Ladies and Gentlemen,I have my first travel trailer purchase narrowed down. Any first hand experience with these would be greatly appreciated. I have looked at seven different dealers and dozens of brands and models in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Some of those dealers drove me away and others kept my interest. All these have a rear bunks and slide with dinette and couch.1. Salem Cruise Lite 263BHXL (Made by Forest River)-Probably the most bang for your buck. Better quality than I expected. Dealer gives you lifetime warranty as long as you complete an annual inspection.2. Jayco Jay Flight 267BHSW-Nice quality, two year warranty with twelve on roof, a little more pricey and would need to purchase some extras I want. Doesn't have the exterior door to the bathroom my wife likes/wants but not a deal breaker.3. Open Range Ultra Light UT2704BH by Highland Ridge -Nice quality with all the bells and whistles but quite a bit more money. Dealer gives you lifetime warranty as long as you complete an annual inspection. Heaviest tongue weight of all of them. 4. Ameri-lite 268BH by Gulf Stream-Has everything we want but lacks the quality. Cheapest price of all. Two year warranty, twelve on roof.5. Coachman Catalina 261BHS-Nice quality but would need to purchase some extras I want. Doesn't have the exterior door to the bathroom my wife likes/wants but not a deal breaker. Heaviest UVW of all of them.What say you?

First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.

donn0128 wrote:First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.Totally agree with this!Buying used also gives you a chance to figure out what you really want and need.

donn0128 wrote:First new or first ever RV? If this a first ever,,please do yourself a favor. Before plunking down thousands on a new consider how much your going to loose in two/three years when you realize the RV lifestyle is not for you. Or heaven forbid you realize this one simply does not work for you and you want to trade to something different. Go buy a used RV as a first and let someone else absorb the huge depreciation.This will be my first ever TT although I have been camping/floating for many years. After using a buddies TT last year, I will never sleep in a tent again, lol. We know what we want and we will use it, it wont sit. We do Mid-Missouri float trips on a regular basis and like to camp on the many lakes in Missouri and Illinois. This is something we want and will enjoy. My problem with buying used is the unknown with the TT and no warranty.

Both of which are no big deal. A thorough professional inspection eliminates or at least lets you know about the unknown. Learning to do your own repairs eliminates warrenty issues.

First trailer had one door. New trailer has two. Would never go back to one. Like the idea of lifetime warranty but how much does yearly inspection cost? I have a Forest River and am happy but if you have the TV to handle the tongue weight the Open Range it sure looks nice to me. Good luck with whatever you decide. Happy camping!

Got it narrowed down to a few, opinions please.......

ppine
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2017
Stay in flatter country and you will be okay.
ppine
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
Most people change RVs. They don't get used that much. The case for buying used is strong for most people.

You do not mention your tow vehicle. Trailers in the 26-27 feet range are a little harder to tow, but a lot harder to fit in USFS campgrounds.
westend
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
RCMAN46 wrote:
In my opinion the most important part of choosing the trailer is get the one the wife likes.

When Mother is happy everyone can be happy. But if Mother is not happy then no one is happy.
This can be very true. I've been happily married to the Polish Princess for 35 years. I've noticed how stressed she gets when preparing for a trip. This is all about covering all the bases but my thinking is different. If we forget the mustard, I can still have a good time. Her Highness might grumble and comment occasionally about the lack of mustard. She may even proclaim a Royal Edict about the lack of such substance and the Cause. This then becomes a matter of Royal Importance and even if the mustard is finally acquired, the Royal Proclamations may still ensue. God, I love this woman but living with Royalty has it's compromises.

Sorry, kind of off topic but if that second bathroom door is attainable, that would sure be the way to go, IMO. Good luck with your new rig, it is an exciting time and gets the focus to camping and being out with family which is what RV'ing is all about.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
In my opinion the most important part of choosing the trailer is get the one the wife likes.

When Mother is happy everyone can be happy. But if Mother is not happy then no one is happy.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
Jason234 wrote:
2012 Ford F-150 FX4 Super Crew
5.0L, 3.73 gears, 145" wheel base
Full tow package with electric brake controller
I will purchase a top of the line weight distribution hitch with sway control.

Max GCWR 15,100
Max trailer weight 9,300
Payload 1,421

If I stay under 700 pounds for tongue weight and TT under 6,000 I think I am fine. Let me know if you think I'm wrong. I'm here to learn. I will be staying in the Mid-West for the most part.

Great truck for towing, equipped with a tow friendly 3.73 axle, 145" wheelbase which will work well for towing, not outstanding but acceptable payload as long as you're cautious about how much you throw in the truck - for what you have in mind I don't see any issues here. :B
Jason234
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
Joe Williams wrote:
You have some nice options narrowed down. My question is what kind of pickup are you pulling this thing with? Sure there are pros/cons to buying new vs used. But if you are like me, I didn't want to sleep in somebody else's trailer.

However, your towing vehicle is the most important factor to what you get in my opinion. I bought a camper that pushed the envelope on my TV, and paid for it with a new transmission when I forgot to put it in tow/haul mode. My fault, costly mistake. My new truck has a much higher towing cap so it is a lot more comfortable to pull.

All that said, I looked at that catalina and loved it. I really wanted it, and still regret not buying it. Of course, it's a lot heavier than mine so there was no way in hell I could've gotten it without getting a new truck

I think I will be good after doing much reading on this forum.

2012 Ford F-150 FX4 Super Crew
5.0L, 3.73 gears, 145" wheel base
Full tow package with electric brake controller
I will purchase a top of the line weight distribution hitch with sway control.

Max GCWR 15,100
Max trailer weight 9,300
Payload 1,421

If I stay under 700 pounds for tongue weight and TT under 6,000 I think I am fine. Let me know if you think I'm wrong. I'm here to learn. I will be staying in the Mid-West for the most part.
Jason234
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
IDman wrote:
Jason, I am just curious as to what the great attraction is for the bathroom door to the outside? I don't mean anything by this; just wondering what I am missing.
My wife thinks it would be nice to have because we wouldn't have to track through the whole trailer to get to the bathroom. I guess she thinks we could just enter through that door if we are outside, around the fire having adult beverages. its not something we have to have, just something she likes.
Bob_Sue
Explorer II
Feb 17, 2017
There is also an up front charge for lifetime warranty. If I recall about $2000 or more. Get the quote without this charge and see what you have. As far as the Open Range, we have been happy with ours.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
I also think it's important to consider how long of trips you intend. My current trailer is pretty basic and does well for camping trips. It will suffice for longer journey's but I think I would appreciate those bells and whistles. From the brands you've narrowed it to, Open Range would be my choice.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
I'm inline with Westend. To simplify only look at trailers that have 15" running gear minimum. Look for gvw above 8000lbs to eliminate sub par 3500lb axles.

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Got it narrowed down to a few, opinions please.......

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