Newbie looking to buy

[Stan3718]

Taking the step of buying our first TT and wanted some input. We know that we want a BH style, 29-31 ft, slides on backside, and an electric awning. I've been going to the auction locally and just missed a 14 Jayco swift 287bhbe. I'm not apposed to used and recognize the markup on TT's is astronomical. Locally, we have a place that sells Forest Rivers at wholesale. Thoughts on them? After awhile they all start looking the same. Thanks in advance

[Stan3718]

Steeljag wrote:
Welcome! For specific answeres on a FR you may want to visit their forum ( Forest River forum). The best TT is the floor plan which serves your family the best! Electric awning.....yes! While you await some replies use the search function here, tons on info.

What type of vehicle will you be towing with?

Towing with crew cab 2500 duramax.

[Stan3718]

Sorry. Local is Southwest OH. Jeff Couch RV Nation

[ThreeEs_and_One]

Hey Stan, we're actually on our first trip with our new BH; our first TT. We bought our Jayflight 32BHDS in Oct after spending several months looking hard but a couple of years poking around. Yes, after a while they all look the same; on the surface. We looked at just about every manufacturer and zeroed in on Cougar and Jayco, ultimately going with the Jayco. I was sold on the construction and the willingness for the company to back it up with a 2 year warranty. There is an incredible markup but I feel we got a good deal buying new.

As for the trailer it just depends on how you want to use it. We normally vacation (5 plus days) three times a year and wanted the trailer to meet that demand. Plus the occasional weekend get-a-way. Completely replacing hotels/condos/rental houses. Plus we wanted the option to be able to camp in colder weather (it's gotten in the teens here and nothing's froze). All of that drove the options package we picked.

Your tow vehicle is the next limiting factor. We were lucky in that our desire matched our capability with this regard.

We haven't used all of our options but we have used the electric awning. It was nice to kick out from inside before a light snow started falling to keep the steps from getting ice.

I am very happy with the Jayco on our shakedown trip. No major issues and pleasant suprises on how useful some of the features are.

[dadmomh]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Actually, they are pretty much the same. We are on our second FR (Rockwood) trailer and have been very pleased with both. No major issues. Just regular maintenance. Jayco has a good reputation. Manual awning on our HTT and electric on the current one. LOVE the electric!!! Also electric tongue jack that you can likely buy after purchase and do the 30 min max install yourself and save a bunch. Absolute "Gotta Have"!

Suggest you start a list with the things you must have, don't care either way and don't want. Know ahead that the things on your must have may not actually happen, so be prepared to be flexible. Agree on a floorplan that works for you. Consider how many will be camping on a regular basis and try to have beds available at all times for those....making up a sofa or dinette on a regular basis gets old very quickly.

You don't mention what your tow vehicle is and it's capacities. Also consider that you'll need a WDH with sway and a brake controller. Several good hitches - Equalizer is very popular. Had that for our first trailer and changed to a Blue Ox 1000 for this current one and prefer it over the Eq. Prodigy is pretty much the standard brake controller for most.

You mentioned a local dealer selling wholesale...would that be RVWholesalers or RVDirect?? We bought both from RVW and recommend them highly. We saved over $4000 after travel expenses to pick it up on our first trailer and more on the current one. We live in West TN. Regardless, you can do a lot of searching on their websites...lots of models, floorplans and pictures. Saves driving all over the country until you've got some definite ones to look at.

Good luck in the search. Lots to look at and ponder. You can get answers to most questions right here. Happy Thanksgiving.

[_tiredTeacher]

Stan3718 wrote:
Locally, we have a place that sells Forest Rivers at wholesale. Thoughts on them?

Where is "locally"?

Teach

[Steeljag]

Welcome! For specific answeres on a FR you may want to visit their forum ( Forest River forum). The best TT is the floor plan which serves your family the best! Electric awning.....yes! While you await some replies use the search function here, tons on info.

What type of vehicle will you be towing with?