eldirector
Grandmaster
Many moons ago, my wife and I enjoyed tent camping. I'm a somewhat outdoorsey person, and even though she really isn't, we had a great time. The tent was fine, but just became too much like "work" over the years.
Over the last couple of years I've planted the seed again, hoping we can start taking our daughter on weekend trips. Well, it must have taken, because my wife is now really interested in picking up a camper of some sort. Time to strike while the iron is hot!
I'm a real n00b to the whole camper/RV/Trailer scene. Done tons of research and reading, but its a while 'nother world. So, I come to the great, all-knowing, collective INGO brain for advice!
What I think I want:
- Sleeps the 3 of us comfortably (Queen bed? Maybe a bunk for the kiddo?). Not really interested in folding down a sofa or table for another bed.
- Full bathroom (the whole reason my wife wants a camper).
- Pretty self-contained for a long weekend. Fridge, stove, microwave (?), and sink. LOTS of water would be nice, since we may over-night without hook-ups.
- Good use of space and compact. The smallest unit that has everything we want (I don't want to pull a house).
- The truck has a max. trailer capacity of 14,000#. I'm thinking no more than half of that. I'd like to stay under 30', or even 25'.
- Fifth wheel or "bumper" pull? Both have pros and cons. I'm leaning towards a 5th. You seem to get a lot more space with the bed over the hitch. Should tow nicely, too. I've got the wiring pigtail for a 5th, but would need a hitch.
- Definitely buying used. These things depreciate like mad. No way I'm taking the hit. Be paying cash, too. No financing of toys. So, price is set at $10K and below.
So, what do I REALLY want? For those of you with campers, what features do I NEED and what is a waste of money? Any manufacturers to look at or avoid? Other than Craigslist, where are the best deals?
We are going to hit a couple of the big retailers, just to get some ideas and walk through a bunch.
Over the last couple of years I've planted the seed again, hoping we can start taking our daughter on weekend trips. Well, it must have taken, because my wife is now really interested in picking up a camper of some sort. Time to strike while the iron is hot!
I'm a real n00b to the whole camper/RV/Trailer scene. Done tons of research and reading, but its a while 'nother world. So, I come to the great, all-knowing, collective INGO brain for advice!
What I think I want:
- Sleeps the 3 of us comfortably (Queen bed? Maybe a bunk for the kiddo?). Not really interested in folding down a sofa or table for another bed.
- Full bathroom (the whole reason my wife wants a camper).
- Pretty self-contained for a long weekend. Fridge, stove, microwave (?), and sink. LOTS of water would be nice, since we may over-night without hook-ups.
- Good use of space and compact. The smallest unit that has everything we want (I don't want to pull a house).
- The truck has a max. trailer capacity of 14,000#. I'm thinking no more than half of that. I'd like to stay under 30', or even 25'.
- Fifth wheel or "bumper" pull? Both have pros and cons. I'm leaning towards a 5th. You seem to get a lot more space with the bed over the hitch. Should tow nicely, too. I've got the wiring pigtail for a 5th, but would need a hitch.
- Definitely buying used. These things depreciate like mad. No way I'm taking the hit. Be paying cash, too. No financing of toys. So, price is set at $10K and below.
So, what do I REALLY want? For those of you with campers, what features do I NEED and what is a waste of money? Any manufacturers to look at or avoid? Other than Craigslist, where are the best deals?
We are going to hit a couple of the big retailers, just to get some ideas and walk through a bunch.