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

[snowmedic]

We feel the same as you do when we get home from camping. With getting older and the long drive, we always say we should get a camper, then we go out and look at them, find the one that we like, TT or 5er, then we have to look at tow vehicles. We have a Toyota Rav4 so we could get a small TT. We have also looked at motorhomes, which would be great, to stop on our way down when and where we want and then just go and lay down and take a nap. But then we always come back to, we own all our gear outright, don't have to worry about paying the bank. I, for one just cant rap my mind around paying for something that is just going to sit in the driveway and only be used a couple times a year, especially living up north.

 

[KristinU]

I'll say that for us going from tenting to our first camper (an Aliner pop up) really got us out a whole lot more. Setup is just that much easier that you want to do it more often. And a rainy weekend doesn't result in having to spread all of your gear in your back yard when you get home.

People often say "buy your second/third camper first" but I am glad we stair stepped to where we are today. I know you want to think long term since the kiddos grow quickly, but I wouldn't go crazy looking super far in the future. 5-10 years should do it, after that all bets are off as far as activities and lifestyle at that point, at least that's how we feel.

You asked about outdoor kitchens. We don't have one, but set up a grill and just got a tailgating table from Sam's that will work great as outdoor counter space. We did add a 12v outlet in our rear storage hatch to set up our 12v cooler like a mini fridge, which is nice for longer stays: http://winnieadventures.blogspot.com/2014/08/mod-12v-outlet-for-coleman.html The other thing that strikes me about outdoor kitchens that I've seen is that they all seem awfully high off the ground, and that's when I've seen them on level floors at RV shows. So if you're on uneven terrain at a site it could be even higher (or lower), and that might make it hard to use. They always seem like something that I'd like in theory, but I wonder how practical they really are.

And I agree about snagging the reservations that you can and just patching them together as they become available. Even if you have to move mid-trip, with a trailer it will be a lot less setup falderal than with a tent so you won't have to spend all day tearing down and setting up again. Tidy up, hitch up and move on over.

 

[Teamubr]

Melissa,

Congrats on the new trailer (almost) purchase. I think you'll be much happier with the 30QBSS. Our 2nd trailer had a very similar layout to the 28DBUD. You will feel cramped with 4-5 of you, especially as the 2 youngest get bigger. We traded the trailer after 2 years on the 5th wheel we've had for 12 years. Similar layout to the 30QBSS except the bathroom is up in the front bedroom. I'm considering selling my 5er, but my DW doesn't want payments on a new one again. Been looking at the newer mid-bunk 5th wheels. Lots of room.

As for Forest River and Wildwood not being "top of the line", Wildwood is a decent trailer for the price range it is in. Forest River has been around quite a while and in the last few years has been on a buying streak, picking up several big name independents. (Coachman, Palomino, Prime Time) I would definitely consider a Forest River and a Wildwood if I was looking in that price range. If you like the aluminum side look, go for it and save the money.

One other thing, Forest River carries a number of brands. Many overlap in the same price ranges, build types and market segments. Some share floor plans and others have slightly different floor plans. Salem has very similar (exactly the same) floor plans as the Wildwood. The Wildood 28DBUD is a Salem 27DBUD. The 30QBSS even named the same. Cherokee is another FR line that is aluminum sided and is in a similar price range. They have this floor plan (284BF- below) that may work for you too and it has a queen bunk on the bottom in the bunk room. It looks like there is a dealer in Diamond, IL, not far from Pontiac where you've already been looking. They carry Cherokee and Salem. It looks like they have a Salem 30QBSS in stock. Dealer link

Have fun with all this. And good luck shopping.

I was just checking out the inventory at the dealer in Diamond. They have the 5er I'm wanting in stock. Salem Hemisphere 368RLBH- If you want to pick that up for me...

j

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@thank you @Teamubr we looked at the Salems over the summer and I'm not liking their exterior decal color choices but love their floor plans. Our friends have a Salem with the slide out bunkhouse/dinette/et center and they really like it. I think hubby likes the outdoor kitchen cause his friend likes his so much.


