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Started By
Message
Looking into my first camper
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:04 am
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:04 am
I have a small family (2 kids under 4) and would like to get into camping as more of a family tradition. Any time I have camped in my life, I drove my truck out and put up a tent - so campers are new to me.
What should I be looking for in a camper? What did you do wrong when you bought your first one and what should I avoid?
What should I be looking for in a camper? What did you do wrong when you bought your first one and what should I avoid?
15
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:13 am to TigerInCbus
get a tow vehicle that can handle the load, dont pull out of your weight class.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:16 am to TigerInCbus
I'll bite on this since I bought my first one earlier this year. We love camping. People who didn't grow up with it generally sht all over it and try to discourage it for whatever reason. So here is my take:
1. Know that they are all made pretty crappy. Things break. It's just what it is.
2. Keep in mind what truck you're going to use to pull it and factor in, not only the camper itself, but what you're going to put in it
3. Boondocking or always electrical hookups?
4. This goes along with my original comments where people crap all over camping...its not cheap anymore. Campground are expensive when you have a camper.
5. Storage - do you have somewhere to put it at home? Covered? Place to plug it in and run the refrigerator and AC
I'm sure I'll think of more. My family loves camping so I'm all about this convo
1. Know that they are all made pretty crappy. Things break. It's just what it is.
2. Keep in mind what truck you're going to use to pull it and factor in, not only the camper itself, but what you're going to put in it
3. Boondocking or always electrical hookups?
4. This goes along with my original comments where people crap all over camping...its not cheap anymore. Campground are expensive when you have a camper.
5. Storage - do you have somewhere to put it at home? Covered? Place to plug it in and run the refrigerator and AC
I'm sure I'll think of more. My family loves camping so I'm all about this convo
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:41 am to TigerInCbus
Agree about keeping weight in mind. Don't push the upper limits of your vehicle.
Where you buy from matters. Look HARD into the service department of dealers. It will be the difference between waiting weeks for repairs vs months.
What size range are you looking for?
Where you buy from matters. Look HARD into the service department of dealers. It will be the difference between waiting weeks for repairs vs months.
What size range are you looking for?
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:42 am to lsugrad35
quote:
1. Know that they are all made pretty crappy. Things break. It's just what it is.
2. Keep in mind what truck you're going to use to pull it and factor in, not only the camper itself, but what you're going to put in it
3. Boondocking or always electrical hookups?
This plus, the one you think you want is too small.
Always some little aggravating issues popping up, that is part of it.
Everything you need to go camping needs to stay in the camper. Don't think you will always grab things out the house, you won't and shes gonna be mad at you.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:44 am to TigerInCbus
We bought one earlier this year. I have a 8 & 4 yr old and they’re enjoying the shite out of it.
You will lose some living area but I highly recommend a bunkhouse model that has a door. I’d get the biggest your truck can handle because things get tight quickly with them chirrens running around.
Id definitely buy used. I saved 10k by driving to Austin to pick mine up. It’s a grand design 2910. I researched brands and lots of people recommended grand design because of quality and excellent customer service.
Like others said, it will have issues… but what toy doesn’t? The fun it provides outweighs the cost of repairs to us.
Oh, most importantly, make sure that sucker has 2 AC’s.
You will lose some living area but I highly recommend a bunkhouse model that has a door. I’d get the biggest your truck can handle because things get tight quickly with them chirrens running around.
Id definitely buy used. I saved 10k by driving to Austin to pick mine up. It’s a grand design 2910. I researched brands and lots of people recommended grand design because of quality and excellent customer service.
Like others said, it will have issues… but what toy doesn’t? The fun it provides outweighs the cost of repairs to us.
Oh, most importantly, make sure that sucker has 2 AC’s.
This post was edited on 8/15/22 at 9:49 am
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:53 am to highpockets
quote:
get a tow vehicle that can handle the load, dont pull out of your weight class.
Best advice in this thread. White knuckling the steering wheel when you have to stop suddenly isn’t a fun experience. A lot of half ton trucks will pull but stopping and keeping one in a lane in high wind can be harrowing.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:54 am to Uncle JackD
ren t a couple different models first
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:54 am to TigerInCbus
It took us a few purchases to get it right. Some random thoughts.
One large slide is important. The space is really great.
Shower with doors. The tiny ones with nothing but a curtain suck. I preferred front bath to rear simply because it gave us a place to comfortably change clothes.
If buying used, really, really look at the roof, and look inside for evidence of past leaks.
Consider storage. Our last one had this rear garage space that was super handy.
Change the mattress immediately.
Get a bunkhouse. When we had a rear living, the kid had to be put to sleep dead in the middle of the living room. When we got a bunkhouse, it was like he wasn't even there.
One large slide is important. The space is really great.
Shower with doors. The tiny ones with nothing but a curtain suck. I preferred front bath to rear simply because it gave us a place to comfortably change clothes.
If buying used, really, really look at the roof, and look inside for evidence of past leaks.
Consider storage. Our last one had this rear garage space that was super handy.
Change the mattress immediately.
quote:
(2 kids under 4)
Get a bunkhouse. When we had a rear living, the kid had to be put to sleep dead in the middle of the living room. When we got a bunkhouse, it was like he wasn't even there.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:55 am to lsugrad35
quote:
Boondocking or always electrical hookups?
