Campers

[gomer pyle]

My wife is wanting to get a camper. We had one years ago and it was too big and worked me to death with maintenance. 
My son shoots trap and we like to travel a lot. We are wanting a shorter bumper hitch. It needs to sleep three people but we don’t need a massive amount of space. I am fairly tall, but I’m not sure I’ll get any kind of head room out of a bumper pull. 
Any recommendations on brands? Any brands to stay away from? We cannot/are not willing to afford an airstream.

[ArmyBrat61]

Stay away from the Covid campers! Anything made between 2020 and 2025. Lots of manufacturing issues due to inexperienced labor because of Covid layoffs. Most coaches and campers are made by Thor Industries are branded with different names. Do your homework, check the internet, YouTube and such. Most importantly hire your own RV inspector. Do not trust the dealer's inspectors to to a good job, especially Camping World! As with any dealer, get your details in writing and make them stick to them because as soon as you take it off the lot.....they don't know you. Don't rush into it, do your research on the features you want and can do without.  Good luck!

Edited April 15 by ArmyBrat61

[gomer pyle]

I’m assuming you’re suggesting used prior to 20 and no new ones? I actually prefer used but a 19 or older starts getting into higher maintenance problems 

[gregintenn]

Hotel rooms and condos are much cheaper and easier in the long run.

[TN_Jim]

I have similar issue, off-road motorcycles. Tracks/parks are 20 + miles to nearest motel.

Bought a class B RV. Mine sleeps 2, some sleep 2 - 4.

[Alleycat72]

1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

Hotel rooms and condos are much cheaper and easier in the long run.

My Wife was talking about a camper for retirement. I told her the same thing. I actually told her I'd rather get a Mustang and a hotel. She agreed. 

[gun sane]

2 hours ago, gregintenn said:

Hotel rooms and condos are much cheaper and easier in the long run.

My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn without credit cards.

[10-Ring]

I can't recommend any particular models other than the ones that say "Airstream" on them, but I totally understand why you don't want to go the Airstream route. I'm probably going to offend someone by saying this, but they are all junk. Most all are manufactured by Thor Industries in Elkhart, Indiana. This is what I would suggest if not buying new: 

- if it hadn't at least been stored in a car port and preferably indoors I don't want it. 

- if it has the slightest hint of mold/mildew, or the smallest hint of a leak run the opposite way as fast as you can. Don't let anyone tell you that it has or had a minor leak and it's fixed. The only way to fix a roof leak in these things the proper way is to peel back the roof membrane, remove all affected decking, insulation, and ceiling material, replace/rebuild all of it. By the time you know there is a leak there is almost always extensive damage at that point. 

- turn everything on and make sure it operates properly. Run off of the house battery and connected to shore power. 

- make sure all of the slide outs work properly and don't have water damage on the floors and ceilings. 

- as someone else suggested hire your own inspector. If you thick you can DIY print out a check list of things to look at. 

- of anything doesn't look 100% right, run. 

- stay away from Camper World, I have no dealings with them but have talked with enough people who had horror stories that I will never go there. 

To sum it up, these things are rolling garbage and poorly made. Scrutinize everything. Keep in mind these are also expensive to work on. Best bang for your buck is buy one that is a couple of years old, keep it for a couple years and sell it. Rinse and repeat. You won't lose too awful much doing that and will always be in a relatively new unit. 

I've had one in the past. Rebuilt it twice and sold it after the 3rd leak. About to buy another to live in while we build. Wife suggested keeping it, I have less than zero interest. 

Edited April 15 by 10-Ring

[gregintenn]

48 minutes ago, gun sane said:

My idea of roughing it is a Holiday Inn without credit cards.

My wife considers roughing it to be a lack of room service.

[ArmyBrat61]

6 hours ago, gomer pyle said:

I’m assuming you’re suggesting used prior to 20 and no new ones? I actually prefer used but a 19 or older starts getting into higher maintenance problems 

New ones are a gamble at this point, too many horror stories from people I know. Used is the way I'm headed but I'm looking for a Class A coach. Tow behinds tend to have more problems the more slide outs you have, again, personal knowledge. I wouldn't mind a Mustang and hotel room but 3 German Shepherds really limit my choices.....I won't change that any time soon. 

[Grayfox54]

I grew up in a camping family. As an adult, I spent 12 years as a Boy Scout leader. I've been camping my whole life. Did it all in tents and was quite comfortable. 

You can buy a really nice tent and everything else you need a whole lot cheaper then a camper. 

[DeepSouth]

Look at used, different brands and year models. Marketplace is full of them, some from owner and dealers. Look them over very well for repairs needed. Mold smell in the camper, under sinks and bathroom. Open the black tank drain to be sure it's not stopped up with poop. 

