Travel Trailer: Making a decision based on value, first buy.

[aerocycle]

My wife and I have been looking at travel trailers for a year now, we want to be able to hitch up on any given weekend and go anywhere. Its just us, maybe our dog, we only know tent camping and are tired of its woes. Living in oregon means a lot of rainy or damp days.

I am a aviation mechanic by trade, I'm very quick to see defects of any kind, very hands on, and a lover of quality craftsmanship for dollar paid, (value as I call it).

Money is a slight concern as we don't want to put ourselves in a tight spot, we have done more hoteling it lately which gets expensive; looked into rvs thinking it may be a money saver, but have decided that though it may save money, it's really a lifestyle, you need to enjoy it, there are many hidden costs, insurance, increased mpg, hookup fees, maintenance fees, etc. But we are still interested.

This is my fist post on any forum, i'm interested in others thoughts. With our heads spinning we have looked at so many trailers, and I have spent countless hours further researching brands and companies online. Thanks to you all!

We really like simple, prefer no slides (more to maintain/break/leak), love big windows in the back for the views, and are intrigued by aluminum framing to minimize rot, if there was a leak (there will be...).

We like what we see with Outdoors RV 20FQ, its a bit short on space, but I dont want to go up to a 25 fter. The other is a Keystone Passport 234QBWE, i'm disappointed every time I step in one (three so far, same model), they're full, and I mean FULL of poor craftsmanship, bad blemishes, nails sticking out, doors way out of alingment, screws literally falling out, etc. But it's a lower price point. Weve looked at many others. were at the point of looking at models with slides, but they lack big windows and feel like your in a box.

I like that outdoors rv is made in oregon, money staying here in our state, and they have the 1-2-3 warranty. It's just rough seeing the price at $26k. the passport is like $19k, and looking at used ones has been a joke, its either priced the same as a new one, or abused, and not worth it. What are we missing? Is there a best value manufacturer? No pride of craftsmanship even in the cheaper trailers?

Thoughts? Advice? My wife an I feel like we're in a spinzone.

[aerocycle]

I think we will be ok with 74 in bed, I would prefer a standard queen, but I get hot feet at night anyway, let them hang out!

Thanks for the northwood back up, I like their construction, jayco seems well built too though, but maybe not as rugged.

Any thoughts on negotiating that right price for a used one, private or on a lot? Rv guides like nada do not seem too helpful.

[tnrv_er]

The outdoorsrv 20FQ is a nice camper if the floor plan works for you. One thing that you may want to take into consideration is the 74" bed length. It may or may not work for you depending on your height.

[Travel_n_Wrestl]

drsteve wrote:
Don't make me pull this car over...

Well what's the payload on that car? You can't pull anything with that and you are a danger to the rest of us sir! How are you going to control sway? Your engine is going to be struggling when you drive up the peak of Mt. St. Helens dontcha know?

Just finished purchasing my first TT Aero. I have received a bunch of great advice from members of this forum as well as the Jayco owners forum. Like someone already posted, don't feed the trolls. I would echo the sentiments of whoever told you to look at Northwood. I researched trailers for quite a while and wish I could have afforded/pulled a Northwood built trailer of some kind. They have a great reputation. And your money will stay in Oregon.

But until then...Jayco it is! LOL Good Luck.

[aerocycle]

Thank you for your replies. It appears I could buy the new outdoors rv 20fq for about $25k, but we have and will keep looking for a used one. One I found is in another state from us, it's a 2013 20fq and the guy is underwater, says he owes $23k, is asking $20k, says he won't go lower than what the dealer with give him, $17k, all along I'm thinking like $15-$16k, but sound like a difficult buying situation.

[Durb]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry your first post has turned confrontational.

Net time you are in Tualatin drop by Camper Outlet and look at a sample of a Bigfoot trailer. You will immediately see that they stand out from the others and meet most of your criteria. I wouldn't purchase one new as their size to price ratio is low.

I was in the same situation as you 8 years ago and I researched everything on the market. I wanted the best constructed one from a structural integrity standpoint and yet was a full width trailer. It took me 6 months to find the right used 25 ft. Bigfoot and I was happy I did. It served me well for 5 years and I sold it for what I paid with inquiries coming from all over the country.

You will need at least a half ton truck and disregard this post if you are over 6'-1" tall. Good luck with your search and please don't give up on this forum.

[free_radical]

Fizz wrote:
You're overthinking it.

Being a craftsman and handyman you're ahead of the game already. No matter how well built, it's a wooden box on wheels. Something will happen eventually. Keep it dry.
Don't pass up on the slide, it will be the least of your worries.

Wouldnt staying away from wooden boxes be good idea then and get one made of fibreglass or aluminum?

[drsteve]

Don't make me pull this car over...

[rexlion]

Pass the popcorn, please,,, 😉

[Bumpyroad]

soren wrote:


So being a jerk is something you are entitled to once you become a seasoned member? I'm not sure how that is "valuable advice"?

Of course, there are many here that would benefit from the concept of actually reading and comprehending posts. The first thing the guy says is that he is an aviation mechanic. He then gets a response claiming that he doesn't care about maintenance, and offers that "RVing may not make him happy, or keeping him out of a tight spot". Whatever, the heck that means?

