We are newbies - want to make a smart purchase :)

So we have been prowling around, researching (when we have time), and finding something to fit the needs of our family. We have visited a few "for sale" hybrids on Craigslist, but nothing quite ticks all the boxes for us, then I saw this listing for a " 2009 R-Vision Trail Sport Hybrid - $6500" RATED ~2900 LBS dry (factory) at an RV Dealer... BUT - we don't want to get taken for - haha - as I said, we are NEW at this but have done enough research last year to plan tow vehicle appropriately (Dodge Ram 1500 Truck) and to know what we like and don't like about a camper.

Please help us ask the "right" questions at the dealership when we see this trailer.

A few things about us:

1. We are new to ownership, but have used a pop-up many times that my sister owns. Our normal tow vehicle will be: dodge ram 2003 1500 4.7l but we are towing with a full size van for a Summer Trip out West.

2. We do want a Hybrid (23' or less - targeting 19-20'). We want a smaller trailer that's towable at or under 3200 lbs dry but need the sleeping room (4 adults sized people, 3 little people = ~950 lbs total for all of us). After this year, our oldest will be off to college, so we'll be down to 3 adults / 3 kids). If we can camp in a pop-up, we can certainly stand each other enough to do a Hybrid. I know its tight, but a bigger camper is NOT an option. FYI.

3. Our BIG trip next year is out west. Will probably do a mix of some hotel rooms stays - but also camping. NOTE: Our tow vehicle will be a full sized van that we are renting locally who are allowing us to tow 4000 or less (dry). After that trip - we will just use it for local camping trips mostly just down the road from us or 2 hours or less and towing with our dodge ram 2003 1500 4.7l and likely it will be 2 adults and 3 children most of the time.

4. Question: Explain to me what we need to ask about for sway bars, ball mounts, etc. Do those come with the camper typically? They came with the last camper we looked at. The receiver hitch is on the truck but we don't have the ball on it. Sorry this is a stupid question! I don't want to look stupid when we go to the lot. Please point me in the right direction.

5. Question: Where do we look for water damage?

6. Anything else we should ask about? Look at? Investigate? My husband worked for Airstream early in his career (its been awhile) so he knows a bit about the body of a trailer, but it ends there. He didn't do the interior work and we haven't ever had to deal with fresh, grey, and black water, etc. or a/c and heaters and a bathroom. My sisters pop-up didn't have it.

Thanks - this forum is so super helpful!

14 Replies

3boxerss
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
Really get close and look at the front corners and along the bottom in the front where the front connects to the underside of the trailer.. We had one similar (was a 2001 trail lite) We didnt see it till later and had to fix it.. bring a flashlight cause its a tight space and hard to see in there when u look from inside behind the dinette.. If there are any stains its probably had or still has a leak.. That and around the door and step were our main leak areas..
Harvey51
Explorer
Nov 16, 2016
When we bought used, the salesman was excellent but the manager with the contract "ambushed" us with an offer for a warranty from a third party at what she claimed was a can't refuse price. I didn't take it and when picking it up the next day one of the service guys told me it was completely void if we ever took it on a gravel road.
allen8106
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
donn0128 wrote:
What you wont find is things like wiring and plumbing diagrams. Again non issue as I have never seen a mfg give that stuff out. In fact it is highly unlikely any mfg even has them.

Not necessarily true. I asked for and received schematics for plumbing, 12 volt electrical and 120 volt electrcal from Jayco for my 2010 5ver. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
bikendan wrote:
#1 thing to look for in a hybrid, the bunk doors, the frame around them and their seals. this is the area where most hybrids have issues. especially used ones. water intrusion can be a big issue in these areas.
look for delamination, torn/compressed seals, water damage in the door hinge area and water stains in the wood sill.

R-Vision hybrids were the lightest hybrids made BUT that comes at a price.
lighter and weaker materials that don't hold up, so a used one may have issues.
we thought that they were at the bottom of quality/fit and finish of all the hybrid brands.
and they don't have many of the features that other hybrids have. the Sport is a basic hybrid TT.

In 2006 we purchased a brand new RVision TrailCruiser C21RBH and against my wishes my wife insisted on the hybrid version of this trailer which was also available as a non-hybrid travel trailer. The permanent jack and jill beds at the rear suited our boys well but I sure got tired of having to still deal with wet tenting, just as I had done previously with the popups we owned. We used it for the 2007 season but only part of the 2008 season when that spring I discovered a musty smell coming from the small front storage compartment area. After considering our options I knew I'd have to either pull the entire front wall of the trailer apart to find the source of the problem OR just get rid of it ... and when I later learned the axles weren't tracking properly we traded it for a KZ Spree travel trailer.

