2021 Camping season...planning for the future.

[HDGoose]

So many people buying new, high dollar "campers", with all computer controls and assembled quicker than they should have been. The computer controls are overly, unnecessarily complicated and frequently cause issues. Massive and heavy slides frequently have issues. Campers are pulled down some bumpy roads and get slammed frequently.

That's why I like my 2008 simple, no slide, no computer controls, toyhauler.

I will have to order my next camper since most dealers are only stocking the higher end ones.

 

[GsRAM]

I always wonder why people get up at the crack of dawn and pack all their dewy stuff and race home.

Check out time at State parks in PA is 1500. At 1450 my son helps me check the lights. At 1455 truck goes into drive.

We get every minute we can.

I'm more middle of the road, but I agree. If I have a long way to go to get home I will pack up early, but never before 8 out of courtesy to the neighbors.

If we are close to home, my target depart time is 1130-12 or so. But when I get home my rig and truck get cleaned and unloaded. Camper cleaned inside and out. Some folks aren't as OCD with cleaning as I am. So, I like to get home and get all of that done before it's too late into Sunday so I have some down time before the evening...but to each their own.

 

[chris1126]

I'm more middle of the road, but I agree. If I have a long way to go to get home I will pack up early, but never before 8 out of courtesy to the neighbors.

If we are close to home, my target depart time is 1130-12 or so. But when I get home my rig and truck get cleaned and unloaded. Camper cleaned inside and out. Some folks aren't as OCD with cleaning as I am. So, I like to get home and get all of that done before it's too late into Sunday so I have some down time before the evening...but to each their own.

yeah we clean ours as well after each trip. we have a pretty good process established for packing up amd unloading. the whole process usually works flawless even when we start packing pre trip. kids know their roles and we know our roles. we typically are ready to pull out rite at check out but have been known to stick around a little longer depending on the situation. one campground we use will allow you to stay longer if therenis nobody coming in, we just call the gaurd shack and ask then we will take our time.

 

[chris1126]

So many people buying new, high dollar "campers", with all computer controls and assembled quicker than they should have been. The computer controls are overly, unnecessarily complicated and frequently cause issues. Massive and heavy slides frequently have issues. Campers are pulled down some bumpy roads and get slammed frequently.

That's why I like my 2008 simple, no slide, no computer controls, toyhauler.

I will have to order my next camper since most dealers are only stocking the higher end ones.

i like the slides and the ease of the nicer ones with slides etc but that does lead to more things to go wrong. the one we have on order that is to ship later this week has slides but i also need more room for the kiddos.

 

[GsRAM]

So many people buying new, high dollar "campers", with all computer controls and assembled quicker than they should have been. The computer controls are overly, unnecessarily complicated and frequently cause issues. Massive and heavy slides frequently have issues. Campers are pulled down some bumpy roads and get slammed frequently.

That's why I like my 2008 simple, no slide, no computer controls, toyhauler.

I will have to order my next camper since most dealers are only stocking the higher end ones.

Your 100% correct sir. My 89 Layton is basic. She's still decent but tired as any 32yr old camper has a right to be.

I am struggling with this very thing. Go for a basic, no slide model like the jayco (and many others) 26BH or out for one with a slide and accept all of the BS that can happen with a slide (leaks, operational issues, etc)

I have my eye on the starcraft autumn ridge 27bhs. Thst has one large slide and a big corner rear bathroom and double bunks for my teenage (big) boys.

That big slide really opens things up inside and I have the truck to pull a big boy like that..but I'm torn.

I'm in no rush and have time to think about it....but if one of the covid newbies had one they wanted to unload cheap, I'd have to seriously consider it.

 

[392DevilDog]

Our 87 Fleetwood finally caused an issue. The TV antenna wouldn't crank down. Drug the picnic table over stood on it and gave the antenna a push. All good now.

We keep talking about a new camper...but after all the years we have spent with our old trusty camper...we just keep taking it places.

Got to get tires soon. We already upgraded the floor covering (which made it look 30 years younger) probably gonna give it a more modern paint scheme and keep on keeping on.

 

[HDGoose]

Your 100% correct sir. My 89 Layton is basic. She's still decent but tired as any 32yr old camper has a right to be.

