UPGRADING FROM POP-UP

Great suggestions. I think the first thing I need to do is determine what I can tow. Didn't worry to much with the pop-up. Plan on getting it weighed this weekend then do all of the cyphering to see what I can and can't tow.

Have you looked at the Winnebago Ultralite or Minnie series or possibly last years One series? We're really happy with our Winnebago 5'er but had looked at their TT's and found the quality the same and a step above what we had found with Jayco, Heartland, Cruiser and others.

We just brought our first TT home today, so I'm probably being presumptuous in responding in this thread. But several people suggested that we check out the Nash and Lance marques. We also liked the Jayco and Surveyor Sport and Cadet models. We felt that the interior finishes and insulation on the Surveyors were better than the Jayco, but we liked some of the details in the Jaycos. We wound up with a Tracer because it had quite a few excellent quality features that the others lacked.

I have not owned any of those brands, but have been really happy with our Keystone Bullet.

Just to confirm, you are planning to buy new?

On my hybrid all fresh water pipes and tank are inside the cabin. Have low drains and fw tank drains and waste valves to worry about.

A weird feeling being the only ones in the park, isn't it?

We're Rockwood owners and have been happy with both, so not totally familiar with the other brands besides the large number of Jayco owners. If you're going to order rather than choosing one off the lot, strongly suggest you make sure it's a sealed underbelly and heated tanks. Since you winter camp, find every option you can to insulate.

Other strong suggestions - make sure you have at least one slide. Our HTT had more kitchen counterspace than our TT and I do miss it, so maybe an island, which would likely give you opposing slides. If you routinely stop enroute, you may want to see if bathroom and/or kitchen are accessible without opening a slide. Definitely make sure it has a cozy place for the pooch!

Good luck and happy shopping.

winter camping only in Ga. We had our lines freeze up this past Mid December in south Ga. I know this was a freak weather situation. I was lucky no pipes burst. It was a state park and we had the entire park to ourselves. The park rangers didn't even come by to check on us. We liked that very much and that there were no bug issues. Didn't care so much for how cold it was in the pop-up. We would tent camp in sub freezing temps each winter with the scouts years ago but I think we are just to old for that anymore. Looking for a good heater and enclosed/heated underbelly.

Pipes will burst in most tt, pups, hybrids whatever in the winter. Are you traveling north or south during the winter months?

Your best bet is to go to a large RV Show where lots of manufacturers and dealers show off their stuff. Try to find one put on by RVIA or the Georgia RV dealer association, not one put on by just one dealer.

Find the TT you like, that fits your needs and then spend some time in it. try moving around in it, stand in the shower sit on the toilet make sure everything is comfortable. If someone is cooking at the stove how hard is it to get past them. If your stuck inside due to bad weather would it be comfortable for long hours of sitting. Lots of storage.....look for what works for you.

Quality is hit and miss... we've chosen our last two RVs from model lines consider mid-level. The first one held up for over 16 years until we sold it and we've had our current one for 20 years. We use them at least once per month and for a couple of week long trips each year. Neither one had any major quality related problems.

Jayco, Cruiser, Starcraft, in my opinion, are all good brands. All will use similar component brands. All will have similar layouts. Each will have its own unique fabrics.

As a general guideline, all will have similar build quality. I've seen bad and good quality in all three, and in others.

We have owned Cruiser and Starcraft...both were great. Our next TT will be a Jayco...love the size of their fresh water tanks and in general, quailty seems high in price range we look at.

Pick your fav floor plan and jump in...the water is fine!