Hey guys, Charlie here... I'm in the market for a travel trailer and was hoping I could get some (non-salesman) answers on a few things. I'm still doing my homework, but after walking through about 50 different models at this point I had a couple in mind and was curious as to the thoughts of others. The only other RV I've ever owned was a 1988 31 foot Komfort, which was used as a camping toy. I'd be spending a lot more time in this....
My needs/goal:
I'm currently a 34 year old telecommuting software engineer with two small dogs and a significant other that would be accompanying me on occasion. I've always enjoyed traveling (I'm a former US Marine in a past life, after all ) and after 6 years of sitting in one place in Fort Collins, Colorado I'm feeling an itch to hit the road. I'm in the process of re-painting and re-furnishing my home to turn it into a predominately VRBO unit for this undertaking. My girlfriend and I recently decided we wanted to wait at least another year to get married and have children, and it dawned on me; "Who knows how long I'll have a job where I don't have to be in the office and have no children". Why not take advantage of it, right? Bonus points for the fact my company has offices in Boulder, San Diego, and DC which means a lot of my miles are potentially tax deductible due to business use in terms of my truck (I made sure to log enough trips to California in it when I bought it to Section 179 it already...). I'm looking for something big enough that I'd be comfortable living and working in it at least a couple weeks a month, since I'm planning to spend quite a bit of time out and about.
My truck:
I'm currently driving a 2015 King Ranch. It has the 3.5L EcoBoost, FX4 package, and heavy duty tow package. It's rated for 12,200 towing capacity and a payload of 3,180. While it's only a half ton, I owned it before I got this bug and figure it leaves me enough options that I have no desire to trade it in on a larger truck (besides, Colorado kills diesel owners on registration and emissions, and if I were to step up that's where I'd go....).
TT vs 5th Wheel:
I've decided the TT is likely my right option since I have a Ducati motorcycle I'd like to take with me. I'm weight limited for a fifth wheel if a toy hauler becomes the requirement as a result, but there are plenty of trailers with hitch rating where the trailer and my motorcycle would still leave me ample payload for the truck.
New vs used:
I've been looking new, but would certainly not be adverse to a used trailer. Honestly, my experience with TTs is limited enough at this point that it's hard to look at used without going listing by listing and comparing them to NADA values in terms of price when I find anything I remotely like... Price isn't a huge concern for me, but if anyone had any good recommendations for high quality used trailer models 3-5 years old I'd be more than open.
What I've been looking at and could use some advice on, especially in regards to quality/price:
Of all the models I've looked at I'm most seriously considering the following two:
1) 2018 Sprinter 312MLS (They didn't have an MKS in stock, but it trades the outdoor kitchen for a pullout in the bedroom... That might appeal to me)
Pros:
- I like the floorplan. Having recliners facing a main-wall TV is quite pleasant. The opposing pullouts have a very 5th-wheel feel to them, with plenty of space. It also has a kitchen bar which would be a pleasant place to work on a laptop.
- Larger tank capacities for boondocking
- A very nice outdoor kitchen (My girlfriend seems hell bent on one.... That being said, I'm not sure I'd miss it if I didn't have it. What do I know, though...)
Cons:
- It's heavier than others I've been considering. Shipping weight of 8255, with a max GVWR of 11,000. I could tow it; Not sure I'd love the gas mileage or leaving myself a mere 1,200 pounds of tow room (especially with a +/-450 lb motorcycle potentially in the bed of the truck..)
List on it is $44,476.35. They offered it to me for $37,235.00. I was thinking about aiming for $36K and them doing a decent capacity solar install?
2) 2017 Cougar XLite 30RLI (I also liked the 33MLS they had, which was a similar feel but traded the bedroom pullout for an outdoor kitchen)
Pros:
- It's on closeout since it's a 2017. $53,694 List, Sale price (assuming a 3K rebate if I let them do the financing) of $36,870. I haven't asked them for a best price on it yet, though. Any input on what would be a fair number to have in my head would be appreciated.
- Similar layout to the Sprinter above
- Bedroom is a pullout with a king size bed, and has more space than the Sprinter (Either model can trade the outdoor kitchen for the pullout, as they're fairly similar floorplans between the two lines).
- Lighter weight; 7704 shipping weight, max GVWR is 9500
Cons:
- Lower capacity for water, propane, etc that they obviously sacrificed chasing weight reductions
- The interior feels slightly nicer in other models with stainless sinks, truly solid countertops, etc. that heavier models have
Any thoughts on those two options would be greatly appreciated (or proposals for better ones...). How high is the quality of the new Keystones? I haven't looked at the Jayco's and such yet, but I'm not adverse to it. These come at a price premium over the aluminum walled trailers I looked at, but honestly my suspicion is that if I'm going to use it during all four seasons (I do reside primarily in northern Colorado...) I'd be glad I just spent the money? Keep in mind I plan to spend a substantial amount of time in it for at least the next year.... As an aside, there is an RV show down in Colorado Springs in a month; Would that place me in a better negotiating position to wait for, or not so much?
Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!
My needs/goal:
I'm currently a 34 year old telecommuting software engineer with two small dogs and a significant other that would be accompanying me on occasion. I've always enjoyed traveling (I'm a former US Marine in a past life, after all ) and after 6 years of sitting in one place in Fort Collins, Colorado I'm feeling an itch to hit the road. I'm in the process of re-painting and re-furnishing my home to turn it into a predominately VRBO unit for this undertaking. My girlfriend and I recently decided we wanted to wait at least another year to get married and have children, and it dawned on me; "Who knows how long I'll have a job where I don't have to be in the office and have no children". Why not take advantage of it, right? Bonus points for the fact my company has offices in Boulder, San Diego, and DC which means a lot of my miles are potentially tax deductible due to business use in terms of my truck (I made sure to log enough trips to California in it when I bought it to Section 179 it already...). I'm looking for something big enough that I'd be comfortable living and working in it at least a couple weeks a month, since I'm planning to spend quite a bit of time out and about.
My truck:
I'm currently driving a 2015 King Ranch. It has the 3.5L EcoBoost, FX4 package, and heavy duty tow package. It's rated for 12,200 towing capacity and a payload of 3,180. While it's only a half ton, I owned it before I got this bug and figure it leaves me enough options that I have no desire to trade it in on a larger truck (besides, Colorado kills diesel owners on registration and emissions, and if I were to step up that's where I'd go....).
TT vs 5th Wheel:
I've decided the TT is likely my right option since I have a Ducati motorcycle I'd like to take with me. I'm weight limited for a fifth wheel if a toy hauler becomes the requirement as a result, but there are plenty of trailers with hitch rating where the trailer and my motorcycle would still leave me ample payload for the truck.
New vs used:
I've been looking new, but would certainly not be adverse to a used trailer. Honestly, my experience with TTs is limited enough at this point that it's hard to look at used without going listing by listing and comparing them to NADA values in terms of price when I find anything I remotely like... Price isn't a huge concern for me, but if anyone had any good recommendations for high quality used trailer models 3-5 years old I'd be more than open.
What I've been looking at and could use some advice on, especially in regards to quality/price:
Of all the models I've looked at I'm most seriously considering the following two:
1) 2018 Sprinter 312MLS (They didn't have an MKS in stock, but it trades the outdoor kitchen for a pullout in the bedroom... That might appeal to me)
Pros:
- I like the floorplan. Having recliners facing a main-wall TV is quite pleasant. The opposing pullouts have a very 5th-wheel feel to them, with plenty of space. It also has a kitchen bar which would be a pleasant place to work on a laptop.
- Larger tank capacities for boondocking
- A very nice outdoor kitchen (My girlfriend seems hell bent on one.... That being said, I'm not sure I'd miss it if I didn't have it. What do I know, though...)
Cons:
- It's heavier than others I've been considering. Shipping weight of 8255, with a max GVWR of 11,000. I could tow it; Not sure I'd love the gas mileage or leaving myself a mere 1,200 pounds of tow room (especially with a +/-450 lb motorcycle potentially in the bed of the truck..)
List on it is $44,476.35. They offered it to me for $37,235.00. I was thinking about aiming for $36K and them doing a decent capacity solar install?
2) 2017 Cougar XLite 30RLI (I also liked the 33MLS they had, which was a similar feel but traded the bedroom pullout for an outdoor kitchen)
Pros:
- It's on closeout since it's a 2017. $53,694 List, Sale price (assuming a 3K rebate if I let them do the financing) of $36,870. I haven't asked them for a best price on it yet, though. Any input on what would be a fair number to have in my head would be appreciated.
- Similar layout to the Sprinter above
- Bedroom is a pullout with a king size bed, and has more space than the Sprinter (Either model can trade the outdoor kitchen for the pullout, as they're fairly similar floorplans between the two lines).
- Lighter weight; 7704 shipping weight, max GVWR is 9500
Cons:
- Lower capacity for water, propane, etc that they obviously sacrificed chasing weight reductions
- The interior feels slightly nicer in other models with stainless sinks, truly solid countertops, etc. that heavier models have
Any thoughts on those two options would be greatly appreciated (or proposals for better ones...). How high is the quality of the new Keystones? I haven't looked at the Jayco's and such yet, but I'm not adverse to it. These come at a price premium over the aluminum walled trailers I looked at, but honestly my suspicion is that if I'm going to use it during all four seasons (I do reside primarily in northern Colorado...) I'd be glad I just spent the money? Keep in mind I plan to spend a substantial amount of time in it for at least the next year.... As an aside, there is an RV show down in Colorado Springs in a month; Would that place me in a better negotiating position to wait for, or not so much?
Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!