DSL70 wrote:
I am a total newbie,
I am thinking of buying my first travel trailer... my wife and kids are sick of the tent. I have been looking at a Jayco Swift SLX, but I don't know the first thing about RV's.... and don't want to get scammed by dealers.
What do I need in terms of accessories when buying the trailer?
Is the Jayco Swift SLX a good model?
Also, in Denver this weekend there is a RV show - Are these the best place to buy a TT?
Thanks,
DSL70
What kind of camping are you going to be doing? Mostly places you will have Full Hookups (Water, Electric, Sewer), Only Electric or Boondocking (None of the above)?
If you are going to have electric, you will want a few adapter dogbones (one 50 amp to 30 amp, in case you get a site the 30 amp isn't working) and one 30 amp to 20 amp (In case you want to plug it in at home to pre-cool the frig prioor to leaving or to power it if you are working on it).
You will want a 50' or two 25' White Water hoses (white ones are made for drinking water supplies) if you will have water hookups.
Also a sewer hose and connectors for dumping.
If you will be boondocking and using only your battery for power, try to get the dealer to give you upgraded batteries. Most come with the cheapest group 24 they offer. Ask to have two 6v batteries in the deal or two 12v group 27's. The 6v would be the best choice for someone doing a lot of boondocking. Last longer, let you run them down lower without damaging them. Approx $200-$250 value either way.
Jayco's are generally highly regarded. They have a 2 year warrenty usually and are one of only a few that do (most are one year).
They WILL offer you an extended service plan. Ask to have a copy on your first visit. They generally will be the same plans for every trailer that deal sells. READ IT CAREFULLY. Most are going to cover major expenses only. ALl plans differ so know what they are covering and what will not be covered before you make your decision if it is right for you.
RV Shows sometimes give great deals, sometimes no better than what you could get at the dealership. You really need to know what trailers are selling for in your area. Expect to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 25%-30% off MSRP as a decent deal. Be polite but be firm in what you think a fair price is while working your deal. If you can't get them to the number you thinkis right (based o what you see at other RV dealers or advertized, either go to the other place or see if you can get them to sweeten the deal with accessories.
Electric jacks, second batteries, MaxAir vent covers, 10% Discount at their parts and accessory store are all things people have gotten or asked for during the deal making process. Some get them, Some don't.
One nice thing a friend of mine got was a pressure test after one year to check for leaks when it came time to bring it out after the first winter.
Do some reasearch on the models you are looking at. Know what the NADA value is, what they are selling the trailer for in your area and other parts of the country and politely go find out what you can get them down to. Don't jump if your not happy with the price because Fall and Winter generally bring great prices on used campers that people don't want to pay to store all winter long after not using as much as they thought they would the past Spring/Summer.