Buying a camper...got some questions...

[dzg]

Hey everyone....new here...got some questions...

First a little background, im 36 yr old, drive a truck (locally) for a living, and me and my wife are looking to purchase another camper. We bought one back in 2012 (basically on impulse) without really thinking things through, so that whole experience taught us alot, but to avoid the same mistakes i hsve some questions....

1- I just purchased a 2017 F250 (gas 6.2L) supercab/shortbox. Its rated at 12600 for towing, with around a 3300lb payload. We are looking at campers in the high 20ft or low 30ft range and in the 7000-8500ishlb range. Our last camper (a 2012 Salem 27RKSS) was around 7000lbs but *felt* much heavier behind my old tow rig (97 F250 OBS with the 460). Am i in the right neighboorhood for towing size/weight for somewhat easy towing behind my current rig?

2- The salem seemed to have an iffy build quality, what are some makes that are built atleast semi well?

3- What do you guys reccommend for a good sway control/weight dist setup? On my old one i had a fairly cheap friction setup that worked pretty good. But was curious what you guys use/reccomend?

and last but not least....where are some good, quiet campgrounds/state parks east of the mississippi?


Sorry for the long winded post...but thanks in advance

 

[rvlifer]

what types of rvs are you interested in? Sounds like pull behinds. What about 5th wheels?

The vast majority of rvs made for the north american market are made by a small number of manufacturers. Also a small number of companies such as dometic and lippert make most of the components so the quality across all twnds to be similar.

I have consistently heard that brands such as arctic fox, alliance, and those that use fiberglass shells are better but never owned one so cant say first hand.

Best thing to do is to get any rv inspected before buying it.
Home - NRVIA has a search by location to find a certified inspector. I just used one for my 5th wheel and was impressed. Not inexpensive but easily worth the price.

I have owned equalizer and reese wd hitches. Both worked as expected but i preferred the reese cause it didnt make the noise the equalizer did in turns.

I also own a b&w biker bar for my motorcycle. Heavy duty but it is very finicky about locking and unlocking.

For 5th wheels i own a pullrite and like it a lot. Very heavy duty.

The bigger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the easier the towing. If i buy another i will shoot for the tv being twice the capacity of the rv.

East of the mississippi covers a lot of ground. In general i liked staying at state parks vs private campgrounds as they seem to be more consistent.

If you post asking for recomnendations in specific areas i am sure you will get a lot of suggestions. Lots of friendly knowledgeable people here.

 

[dzg]

what types of rvs are you interested in? Sounds like pull behinds. What about 5th wheels?

The vast majority of rvs made for the north american market are made by a small number of manufacturers. Also a small number of companies such as dometic and lippert make most of the components so the quality across all twnds to be similar.

I have consistently heard that brands such as arctic fox, alliance, and those that use fiberglass shells are better but never owned one so cant say first hand.

Best thing to do is to get any rv inspected before buying it.
Home - NRVIA has a search by location to find a certified inspector. I just used one for my 5th wheel and was impressed. Not inexpensive but easily worth the price.

I have owned equalizer and reese wd hitches. Both worked as expected but i preferred the reese cause it didnt make the noise the equalizer did in turns.

I also own a b&w biker bar for my motorcycle. Heavy duty but it is very finicky about locking and unlocking.

For 5th wheels i own a pullrite and like it a lot. Very heavy duty.

The bigger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the easier the towing. If i buy another i will shoot for the tv being twice the capacity of the rv.

East of the mississippi covers a lot of ground. In general i liked staying at state parks vs private campgrounds as they seem to be more consistent.

If you post asking for recomnendations in specific areas i am sure you will get a lot of suggestions. Lots of friendly knowledgeable people here.

Thats kind of the problem. We dont really know exactly what we want.

Initially we were leaning toward a motorhome...but to be frank im not paying 1000/yr to tag it, on top of having yet another vehicle to maintain (yes i know campers take maintenece, but ive already got a fleet of motorized stuff lol).

I personally would like a 5th wheel. They tow better, and i could get a little trailer and hook behind it and tow my quads. I would have to install or get installed the 5th wheel rails in my pickup though....so thats an extra step.

Or a toyhauler.

But the wife is being super picky lol. Of probably 100 we have looked at (online) we've only found 3 that we both could agree on. She wants an apartment on wheels...i want something that tows good, is built well, and has a decent bathroom lol.

