Newbie shopping for first tow behind.

[6_6_Oilburner]

Hopefully I'm posting in the right section. The wife and are looking for a used tow behind camper. Fifth wheel or bumper tow, not much over 30 foot, bunkhouse is a must. I think a slide is a must and she does not necessarily agree. I was originally thinking in the $5-$6k range and we'd pay cash. After looking at some different stuff, we are now in the $12-$15k range and I WILL be taking out a loan and making the payments, which I am fine with.

What I can't seem to find is any real guidelines on brands and the quality of construction. Now that we are in the $12-$15k range she is seeing new stuff and thinking we should buy smaller and new/newer. As an example, we are supposed to go look at a 2009 Keystone Sprinter 33' Bunkhouse with 2 slides, while there is a lightly used 2015 Shasta Flyte 255BH at a dealership for about the same money. We looked at a 2010 Keystone Sprinter 331BHS at another dealer and were very impressed. There is also a 2015 Dutchmen Aspen 2710bh that another place has new for about $14k

I'm basically looking for some guidance and a little better understanding of the price gap between brands.

[6_6_Oilburner]

valhalla360 wrote:
Good luck but check the pin wieght (assume maximum load not the empty wieght that's on the sticker).

I'll bet you are right at the limit if not beyond.

Thanks, Bumper tow on my truck is limited to about 13k with weight distribution. The camper I purchased is like 8200 empty, leaving me plenty for water tanks and gear. I should be plenty legal and more than safe.

[valhalla360]

Good luck but check the pin wieght (assume maximum load not the empty wieght that's on the sticker).

I'll bet you are right at the limit if not beyond.

[6_6_Oilburner]

Well, much to my surprise, my wife gave me the go ahead to pull the trigger on the Keystone Sprinter 331BHS we looked at tonight. Bunk house slide and living area slide. Small tool box added to the back with 4 deep cell batteries and a marine charger/maintainer. Nice rig. Left a deposit and should be picking it up this weekend. I figured she would have balked at the price and we'd be back to looking.

[davosfam]

We have a Keystone Cougar and are very happy with it.

My sister has been looking for a bunkhouse model also and one of the best floorplans I have seen is similar to the Keystone Premier 29BHPR or Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH. The double size bunks in the corner are really nice and much more comfortable than normal bunkhouse models have.

[6_6_Oilburner]

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
I'll second on the RV show. We went to our first one this spring and it was a fantastic way to walk many floor plans on the same day and get an idea of what a floorplan actually is, for example, what a 26' with one slide is like. There is a big one in PA in the fall, maybe September?

If you search the forum, you will see many who bought without a slide and regretted it but only a few who wish they didn't have the slide (extra maintenance issues). I'd show those to your wife.

I will have to search, regrets are the kind of info I'm looking for.

[6_6_Oilburner]

campigloo wrote:
This is your first trailer? You may be much better off going used for at least the first one. It took 3 tries before we found what is ideal for us. I've seen many people buy new first and then find out they don't even like RVing. Until you try one or two, you could save a bundle by starting used.

Well, we had a slide in truck camper a few years back before we had the baby and we did enjoy it. It was older and my wife was claustrophobic in the bunk. We used to spend many weekends at my family camp, however my grandfather passed away a year ago and my parents have since moved up there full time, so we are looking to get out an camp, and possibly leave the camper on another parcel up where the family camp is and use it when we are not elsewhere.

Me, I'm all about the used one, but I'm having as much luck as I suspected I would meeting the wifes standards with a used unit.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I'll second on the RV show. We went to our first one this spring and it was a fantastic way to walk many floor plans on the same day and get an idea of what a floorplan actually is, for example, what a 26' with one slide is like. There is a big one in PA in the fall, maybe September?

If you search the forum, you will see many who bought without a slide and regretted it but only a few who wish they didn't have the slide (extra maintenance issues). I'd show those to your wife.

[NC_Hauler]

campigloo wrote:
This is your first trailer? You may be much better off going used for at least the first one. It took 3 tries before we found what is ideal for us. I've seen many people buy new first and then find out they don't even like RVing. Until you try one or two, you could save a bundle by starting used.

Very true...MIght even possibly look local...Many times people who "think" they'd like to start camping, buy the camper, the tow vehicle and either never go, rarely go or just seem to find out they don't care for it....More "like new" TT's and 5er's out there than you might think. I'd look for one of those new to newer one's that is 1 to 4 years old being sold by the owner...Might find what you like and cut your own deal....the owner is probably wanting to get rid of it badly.


But what your truck can tow and buy something you think you can live with for the next 2-5 yrs...usually the only way you come out ok.....just my own .02 cents from having been there, done that, got the T-Shirt.....spent more money than I needed to..learning the hard way sometimes can help others if they want to hear it.

[campigloo]

This is your first trailer? You may be much better off going used for at least the first one. It took 3 tries before we found what is ideal for us. I've seen many people buy new first and then find out they don't even like RVing. Until you try one or two, you could save a bundle by starting used.

[APT]

In your budget, you can get new enough that I think it is worth visiting RV shows and new RV dealers. You get exposed to a lot more brands and floorplan ideas when there are 100 bunkhouses in one building or parking lot, back to back to back. There you can narrow down brands that you like better. Chances are they still made units 5 years ago with a similar level of quality and materials. Then you can shop the used market with more refined list.

