please help me research

[hollybearsmom]

We are going to be first time FW campers next fall and have already reserved an RV. Then we got to talking and decided maybe we should just look into buying a travel trailor since we have kids and will be planning on taking at least two weeks vacation every year until they are in high school. I am brand new to this idea and have no clue where to start. I will be visiting two campgrounds next month and figured I could walk around and look at things (used) for sale. Can you please point me in the right directions to research on the computer. We will need to sleep 4-6 people, mostly for one week at a time, and will be pulling it with whatever vehicle we buy next. If you need to know more, just ask and I will try and figure out exactly what it is that we are looking for. Thank you for your help.
I am gathering lots of tips about FW to plan for our trip already!

 

[campingcorgi]

Check out joining rv.org Think of it as Consumer Reports for RV's. Yeah, it will cost some to join but when you think of the cost of an rv........

 

[CottontailCurl]

By 'next fall' do you mean fall of '08? If so, you should find out when RV shows will be in your area. They usually have a lot in the early spring and they're a good opportunity to see the different kinds of RVs and then what the different companies offer in each kind. The next one on this web page is June http://www.thecampingsource.com/upcoming_rv_shows6.htm, but if you do a search for 'rv shows' you might find something with additional info. Sometimes looking at a web page, even if they have lots of pictures of the inside, isn't as good as looking at the details and workmanship and materials used to make the RV. If you need to compare sooner, visit a dealership to take a look inside.

A really good place to start is www.GoRVing.com, they have a free DVD you can order online that gives you a basic idea of the kinds of RVs and how different people use them. Some people do the pop-up, travel-trailer, Class C graduation and some just get the larger RV from the beginning since they know they'll camp a lot and don't want to change as the kids grow.

Have fun researching!

 

[pamom65]

There is also a website called RV Wholesalers. Although I know you aren't looking at buying right now, they have lots of info and floorplans of different brands, so that you could get an idea of what you want. They will also have all the weight and size specs for each model.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks for the quick replies.
We are renting for fall 08, but then we talked to the family we are going with and we all think that maybe we should just buy our own. We are going to go the next big show in town, and start hopping from dealer to dealer too when the kids are out of school. I just don't know what to look for. We know we want to pull it though and not use a dolly to tow our vehicle. We will always want a car when we go somewhere because we like to explore and I love to hit the shopping.
I don't want something with recliners and big screen tv, what's the point of getting away? If it is comfy enough for dh, he will agree with me eventually . So i figure enough space for the youngest one to sleep without being in the middle of the kitchen floor, room enough in the kitchen to use it without waiting for someone to wake up and fold up their bed, and space for suitcases. I think that for the occassional trip 30+' just sounds big. Am i really off here?

 

[pamom65]

We are a family of six. We have a 33 ft. trailer with four bunks in the back room and the bedroom with the queen-size bed in front. It also has a fold-out sofa in case any of the kids bring a friend. We find we have plenty of space with this set-up. Happy shopping!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

You have plenty of time to look! So take your time. I enjoy going to the RV dealerships and just looking thru all the campers get an ideal of what things cost and looking at the different layouts.Have Fun Looking!

 

[tungpo1]

You can also go to a local RV show, you can get the best deals there.

 

[Stevelp]

Be careful. If you start looking, you are sure to buy. We bought our first one, (class C), and foung out it was to small for our family of 4 DW, DD 4, DS 2, and a year later traced it on a Class A. Most people will tell you they loose money when they do this, but we got a really good deal on the first one, and when we traded it got more than we paid for it.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Again, thank you all for being so helpful.

pamom65 - "four bunks" Is this four twins, are they trundled or flip up? Is there a better choice? I seem to be drawn to floorplans already with this option.

OK Grumpy - "love to look at layouts" I agree, I can see a whole other folder coming to life while I download and print ones to compare. It is overwhelming. And of course, like looking at a new car, each one seems to be better than the last!

tungpo1 - We plan on going to the big show in Myrtle Beach early next year. I don't know of one sooner, but I haven't gotten that far into looking around yet either. Kid in a candy shop though is what I expect it will be like. pack a lunch Lucy, I'm staying all day.

Stevelp - I have read that many people have traded up after a year or two. Is this because of space needed or is it just for more amenities? I am very curious.

Thank you all for helping me along in this search. I am really stumped as I don't ever "look under the hood" or anything. How did I get this job of looking into RVs you may ask? Because I'm the SAHM with tons of time on her hands, of course. And I think I might enjoy it too.

 

[Boomer1]

We are a family of six. We have a 33 ft. trailer with four bunks in the back room and the bedroom with the queen-size bed in front. It also has a fold-out sofa in case any of the kids bring a friend. We find we have plenty of space with this set-up. Happy shopping!

