Travel Trailer Buying Advice

What is the truck's payload? Other than the driver, what will you carry in the truck? What's the max number that will sleep in the TT?

Our experience has been that there is no such thing as The Perfect Camper; there's always some feature that's missing or quality that's a bit less than desired, etc. For reliability, I'd choose to buy new rather than used, if your budget allows; otherwise my advice would be to choose a dealer near you that has a pretty good service reputation (you may need to ask around) and pick something they sell that fits your needs (floorplan, size, budget, etc.) Other than Airstream and a few other specialty brands, it seems to me that quality issues are about the same across the industry. Many components - fridge, a/c, water heaters, furnaces - are made by only one or two manufacturers, no matter which brand of camper you get.

I can't tell you what to stay away from. The list is too long.

What to look at?
Nash
Arctic Fox
Snow River
Lance

I just bought an Arctic Fox and I am very happy at the quality. Good luck.

If you're buying new and have no interest in typical maintenance or are physically unable to do any repairs, the dealer you choose and the quality of the service Dept. will be important. I can wander into a service garage and within 5 minutes assess the quality since I've worked in these environs. If you haven't ask the dealer's sales person and the manager about the service Dept. "How long does a typical warranty repair take?" may be a good question. Has the dealer had problems with a certain make or model? What models shine because the service Dept doesn't often see them? Asking the right questions and observation can save a lot of heartache going forward.
Good luck with your purchase. There seem to be brands that shine as durable. Others can advise on them. My Starcraft is 46 years old if that is any indicator.

westend wrote:
If you're buying new and have no interest in typical maintenance or are physically unable to do any repairs, the dealer you choose and the quality of the service Dept. will be important. I can wander into a service garage and within 5 minutes assess the quality since I've worked in these environs. If you haven't ask the dealer's sales person and the manager about the service Dept. "How long does a typical warranty repair take?" may be a good question. Has the dealer had problems with a certain make or model? What models shine because the service Dept doesn't often see them? Asking the right questions and observation can save a lot of heartache going forward.
Good luck with your purchase. There seem to be brands that shine as durable. Others can advise on them. My Starcraft is 46 years old if that is any indicator.

Good advice however does not really apply currently. Unless it's a small, really good, mom and pop dealer. Even if the service dept is exemplary, good luck getting any type of warranty repairs in a timely manner for most brands. Especially Forest River, Thor, Winnebago, etc. And if it's fixed right the first time that's just a bonus. Their is no shortage of people who have waited many weeks or months for warranty service to be completed.

Sales are high, units are being pushed out the factory door with multitudes of build issues due to sloppy assembly. Service departments are overwhelmed, the manufacturers warranty procedures suck, and techs, especially good ones, are in short supply. Mostly because of the pay structure. Some make a good living, most don't. Our local dealer has had a techs wanted sign out for over 3 years. The techs they do have spend more time doing the PDI's and turnovers of new units more than they do on warranty service. And they advertise "RVIA certified technicians" and advertise the he'll out of it. They have one certified tech, and most of the other 10 or so are young kids with little experience and no certifications other than they turned a wrench once, put in a screw, and picked their nose.

Any companies low end product line is generally something to avoid. As was mentioned earlier some of the west coast units have decent reputations and followings. Since your in the central region I'll add a couple to consider, Jayco and K-Z are among the rare ones that offer two year warranties and do it without breaking the bank. Grand Design has a reputation for backing their units as well. On the weight, going light does make it somewhat easier to tow if your truck is on the light side, but dont go to the extreme. Too light usually means less insulation, lighter frames, decking, and smaller tanks, all of which lessens weight but also reduces durabiity and flexibility of use.
Visit a couple of dealers, look at several product lines, but as a starting point, pay more attention to floorplans, and overall sizes. try to determine what features you want. You mentioned a slide, how about outside kitchen, seating options, bunks, or climate options such as enclosed heated underbelly.
Try to imagine how you will primarily be using the unit, resort CG usage, tank sizes arent critical, boondocking they become your most limiting factor.
After you have decided on use, and basic floorplan preference, then shopping becomes a little easier, set a price range and you can search RVT or RV Trader to see what comes up as being in or slightly above your range, and then visit in ernest.
Good luck.

I would advise against going new. Instead look for a trailer that is as close to new as you can find. Not only will you save some depreciation but so many new trailers have flaws that need to be fixed under warranty that you can almost be assured you will have to take the trailer back for warranty work. A used trailer will have those issues, if they crop up, handled. It's still not a guarantee your RV will be trouble free.

no rubber roofs
bumpy

Go visit all the RV dealers in your area. Spend a lot of time in each unit to get a feel for it. Once you have narrowed your choices, go rent a similar one, pull it with your truck and go camping for a few days.
Amazing how many people buy a new camper without having any real idea if they will even like it or the experience.

Welcome to the forum.

I wouldn't consider a trailer with cable operated slides. I would also make sure the unit you are considering has tire and axle ratings that aren't maxed out at the weight you will be towing. I like safety margins and a unit with a high cargo carrying capacity would ensure that.

If it has a membrane roof it will have seams and will be susceptible to leaks and will require periodic maintenance. Trailers with solid roofs and no seams (fiberglass and aluminum) generally don't have slides.

Good luck and consider shopping as part of the fun.