I am struggling with this very thing. Go for a basic, no slide model like the jayco (and many others) 26BH or out for one with a slide and accept all of the BS that can happen with a slide (leaks, operational issues, etc)

I have my eye on the starcraft autumn ridge 27bhs. Thst has one large slide and a big corner rear bathroom and double bunks for my teenage (big) boys.

That big slide really opens things up inside and I have the truck to pull a big boy like that..but I'm torn.

I'm in no rush and have time to think about it....but if one of the covid newbies had one they wanted to unload cheap, I'd have to seriously consider it.

This 2008 WolfPack 295WP is a 33 ft toyhauler that we happened to find when we were looking 5 years ago. Judging from the prices I have seen advertised, I can sell this trailer for about $10k more than I paid for it.

In considering the newer trailers, everything we would consider is 3000-5000 pounds heavier than our current trailer. We have been lucky in the past and things seem to appear at a good deal when we are ready. So I bought a new truck that will not be a limiting factor.

 

[sandawilliams]

Your 100% correct sir. My 89 Layton is basic. She's still decent but tired as any 32yr old camper has a right to be.

I am struggling with this very thing. Go for a basic, no slide model like the jayco (and many others) 26BH or out for one with a slide and accept all of the BS that can happen with a slide (leaks, operational issues, etc)

I have my eye on the starcraft autumn ridge 27bhs. Thst has one large slide and a big corner rear bathroom and double bunks for my teenage (big) boys.

That big slide really opens things up inside and I have the truck to pull a big boy like that..but I'm torn.

I'm in no rush and have time to think about it....but if one of the covid newbies had one they wanted to unload cheap, I'd have to seriously consider it.

I travel a lot with my TT's. 2008 Jayco with a large slide, 2017 Cougar with a large slide. I use them a lot and had/have hundreds of slide out cycles. Never had a problem with either one and would not like to go slide less anymore. I would be cautious about the cable and hydraulic operated slides as I have neighbors that have had problems with those.

 

[GsRAM]

I travel a lot with my TT's. 2008 Jayco with a large slide, 2017 Cougar with a large slide. I use them a lot and had/have hundreds of slide out cycles. Never had a problem with either one and would not like to go slide less anymore. I would be cautious about the cable and hydraulic operated slides as I have neighbors that have had problems with those.

Good info. Admittedly, it could just be my old school mentality about them. My mom's friends have a 5 yrs old 5th wheel with plastic rollers on the slide they had lots of trouble with.

I don't know want brand it is though. I will probably take a chance with my next rig on a slide. But we shall see

How is your slide operated?

 

[sandawilliams]

Good info. Admittedly, it could just be my old school mentality about them. My mom's friends have a 5 yrs old 5th wheel with plastic rollers on the slide they had lots of trouble with.

I don't know want brand it is though. I will probably take a chance with my next rig on a slide. But we shall see

How is your slide operated?

12 volt electric switch to an electric motor. In the old days they said they used a vehicle starter motor for the slides. Nowadays I dont know what they use.

 

[chris1126]

gentlemen, i must add something here. y'all are talking about the newer campers having all the do-dads on them and want simple, they make simple tt's, one of my friends just bought a 29' with no slides but i gotta ask, with a pure heart i say this as friendly as possible....y'all have more electronics, moving parts, switches, computers, etc in that very truck you are driving to haul your camper then what a tt has. everyone has power windows, locks, and a computer running that truck and your worried about a side out on a camper?? trucks have evolved way more since the 80s than a camper.

 

[GsRAM]

gentlemen, i must add something here. y'all are talking about the newer campers having all the do-dads on them and want simple, they make simple tt's, one of my friends just bought a 29' with no slides but i gotta ask, with a pure heart i say this as friendly as possible....y'all have more electronics, moving parts, switches, computers, etc in that very truck you are driving to haul your camper then what a tt has. everyone has power windows, locks, and a computer running that truck and your worried about a side out on a camper?? trucks have evolved way more since the 80s than a camper.

Very true, as noted in my earlier post about the jayco 26bh. I've been turning wrenches for over 30 years so I'm aware. However, quality control in the RV industry is not what it is in the automotive industry and that's a well known fact. Hence my concerns. Unless you spring for a high end trailer like a nash or airstream, but those are big bucks. I believe your taking my concerns a bit out of context.

We're talking specifically about slide mechanisms and failures/problem areas not overall rv complexity. While there are folks who have no issues, there are plenty who have. Ive never owned a camper with a slide out so I'm trying to learn more about them so I can make an informed decision.

