Considering purchasing camper (went on a 10hr road trip yesterday)

[ilovedisneymm]

We have been mulling it over for a few years now (since before we sold our older RV) and finally found a camper that I would be happy with. Looking at the Forest River Wildwood campers. I like the look both inside and out.

A big reason why we did tent camp last year was because of both fuel in the RV (5 miles to the gallon at $4.50ish) and we did some shopping after the RV sale but couldn't find anything we really liked. Tent camping was great last year and if the weather is nice like it was in 2015 then it's smooth sailing, but if the weather is like what it was in 2014 it will not be as pleasant.

We are staying for 4 weeks this trip! Hubby is talking camper and how he would really prefer not to sleep on a cot for our extended stay. We love Fort Wilderness and know we will be back each January for the next several years if not the rest of our lives!!!! I think we are at a point where a travel trailer would be worth the investment. Plus we go down to TN each year right before harvest and stay in a cabin. Now, with the trailer we could now utilize it for that trip as well and hopefully squeeze in a few weekend trips here and there throughout the summer time between bailing hay. We never do anything in summer time because hubby has so much hay/straw/alfalfa/wheat. But 3 and maybe 4 day trips would be possible with a TT.

Pulling in and plugging in sound great! It sure did take a full day and 1/2 to get settled in on our last trip. Plus the packing in like the Beverly Hillbillies was like an elaborate tetris game. The packing up was just as much work if not more and it did take a great deal more of our time each day with the tents and making beds, cooking, dishes, all that. I would do it all again and I did enjoy it, please don't get me wrong but having a camper would be very nice to have.

Can you all tell me/help me/sell me.....

(1) How much you love your camper and how satisfied or unsatisfied you are with your purchase?
(2) If you have a Wildwood, has it been a good camper for you and your family?

I know there are not the top of the line campers like the Cougar's or Outback TT but for the little use it will get throughout the year (2 or 4 times a year) I'm not interested in investing that kind of money.

We are looking at the new 2016 Wildwood TT 28DBUD or the 2016 Wildwood TT 30QBSS.

I like the 28DBUD because of the larger beds for the kids. I think they would sleep better with more room and the security of the walls so they don't fall out of bed. This one is less expensive too!

http://ftp.forestriverinc.com/produ...162&Image=5087&ShowParent=1&ModelID=1338#Main

I like the 30QBSS because they have their own little room in the back with a dinette and it has three beds, four if you count the dinette unfolded. They could bring friends as they get older but for now and the next couple years, I would worry about them falling out of bed and also the beds are smaller so less comfort for them. My two are movers in bed. I know this cause they still sleep in our room!!! On their own beds but next to us and they fall off about once a month sometimes more.

http://ftp.forestriverinc.com/produ...162&Image=5087&ShowParent=1&ModelID=1344#Main

 

[ilovedisneymm]

I know most people would find the aluminum a drawback of the above models but I prefer that style over the fiberglass and it is more affordable too. I think the aluminum siding makes it look more like a camper and I'm good with that.

 

[bjschil]

Good morning from cold Wisconsin farm country. Hope your season is over, as ours is, and it was good. We are fifth-wheel lovers, but also in a different stage in our lives, so with that being said..... I took a peek. There would not be any room for your kids to dress privately in the fifth wheel larger bed plan, and it appears, that just a curtain is their "door". If you are an early riser, you may wake them up. I have seen that floor plan on a different model. The TT is nice, exactly what our son, wife and four GC have, and it works for them. I have noticed in your pics how organized you are, so this would also work for you. Not a lot of changing space, but doable for a child at a time. Kids are 14, 13, 8, 6. Truly, either would work . The fifth wheel would be easiest to tow, and perhaps bringing a screen tent to store totes for extra storage would be best. Husband being farmer would like towing the fifth wheel, so perhaps that is the way to go. Either way, you cannot lose, you are at Disney. We will be there until Jan 12. When are you arriving? Safe travels, blessed holidays.

 

[North of Mouse]

You 'will' enjoy either camper, but keep in mind as your children get older, and the family 'maybe' grows, they will want more privacy and space. Also, to us, having to make up beds every day is a pain - prefer to have bed space that is separate from living and dining.

Have fun making your decision - we've been through many trailer models/makes/sizes, so understand the decision process. We now have a MH, which we like the best of all, but we certainly did not start that way and have enjoyed each phase of our camping life.

to you!!

 

[jbrostek]

Corrugated aluminum side is not an issue, this is an first camper, though fiberglass sides usually hold up a little better but need more maintenance on the gel coat.

If you think this would be THE camper you will keep for some time, I personally would side with the 30QBSS. The bunk room with an extra dinette back there gives some playing space and youll love the extra elbow room at times. It can also give you some extra travel storage that will take weight off the pin. If you are worried about fallers they make inexpensive rails to stop that, but as my father once said. Fall once from the top bunk and I know you will never do it again. He was 100% correct, I fell once and that was it.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@bjschil thank you for your input. Both models are TT. Hubby has a 1 ton dulley so we are good to go no matter what style. Cost is my big concern. We will not be financing this purchase and want to be reasonable with what we decide. We took a drive up to Pontiac IL earlier this week and looked at several TT and firth wheels. Some (like the big country) were extremely nice but nothing we could afford at this time. Other manufactures they had in TT were lacking in many ways and they were overpriced!!! After many hours of reach the Wildwood seems to fit our taste in style and budget.

I had not thought about the lack of privacy when dressing. Grace is 7 (next week) and little Daniel 5. Purchasing new would mean and I'm sure everyone says the same thing....If we purchase new we're going to keep it until it falls apart! That means we would likely have it when they're teens. I was planning on just removing that curtain all together. If they need privacy in the smaller one and they don't at this point, they can dress in our bedroom that's no big deal and as they get older, they'll probably prefer the shower house. However, the bunkhouse 30 model with the small room is only $1000 more but I worry about them falling out of bed on this one. Hubby says they can sleep on the sofa or he can build some rails for the beds.

