sivamr
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Re: New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
Need-A-Vacation wrote: Siv, Welcome!!! In regards to the 279, I guess the big question is where would you like to do most of your camping at: national forrest, state parks, private parks (KOA or similar), etc? As listed, you generally would want a shorter trailer for the np, the sp ideal length will vary some but usually allow a little longer rv, and the private parks usually allow the monster trailers. If you aren't limited to a certain length, consider a brand that has a floor plan like our 32 BHDS as mentioned with 2 young kids. It is a dual slide, couch and dinette in one slide, and bunks in the rear slide. Adds a fair amount of room to the bunk room. And the bottom J Cube chairs (other brands are very similar) fold out to a queen bed I think it is. Some things to look for when shopping are: Tank capacities- will you always have full hook up, or electric only? The longer the trip, the larger the tank you may need without using the cg shower house. Axle ratings- one unit we looked at had 2-4400lb axles, but a 95XXlb gvwr. The manufacture added the "dry tw" (tongue weight) to the total axle rating for a higher gvwr. Our trailer had 2-5000lb axles, and a 9975lb gvwr (or something like that). Also look at the ccc (cargo carrying capacity: gvwr- unloaded trailer weight)) of the trailer. I would suggest skipping any trailer with less than 1500lbs or so. Tire size and rating. Make sure you have enough tire capacity. Outdoor shower location: if you think you would use it, see where it is located. Our friends bought a newer 5ver and not paying attention until after it was home, the outdoor shower is under the awning. Not many people would like mud under the awning if preventable. Ours is between the two slides. And if wanted, we can clip a shower curtain to both slides for a little privacy. Not suggesting a full on shower outside, but if the kids are a little shy it can help. You have enough truck, but make sure to still get a good wdh (weight distribution hitch) with integrated sway control. And size the wd bars for the loaded tw, not the "dry" tw. Usually the manufactures "brochure" tw does not include the weight of the propane tanks or a battery on the tongue. That can add ~120lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery. That is even before loading the trailer. For comparison, our dry tw of 920lbs is about 1400lbs loaded. Good luck shopping from a fellow twin parent!!! Thanks Need-A-Vacation for the welcome! :) As to answering your question of where will be camping, we'll be sticking to private campgrounds as much as we can. Good info on the axle ratings and the GVWR. Will pay attention to it. Outdoor shower location: never thought we'd need it, at least for now. We'll be pulling with a WDH with integrated sway control like Equalizer.448Views0likes0CommentsRe: New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
DutchmenSport wrote: Doing a bit of Internet searching for your desired model, I just clicked on a couple dealerships, nothing specific: MSRP: $26,300 - Dealer price: $18,900 MSRP: - Dealer price: $18,495 NADA suggested list price, no additions specified: $22,828 Your price sounds very good. This will be an "entry level" camper. It will serve you well, provided you do not abuse it and are diligent on maintenance and repairs immediately when things start showing up. It's definitely not a high-end trailer. No doubt the cabinets will be particle board with wall paper that simulates wood. Drawers and doors will be cheaply made and probably will not hold up very well to the rough rigors of young kids. But for a starter, first time camper, at a price that a young family can afford and uses it for vacations a few times a year, it may serve you well. The same floor plan comes in dozens of different models and manufacturers. Depending upon how much you are budgeting, it might do well to visit other dealership with the same floor plan. Print the floor plan and the "stats" information (tank sizes, weight, etc), and take the print out to competing dealers and see what they have available. Once you've stepped into a higher end trailer that has the same floor plan as the one you are considering, you might change your mind on this one and be willing to pay a bit more for something more "stout" and robust. Thanks DutchmenSport for price research on the model, one thing this dealer pointed out is that there will not any any prepping of the unit, it will be sold as it as it was delivered to them, they charge $500 as an option prepping package with two filled gas tanks, new battery, tank hoses etc., I'll heed to your advice on printing floor plan and viewing similar models of different make.448Views0likes0CommentsRe: New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
deltabravo wrote: proxim2020 wrote: You'll find that essentially all brands have a model with that exact same floorplan. You can find them in aluminum or fiberglass sided. There's nothing special about the construction of the Gulf Stream. It's your traditionally built basic stick and tin trailer. Coachmen has a 292BHDSLE in their Freedom Express line. I would say that the Coachmen has a better construction. Agreed on all points. Many manufacturers copy each others floor plans, and either add or subtract features or design aspects. And to Coachmen being better build than Gulftream, from what I saw at the local dealer, I agree there too. The Coachmen was better than same floor plan Forest River units at other dealers too. We looked into couple of Coachmen trailers and they did look better built..447Views0likes0CommentsRe: New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
deltabravo wrote: The dealer I have been to sells about 5 different brands, including Gulfstream Amerilite models. I looked at them and they are lower on the scale of quality and build. The dealer said the same thing. I think the price of around $17K for that large of a trailer reflects it as being a lower end trailer. Thanks deltabravo for the response! You're right about the hit in the quality we might have to take at the price we're paying. Unfortunately our budgets dictates our buying decision. We have an excellent local Gulfstream dealer to address any warranty issues so that might help.448Views0likes0CommentsRe: New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
proxim2020 wrote: You'll find that essentially all brands have a model with that exact same floorplan. You can find them in aluminum or fiberglass sided. There's nothing special about the construction of the Gulf Stream. It's your traditionally built basic stick and tin trailer. Coachmen has a 292BHDSLE in their Freedom Express line. I would say that the Coachmen has a better construction. If you're not that close to buying then have a look at the units that have at least one slide in the back. We originally thought about going with a quad bunk setup like this, but went with one that had a slide back there. With toddlers, you'll definitely enjoy the extra room back there. Thanks proxim2020 for the reply! My wife and I were initially looking into much smaller Coachmen Apex model with bunks (185BH) as were thinking of pulling with our Toyota Highlander then gave up that idea after a brief research showed that the SUV might not be an ideal tow vehicle so we went ahead bought a most capable truck we could afford. Thanks for suggesting Coachmen 292BHDSLE, looks great but seems to be on outside of our budget range. We're trying to be around $16k before Tax/Title. Will search online if I can locate a deal on this one.. I do agree on needing the extra room for all the screaming and running around!!447Views0likes0CommentsNew to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
All, I'm new to TTs and to this forum so please bear with me if I ask any too dumb of a question.. My wife and I have been looking to buy a TT to go camping with our twin toddlers and two cats. We're looking to buy a travel trailer with two to three bunks. Just to let you know we just bought a used dually (one owner well maintained 2005 F350 with 139k miles) as the tow vehicle. We are considering Amerilite 279BH in particular because of the floor plan. Any thoughts on Gulf Stream quality? The seller is asking $16966 for 2017 279BH. Is this a good price for this make and model? Here is the link to the model: http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/conquest-lite/floorplans/279BH.php Are there any other comparable TTs with better pricing and quality? I'd like all your valuable comments. Thanks in advance!!3KViews0likes16Comments
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