We are a family of five. We have a rear bunk room and a front queen- size bed. This layout works very well for us. I would also suggest that you make sure your RV has lots of storage space for clothes. Our oldest children are girls and as they have grown they now require more room for their camping wardrobe. A slide out in the living area is nice to offer a little more room on those rainy days that you may find the whole family inside the RV. The only thing you may want to consider is the tow vehicle you will need to buy. We haul our 32' TT with a 3/4 ton Yukon SLT. It is a very comfortable family vehicle; however, we now feel we may have contributed in a great way to the record profits the gas companies are making.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Yes, the gas prices are scaring me. We have an older mini-van that has been repaired to the nth degree. We know we will need a new vehicle in the next 12-15 months. My dh will more than likely be transferred to another store in this district, so we are just trying to drive the old one into the ground and see where he goes next before we choose something else. I know we will not get another Exploder (Ford explorer), but I really like Suziki's. He think he wants a Nissan. But we haven't started shopping yet, we just tell each other on the highway or in a parking lot if we see something we like.
I wondered about slide outs too. Is there a real risk that they will stick? Is there a high repair rate on these? Is the electrical better than just getting a small trailor with the pop-out ends? I'm sure there are many Dissers who have the answers. Please share.

Thanks.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Should i just rent first to try and then buy?

 

[hatchmo]

You should DEFINITELY follow through on your plans to rent first. Not many, but some people, decide after renting that RVing is not for them. Don't let us RV enthusiasts talk you into something you may regret later. Maybe rent for a short local trip to start out with.

 

[dblr]

Try this site you will get alot of help here also,http://www.rv.net/ If you are looking @ new tow vehicle of the ones you spoke of I think the Nissan would give you the most for towing.

 

[auntie]

Before we purchased our travel trailer, we did some camping in the "on site" units that many of the camping resorts have. Gave us a great idea of what we wanted in our own trailer. Personally with kids..and heck..even without them. I love the slide outs. Wouldn't buy a trailer without one. Much more spacious...especially if you happen to have a spell of bad weather, where you are inside with the kids. More of a little cottage feel to it. Bunks..I'd be careful with. My kids were already 9 and 13 when we started camping..and the 13 year old was adult sized. Didn't go with them, because we figured we wouldn't get too long out of them. You can also opt your bedroom with twin beds..and have a sofa bed..that is a hide-bed pull out couch. Not a jacknife..that only sleeps one. There are so many variations. Presently we are looking into the slide out bunk rooms, as we are all adult sized. This slide out room is more of "den" type area..as they generally have a jacknife sofa..and a bunk that lifts up when not in use. Area for storage, tv and the like. Although they are pretty big units with dry weights of around 7400 lbs. Not sure what type of vehicle you plan to tow with. We are currently seasonal and only two but twice a year.(still waiting for the FW trip!).
I would definetly advise looking into some the campgrounds you may want to visit, and see if they have any rentals. Will give you a good idea as to what works for your family. As far as brands, we have a Jayco Eagle and have been very pleased with it.

 

[mamaloya]

Well, we started out in a tent. A year and a half ago, we bought a popup. We were driving an Astro at the time and had to worry about weight. So, when we had to buy another vehicle, we decided on what camper we would want next and bought one within that tow capacity. We now drive a Chevy Express 1500LT with the heavy trailering package, tow capacity 6600lb.

In Dec we traded our popup for a hybrid. That is a cross between a regular camper and a popup. The beds pop out of the ends, but most of the trailer is hard walled. We moved up because we wanted a bathroom (too many middle of the night potty breaks) and the kids wanted seperate beds. We bought one with one set of bunk beds and 2 popout bunk end beds. We did not want to go into debt so paid cash for a 2000 model. BAD IDEA!!! Last month we found out that it had water damage that we did not know about.

If you have 2 kids, you want a set of bunk beds just so they have their own space. We made the mistake in our popup of thinking, "they can sleep together on vacation". Well, this one kicks, that one wears pullups to sleep in, the other one stinks, I am not sleeping with her, etc. Not happy campers. Easier if they each have their own space. Also nice because they can go to be while we stay awake.

We are currently dealing with the dealer and manufacturer (design flaw for this year) to get our money back. They have another camper on hold for us that we will be getting after our money is refunded. It has 2 sets of bunk beds, a sofa bed, dinette that can be a bed, bigger bathroom, bigger refrigerator and a queen bed that slides out. It has a GVWR of 6000 and a dry wt of 4800.

Also know that the pictures you see are usually taken with a wide angle lens and campers "may appear bigger than they actually are".

Be wary of salesman who tell you "you don't need to worry about the GVWR, you aren't ever going to put that much stuff in it." You must worry about GVWR. You not only have to worry about the stuff you will load in your camper, but in your tow vehicle as well. Your luggage, your kids, etc. You need a cushion. If you push your limits, you can damage your transmission over time as well as be a danger on the road. Even if you can pull it, it may cause problems over time. My Astro could pull the new camper, but it would not be a good idea. Stay well within your limits.

Also look into hitches. A good weight distributing sway control hitch will make a huge difference. I would not want to tow w/o one.

A good website is www.disneycampers.com . Scott has a section called RV101 that has all the basics. I also have the gorving.com dvd. It is great.

 

[Yensid_MD]

Also dont forget about Pop Ups. Ours has two king beds, a queen bed and a full bed. Has a bathroom(hardwall) and has a stove with oven and Fridge. check out www.popupexplorer.com for more on Pop Ups, Travel Trailers and RV's. Each has its fan base. We chose a pop up as we have no where to put a TT and the cost.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Before we purchased our travel trailer, we did some camping in the "on site" units that many of the camping resorts have. .

that sounds like a great idea. I would really like to try first. We had a pop up when I was a kid. you would think I had married a Hilton the way he talks about camping. I'm not sure I can get him to set up a dining room that isn't motorized somehow!