Ladies and Gentlemen,I have my first travel trailer purchase narrowed down. Any first hand experience with these would be greatly appreciated. I have looked at seven different dealers and dozens of brands and models in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Some of those dealers drove me away and others kept my interest. All these have a rear bunks and slide with dinette and couch.1. Salem Cruise Lite 263BHXL (Made by Forest River)-Probably the most bang for your buck. Better quality than I expected. Dealer gives you lifetime warranty as long as you complete an annual inspection.2. Jayco Jay Flight 267BHSW-Nice quality, two year warranty with twelve on roof, a little more pricey and would need to purchase some extras I want. Doesn't have the exterior door to the bathroom my wife likes/wants but not a deal breaker.3. Open Range Ultra Light UT2704BH by Highland Ridge -Nice quality with all the bells and whistles but quite a bit more money. Dealer gives you lifetime warranty as long as you complete an annual inspection. Heaviest tongue weight of all of them. 4. Ameri-lite 268BH by Gulf Stream-Has everything we want but lacks the quality. Cheapest price of all. Two year warranty, twelve on roof.5. Coachman Catalina 261BHS-Nice quality but would need to purchase some extras I want. Doesn't have the exterior door to the bathroom my wife likes/wants but not a deal breaker. Heaviest UVW of all of them.What say you?

First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

donn0128 wrote:First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.Totally agree with this!Buying used also gives you a chance to figure out what you really want and need.

donn0128 wrote:First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.This will be my first ever TT although I have been camping/floating for many years. After using a buddies TT last year, I will never sleep in a tent again, lol. We know what we want and we will use it, it wont sit. We do Mid-Missouri float trips on a regular basis and like to camp on the many lakes in Missouri and Illinois. This is something we want and will enjoy. My problem with buying used is the unknown with the TT and no warranty.

Both of which are no big deal. A thorough professional inspection eliminates or at least lets you know about the unknown. Learning to do your own repairs eliminates warrenty issues.

First trailer had one door. New trailer has two. Would never go back to one. Like the idea of lifetime warranty but how much does yearly inspection cost? I have a Forest River and am happy but if you have the TV to handle the tongue weight the Open Range it sure looks nice to me. Good luck with whatever you decide. Happy camping!

Got it narrowed down to a few, opinions please.......

28 Replies

Terryallan
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
First new or first ever RV?
If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

Disagree. Buy new. that way it's all yours. I had used pups for 20 years. Thought it was great. Then I bought new. No better feeling in the world. The last pup, and the last 2 TT were new. I will NEVER buy a used RV again. After all WHY. the price of a new used one is not that much different, and with a new one, you get a warranty, and no scratches, or tears, or odd smells. Everything in it is clean. New tires, new brakes, new bed, new stove, new shower, new sink. It's just great.

To the OP. get the one that pleases you. YOU are the ONLY one you have to satisfy

Nothing like new.
Jason234
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
bob213 wrote:
First trailer had one door. New trailer has two. Would never go back to one. Like the idea of lifetime warranty but how much does yearly inspection cost? I have a Forest River and am happy but if you have the TV to handle the tongue weight the Open Range it sure looks nice to me. Good luck with whatever you decide. Happy camping!
The yearly inspection is 119.00 and they do a complete inspection on the camper. The open range is not but a little more than I want to spend and the tongue weight is concerning.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
Jason234 wrote:
What say you?

No one "gives" you anything, particularly a "lifetime" warranty on a trailer. :R

That so-called "12 yr roof warranty" isn't on the roof itself but just on the membrane itself ... and I don't know of anyone who has ever collected on that "warranty".

Keep reading the forums, you've got lots to learn before buying anything. ;)
bob213
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
First trailer had one door. New trailer has two. Would never go back to one. Like the idea of lifetime warranty but how much does yearly inspection cost? I have a Forest River and am happy but if you have the TV to handle the tongue weight the Open Range it sure looks nice to me. Good luck with whatever you decide. Happy camping!
donn0128
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017
Both of which are no big deal. A thorough professional inspection eliminates or at least lets you know about the unknown. Learning to do your own repairs eliminates warrenty issues.
Jason234
Explorer
Feb 16, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
First new or first ever RV?
If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

This will be my first ever TT although I have been camping/floating for many years. After using a buddies TT last year, I will never sleep in a tent again, lol. We know what we want and we will use it, it wont sit. We do Mid-Missouri float trips on a regular basis and like to camp on the many lakes in Missouri and Illinois. This is something we want and will enjoy. My problem with buying used is the unknown with the TT and no warranty.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 16, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
First new or first ever RV?
If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

Totally agree with this!
Buying used also gives you a chance to figure out what you really want and need.
donn0128
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2017
First new or first ever RV?
If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

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Got it narrowed down to a few, opinions please.......

28 Replies

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