Ready to buy a hybrid but which one and how?

[bernercamper]

EDITED to slope of driveway - I actually have no idea what the slope is because I think I threw out the paper with the calculations! Oops! I think 21 degrees might be right.

Hello, I posted a couple times this past summer when we were trying to figure out tow vehicles... I’m on my 3rd iteration and going slow, learning before buying. But we are eager to camp this spring! I wonder if y’all would help me with some questions?

Right now we have our 07 expedition with the hd tow package. I know payload is going to be my main challenge. Dh and I have 8 kids but realistically we’re planning to camp with the four youngest who are currently 4 to 11. The oldest are teens and beyond. They are planning to travel separate and tent camp if they join us.

So a couple posts ago it was recommended that we look at hybrids. I’m finally there and realize this the the way we have to go to get the beds we need. I’ve narrowed it down to a few Rockwood roos and the Jayco x23b. So how does one purchase without any dealers in my part of the state carrying them? We probably prefer a 2-3 yo one but would buy new if it made the most sense. We’ve talked about driving to one of the internet sellers. I’m not sure how to go about this process! Without paying msrp.

I also like the Jayco x254 but I think it’s too much camper for us to get in the driveway. Which brings me to my next question. How to get it up a driveway with a 21 degree incline? I don’t know anyone with a tt to test it. Yes I will look for cheap offsite parking but for dh this is a dealbreaker - he only wants to park it at home if we do this. If we can’t park at home he’ll buy a pop up and I’ll stay home. 😞

I read about flipping the axles and larger diameter tires. Does anyone know which hybrids have the most clearance? And are there other hybrids or tt you’d recommend I look at?

We’re so close to doing this! But the fear of the unknown is stopping me.
I would appreciate any advice!

[Chuck_S]

Been several years since we bought our Roo 23SS at RVWholesalers -- so long ago the model no longer exists! 😉 No price games then. That's their trade name. All dealers buy directly from the manufacturer, no middlemen. But big volume sales shops get a price break. And don't forget the freight cost from the factory to the dealer.

RV makers basically warrant the shell of the camper. Bad axle? Contact the axle maker. Bad appliances? Contact their maker. Bad CD player? Audio systems are what you can buy for $11 from China so don't expect them to be audiophile systems.

Keep in mind there are "twins" in the industry. This lets there be a "Forest River Roo" dealer on one side of town and a "Flagstaff Shamrock" dealer on the other, both with exclusive sales territories. The decals differ, they're made on the same assembly line by the same minimum wage "craftsmen." OK, maybe their salaries are higher but you can bet the guy doing the Pre-Delivery inspection doesn't make much more than that. The dealer is the final inspection. Be prepared to recover lost screws, wood chips, etc.

This time of year be prepared to wait weeks for low demand/profit trailers. The 16 and 18 footers take a very long time. Makers like Forest River make one (1) model trailer at time in batches. The Roos and Shamrocks come down the line together -- just the decals, remember? Not worth changing the line over for some models that aren't in demand.

-- Chuck

[bernercamper]

THANK YOU Mr. Cramden! Exactly the kind of information I’m looking for! Will follow up w your recommendations.

[Ralph_Cramden]

bernercamper wrote:


I got a quote and a lot of emails from RVWholesale in Ohio? I haven't actually called them as I don't know if I want to finance and through who. Plus there were a couple of other wholesale business model dealers mentioned upthread - RV Direct and RV One. Or are they one and the same?

None of them are wholesale as there is no such thing in the RV Industry. They are just dealers the same as any other and in the local markets where located they can be beat on both price and service if that's what you're looking for.

RV wholesalers pricing will be contingent on financing through them, pay cash or bring your own financing to the table, add money.

RV One and RV Direct are the same dealerships. 3 card Monty with websites.

If you're willing to buy at a distance and are looking at the Roos or Shamrocks get pricing from.........

Labadie RV in Toledo OH. Good people and in the same local market as RVW. They'll compete with RVW with none of the financing games. (Rockwood Roo)

Keystone RV Mega Center in Greencastle PA, or Best Choice trailers in Irwin PA. Both will match or beat the self proclaimed wholesalers on price. (Flagstaff Shamrock)

The only ramifications to buying at a distance other than the obvious is if you should ever need warranty work you could get in a pickle as some dealers close to you may flat out refuse doing it, some may do it but you'll wait forever, but you may get lucky and find one that accommodates you.

Personally if I'm saving over $3K to $4K by going 1K miles or more away from home, I'm going, as I am of the opinion the RV manufacturers warranty is about as worthless as teets on a bull.

[bernercamper]

Thank you for the advice and comments!

I am wanting to buy now - I narrowed it down to the 3 bed w slide option and prefer the Roo 233s or shamrock because of the glass shower door. Small thing but something I think I'd appreciate!

I got a quote and a lot of emails from RVWholesale in Ohio? I haven't actually called them as I don't know if I want to finance and through who. Plus there were a couple of other wholesale business model dealers mentioned upthread - RV Direct and RV One. Or are they one and the same?

But I booked a week at a campground in June so I'd better get this going! 🙂

Regarding the Expedition, mine's a 2007 with about 125k, and we'll drive it as long as we can.

[Chuck_S]

The 2007 Expedition with HD Tow will handle about 9000 pounds assuming the 5.4 V8 (which may be the only V8 that year). My One-Ton Rule would insist on a trailer grossing out no more than 7000 pounds. Lots of hybrids fit that weight limit. You'll need a WDH for any sizeable hybrid (bigger than 17').