I would say that 9/10 times would be hooked up. I like boondocking - my wife doesn't. Obviously I will rarely win that battle.
quote:
Storage - do you have somewhere to put it at home? Covered? Place to plug it in and run the refrigerator and AC
This is probably the biggest reason that I haven't pulled the trigger yet, other than not knowing how my kids will like it. I likely would have to rent somewhere to keep it during camping season then take it a couple hours away to keep it for the winter where my family owns some land with barns.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:55 am to Uncle JackD
quote:
Oh, most importantly, make sure that sucker has 2 AC’s
This is a good point. I have a 30' (26' box), so my camper only has 1 AC unit. Let me tell you, when you go to one of these campgrounds with no shade in the middle of Louisiana summer, it won't cool down until night time. I'd spend the extra for a second unit if I knew then what I know now. Of course I found a good deal on mine second hand so I didn't really have the option anyway. Oh also, don't go with any single axle nonsense. When you own the camper, there's another discussion to be had about stocking it up with gear
. Bleeding money is only starting when you take ownership.Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:55 am to Trevaylin
Definitely renting a few times before actually buying!
Posted on 8/15/22 at 9:58 am to BallsEleven
I have an F150 with the 2.7L Eco in it. I'm thinking a dry weight around 4-4.5k lbs so that when it's loaded up I still have some wiggle room with the capacity the truck can safely pull.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:00 am to lsugrad35
quote:
3. Boondocking or always electrical hookups?
I'm by no means an expert, but I'll give a lesson learned for my father's camper: Know your power requirements and generator storage.
My father started thinking he will just use electrical hookups 100%. He found that only about 25% of his preferred camp sites have hookups, especially out West. I would never suggest anyone to think they'd always rely on hookup. The air conditioner startup is the big power demand, especially since his doesnt have soft start. He needs 3000w for startup and really 3500w is the size recommended for generator.
His 27' camper does not have a place to store a generator (I'm not sure if you can). The camper also is not designed to have trailer hitch/carrier storage for a generator. He tried to add one but would void his warranty because the structure of the trailer is not designed for the weight back there.
So my father is limited to having generator in his truck bed. The problem is, a 3500w inverter generator is 130lbs DRY, with fuel and oil it is ever bit of 150lbs. He can not load, unload, or maneuver it by himself or even with my mother's help. The bed of his truck is completely used by generator, ramps to load/unload, and black water tank.
If my father could do it over again (and he will), he'd opt for camper that has soft start option for air conditioning* which would drastically reduce his required generator size. He would also go for a trailer that has hitch carrier capabilities.
*I think there are 3rd party aftermarket conversions for soft start, but I believe he said his system/AC wouldnt benefit from it.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:01 am to TigerInCbus
2 reasons why the storage is important:
Obviously the wellbeing of the camper. Not so good to be in the sun all the time. Also, when you're loading up the day before leaving or the morning of and its 100 degrees in there you'll hate your life. Ask me how I know.
I think it'll be tough to stay around that weight with any decent size camper. I could be wrong, but mine is an ultralight and comes in at 5700 dry I think. Good news is, sounds like you can justify a new truck. My wife disagrees with me on that logic, but I'm working on her.
Obviously the wellbeing of the camper. Not so good to be in the sun all the time. Also, when you're loading up the day before leaving or the morning of and its 100 degrees in there you'll hate your life. Ask me how I know.
I think it'll be tough to stay around that weight with any decent size camper. I could be wrong, but mine is an ultralight and comes in at 5700 dry I think. Good news is, sounds like you can justify a new truck. My wife disagrees with me on that logic, but I'm working on her.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:03 am to TigerInCbus
Renting a couple of times is a very good idea.....I think the OT has offered all the right suggestions.....Lots of people want to brag how great their half ton truck does towing....But there are so many factors and where you are headed, you will find new trucks are generally the first purchase after the trailer. I agree with buying used we targeted two models and then shop shop shop. We found what we wanted for 11k less than the dealers best deal for a unit 7 los. old. Could go on and on....rent then buy...Check out how your wife feels after a couple of trips. Its a lot of work, that never stops until you are disconnected and sitting at your site. Good luck.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:09 am to lsugrad35
quote:I keep mine in grand isle with zero shade. That 2nd ac saves my arse… having only one Would be unbearable.
This is a good point. I have a 30' (26' box), so my camper only has 1 AC unit. Let me tell you, when you go to one of these campgrounds with no shade in the middle of Louisiana summer, it won't cool down until night time
OP, like others said. Storage is super important. I have a huge storage in rear that holds all my outdoor shite. I keep folding tables, chairs, beach stuff for kids, boiling pot and burner. It’s loaded down for sure but gets it done.
This post was edited on 8/15/22 at 10:11 am
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:14 am to highpockets
quote:
get a tow vehicle that can handle the load, dont pull out of your weight class.
Very important.
But wow what a rabbit hole.
This topic is why I haven't pulled the trigger yet on getting my first one.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:19 am to Snipe
quote:If you read some of the threads on camper dedicated sites, those guys will scare you to death. My take had been that most of them are a bit too cautious. I always pulled with a 1/2 ton, and had two different 5th wheels that were no issue at all. I shopped by pin weight, and always had my brake guy keep the brakes in tip top shape. I swear I stopped faster towing than not.
But wow what a rabbit hole.
Posted on 8/15/22 at 10:41 am to TigerInCbus
quote:
I have an F150 with the 2.7L Eco in it
I'm not knocking your truck but you should look into any ultra lite series. Will you be towing in the mountains any?
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