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livesound's avatar
livesound
Explorer
May 17, 2013

Buying first TT or Maybe Class C

Hi All
I have been lurking and reading for some time now. i originally headed out for a class C. but it seems to stay some what in my budget 15 to 25k is a little tough since it seems to me and correct me if im wrong that the winnabago product seems to be one of the better or a Fleetwood toga plus i have to have a 30ft to get what i want.

My uses are:
1: I travel allot with in the state of texas, so i would in summer time my companies busy season live 2 to 3 days a week in the RV, we have offices in Lubbock, Dallas, OKC and Austin. i live in austin. so milage factor on truck with TT apposed to class C

2: Recreation with the family about 4 to 6 times a year.

What i Have to have

1: Bedroom. as i will use the bunkhouse or the table area to put in a real mattress for the times i am working i have another district manager that travels with me most of the time. and on job sites i usually have some one. this makes the class c with the over head bed a nice option.

2: table and couch. this is the wife has to have

3: good a/c and ducted im in texas its hot, im border line thinking i need 2 a/c

4: a decent kitchen this much travel one of the reasons i would like to to use it for work is i would like to have access to food.

5: decent storage for clothes and other things that i like to use on a daily bases.

6: room for a decent tv, since its not all family time and ill be just sitting around.

7: enough area for me to set up my mobile office.

things i would like to have

1: generator generator.

2: more storage then is reasonable

3: a real dresser

4: a quality unit that i will last for a long time.

5: the best possible insulation for hot weather (this is kinda must but really i know diffrent classes have diffrent insulation

6 im sure there are other things but not sure what they are right now.

TT options i have found lately. time is getting pressure if i want to take advantage of a per diem for hotel buy out from the company, which will got to the RV fund.

1: open range roamer 291rls. this one has it all. but its pricey to say the least.
http://www.mcclainsrv.com/Inventory/tabid/2647/Type/View/ID/43693/customFieldIDs/1486/SearchValues/78984/2013-Travel-Trailer-Open-Range-OPEN-RANGE-ROAMER-291RLS.aspx
Concern is i have not heard of these before seeing them at this dealer. cant find any used. and how bad will it depreciate in 3 years if i dont like it. some times i see TT take a huge dip in value right after you buy them. or is it a really good brand and highly sought after it seems really well built.

2: KZ sportman 301BH
concerns here are a cheaper unit with the aluminum siding, obvouisly build quality is a little less then the open range. KZ is one i have not heard of really. so overall the price of unit has me concerned that its not very good. but i do like the unit and it seems nice
http://www.mcclainsrv.com/Inventory/tabid/2647/Type/View/ID/46053/customFieldIDs/1486/SearchValues/79310/2013-Travel-Trailer-KZ-SPORTSMEN-301BH.aspx

3: here is a used 2011 keystone Passport 3050 BH
im going to see this one tommorow. but its fiber glass and the build from pictures seems good. i have been in other keystone's and liked them, so this unit has me a bit excited.
http://www.funtownrvwaco.com/inventory/285541/Used-2011-Keystone-RV-Passport-3050BH-Grand-Touring.aspx
4 Class C i know its a rental, i like the price. i really like class C, but having the second drive train to take care of concerns me. its hard to find 31ft used in the couple brands i like. allot of rentals out there for sale. the V10 motor i have no doubt it will go for ever. my neighbor has an 07 itasca spirit 31 ft, and its awesome.
http://www.elmontervsales.com/vehicle-details/26bdd762355f2040945192e4d6d1cc6b/2005+fleetwood+tioga+31w.html.

I have never owned an rv. have pulled allot of trailers and drove 24 ft dry box trucks my whole career. so im interested in quality of diffrent units even if not listed above. whats your experience, did you buy a class C switch to a TT and love it, hate it, vice versa. its allot of money for something i think i would enjoy, and could use for work, but would be worth it if its like i think it will be. Thanks in advance for your opinions and experiances. and not giving me a hard time on my spelling;)

