Forum Discussion

Phanes's avatar
Phanes
Explorer
Dec 01, 2016

New camper looking for advice

So my wife and I are looking for a seasonal camper. We don't have plans on doing trips just parking in seasonal sites. We don't want to do a destination or park trailer because if we don't like our site we want to be able to move the trailer.

BTW I have a post in TH section as well because we are considering a TH as well just to have indoor parking for our ATVs when we are not on a site.

Could I get advice on a good bunk house.

We need room for 5 and would prefer to not have to break down kitchen tables for beds. Our budget is 80k. Hauling is not really an issue because if my truck can't haul it I will just have it delivered to a campsite.

I have looked at Forest River, Camp Lite, and Airstream so far I like the Forest River best but I would like to hear form some experienced campers and their opinions on different travel trailers.

Thanks
  • Phanes's avatar
    Phanes
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2016
    I wanted to thank you for the advice here and in the TH forum.

    We have settled on a campsite and a trailer we are picking up the Forest River RV Sierra Destination Trailers 402QB

    I know there is no way in hell my Tundra can pull it but it is delivered and setup for free and the site allows winter storage. However since we only hit 40k of our budget I am pushing the wife towards getting a used 1 Ton cause you know I might need to use it once or twice a year.....
  • justafordguy's avatar
    justafordguy
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2016
    If you do decide on a bunkhouse 5th wheel take a look at the Heartland Gateway 3650BH. It has 5 slides and is 41.5' long. Tons of room, 1 and 1/2 bath and the bunk room sleeps 4 and a king size bed in the master. Very well constructed with metal studs, joists, and rafters. It's a lot of camper for the money. We love ours.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Dec 02, 2016
    Phanes wrote:
    The three we are going to look at offer 30amp, water, and sewer.

    If you are going to use it in the Northeast for 3 seasons, this is probably reasonable.

    If you were going to use it south of the Mason-Dixon or in the Southwest or Southern CA, you would need a 50A hook up for dual A/C.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Dec 02, 2016
    Going used might not be a bad idea. It would give you a chance to see if you like it without a major investment. It would also give you a idea what you might want/don't want in a future RV.

    There are a few people who go out and spend lots of money on a RV and decided that not what they want to do. When they sell it's usually at a large loss. Buying used allows you to (test the waters ) without having a large investment tied up.
  • Phanes's avatar
    Phanes
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2016
    The three we are going to look at offer 30amp, water, and sewer. The sights range from 20 by 40 to 30 by 60. What we have discovered is that many places we have called are a closed system. You can only get a seasonal if you buy one in place already or buy from their local dealer. Seems like a pretty good business model. However when we looked at the listings they were all park or destination that are never going to move they have all been skirted and have additions on them.

    BTW all three campsites we are going to have used trailers for sale and a lot of people have suggested going used right out of the gate to save $$$ and to avoid new car bugs.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Dec 02, 2016
    If you need to sleep 5 and don't want to shuffle furniture, you are going to need 2 sets of bunk beds. That really limits your choices. Jayco only makes a few models that have 2 sets of bunk bed. The double bunk beds are fine for kids up to about 12.

    Check out the Jayco 40BHQS park model.

    Also, find out if there are any restrictions on length and width with slide outs. Many of the park models have slide outs on both ends.
  • D_and_A_plus_6's avatar
    D_and_A_plus_6
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2016
    I realize I am the minority, but I have an Destanation Model I use as a TT, it does have holding tanks and I have had no trouble with any of the state parks, RV Parks or Priviate campgrounds telling me I can't stay there. Most of our camping is only weekends and long weekends. Forest River Villa 402 QBQ.
  • Phanes's avatar
    Phanes
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2016
    I guess I should add in the camp sites we went too that allowed them felt like mobile home parks. Almost everyone we saw were on foundations with porches and additions and such. We just got worried over being locked into one location for 10 or 15 years. A lot of the sites we are looking at don't allow park or destination trailers.
  • Merrykalia's avatar
    Merrykalia
    Explorer
    Dec 01, 2016
    A destination or park model trailer CAN be moved, the same as any other trailer, it just doesn't have holding tanks like a regular TT or 5th wheel does. That's primarily the difference. They are heavier, but if you are going to get it hauled anyway, it just makes sense to look at a park model, especially for that type of money.

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