Wannabe camper

[des1954]

some women will tell you that size does matter.

I knew that was coming even before I got to it!

 

[Gillian]

How about some ideas of what NOT to do? Maybe some campsites that you would recommend? Maybe in the Mid-Atlantic area?

Well, if you do buy a TT and have it serviced by someone, be sure to check the work before you drive it away. You'd think having an upsidedown awning would have taught us, but it took water spraying everywhere to learn that one!

The high walled popups are worth a look. Fleetwood makes a bunch, the highlander series. They make really nice popups, but their expandable TTs are not as popular as Jayco. Get air conditioning if you plan to visit FW.

http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/

Some of the rv sites listed before having camping reviews.

We like Spring Gulch in Holland PA (Lancaster-ish) but everyone has their personal likes & dislikes. You sometimes have to read between the lines of some reviews to figure out if they're looking for the same things as you.

 

[McRed]

With the Expedition, that will rule out 5th Wheels...so you are looking at either Hybrid or pop-up or small TT. That to me means limited kitchen space inside the camper of choice. How are your outdoor cooking skills? That has been half of the fun and challenge of enjoying the camping experience.
With 5th wheels and Motorhomes, cooking is not much different than being at home.
We've started getting into Dutch Oven cooking since making camping part of our family routine. Practice more family meals in your back yard and experiment with Coleman stoves and other outdoor cooking equiptment.

 

[bama_ed]

How about some ideas of what NOT to do?

Bob,

Here's my two cents:

- don't buy something too soon
- don't make a quick decision
- don't get more than your vehicle can handle
- don't get something that doesn't have a local dealer nearby for support

You didn't mention how many campers you have to provide shelter for (kids/how many and how old) and spouse (interested in camping too or strictly a Holiday Inn type).

Get enough space (big tent/pop-up/hybrid) that will accomodate your people now and in the future. For example, we have 3 kids and when we bought our Jayco they were all little; now the two boys are teenagers and bigger than me. We bought a highwall with the slide out dinette and king/queen beds. We didn't need that much space initially but now that they're bigger it is handy. Wife demanded an interior potty for those #1 night visits (not portable but the built in option with the shower <never used it>). I got my a/c unit so I can chill at the beach in July and August.

Some people are the type that "progress up the ladder". They start with a tent, then go with a pop-up, move to a travel trailer or hybrid, then a fifth wheel, then maybe a big class A RV (bus type). Some people "pick their spot" and stay there (me with the pop-up) or move up maybe one spot (there may be a hybrid in my future someday but no rush now). What type are you?

When our kids were little (3-7) we took the ol' Scout tent and did family campouts at state parks near the house so we could go on short notice in the spring or fall when the weather was nice. They had a great experience and love going.

Here's some do's: do involve as much as you can those that will be going with you (kids/spouse) in selecting features, options, or places to go; do make the camping trips fun for everyone (wife wants to eat out once or twice, kids want to take their bikes, I take my satellite dish to watch college football).

Bama ED