First Time RV Owner/Buyer Tips

[mtblujeans]

We (couple) are looking at buying our first pull trailer. We are trying to stay in the range of 24' - 26'. We might use it in cold months (Montana) so we are checking the insulation on each. The floor plan isn't that important to us but we might go with a queen bed and bunk beds, using the bunk space for storage.

We have been looking at so many trailers we are almost cross-eyed.

Is there anything we should be asking or looking for in a trailer this size that might make a difference to us later?

 

[mtblujeans]

Do you replace the mattress in the trailer? Or, use the one that comes with it?

 

[Born 2 Fish]

We have always liked "Jayco",,they have the best warranty in the industry (2-year bumper to bumper), and some very nice floor plans.
And we always replace the mattress in the RV.

 

[2goofycampers]

I second Jayco. Our 3rd camper from them had a great mattress, the first 2 were replaced ASAP by us. Have fun shopping.
My best advice is get exactly what you want the first time, it gets expensive to trade.

 

[4mickey2]

in our first lance truck camper we replaced the mattress with a 4" foam cut to the size we needed. our mh has a pretty good mattress in it.

i think it is more on what you are wanting in a camper. look at the quality and workmanship that is in them and go from there. i remember looking at some A's that were not up to par on the interior. the salesman would say we can fix that-it isn't big deal. i thought-yeah, it's a big deal. why is this what you are showing me. the mh out here should be perfect not coming apart at the seams.

good luck on your search.

 

[mtblujeans]

Thank you for the helpful posts!

There isn't any place one can go to check on reviewed quality of pull trailers, is there?

We have been looking at Springdale, and thought we had decided, but then looked at Wildwood. We like the floor plan in some of the Wildwood we saw but, as pp, some of the quality wasn't so great.

I think we have pretty much found what floorplan will work for us...now, reviews of the construction would be helpful.

 

[2goofycampers]

Consumer Reports was the deciding factor in picking our first camper.

 

[mtblujeans]

Consumer Reports was the deciding factor in picking our first camper.

Thank you. I didn't realize Consumer Reports reviewed campers. I'll take a look.

DH and I spent this morning online searching for Jayco camper dealers. We don't have one locally but there is one a few hours away. We may go take a look next week.

We're finding that the sales person will state that the insulation is "this" but the information sitting right on the counters in the kitchens says it's "that". So, leaves us wondering what else may be not so much...

 

[2goofycampers]

How do you know when a salesman is lying? When His lips are moving.

 

[mtblujeans]

How do you know when a salesman is lying? When His lips are moving.

 

[mtblujeans]

DH has found a Jayco dealer near where the kids are going to college, on the other side of the state. We will be heading down to visit youngest DS, who is in summer classes, in a couple of weeks. He has found some interesting offers on the dealer's website and he likes what he sees as far as insulation and tank sizes, etc. so he is excited to check out their lot to see what they have left in 2011 models. (I am liking the cupboard space I see in their floor plans)

Thanks again for the help!