Not having to deal with zipping tents up 2,465 times a day would be nice sleeping in our TT on they way down and back verses a hotel would be wonderful!!!

Possibly looking at House of Camping today or early next week up by Chicago.

We are arriving Jan 4 and will be there through the 29th.

I need to check with Disney to see if we will be able to switch from a tent site to another if we do buy. I'm concerned about this too as there seem to be lots of sold out times during our stay.

 

[bjschil]

A pool noodle under sheet helps keeps kidlets from falling out. You will make the best decision, and be hapoy with it. Each and every style has plus and minuses. The good with the bad! Take a look in Elkhart Indiana at ALL the dealers. And styles. I would stay away from Camping World, as service, in my opinion, is poor. I hated to say that, as I will and or or may receive an onslaught of comments.

 

[ruthies12]

I would go with the 30qbs personally. I think you'll want the extra room as the kids get older and you can easily do bed rails or an under the sheet stopper like op said, until the kids get older. If you are thinking long term, I'd go bigger!

 

[ruthies12]

well now I want to change my vote cause I just looked at more pictures and the one with the separate room isn't bunkbeds. I think they are not going to want to share as they get older and having to make up beds on a table or couch each day is a pain.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@bjschil this is House of Camping not Camping World. Are you familiar with House of Camping by Chicago? We all are a drama free group so I would expect (hope) that comments would be supportive and informative (I wouldn't worry about dram here). I appreciate your feedback, please clarify on which one.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Also how many of you have an outdoor kitchen and if so, do you use if often?

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@ruthies12 yes not bunkbeds but has the dinette. The 31 has the bunkbeds on both sides but I think they would use the dinette more than the extra bed.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

I can get a preferred site from the 5-15 and then a premium from 18-29. If we do go with the camper what a pain in the butt that will be trying to piece together a ressie.

 

[jbrostek]

Even though you might have to move at first. Keep calling, persistence will win and you should be able to get things settled and sorted out.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Well House of Camping is out!!! Thus the 28DBUD is out.

I was getting email quotes yesterday from them and had my first phone interaction with them today. NO way! There were not interested in negotiating and were down right rude. I won't be buying from them.

I found the 30KQBSS in my choice fabric and he is $2,000 cheaper than the other Elkhart IN dealers. I'm thinking that is the winner.

Now to really weigh my options on whether or not to move forward or to stay with the tents. I'm scared to purchase and then deal with moving around sites. No doubt I would be persistent but the anxiety that would come if we arrived and still in limbo...ugh! Almost would prefer the tent and my mental sanity.

I sound like a real complainer.....and I am...this is true.

 

[jbrostek]

Sites free up all the time, and at least its only one move you have to make if it where to have one. Plan it as the down day, but really if you keep calling, you should be able to get it down to no moves.

As for the deals, that is normal. Some won't budge, some will deal. Even with a DRW truck, make sure you get a good weight distributing hitch. It is not that the DRW will need it, but the hitch weight will be over the max tongue weight of the truck receiver. Financing it into the deal is only a few bucks and with the interest tax deductible worth it in my opinion.

 

[bjschil]

@bjschil this is House of Camping not Camping World. Are you familiar with House of Camping by Chicago? We all are a drama free group so I would expect (hope) that comments would be supportive and informative (I wouldn't worry about dram here). I appreciate your feedback, please clarify on which one.

I am not familiar with House of Camping. This would the perfect time to buy in the Midwest. People trying to get rid of rv so as not to store during winter. Personally, we do not find that to be a problem, but for some, they might think it to be. Keep looking, book a site with WES, as I am sure if you choose go bring a tent, those will always be open. Good luck.

 

[Squrl]

Not having to deal with zipping tents up 2,465 times a day would be nice sleeping in our TT on they way down and back verses a hotel would be wonderful!!!

This was exactly our thoughts as of late. We have camped in everything, from tents, to pop ups, to a hybrid. We recently just purchased our first "hard side" TT. The thought of not worrying about packing up in the rain, or the numerous leak experiences with our hybrid is absolutely liberating! Hope you are able to get what you want for the price you want!

 

[PaHunter]

Ultimately you have to decide what will work best for you and your family. Having a dually, you have no worries about towing. We like our Bullet, and when the nephew's camp with us we have to work around them, the couch and table being made into beds and then back again. But they only camp with us a couple times a year. With a dually added as our tow vehicle maybe the DW would like a fifth wheel. My big thing is that I want to be able to access the bathroom while we travel, so no slides in the way, etc. Best of luck which ever trailer you choose.

 

[themojosupreme]

When our new home was not completed by start of school year in a new state, we bought a trailer and camped on our lot until the home was finished. We bought a 31 ft tt double bunkhouse with double slides. Ours has a door to enter the bunkhouse and also doors to enter the front bedroom. Two things we wish we had: a pantry, and a table in the bunkhouse. With homework and dinner going on at the same time, it was a little crowded and a separate table in the bunkhouse could have kept their computer and work supplies orderly. A pantry would just be a blessing. When everyone was together. we were able to find our own separate space when we closed the doors or stepped outside. Your idea to put in curtain "doors" is a good idea, in my opinion. We debated on spending a little more on the outside kitchen but opted to use our existing camping stove, etc. With our awning up and picnic table set up, we had another "family room" and alternate kitchen on
"the cheap".

Moving a trailer from one site to another is less stressful than pulling up and resetting a tent camp. Been there for both, lucky me! You've got a lot of decisions to make and it would seem that the tt will make the entire winter escape to Disneyworld sooo much easier. Good luck!