My 2007 Expedition V8 was to the point of mileage (about 190K) and age I really didn't want to tow with it anymore so a new-last July '17 Expedition has assumed those duties. As the age and mileage builds these vehicles need more and more TLC.

I'd not buy a used hybrid from a dealer as you can probably buy new from a dealer like RVWholesalers whose business model is based on quantity. They're only a couple of hours from Forest River over in Indiana so they have quick access and quick ordering. 2019 models will be on the lots very soon if not already so 2018 trailers are already "last year's models." Keep in mind.

[parker_rowe]

We love ours. Starcraft Travelstar 239TBS.

My wife and I were just talking about campers the other day...her parents moved from a hybrid to a small hard side, since it is only 2 of them camping now.

To get the amount of floorspace and "real" beds we have now (not dinette beds or fold down couches, which it also has in a pinch) in a hard side, we would need a huge camper, and a new truck to pull it with.

We started camping with a pop up and enjoy the tent beds instead of hate them. They really increase the feeling of space in the camper because the beds don't cut into the floor space.
Especially in nice weather when you can open all the windows.

Ours is pretty big for a hybrid, but has lots of ground clearance. I have yet to drag anything with it.

The only issue we have had with it is that the Furrion DVD players keep dying. I called Furrion for a replacement, and the new upgraded model they sent for free is having issues reading disks again after only a year. Not Starcraft's fault though, other than the brand they chose!

https://starcraftrv.com/travel-trailers/launch-outfitter/239tbs/

[PAThwacker]

My old hybrid was a 21 foot dual tent with perpendicular bunks across the back. Slept six with nobody on the dinette.

[bikendan]

Jayco Jayfeathers has had a negative reputation for being lower than other brands, especially regarding the B/G tanks discharge outlet.

Not sure if the newer models have the issue.

[bernercamper]

What do y'all think of the Jay Feather x254 - too heavy?

[bernercamper]

Thanks for the links - I like the Tennessee one - google says about 5 hours - I guess bc over the mountains - but definitely closer than Pennsylvania! I will check CL too - didn't think to look for dealers on there.

[Merrykalia]

I went to CRAIGSLIST, just to see what showed up.

Jayfeather X23 F
This is in Roanoke, VA and will be about 6 hours from you.

233S Rockwood

This is located just north of Knoxville in Clinton, TN. This would only be a little over 2 hours from you. A friend of ours purchased their Aframe camper from there and could not speak highly enough of them.

This search took me less than 3 minutes to find those two.

[bernercamper]

Merrykalia wrote:
IF you purchase used, there won't be any warranty work. Most warrantys are good for one year, maybe two. Usually, most warranty work and major stuff is done in the first year or so.

We have purchased 4 out of 5 of our RVs at least 300 miles from home. Our first popup, we purchased from friends when they upgraded to a motorhome. Yeah, from a popup to a motorhome. We went popup, hybrid, TT bunkhouse, fifth wheel bunkhouse and now another fifth wheel.

My DH is fairly handy and other than the latest problem with our NEW fifth wheel, he has fixed/repaired everything that has happened to our different vehicles.

With 8 kids, I figure you are probably pretty handy with fixing things around the house, so a trailer will probably not be a problem. Youtube is great with almost any repair you need to do.

Most trailers can be worked on by any REPUTABLE dealer, but there are also RV Techs around that might even be easier to use.

As for backing it in, we have a humongous hill that we live on and a 43' 5th wheel, so backing it uphill is a norm for us.

Thanks do you know how steep your driveway is? I'm going to get a pic of mine from the side. But yikes 43' that's shocking lol!

Yes I am handy - I work on house and cars when I can - DH could do a lot too though he's not so mechanically inclined.

I would totally buy used - just nervous is all. I need to narrow down and look on rvt at used as well. I am afraid of buying water problems!

Well that's all encouraging. I'm going to try to upload some photos. DH is such a worrywart about the backing. I don't blame him though - we've seen UPS or other drag a tailpipe on the road backing up.

[bernercamper]

All I could afford wrote:
Personally, I’d take a good look at the Rockwood Roo 183. Manageable size and 3 separate double beds to sleep 6 people without converting the dinette, and without having to climb over it.

So this is like the 233s except without slide and U-dinette? So we would save weight and length with this but have a smaller eating area. I like this too - but prefer the 233s unless it's a ton more or too heavy. Thank you!

[Merrykalia]

IF you purchase used, there won't be any warranty work. Most warrantys are good for one year, maybe two. Usually, most warranty work and major stuff is done in the first year or so.

We have purchased 4 out of 5 of our RVs at least 300 miles from home. Our first popup, we purchased from friends when they upgraded to a motorhome. Yeah, from a popup to a motorhome. We went popup, hybrid, TT bunkhouse, fifth wheel bunkhouse and now another fifth wheel.

My DH is fairly handy and other than the latest problem with our NEW fifth wheel, he has fixed/repaired everything that has happened to our different vehicles.

With 8 kids, I figure you are probably pretty handy with fixing things around the house, so a trailer will probably not be a problem. Youtube is great with almost any repair you need to do.

Most trailers can be worked on by any REPUTABLE dealer, but there are also RV Techs around that might even be easier to use.

As for backing it in, we have a humongous hill that we live on and a 43' 5th wheel, so backing it uphill is a norm for us.