Peanut

Have fun. We were going to try to make the show this weekend in okc but I have to go winterize the houseboat before the first freeze, and its DD fall

break. We are going to try to make it back early on Sunday and go then. If you happen to go back on Sunday drop me a pm. Me, DW and DD would love to Matt you and your gang.

I wish we could. We'd love to meet up with you too but we're only open Friday and Saturday so we thought we'd beat the crowds-or at least some of them on Friday. With all the fall breaks this week, I'm sure it'll still be pretty busy.

The floor model/brand you pick is ultimately what works for you, your budget, your tow vehicle limits.  

 

However, once you make a decision and put down that money, be RELENTLESS on the delivery check-out.  Check EVERY little nook and cranny, every system, spray it down with water while you are there, and check every nook and cranny, again. Check the water system, and look for leaks on every thing, sink, shower, toilet. Check the slides, open and shut them a few times, etc.  Someone made a recommendation to me once is to take delivery on a Thur or Friday, then camp in it IMMEDIATELY afterwards nearby the dealer, just testing everything, and be prepared to drop it back at the dealer on Monday morning for ANYTHING you find wrong. Also, that would be a good time to have any minor upgrades you realized you must have!

 

Then once you get it back from that set of tweaks, then camp in it again soon after driving it a little further to see how it performs on the road, then take it back to the dealer again for any other tweaks. Another opportunity for upgrades.

 

Then after that is all ironed out, plan your first real adventure!!!

 

Many folks plan an adventure in their new unit and are disappointed by issues, or flat out have to cancel cause the unit is in for warranty work.

Wow. Thanks. I'll be sure to make a list from all of these great tips and bring them with me when we go through the check-out process.

When you are doing all of the checking Carol listed above, also check the tires. Make sure they are the correct ones. I have a friend who bought a camper and the tires that came on it weren't the proper size as listed in the specs. The tires the trailer came with were for a lighter weight trailer.

Oh wow. Thanks.

Also, check the actual age of the tires. Your brand "new" tires on a brand new trailer could actually have been made over a year ago.

 

Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

That's good to know!

We had an Outback and loved it!  Looking at getting a new one soon.

 

We went to the Hershey RV show and just gathered info.  We were not yet ready to buy, but many of the sales people we spoke to told us the "show specials" would be good for a brief time after the show if we had the flyer/business cards they were distributing and went to their dealership afterward.  RV shows are fun but can also be overwhelming.  Be careful not to get "sucked in"…know what you want and don't be tempted to buy more trailer than you need or can tow because those sales people would try convince you that you can tow a giant 5'er with a VW beetle if they thought they could.  They are coin operated, for sure!

So glad to hear a positive review of the outback! We're not technically in a hurry to buy (although we can't wait!) and we're generally not impulse buyers but if we go and there's a great offer one that we KNOW we can use (within our weight and price limits and a floorplan/options we like), we're open to buying. 

Don't sweat missing out on the "SHOW PRICE".  Unless there are factory incentives that expire, that show price will always be available, you might have to do some negotiating  to get it.  They are not going to sell at a loss anytime.  If they make money on Saturday at the show they will still make money a couple weeks later selling off their lot at the same price..

That's a good point.

This is the fun part so don't be in a hurry to buy anything.  You are trying to buy at the best time of year.  The end of camping season.  Be prepared to compromise on features if the deal on an end of the model year unit is at least 30% below sticker.  Carol is right about doing a thorough walk through and test of the units features.  There is no substitute for actually standing in the unit and imagining how you would live in it.  Try to imagine how you would cook a meal or what you would take in you refrigerator and what you would have to leave behind because they tend to be small.  Stand in an area and spread your arms to see if you can change your shirt or put on your socks.  Sit on the toilet.  Stand in the shower and imagine yourself using those things.  Dealers may take a dim view of actually using them.  Figure out how the kids and DH would fit into the beds.  Turn on the A/C to see if it is too noisy.  My final piece of advise is to buy Quality.  Search this site and other RV sites for peoples experiences with different brands.  All TT's are not made the same.  If the caulking or cabinets don't look excellent than just imagine what the stuff you don't see looks like. 

