ENTRY LEVEL?

[djcjc]

I just read it again about how some trailers are considered entry level trailers by the elite of campers. I have a Jayco Jay Flight 29QBH this trailer has the layout we wanted the water and holding tank capacities we like but yet here is considered entry level. I has been to Florida ,Tn twice,Indy,& numerous trips here around IL and now that I am retired it is going to get pulled around alot more and many trips far frome home ( Tn in march Deadwood in June) I will not apologize to other in campgrounds for my aluminum sided entry level trailer I will just enjoy our trips and have fun. If this is entry level I guess it is where I belong I am not going live in it 24 - 7.

[DiskDoctr]

Sounds like many also have no time for foolish social status stuff while camping. When camping, it's about relaxing and enjoying our time together.

Sure, that often involves others we meet as we are very inclusive and easy going, but we aren't out to impress anyone. Our camper is nice and well kept, and paid for. We try to get out whenever we can.

We may get an additional rv for our planned cross country trip, but that's more about purpose. Maybe we'll decide just to take our camper.

One thing is for sure, though. If we get another camper, it will be to suit US, not anyone else- especially someone we don't know!

[dano73]

Spoken like a true salesman. I'm thinking the ceiling will drip or the rug will get wet, and then I will go fix the leak, oh, but I guess its better to have the side wall absorb the water until the fiberglass seperates from the substrate, now you're screwed. I'm not saying all, but honestly, ALOT of them are.Sad.

I have owned stick and tin trailers in my younger days, and many of the older stick and tin trailers are still around. Airstream..its estimated 70% of all of them EVER made are still on the road. I'm just saying!!

[2008Wildcat]

dano73 wrote:
Stick and tin, I'll take that any day over fiberglass filon sided trailer, cause ur filon sided trailer WILL delaminate, leaving you with a pile of worthless junk, and mfr has long walked away from it. I sold my last fiberglass trailer a year ago and bought a 23 year old airstream, couldn't be happier, oh and I picked up a 36ft hr presidential 5er for a song, smooth aluminum siding, aluminum roof on slides, Never delaminates.

Yep, will only rot from the inside out, before you know it is leaking.

I can walk through our used trailer lot and show you plenty of older fiberglass sided trailers that are NOT delaminating.

[dano73]

Stick and tin, I'll take that any day over fiberglass filon sided trailer, cause ur filon sided trailer WILL delaminate, leaving you with a pile of worthless junk, and mfr has long walked away from it. I sold my last fiberglass trailer a year ago and bought a 23 year old airstream, couldn't be happier, oh and I picked up a 36ft hr presidential 5er for a song, smooth aluminum siding, aluminum roof on slides, Never delaminates.

[rockhillmanor]

I think 'some' of the campers that only get out a few weekends a year might, just maybe, IMHO, JMHO, have a different outlook on all things RV'ing.

It's been my experience that the Snowbirds and Full Timers just from the nature of the beast of more RV'ing time under their belt have a first hand and longer exposure to everyone camping and get to know their RV neighbors a bit more intimately than a person parking next to them for one or two nights. And they know first hand it most certainly does NOT matter what type of RV others own.

I've personally have found it very offensive when I read all the posts over the years where forum members use the term snobby, elitists, etc. when referring to MH owners. These posters don't have a clue what the owners are like yet feel the need to call them names.:(

We are all the SAME no matter what we drive or pulled in with. As cliche as it sounds I think Rodney was dead on! :B

[waynec1957]

djcjc wrote:
This has gotten a lot more response than expected. I am glad to see that most of us are entry level people. We started out camping in tents moved to a pop-up so we didn't have to sleep on ground any more and no rainstorms running across floor. Then the kids got busy with school sports so now that everyone is grown and moved out we got ourselves a TT the bunks are so friends and family can come along if they want. We camp to enjoy the outdoors and each others company and those of people around us. 98% of every meal is cooked outside ( i love to cook) camper is for sleeping, eating inside if cold out, bathroom close, awning when raining and refrig to out food that won't fit in cooler (need room for my beer). We always walk the campgrounds to look at others rigs and am amazed at the amount of rigs that contain people that never spend time outside. Also quite impressed by the big rigs that show up unfold all the doors pull out the big screen TV to impress everybody turn it on then go inside leave TV on and are never seen again. To each there own but I don't need a leather lounger, fiberglass side, big screen TV, automatic leveling top of the line RV to enjoy family friends and the great outdoors. I have struggled in life and always got by and we are now in the position thru hard work and some luck to do what we want and have the $$ to buy what we want but I'm still the same simple person not out to impress just want to enjoy life. Happy camping to all.

X 10

I couldn't agree more. Well said.

