw a common scenario out to you.
License plates are cheap. Insurance is reasonable. Storage for you may end up $25-50/Month if can't store at home. Winterization will cost a bit if you don't do it yourself as well. I think this covers most of the "extras" you may or may not have figured into your cost.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
If you have a unit like the one Dustin is looking at, store it indoors and do all of the scheduled maintainance on it, how many years should you expect to get out of it before having to do a complete overhaul due to wear and tear?
Dustin, don't forget to compare everything to RV Wholesalers. Know as the best for pricing in the nation, just too far for most to travel to do the pre-delivery inspection or pickup to haul home, erroding the savings.
I also forgot in my post the other day was make sure you know and understand the truck numbers. DO NOT listen to the RV salesman or other people. Get out the manual, look at the door jam sticker, and get ure tire numbers all squared away. Some are manufacturer recommendations, others can be enforced legally should you get pulled over or are involved in a wreck while towing. Not at fault, even involved.
I also forgot in my post the other day was make sure you know and understand the truck numbers. DO NOT listen to the RV salesman or other people. Get out the manual, look at the door jam sticker, and get ure tire numbers all squared away. Some are manufacturer recommendations, others can be enforced legally should you get pulled over or are involved in a wreck while towing. Not at fault, even involved.
All depends how you use it. Are you just a weekend warrior or full-timin it? Are you going to be in salt or stay in the south or dragging it through the Yukon to visit Alaska?
Plenty of Airstreams out there from the 60/70's era. My in-laws had a 76' Jayco that was primarily used for fair and BG tractor pulls when we met in 1997. They sold it around 2000/2001, and we just saw it at BG last year again LMAO!