This is the fun part.  Don't be in a hurry to buy anything.  All TT's are not made the same.  Carol is right about doing a thorough walk through and test of every component or feature.  Search this web site and others for discussion about other peoples experiences with different makes and models.  There are some that are always lower on the quality scale than others.  There are some that have built in problems.  Tanks that can't be filled up because the vents are located in the wrong place and stuff like that.  Quality will always hold up better and last longer.  You are looking at the best time of year.  Dealers are closing out their inventory and trying to negotiate better deals with manufacturers for better allocations for the coming year.  You may have to compromise on features or color to get a unit that has been sitting on his/her lot for a year but you should expect at least 30% below sticker in return.  This is the fun part.  Imagine yourself in the unit you are standing in.  Its hard to do that from a picture on the web.  Imagine using the galley to cook your favorite meal.  Imagine what you would bring and what you would leave behind because the refer won't fit a case of beer.  Sit on the toilet and stand in the shower to see if you or DH will fit.  Dealers take a dim view of actually using them so just imagine.  That is the fun part.  Paying, not so much. 

I would never have thought about the vents. Is there a thread or site that lists common issues to look for other than what everyone here has already so kindly educated us on?  

PS>I'm completely flexible on color and some features for the right deal!

I've been having way too much fun this past week. My husband is on nights for the month of October which means I've had quiet time (or as quiet as a house with two small kids can be) in the mornings while he's sleeping and I've been obsessively Googling TTs and all the new-to-me terms and options.

We're going to our first RV show in Oklahoma City on Friday. Any suggestions on what to look for? Ask? Avoid? (For the record, most of the research we've done has been with Keystone options...specifically we're leaning towards the Outback 250RS or something similar)

Our son is at WDW (not the Fort but on property) with his grandparents and several other extended family members. My husband, daughter (2yo) and I were scheduled to join them but I got pregnant and put on travel restrictions so now we're home and jealous of our five yr old. They sent this pic yesterday when our son and two of his cousins went to Pirate's League...they ended the night at our favorite signature...Hoop Dee Doo....*sigh*

I think it's awesome that you're staying busy during the deployment and I'd be totally intimidated pulling a TT by myself too! Don't worry about people thinking your crazy or trying to undermine what you want to do. I got the same response when I drove 14 hours alone with our 3 yr old, 6 week old and giant dog to meet my husband in Florida for his R&R. They don't get it. They don't have to. Have fun on your trips and I hope your husband comes home soon!

I have a professional camera and LOVE to take pics so my husband got used to not having one on him but when he deployed to Afghanistan, we got him an underwater camera (more for the dust than water)-the Kodak Sport C123(less than $150) and it's been great! He dropped it several times while out on missions but the only thing that happened was some of the external paint now looks worn. It still preforms great and when he met us at Disney for R&R we were able to use it at Typhoon Lagoon (great shots of the shark reef) and on Kali River Rapids. The video capabilities are what surprised me the most. Because it's water-proof, you can play back the video images but until it's uploaded to a computer you won't be able to hear the audio. I was really impressed with the clarity in the audio and the picture quality. Also, it's super easy to switch back and forth between the "underwater" setting and the automatic regular settings.

Amazon has it here: http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-EasyShare-Waterproof-Digital-Camera/dp/B004FLL5C2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379094066&sr=8-1&keywords=kodak+sport+c123

We of course Did everything backwards. Bought a Tundra back in 08 that could pull 10,000 pounds then bought a 5000 pound trailer. Found out the trailer was too small for us and bought a trailer when fully loaded exceeded our towing capacity by at least 1000 pounds. Got frustrated and bought a new 4x4 GMC 1500 with tow package and dummy me believed what the salesman stated that we would have no problems. Next we were in a huge dilemma to downsize the RV or get a bigger truck. In one of my other post I stated that God was on our side and we found a great deal on a 2500 Diesel. Moral of the story is if you think you are going to buy a heavy RV or will be trading up down the road, have the right tow vehicle first. I don't think I will ever go back to a gas truck after owning the diesel

Same here.

I'm not surprised to read that. My husband has an unhealthy addiction to cars and trucks. At one point in our marriage we owned 7 vehicles, 6 of which were his. And one of his absolute favorites was a diesel VW Jetta

It's just the two of us and a 90 pound dog in a crew cab F-250 and it's tight.  We actually had 2 dogs, but lost Natasha last December and it was extremely tight with the two of them in the back seat.  No idea where you would put 3 kids.....

