Name brands
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Name brands
Hey guys, I am new to RVing here never owned one before and I have some questions. My wife and I are interested in buying a travel trailer. It will be a bumper pull around 27' or so. We went and looked at some new ones just to really get an idea of what we are looking for and to show my wife that we don't want a darn pop up camper 
. So now I have her convinced that would be a bad idea.
I am interested in what brand names that are good and what to stay away from. I don't really want a brand new one because they depreciate so bad I was thinking about one that is 1 or 2 years old. The pros and cons of a fiberglass shell and stick and metal shell. They sales man we talked to recommended Coleman, Heartland, Dutchman or their sister Companies.
He seemed pretty upfront and honest for a salesman (even though they tend not to be because they are trying to make money)
and even recommended that we look at used ones. Just curious as to ur experiences and recommendations. Been looking online at different websites for reviews and stuff but I have been unable to find anything that really gave an honest review or about reliability. Thanks guys.
. So now I have her convinced that would be a bad idea. I am interested in what brand names that are good and what to stay away from. I don't really want a brand new one because they depreciate so bad I was thinking about one that is 1 or 2 years old. The pros and cons of a fiberglass shell and stick and metal shell. They sales man we talked to recommended Coleman, Heartland, Dutchman or their sister Companies.
He seemed pretty upfront and honest for a salesman (even though they tend not to be because they are trying to make money)
and even recommended that we look at used ones. Just curious as to ur experiences and recommendations. Been looking online at different websites for reviews and stuff but I have been unable to find anything that really gave an honest review or about reliability. Thanks guys.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Hey guys, I am new to RVing here never owned one before and I have some questions. My wife and I are interested in buying a travel trailer. It will be a bumper pull around 27' or so. We went and looked at some new ones just to really get an idea of what we are looking for and to show my wife that we don't want a darn pop up camper . So now I have her convinced that would be a bad idea.
I am interested in what brand names that are good and what to stay away from. I don't really want a brand new one because they depreciate so bad I was thinking about one that is 1 or 2 years old. The pros and cons of a fiberglass shell and stick and metal shell. They sales man we talked to recommended Coleman, Heartland, Dutchman or their sister Companies.
He seemed pretty upfront and honest for a salesman (even though they tend not to be because they are trying to make money) and even recommended that we look at used ones. Just curious as to ur experiences and recommendations. Been looking online at different websites for reviews and stuff but I have been unable to find anything that really gave an honest review or about reliability. Thanks guys.
. So now I have her convinced that would be a bad idea. I am interested in what brand names that are good and what to stay away from. I don't really want a brand new one because they depreciate so bad I was thinking about one that is 1 or 2 years old. The pros and cons of a fiberglass shell and stick and metal shell. They sales man we talked to recommended Coleman, Heartland, Dutchman or their sister Companies.
He seemed pretty upfront and honest for a salesman (even though they tend not to be because they are trying to make money)
and even recommended that we look at used ones. Just curious as to ur experiences and recommendations. Been looking online at different websites for reviews and stuff but I have been unable to find anything that really gave an honest review or about reliability. Thanks guys.Buying used is a very reasonable suggestion until you get your feet wet and find out what you really want.
My opinion and good hunting,
Steve
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 2
From: Chico,CA.
Buying a newer used trailer is a great idea. If you get something 2-3 yrs old, it costs half that of new, and is old enough to have the bugs worked out but no significant age related wear and tear, assuming its been reasonably maintained. There are plenty of them out there. Steve is right about QC being all over the road, AND its getting worse as the market continues to decline. All the top-end builders seem to have gone away.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 6
From: Waco, Texas
IMO, just beware of the salesman when you are looking at the RV lots. If you look at other boards, you will see that a lot of the sales people tend to say what you want to hear and not what is necessarily the truth. Now, since you are looking at Travel Trailers in a certain length, now you must question, before brand, floorplan. Do you need a Bunkhouse, rear kitchen, Toy Hauler? Look, look, look, even at new ones or RV shows. The new ones give me ideas on something that I may want in the future or a mod to add to existing. Do not just jump into it. Take your time. So many families need one and just buy something and then most are sick they did.