Actually to be honest i wanted something small enough i could tow with my grand cherokee (which i traded in for the truck) because sub 20ft and less then 4000lbs wasnt gonna cut it.

Anyways we are looking mostly at new trailers....so i dont think an inspection is needed right? Sorry if that sounds dumb. Lol.

What we want/need is something with an open floorplan (for some reason she hates dinettes), no more then say 8500-9000lb rolling weight, and in the like 27-31ft range, and under 30k.

 

[dzg]

Im not sure where the edit feature is...

Im guessing (from what ive read online) 8500-9000 is well within this trucks capabilities. I just know when i bought my 2012 i really over estimated my truck at the times abilities and had to go buy my 97. So im trying to err far on the caution side.

 

[rvlifer]

Get an inspection new or used. Plenty of problems with new rvs. There is currently another thread here where an inspection of a new rv found some issues.

you might consider attending a few rv shows and lots of dealers to look at as many rvs as possible to help you decide. Take your time and spend as much time as possible in them. The more time you spend the more you will find what works and what doesnt. Renting one can help figure out what works even if you just camp in your yard.

They keep coming out with new floorplans and stuff so it is worth it to keep looking. I am looking at whether we want to get a smaller rv and used to be what we needed didnt exist in under 20ft. Now nucamp has the barefoot model that has what we want in a 17 footer

 

[Professor David]

nucamp has the barefoot model

Those are pretty cool.

 

[rvlifer]

Those are pretty cool.

Gonna go look at one in person once windish has one on the lot

Looks like a teardrop with an indoor kitchen

 

[gwinger]

Thats kind of the problem. We dont really know exactly what we want.

Initially we were leaning toward a motorhome...but to be frank im not paying 1000/yr to tag it, on top of having yet another vehicle to maintain (yes i know campers take maintenece, but ive already got a fleet of motorized stuff lol).

I personally would like a 5th wheel. They tow better, and i could get a little trailer and hook behind it and tow my quads. I would have to install or get installed the 5th wheel rails in my pickup though....so thats an extra step.

Or a toyhauler.

But the wife is being super picky lol. Of probably 100 we have looked at (online) we've only found 3 that we both could agree on. She wants an apartment on wheels...i want something that tows good, is built well, and has a decent bathroom lol.

Actually to be honest i wanted something small enough i could tow with my grand cherokee (which i traded in for the truck) because sub 20ft and less then 4000lbs wasnt gonna cut it.

Anyways we are looking mostly at new trailers....so i dont think an inspection is needed right? Sorry if that sounds dumb. Lol.

What we want/need is something with an open floorplan (for some reason she hates dinettes), no more then say 8500-9000lb rolling weight, and in the like 27-31ft range, and under 30k.

Plus, with a short bed you may have a turning clearance problem.
There are special short bed hitches.

 

[JudyJB]

Now, I will ask the questions about the campground, since I am also from Michigan. However, what I like may not be what you like.

Quiet is good, but what else are you looking for? By "quiet" are you looking for a place where you will be mostly relaxing while sitting on a patio alongside your RV? Or, will you be traveling with kids or grandkids who will want a place to swim or boat?

Do you require full hookups? And are you planning to mostly stay at one place, or will you be traveling around? You mentioned state parks, so I am guessing maybe you want to travel as part of a vacation. Is that right? Michigan has a lot of campgrounds on or near lakes, but because they attract families, they might not be at least what I think of as a quiet place, so we need to know what you want to do while camping and who you will be camping with. Ditto for how far away you want to go and over what time period.

And you mentioned east of the Mississippi, so that does mean you are planning on taking a very long trip. Right?

Also, you apparently did some camping before. What did you like or not like in campgrounds?

 

[Derby6]

Careful towing doubles is limiting. Especially East.
If your looking at full hookups no worries. But if you looking to boondocks and ride wheelers you want a toy hauler. Most have generator and extra fuel. Fiver with garage could hold 1-2 wheelers with your weight range. Trailer could hold 2 max but a 3rd could go in bed but them your looking at weight issues.

Being a local truck driver I’m surprised your not using a diesel truck. They pull so much better than a gasser.

 

[dzg]

Get an inspection new or used. Plenty of problems with new rvs. There is currently another thread here where an inspection of a new rv found some issues.

you might consider attending a few rv shows and lots of dealers to look at as many rvs as possible to help you decide. Take your time and spend as much time as possible in them. The more time you spend the more you will find what works and what doesnt. Renting one can help figure out what works even if you just camp in your yard.

