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DeezPanthers1's avatar
DeezPanthers1
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015

Tips on buying a new TT

Hello everyone,
So hubby and I have finally decided to take the plundge a buy a TT. We love camping and traveling places a lot of times at the spurt of the moment and are tired of trying to find a hotel last minute that excepts our dog. We have been wanting one for over 6 years, but are now financially where we need to be to buy one. So we were originally looking at 5th wheels as I like how nice they look, but decided to go TT route bc we like having access to the bed of the truck. We will be upgrading hubbies truck at the same time depending on what we decide to buy.
So my question is, (and has probably been asked tons of time, so sorry) What do I need to look for? What are things that I should be aware of? Tips with dealing with the sales people and dealers? Anything you can think of that would help TT virgins purchase their first TT. What is a good % off msrp to look for when checking prices? I read 35% off was a good starting place, but have also seen not to accept anything less than 50% off (that is a BIG difference).
Here is what we are looking for a TT bunkhouse that actually has the 2 bedrooms. I would prefer an island (or at least decent counter space), and hubby really wants an outdoor kitchen. We have been looking at the Jayco Eagle 324 BHTS, Heritage Glen 300BH and the surveyor 321 BHTS. I am defiantly open to hearing everyone's suggestions and likes and dislikes of different brands as we are complete newbies and have just been to a few lots (and lots of online research). We would really like to stick in low 30's if not mid 20's would be great. Thanks.
  • wannavolunteerF's avatar
    wannavolunteerF
    Explorer
    Nov 28, 2015
    I know many bunkhouse TT's have the outside kitchen, but take a close look and be sure it is what you would actually use. I have looked at some trailers, that if the lot had any slant, I was too short to use it much. some have poor stoves, and some have grill connections, some only have sink and elec fridge and some don't have a sink. Look carefully and think about how you cook outside when camping now. Since I came to the TT world from tent camping, I already had a good stove and a kitchen table that I love, so I didn't consider an outside kitchen. I set up just outside of my awning, and don't have to work about heat/grease near trailer (and I can put up a canopy over it if weather threatens) I don't have kids drinking sodas, so the outside fridge wasn't that big of a deal. My cooler works well (when I need more space than fridge). Also with 3 kids, you may find you need the storage more than you need the kitchen.

    Not trying to change your mind, just make you think if the idea of an outside kitchen is cooler than the actual kitchen design will be in use.
  • Mickey_D's avatar
    Mickey_D
    Explorer
    Nov 28, 2015
    We put our nine and eleven year old daughters and four dogs (fifty to seventy-five pounds) in the back seat of our 2500 Ram. It is a little crowded but they work it out pretty quickly. Two dogs sleep on the floor, one sits up and looks out the windows the whole trip, and the other curls up and sleeps next to a kid. One good thing is that it limits the amount of stuff that the kids pack into the truck, they generally just take a book or tablet and a blanket, not all of their worldly possessions and that makes loading up a LOT easier.

    As for a trailer, we went with a Primetime LaCrosse 329 and have been very happy with it. There is room for family movie night in the living area on rainy evenings, a big bunkhouse for the kids and dogs, lots of storage space, and both indoor and outside kitchens. I originally thought the outside kitchen was not necessary, but quickly came to love it and we use it much more than the inside one. It has been back into the dealer once for a couple of little things right after we bought it (dripping faucet, sofa problem, a cabinet door that was crooked) but has been pretty trouble free since then.
  • DeezPanthers1's avatar
    DeezPanthers1
    Explorer
    Nov 27, 2015
    Walaby wrote:
    Not much additional advice I can offer. Other than, if you will be moving in about 6 months, try to buy now, and try to get out for a few trips in it before you leave. That way, you can hopefully identify any issues, and get them addressed under the warranty from the dealer you buy it from, before you hit the road. Even camping in your driveway is a good way to work some bugs out, and start building a list of things you need to go buy. That's what the wife and I did and it helped alot.

    Sounds like you are approaching this pretty logically, and thinking it through.

    And adding to the thoughts of others.. thank your husband AND YOU, for your service. Im retired after 22 years, and know full well that it takes the whole family to make it.

    Mike


    Yeah that is what we are most worried about. We are in the process of selling our rental home. The person renting is buying it in January. We will be taking some of our profits to buy or RV and TV. We are hoping that gives us enough time to test everything out before moving across country. Hubby thinks we wont actually be moving until April -June time frame so that would actually work better for us.

    We started looking at pickups, and are having trouble finding a 350 dually in our price point, so it looks like we may be getting the lite TT in spite of having more storage (above and below) in 5W. Thats what we originally wanted, but got swayed by the extra storage and easy tow-ability . Looks like the decision might be made for us.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Nov 26, 2015
    Not much additional advice I can offer. Other than, if you will be moving in about 6 months, try to buy now, and try to get out for a few trips in it before you leave. That way, you can hopefully identify any issues, and get them addressed under the warranty from the dealer you buy it from, before you hit the road. Even camping in your driveway is a good way to work some bugs out, and start building a list of things you need to go buy. That's what the wife and I did and it helped alot.

    Sounds like you are approaching this pretty logically, and thinking it through.

    And adding to the thoughts of others.. thank your husband AND YOU, for your service. Im retired after 22 years, and know full well that it takes the whole family to make it.