[GrandpaKip]

rockhillmanor wrote:

I just read it again about how some trailers are considered entry level trailers by the elite of campers.

ENTRY LEVEL is a "manufacturer" label, NOT a campers nomenclature.

I have yet to have anyone act badly in a campground because of what they camped in. Maybe we're just lucky, but I don't think that's it. We have been in our "entry level" pop up next to big ole class A's, and have had nice relations. Nobody I've met seems to really care, except to want to know how you like whatcha got. Great conversation starters.

[djcjc]

This has gotten a lot more response than expected. I am glad to see that most of us are entry level people. We started out camping in tents moved to a pop-up so we didn't have to sleep on ground any more and no rainstorms running across floor. Then the kids got busy with school sports so now that everyone is grown and moved out we got ourselves a TT the bunks are so friends and family can come along if they want. We camp to enjoy the outdoors and each others company and those of people around us. 98% of every meal is cooked outside ( i love to cook) camper is for sleeping, eating inside if cold out, bathroom close, awning when raining and refrig to out food that won't fit in cooler (need room for my beer). We always walk the campgrounds to look at others rigs and am amazed at the amount of rigs that contain people that never spend time outside. Also quite impressed by the big rigs that show up unfold all the doors pull out the big screen TV to impress everybody turn it on then go inside leave TV on and are never seen again. To each there own but I don't need a leather lounger, fiberglass side, big screen TV, automatic leveling top of the line RV to enjoy family friends and the great outdoors. I have struggled in life and always got by and we are now in the position thru hard work and some luck to do what we want and have the $$ to buy what we want but I'm still the same simple person not out to impress just want to enjoy life. Happy camping to all.

[rockhillmanor]

I just read it again about how some trailers are considered entry level trailers by the elite of campers.

ENTRY LEVEL is a "manufacturer" label, NOT a campers nomenclature.

[WoodGlue]

ls1mike wrote:
Now I am in what is considered to be an Entry Level Ultra Light Passport. I will take it. Nice and light and for my use, perfect. Who cares what other think. It is about getting out and enjoying it!

That's what matters!! If you like it, fluff what anyone else has to say about it!

WoodGlue

[ls1mike]

I started out in an old 88 Fleetwood Southwind Class A 24 footer. Loved it. Then had a used a 1995 Fleetwood Prowler 5th wheel. Stick and tin. Very cleaned and loved it.
Now I am in what is considered to be an Entry Level Ultra Light Passport. I will take it. Nice and light and for my use, perfect. Who cares what other think. It is about getting out and enjoying it!

[Goldstalker]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Do let's remember the O.P.'s complaint, below quoted. The CONTEXT he's complaining about is his point. Certainly in his scenario the term is meant to be patronizing at best, and derogatory at worst.

djcjc wrote:
I just read it again about how some trailers are considered entry level trailers by the elite of campers.

More like perceived context.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Do let's remember the O.P.'s complaint, below quoted. The CONTEXT he's complaining about is his point. Certainly in his scenario the term is meant to be patronizing at best, and derogatory at worst.

djcjc wrote:
I just read it again about how some trailers are considered entry level trailers by the elite of campers.

[Goldstalker]

rider997 wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
I can't understand why people must make a correlation between entry level and social economic status. It's a rating system, nothing more.

You explained it to yourself in the second sentence!

"It's a rating system" is exactly right. "Entry level" is used as a not very subtle economic status indicator, usually by those wishing to imply that it's the lowest rung on the socio-economic ladder.

The phrase "entry-level" is widely used to describe the least expensive way to "enter" or participate in a sport or activity, and applied to gear often times purchased by people new to the activity who do not know what gear they'll ultimately want. It must take quite an inferiority complex for one to actually take offense from the phrase.

I see people utilizing "entry-level" motorcycles, "entry-level" climbing gear, "entry-level" RVs, "entry-level" boats, and more- and I guarantee many of them are simply new to the sport, and not lacking in socio-economic status.

You do know that you can buy an "entry-level" Porsche or Mercedes? The "entry-level" product can be a brand's offering to get people to try their wares... Often times "entry-level" products are the best value and offer the manufacturer the lowest profit margin, again to entice people to sample their brand.

With the pages of discussion following the initial soapbox, I've yet to see any meaningful suggestions as to another phrase that would better describe the gear that's typically labelled as "entry-level", leading me to believe that either A) people just like to gripe, or B) entry-level isn't such a bad way to describe it.

I own top-of-the-line equipment related to activities I take seriously or in which I've a lot of experience, but I own "entry-level" gear for activities in which I merely dabble . I'm certainly not offended by the phrase and generally think it's quite accurate.

"inferiority complex" Pretty much sums it all up right there!