Doesn't matter if he joined in 2000, or a moment ago,He is no less important than you. It's posted in "beginning RVing" which would indicate that it's just where it belongs, as he makes it clear that he is new to this. Nobody needs nasty replies to serious questions, or your attitude, when they express that they don't appreciate that kind of nonsense. Believe it or not, the fact that you have been her a while means absolutely nothing to most, and fails to give you the right to decide who is, or isn't, welcomed here.

most folks when they join up with a web site sort of play it by ear at first until they get a feel of the site. the OP's third post started sassing people.
if you think that is the way one should approach a new forum, that is your problem, not mine.
if you think that "dear lord dude chill out, you have added nothing here, move on quietly.

You don't understand I weight all of my options, used or new, if you don't have anything positive to add then...

I know maintenance better than most people, period, that is my job. Why would i want to buy a rv known to require more maintenance than another? sheesh, really starting to regret joining this dam forum."
is a good way to make friends and influence people, IMHO you are dam wrong.
bumpy

[Grit_dog]

OP. Got a few grumpy old ....... that would argue with you if you said the sky is blue. It's ok, good entertainment.
Regarding a camper. I don't know much about all the brands. Can speak for Northwood/Arctic Fox. Have had 2 used campers. An 05 and now the 03. Without a bassist for comparison I think the quality is quite good. 17 years old. Not lived in, but fairly used when we bought it a couple years ago. Was kept up and covered storage. Both of them have had pretty much zero issues. Normal maintenance stuff, no different than if you bought it new for the most part I'd say. I know people with new RV s and they have to tinker and fix stuff too.
So there's that.
And yes would t hesitate to buy used. Personally I wouldn't want to spend more money with really only a short warranty.
Find a nice used one, take care of it and it will last a long time.

Oh and don't ask about a tow vehicle unless you have a 1 ton or want to get yelled at by the grouchy guys, lol

[soren]

Bumpyroad wrote:

soren wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

aerocycle wrote:


dear lord dude chill out, you have added nothing here, move on quietly.

You don't understand I weight all of my options, used or new, if you don't have anything positive to add then...

I know maintenance better than most people, period, that is my job. Why would i want to buy a rv known to require more maintenance than another? sheesh, really starting to regret joining this dam forum.

and from your attitude, others are probably regretting it also.
bumpy

Seems the valuable advice of "if you don't have anything positive to add......." applies pretty well to you, also. Totally unnecessary post on your part, and one of the reasons that new members leave quickly, and head to places like IRV2, where folks actually know how to act civil and provide valuable information.

and coming on here one day after joining the forum and has that attitude. no big loss if he leaves. my valuable advice is not act like a jerk your second day here.
bumpy

So being a jerk is something you are entitled to once you become a seasoned member? I'm not sure how that is "valuable advice"?

Of course, there are many here that would benefit from the concept of actually reading and comprehending posts. The first thing the guy says is that he is an aviation mechanic. He then gets a response claiming that he doesn't care about maintenance, and offers that "RVing may not make him happy, or keeping him out of a tight spot". Whatever, the heck that means?

Doesn't matter if he joined in 2000, or a moment ago,He is no less important than you. It's posted in "beginning RVing" which would indicate that it's just where it belongs, as he makes it clear that he is new to this. Nobody needs nasty replies to serious questions, or your attitude, when they express that they don't appreciate that kind of nonsense. Believe it or not, the fact that you have been her a while means absolutely nothing to most, and fails to give you the right to decide who is, or isn't, welcomed here.

[theoldwizard1]

I know you said cost was not your top priority, but money is always important ! I would recommend starting with a used TT, 2-3 years old. Most TT will lose about 50 percent off of the "suggested retail price" in the first 2 years.

Second, start small. Make sure your tow vehicle can handle the TT after you have loaded it up !

Most people want to "move up" after their first couple of years.


As for buying "quality", IMHO there are very few really GOOD quality manufacturers out there. Airsteam and Avion. Pretty much all of the "eggshell" manufacturers (fiberglass upper and lower) and maybe CampLite (all aluminum; no wood)

[Bumpyroad]

soren wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

aerocycle wrote:


dear lord dude chill out, you have added nothing here, move on quietly.

You don't understand I weight all of my options, used or new, if you don't have anything positive to add then...

I know maintenance better than most people, period, that is my job. Why would i want to buy a rv known to require more maintenance than another? sheesh, really starting to regret joining this dam forum.

and from your attitude, others are probably regretting it also.
bumpy

Seems the valuable advice of "if you don't have anything positive to add......." applies pretty well to you, also. Totally unnecessary post on your part, and one of the reasons that new members leave quickly, and head to places like IRV2, where folks actually know how to act civil and provide valuable information.

and coming on here one day after joining the forum and has that attitude. no big loss if he leaves. my valuable advice is not act like a jerk your second day here.
bumpy

[Fizz]

aerocycle wrote:
Great advice guys appreciate it! It's been quite a search fiasco out there, you've helped me refocus on the goal! I haven't seen alpenlite yet, I'll look them up too!

Best advise I got was from a salesman.
Look everywhere at everything, eventually it will come to you. What floor plan works and doesn't work for you, kitchen in back, middle, front etc.
When you do find it kick out the sales guy and live in the trailer for a half hour. Lay on the bed, sit on the can, watch TV, cook a meal. Get a feel for what it will be like. Just the two of you.