8 Replies

  • livesound's avatar
    livesound
    Explorer
    May 19, 2013
    Thats a great idea, we are renting on for a family trip jun 1st through 4th nothing fancy a fairly local trip. im looking forward to it. there is a good rental house in town. although they are fairly stripped down. and its the work deal that makes me want to buy. done right i can on the upside in 6 months, so the family can benefit from this with out much cash out of pocket. and we really think have something we really enjoy. as i search campgrounds, there is allot of places with in even a 100 miles from us here in austin that are really nice. and the more we research the more its like it does not even have to be a planned trip. even found a camp ground right near the marina i keep the boat at. i do love 40 minutes from the lake. and there is allot to do. we can boat sat sunday, park the TT and have a base of operations, we have not really done resturants are anything there do to travel time back and forth.
  • livesound's avatar
    livesound
    Explorer
    May 19, 2013
    Thats a great idea, we are renting on for a family trip jun 1st through 4th nothing fancy a fairly local trip. im looking forward to it. there is a good rental house in town. although they are fairly stripped down. and its the work deal that makes me want to buy. done right i can on the upside in 6 months, so the family can benefit from this with out much cash out of pocket. and we really think have something we really enjoy. as i search campgrounds, there is allot of places with in even a 100 miles from us here in austin that are really nice. and the more we research the more its like it does not even have to be a planned trip. even found a camp ground right near the marina i keep the boat at. i do love 40 minutes from the lake. and there is allot to do. we can boat sat sunday, park the TT and have a base of operations, we have not really done resturants are anything there do to travel time back and forth.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    A plan B might be to rent a TT for a weekend or even longer, for your work purposes and see how the truck handles the load, whether there is anything missing that you'd like or parts of the rented rig that you really liked.

    Going "all in" on the first hand takes a lot of courage and a bit of luck to work out right. If it's only you and the wife, you could possibly get by with something smaller than 30', I'm thinking. If you're bunking with three workmates, you'll want all the space you can pull. When you get up into the 30' range, you may need a bigger truck, mostly depends on payload ratings.

    Good luck with the hunt!
  • livesound's avatar
    livesound
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    Sorry all. I do have a 2012 nissan titan LV it says 9500, but i dont trust it, has factory tow package and says it has brake control but no controller. but another thing that makes a class C appealing is that i also have a mastercraft ski boat. But i keep the boat here on lake travis in a slip, i also dont own a trailer. which is about 5k investment in the boat.

    John Wayne: i grew up near ocean and cherry by the way now live in texas, boy never realized i was leaving the promise land. but yes the two bedroom system seems the way to go. and with the family the boy can have his own room and bring a friend while we have a little privacy.

    Bikendan: i dont trust the manufactures, i have read here and other sites how they beef up towing capacity to look good. now going to a job site you looking at me and up to 3 more guys thats around 800 to 1000 pounds and luggage. the family we are 3 maybe sons friend and a dog or 2.

    the update today is i was at a forest river dealer and looked at the rockwood 30ft, i walk in those and its like yeah im home, see the price tag and say whoa. but looked at a salem and say its not as nice but has what i want want at 21k. only seem to find older ones that are beat up. but im now thinking the class C is taking a backseat. my grandparents had an RV and i likes it. had chance this summer to be on a buddies raptor 5th wheel and enjoyed. but i dont have allot of time i may not care for it and do want to be able to get out of it reasonably . Sorry these are so rambly with terrible grammar. its allot on my mind for an investment.

    Thanks to you guys for chiming in and sharing your experience and knowledge!
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    you haven't made it clear if you have or don't have a truck to pull a TT.
    will you have to buy a truck also, if you go with the TT?
    if you already have a truck, you need to post all its info, so we can determine what it's capable of towing.
  • John_Wayne's avatar
    John_Wayne
    Explorer II
    May 18, 2013
    If you get a Class C how are you going to get around after the C has be set up. Do you already have something to pull a TT in the size you are looking at?? With a TT with a bedroom and bunk beds you would have your own area for sleeping. And who ever went with you would have there own sleeping area, and an area for there things (top bunk).
    I'd look for used so if it doesn't work out you are not out a lot and you can still use it for the family.
  • livesound's avatar
    livesound
    Explorer
    May 18, 2013
    Sorry should have been more clear, in a trailer i would like to stay around 25k, if i go class C that a different story it seems like it needs to be 50k. But just saying im being un reasonable at 25k does give me any direction. ive seen allot of what i think are good trailers for 25k or am i looking at the wrong TT for that money. thats one of the things im trying to work out. i mean i can buy a smart car for 10k but the truck i can need is 40k but if i have never seen car or truck before i might buy a hyundai. i hope that analogy makes a bit of sense.

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