I'm sorry for your loss. We had two big dogs (a ridgeback and a husky lab mix) before we had children which is why we bought our first SUV but we lost our husky lab a couple years ago.

Larry - the King of Mods, Tree Hugger extraordinaire, Self Proclaimed Expert on Towing, Tow Vehicles, Weight, Tires, Hitches, Brakes and Portable Freezers.

I see. Please forgive my ignorance... :)

Also I think in the 3/4 and 1 ton models, you loose independent front suspension when you get 4x4. Thus you lose asphalt traction and have a rougher ride.

The 4x4 usually sit up higher and might have softer springs which makes the truck feel more wobbly.

In my experience the best tow vehicle ever has been the E150. Nice short rear over hang (1/2 of a F150, minimizes the trailer leverage). Nice seating setup for long hours driving. Enough space for a family of 5 + German Shepard. And the nice sound of a 351.

I hope the new Transit can live up the Econoline reputation. If the diesel duratroq is available, I will be test driving.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 4

Agreed.  I tow all day long with a 4X4 and all I loose is a little of my capacity.

Also I think your insurance is higher with 4 wheel drive.

I guess when it comes to the 4x4 it really does come down to whether or not we NEED it. I'm not sure. My suburban now isn't and living in very flat, mild (compared to up north where I grew up) winters Oklahoma, it hasn't been a necessity but there have been times I wished we had it and I do want to be able to travel anywhere...well, nearly anywhere with our TT. I'm not as concerned about the insurance rates because we're good drivers and that just sort of comes with it I guess.

First of all Boomer Sooner!!!

Unfortunately my DW is a cowboy but I still love her.

What a small world. We only live 20 miles from each other.

My cousin and her husband are both teachers at Kingfisher. She's special Ed and he's history and coaches track and football. Tom and Tresha Arrington.

You guys didn't buy the big house on Main Street? I was talking to a gal about some vending equipment and I thought she said her husband was or is in the reserves. It's hard to tell by your pix on my iPhone.

Forgot to mention my nephew, Tucker, is one of the two quarterbacks for kingfisher.

It is a small world. When we lived in TN I ended up meeting a woman from another page that lived only five minutes from us and had at one point lived in our very neighborhood. It's crazy how the internet brings people together.

We didn't buy the house on Main and we don't know your family but we're also not originally from here...and we homeschool (yes, we're "those" people, lol) but a couple of the moms in our homeschool group used to teach in Kingfisher so I'm sure they know your family.

Hi Brianna! So glad to see you posting here. The best part about Fort Fiends is that you will actually get to met a lot of the Fiends in person when you start camping at the Fort.  :heartsmiley:

I look forward to it!

Buy leftovers at the end of the season. I always do.

When is the end of season officially? Or does it vary by location?

Never buy from a guy named Bubba in the Wally World parking lot who lost the keys to the camper.

Got it. No buying from Bubba.

I recommend buying a used camper from an individual. No sense in paying more profit to a dealer. One thing that I can guarantee is no matter what you buy you will figure out what you really want about a year or two of camping later. We are on our 3rd camper in 7 years. If you trade new campers like that you will lose your shirt and pants and possibly shoes too.

Trouble with buying from an individual is they usually think their trailer is the most valuable one on the market. Not to mention they frequently base the price on what they owe on the trailer or what they need for the new trailler, not on what it is really worth.

And the dealer doesn't?

Or they could be needing some quick cash or just to remove a payment. I've never seen a good deal on the lot.

The problem comes when someone needs to buy now. Good deals come to those who wait.

And you have both crystalized the what the voices in my head have been arguing back and forth...still not sure what we're going to do yet but waiting until we're certain is the plan. I'm technically on bedrest (I really don't know how one does bedrest with two kids and a husband in the military) so buying one now would be pretty disappointing since we wouldn't be able to take it  anywhere for a few more months

We live in Oklahoma and yes, there is an RV show coming to town next month-we're definately going to it and I love your advice. It's so easy to just get what you want because it's what you want or just what you need because it's cheaper but somewhere in the middle sounds perfect![/quote

First of all...WELCOME!!!

