Shopping again today-you tired of this yet?

[3girlsfun]

We went camper shopping again today. I couldn't decide if I wanted to post this or not, bc I thought that ya'll might be completely tired of hearing me talk about this. (then I thought, well, they don't have to read it!)

Anyway, we looked at Jayco TT's today. There is only 1 place that sells these in like a 200 mile radius of us. So, it took about an hour to get there. Oh joy!!! (Made us very happy that we bought Plane tickets for our upcoming trip.)
We like the Jaycos, very nice, we found one in particular we really liked. The cabinets seemed nice quality, the flooring was nice looking, and the decor was not the worse I have ever seen. Then we went back and looked at the Keystones, and Flagstaff. When comparing these three, we liked the Keystone and the Jayco the best.

The biggest difference for us is the weight of these two. Pretty similar floor plans, but the Jayco doesn't have the floor plan we like in a light weight model. Although, our Yukon will still tote it. The Keystone is pretty much half the dry weight. Ok, that is very appealing to my DH, as he will be the one pulling it.

The other thing, does anyone have, or know about the Jayco "cubies." Pretty neat concept, in the bunkhouse, instead of a lower bunk, there are these cushion things that make a futon. So, you can move them around, and they actually go on the floor. Ohh, I don't know exactly how to explain them, but, very versatile.

It is very hard to decide on a camper. We are not 100% ready to purchase yet, but would like to in October after we return from our Disney trip.

We were pretty excited when the sales guy said he would give us $6500 for our current TT, as we are planning to ask $7000 for it. So, not too bad, and we wouldn't have to worry with selling it ourselves.

 

[DaveInTN]

Is this what you saw? The J Cube?

Also, when deciding whether to trade or sell, consider two things: First, when trading in it is quite common for the selling dealer to not offer as good a price on the new unit compared to what you could buy it for without a trade. This allows them to provide a better trade in value to the buyer. BUT, at the same time you will typically receive a sales tax benefit when trading, in that you pay sales tax on the net amount of your purchase, which is reduced by the trade in value. So depending on how the numbers fall out it might be a wash. Just look at the numbers carefully, and research pricing of the new unit online at some of the bigger dealers nationally, including Holman, RV Wholesalers and others. Google the floorplan and they'll usually come up.

Glad you found some units you liked! I also like Jayco's and Keystone products...and have come to the same conclusions as you regarding floorplans and weights. I like Jayco quality, but Keystone has the floorplan we really like and they are typically lighter. That quality sure adds weight...LOL.

 

[mnsprk]

Remeber that Jayco also has a 2 yr warranty, not sure about any others that do.

 

[liv luvs disney]

Also, when deciding whether to trade or sell, consider two things: First, when trading in it is quite common for the selling dealer to not offer as good a price on the new unit compared to what you could buy it for without a trade. This allows them to provide a better trade in value to the buyer. BUT, at the same time you will typically receive a sales tax benefit when trading, in that you pay sales tax on the net amount of your purchase, which is reduced by the trade in value. So depending on how the numbers fall out it might be a wash. Just look at the numbers carefully, and research pricing of the new unit online at some of the bigger dealers nationally, including Holman, RV Wholesalers and others. Google the floorplan and they'll usually come up.

I agree. Crunch those numbers carefully! We all work too hard to throw money away. If there's not a significant difference in the numbers, do what's most convenient.

BTW, we have a boat, not a camper (inside joke) so I enjoy living vicariously through yours (and others) camper purchases. I'm not a bit tired of your camper shopping.

 

[Barney Fife]

...BTW, we have a boat, not a camper (inside joke) so I enjoy living vicariously through yours (and others) camper purchases. I'm not a bit tired of your camper shopping.

That comment reminded me of our last Fort trip in Jan., 2008. There was one group of folks there camping in their houseboat. Yep, they had a nice houseboat on a trailer and just backed it into their spot at the Fort. They had a ladder to get up to the houseboat since it was so much higher than a typical TT door.

You gotta' run with what you brung.

 

[liv luvs disney]

That comment reminded me of our last Fort trip in Jan., 2008. There was one group of folks there camping in their houseboat. Yep, they had a nice houseboat on a trailer and just backed it into their spot at the Fort. They had a ladder to get up to the houseboat since it was so much higher than a typical TT door.

You gotta' run with what you brung.

NO WAY!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

NO WAY!!

I have seen that before around here.