 

[chris1126]

Very true, as noted in my earlier post about the jayco 26bh. I've been turning wrenches for over 30 years so I'm aware. However, quality control in the RV industry is not what it is in the automotive industry and that's a well known fact. Hence my concerns. Unless you spring for a high end trailer like a nash or airstream, but those are big bucks. I believe your taking my concerns a bit out of context.

We're talking specifically about slide mechanisms and failures/problem areas not overall rv complexity. While there are folks who have no issues, there are plenty who have. Ive never owned a camper with a slide out so I'm trying to learn more about them so I can make an informed decision.

no sir, and i made sure i made it clear im not being a jerk about it. simple conversation. too often i see people getting all out of sorts about things. i had no slide on my first class A and outgrew it within 2½ years (kids). bought my first tt in 2017 with 1 slide and you guessed it, outgrew that. we ordered a grand design, this one has 3 slides. i (knock on wood) had no issues with my first one. i am very **** about maint. and more specifically, PREVENTATIVE maint. i think everything made these days have less and less QC including vehicles. my suggestion would be find a reputable dealer and buy an extended warranty. again, all friendly conversation. simple my thoughts.

 

[Jughed]

Very true, as noted in my earlier post about the jayco 26bh. I've been turning wrenches for over 30 years so I'm aware. However, quality control in the RV industry is not what it is in the automotive industry and that's a well known fact. Hence my concerns. Unless you spring for a high end trailer like a nash or airstream, but those are big bucks. I believe your taking my concerns a bit out of context.

We're talking specifically about slide mechanisms and failures/problem areas not overall rv complexity. While there are folks who have no issues, there are plenty who have. Ive never owned a camper with a slide out so I'm trying to learn more about them so I can make an informed decision.

My camper, Jayco 294QBS, is similar to my truck - a Tradesman. Limited doo dads and gizmo's - but it has one slide out & a power awning. Everything else is manual.

On the list of things that concern me, the slide out is not at the top of the list.

Wheel Bearings
Tires
Brakes
Roof
Interior water leaks/Plumbing
Mice eating everything
Slide out.


These campers are not built well at all.

 

[chris1126]

My camper, Jayco 294QBS, is similar to my truck - a Tradesman. Limited doo dads and gizmo's - but it has one slide out & a power awning. Everything else is manual.

On the list of things that concern me, the slide out is not at the top of the list.

Wheel Bearings
Tires
Brakes
Roof
Interior water leaks/Plumbing
Mice eating everything
Slide out.


These campers are not built well at all.

you can say that again. i have (2) tradesmans, 1 for pulling and 1 for showing. the one for showing has alot of extras done but with anything, you take a chance on it.

 

[sandawilliams]

My camper, Jayco 294QBS, is similar to my truck - a Tradesman. Limited doo dads and gizmo's - but it has one slide out & a power awning. Everything else is manual.

On the list of things that concern me, the slide out is not at the top of the list.

Wheel Bearings
Tires
Brakes
Roof
Interior water leaks/Plumbing
Mice eating everything
Slide out.


These campers are not built well at all.

Mice are my major problem. I did all possible to stop them including bird netting underneath all entry points, Lighting at night, and mice bait. Still have problems from time to time.

 

[GsRAM]

I put mothballs in my trailers every fall at winterization time.

The one year I didn't (and can't remember why) I had nice in it.

They got out thankfully, but I had to deal with what they left behind.

I found where they were getting in and caulked it good and i think that helped this year also.

 

[GsRAM]

no sir, and i made sure i made it clear im not being a jerk about it. simple conversation. too often i see people getting all out of sorts about things. i had no slide on my first class A and outgrew it within 2½ years (kids). bought my first tt in 2017 with 1 slide and you guessed it, outgrew that. we ordered a grand design, this one has 3 slides. i (knock on wood) had no issues with my first one. i am very **** about maint. and more specifically, PREVENTATIVE maint. i think everything made these days have less and less QC including vehicles. my suggestion would be find a reputable dealer and buy an extended warranty. again, all friendly conversation. simple my thoughts.

Yes you did and No offense taken sir, just stating I'm aware of the differences in complexity.

 

[392DevilDog]

got some more campfire wood

 

[392DevilDog]

Winter came back to PA. Still excited to head camping in just over 5 hours

Hope it warms up for next weekend. We will be tent camping in the forest