Forum Discussion

RV17's avatar
RV17
Explorer
Mar 30, 2017

New soon to be owner with some questions

I am currently trying to decide between a few different 28-29 foot travel trailers and I have a ton of questions but I will try to keep it to the big ones:

1. The first one is a Forest River cruise lite 282qbxl. The waste pipes are behind the wheels and only about 5" off the ground. This seems like a huge design flaw where one small mistake going over a rock, curb or anything.

I believe a Starcraft I saw had an integrated black waste valve in the body. I only did a quick walk around. Is this possible?

Anyone have similar concerns? Should I be worried?

2. My local dealer bought stock from a failed dealership and has a new 2015 Starcraft. How worried should I be about the fact that it has sat for several years.

3. Neither has a climate package and I am up in Canada. I don't currently plan on winter camping but I'm sure I will end up going out when the nights get fairly cold.

How critical is this of an option?

Thanks!
  • FrankShore's avatar
    FrankShore
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2017
    I wouldn't get a trailer without a "4 Season" package. Mine has a 4 season and we've never been unhappy with the 4 Season choice.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 30, 2017
    I actually rather like the idea of a trailer that has sat for several years. My biggest concern with any RV is leaks, even (or especially) with a new one. To be able to see that it has never had any water get in even after a couple of years is great!
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2017
    ScottG wrote:
    I actually rather like the idea of a trailer that has sat for several years. My biggest concern with any RV is leaks, even (or especially) with a new one. To be able to see that it has never had any water get in even after a couple of years is great!



    yep, doesn't scare me. my bounder was a year or two old when I bought it and that had potential motor issues, whereas a tt wouldn't.
    should be able to get a good deal on it.
    bumpy
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 30, 2017
    "The waste pipes are behind the wheels and only about 5" off the ground."

    Mine are behind the wheels too but almost seven inches. Five seems low particularly with that length. My box is only 22 feet. If you buy consider skid wheels.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Mar 30, 2017
    if you like that 4yr old rv, pay a lot of attention to the ceiling look for water marks ,IF you find one,RUN. theres a reason a rv sits that long.
  • boosTT's avatar
    boosTT
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2017
    Sun will damage the RV's exterior decals. The decals will start to wrinkle and shrink. 2 years is a lot of sun exposure. I use a cover to slow this process.

    The low holding tank drain valves may become a problem when using full hookup sites. The dump stations are a hole in the ground with curbs; however, at campsites they are often a PVC pipe a few inches off the ground. The height difference between the PVC pipe and your drain valve may not provide enough slope. I wouldn't worry about it hitting the pavement too much.
  • justafordguy's avatar
    justafordguy
    Explorer
    Mar 30, 2017
    My Brother just traded in his Forest River Grey Wolf and one of the main reason was the low waist lines behind the rear axle. He broke his completely off twice in the two years he had it.
  • troubledwaters's avatar
    troubledwaters
    Explorer III
    Mar 30, 2017
    What do you mean by "the waste pipe is behind the wheels"?
    It's right behind the wheels, a few inches?
    It's behind the wheels, several feet?
    If it's right behind the wheels it will be nearly impossible for it to drag unless the wheels become 5 inches shorter all of a sudden. I had a TT like that at one time, the pipe was well protected by the wheels. Think of it as a triangle from the bottom of the wheel to the lowest point on the back of the TT. Everything inside that triangle is safe cause the back end will be dragging first, unless you have a habit of dropping off big curbs, in which case no where is safe.
  • RV17's avatar
    RV17
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2017
    Thanks to everyone who replied.

    I found a great deal on a 2015 29' with bunks and look fwd to getting out there!

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