Advice on First RV

[mikel]

Howdy,



I am looking at purchasing a used camping trailer and have no idea what to look for or what to avoid. I think anything that has room for 4 people will be big enough as it's just myself, my wife and our son. I have a couple of questions about these trailers that I'm hoping someone may know the answer to.



1) Does anyone know of a TDR-like forum dedicated to camping/travel trailers?



2) Are there any specific brands/features that should be avoided?



3) Are there any brands/features that should be specifically looked for?



Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!



Thanks,

Mike

 

[roadranger]

Mikel- There's a pretty good forum at; irv2.com that can answer a lot of your questions.



2. Lots of brand loyalty out there.

I read the most complaints out there on Fleetwood products.



Carefully check for water damage/roof leaks, as this can destroy the wood framing



3. Dual LP gas tanks would be a plus vs. a single tank.

Large Grey water holding tank capacities are a plus. Showers fill them up quickly.



Good luck on your shopping, you'll enjoy the process.

 

[klenger]

First, start out by signing up at irv2.com. Free membership, and good advice.



Next, Barry, the moderator of this forum, is a used RV dealer somewhere in Texas. I have no idea where because Texas is all the same to the rest of us. He's a straight shooter and will help you.



You might want to check out my RV web pages shown in my sig for RV modifications.



Good luck.

 

[Eric_77]

Barry is just outside Ft. Worth (one of Dallas's many suburbs )

 

[BigMike]

You'll read the most complaints about Fleetwood because they probably have the most campers on the road. Haven't owned a camper, but have owned a Fleetwood TT and 5er. I had no complaints. I've only changed to a different manufacturer because of floor plan issues. Just check them out carefully. Buy used if you can. Save a ton of money.

 

[Bug Out]

Another BB

try



www.rvforums.com



Theres a few dedicated boards for different types of RV'ing

 

[RAMalama]

ROGER THAT WITH FLEETWOOD

I'm currently towing my second Fleetwood. Both have treated me just fine. Typically, no matter what brand you decide on, it's best to do a local shake down trip to bring out any issues, if any, before an extended trip. I just "ran" out to Oklahoma from North Carolina with my fiver. Poor tailer. I have the feeling with it having two opposing living room slides both being 12' 6" and a bedroom slide it was more intended to be parked rather than towed. Errrr, 30,000 miles later on just the trailer I'm still going strong! Buy a unit with shock absorbers on it. You'd be surprised how many TTs and Fivers come without.



Only a Dodge Cummins can yank a 14,700lbs Fiver around like it's nothing. Our trucks simply amaze me even still... and I'm stock!



Ian.

 

[TowPro]

Re: ROGER THAT WITH FLEETWOOD

I also run a fleetwood. After fixing a couple quality control issues (they build them to fast) its been great.



I bought my fleetwood new, based on resale value of the same rig 1 and 2 years old. check out nada guides They have a section on USED RV PRICES. its a good starting point.

 

[exfuzz01]

Trailer selection

I currently have a 2001 , 24 ft Komfort 5er w/slide. I looked at a lot of trailers and decided that for the money, the Komfort was what myself and my wife were looking for. I checked the slide mechanism and found that it was a lot sturdier than others and that the inside finish was above most others in the same price bracket. In addition I liked the dual gray water tanks and the dual hot water heater. (electric or gas). It also came with 2 large propane tanks and was equiped with shocks. It tows very nicely and should tow better with recent mods.







01 2500 SLT, 4x4,QC, A/T, 4:10s/ long bed, camper/tow package, white w/sand bottom trim. LineX liner, triple gauges on pillar, Smitty built nerf bars, K&N filter. Just visited DTT and installed the tuned valve body and EZ module. (WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!)

 

[Deezul1]

Give Barry a call, he is a super guy and takes good care of TDR members.



http://www.autorvexchange.com/.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

A lot depends on what type of camping you plan to do - and WHERE you plan to do it!



Dunno about Texas - but in THIS part of the country, the state and national campgrounds, as well as MANY of the private ones, aren't well designed for trailers over 30 feet - or those with slideouts.



MANY times, we have driven up to the rear of a long line of nice fancy RVs and motorhomes - and seen them waved off by the park staff - when WE finally got to the front of the line, we fully expected to be turned away as well - but they took one look at out 24 foot 5er, and said "sure, we have room for YOU!" Most parks have only a small percentage of larger spaces and pull-thrus - and they go fast - so until you get your feet wet, get a good used trailer in the under 30 foot range - use it a year or so, and after THAT, you will have a MUCH better idea of what really would meet your needs and expectations...



Good luck.

 

[Bug Out]

How true on the 30 and under rule

I had a nice 30' Jayco 5th and the wife wanted to "upgrade",. Even with the 30, I had to shop a little for a camp space.



But now, over 35' I kinda screwed myself out of some beautiful camp sites...



Many a time I still wish i had the Jayco... .

 

[sbiel]

Much over 30 feet and you start limiting yourself to private camprounds / newer parks. But adding 2 feet (say from 28 to 30 feet) can add a lot of usable space. 32 feet is my target.



Like everything else, you get what you pay for. Quality costs money. The needs of a full timer are much different than those who use it twice a year.



