The Quest for My Perfect Camper

[Olddawgsrule]

Thought this would be a good spot for this as would could help those along the path of purchase.

I will start by saying there is no one size fits all and to each their own. These are my observations.
Second, there really is no Perfect Trailer, we only come as close as we can to our wants.

Let's start!

I started this quest about a month ago after I learned my wife doesn't do as well as I hope on the water (ya, I was headed for a boat). So I moved on to land base travel. I came across this forum only a couple weeks back and have for this site to be very informative, active and a few jokesters to keep it lively!

For us, this not a weekend nor week vacation type of thing. We will be living in for extended periods, so size (layout) matters.

Day one of the RV Sales places.

This was Campers World. One of the largest in NH and a great place to start!

We start with the Class 3 Motorhome. This seemed like a possible choice and they had a few starting in at 67K. Considering a TT and a vehicle to tow, well can hit that $$ pretty quick.
Well, they came off the list pretty quick! What I thought they were is not reality. They are small when driving. Open them up when parked and we still felt much too small.

Took a quick look at the van campers and basically ran away.

My wife dragged me through a couple Class A's and knowing their way out of the budget and how nice they are, I really didn't even want to look, but good to for comparison.

Onward to the Travel Trailers. Two stuck out for the day.

First was the Prowler. Real nice kitchen (double bowl sink) and Frig of real size (6 cubic feet I believe, maybe a tad bigger). Full enclosed bath (which the wife wants) and good bedroom (I want twins, but all seem to come as Queens). The dinette slide out (side) is what we want (we now know). The longer units (30ft+) meant a longer slide-out and really made it spacious.
Con: Well, wood framed.. bummer, cause they're priced well! And the23ft really hit the mark for size and dollar.
Price about 23K for the 26ft we liked. AC and heater included.

Next came the Colemen Lantern series:

This one will stay on the list! All metal framed, no wood, Solar prep'd and outside kitchen, enclosed bath and bedroom, side dinette slide-out (found we really like this).
Looked at both the 23ft and 26ft and could go either way (26ft obviously roomier and nice sitting area in rear).

The 23ft we decided would be our choice and came in just under 20K

Lesson learned from the day. I need to look at a Toy Hauler and price them. Since I'm looking for open space that could be and answer for me.

So we've decided the Class A & C Motor Homes are out. As well as the Van Camper. The Travel Camper looks like our best bet.

Here's the list to Date:

#1 Is the Alto Safari. extremely light weight, not expandable but the roof raises to make it a real Travel Camper (tear-drop in transport mode). 3.? CuFt Frig, exterior shower (interior toilet), solar panel and windows galore! 34K 16 month delivery

#2 right now is the Coleman 230. Side dinette slide out, 6 Cuft frig, full bath, queen bed (which I'd probably tear out and do as I really want). $19,900

#3 Could be the Riverside Dream. I'm awaiting response from them to see if they'll customize for me. I'm looking at their 23ft model. Also side slide-out dinette (smaller than Coleman's), full bath, and nice kitchen. $20K

Much more to come as I proceed!

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

Maybe I missed it in all the excitement but what do you have to put in front of this trailer you're thinking of getting? Do you have a Chevy Luv or a 1 ton diesel? Do you even have a pickup or TV yet?

[Olddawgsrule]

To add to that discussion, we did the 5 Utah National Parks this July. Everywhere it was pretty hot, some more than others. Moab being the hottest at 108 for the high. Good insulation (roof/walls/floor), good insulting windows are key both winter and summer.

Outdoors RV is a trailer I recently looked and and would be on the list if I were shopping for a TT. Just not sure if they are in your area.

I can see why you like them! I'm just stuck on my layout (twin beds). Understand now, it's more of a secondary workspace for me than anything else.
I want Wifey to have the whole front area while I do my thing. So, layout is important.

TT's are not off the list! Funny, Class C was, but not longer now that I found a coupe affordable.

At some point we will have a conversation about the Utah Park Tour in July.. Just not now, I need to buy the unit first.. lol

[Olddawgsrule]

Heard back from Nexus. No to modifying..Bummer.
Their 31ft has Twins and still priced well.

So, I get the Pro's to going longer, but the Con's?
I think that would limit where I can park for the night..

[RedRocket204]

Olddawgsrule wrote:
My, plans are to stay away from the cold weather! Yes, Spring/Fall can get cool, but I'm from the Nor'east, cold is below freezing.. LOL
My intention off the bat is to travel Spring through Fall and visit Canada petty extensively.
Ultimate would be to run South for winter and fine a spot to park it and fly home. Use it as a get-away during the winter.

I know sounds weird wanting to be in the Nor'east for winter, but I like snow!!