They keep coming out with new floorplans and stuff so it is worth it to keep looking. I am looking at whether we want to get a smaller rv and used to be what we needed didnt exist in under 20ft. Now nucamp has the barefoot model that has what we want in a 17 footer

View attachment 178551

The RV show thing is a good idea. We went to one a few years ago mainly just for somethin to do. I imagine with spring coming up the show season will ramp up.

We were gonna go today and go do some browsing but work got in the way...lol. Eh the weathers crappy anyways.

I will definantly look into getting an inspection then. Even if we do buy new. I didnt even know that was a thing with these.

Plus, with a short bed you may have a turning clearance problem.
There are special short bed hitches.

Yeah i know about the shortbed thing. My buddy towed a 24 or 25ft 5th wheel with his 2500HD shortbox. Hes still got the hitch setup. Its one of those sliding ones. He sold the camper so if i get a 5'er i can pry score it pretty cheap...or even a "you can have it but if i need it i want it back" sorta thing. Ill have to get the bed rails installed though. Do camper places do that? Or would i have tu find a truck shop? My old truck has them so worst case i could drag one home with that untill i get the rails in the superduty.

Now, I will ask the questions about the campground, since I am also from Michigan. However, what I like may not be what you like.

Quiet is good, but what else are you looking for? By "quiet" are you looking for a place where you will be mostly relaxing while sitting on a patio alongside your RV? Or, will you be traveling with kids or grandkids who will want a place to swim or boat?

Do you require full hookups? And are you planning to mostly stay at one place, or will you be traveling around? You mentioned state parks, so I am guessing maybe you want to travel as part of a vacation. Is that right? Michigan has a lot of campgrounds on or near lakes, but because they attract families, they might not be at least what I think of as a quiet place, so we need to know what you want to do while camping and who you will be camping with. Ditto for how far away you want to go and over what time period.

And you mentioned east of the Mississippi, so that does mean you are planning on taking a very long trip. Right?

Also, you apparently did some camping before. What did you like or not like in campgrounds?

We would like to travel more yes. Back when we had our old one i didnt fully trust my truck to go more then a couple hours.


Not full hookup needed but i do like having atleast juice so i can run the AC at night lol. I dont really care about sewer or water as i can just dump at a dump station (i got a trucker app that shows truck stops and stuff with rv dump stations) and as far as water we really only use the camper system for showers.


Before the only places we went were state parks. We dont have kids (just dogs) so kid type actvities arent a big deal. Personally i just like to sit outside under the awning and relax. The wife likes to walk around and hike a bit.

Careful towing doubles is limiting. Especially East.
If your looking at full hookups no worries. But if you looking to boondocks and ride wheelers you want a toy hauler. Most have generator and extra fuel. Fiver with garage could hold 1-2 wheelers with your weight range. Trailer could hold 2 max but a 3rd could go in bed but them your looking at weight issues.

Being a local truck driver I’m surprised your not using a diesel truck. They pull so much better than a gasser.

Being a truck driver is why i didnt want a diesel lol. I dont want to deal with the DPF/DEF issues that come with modern diesels and if you find an clean old 7.3 or 5.9 they want a mint and youre still dealing with 25 year old truck problems.

The towing doubles/toyhauler thing would be a nice to have, but not a huge deal. The wife isnt into riding but me and my buddy could use it when we go. A 2 quad capacity would be plenty for me.

 

[Dan_Frisbie]

Look at EVERYTHING!
Your needs and wants are all over the place (not a bad thing).
Here’s what I did when we were looking;
I created a map and a route of every RV dealer within about a 100 mile radius of our home. Wife and I jumped on the bike and went for a 2 overnight ride, visiting each dealer. Some dealers were duds, some were great, some RVs were crap, some were absolutely out of our price range, but we toured anyway.
We began to see what we wanted in a floorplan, what type (A, C, or towable). Eventually, we settled on a Class A was what we needed/wanted and a box trailer to tow the bikes.
We then went to our local independent dealer and talked to a sales associate and developed a relationship with him. We laid out what we wanted and then let him find our RV. It took him a few tries and a few months.
We got the RV in my signature and couldn’t be happier.