@KristinU thanks for your input. Your right, our needs will most likely change over the years. Also you have a great point on the outdoor kitchen. I too think that it is not nessesary but hubby likes the idea of it. Practical? I think the fold out table would be just as good. Oh and we have the outdoor table, grill, convection oven....

Which brings me around to @snowmedic thoughts. Sigh........
We went out for dinner tonight and took the kids driving around to look at the Halloween decorations after. Strapping the kids in and going for a drive is about thr best way for us to have an adult conversation in the evening time without constant interruption. Pop in a movie and a nice drive has always worked! You hit the nail on the head and exactly what I brought up to hubby. I don't want to spend that kind of money on something that will sit all but 3-4 times a year. We have everything we need right now and plenty of room in our tents. Sure it's more work but not bad. It's the weather (roll the dice) that really worries me the most. I'm not one to just buy on impulse and it seems I'm really dragging my feet on this. So far I haven't found a dealer that is willing to negotiate on price and I KNOW their price is well below what they're asking. Sure they have to make a profit but still....too much I think. We would be purchasing in cash/check and I'm not interested in financing something that I think is a toy/luxury item. We haven't ever financed a vehicle either and have gotten great deals because when we make up our mind the "I can buy this right now, today, if you can come down to my price" line has always worked. So far the salesman I have dealt with could care less, very rude, and I'm not dealing with that. What ever happened to customer service?!?!

Tomorrow we have a date/group bus ghost tour and Saturday the kids have bday parties and tricker treating to do so making the drive over to Indiana is out for the rest of the week. A few nights rest and deep thinking should help with the decision.

Glad your family made it back home safe and sound.

 

[themojosupreme]

Since you will be in Florida in January, have you considered purchasing the rv in Florida? Sales tax might be less?? Lots of dealers in central Florida who might wheel and deal. And if you're there anyway, going to Tampa Bay area is a close place to shop. Another option is thru national rv rental companies who have fleet sales. We bought ours New off of ebay and had it delivered for a reasonable fee. We saved a satisfactory amount on the purchase and would do it again.

 

[jbrostek]

Another FR company to look at is Primetime. That is what I bought, and I been impressed overall with their setup and their smaller units seem to be flying like hot cakes. I don't get wrapped up in the gimmicky stuff like outdoor TV, outdoor kitchens. Some of the kitchens are nice to have, but all the friends I know used them at first and now its once if that a season.

Buying any RV is a commitment to use it!!! When I first bought mine I was like well I can use it at the race track, and then all the sudden I found myself finding little weekend trips to do. Going places I would not on a short weekend because the cost of a hotel room was just not worth it. Of course, I am in a bigger unit so some state parks are just off my radar. Due to the race track the RV sees over half a years use when you add it all up, I do 20-25 weekends at the track every year. On top of that this year (2015) we have done Disney, Luray, Burnt Cabins, our central PA trip got canned due to work, and looking at using it to head down to Caren's sister for Christmas. It will cost less then driving down and paying for a hotel plus boarding the dogs.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@jbrostek glad to see you're getting so much use out of yours. It would already be purchased if we knew we could use it 1/2 the amount you do.

Neither do we on the gimmicky stuff. The outdoor kitchen is just something hubby wanted to consider. He read through everyone's comments last night and would like but can do without an outdoor kitchen. Not sure a mini sink, flimsy cook top, and mini fridge justifies the $1,000 they want for it.

I even looked on line for smaller travel trailers cause with our old RV we didn't have any slide outs and served us fine for the small time we had it. So I looked at mini wildwoods and mini roos......the price is still too much. When you compare the minis with the fold down bed and double small bunks in the back and compare them to say the 30KQ the price is but a couple grand or less. Crazy how they still want so much for a trailer half the size!!!

Thanks for all your tips!

 

[jbrostek]

Having been there only 6 years ago and chock full of questions I do not mind passing my experiences along to others. The think about smaller is once you get into the compact ones they start getting pricier. I am just curious, I know you looked at bunk models and such and looking at new. But have you considered browsing the used market?

