Looking to get back into camping

[Sub Sailor]

Morning all,
As the title states after a 3 year break from camping life (built a new home) the wife and I are looking to get back into camping. Our experience with camping has mostly been seasonal (13+ years) in a 30 footer so while we are not completely new to the life it's been awhile since we've traveled with one. Now we want to do some true RVing and looking for advice. Following details will help with advice.

Both 62, retired, in very good health and shape. Neither are overweight. The truck I'll be pulling with is a 2020 GMC AT4 with the 6.2l gas engine. Most camping trips will be long weekenders with maybe a few week plus runs a year. We live in Maine so the camper will sit unused outside from November/December till May.

What I'm looking for is something 20' or so with a step in shower (no tub), walk around queen bed (no bunk house), small couch. Nice to haves are a slide, booth dinette. We typically spend our time relaxing outside but want some comfort inside for rainy days. I've also considered a Murphy bed to shorten the camper length but have heard they are uncomfortable (I have a bad back) but would like input from those who have or had one.

Looking for used under 20k.

I think I hit all the key highlights for recommendations for dependable good quality travel trailers. I'm seeing things like a 2021 Forrest River Grey Wolf 23MK (longer than I really want) for 19k. However I'm also reading mixed reviews on them being ok or trash so figured I would join and ask for your input.

Thanks in advance for the input

 

[Kirk]

I suggest that you start by looking at RV Trader to get a feel for what is out there and the prices. Since you are thinking about relatively light use of it, I would not look to the highest priced/quality trailers but something more in the mid-price range. I would also suggest that you visit a few dealers or an RV show to get a feel for what is available in the 20' range as the floorplans at that length with a walk-around bed are all pretty similar. I think that you need to compare what is available from 20' to 25' as there is a very significant difference.

 

[Sub Sailor]

I suggest that you start by looking at RV Trader to get a feel for what is out there and the prices. Since you are thinking about relatively light use of it, I would not look to the highest priced/quality trailers but something more in the mid-price range. I would also suggest that you visit a few dealers or an RV show to get a feel for what is available in the 20' range as the floorplans at that length with a walk-around bed are all pretty similar. I think that you need to compare what is available from 20' to 25' as there is a very significant difference.

Thanks Kirk. I've been watching RV trader and have visited the local dealers. I do agree that I don't need a high end one and am looking at mid priced used (I assume 20k is mid priced). Now I'm mostly looking for quality input as I don't want to purchase something that will be a maintenance nightmare.

 

[Kirk]

In used RVs the condition is as important as the brand, and more important than the brand as they get older. With a budget of $20k, you should have a pretty good selection of trailers between 20 & 25 feet length. Check the GVWR as well and compare that to the rated towing weight for your truck. A 2 axle trailer costs a bit more and has 2 more tires to maintain but they also tow better, especially if close to the maximum you can safely tow.

 

[Sub Sailor]

In used RVs the condition is as important as the brand, and more important than the brand as they get older. With a budget of $20k, you should have a pretty good selection of trailers between 20 & 25 feet length. Check the GVWR as well and compare that to the rated towing weight for your truck. A 2 axle trailer costs a bit more and has 2 more tires to maintain but they also tow better, especially if close to the maximum you can safely tow.

Another plus I've found with dual axles is should you get a flat you're not stranded as you can still limp somewhere safe to change it out. Been there done that.

 

[rvlifer]

Our 1st rv was a FR grey wolf. They are not quality rvs. We got our use out if it but after 8 years the frame had stress cracks from the tandem wheel pressure from turning.

The cabinetry was paper covered with contact paper and they gotten eaten away when the fridge leaked. It had the dometic fridge with the drain line that deteriorated from uv radiation.

on any rv negotiate the lowest price you can. The only reason we got our money out of it was because we paid less than $10k new

 

[Rene T]

Welcome to the forum neighbor. I live in Farmington NH. Where are you located. Were you ever stationed at PNSY? I retired from the shipyard after 27 years then went back as an outside contractor for another 13 years. 40 years total on the rock.