Just remember, If mama ain't happy, no one is happy, as that is my experience along with a whole bunch of other RVers that have done this for many years!
Just remember, If mama ain't happy, no one is happy, as that is my experience along with a whole bunch of other RVers that have done this for many years!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
IMO, just beware of the salesman when you are looking at the RV lots. If you look at other boards, you will see that a lot of the sales people tend to say what you want to hear and not what is necessarily the truth. Now, since you are looking at Travel Trailers in a certain length, now you must question, before brand, floorplan. Do you need a Bunkhouse, rear kitchen, Toy Hauler? Look, look, look, even at new ones or RV shows. The new ones give me ideas on something that I may want in the future or a mod to add to existing. Do not just jump into it. Take your time. So many families need one and just buy something and then most are sick they did.
Just remember, If mama ain't happy, no one is happy, as that is my experience along with a whole bunch of other RVers that have done this for many years!
Just remember, If mama ain't happy, no one is happy, as that is my experience along with a whole bunch of other RVers that have done this for many years!
. When looking pretend you are actually living in it. Take your shoes off and get in the shower, lie on the bed, sit on the couch and take note if you can see the TV (is there even a logical place for the TV? In some rigs there is not). The reason most folks keep their first RV so short a period of time is that they buy the wrong one!
Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
then get one with slides in the living area so they have enough room to bounce off the walls when the weathers bad 
resale on anything WITHOUT slides is dead right now...
Smart choice buying previously owned... what are you going to be towing with so we can help with the weight and size issues your salesmen won't mention ?
and consider a warranty that will cover the major systems if the price is right ...
resale on anything WITHOUT slides is dead right now...Smart choice buying previously owned... what are you going to be towing with so we can help with the weight and size issues your salesmen won't mention ?
and consider a warranty that will cover the major systems if the price is right ...
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
then get one with slides in the living area so they have enough room to bounce off the walls when the weathers bad resale on anything WITHOUT slides is dead right now...
Smart choice buying previously owned... what are you going to be towing with so we can help with the weight and size issues your salesmen won't mention ?
and consider a warranty that will cover the major systems if the price is right ...
resale on anything WITHOUT slides is dead right now...Smart choice buying previously owned... what are you going to be towing with so we can help with the weight and size issues your salesmen won't mention ?
and consider a warranty that will cover the major systems if the price is right ...
Finally, if it is a really large claim, they will simply try to find a way around paying it. If you do have one or are going to get one, make sure whomever works on your RV reads the exception clauses. They are multiple and a single wrong word will get the entire claim denied.
Just my opinion,
Steve
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
I just got a 2012 F150 FX4 with the Ecoboost. I was actually surprised that was the first thing the salesman asked was what I was using to tow with. It is rated at 9700 tow 1560 payload. I did get it with the trailer brake. I do want a slide just so I can have more room. The ones I was looking at we're around 6000 or under dry weight.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay
Commode and Doors (not the singing group)
No truer words were ever spoken or typed.
When looking pretend you are actually living in it. Take your shoes off and get in the shower, lie on the bed, sit on the couch and take note if you can see the TV (is there even a logical place for the TV? In some rigs there is not). The reason most folks keep their first RV so short a period of time is that they buy the wrong one!
When looking pretend you are actually living in it. Take your shoes off and get in the shower, lie on the bed, sit on the couch and take note if you can see the TV (is there even a logical place for the TV? In some rigs there is not). The reason most folks keep their first RV so short a period of time is that they buy the wrong one!
For me the toilet position is important.
I've got wide shoulders and the way some of these manufacturers position the toilet make it impossible to sit comfortably let alone get any business done. I don't have long legs, but in some cases the bathroom is so small or the door is positioned in such a way that I can't even close the door for a bit of privacy.
While you may think that you're hardly ever using the facility, that's one of those things you realize is important when its needed.
Regards,
Steve.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
Likes: 1,432
From: Millersville, MD
BTW, you get the very BEST pricing on RV's just before winter. Dealers don't want the job of having to winterize all the used trailers on their lot...... My 2007 Arctic Fox went from 27k to 19 in October 2009.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JonathanN
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Apr 3, 2011 07:40 AM
scottman70
All Things Towing
6
Mar 11, 2010 06:18 PM