Campers 101

[Great-Kazoo]

Thanks Kazoo! That's what I was looking for. You confirmed what I was already kind of thinking in terms of hard side vs pop up. Pop-ups are just so cheap compared but there's a reason.

Can you get good used deals at dealers? Is it safer to buy a used one at a dealer? Or is it like used cars where it's still a crap shoot?

BUY USED, BUY AFTER LABOR DAY, BUY FROM ANYONE BUT A DEALER. Window shop at the dealer. Buy after labor day, road test the new camper, then winterize it. OR if you decide it's not you, winterize and resell in mid april, may.

Based on your vehicle an A-liner, or tent, would be your best bet. Hard sided will be a death trap on anything over 4% incline. Factor in water (8lbs per gallon) gear, food etc you'll peak out before you're fully loaded.



We fill up close to our destination, if not at. Based on your vehicle, i would buy a basic A-liner, use a port a potty / Luggable Loo, solar shower , use the melted ice water for cleaning dishes etc.

Option D would be a slide in unit for the taco.








OR buy a 10-12' enclosed trailer, air mattresses , small propane stove, and enjoy the weekend. Our 12" trailer is storage and or camper, as needed.

[Dave_L]

Guess I should just buy this...

http://rockies.craigslist.org/rvs/4549905208.html

[Colorado_Outback]

Yes you should. That thing is sweet. Bet backing a side by side out of that thing takes some balls and commitment haha like backing it off a cliff.

[colorider]

Only brand I would say to stay away from is Forest River. My buddy has one of their toy haulers and it has been a nightmare since day 1. Broken axles, (replaced 3x) leaf springs, water pump, gas delivery, generator, cracked frame, broken sink fixture. And the list goes on. It was NOT overloaded. The stock axles and springs were way underated and the wrong ones. Lets just say Forest River should be avoided.

[brutal]

Only brand I would say to stay away from is Forest River. My buddy has one of their toy haulers and it has been a nightmare since day 1. Broken axles, (replaced 3x) leaf springs, water pump, gas delivery, generator, cracked frame, broken sink fixture. And the list goes on. It was NOT overloaded. The stock axles and springs were way underated and the wrong ones. Lets just say Forest River should be avoided.

I would avoid toyhaulers altogether. I don't think Forest River is any worse or better than any others. The manufacturers all have low end and high end units. A friend in the RV biz has a Forest River Cardinal if that tells you anything. He tells me that the highest warranty claims on toyhaulers prize seems to go to Keystone's Fuzion.

We have a Keystone Cougar and except for an issue with the (Lippert) frame in the front I repaired, and the recalled axles replaced under warranty, it's been a good rig even with those issues. I did replace the crappy drawer slides on a few of the larger drawers with ball bearing slides, but it has otherwise held up good. All RV's are a maintenance pit. EVERY SINGLE ONE.

[colorider]

I have found that a lot of the toyhauler problems in general is that they are shaving weight in order to get max hauling capacity. Frames are just not what they used to be. Anything labled "superlight, ultralight etc is asking for problems.

[Great-Kazoo]

I have found that a lot of the toyhauler problems in general is that they are shaving weight in order to get max hauling capacity. Frames are just not what they used to be. Anything labled "superlight, ultralight etc is asking for problems.

Let's not forget, some toy hauler owners could care less how their unit works. Long as they get in early enough for prime spot, and their beer is still cold. That noise going down the culvert, from the trailer shocks . They'll look at it back home, if they remember. Damn kid busted the atv' s brake cable.

[Wulf202]

If you're over 6' most of them are a headache

[a98kdoc]

I have a23 foot trailer in very good shape and I can toss in a brake controller to.
It has a full bed and room for a queen in the front (or fold out couch) heat stove B room ect
all work. so If I don't get kicked you can PM me.

[Great-Kazoo]

I have a23 foot trailer in very good shape and I can toss in a brake controller to.
It has a full bed and room for a queen in the front (or fold out couch) heat stove B room ect
all work. so If I don't get kicked you can PM me.

Even with nitrous, no taco will haul a 23' pull behind.