What would you do differently "next time"?

"What would you do differently "next time"?

I'd be born Rich instead of Good Looking. :B:B

Before I purchased, I went to forums and elsewhere on the internet to get advice about brands and dealers. I didn't have time to do it right because of business obligations so I should have just waited till there was time. The purchase of my KZ and the dealer I used turned out to be the worst purchase decision of my life.

I would have bought an older Airstream and made it my forever trailer. Would have been cheaper in the long haul. We all spend way too much fixing or replaceing low quality issues. I have the receipts to prove my point.

I am very pleased with my current TT (Outback 298RE). But it took several years of tent camping, pop-up camping, and two previous TT's to get it right.

Actually, Tent, pop-up, and 2 previous TT's were the right decision AT THE TIME.

That's the thing! Time changes things as things change in time! What works today may be completely bad a year from now.

Yes, at the time Tent camping was perfect for us. It met our needs, we were happy, kids had a blast, life was good. But things changed over time ... we got a bit older, so did the kids. The ground got harder, joints began to hurt a bit more, it rained one too many times, our finances improved, our life-style improved, everything improved, no need for a tent any more, move up to a bit more luxury, comfort, soft bed, and DRY and WARM in the Fall and winter! Kids loved the pop-up. Then they got older, graduated high school, moved out!

You see things change over time. We got older, making better money, more stable. Moved a few times, jobs changed, homes changed, constant change, change, change.

Best advise I can provide a young family starting out camping, is to do it purchase your choice of camping (equipment) wisely.... what you can COMFORTABLY afford at the time, and grow and change as things around you change. Stay out of debt as much as possible. Live WELL inside your means. When things improve financially, THEN consider the next step in your camping experience.

And face it... it's STILL true... your 3rd camper will be the one that should have been first. But really ... there just aren't too many of us that knew what that 3rd one would be until we got it!

So, if you are planning on starting out camping or RV-ing ... stay within your means. yea! EVERYONE wants the $500,000 Monico Motor Home. But when you've got a beer budget, you simply cannot drink wine!

So my advise ... expect life to change you.... and your camping style. Nothing stays the same. Be prepared for changes and expect them. Nothing wrong with that.

EDIT:

Consider the first car you owned / or drove / when you were 16 years old. What are you driving now? Would it make any sense to have the same car when you are 65? You see ... your needs changed .... so will your camping styles. Be prepared for changes, of of course, the greatest change, when we all reach a point we simply cannot do the camping "thing" any more, because age has taken too much toll on us. Then we make the ultimate "change" and have to "let it go!"

Didn't know about RV.net when we purchased our current rig and truck nearly ten years ago. We got lucky as both TT and TV have served us well with no major issues with either other than general maintenance and upkeep. I have gleaned plenty from this forum since joining in 2008 and still enjoy perusing when time allows.

We are planning to keep our current rig and leave it on a piece of property we own. With the kids all grown and busy with college/work they don't accompany us on most trips. We do intend to purchase another RV here in the next year or two, one that is ideally suited for couples. Next rig will certainly be more four seasons capable.

There are a few changes since we bought ours. But overall I guess I would have to say we are pleased with our choice. Afterall we have had it for close to 12 years now.

I really like everything about my KZ, it's a good size, the features and equipment are good and the price was real good. Even if I had 3x as much to spend, I don't think I'd really get 3x more value from a more expensive brand.

My "next time" advice is:
Buy a tow vehicle that will handle our next 2 (bigger and heavier) trailers.