Do not forget that the RVs built for 3 & 4 seasons, meaning better insulating values, not only make a significant difference when it is cold outside, it will greatly help with summer heat too. Just take a look at the many threads about trying to get RVs to cool efficiently. Seems somewhat a common issue many end up faced with.

To add to that discussion, we did the 5 Utah National Parks this July. Everywhere it was pretty hot, some more than others. Moab being the hottest at 108 for the high. Good insulation (roof/walls/floor), good insulting windows are key both winter and summer.

Outdoors RV is a trailer I recently looked and and would be on the list if I were shopping for a TT. Just not sure if they are in your area.

[Grit_dog]

Electric range/oven = shore power or generator to use it. Only practical if have electrical hookups imo.

[Olddawgsrule]

A singe induction burner runs off 110 not 240. They are usually 15 amp. Advantage of the induction burner is that it doesn't add heat to the kitchen area like a gas cooktop does. Also easier to keep clean with better controllability than a propane burner. They are safer - they don't get hot, they shut off when pan is removed, in fact you can put a hundred dollar bill between the pan and the cooktop and cook all day without burning the bill. The main disadvantage of induction is that you need to use pans with enough ferrous content to hold a magnet - cast iron, some stainless, etc. No aluminum.

We have a propane cooktop in our TT and bought a portable induction unit to use both there and at home. I haven't used the gas since I bought it. We are either going to build a new home in the next few years or remodel and will definitely install induction.



Good info there. Guess my only issue then is there's only one burner in that particular unit..
Also sounds like I might not want two if they take that much power..
Pro's &Con's I guess and each to their own.

[GT928]

Olddawgsrule wrote:
So, what of this induction electric burner? Thoughts folks?
I'm a cook-on-gas type of person..

What kind of power does it consume? Only when on shore-power? Do you like/dis-like?

I've never used one so have no clue..

A singe induction burner runs off 110 not 240. They are usually 15 amp. Advantage of the induction burner is that it doesn't add heat to the kitchen area like a gas cooktop does. Also easier to keep clean with better controllability than a propane burner. They are safer - they don't get hot, they shut off when pan is removed, in fact you can put a hundred dollar bill between the pan and the cooktop and cook all day without burning the bill. The main disadvantage of induction is that you need to use pans with enough ferrous content to hold a magnet - cast iron, some stainless, etc. No aluminum.

We have a propane cooktop in our TT and bought a portable induction unit to use both there and at home. I haven't used the gas since I bought it. We are either going to build a new home in the next few years or remodel and will definitely install induction.

[jplante4]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Olddawgsrule]

Furthering my RV research I find http://www.nadaguides.com/RVs to be a great help.

As you look up a make, you can see basic info, Beds being one of the key items. For me, a great help!

Winnebago has come into play, as is Forrester, Sunseeker and Phoenix Cruiser.
Nexus has some rather nice pricing and made contact to see if they modify a bit for me. I'll let you know how that goes.

Buying used (just a year or two) with low milage is doable. These Class C's have something to really offer, well if you can get priced right that is..
Depreciation seems huge on the first year, so two years old is almost new and that curve is past.

My first pick on the tag-a-long has a 34K price, but hard to beat the layout in a 17.5ft trailer.
Second choice to date is 20ft and is 20ft of space, tag on it 20K, but I need the truck to pull it.
If I can capture a good Class C (which I'm seeing I can, used 2 years) for about 50K, I may have what I want.

Thankfully I'm doing this early and can watch and wait.

More to come if your interested.

[Olddawgsrule]

I just made initial contact with them to see what can be done?

The RB24 layout is what I want, hoping they have an option for a two burner lpg range. Very curious if their Frig is 2way..

[drsteve]

If you decide to go with new, check to see if they can build you one with twin beds.

An induction cook top is going to need shore power, but if you plan to always be plugged in, or (like me) you mostly cook outside anyway, it probably doesn't matter.

[jplante4]

I can't imagine running an induction cooktop off the inverter. It's 240 volt, 30 amp circuit in a house.

I guess you could just use it when you're plugged in and get an old Coleman 2 burner propane stove for when you're "roughing it"?

[Olddawgsrule]

So, what of this induction electric burner? Thoughts folks?
I'm a cook-on-gas type of person..

What kind of power does it consume? Only when on shore-power? Do you like/dis-like?

I've never used one so have no clue..

[Olddawgsrule]

bikendan wrote:

Olddawgsrule wrote:
I'm driving out today to look at a Class 3. Guess they're not completely of the list quite yet..

Just for clarification, it's a Class C, not 3.
There's Class A, B, B+, C, Super C.

My oops.. multi-tasking.. too much.. My apologies!

[bikendan]

Olddawgsrule wrote:
I'm driving out today to look at a Class 3. Guess they're not completely of the list quite yet..

Just for clarification, it's a Class C, not 3.
There's Class A, B, B+, C, Super C.