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@jbrostek we went used on the RV and later found some hidden problems. If we do this, I want something new and squeaky clean and always keep it in one of the sheds.

 

[Teamubr]

Sometimes buying cash doesn't help you get the price down. Many dealers have arrangements with the finance companies and get a % kick back on any loan closed. Some places count that as part of the profit and factor it in for cash buyers. The common thought is a good deal would be paying somewhere around 30% off of MSRP. Depends on the manufacturer and model and the market. If it's a popular model and the dealer knows it will sell, it will be harder to get to that 30%.

There is a dealership in northern Ohio that is known for no haggle, very good pricing. They have a bad reputation on many of the RV forums and mentioning their name will start flame wars, but they have a good web site that makes it pretty easy to figure out what you would be paying without actually listing their price. The carry Forest River products, including Wildwood. (Along with a bunch of other brands) I will IM you the name and details. I prefer to buy local and keep my money supporting home businesses, but if the dealer isn't interested in working on a deal, they won't stay around long enough for it to matter.

One other though, have you considered buying used? New is nice and there are less worries about things breaking for a few years, but if you're paying cash, the most for your money won't be new.

And did I tell you I have a lovely bunk house 5th wheel I'm selling? I already have a gooseneck adapter for it so you don't even need a 5er hitch.

j

 

[KristinU]

My two pennies on new vs. used:

Frankly, I feel like a 2 or so year old used unit could end up being less hassle. With the shoddi-ness of the ENTIRE industry you just hear of so many units being in the shop for warranty work in the first couple of years. We bought new on our first two and used on our current one. I'm sure you guys are very handy, as are we, so that helped a lot with our second unit (the first one was bare bones, so really nothing to go wrong!) - we did a lot of little fixy things ourselves on our second one just because we didn't want to bother with messing with warranty appointments. We did have to take it in for a water heater issue, though. Our current one has has a few issues as well, but again everything that we've handled ourselves and most of it because of age (we bought it when it was 5 years old). We both feel like when it is time to get something different that we'll look for that sweet spot of a couple of years old.

Again, just my .02!

 

[snowmedic]

Glad your family made it back home safe and sound.

Thanks disneymm.

I feel the same way with the tent and weather as you. Before we went down this past trip I was watching the Weather Channel and looking at DW's weather app on her phone from the beginning of Oct.. I agree with rolling the dice in a tenting situation. We have had really good luck with the tent we have now, but it is two years old and I am wondering if the material isn't starting to be defective from all the UV in Florida. We are tossing back and forth on buying a new tent for our up coming trip, it's a 10 x 10 dome and suppose to be really weather resistant, from the description that the manufacturer put on it and the 100 + reviews. It is just a little pricey. We will be going to the sporting goods store, and if they want to make a sale, they will set it up so I can see the actual size of the tent.

Even with a travel trailer, things, including weather will effect what ever you decide to go with. ( camper, tent ). Remember a post earlier in the year that, I believe Bama Ed did, where a storm came through and a tree limb took the slide out of a trailer? It could happen to anyone in any type of unit, it's just that, we in tents take more of a chance. If something like that happened to me with the tent, I would be upset but then I would go out and buy a new one and move on. I am not sure what would happen if I had a trailer and that happened.

With living up north I wouldn't want to be towing a trailer in the snow. I did it years ago when driving OTR, but I had a lot more weight behind me. And a motor home, if something went wrong with that on our way down, now we would be stuck in a hotel until it could get fixed. With just driving down in the car, if something should happen to it that it needs repair, I may be out a couple hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on what happened, but I could always get a rental and continue on my way, have a great trip and pick up my car on the way back.

I hope I am not detouring you from making the decision that is right for you, just putting my thoughts about it out there. What ever you decide, I hope you have a great trip and I look forward to reading about it in January. Vince

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@snowmedic you are putting good thoughts into my head that I had not thought about prior. Yes, tenting is a lot of work but you're right......lots of work to do on maintaining a camper all year too!