Where in oklahoma do you live? We live in Logan County. Crescent Oklahoma to be exact.

When and where is the rv show next month?

Okc or Tulsa?

And the most important question... Are you a Sooner or a Cowboy?

 

Wow...hello neighbor! We're in Kingfisher now (I'm originally from MN but my husband is from OKC) and judging from where you live, our team is probably not your team.

 

I went to OU.

 

BOOMER SOONER BABY!!!..but really as long as your not a Texas fan, we're good.

 

The RV show we googled is at the OKC fairgrounds the second week of October and Leisure Time (out near Tinker...seem to have fair prices) is having one of their own (don't have to pay admission) on the same weekend

WWLD?

Newb moment but who or what is L?

If you can get a Ford Excursion with the 7.3 diesel I would grab it, that would make a great tow vehicle for a TT and match it with a Hensley Arrow or the Pull Rite swivel hitch I might give up my 5th wheel for that set up. But once again only my opinion.

I'll take all the opinions I can get. I've heard others say good things about the Hensley Arrow too

Ours does.  :)

Fun...do you all live year-round in yours or just have a big trailer?

There are 3/4 ton suburbans and the ford excursion can tow a house if you need it to.

We've been looking into them...most seem to be 4x4 and my husband had read that it's actually better to tow with a 2wd vehicle...have you had any experience with one over the other? Seems counter-intuitive to say 4x4 isn't as good

3 kids and a 90lb dog would be very cozy even in a crew cab truck, a friend use to travel with his dogs in the camper but I never really thought that was a safe idea. Just make sure you get a good brake controller, Prodigy makes a good one, and it is installed and set up right in your tow vehicle and you should do fine. Happy hunting and as usual bring any more questions you have here to the experts :rofl2:  :rofl2:  :rofl2:

lol...I still trust you all more than a dealer...thanks for the tip on the Prodigy. I'll add it to the list of things to tell my husband

Welcome!! 

We are on our third trailer in 4 years.  First was too small once we started having babies, second was a lemon and our third one just arrived this Monday!  We had an older Surburban(99) and the dealers kept trying to push us to bigger TT's, be careful and know your vehicle!  We have a 2500 HD now but still downsized to a 20 ft, its all we really need.  We used to be tent campers so we are minimalist at heart.  Everyone here is great and so helpful!  Good luck shopping!

Thanks! I'm having a lot of fun meeting new friends and looking into all the different models and options that are out there. I've never trusted dealers but I feel confident with using one as long as we're well-prepared and do our research first. 

We use to tow a 30 foot tt with a half ton Suburban and really only once was I uncomfortable with it, but when we got the 3/4 ton with the 454 motor boy what a difference it was also in fuel mileage but yes I would agree stopping is also a very big issue. I am always surprised when I walk thru campgrounds and see some peoples set ups I am sure they don't have a clue.

We're hoping to buy a dedicated bigger tow vehicle in about 4-5 years. My problem with going to truck (although I'd love to be able to get a 5th wheel) is that we will have three kids in January and we have a 90lb dog so the tow vehicle might be tight is we don't have an SUV

FWIW.....I've found that half ton trucks or suv's don't really like to be close to the max tow rating. They feel like white knuckle death wagons for the most part. Maybe towing 80% of max might be relatively stress free....maybe.

 

3/4 and 1 ton diesels will tow at max all day long with little or no more stress than towing empty.

Interesting. The TT we're leaning towards with maxing out the cargo capacity is 90% of my total tow capacity but I have a hard time believing we'll really max out the cargo capacity while we're driving because as dblr....Rennie said, we won't travel with the fluilds full and we're a military family so we're pretty good at being minimalists with packing.

And remember, it's not wether you can tow it.  It's wether you can stop it.

That is such a good point. The TTs we've been looking at all have breaks on them and I plan on looking into the different break optional upgrades for my truck before we buy anything. 

Yes plus everything you load into the camper should be added, we do not travel with our tanks full of water or leave a campground with waste water always empty, we might have a little water just incase we need to use the bathroom.

I think we'll probably do the same to keep it as light as possible.