First off, new here. Greetings! Been reading a lot trying to get an understanding of brands to avoid and what to look for. I've been on many forums for others things for years and know topics can be talked about over and over. So please excuse this newbie. My wife and I fish every weekend and I want a new travel trailer to pull down to the Mariana and leave it parked in a leased spot potentially year round. If we do take it on the road, it won't be far, so it's basically going to be a stay in one spot Rv for us. I've never owned one and I think slept in one once. lol. My budget is around $15,000. I know most have a pull out bed or the table converts to a second bed, but I'm not concerned about having a second bed setup. I'm seeing a lot of the 2017's on sale now and it looks like I should be able to get a new upgraded or bigger model for my money if I stay with a 2017 model. It's going to be parked right against a salty marsh. Is that something I should take in to consideration? I'm a handy man and can spot bad quality vs not, but am in the dark as to what brands to avoid and the ones that are known for their good quality. The spot has power, water and sewage. Sorry so long here. Just about to step into something I know nothing about. Thanks all!

Start with figuring out what you can tow.Brand wise- basically the same quality across all brands.

They all use basically the same appliances from Dometic and Atwood. Things you may want to look closely at are the insulating rating of the walls, floor and ceiling. The electric converter should be a 3 stage so you don't cook your battery and look to see it has all LED lighting. Tires and suspension are not a big deal seeing you plan on parking it. Most of all find a floor plan that suits your living style.

I have an Ford F150 4x4 with V8 and pull large boats, so should be ok with towing the sizes I'm looking at, but I'll make sure and check that.That's the kind of info I'm looking for Ken56, 3 stage and the like. Thanks! Good insulation will also be needed.I'll have a generator on site for back up as well. I'll need to check the needed voltage for the RV vs my generator output.

Ford F - 150 4x4 does not necessarily equate to "can tow anything". A huge part of the whole RV concept is being mobile. Next year you may want to try something else and go somewhere else.If you really are locked at the hip to one location and only want to stay there , there are some aspects you can ease up on what your looking for. Enclosed belly would not be necessary, since your not worried about freezing, and you need only have a single small battery since you only want to stay at one location with permanently installed electric. So things in that world are easy, you only need to decide on space needed for the planned usage, and system able to cover for minimal times in the unit. But if you want flexibility in the future, If a family were a possibility, you may need additional bunks or a seconnd sleeping area. Your needs could be very different, consider those before committing to any deal.

When you compare units, look at the retail price. Some might be as low as $15,000, but others might cost more than double that or even more. A quality used unit might be a better choice than a 15K new one, and for the same price. I had a look at Craigslist in New Orleans to see what came up. Jayco units seem to be a bit higher priced than many Keystone and other rigs. Hmmm.. Decide on what size you need. A 28 foot unit can weigh 6000 pounds, or almost 10000 for some. That is quality built in. Some have separate bedrooms, quality mattresses, enclosed underbelly tanks, double pane windows, electric awnings, double batteries, quality upholstery, solid wood cabinets.

New to RVs, Have a lot of questions | Good Sam Community

Lachamp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
Are you going to have hook ups for electric, water and sewage ? Without those even spending a weekend can be uncomfortable.

Buying a "last years model" is ALWAYS a good idea. Few things change year to year. Go as small as you are willing, because it sounds like you will being using it most for sleeping.

Although not common, I like Murphy beds. You get a nice couch and living room during the day and a bed with a real mattress at night.

Yes, it will have all three. That's why I like the spot.
Lachamp
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
kerrlakeroo wrote:
Ford F - 150 4x4 does not necessarily equate to "can tow anything".
A huge part of the whole RV concept is being mobile. Next year you may want to try something else and go somewhere else.
If you really are locked at the hip to one location and only want to stay there , there are some aspects you can ease up on what your looking for. Enclosed belly would not be necessary, since your not worried about freezing, and you need only have a single small battery since you only want to stay at one location with permanently installed electric. So things in that world are easy, you only need to decide on space needed for the planned usage, and system able to cover for minimal times in the unit. But if you want flexibility in the future, If a family were a possibility, you may need additional bunks or a seconnd sleeping area.
Your needs could be very different, consider those before committing to any deal.

I'm sorry, enclosed belly? No family. Kids are all grown up. I'm sure floor plan and quality are what I'm interested most. Thanks
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2017
Are you going to have hook ups for electric, water and sewage ? Without those even spending a weekend can be uncomfortable.

Buying a "last years model" is ALWAYS a good idea. Few things change year to year. Go as small as you are willing, because it sounds like you will being using it most for sleeping.

Although not common, I like Murphy beds. You get a nice couch and living room during the day and a bed with a real mattress at night.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
When you compare units, look at the retail price. Some might be as low as $15,000, but others might cost more than double that or even more. A quality used unit might be a better choice than a 15K new one, and for the same price. I had a look at Craigslist in New Orleans to see what came up. Jayco units seem to be a bit higher priced than many Keystone and other rigs. Hmmm..

Decide on what size you need. A 28 foot unit can weigh 6000 pounds, or almost 10000 for some. That is quality built in. Some have separate bedrooms, quality mattresses, enclosed underbelly tanks, double pane windows, electric awnings, double batteries, quality upholstery, solid wood cabinets.
tnrv_er
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2017
Lachamp wrote:
I want a new travel trailer to pull down to the Mariana and leave it parked in a leased spot potentially year round. If we do take it on the road, it won't be far, so it's basically going to be a stay in one spot Rv for us.

Ok so towing really isn't an issue. If you wanted to go get a used TT your $15K would get you a larger unit than going new.

If you want a new unit in that price range you'd be looking at a TT in the 17'-20' range, roughly, and that does not include higher end manufactures.

I have a 2016 17RBS (17') KZ sportsman classic that IIRC we paid $13K for. It has a permanent bed and a couch that converts into a bed.

You should be able to find a TT with multiple sleeping quarters in your price range......good luck in your search
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
Ford F - 150 4x4 does not necessarily equate to "can tow anything".
A huge part of the whole RV concept is being mobile. Next year you may want to try something else and go somewhere else.
If you really are locked at the hip to one location and only want to stay there , there are some aspects you can ease up on what your looking for. Enclosed belly would not be necessary, since your not worried about freezing, and you need only have a single small battery since you only want to stay at one location with permanently installed electric. So things in that world are easy, you only need to decide on space needed for the planned usage, and system able to cover for minimal times in the unit. But if you want flexibility in the future, If a family were a possibility, you may need additional bunks or a seconnd sleeping area.
Your needs could be very different, consider those before committing to any deal.
Lachamp
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
I have an Ford F150 4x4 with V8 and pull large boats, so should be ok with towing the sizes I'm looking at, but I'll make sure and check that.
That's the kind of info I'm looking for Ken56, 3 stage and the like. Thanks! Good insulation will also be needed.
I'll have a generator on site for back up as well. I'll need to check the needed voltage for the RV vs my generator output.
ken56
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
They all use basically the same appliances from Dometic and Atwood. Things you may want to look closely at are the insulating rating of the walls, floor and ceiling. The electric converter should be a 3 stage so you don't cook your battery and look to see it has all LED lighting. Tires and suspension are not a big deal seeing you plan on parking it. Most of all find a floor plan that suits your living style.
boosTT
Explorer
Jun 28, 2017
Start with figuring out what you can tow.

Brand wise- basically the same quality across all brands.

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