Need help picking out a 4 season camper

[savage99ss]

Hello everyone!! This looked like a great board and was need help picking out a 4season Bumper pull trailer. My parents used to own brand new 2006 outback 5th wheel with the two living room slides 32 foot. It was a nice camper and made me really like the Keystone line.

Here is what im looking for. Im looking used. Price range 15k give or take a little. I am getting a new job and it is taking me about 4 hours away from home. I really dont want to buy a house bc I can transfer back to Nashville in a years time. I need a camper that can make it comfortable for me to live in during winter months. We own a house and my wife and two kids will be staying home ages 3 and 1. I will be driving home on weekends and they will visit some weekends. So i probally need a camper big enough for them all when they visit.

I have looked at a few campers and almost bought a 2005 Laredo 28bh model. A slight cut in the roof made me rethink it and i passed.
I have also looked at some outbacks but the delamination seems to be really bad on them.

Should I stay Keystone or does anyone recommend another brand. Sorry for the long post, just tried to enclude all the info that I could think of.

Thanks!!

[hankaye]

savage99ss, Howdy;

First off, Welcome to the Forum... There is a section at the bottom of the list
for Fulltimers/Snowbirds.. Might do some reading there to help get a handle
for some ideas...
*Do you have a campground picked out to stay at?
* Do they have any age restrictions for the trailer or kids?
* Will they allow you to build skirting around your unit (don't
think about straw bales unless you desire multipul 'houseguests')?
* Is their water supply to the site protected from the temps.
or do you have to do that chore as well?
* Will they do snow removal if/when required?
* Be aware that the waste hose can/may freeze (prefer sites where
the sun shines on mine as much as possiable). Remember the Sun tracks
lower in the Winter and some Well shaded areas in the Summer will have
good to excellent exposure during the Winter.

hankaye

[savage99ss]

savage99ss, Howdy;

First off, Welcome to the Forum... There is a section at the bottom of the list
for Fulltimers/Snowbirds.. Might do some reading there to help get a handle
for some ideas...
*Do you have a campground picked out to stay at?
* Do they have any age restrictions for the trailer or kids?
* Will they allow you to build skirting around your unit (don't
think about straw bales unless you desire multipul 'houseguests')?
* Is their water supply to the site protected from the temps.
or do you have to do that chore as well?
* Will they do snow removal if/when required?
* Be aware that the waste hose can/may freeze (prefer sites where
the sun shines on mine as much as possiable). Remember the Sun tracks
lower in the Winter and some Well shaded areas in the Summer will have
good to excellent exposure during the Winter.

hankaye


Thanks for the reply hankeye!!

Didnt see the snowbird section. 3 month total stay period but he said he eould work with me. Will not be allowed to build side skirts. It is a full hook up site. Great advice hank.

[hankaye]

savage99ss, Howdy;

You forgot to mention what type/size tow vehicle (TV), you have as that will
help determine the size/weight RV you can safely tow.

I've had extreamly good luck finding a spot to call home using this;

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Tennessee/Memphis.html

hank

PS. From just a quick looky-see you've probly found the better spot.

[savage99ss]

Still need advice on a camper that has a good insulation factor. Suggestions?

[JRTJH]

Still need advice on a camper that has a good insulation factor. Suggestions?

Look at the specifications on floor plans that interest you. Finding a "well insulated" floorplan that doesn't provide for your living needs is probably as bad as finding a poorly insulated floorplan that is "just perfect" for your family's living needs. In either, you won't be able to live for long before you have to "move on" to something better fitted for your use.

I'd suggest trying to find insulation factors upwards of R30 floor, R15 walls and R 40 roof if you're going to try to live in it during the winter. Surely there are a number of people who survive with less insulation, but if you're asking what is "ideal" for winter living, then the higher the R factor the warmer the camper (quality of construction and "air tightness" being equal)

In an "ideal RV" for winter use, I'd also look for thermal windows, insulated underbelly (not just a name, but actually thermally protected)

Check some of the threads on this forum for information on what others have done to make their "polar package" even better.

Probably, even though this is a Keystone product forum, I'd include used Airstream trailers in your search. There are some pretty good buys in the 1975 - 1985 model years for less than $10K. Just remember, anything used has potentially hidden problems and those problems could be the reason the seller is getting rid of it.

[hankaye]

savage99ss, Howdy;

When you find the RV of your 'dreams' treat it like a used car...
get it to a reputable Rv Tech and have them go over it Front-to-Back,
Side-to-Side, Top-to-Bottom, Inside and Outside. Have them 'tweek' it
so you won't/shouldn't have any problems. Did that with a'95 Travel Trailer
and the only problem I had was Weather related...not a fault of the RV.
Just sayin' .....

hankaye

[campingcpl]

Personally, I think you would be hard pressed to find a "TRUE" 4 season trailer for $15K. Here are a few brands that are considered "TRUE" 4 season trailers.
DRV Suites (http://www.drvsuites.com/index), Teton Homes (http://www.tetonhomes.com/index.htm), Redwood/Blackwood Residential Homes (http://www.redwood-rv.com/), ForksRV (http://www.forksrv.com/) ,Carriage RVs (no longer in buisness).
These types of units are going to be starting new in the $60K+ range for a striped down small unit and can go well into the $100K range for a well equiped version. And even the used units are still going to be in the $20 -$25k range for the smaller striped down version. Most of these units are going to have R19 or higher in the roof and floors and will be R9 -R12 in the side walls. Most all of these will have heated insulated underbellies and heated storage areas with thermal pain windows. I hope this helps you with your search and good luck.