Thanks, everyone, for all the answers so far!
@bikendan, yes, we have the Expy EL with OEM Tow Pkg, which helps. I have learned over the weekend how to do all the calculations, so that is becoming less of a concern.
@drsteve, "stick and tin is heavier than fiberglass" ... I assume "stick and tin" means wood frame? Is aluminum only used for roofing? I would figure some of the higher end rigs would use more aluminum (stronger/lighter) at the expense of ... expense. ?
@spoon059, thanks so much. I don't know of any RV shows anytime soon, near us... we'l have a look around. In the mean time we'll try to walk through as many dealer lots as are decently nearby and check out materials that way.. thanks!
@mobeewan, how can you tell alunimum vs fiberglass walls from the photos? And which is better? I would have figured that aluminum would have been better, but maybe not since you said it looks like Alpha Wolf may use fiberglass but be the "better" model than the Grey Wolf..
@Earl E... We're much more interested in buying a used camper made solid than a new camper made cheaply. Question is, what used brands are "made solid?"
After tons of looking, it seems we're settling into the seemingly sweet-spot (e.g. most every brand has it) a 26 Double Bunk with slide-out dinette and a pull-out sofa. While I would love a U-dinette, that seems to typically push the total length higher than I'd love, so we may have to stick with a traditional booth dinette with couch, or choose the U-dinette w/o couch.
Anyway, this will be our first camper. Looking to stay a few years behind the curve because we might decide to change models after a few months and I'm looking to avoid too much depreciation in the first six months.. thus the looking for a "quality brand." That seems to be a very difficult question to answer, though...
thanks again so much to everyone so far, I'm learning a ton here!
cheers,
..dane