[6_6_Oilburner]

Jim-Linda wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
I will not suggest a make or model though I will say many folks like JEEPs with MANUAL 4 wheel drive.. Most of these can be towed 4 down.

And of course most anything can be towed on a full trailer if your tow vehicle has the capacity and you do not mind the hassle.. I like enclosed trailers as they double as "Garage".

I also like towing 4-Down as it is less expensive and the easiest way to tow.


Two paths you can follow:
1: Go to one of the RV-magazine web sites, FMCA (you may need to join) Escapees, Or any RV mag,, Most of them run an annual "What you can tow" list.. Download same and choose from the list.

2: Pick out 2 or 3 or more cars you like (Seems there are always too many choices) and google REMCO TOWING USA

Click on the store link (Do this before you start shopping and take notes)

On the left frame are some questions. year, Make, Model, Engine, Transmission and I think one other (That's what you need to take notes on, what questions they ask)

Enter your suspect vehicles vitals and on the main frame is "Can I tow it"

You will get one of the following replies

You need Braking system and tow bar and lights (This means you can tow it)

You need the basics (Above) Plus a LP-1 Lube Pump (Can tow with modification)
Or Axle lock or Drive Shaft Disconnect (likewsie)

You can tow buit you need to follow a special procedure (I recommend against, too easy to forget special procedure) such as running the engine for 5 minutes and running it through the gears at hook up and every 400 miles or some such.

You can not tow

We do not know if you can tow

I'd choose a "Basic" model if you can.

I do believe the OP is referring to towing a trailer, not a car, could be wrong.

Jim

Sometimes it pays to read the post and not reply based on the title..... However, I guess my terminology was a little vague.

[Jim-Linda]

wa8yxm wrote:
I will not suggest a make or model though I will say many folks like JEEPs with MANUAL 4 wheel drive.. Most of these can be towed 4 down.

And of course most anything can be towed on a full trailer if your tow vehicle has the capacity and you do not mind the hassle.. I like enclosed trailers as they double as "Garage".

I also like towing 4-Down as it is less expensive and the easiest way to tow.


Two paths you can follow:
1: Go to one of the RV-magazine web sites, FMCA (you may need to join) Escapees, Or any RV mag,, Most of them run an annual "What you can tow" list.. Download same and choose from the list.

2: Pick out 2 or 3 or more cars you like (Seems there are always too many choices) and google REMCO TOWING USA

Click on the store link (Do this before you start shopping and take notes)

On the left frame are some questions. year, Make, Model, Engine, Transmission and I think one other (That's what you need to take notes on, what questions they ask)

Enter your suspect vehicles vitals and on the main frame is "Can I tow it"

You will get one of the following replies

You need Braking system and tow bar and lights (This means you can tow it)

You need the basics (Above) Plus a LP-1 Lube Pump (Can tow with modification)
Or Axle lock or Drive Shaft Disconnect (likewsie)

You can tow buit you need to follow a special procedure (I recommend against, too easy to forget special procedure) such as running the engine for 5 minutes and running it through the gears at hook up and every 400 miles or some such.

You can not tow

We do not know if you can tow

I'd choose a "Basic" model if you can.

I do believe the OP is referring to towing a trailer, not a car, could be wrong.

Jim

[wa8yxm]

I will not suggest a make or model though I will say many folks like JEEPs with MANUAL 4 wheel drive.. Most of these can be towed 4 down.

And of course most anything can be towed on a full trailer if your tow vehicle has the capacity and you do not mind the hassle.. I like enclosed trailers as they double as "Garage".

I also like towing 4-Down as it is less expensive and the easiest way to tow.


Two paths you can follow:
1: Go to one of the RV-magazine web sites, FMCA (you may need to join) Escapees, Or any RV mag,, Most of them run an annual "What you can tow" list.. Download same and choose from the list.

2: Pick out 2 or 3 or more cars you like (Seems there are always too many choices) and google REMCO TOWING USA

Click on the store link (Do this before you start shopping and take notes)

On the left frame are some questions. year, Make, Model, Engine, Transmission and I think one other (That's what you need to take notes on, what questions they ask)

Enter your suspect vehicles vitals and on the main frame is "Can I tow it"

You will get one of the following replies

You need Braking system and tow bar and lights (This means you can tow it)

You need the basics (Above) Plus a LP-1 Lube Pump (Can tow with modification)
Or Axle lock or Drive Shaft Disconnect (likewsie)

You can tow buit you need to follow a special procedure (I recommend against, too easy to forget special procedure) such as running the engine for 5 minutes and running it through the gears at hook up and every 400 miles or some such.

You can not tow

We do not know if you can tow

I'd choose a "Basic" model if you can.

[6_6_Oilburner]

NC Hauler wrote:


You have a 2500 Chevy D/A, (all 3/4 ton's are SRW), Depending on the year, you CAN be limited by payload, (RAWR is what most go by)...use to be 9200# GVW but don't know what year your Chevy is...but yeah, all trucks have their limit and it would fall into the line of carrying pin weight in the bed of the truck.

My 07 is 9200lb GVW, I will double check on the pin weights, but nothing we have looked at is over 8k so I don't believe its an issue. As much as I would prefer a 5th wheel for hauling and parking, most of the contenders at this point are