Buying first camper. Few simple questions...
Found the forum last night and read till 0300. Great info and community here. Wife and I got 9 month old son and 18 month old German Shepherd. All of a sudden, tent camping is losing its luster. Think...
Forum Discussion
We were tent campers from way back...we still have four totes packed and ready to go...BUT we bought our first camper 4-5 years ago and I don't think I'll ever go back!
I agree with Randu, look at the features, but do not buy new until you are SURE you will be a lifer. We bought an entry-level, used camper to make sure we like the whole camping experience. We paid $6k for a 27' bunkhouse (BH). We had it for 3 years and loved it! We took it last year to the Grand Canyon and parts of Colorado (3500 mile trip for us in Nebraska). This past year, we sold it and made a slight profit and we upgraded to a 2009 30' BH with slide-out and we made it to Yellowstone!
The point is, unless you have money to burn, you can get a great trailer to help you get started. I had a friend of mine buy a brand-new trailer and he took it out once, then sold it. Took a huge loss.
We still camp at the state and national campgrounds. We prefer those to the "parking lot" style "campgrounds." You can still camp as comfortable or as rustic as you like. It is your trip!
The gas cost is huge, but the lodging costs are slashed! Our 10 day Yellowstone/Grand Teton we spent $1,100.00 in fuel, but only $250 is camp fees. We ate out in a restaurant, once. We spent our money on fuel and recreational activities. Had the time of our lives, my 3 sons (16,13, 10 and two irish setters and my dear wife (DW)!
Good Luck and enjoy! I can't wait to retire and start camping all of the time! (Just 11 more years until I can retire!)
I agree with Randu, look at the features, but do not buy new until you are SURE you will be a lifer. We bought an entry-level, used camper to make sure we like the whole camping experience. We paid $6k for a 27' bunkhouse (BH). We had it for 3 years and loved it! We took it last year to the Grand Canyon and parts of Colorado (3500 mile trip for us in Nebraska). This past year, we sold it and made a slight profit and we upgraded to a 2009 30' BH with slide-out and we made it to Yellowstone!
The point is, unless you have money to burn, you can get a great trailer to help you get started. I had a friend of mine buy a brand-new trailer and he took it out once, then sold it. Took a huge loss.
We still camp at the state and national campgrounds. We prefer those to the "parking lot" style "campgrounds." You can still camp as comfortable or as rustic as you like. It is your trip!
The gas cost is huge, but the lodging costs are slashed! Our 10 day Yellowstone/Grand Teton we spent $1,100.00 in fuel, but only $250 is camp fees. We ate out in a restaurant, once. We spent our money on fuel and recreational activities. Had the time of our lives, my 3 sons (16,13, 10 and two irish setters and my dear wife (DW)!
Good Luck and enjoy! I can't wait to retire and start camping all of the time! (Just 11 more years until I can retire!)
