Hi Everyone!! My husband are getting ready to purchase our first ever camper-2013 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 329bhu. Like our FIRST...EVER!!! Granted, my husband camped in a pop up with his family growing up and I went on vacations with my best fiends family in their travel trailer but all I had to know then was throw the toilet paper in the trash unless you...you know...so, I (both of us really) are clueless!!!!! I don't even know where to begin. We have three small children-4, 2 1/2, and 10 months so our goal in camping is creating lots of great memories for them. Our plan is to pretty much lease a lot at a camp ground that is about 30minutes away and just have little mini vacations when we want to. And eventually build a deck at our lot and have it be our home away from home. I desperately want to do everything right and care for our new "home" to make it last for years to come! Any tips and advice would be appreciated. Till then...I will continue to explore the forums and try to teach myself all I can! :)

Why lease when you can travel to all the different state parks, koa, national forest campgrounds, rv parks etc..? Going to the same plot of land every time I think will become very monotonous.

First off, welcome.Now, like david said DO NOT LEASE. That forces you into always going to one single location. Heck if you want that, buy a vacation home somewhere. Second, personally I would never and I mean NEVER buy new as your first RV. Towing it off the lot it will loose 30% of its value if you decide that camping is just not for you. Save the money, and buy a used unit. Tow it for a few years seeing what works and what does not work for your family. Then, once you have a good idea of your preferences, trade or sell it and buy another one.

Just some thoughts from an old couple that has been through it ...I can see why you might not want to be traveling around a lot with the young ones, and a weekend getaway would be just the ticket. But instead of parking a brand new unit at a seasonal site, why not look to see what is already for sale at the campground where you are looking?There are usually units on desireable sites for sale. Somebody else as already taken the big depreciation hit, and spent the money on blocking the trailer up, installing a screen room, building a deck, etc. Often, the unit was a "park model" or "destination trailer" to start with, which both have numerous features that you don't get with a TT that has to be ready to run over the road.After a season or two, you will have a much better idea what the family likes and can trade up accordingly ......

Congrats on your first unit and hope all goes well with you and yours.We have for many years camped at golf course in our area for 6 mo's. every year. This year we are heading south for winter and looking forward to it. Just make sure you use either the geo method and or chemicals in your black water system and drain when 2/3 full first then your grey water to flush the system. We have never had any problems with our sewer system as we kept an eye on the monitors and as you have children this will be a must. Just make sure to use chemicals or geo and keep it up. Also use something in your grey tanks to stop any odors.Again good luck and happy camping!Also we use toilet paper for septic systems and not the RV (expensive) paper and no problems if the system is treated properly beforehand.

I think leasing close to home to start with is a great idea to start out.You will have less stress and find more time with the kids,also probably use it more often,easy to run out to for the evening fire when working.I agree with buying used to see what you think will work best.At the end of the first season I am sure you will be ready to venture out.Have fun and enjoy.

New and Clueless!! | Good Sam Community

mayo30
Explorer
Mar 31, 2013
I think leasing close to home to start with is a great idea to start out.You will have less stress and find more time with the kids,also probably use it more often,easy to run out to for the evening fire when working.I agree with buying used to see what you think will work best.At the end of the first season I am sure you will be ready to venture out.Have fun and enjoy.
Denlor
Explorer
Mar 31, 2013
Congrats on your first unit and hope all goes well with you and yours.
We have for many years camped at golf course in our area for 6 mo's. every year. This year we are heading south for winter and looking forward to it.
Just make sure you use either the geo method and or chemicals in your black water system and drain when 2/3 full first then your grey water to flush the system. We have never had any problems with our sewer system as we kept an eye on the monitors and as you have children this will be a must. Just make sure to use chemicals or geo and keep it up. Also use something in your grey tanks to stop any odors.
Again good luck and happy camping!
Also we use toilet paper for septic systems and not the RV (expensive) paper and no problems if the system is treated properly beforehand.
Bill___Kate
Explorer
Mar 31, 2013
Just some thoughts from an old couple that has been through it ...

I can see why you might not want to be traveling around a lot with the young ones, and a weekend getaway would be just the ticket. But instead of parking a brand new unit at a seasonal site, why not look to see what is already for sale at the campground where you are looking?

There are usually units on desireable sites for sale. Somebody else as already taken the big depreciation hit, and spent the money on blocking the trailer up, installing a screen room, building a deck, etc. Often, the unit was a "park model" or "destination trailer" to start with, which both have numerous features that you don't get with a TT that has to be ready to run over the road.

After a season or two, you will have a much better idea what the family likes and can trade up accordingly ......
donn0128
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2013
First off, welcome.
Now, like david said DO NOT LEASE. That forces you into always going to one single location. Heck if you want that, buy a vacation home somewhere. Second, personally I would never and I mean NEVER buy new as your first RV. Towing it off the lot it will loose 30% of its value if you decide that camping is just not for you. Save the money, and buy a used unit. Tow it for a few years seeing what works and what does not work for your family. Then, once you have a good idea of your preferences, trade or sell it and buy another one.
davidcyndi
Explorer
Mar 31, 2013
Why lease when you can travel to all the different state parks, koa, national forest campgrounds, rv parks etc..? Going to the same plot of land every time I think will become very monotonous.

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