Quote:
Originally Posted by JUS1MO
WOW, what does that gentleman cost???
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I was at a dealer in Michigan's UP. I had already told him I wasn't looking to buy until next year. Without me asking he said (I'm paraphrasing) "of course, next year the price will go up. We'll probably sell it around $35,000 and the LT297rlts for around $32,000." I went right to my car and wrote those numbers down for future reference because I had expected the cost to be more.
I've not had as much experience as some on this forum. My first rv was a Jayco 28' (floor length) bunkhouse (kids were young) that was, probably, 32' overall length. By the way, most of the information you read will be overall length not floor length. That was 30 yrs. ago. I pulled it with a 3/4 ton Dodge pickup that I also used as my daily driver. (although, at my age now, I may need electron assistance to mount a 3/4 ton pickup
)
My next rv was a 32' Bounder motorhome. I had six kids at the time and we had a blast. I can't think of a better way to go, if you have kids, than to have a motorhome. I was still working, but usually had two weeks off in the winter. The minute we left the driveway, the fun started for the kids. The 4 girls started playing board games around the dinette and the 2 boys went directly to the back bedroom to play computer games. In addition, we could get from the very cold Northern Michigan winter to the very warm, for us, Florida weather in one day. We would drive straight through with the wife and I taking turns driving and sleeping. One day later we're sleeping at our campsite in Florida. The big downside to a motorhome and a toad was maintennace, set-up, take-down and parking. It becomes a real hassle over time.
The next, and last, rv was a 22' Lazy Daze with no toad and no generator. We had 2 100w solar panels and a 225ah battery bank. We bought the motorhome because all the kids were gone and we wanted to spend a lot of the winter out of the cold. The 22' motorhome was easy to park (even parallel parked it a couple of times) and when in the west, with all their sunshine, never had to plug in. The battery bank never went below 78% that winter. It was a great coach, but was too small for long term. We sold it 3 yrs. ago and have been rv-less since.
I'm shopping now for a travel trailer under 30' total length. Why a travel trailer under 30'? Three reasons, in order of importance.
1. Maintenance and repair. This is a biggie. The advantage of being able to get your truck engine maintenance anywhere, as opposed to finding, and taking your motor home engine to a place for maintenance and repair is huge. I can do most maintenance on a trailer -- not so with the engine on either a truck or motor home -- especially a motor home. Also, I can leave the trailer in a nice campsite while the truck is worked on.
2. We like to boon dock or stay in state/provincial campgrounds that often have length restrictions and no hookups. I've done extensive motorcycle camping in the last three years and have always enjoyed these small campgrounds.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/attachmen...4&d=1511022647
From Northern Michigan I've gone from the Saguenay Fiord in Northeastern Quebec to Alaska/Yukon in the great Northwest on my motorcycle. Always the small state and provincial campgrounds have had the most beauty and wildlife. A small trailer which is self contained is much easier to find nice campsites and boon docking sites. Also, boon docking in a relatives driveway becomes much easier when you can separate the length of your rv package.
3. A truck pulling a trailer will allow me to throw my motorcycle in the back of the pick up. Read number 2 above.
I know this has been long, but it would seem that bboy's needs are similar to mine.
I would suggest that a trailer that is under 30' in overall length will put you in the 24' to 26' floor length. I have found many this size that I, personally, could be comfortable for long term. I was the same as you in my thinking that I didn't need a slide out. None of my RV's had a slide out. There seems to, often, be maintenance problems with them. However, one slide creates so much more comfort, it has become a priority now for long term use. I wouldn't want more.
On the top of my list right now is the Highland Ridge MR2401RLS. I would only consider this, however, if I can add more grey water tankage. If I could get that done for under $1,000 or if I think I can do it myself, that unit would be my first choice. If you think about it, grey tank size is the most limiting consideration when camping in non-hookup situations. It's easy to add fresh water capacity and the black water tank, even if small, lasts a long time.
I know many times you can drain the grey water on the ground. But, there are many places that you cannot by law. Highland Ridge's above average customer service (notice I didn't say excellent customer service -- a real low in the rv industry) and light weight make me lean towards that model. It is legitimately pulled by a half ton pickup -- albeit, with possible modifications to the suspension of the half ton pickup.
The other trailer to make my list right now is the Denali 2462RLS. This trailer has great tankage and floor plan (subjective, I know) but is a 1,000 lbs. heavier than the MR2401RLS and, in my mind, puts it out of the half ton realm. Although, I'm sure many have pulled this amount of weight successfully with a half ton. The possible "con" with this trailer is the average, at best, (it's a low bar to meet don't ya' know in the rv indstry) customer service of Dutchmen products. I've heard, recently, that Dutchmen has improved their customer service. I've heard, don't really know if it's true, that Dutchmen has opened a facility in the last 2-3 years so than do a pre-delivery inspection on each unit instead of checking a few units each week.
And, since I'll do most of my own maintenance, this may not be as much concern.
That's the thought process I've been going through bboy. Hope your search goes well.
Be Well! Words of wisdom from KORKORO.
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