Welcome to the forums!
Couple questions? Do you currently do any camping? If so, how? Tent, Pop-up, back-pack, wilderness camping like with a canoe?
First and foremost, you need to identify the type of camper you are interested in by asking yourself, "What kind of camping am I going to do?" Rustic, back-wood, Forest Fire Road, boondocking type camping? Nascar, Auto Race, Horse Race, Casino, dry camping (no hookups but not isolated)? State park, National Forest, Private campgrounds? Or are you wanting the camper for extra bed-room space at home, or when visiting relatives? a get away cottage, permanently parked somewhere?
I think this is the first question that needs to be answered, because it will drive the type of camper you need.
If you have not done any previous camping, or come from a family of campers, you should go out with a tent or rent a pop-up to get your feet wet. Its not like pitching a tent in the back yard where you've got the advantage of having all conveniences right there. Tent or pop-up, borrowing someone's camper, or renting an RV before purchasing your own will give you an eye open and help shed a LOT of light on what works and what does not work. It WILL help you identify what yo like about camping and what you don't. Then you can target the camper you purchase to make those things you DON'T like into things are are comfortable and easily overcome. (Make sense?)
As stated above, the type of tow vehicle you have will determine the next factor for the camper: Size and weight. Do your research on your tow vehicle, what are it's limitations, and then target the camper within those limitations.
Next is the floor plan as stated above also. There a bazillion floor plans. Study the RV web sites, look at the floor plans, see what interests you, narrow it down to a half dozen ideas that really catch your attention, then go visit dealers and take a look at them.
Some you will immediately like, and some you will immediately not like, even though you thought you would like them. That's OK. It's more important you figure out what you DO not like and eliminate them, than it is to attempt to figure out what you DO like in the initial search stages.
Next you're going to find floor plans you do like and you're going to find out that different manufactures have almost the exact same floor plan. This is where the real work begins. You have to begin to split hairs and make subtle compromises.
And remember one more thing, if you have a family, they also have to live in the camper. If the wife doesn't like it ... for ANY reason ... your camping days are over before you even get started. Make sure it's a team effort with your wife. Well, really .... whatever the wife like ... get it and just be happy!
Hope this helps. But you really do need to identify some of these questions first.
Enjoy the search though. We've all been through this, some of us more than once or twice. And remember, the first camper you purchase will probably not be your last. On average, as other forum members have stated, it takes the 3rd camper to finally get the one you really wanted to begin with.
