Here we go again...

[Ranger431]

Some of you may remember me from a while back. We owned 3 different Jaycos over the years. Last year I agonized over the decision to sell our Jayco and get a boat. We were living in Knoxville then, only a few miles from the lake and I thought it'd be easier for family time just to find a few hours in the afternoon than finding whole weekends. Some wise people here said I'd be back and would eventually buy another camper, some even said sooner rather than later.

Well, they were right. The whole family misses the camper. The kids do enjoy the boat, however I haven't had a single time in it without feeling regret for selling the TT. Well, I figure, after a year, why continue to regret a mistake? The wife actually started the ball rolling and the kids are on board for sure. The oldest son leaves for college this fall, and even though he'll only be 4-5 hours away, camping trips in the middle sure seem to be a great idea.

Well, now to the fun part - picking a new TT (without trying to think about the money I'll be throwing away on this important lesson about my interests). As of now, we've got it narrowed down to 2 rigs: a Keystone Outback 323BH (http://www.keystonerv.com/outback/models/323bh/model-mobile ) or an Open Range LT308 BHS (http://www.openrangerv.com/light/travel-trailer-floorplans.php ). Of course being a the time Jayco owner, I am also considering the Jayco Eagle 324BBHTS (http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2015-eagle-travel-trailers/324bhts/ ) or 314tsbh but I think the extra cost may be an issue, especially after I talked my lumps on the boat. Would appreciate thoughts, opinions and other viewpoints.

Our details: me, the wife, 6 kids. Ranging from one that will be in college to twins in kindergarten. We tower with a 2004 Ford Excursion which also has a roadmaster Active Suspension. I will likely also get a Hensley Arrow or ProPride - had both before and love both of them.

Well sorry for the novel-like post,just a lot going on, and looking forward to getting back to camping!

[93Cobra2771]

OR gets my vote as well. Not just for fitting everyone, but because it is a bit more premium than the other models you mention.

[magnusfide]

Ranger431 wrote:
All's a couple of bluegrass festivals a year that are fun, especially in the evenings when you can walk around the CG andv listen to people play - most will invite you right up to listen. Something awesome about listening to live music around a campfire

I agree. Nothing commercial it's just real people with real instruments and no special effects. Very relaxing.

[Ranger431]

A while back we used to live in middle TN, and Cedars of Lebanon was one of our most commonly visited SPs. I looked it a lot. No "big ticket" attractions, but for hiking and running trails, a disc golf course which is cheap fun for the whole family and really that's about it, but good old camping fun. There is a half marathon there in February that my oldest daughter and I are going to run so hopefully we will be camping again by then! All's a couple of bluegrass festivals a year that are fun, especially in the evenings when you can walk around the CG andv listen to people play - most will invite you right up to listen. Something awesome about listening to live music around a campfire with a little sip of my buddy Jack Daniels...

[dadmomh]

Top of my list for CGs is Percy Priest COE by the airport in Nashville. Exceptional! Another I would consider nice/acceptable is Montgomery Bell SP near Dickson. Sites are not top of the line, but very pretty scenery and amenities in the park. Re LBL....most of the CGs are Federal and do not have water to the sites. Electric, yes, but you need to run off the FW tank. It is a very pretty area, but not somewhere we feel strongly about returning. One nice KY SP is Lake Barkley....pretty, W/E and maybe sewer and amenities. Have not been to Cedars of Lebanon, but it's near you. There are not a large # of SPs in the West TN area, but Middle TN offers more and would not be a long drive. If you're in for a bit longer drive, MS has many exceptionally nice SPs and most are either on the River or TennTom. Very, very pretty and well maintained. Come on spring!!!

[jerem0621]

Welcome back Ranger...

I really like the OR line. ..that's the way I would lean if $$was no issue for my family.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Ranger431]

Dupe - sorry

[Ranger431]

Oh, and yes to the previous post, we are considering other Jaycos, but would probably look at something in the Eagle line.

Have to admit, I tend to look first at new rigs, but also keep my eyes open for very lightly used used rigs. The kind people make like I did with my boat 😉

[Ranger431]

dadmomh wrote:
Did the OP not know that a boat is a hole in the water where you pour money???? Easy to say when you've done both. If it weren't for the great memories, we'd be way ahead moneywise if we'd skipped at least the last of the 3 boats. Some memories don't come cheap! Welcome back to the world of camping.

Yup, had heard that before, and KNOW it now...

See you're from Jackson. We just moved to this neck of the woods a few months ago from Knoxville. Can you reccomend some good CGs? I have really been eyeing up the land between the lakes and have been dying to get to the Ozarks as well. Anything close for short weekend trips?

[dadmomh]

Did the OP not know that a boat is a hole in the water where you pour money???? Easy to say when you've done both. If it weren't for the great memories, we'd be way ahead moneywise if we'd skipped at least the last of the 3 boats. Some memories don't come cheap! Welcome back to the world of camping.

[texasclarks]

I like the OR as we'll. of course, have you looked at a used Jayco like you used to own? What was wrong with it other than it wasn't a boat?

[wannavolunteerF]

I don't think you will like the Keystone having had a Jayco; all I have looked at looked cheap in comparison to my JayFlight. Another thing is that the Keystone does not appear to have nightstands, which makes it a no-go in my opinion. I would try to the sofa/dinette in the OR and the sofa and dinette in the Jayco and see how they actually sit. I have the JayFlex sofa, like your old TT, and it does not sit good long term, like to watch TV or read. I would think the OR might have the best sitting for hanging inside when weather is bad.

By the way, you will love having the bathroom next to the master bedroom. It is sure nice to not have to worry about waking kids when you get up in the middle of the night. That was the most disliked thing about my previous TT -- having to go past any guest to get to the bathroom.

[Helmsey]

We had some friends that picked up a new OR last week and got to go in it. It was the first time I had been in an OR and was really impressed with some of the little things that made it nice. One thing I notices (on their 5er) was in the basement to get to the furnace and other things that might need attention there were 2 sliding doors rather than having to unbolt a piece of wood and pull it out. The water pump was also mounted on what looked to be sound dampening material inside of a waterproof tub to help out with any leaks. There were several little things like that I really liked about it.

Oh, and welcome back 😄

[Ranger431]

magnusfide wrote:


Thanks to Old-Biscuit for taking the time to post the floor plans. That helps tremendously.

Agreed, it really helps - thank you!

[Ranger431]

Yes, the tables are removable, and we would get a couple of ottomans for movie time, rainy days, etc.

Nana, agree that getting to the restroom is nice, but on our last rig we had to put the slide out, and it's really not that big of a deal for us. Most of our trips are within a few hours anyway.

The more I am thinking about it, the more I lean to the OR.