I'm looking at travel trailers, 5th or conventional. I like going to state parks for vacations. Could be 50 miles or 400 miles away. Water and electrical hookups always.

From your experience what's important relative to features, options, and size?

Does anyone take a boat along too?

Are used trailers ok? Is there anything to be careful about when buying used?

 

Hello derherr65
I've been RVing for over 15yrs and have had several different units.

It's nice to have your own generator when the parks power is to low or out to safely power your unit.

Slideout are also great for the extra room.

Having a frig that can run on both Elec/gas both can sure safe your food.
Alot of parks in MI, charge more for RV that are over 36'. Because they have two roof top A/C = more elec.

Having a furnace is nice to keep the chill off.

I take my own water (100gals ) Had bad experience with park water and there nothing worst then having no water. IT HAPPENS.

Good luck and hope you can be a HAPPY CAMPER.

 

Questions:

1. wife and kids ( how many?) need that many sleeping spaces

2. pets traveling with you? they need their own space inside

3. What do you have for a tow vehicle? car / truck/ deisel / gas?

I have owned 3 rvs in the last 20 years. Pop up bought used and used for 12 years.

Conventional trailer ( bumper pull) used owned for 3 years then sold. got my money back to the dollar.

purchased new Keystone Cougar (28 1/2 ft) from dealer Memorial day weekend 2003. Wife and i have plenty of room but do not plan to take others with us in this 5th wheel. Have four grand kids, but would only think of taking 1 or 2 at a time.

Plan to retire in 5 - 10 years and looking for 36 - 38 ft 4 slide to live in for retirement.

You may contact me be email if you have other questions.

 

maevans, great reply.

jwearly:
1. Sleep two very comfortably and 2-3 more reasonably. Separate areas for the two groups.
2. No pets going along
3. Diesel truck for a tow vehicle was my original thought.

However, it has come to my attention that you can get a running, mechanically sound bus about the same price as a used F350. The come in shuttle, short and long lengths. I'm now thinking a long bus, self converted, would make a great RV.

 

However, it has come to my attention that you can get a running, mechanically sound bus about the same price as a used F350. The come in shuttle, short and long lengths. I'm now thinking a long bus, self converted, would make a great RV.[/QUOTE]

Yes it would, but one of the problem i had with my motorhome was, Once we got the camp set up, all leveled, awing out, slideouts out, outdoor carpet, etc My wife and i where kind of land locked, No way to go site seeing, shopping , or to treat her to dinner. And i went back to a TT because it got really old putting over $ 300.00 in the 100 gal tank for a three day trip. for myself a TT fits my needs.

 

Problem with buses/motorhome is you need to have a tow vehicle with you so you can sight see or just get away from campground without having to put everything away and tear down the site. Another thought is what happens to the bus/motorhome if something major happens to the drivetrain? Take it in / tow it in to a shop. They won't let you live in it while they repair it. I could take days to get fixed and you without wheels or a place to stay.

 

You can learn a lot about the different aspects of camping at the forum at rv.net.
I've been camping almost 40 years and have had everything but a 5th wheel. I've had 3 pop-ups, one motor home, 1 hybrid and 3 travel trailers. I didn't get a 5th wheel because I didn't want my tow vehicle to be totally dedicated to towing and I wanted to be able to get my RV home with anything with a hitch on it. Motor homes cost the most to own because you have to keep them tagged, insured, maintained and inspected all the time. They also sit around a lot and hoses, tires, belts, etc rot and other things malfunction due to lack of use. I prefer a 25' ultralite trailer because you can tow it with a smaller vehicle and you can camp in more places than you can with larger ones. Buying used is an excellent ideam, especially if you are new at it and don't know what you really want. If buying used, the main thing to watch for is water damage and the resulting rot and deterioration. That is what kills most campers. Also, make sure all the appliances are functional, especially the refrigerator. Refrigerators go bad due to lack of use and the replacement will run about $600 for the cheapest to $1,000-1,500 for a typical unit.

 

Y'all are giving great info. Thanks so much.

Basically I'm looking for a way to camp comforably for 2-5 adults and be able to launch a fishing boat. If I understand your comments...

Truck bed campers would make the boat part easier, but are low on comfort and features. (I'd have to buy a bigger truck and a camper.)

Pop ups are better on comfort(bigger), but you are now double towing. While legal in Texas it's a PITA. It could be parked and solve the day trip/boat ramp issue. IF pop ups even allow double towing? (I'd have to buy a bigger truck and the pop up.)

5th wheel campers are very comfortable and have lots of features. You must double tow again. It could be parked and solve the day trip/boat ramp issue. (I'd need a truck and 5th wheel.)

Motorhomes are very comfortable and have lots of features. Trying to hit a boat ramp would be a PITA. You could double tow a light truck and boat. (I'd need the bus to convert.)

So, is there any way to camp 4-5 in comfort, take a boat, and be able to drive elsewhere for day trips without double towing?

 

Make a truck bed camper that pops up, and the sides fold out. Drive to your camping spot (towing your boat) and slide/offload the camper to the ground. Then the truck is free to use for day trips, including launching the boat. To leave, winch the camper back into the bed, hook up the boat and go.....

 

If you buy used inspect the roof for any damage, like a tear in a rubber roof. Also inspect around the bottom of the camper. If the roof has leaked you may have wood rot along the bottom of the camper wall. Reach under the outside wall aaat the bottom back side and sqeeze hard if it gives any you may have wood rot. Check several places going all the way around. Also loose trim may be a sign of it too.

 

barebones hit it, slide in camper, drop camper off for daily use with the boat. Same thing can be done with 5th wheel but not all states allow towing double, and most have stipulations on first trailer. I have a 5th wheel and plan on towing boat behind that. Just have to get a boat first.