My camper was a 1998 Flagstaff bought in 2010. The owner used material from a home improvement center to make repairs that didn't look too well. But for $3000 it got us on the road and into campgrounds sometimes 12 trips with grandkids per year. The downfall was repairs took over wintertime and early spring crappie fishing trips, fall fruit canning and hunting trips.

With my wife's health we camped once in 2022. It sat in the driveway in 2023 and got super dirty. We talked about selling it. I cleaned it out, thought about washing it. Brother-in-law's stepson needed a place to live. They looked at it, I delivered and helped set it up for $2000.

I was on a facebook RV group. Lots of questions about how this and that are done. I made a few replies, copied them and paste in an email folder for quick replies. I think I know enough about daily living in one and lots of correct repairs. Best places and prices for repair materials.

Maybe a sticky that covers RV living and repairs.

Edited April 16 by DeepSouth

[gomer pyle]

6 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

I grew up in a camping family. As an adult, I spent 12 years as a Boy Scout leader. I've been camping my whole life. Did it all in tents and was quite comfortable. 

You can buy a really nice tent and everything else you need a whole lot cheaper then a camper. 

We have tent camped quite a bit but the shoots we’re planning to use this on will be in June, July, and August. AC sounds nice during those months

[BigK]

20 hours ago, gomer pyle said:

My wife is wanting to get a camper. We had one years ago and it was too big and worked me to death with maintenance. 
My son shoots trap and we like to travel a lot. We are wanting a shorter bumper hitch. It needs to sleep three people but we don’t need a massive amount of space. I am fairly tall, but I’m not sure I’ll get any kind of head room out of a bumper pull. 
Any recommendations on brands? Any brands to stay away from? We cannot/are not willing to afford an airstream.

Are you looking for a travel trailer with kitchen/bath? Would a teardrop/squaredrop camper just to sleep in be too small for your family?

[pop pop]

I have camped in all the 48 lower states, except Rhode Island, and it took us 23 years. I am on my 3rd camper; a 2007 Wildcat 35' fifth wheel pulled with a Chevy 2500 HD Duramax Disel. It is a lot of work, but I was much younger when we started in 2001 and never noticed like I do now. It was much easier then, but we still have the urge to go at he 77/her 75.

Our first-born grandson (32) usually goes with us. He has Downs Syndrome and really enjoys camping with us. In fact, he has been on most of our out west trips. Have traveled all the interstates form East Coast to West coast but never crossed the mountains into California except for 1 occasion 3 years ago. We are headed to Destin Florida for a 6-night stay in an Army Rec Center on the bay close to the Destin Bridge. Cost us 70.00 per night plus fuel to get there. Truck averages 15 miles per gallon of fuel. It is about 450 miles to where we are camping. We leave in a few days.  

I have never purchased a new camper because they lose too much in value for the first owner. Have always purchased slightly used campers. We have had the one we have now for 9 years, and it is still road worthy. 

Now I ask where can you find sleeping and eating accommodations, in Destin, for that kind of lollie? Can even cook if we want too and not need to pay 70/80.00 per meal eating out.

We have the desire to go back out west, this year, if we can get things worked out by July. If we go it will be for 5-6 weeks, and cost approx 6,500.00 to 7,000. I feel I still have one more long trip in me. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed our road trips to many places we would have never been able to travel too, if not for camping. Just put a new set of tires on the Silverado and prepping. Hope it works out. 

One needs to be very careful not to overpay for a used camper or it will take the fun out of it.  

[gomer pyle]

1 hour ago, BigK said:

Are you looking for a travel trailer with kitchen/bath? Would a teardrop/squaredrop camper just to sleep in be too small for your family?

We will definitely want a bathroom and kitchen 

[gomer pyle]

18 hours ago, 10-Ring said:

I can't recommend any particular models other than the ones that say "Airstream" on them, but I totally understand why you don't want to go the Airstream route. I'm probably going to offend someone by saying this, but they are all junk. Most all are manufactured by Thor Industries in Elkhart, Indiana. This is what I would suggest if not buying new: 

- if it hadn't at least been stored in a car port and preferably indoors I don't want it. 

- if it has the slightest hint of mold/mildew, or the smallest hint of a leak run the opposite way as fast as you can. Don't let anyone tell you that it has or had a minor leak and it's fixed. The only way to fix a roof leak in these things the proper way is to peel back the roof membrane, remove all affected decking, insulation, and ceiling material, replace/rebuild all of it. By the time you know there is a leak there is almost always extensive damage at that point. 

- turn everything on and make sure it operates properly. Run off of the house battery and connected to shore power. 

