Looking for a new(er) camper...

[steved]

OK, after the trip to UT and back, we decided to upgrade campers... talking slide-in versions. I'm looking to spend around $3500 probably... so that limits me to the late 80s and 90s most likely.



The problems with my current camper... it leaked at one point before I got it and obviously, there is some minor rot. It is heavy (for a 2500) at around 1750 empty (probably closer to 2500 loaded)... I figured this by using my airbags to level it to the unloaded height and then back calculated based on the pressure required to level it. And the worst (if you call it that) is there is no bathroom or shower... which means you get campgrounds with those amenities (means searching a little longer)...



I'd like to stay with a lighter (and rot-proof) aluminum framed model... obviously with at least a shower (I have a portapot)... and as close to an 8-foot bed length as possible. Pop-ups are out of the question as the Wife doesn't like them and we do a lot of colder weather camping (I have been told by several people they are hard to heat). I'd also like to have the attached jacks so we can pull it off without hassle (my jacks need to be removed everytime)...



I know that one of them is aluminum framed and very light... Sun-line (Sun-Lite?)??? Any suggestion to look at??? Keep in mind my limited budget, so suggesting a $25k model probably won't do me much good!



Thanks,

steved

 

[Grizzly]

Does it have to be a slide-in, can you go with a 21' 5er?

 

[steved]

The reason we are looking to stay with a slide-in, is so that we can run some of the rougher dirt roads without fear. For example, this past week, we drove Valley of the Gods road... which is barely passable with a car, let alone a low slung RV.



If we go with a tow-behind, it would be as small and light as we could get it... I have been looking at the Scamp campers that are narrow, very light, and mostly fiberglass (no leaks)...



steved

 

[RJWEST]

Good , used, Cheap, & light !
Big Order, Just keep looking,

Anything at that price will probably need some maint. ( money )

Try the Paper shopper, the free ad flyers. . , Try a 'wanted' in local ad flyer. .

And, check the RV dealers, if they don't sell TC's, they sometimes dump the trade in's real cheap...

As for weight, With a Bathroom, you will close in on 3k real easy,
Doable with some suspension upgrades...
Shadow Cruiser were probably the lightest, along with Sunline...

Alu, does not men they wont rot, still plenty of wood left...
I would not have a problem with an older Wood frame if it was maintained. .
.
And, After 35 yrs TC'ing, I could never do without a Potty or a Shower

Good luck,,,,,

 

[steved]

Good , used, Cheap, & light !

Big Order, Just keep looking,



Anything at that price will probably need some maint. ( money )



Try the Paper shopper, the free ad flyers. . , Try a 'wanted' in local ad flyer. .



And, check the RV dealers, if they don't sell TC's, they sometimes dump the trade in's real cheap...



As for weight, With a Bathroom, you will close in on 3k real easy,

Doable with some suspension upgrades...

Shadow Cruiser were probably the lightest, along with Sunline...



Alu, does not men they wont rot, still plenty of wood left...

I would not have a problem with an older Wood frame if it was maintained. .

.

And, After 35 yrs TC'ing, I could never do without a Potty or a Shower



Good luck,,,,,

I don't mind some work... I have several months of work in the one I have. My current camper is a 1982... paid $600 for it, but as noted, its not perfect... I bought it from eBay, sight unseen (wrong thing to do). This time I plan to scrutinize a little better... might even change my buying "location" and focus on something in the southwest (dry climate, less chance of water damage).



I've seen 90s campers for under $3500... but I have no idea what they actually were (length, height, options, etc. )... hopefully I can find one...



steved

 

[steved]

Well the wife has spoken...



Looks like a truck camper is out and a 20-foot(ish) tow behind is. We looked at a "fixer upper" last week and while it was completely rotted out (it was a 1997 too), it was exactly what SHE wanted.



So, I'm sorta set on a bumper pull to eliminate buying a fifth wheel hitch (I need the bed space). Shouldn't need a WDH with a smaller camper either... all the ones we've looked at were under 3500#s... which is perfect IMO.



We've found a couple... might even buy new since they are under $10k anymore (for the size we want)...



steved

 

[steved]

Well this was "bad"... went from looking at short bumper pulls (less than 25 feet) to looking at small 5vr's...



And the worst part is the wife *wants* a new(er) camper, but doesn't want to part ways with her moldy money... :-laf



We looked at a 2000 Shasta 5th last night (24 foot, 4600#s empty) with a little water damage in the rear for under $8500... laminated sides, and a single slide.



We started by looking at a 19-foot bumper, jumped to a 24-foot bumper, then she eyed the 5th... :-laf



steved

 

[Regcabguy]

It never rains in SoCal.

Well this was "bad"... went from looking at short bumper pulls (less than 25 feet) to looking at small 5vr's...



And the worst part is the wife *wants* a new(er) camper, but doesn't want to part ways with her moldy money... :-laf



We looked at a 2000 Shasta 5th last night (24 foot, 4600#s empty) with a little water damage in the rear for under $8500... laminated sides, and a single slide.



We started by looking at a 19-foot bumper, jumped to a 24-foot bumper, then she eyed the 5th... :-laf



steved

Steve,it hasn't rained in these parts in so long! It might be worth it to seek out a trailer in SoCal,AZ,Nev. etc. No water damage possible!

