Ok, just got home from camper shopping. We had our two youngest DD's with us, we trapsed through the snow, and looked at campers. The salesmen thought we were nuts I am sure. Keep in mind our two DD's are 1 and 2 and 5. So, we had the babies with us. 
At any rate, we went to three places. We looked at new and used. As we are not opposed to either, we just want a good camper, with a good floorplan, and we want a good deal on it.
First stop: The salesman was awesome. Now, you have to keep in mind that my DH is a salesman, so he gets annoyed really quickly at a bad salesman. (I am foreshadowing here...) And, gets turned off almost immediately if the salesman stinks. So, first guy, knows his stuff, answers all our questions, and also shows us only campers that meet our wants/needs. (Thank you to this guy since we were walking around in the snow, and I stupidly wore my Birkenstocks.
)
Anyway, we saw several units, and the units we liked there were Tracers and Northtrail. Anyone know anything about either of these brands? This is the first time I had actually looked at these brands of campers. We looked at a Rockwood, and it was nice, however, what is the deal with no cabinents? There was literally not a cabinent that would hold a pot and a skillet.
They all had at least 3 bunks, met our needs, and we liked them, they made us both smile.
Second stop: This was actually the same store, just a different location. They carry completely different brands at their three stores. Interesting... We have been to this place several times. One of its biggest advantages is that it is in Georgia, not Tennessee, which saves a significant amount over the TN sales tax. (We are talking significant savings.) I am not sure if they would be willing to transfer a unit to the GA store so that we could save the tax.
They have a really nice unit, Flagstaff, 2011, it is used, great deal, and they are going to give a 2 year warrant on it. It is again, a floorplan that works for us. They also have several other Flagstaffs and such that again fit our needs. They also carry Pumas, but DH refused to look at them bc they are heavier, so didn't even waste our time.
There was also a great used trailer for a great deal, but, it weighed too much....ugh, that is the problem with the units that are a little bit older. Man, it would have been a steal!
The salesman at this place wasn't as great, but, we did like that he let us wander around by ourselves. After we looked around, he was great about letting me ask a million questions. He even gave me a backhanded insult about all the questions I asked.
Third stop: Used camper lot, and the same place we bought our first camper. He was a terd, seriously a TERD!!!!!!!!!!! My DH wanted to leave about 30 seconds after we got out of the truck. I persisted, and we looked around. The guy walked around with a thing that you hang on the wall with all the keys attached to it. He didn't have a clue which key went to which trailer, etc. So annoying. We also told him we only wanted to see bunkhouses that had at least 3 bunks, or a full size bunk with a twin above it. He only had 1 on the lot, we figured this out, after I went in about 6 units. Not a big deal normally, but, holding two babies, walking in the snow, and waiting for him to "find" the key each time, it got ridiculous.
I guess we don't look like campers. Or at least not to this guy. He explained how a slide in a trailer gives you extra room. Really? I didn't know that....especially since I said that I only wanted to see units with bunks and at least one slide. Ugh!
Ok, so, if you have read this far, let me finish by saying.....how do you decide? Do you get an overwhelming feeling when you know you are in the "Right" unit? I mean, there are several brands out there right now that have units that fit our needs. I guess I just don't know why I should buy one over the other one?
Any help is much appreciated.
Thank you for following along this journey with us. DH says he wants a camper bought by mid-February so we can go camping on my Spring Break the first week of April. (Sounds great!) He says he wants a trial run so he can decide if we are going to camp at Ft. Wilderness for our trip to Disney in October, or stay at CBR.
Thank you!
At any rate, we went to three places. We looked at new and used. As we are not opposed to either, we just want a good camper, with a good floorplan, and we want a good deal on it.
First stop: The salesman was awesome. Now, you have to keep in mind that my DH is a salesman, so he gets annoyed really quickly at a bad salesman. (I am foreshadowing here...) And, gets turned off almost immediately if the salesman stinks. So, first guy, knows his stuff, answers all our questions, and also shows us only campers that meet our wants/needs. (Thank you to this guy since we were walking around in the snow, and I stupidly wore my Birkenstocks.
) Anyway, we saw several units, and the units we liked there were Tracers and Northtrail. Anyone know anything about either of these brands? This is the first time I had actually looked at these brands of campers. We looked at a Rockwood, and it was nice, however, what is the deal with no cabinents? There was literally not a cabinent that would hold a pot and a skillet.
They all had at least 3 bunks, met our needs, and we liked them, they made us both smile.
Second stop: This was actually the same store, just a different location. They carry completely different brands at their three stores. Interesting... We have been to this place several times. One of its biggest advantages is that it is in Georgia, not Tennessee, which saves a significant amount over the TN sales tax. (We are talking significant savings.) I am not sure if they would be willing to transfer a unit to the GA store so that we could save the tax.
They have a really nice unit, Flagstaff, 2011, it is used, great deal, and they are going to give a 2 year warrant on it. It is again, a floorplan that works for us. They also have several other Flagstaffs and such that again fit our needs. They also carry Pumas, but DH refused to look at them bc they are heavier, so didn't even waste our time.
There was also a great used trailer for a great deal, but, it weighed too much....ugh, that is the problem with the units that are a little bit older. Man, it would have been a steal!
The salesman at this place wasn't as great, but, we did like that he let us wander around by ourselves. After we looked around, he was great about letting me ask a million questions. He even gave me a backhanded insult about all the questions I asked.
Third stop: Used camper lot, and the same place we bought our first camper. He was a terd, seriously a TERD!!!!!!!!!!!
My DH wanted to leave about 30 seconds after we got out of the truck. I persisted, and we looked around. The guy walked around with a thing that you hang on the wall with all the keys attached to it. He didn't have a clue which key went to which trailer, etc. So annoying. We also told him we only wanted to see bunkhouses that had at least 3 bunks, or a full size bunk with a twin above it. He only had 1 on the lot, we figured this out, after I went in about 6 units. Not a big deal normally, but, holding two babies, walking in the snow, and waiting for him to "find" the key each time, it got ridiculous. I guess we don't look like campers. Or at least not to this guy. He explained how a slide in a trailer gives you extra room. Really? I didn't know that....especially since I said that I only wanted to see units with bunks and at least one slide. Ugh!
Ok, so, if you have read this far, let me finish by saying.....how do you decide?
Do you get an overwhelming feeling when you know you are in the "Right" unit? I mean, there are several brands out there right now that have units that fit our needs. I guess I just don't know why I should buy one over the other one? Any help is much appreciated.
Thank you for following along this journey with us. DH says he wants a camper bought by mid-February so we can go camping on my Spring Break the first week of April. (Sounds great!) He says he wants a trial run so he can decide if we are going to camp at Ft. Wilderness for our trip to Disney in October, or stay at CBR.
Thank you!
My primary concern was/is quality of construction. I wanted to avoid certain things like a Lippert frame. Now I am super picky when it comes to large purchases, but a lot of the campers these days are just absolute junk. They may look nice at first, but when you start picking them over with an educated eye it is disconcerting. 
We are thinking of taking our first trip in it for Spring Break. Not sure where yet but we can't wait. Good luck.
But as soon as the kids are gone, Fifth Wheel time!!