    Mike
  • DeezPanthers1's avatar
    DeezPanthers1
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    mtofell1 wrote:
    I've eyed that same Open Range before. They seem to make a REALLY nice trailer. The price is a bit higher but it looks like it's worth it.

    I always think of the "big 3" manufacturers to be Keystone, Jayco and Forest River. Of those, I'd put Jayco at the top, Keystone next and then Forest River. That's just from what I've gathered reading around here over the years (totally unscientific study, I know). I actually own a Forest River product and it's not that it's a terrible unit or anything. Honestly, the 3 are pretty close and any is capable of being a lemon or not. There's really quite a big roll of the dice with buying an RV for sure.


    It is quite scary. The thing I didn't know I even wanted in an RV was having a table in the bunk room, so the kids can play games or draw pictures without being in the living room with me ALL the time. I love my kids, but I homeschool my kids so I need a little adult time, where they can play by themselves. I know this wont apply when we are camping, but it will be great when we are short term living in it in between moves.
  • mtofell1's avatar
    mtofell1
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    I've eyed that same Open Range before. They seem to make a REALLY nice trailer. The price is a bit higher but it looks like it's worth it.

    I always think of the "big 3" manufacturers to be Keystone, Jayco and Forest River. Of those, I'd put Jayco at the top, Keystone next and then Forest River. That's just from what I've gathered reading around here over the years (totally unscientific study, I know). I actually own a Forest River product and it's not that it's a terrible unit or anything. Honestly, the 3 are pretty close and any is capable of being a lemon or not. There's really quite a big roll of the dice with buying an RV for sure.
  • DeezPanthers1's avatar
    DeezPanthers1
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    CampingN.C. wrote:
    Obviously I'm a little biased per my signature but I'd go with the Jayco out of the three you've listed. Our Jay Flight has been problem free other than a propane regulator and a full roof replacement. (Long story, feel free to PM with ??'s.)
    The Eagle you're looking at will be a real beast though, especially for newbie. Having the rear room for the kids is nice though, that was the main reason we went with the 32BHDS.
    Speed as much time as you can playing with it at the dealer, not just sitting and talking. Lay in the bed, stand in the shower, pretend to brush your teeth etc, etc. Don't let them make you feel rushed.
    One more thing, consider and long bed truck when it's time. With 35ft of camper behind you, you'll thank me later.


    Thanks for the tip on the LBT. That will help. Yeah thats why we put the 5th wheels back on the table, since it will make it easier for hubby to tow. The Open Range lt 308bhs is owned by Jayco also and is a lot lighter than the eagle.
    BTW where in NC are you from? That's where both hubby and I are from (and are hoping to get back to).

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
  • CampingN_C_'s avatar
    CampingN_C_
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    Obviously I'm a little biased per my signature but I'd go with the Jayco out of the three you've listed. Our Jay Flight has been problem free other than a propane regulator and a full roof replacement. (Long story, feel free to PM with ??'s.)
    The Eagle you're looking at will be a real beast though, especially for newbie. Having the rear room for the kids is nice though, that was the main reason we went with the 32BHDS.
    Speed as much time as you can playing with it at the dealer, not just sitting and talking. Lay in the bed, stand in the shower, pretend to brush your teeth etc, etc. Don't let them make you feel rushed.
    One more thing, consider and long bed truck when it's time. With 35ft of camper behind you, you'll thank me later.
  • DeezPanthers1's avatar
    DeezPanthers1
    Explorer
    Nov 26, 2015
    rbpru wrote:
    Our dog usually sprawls out on the back seat of our pick up. When we have company he rides on a shelf we built in the bed.

    We have a cap and I built a shelf level with the pass through windows. The dog prefers to ride on his shelf bed where he can see into the cab and out the cap windows. We have a second bed for him in the truck bed but he likes his shelf bed.

    My daugter has a van where her three kids and their doodle each have a seat.

    Three kids in a pickup gets crowded really fast.


    Can you explain more about the shelf to me? (A pic would be great:)) I am not really understanding what you are talking about. I do have a minivan but when going on weekend trips, we don't want to have to take both cars. We know it will be tight, but Id rather do that than have to drive the van seperatly. When we travel back east I will have the van though.

    rbpru wrote:
    I am strictly blue skying here but with three kids and a dog, you need room. That means a big TT or a large PUP.

    If a PUP is out, than the only option I see is a large van to tow a large TT. That would be an E-series Ford type van with the towing and cargo capacity you need.

    This is a area I know little about, so I will have to defer to others.

    Good luck and keep us posted.

    My hubby definatly won't go for another van, he has to have a pickup truck for hauling other stuff when we are not in using TT.

    We went and looked at both today and found one TT we really love. It has everything we were looking for. I am not sure if it was the link I shared earlier, but I don't think it is though. (This is the exact model, but not the dealer)

    Open Range Lite 308BHS

    The 5th wheel version (Roamer 367bhs)
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Nov 26, 2015
    I am strictly blue skying here but with three kids and a dog, you need room. That means a big TT or a large PUP.

    If a PUP is out, than the only option I see is a large van to tow a large TT. That would be an E-series Ford type van with the towing and cargo capacity you need.

    This is a area I know little about, so I will have to defer to others.

    Good luck and keep us posted.

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