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awmorris's avatar
awmorris
Explorer
Jun 05, 2018

Buying this week: opinions wanted to choose between 2

BACKGROUND (Skip to the question if you want):
I just sold my 2003 Gulf Stream Kingsport (and I previously owned a Forest River hybrid)... but now SWMBO has agreed it's time for us to get a new camper. My requirements are:
1) Sleeping for 5- i'm only interested in units with 3 or 4 single bunk beds and a >= Double bed for wife and I.
2) Outdoor kitchen.
3) 15K BTU ducted A/C
4) U shaped dining tables (so i can seat 5)
5) Seating area OTHER THAN dining table and beds (this means a couch)
6) Decent size tanks- grey water tank size is most important
7) Ideally, want to keep the length <30ft, but don't want to go much over
8) Price < $20K
9) At least 1 Slide (5 people in a camper without a slide is just cramped)

QUESTION:
With my requirements, I've narrowed it down to the choice between A) "2018 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 2910BHS"; and
B) "2018 Forest River Wildwood 282QBXL"

What advice/considerations do you have on these 2? While I think I performed a pretty thorough search, there are hundreds of models from dozens of manufacturers. Is there a model that I should consider also?
  • The Apex proved too expensive- some fast googling showed the cheapest Apex was 5K over my budget. However, DutchmenSport gave some good advice I hadn't considered... i really needed to consider access to the bathroom with the slide closed. Consequently, I reconsidered my requirements and signed a contract on a 2019 Gulf Stream Kingsport 276BHS. While I lost the outdoor kitchen, it has 2 doors and allows easy access to the bathroom even with the slide closed.
  • There was an extensive post recently about the quality of rigs, and how each upgrade made a better camper. Did that get made into a sticky? Maybe someone remembers the author and can repost please.
  • Item 1: Before purchasing either, try sitting down on the potty and shut the door. If you are an average guy, you'll have your answer pretty fast for both of these models.

    Item 2: Also, pull the slides in on both of these models and see if you can still function inside the camper with slides in. You'll be convinced then about item 1.

    Edit:
    If you want a real test of the functionality of either of these campers, step inside either bathroom, shut the door, then have the salesman retract the side. See what happens. Now imagine yourself traveling with your family and everyone REALLY needs to "go." What happens then?
  • forest river products are not high on my list
    which one has a rubber roof? buy the other one
    bumpy
  • No surround tub walls in the wildwood.... forget about it...

    Look at the apex line... you'll be lighter in the tongue to start and ahead of the game...