We bought our camper 5 years ago. It is a 2005 Forest River Wildcat 31qbh (queen bunk house). We bought it from a guy that had it sitting in his driveway and wanted it gone. It looked like his kids had been using it as a playhouse inside (toys everywhere). We payed $9700 cash for it. He had it listed on Craigslist for $17000 and we were on our way to look at a 2006 for $23k when we called him. Saved us some cash and made me a much happier camper.

There are plenty of deals to be had. Lots of people buy a camper and it ends up sitting.

 

Yeah, I went to an RV show once.

"Honey, now that you have an F-350 we can pull a fifth wheel, right?" (I had a Bronco and a 2 year old bumper bender toy hauler at that point)

So...

 

Dang my truck looked silly with those little tires on it!

 

Much better.

 

We went to the RV show last weekend too. We're not exactly in the market, but I'm having the same day dream you are MD... We have boys aged 2 and 4. I just sold my boat because my wife doesn't like boating (arg!) and the boys are too little to help me launch/recover it. So now I'm dreaming about camping out, but better than a tent.

Our favorite trailer was the Jayco 29.5' 5th wheel- pretty much anything with the layout of a queen/bedroom up front, and a pair of bunks for the boys in the rear. Nothing fancy like outdoor kitchen, etc. But then I started thinking where in the heck am I going to tow it to? I don't want to "camp" in an RV lot. I'd rather get out in the national forests and either go dirt biking, hiking, mountain biking etc. So maybe a small toy hauler with a bed up front and drop down beds for the boys? Or just start really small with a pop up...

 

I grew up with a tent trailer. My dad was so against a motorhome or hard side trailer. He said it's not camping in one of those. About 10 years ago they came into some money and bought a 34' motorhome.

We had a family reunion and my wife and I were pretty much the only ones in a tent. That was it for us. Shortly after we bought a 78 Prowler trailer. Pretty cool trailer, just a little small with two dogs.

From that we went to a 24 1/2 5th wheel, to a 30' 5th wheel, which led to the diesel truck, which led to our current 33'.

I work weekends so during the season we try to get out at least every other week for a few days.

 

I think a lot of the 5'ers are really nice, but I prefer to do my camping in a tent. Luckily, the wife and kids do too. I've also been known to throw an air mattress in the bed of the truck or some blankets in the back of the bronco and not even take a tent

 

I wonder how many Ford trucks have sold campers and vise-versa...

 

you got that ***** right brother.. owing make you a slave to the man..

 

Wife and I are planning a road trip every two years like this:



We'll tow a small utility trailer for clothes, tools, and other essentials.

 

Similar story here. Spent enough times hanging wet sleeping bags, stuck in a damp smelly pop up, and just the misery of it all. I like sleep too much (because I don't get enough) that I want some comfort too. We still camp in true campgrounds where the kids ride their bikes, play in the creeks, go on hikes, have campfires, and just enjoy nature. It's just nice to have a nicer place to sleep, get out of the rain or heat or cold, and have a few amenities.

 

I think it would be more like which upgrade was cause by each. Upgraded truck caused upgraded trailer, or upgraded trailer caused upgraded truck? I would think the trailer would cause the truck upgrades. Most who want to camp want to camp, at least I think that.






.

 

I do want one of those. Can be handy at times. Plus one of those truck tents.






.

 

I'm quite the "slave to the man" with many different things right now. Student loans, mortgage, auto loans, some CC's.


Not doing anymore.








.

 

Right on. In my case it was the upgraded truck that started the lets 'at least go look' at fifth wheels conversation.