JMO, but buying an 8 yr old hybrid orphan, especially for a newbie with no idea as to what to look for, hardly qualifies as a "smart purchase". :R
bikendan
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
to the OP,

i suggest you check out the Hybrid Forum here and read through the threads.
there are tons of threads there about buying a Hybrid TT and what to look for.
Hybrids have pros and cons. learn both.
most hybrid owners are former popup owners who want more amenities but stay with the "camping" feel of the tent ends. most feel a regular TT is like a shoebox.

#1 thing to look for in a hybrid, the bunk doors, the frame around them and their seals. this is the area where most hybrids have issues. especially used ones. water intrusion can be a big issue in these areas.
look for delamination, torn/compressed seals, water damage in the door hinge area and water stains in the wood sill.

R-Vision hybrids were the lightest hybrids made BUT that comes at a price.
lighter and weaker materials that don't hold up, so a used one may have issues.
we thought that they were at the bottom of quality/fit and finish of all the hybrid brands.
and they don't have many of the features that other hybrids have. the Sport is a basic hybrid TT.

normally, the weight distributing hitch and sway bars are NOT included by the dealer unless you make it part of the deal.

one last thing, you said your truck has the receiver but you didn't say if it has the factory tow package, i.e. trans cooler, 7-pin connector, pre-wiring for brake controller, towing rear end ratio.

also, what is the payload capacity of the truck, located on the driver's door yellow sticker.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
Buckeyewriting wrote:
They are asking $6900 and is the ball hitch / sway bars usually included?

Sounds awfully high to me for a trailer likely manufactured sometimes in 2008 and would therefore be 8 yrs old ... I'm in Canada though where pricing is entirely different than in the US so take that with a grain of salt.

Hitch equipment has nothing to do with the trailer and is something not "included" with any new trailer by the manufacturer ... if you don't have something suitable it's up to you to negotiate one into the deal. Whether any dealer selling a used trailer would include weight distribution / sway control would be up to that individual dealer - and for you to inquire about it. You'll also need a brake controller installed in your vehicle(s) as well, with cost varying according to what may be involved in setting up your vehicle for a brake controller. Since you're indicating using more than one vehicle for towing this trailer you'd be an ideal candidate for a Tekonsha Prodigy RF which can easily be swapped from one vehicle to another.

If there's any one piece of advice I can offer it's to not underestimate just how much all the "extras" you will absolutely have to have but can add significantly to your overall cost of getting into this sport. ;)
bikendan
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
Alabama Jim wrote:
Take a look at the models on the website for Riverside Manufacturing in Lagrange, Ind. Many well built models and on the owners website many satisfied customers.

the OP wants a Hybrid TT, Riverside Mfg. doesn't make hybrids.
Buckeyewriting
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
Thanks for all the comments - please keep em' coming!

Good idea on bringing someone - I have someone who can help us uncover any possible issue.

What do you think a fair price would be if it was in great working order, no leaks or issues? They are asking $6900 and is the ball hitch / sway bars usually included?

What should we absolutely make sure is part of the deal?

Thanks again for taking time to share all of your advice and knowledge.
Buckeyewriting
Explorer
Nov 08, 2016
theoldwizard1 wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
... The trailer is long out of warrenty, so thats a non issue.

Its a dealer, so ask how much a 1 year "hitch-to-rear-bumper" all inclusive warranty costs. Make sure it would cover repair when you go on the road.

What is your tow vehicle ?

Permanent tow vehicle is: dodge ram 2003 1500 4.7L

But we are towing out West with a Full Size Ford 4350 12 passenger van
Merrykalia
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2016
I would forget about any warranty work and just make sure that what you are looking at is in great shape. If you live somewhere that you can hire an RV Tech, get them to check it out (you will have to pay for them and their time). If you can't locate one, have someone that you know and trust that has an RV get in it and go over it with a fine tooth comb. Get someone that knows appliances to check out the appliances and maybe even a mechanic to check out the brake system and tires. Yes, these may all cost you some $$, but will save you lots down the road.

Open every cabinet and storage space and make sure there are no signs of water damage - remove mattresses and check for any water/insect damage - and then determine whether it's a good deal.

Do lots of comparison shopping on ebay, craigslist, or wherever.