 

[friendofeeyore]

We tent camped for a few years & loved it. The older we get - we want easier things in our life. We had a Rockwood with an outside kitchen & used it for every meal. It had a frig, microwave, sink drained into the grey tank, & wonderful pull out cook top. We now have a 5th wheel with no outside kitchen & I do miss that kitchen. The add'l refrig. came in handy many times. But as all have said, you now what your family needs, but I would take the TT instead of a tent in Jan. We will be there Jan 3rd thru 16th. Hopefully we can meet & greet. Safe travels & know you will make the correct decisions for your family.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

We made a 10 hour round trip yesterday to Fort Wayne IN with a cashiers check in hand to acquire the 2016 Wildwood 30KQBS and we had the price down to $17,500. Thought that was a pretty good deal considering what other dealers had it listed for. I had several correspondences with the owner/salesman of the dealership (small center) during the few days leading up to our trip over and asked him twice if there were any exterior or interior flaws I should be aware of. He promised me that it was in top of the line perfect new condition.

Once we arrived we looked at the outdoor kitchen first as it was open and ready for viewing. The counter top was not mounted properly, the cabinets were not aligned and I'm talking 1 inch of a difference! My 7 year old could have mounted those cabinets better. The exterior had a wave in the slide out, there was a good 8 inch area of missing paint on the back bumper too. The interior was worse.....two large cracks down the center of the dinette, warped pantry doors, scratches in the fridge door, each and every cabinet had some flaking going on with it. I'm not talking shavings left from where they mounted them, I'm talking about the exterior part of the cabinet door where they glue it together at, the seams were all cracking! The ceiling was missing pieces (literally it was cracking out)! Everywhere you looked there was something wrong with it. What really irked me was that there was already water damage directly above the sofa on the slide out. Too many issues to ramble on about!

When we tried to talk to the owner about all the issues he said that is what you get in TT these days and they're not made like they use it and that we need to remember that this is just a travel trailer. He also said that if we wanted anything with any kind of quality we would need to spend $70,000 and up. Anytime the conversation started to go downhill, he would put his sunglasses back on. What a shady guy and I mean SHADY!

We asked him if we could look at the other as he only had TWO new ones at the time left and several on there way. He would not allow us to look at the other as he said it was sold and he no longer owns it. We said we didn't care and wanted to compare and if the other one was in better shape then we would just order a new one and wait for it. They are made right down the road in IN. He wouldn't allow us in as he said the owner already has their belongings in it. WHATEVER! Might be true, might not.

We lived in tents for 3 weeks this past January and not one time did I say during that trip "this sucks about the tents" but yet, I found myself saying "this sucks and this is crap and WTH" at least 50 times while looking over that camper.

So guess what.......We drove home another 4.5 hours with cashier check in hand.

My disappointment in the camper is short lived. While if we had taken that camper my disappointment or nightmare would just be starting.

We might keep looking, we might just do the tents again.

Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[jbrostek]

You had a dealer that just wanted the unit off the lot, not a dealer that cared for customers. Sometimes its you get what you pay for. I think if you regain interest you will find what you are after, you where smart to walk away even if you had a to go such a great distance.

 

[Teamubr]

Wow! Sorry to hear about that. It sounds like the poor trailer had been through a tornado. Amazing he was trying to sell it in that condition. I'll bet Forest River wouldn't be pleased to hear about your experience.

There are always others waiting.

j

 

[4077]

When we tried to talk to the owner about all the issues he said that is what you get in TT these days and they're not made like they use it and that we need to remember that this is just a travel trailer. He also said that if we wanted anything with any kind of quality we would need to spend $70,000 and up. Anytime the conversation started to go downhill, he would put his sunglasses back on. What a shady guy and I mean SHADY!

I am only on my first TT, and I certainly don't know everything about them. I do believe that they are not built with really great quality for the $18000 trailer like I have ....however, to look at a customer and say that a unit that has cracks, water damage, warping, missing paint, etc is the best you can do without spending 70k....give me a break