 

[steved]

Steve,it hasn't rained in these parts in so long! It might be worth it to seek out a trailer in SoCal,AZ,Nev. etc. No water damage possible!

I'm not ruling out a good distance drive to pick one up if the condition/price are right!



We're not really serious about this... if something good comes along, we might bite, but we're definitely not buying the first one we see! Nor are we buying one sight unseen from eBay... been there done that



steved

 

[RJWEST]

My thought, buy just after it rained, easier to find any leaks. .

I have bought quite a few used tc's,

Read the posts on the RV forums first, problem makes will be noted... .
Make list of things required/wanted and NOT wanted... .
( this will narrow down the , "go look at" list )
Make an inspection list, take your time inspecting , find the problems before
you buy... . Refrig,hot water heater, furnace, are bigger buck items,
Make sure they work, need to figure in purchase price.

When a private sale, the owner,his cars/trucks tell a lot about the
condition you will find the RV in... .

When your out and about and see a RV dealer, check there back lot,
older units are sometimes VERY cheap on a 'AS IS' basis.

Also: Maybe, post a general description of what you are looking for,
I travel quite a bit ( as other members with RV's also ) and
would keep a watch for possible leads.
Myself, I am headed to Maine, via PA, in a few weeks, would be glad to
give you a 'heads up' on any prospect. .

Final note, Smaller pull trailers 23ft or less )are harder to find than the big one's and cost more... . They are more desirable in the used market. .

Good luck, and Your gonna miss you TC.....

 

[steved]

Good luck, and Your gonna miss you TC.....

Buying another one isn't out of the question, but most of them I have found weigh more than my puny 2500 would probably be safe carrying... being overloaded, whether carrying the weight or towing it, is being overloaded.



steved

 

[RJWEST]

I run 3k lbs plus, a little more at times, on a 3/4 2500 4x4 ;
without factory helper springs.
did add superspring and sway bar, handles ok, some rock and roll,
but I think most is due to long front springs...

 

[RJWEST]

??? have 3 gallons of Valvoline Premium BLUE 14w-40 pn 70509

Front of jug, API Services, cj-4 ci-4 ch-4 cf/cl

Back of Jug ,in the little circle ( bottom ) it's marked CI-4Plus

in top of circle in smaller print,api: cj-4 ci-4 ch-4

SO: it's new oil for 2007 ,


Too late. It's getting used this week...

 

[steved]

??? have 3 gallons of Valvoline Premium BLUE 14w-40 pn 70509



Front of jug, API Services, cj-4 ci-4 ch-4 cf/cl



Back of Jug ,in the little circle ( bottom ) it's marked CI-4Plus



in top of circle in smaller print,api: cj-4 ci-4 ch-4



SO: it's new oil for 2007 ,





Too late. It's getting used this week...

Read some of the oil threads in the 3rd gen forum... there are a couple of us with CJ-4 Rotella UOAs that look every bit as good as CI-4+ Rotella...



I would not worry about it; but since it isn't Rotella, you might want to take a UOA to make sure it does as well...



steved



steved

 

[steved]

I run 3k lbs plus, a little more at times, on a 3/4 2500 4x4 ;

without factory helper springs.

did add superspring and sway bar, handles ok, some rock and roll,

but I think most is due to long front springs...

I don't get too much roll, but I also have airbags to help that... I do get a little bit of the "pogo" effect on rolling bumps, but nothing serious...



I figure I weigh somewhere between 2000 to 2500 pounds loaded... the camper itself weighs around 1750 (basing this off the air pressure required to level the camper)...



steve

 

[RJWEST]

C**P posted in wrong post, valvoline was supposed to be in oil post...

and I shudda done air bags, just didn't want to drill holes in the dodge frame

 

[steved]

C**P posted in wrong post, valvoline was supposed to be in oil post...



and I shudda done air bags, just didn't want to drill holes in the dodge frame

I guess the 2nd gen frames are different?? My 3rd gen was a no-drill install...



steved

 

[steved]

Hmmm, well I know I SAID we weren't looking at a 5vr, but...



We got a line on a smaller (and older) 5vr for fairly cheap... again, we don't intend on living in this thing, only camping.



Its a Aljo Aries by Skyline MFG... 1988, 23 foot. Lightweight at 2300 unladen, 3200 max. Supposedly in top condition, but I have not looked at it to confirm this claim.



It is about the right size... and lightweight.



Now I'm looking for a hitch, was quoted $400 for a 15k hitch with universal mounting plates. They indicated that as long as this thing was light, they would not waste the extra $$ on the custom fit mounting plates.



I'm trying to set up a time I can look at it...



steved

 

[Grizzly]

Steved, if your still looking for a 5er or a TT and you don't mind driving a way for it consider Pinehurst RV in Idaho. They have Nash, Arctic Fox and Desert Fox. Nash is a great unit and it's inexpensive. Pinehurst guarantees that you will not get a better price from any other RV Dealer.

 

[steved]

We bought a small used 5vr a month or so ago... I got to look at it for a whole week, then got shipped to New Mexico...



steved