 

[dzg]

Look at EVERYTHING!
Your needs and wants are all over the place (not a bad thing).
Here’s what I did when we were looking;
I created a map and a route of every RV dealer within about a 100 mile radius of our home. Wife and I jumped on the bike and went for a 2 overnight ride, visiting each dealer. Some dealers were duds, some were great, some RVs were crap, some were absolutely out of our price range, but we toured anyway.
We began to see what we wanted in a floorplan, what type (A, C, or towable). Eventually, we settled on a Class A was what we needed/wanted and a box trailer to tow the bikes.
We then went to our local independent dealer and talked to a sales associate and developed a relationship with him. We laid out what we wanted and then let him find our RV. It took him a few tries and a few months.
We got the RV in my signature and couldn’t be happier.

I think thats a really good idea

 

[KnightEagle]

You mention you have a 3/4 ton truck. Have you thought of a TC? with them insurance covers them when on the truck, The TC are reg by most states yet some dont need them to be, either case save the bill of sale. You can find a nice TC at or under 3300lb you mention. If you never driven with a TC they have a sway to them weight is critical. There are some add Ons to stabilize it NOT to increase your payload but you are as weak as the weakest link.

 

[Kirk]

I would have to install or get installed the 5th wheel rails in my pickup though....so thats an extra step.

Sliding hitches can be the solution for a short bed truck but, if you forget and turn too short the trailer will hit the truck cab. A friend of ours replaced his truck rear window 3 times that I know of.

I will definantly look into getting an inspection then.

Inspections for used are vitally important but not so much for new, if you buy from a good dealership. You need to shop dealers just as much as you would RVs. The support from a dealership can make an average RV serve exceptionally well while the wrong dealership can make the best RV into a miserable experience. A good inspection done by a certified pre-purchase inspector will cost anywhere from $300 to $800 depending on the RV to be inspected and how well it is to be inspected. Motorized cost more, trailers should be less.

 

[Derby6]

I think thats a really good idea

Agreed I did something similar. I flew down to lower 48 and hit every dealer in st George, UT and Las Vegas. Intent was to order one but CW had EXACTLY what we wanted so we pulled the trigger. I remember having 7 pages of notes with models prices pro and cons. Lol

 

[dzg]

You mention you have a 3/4 ton truck. Have you thought of a TC? with them insurance covers them when on the truck, The TC are reg by most states yet some dont need them to be, either case save the bill of sale. You can find a nice TC at or under 3300lb you mention. If you never driven with a TC they have a sway to them weight is critical. There are some add Ons to stabilize it NOT to increase your payload but you are as weak as the weakest link.

If it was just me....id look at them. The wife would never go for it though lol. **** if it were up to me id toss a cap on it and toss an air mattress between the wheel wells.

I think our biggest thing atleast between me and her deciding is shes focused soley on comfort and feel. Im concerned with towing the thing, price, and the important stuff lol.

 

[dzg]

Sliding hitches can be the solution for a short bed truck but, if you forget and turn too short the trailer will hit the truck cab. A friend of ours replaced his truck rear window 3 times that I know of.

Inspections for used are vitally important but not so much for new, if you buy from a good dealership. You need to shop dealers just as much as you would RVs. The support from a dealership can make an average RV serve exceptionally well while the wrong dealership can make the best RV into a miserable experience. A good inspection done by a certified pre-purchase inspector will cost anywhere from $300 to $800 depending on the RV to be inspected and how well it is to be inspected. Motorized cost more, trailers should be less.

That was where i kinda screwed up before. The salem we bought from a show...the dealer was great while we were buying...not so much after the sale. I remember an issue like 6mo in where the door wouldnt shut right, it was obviously a manufacturing flaw that took a while to present. They pitched a fit about fixing it. Luckly i dont give up easy.

They been out of business now since 2016ish.

 

[rvlifer]

A good inspection done by a certified pre-purchase inspector will cost anywhere from $300 to $800

i paid just under $1,000 to inspect my 44ft 5th wheel. Not sure what the max price is. Was very happy with the thoroughness of it. Worth every penny in my case.

 

[KnightEagle]

Been living full time in our TC wile we our building a house out of shipping containers. When the wife saw ours she loved it. And we can take our boat with us if we want. Ask 101 questings look in all doors and compartments. Have to be careful about buying cheap. Our TT is one of those the paneling inside is peeling (losing the paper or vinal)