 

[liv luvs disney]

I have seen that before around here.

I've lived in the south all my life and I've seen some pretty funny stuff-some of it being in my own yard! But, I can't recall ever seeing a house boat being used as a camper in a camp site. That is just funny!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

NO WAY!!

I've lived in the south all my life and I've seen some pretty funny stuff-some of it being in my own yard! But, I can't recall ever seeing a house boat being used as a camper in a camp site. That is just funny!

We have a lot of inland lakes plus those big ones that surround MI, I have a friend that does it once in a while. Unless you have a motorhome to tow your boat its an either or when camping. You just pull your boat up on the trailer and back to the site and plug into the electric and sleepy sleepy.

 

[AuburnJen92]

BOAT-Bring out another thousand.

I have BOAT on four wheels!

 

[3girlsfun]

That is exactly what I saw. What do ya'll think of these cubie things? I wonder if they are going to "wear out" really quickly.....Such a decision.

Ohh, and yes, the quality sure does weigh a lot! They need to figure out a way to fix that! )

Glad ya'll aren't tiring of my shopping.

The latest decision is if we want to save a $1,000 a month, for a year, and pay cash for a camper, or if we want to finance. The reason for being able to save teh $1,000 a month, is we are most likely not going to have daycare expenses this year, so, that means, and extra $1,000 a month that we would have been spending, that we could save!

I just don't know if I want to wait an entire year before making the purchase..... We may just end up financing and paying it off early.

As for the boat on the trailer thing... I haven't seen this, but I have seen some crazy stuff! I live in North Georgia, right on the Chattanooga, TN line, and there are interesting things going on around here......also, some in my own yard!

 

[liv luvs disney]

We have a lot of inland lakes plus those big ones that surround MI, I have a friend that does it once in a while. Unless you have a motorhome to tow your boat its an either or when camping. You just pull your boat up on the trailer and back to the site and plug into the electric and sleepy sleepy.

Okay, I'm glad you cleared that up, Scott. I must admit that being from a long line of rednecks and now being married to one, I truly thought it was probably a redneck thing.

 

[disney4dan]

That is exactly what I saw. What do ya'll think of these cubie things? I wonder if they are going to "wear out" really quickly.....Such a decision.

Ohh, and yes, the quality sure does weigh a lot! They need to figure out a way to fix that! )

Based on my past experience with Jayco, the upholstery will hold up pretty good, ours was second hand when we bought it and the couch looked like new.

Glad ya'll aren't tiring of my shopping.

Never - always something more to learn as others go through the same thing! We have a fairly new trailer now, but you never know when you might be back in the market for a new one.

The latest decision is if we want to save a $1,000 a month, for a year, and pay cash for a camper, or if we want to finance. The reason for being able to save teh $1,000 a month, is we are most likely not going to have daycare expenses this year, so, that means, and extra $1,000 a month that we would have been spending, that we could save!

I just don't know if I want to wait an entire year before making the purchase..... We may just end up financing and paying it off early.

The interest on an RV loan, if the RV has a full kitchen and bathroom, can be deducted on the taxes if that helps your decision at all. Not sure about house boats on trailers though !

 

[3girlsfun]

That may help us in making a decision. We no longer have anything to write off on our taxes except our mortgage interest, car tags, and bags dropped off at the Goodwill.

Last year, I had college student, two babies, medical, goodwill, mortgage, etc., etc.

So, that is definitely something to consider. Thank you for the tip.

 

[Solamom]

We had a boat w/ a cabin - bathroom and kitchen and we were able to take a deduction on it. So that is the good thing about financing a camper....

We started off wanting to pay cash for one but can't get what I want and we don't have the time for a project now So now we are looking at financing one as well and trying to pay it off as soon as possible.

Dave Ramsey would not approve but my kids will be grown by time we save for a nice camper....I can't wait that long

 

[2goofycampers]

Dave Ramsey would not approve but my kids will be grown by time we save for a nice camper....I can't wait that long

LOL, Dave is always whispering in my ear also.

 

[rm0530]

Haha Dave is the reason I am sleeping on the ground instead of a plush memory foam mattress inside a RV.

 

[2goofycampers]

Haha Dave is the reason I am sleeping on the ground instead of a plush memory foam mattress inside a RV.

Beans and rice.

 

[3girlsfun]

Dave is whispering in my hear currently as well. So, I totally understand. Although, we have fallen off the wagon.