 

[Sub Sailor]

Welcome to the forum neighbor. I live in Farmington NH. Where are you located. Were you ever stationed at PNSY? I retired from the shipyard after 27 years then went back as an outside contractor for another 13 years. 40 years total on the rock.

Located in Boothbay Harbor. Spent the majority of my time in rotten Groton, served on board the Will Rodgers and Daniel Webster. Split my time between Groton and Holy Loche Scotland.

 

[Rene T]

Located in Boothbay Harbor. Spent the majority of my time in rotten Groton, served on board the Will Rodgers and Daniel Webster. Split my time between Groton and Holy Loche Scotland.

What number are they? I’ve gone to NL many times and Scotland twice

 

[Sub Sailor]

Our 1st rv was a FR grey wolf. They are not quality rvs. We got our use out if it but after 8 years the frame had stress cracks from the tandem wheel pressure from turning.

The cabinetry was paper covered with contact paper and they gotten eaten away when the fridge leaked. It had the dometic fridge with the drain line that deteriorated from uv radiation.

on any rv negotiate the lowest price you can. The only reason we got our money out of it was because we paid less than $10k new

Guess I'll pass on a Grey Wolf. I know sometimes ya get a bad one but my research confirms what you're telling me and I don't want to risk my hard earned money.

 

[Sub Sailor]

What number are they? I’ve gone to NL many times and Scotland twice

SSBN659 (Willy R) and SSBN626 (Danny W).

 

[Sub Sailor]

SSBN659 (Willy R) and SSBN626 (Daniel W). Got out as an RM2 after 4 patrols. 80 to 84.

 

[Rene T]

I believe the 659 was in the yard one time for overhaul and I did work on it. Did not work on the 626.

 

[rvlifer]

Have you decided on a floorplan?

 

[Sub Sailor]

Thumbs up for the work on the old girl. Never road her into the yard. Got short cycled to the 626 when they needed a radioman and got out after that patrol.

 

[Sub Sailor]

Have you decided on a floorplan?

We're pretty open to most floorplans. Only reqs are walk around Queen and step in shower. That's it.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Welcome to the forum. Suggest you buy from an owner vs a dealer. Nice thing about used ones is most of the bugs have been worked out. Hopefully you find an honest owner that sells a well taken care of RV. Unfortunately there are jerks that will sell junk. My step daughter got burned on one. Dealt with it a few years until they bought a new unit. Lesson learned. Good luck on your search.

 

[rvlifer]

We're pretty open to most floorplans. Only reqs are walk around Queen and step in shower. That's it.

If your price ranger were higher i would offer you mine

 

[Sub Sailor]

Welcome to the forum. Suggest you buy from an owner vs a dealer. Nice thing about used ones is most of the bugs have been worked out. Hopefully you find an honest owner that sells a well taken care of RV. Unfortunately there are jerks that will sell junk. My step daughter got burned on one. Dealt with it a few years until they bought a new unit. Lesson learned. Good luck on your search.

Yeah I'm working on the owner route. Having been a seasonal camper for all those years did allow me to see a lot of campers come and go. I've seen and helped quite a few campers with all kinds of issues. I'm hopeful that between that knowledge and what I've learned on my own I can weed out the bad ones. I plan to walk roofs, crawl underneath, check all plumbing, verify everything works as intended, make sure walls and floors are solid, check for excessive rust, wear & tear and general up keep. I also expect them to have all original paperwork, manuals and any service receipts.

 

[Kirk]

SSBN659 (Willy R) and SSBN626 (Danny W).

I was a bit before you. (60-68) Qualified on the Seadragon (SSN584) in Pearl Harbor, spent a year in nuke school, then Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN600) in Groton, then Charleston and the Woodrow Wilson (SSBN624). Left as an IC1.

what I've learned on my own I can weed out the bad ones.

First, realize that with used RVs you can find either a treasure or a money pit so be very careful. I have owned both new and used and don't agree that you should only buy used based on problems but do agree that budget can be a major advantage to used, if you get the right one. There are some very comprehensive check lists that can be downloaded which you can use to inspect a potential RV.