One or two year old units tend to depreciate quickly. There are opportunities for cost savings there.



Extended warranties are available. I've heard good and bad about them. If interested in one, check the aftermarket sources as dealers generally make a lot of money on them.



There are only a couple of vendors for most of the items like refrigerators, microwaves, etc. Generally, similarly priced units will have comparable appliances.



Lastly, go to an RV show or two, preferably on (1) a slow day and over (2) multiple days. Walk thru all the units you can. Notice price, quality of construction, solidness, etc. Look at water heater size, water tank capacity, shower height, kitchen layout, storage space, cabinet construction, floor rattles, etc.

 

[shoveljunk]

I recommend at the very least look at the sliders for extra space. Even if you decide against it.

 

[nautidog]

I've got a Sunnybrook 31 foot 5th wheel. No complaints! This has been a great RV. Good luck in you search.

 

[R-N-R]

I went with a 28' 2001 Sunline w/ slide out and bunk beds. The bunk beds work good with the kids leaving the couch and table available on a regular basis. However the bunks are at the trade off for counter space. Sunline's on-line reviews are overwhelmingly positive. From what I understand, they only manufacture a couple of thousand units per year.



I shopped first by floorplan, many of which you can find on-line. Then by quality, weight, price. A slide out is great for space but also adds considerable weight. If you go for a slide out, you might want to consider whether or not you can "walk thru" the unit with the slider closed.



Going to a show as sbiel suggested is an excellent idea. You can save yourself some stair climbing by taking a good look at the exterior for features that you want or do not want. for example, you can usually spot a slide out, or double stacked windows typically indicates a bunk bed layout.



Best of luck to you!

Bill

 

[clem]

Originally posted by mikel

Howdy,



I am looking at purchasing a used camping trailer and have no idea what to look for or what to avoid. I think anything that has room for 4 people will be big enough as it's just myself, my wife and our son. I have a couple of questions about these trailers that I'm hoping someone may know the answer to.



1) Does anyone know of a TDR-like forum dedicated to camping/travel trailers?



2) Are there any specific brands/features that should be avoided?



3) Are there any brands/features that should be specifically looked for?



Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!



Thanks,

Mike

Yes there is a Forum RV. Com , RV Net these 2 will get you started Another is Trailer Life or Motor Home . As brands go everyone has the ones they like. We the WIFE and I started in 1965 we raised 4 boys 21 years in the Air Force and we have had many trailers. One thing is for sure the 1st one will be the wrong set up and the next trailer will be bigger. We started with a 15ft in Alaska and now we have a 38. 6 ft 5th wheel. Try and find someone you like and trust that has a RV. Go and kick some tires have them tell you what they like and don't about different brands. Just keep in mind as the price goes down something gets left off. A used rig can be the best deal. New ones lose value big time the 1st year. We love to talk RV's theCo-Pilot and I

 

[dewdo]

I agree with watching your size closely. Our first trailer (fiver) after retirement was a 34. 5 King Of The Road with a 14' slide out weighing in at 15,000 lbs. On our first trip across country from Seattle to Key West we found numerous campgrounds that we could not get into. Ended up having to boondock (dry camp) a few times because the campgrounds we wanted to visit couldn't fit us in.



The larger rigs are nice when you are going to one or two destinations and plan to stay for a few weeks or months. (We spend three or four months in AZ each winter). The larger (over 30') sure put limits on you.



We overcame the problem by buying a slide in camper for short vacations and trips where we make destination changes often. We also pull our boat which we can't do with the fiver.



We still have the fiver sitting on it's pad and not used for nearly two years now. We plan to go back to AZ again this winter and taking the pickup camper and our boat. Probably stay a shorter length of time, but will spend it fishing the Colorado River near Yuma, AS



Enjoy whatever you decide on. It's a great way of life and you will meet some great people.

 

[NVR FNSH]

I bought a 36' 5th wheel Patio Hauler - back 8' is a garage - about a year ago. This weekend I went dirtbiking and drove 7 miles on a dirt logging road... ... I'm seriously thinking about buying an old travel trailer in the 20ft range because the 36 footer is way too long for the kinds of 'campgrounds' I visit.



Evaluate your use model and think very hard about what size trailer will meet your needs. If you can rent a couple different trailers that would be the best thing to do IMO.



Brian

 

[clem]

Originally posted by mikel

Howdy,



I am looking at purchasing a used camping trailer and have no idea what to look for or what to avoid. I think anything that has room for 4 people will be big enough as it's just myself, my wife and our son. I have a couple of questions about these trailers that I'm hoping someone may know the answer to.



1) Does anyone know of a TDR-like forum dedicated to camping/travel trailers?



2) Are there any specific brands/features that should be avoided?



3) Are there any brands/features that should be specifically looked for?



Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!



Thanks, I see many worry about size of rigs. That why there are books that list everything about a park with a little planing our triple slide 38ft plus 5th wh, some drivers can not back up a trailer. It takes all kinds like I said before what works for us could be all wrong for you. It takes time but you can learn the last person to trust in most cases is the SALES PEOPLE most know nothing about RV's That and car sales people

Mike