Camper owners

Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

So how many of you all have camper trailers? We bought our truck a couple of years ago and now that it is about paid off we are looking into getting a camper trailer. We are looking for something with bunks and possibly a slide out. What brand would you guys recommend as far as quality and reliability? What kind of prep to the truck needs to be done in order to tow a camper? The biggest issue I have is where to store it because we live on a postage stamp in an HOA so we would be paying for storage which sucks.

nickf2005 · Oct 16, 2019

I'm not a camper expert, but from what I understand from a buddy who's owned a couple is that there's only a handful of actual manufacturers in the business. A couple of the biggest here in Indiana.

One thing I'll say... Check you payload rating on the doorjamb of your truck and start shopping based on the math of 13% tongue weight. GVRW is important, but if you're in a half ton, you're likely to run out of payload first.

An insurance claim friend of mine once told me... every camper will leak. It's just a matter of when.

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Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

nickf2005 said:
I'm not a camper expert, but from what I understand from a buddy who's owned a couple is that there's only a handful of actual manufacturers in the business. A couple of the biggest here in Indiana.

One thing I'll say... Check you payload rating on the doorjamb of your truck and start shopping based on the math of 13% tongue weight. GVRW is important, but if you're in a half ton, you're likely to run out of payload first.
I will have to check those numbers, probable will be limited due to how heavy my Tundra is.

An insurance claim friend of mine once told me... every camper will leak. It's just a matter of when.
That's another issue I was concerned about, I would hate to drop all of that coin and have issues like mold from water leaks that were not repaired.
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HillbillyHotRod · Oct 16, 2019

nickf2005 said:
.

An insurance claim friend of mine once told me... every camper will leak. It's just a matter of when.

Sent from my SM-G975U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

Aint that da truth. Usually around the window frames. As they get older and dry out.

RedVenom48 · Oct 16, 2019

Crimson2v said:
So how many of you all have camper trailers? We bought our truck a couple of years ago and now that it is about paid off we are looking into getting a camper trailer. We are looking for something with bunks and possibly a slide out. What brand would you guys recommend as far as quality and reliability? What kind of prep to the truck needs to be done in order to tow a camper? The biggest issue I have is where to store it because we live on a postage stamp in an HOA so we would be paying for storage which sucks.

What kind of truck?

roadracer247 · Oct 16, 2019

The general consensus from the guys I work around is to buy the smallest camper you can and negotiate the price. These things don’t move quickly.

Here’s an example of one I was considering buying in the next couple years - Northwood | Desert Fox 21SW

Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

06 Tundra double cab 4wd.

Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

roadracer247 said:
The general consensus from the guys I work around is to buy the smallest camper you can and negotiate the price. These things don’t move quickly.

Here’s an example of one I was considering buying in the next couple years - Northwood | Desert Fox 21SW

That’s a nice one! I can’t go too small, it has to fit four of us. I did see some that we looked at in the beginning of the year are now over 10k off. We were looking at the Coleman camper.

03cobra#694 · Oct 16, 2019

This is well timed, wife and I have been talking about this. Just local camp grounds to get away for the weekend. I’d need to keep it in my garage though. I ain’t paying storage fees.

Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

That is the reason we were looking at getting one. The storage fee would be about 60 bucks a month and the only camper that could fit in my garage is a pop up.

03cobra#694 · Oct 16, 2019

Crimson2v said:
That is the reason we were looking at getting one. The storage fee would be about 60 bucks a month and the only camper that could fit in my garage is a pop up.

A pop up would work for us honestly. Only the two of us and the occasional grand kid. I literally have a great place maybe 5 miles away on the river. This would be all off snow bird season of course.

Crimson2v · Oct 16, 2019

If it was only my wife and I a pop up would be fine, I don’t feel comfortable with the kids and a pop up. I worry about security, rather have hard sides.

03cobra#694 · Oct 16, 2019

Understand completely.

beau t · Oct 16, 2019

Crimson2v said:
I worry about security, rather have hard sides.

A buddy of mine leaves his near the lake and has pics of a rather large black bear that hangs out near where their camper stays, so big yes on the hard sides lol.

03cobra#694 · Oct 16, 2019

No bears, and weapons.

nxhappy · Oct 16, 2019

I like the toy haulers, but that's because I'm a dirt ride junky lol. If you buy used, the most expensive things to watch out for: AC, roof, fridge, and generator. Just make sure to do a good inspection. Unless you are buying new lol but be prepared to crack the wallet !

RedVenom48 · Oct 17, 2019

nxhappy said:
I like the toy haulers, but that's because I'm a dirt ride junky lol. If you buy used, the most expensive things to watch out for: AC, roof, fridge, and generator. Just make sure to do a good inspection. Unless you are buying new lol but be prepared to crack the wallet !

Do RV dealers do competent buyers inspections? IS there an age where you'd be like "Nah, F that". If I buy one, its the only one I plan on owning. So it'll be big and features galore.

@Crimson2v Ive had Grand Design recommended to me. They seem to have good quality. *edit* Per another member's horrendous ownership experience, NOT recommending Forrest River.

Crimson2v · Oct 17, 2019

I saw a 2017 camper on the marketplace that already had the roof a/c replaced. I would not be a happy camper (pun intended) if the a/c went out in something that new. Sounds like these things are like boats, always having to throw money at it.

velocicaur · Oct 17, 2019

Absolute pain in the ass.

Rent one a few times a year and be done with it. You can get some pretty nice campers on craigslist for 500/week. No storage. No maintenance. No dealing with the crap system. There's a good chance you don't even have to haul it. Get there - bring in your cooler and some food - enjoy yourself. Pack your stuff up and leave.

You don't have to worry about something coming up or not being able to go in a couple of years. You won't have your 20k camper just "sitting there" eating away at you. Reserve some time slots early in the year and just cancel if you can't make it. Camping 2-3 times a year is plenty for most people.

There is no way you come out ahead buying a camper vs. renting one unless you go all the time.

GodStang · Oct 17, 2019

I recommend buying used as the depreciate super super fast. My Parents have one and go camping all over the east coast almost every weekend plus we have a place on the lake. I have been with them a few times. It is really nice but it is just not for me. Make sure you like camping before you buy.

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