We are new here and are looking to purchase our first camper and are looking for any advice! We are considering three different travel trailers with similar floorplans, all used at the same dealership. We will be traveling with our two kids (3 & 14), a very large dog or two and whatever friends and family want to tag along. Tow vehicle is a Ford F250 4WD crew cab.2014 Keystone Laredo 320TG2015 Keystone Laredo 291TG2016 Heritage Glen 300BHSAre any of these prone to problems? We will probably be adding an extended warranty, but still don't want to deal with the hassle of constant repairs. Any pros/cons to any of the floorplans? The 2015 Laredo is the smallest (size and weight), but doesn't have a slideout for the kids bedroom. How miserable will that be when we get stuck with rain for a couple of days? As of right now, we have only been inside the 2015 Laredo.Thank you for any advice you have to offer!

The common advice is to look at as many trailers as you can and then pick the floor plan you like, regardless of the brand name. You'll find that Lippert makes most of the trailer frames and components while things like refrigerators are either Dometic or Norcold. The name on the trailer only represents the company that put all the parts together.The build quality of a trailer is a c r a p -shoot. Just make sure everything works perfectly BEFORE you take it off the dealer's lot.

What year is your Ford? What do you have for available tongue weight after putting the kids, dogs, and gear in the back..maybe even with a canopy? You are looking at a very heavy duty hitch as well. Most people would say start out a lot smaller and work your way up gradually. Starting out with a 37.5 foot trailer as your first camper is a long learning curve. There really is so much to learn and it would be a shame to be overweight and over length and have something bad happen because of inexperience.

Ford is a 2017. My husband pulls trailers that size for work pretty often and isn't worried about the average drive. We don't drive through mountains in MN though!

I personally would NEVER ever tow a 37 foot TT. Just too ling and way too hard to find available camping sites. Trailers that long means your going to be almost exclusively limited to private parks.As a newby you really really need to start at around 22-25 feet. That way you can get your feet wet without beingmtotally overwhelmed.

I'm a TT fan but 37 feet? Hmmm. With tongue and rear bumper, 41? Where do you hope to camp? "Pulling" isn't my concern here.

Any advice on our first purchase? | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
May 17, 2017
First, let me applaud you for starting out with a newer USED model TT. Brand new TT lose so much value in the first couple of years and first timers are likely to change their mind on the best floorplan for them after a year or two.

IMHO, I think outside kitchens are a waste of space especially if you are looking for a bunkhouse for 4 kids. The kids will appreciate the extra space of 4 bunks.

There are several manufacturers that make very similar models. You don't need a slide of the bunk house, but the combination of a U-shape dinette and a love seat on a slide is fantastic.

Last, stick with the shortest, lightest model you think you can live with. You can always upgrade if you grow out of it.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
May 17, 2017
I won't comment on the lengths as we have a 33' TT and plan to go longer on our next TT. We live and RV mostly in the Mountain West and have had very few issues over the last decade maneuvering our rig into state parks and down logging roads in our neck of the woods. I liked both of the larger units and I would think your recent model 3/4 ton Ford would be rated to handle either of these units.

When buying used extra attention to the condition of any rig you are looking at is really important, an extended warranty has lots of loop holes in which they can deny coverage. Look at as many TTs as possible in your area, finding a floorplan that uniquely suits your specific needs is bound to pop up. Be sure to get a high quality weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, enjoy your new rig!!!
gbopp
Explorer
May 17, 2017
Ask for a copy of the extended warranty and read it BEFORE you buy. Look for the exclusions, you may change your mind.

Make sure the RV you plan to buy is working to your satisfaction before you sign any agreements or give the seller any money.

If you buy something with a promise that repairs will be made after the sale, you could be in for a big disappointment.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
May 17, 2017
ontheroadwego,

Any one of three you are considering will be approximately equal. Pick the one that "feels" right. Two of them won't give you that "ah ha!" feeling. Consider the 3rd one.

About length. My Outback is 35 1/2 feet long. I don't have problems getting into any State Parks in Indiana. We camped in Wisconsin and Minnessota with our 31 footer, and had no problems. Granted, some campgrounds may have smaller camp sites, but if you check their web sites or call for reservations, there is almost always some sites that will accommodate you. You just have to do your research and maybe make reservations well in advance to get the right spot. Length has never been a problem for us. With truck in tow and the carrier on the trailer bumper, I am right at a total of 60 feet. No problems, finding campsites for us.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 17, 2017
I'm a TT fan but 37 feet? Hmmm. With tongue and rear bumper, 41? Where do you hope to camp? "Pulling" isn't my concern here.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 17, 2017
I personally would NEVER ever tow a 37 foot TT. Just too ling and way too hard to find available camping sites. Trailers that long means your going to be almost exclusively limited to private parks.
As a newby you really really need to start at around 22-25 feet. That way you can get your feet wet without beingmtotally overwhelmed.
ontheroadwego
Explorer
May 17, 2017
Ford is a 2017. My husband pulls trailers that size for work pretty often and isn't worried about the average drive. We don't drive through mountains in MN though!
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
May 17, 2017
What year is your Ford? What do you have for available tongue weight after putting the kids, dogs, and gear in the back..maybe even with a canopy? You are looking at a very heavy duty hitch as well.

Most people would say start out a lot smaller and work your way up gradually. Starting out with a 37.5 foot trailer as your first camper is a long learning curve.

There really is so much to learn and it would be a shame to be overweight and over length and have something bad happen because of inexperience.
azdryheat
Explorer
May 17, 2017
The common advice is to look at as many trailers as you can and then pick the floor plan you like, regardless of the brand name. You'll find that Lippert makes most of the trailer frames and components while things like refrigerators are either Dometic or Norcold. The name on the trailer only represents the company that put all the parts together.

The build quality of a trailer is a c r a p -shoot. Just make sure everything works perfectly BEFORE you take it off the dealer's lot.

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Any advice on our first purchase?

19 Replies

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