- make sure all of the slide outs work properly and don't have water damage on the floors and ceilings. 

- as someone else suggested hire your own inspector. If you thick you can DIY print out a check list of things to look at. 

- of anything doesn't look 100% right, run. 

- stay away from Camper World, I have no dealings with them but have talked with enough people who had horror stories that I will never go there. 

To sum it up, these things are rolling garbage and poorly made. Scrutinize everything. Keep in mind these are also expensive to work on. Best bang for your buck is buy one that is a couple of years old, keep it for a couple years and sell it. Rinse and repeat. You won't lose too awful much doing that and will always be in a relatively new unit. 

I've had one in the past. Rebuilt it twice and sold it after the 3rd leak. About to buy another to live in while we build. Wife suggested keeping it, I have less than zero interest. 

Thoughts on older, used Airstreams?

[pop pop]

Airstreams are the best, most rugged, but not cheap, IMO. Campers are not like stationary homes; they are much cheaper built and not as durable. 

We have managed ours by doing most of the work and repair ourselves. Just replaced the inverter last week. Never had to repair leakage damage. We have a cover for our Wildcat, and it, and our truck sets inside except when we camp or on the road. 

A good truck is a necessity, and they are not cheap either. Light trucks (F 150, Chevy 1500 or Dodge 1500) pull small light campers. Larger heavy-duty trucks pull larger campers. Must have the right combination. They are dangerous to tow if you don't. 

With what new equipment cost now, I don't know if I would make the investment unless you already have a good tow vehicle.  

Edited April 16 by pop pop

[gomer pyle]

I do have a 3/4 pickup 

[pop pop]

That is a good start. You should be able to tow a sizable camper but still must say in the range of your truck's towing ratings.  My 2500 HD is rated for around 10,000 pounds to be safe. Ford rates their 250 at 12,000 but I think that is a little overrated. Don't know about Dodge. 

Wheelbase has a lot to do with stability going down the road. My truck is a 4 door with an 8' bed. It is the longest wheelbase one can buy. It is really stable towing our 35 footer. The diesel is a large difference in power also. I had a gas burner with the same setup but when we got the Duramax Disel there was no comparison which truck was the strongest.  

Edited to add; What is you age G P?

Edited April 16 by pop pop

[LangdoniousRex]

I've lived full time in a secondhand 2021 Forest River Grey Wolf Black Label 25RRTBL the past 2 years and it has held up quite well. Previous owners never even cooked in the kitchen let alone use it with any regularity. I guess I've been lucky as I've had zero issues with it considering it's a COVID era build. 

No matter what trailer you get, make sure you replace all the tires with proper name brand tires with proper ratings. The factory puts the absolutely cheapest POS Chinesium tires on. I had 2 blow outs on the same trip 500 mile trip home. 

 

[gomer pyle]

1 hour ago, pop pop said:

That is a good start. You should be able to tow a sizable camper but still must say in the range of your truck's towing ratings.  My 2500 HD is rated for around 10,000 pounds to be safe. Ford rates their 250 at 12,000 but I think that is a little overrated. Don't know about Dodge. 

Wheelbase has a lot to do with stability going down the road. My truck is a 4 door with an 8' bed. It is the longest wheelbase one can buy. It is really stable towing our 35 footer. The diesel is a large difference in power also. I had a gas burner with the same setup but when we got the Duramax Disel there was no comparison which truck was the strongest.  

Edited to add; What is you age G P?

I’m 40 with back problems. I’m also 6’5”

[deerslayer]

4 hours ago, pop pop said:

Airstreams are the best

I always thought it would be cool to have a camping trailer that looked like a B-29. 

[Grayfox54]

How about a Pop-Up? They make some really nice ones these days. 

[10-Ring]

8 hours ago, gomer pyle said:

Thoughts on older, used Airstreams?

Because of the way they are made they have the potential to last much longer than other brands, plus the overall craftsmanship is just better. Most campers will have a rubber membrane roof with 1/4 OSB underneath. The sun reeks havoc on the rubber and eventually it leaks. The airstreams are built out of aluminum panels and riveted together. I would almost say they won't leak unless sustain serious damage by being hit by something. I've shopped some older Airstreams with the thought of building one out the way I want but even shells are often $10k. A used newer Airstream will run twice what you can buy a new "comparable" model for. 

To really answer your question I think it depends on what you are looking for, how much you want to spend, and whether or not you want a project. Expect to pay $40k+ for a 5ish year old Airstream that is ready to go. There is a nice looking 1973 model on Marketplace now for $12k. It's not uncommon to see Airstreams from the 50s, 60s, and 70s still in use, that can't be said for many brands. Personally, I would probably take a 30 year old Airstream over a 10 year old anything else.