First... new to RV Forum..and also soon to be a new RV owner. I have never towed anything with a vehicle before... never (obviously) owned a RV before either.
I am getting one primarily for college football season.. because Im sick of paying $300/weekend JUST for a hotel when I can camp the entire season for $300. Considerable savings to say the least... plus this will allow me to get away a lil more often too.
Okay.. so obviously I have some questions.
Like most of us.. I will really not have the means to go replacing/buying a new RV anytime soon or repairing a bunch of major issues. Nor will i have the time to do so.
I found a 1998 coleman Natchez that is WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL under my budget. Has a slide out, awning, etc. Obviously wear/tear on PUPs i am sure are not the same.. If I buy a PUP that I want to last for a while, and assuming I take good care of it... what is the oldest (year) that I should buy? Concerned more about structure than easy to replace (fridge, a/c canvas, etc). For instance.. if the 1998 turns out to be in good shape and has everything I want in it and wellll within my budget... should i be turned away because its already 14 years old?
When Im looking at used PUPs.. what kinds of things should I look for and if I see them say ehhhh no thanks? Are there things that are plusses to look for that I may not necessarily consider? I see that some have toilets/showers.. but right now I cannot foresee ever staying at a campground that didnt have eletrical hook up, water, showers, etc so I really dont see a need for that. Any reason I should reconsider? Just not sure about getting a PUP with something that Ill never or rarely ever use (that I know of).
I read on another Topic about checking tires, and making sure the canvas was dry before storing away. That makes sense. But my question is.. if I am planning on storing this in another state... are there any tricks I can use to dry it when I store it in case I do run into bad weather? it will probably be uncovered storage... so I also assume I need to get a cover for it? Should I always keep the propane tank with me at all times? Battery (if it has one)? Or are those okay to sit out. Depending on your answers.. and I think I already know... I may have to reconsider storing this closer to where I live (HOA wont allow me to store it in our neighborhood).
Security - This is a big concern. When Im at a campground.. obviously it doesnt take much to get in a PUP (unless its an A-liner I suppose) but when its being stored... how do I secure it so someone just cant drive away with it? Any tricks for security while I am camping?
I realize some have the front storage... but besides the cabinets.. how much can you realistically store in it (on the floor or whatever) while its closed? Also, anything (such as plastics that melt, etc) that I should not store due to heat, etc?
Okay... if I buy from owner.. which I am going to try to avoid if I can... how do I know the title is clear before I buy it?
Sorry for the 20,000 questions... I just want to be really prepared when i do this because I have to get it right the first time.
I am getting one primarily for college football season.. because Im sick of paying $300/weekend JUST for a hotel when I can camp the entire season for $300. Considerable savings to say the least... plus this will allow me to get away a lil more often too.
Okay.. so obviously I have some questions.
Like most of us.. I will really not have the means to go replacing/buying a new RV anytime soon or repairing a bunch of major issues. Nor will i have the time to do so.
I found a 1998 coleman Natchez that is WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL under my budget. Has a slide out, awning, etc. Obviously wear/tear on PUPs i am sure are not the same.. If I buy a PUP that I want to last for a while, and assuming I take good care of it... what is the oldest (year) that I should buy? Concerned more about structure than easy to replace (fridge, a/c canvas, etc). For instance.. if the 1998 turns out to be in good shape and has everything I want in it and wellll within my budget... should i be turned away because its already 14 years old?
When Im looking at used PUPs.. what kinds of things should I look for and if I see them say ehhhh no thanks? Are there things that are plusses to look for that I may not necessarily consider? I see that some have toilets/showers.. but right now I cannot foresee ever staying at a campground that didnt have eletrical hook up, water, showers, etc so I really dont see a need for that. Any reason I should reconsider? Just not sure about getting a PUP with something that Ill never or rarely ever use (that I know of).
I read on another Topic about checking tires, and making sure the canvas was dry before storing away. That makes sense. But my question is.. if I am planning on storing this in another state... are there any tricks I can use to dry it when I store it in case I do run into bad weather? it will probably be uncovered storage... so I also assume I need to get a cover for it? Should I always keep the propane tank with me at all times? Battery (if it has one)? Or are those okay to sit out. Depending on your answers.. and I think I already know... I may have to reconsider storing this closer to where I live (HOA wont allow me to store it in our neighborhood).
Security - This is a big concern. When Im at a campground.. obviously it doesnt take much to get in a PUP (unless its an A-liner I suppose) but when its being stored... how do I secure it so someone just cant drive away with it? Any tricks for security while I am camping?
I realize some have the front storage... but besides the cabinets.. how much can you realistically store in it (on the floor or whatever) while its closed? Also, anything (such as plastics that melt, etc) that I should not store due to heat, etc?
Okay... if I buy from owner.. which I am going to try to avoid if I can... how do I know the title is clear before I buy it?
Sorry for the 20,000 questions... I just want to be really prepared when i do this because I have to get it right the first time.