RV/Pop-up Camper Buying Tips

1. Define your budget.
   • What can I afford?
   • Do I want to finance this or pay with cash? What are the going interest rates?
   • What is the sales tax?
   • What is the excise tax?
   • What is the yearly registration cost?
   • What is the yearly insurance cost? Do I need insurance? I recommend purchasing this. It usually isn't too expensive per year.
   • What is the winterizing fee? Do I need winterizing? Can I do it myself
   • What is the cost of separate necessities for the camper. See my checklist.
   • What is the estimated cost in tolls per season? Usually more for the extra axle.
   • What is the campground cost (the better sites with electricity and water will cost you a few more $$$.)
2. What weight can my vechile tow?
3. Do I want a pop-up tent, Hybrid (1/2 tent / 1/2 trailer), Travel Trailer, 5th wheel or Motorhome
4. What is the difference between a pop-up and a hybrid?
5. Define the options you'd like in a pop-up, Hybrid, or an RV

   Questions I'm asked. Here are some suggestions. Use these as a GUIDE only.

   • Will I need a furnance? Depends on a couple of things. Do you live in the northern part of the country? Do you have small children that get sick easily? Do you like to camp during the offseaons when it is colder? If YES to any of these questions I would really consider getting a furnace. We have used ours in the off-season as well as a very wet and damp summer night.
   • Will I need an AC? Personal preference. Where are you going to be camping? Does the heat and humidity bother you? Do you plan on spending a large amount of time in your pop-up? New England camping we have never really needed an AC. There were a few HOT days that we could of used one but 90% of our trips this year we didn't need it.
   • Will I need a fridge? I would definately recommend it. It may not eliminate the need to bring a cooler with a larger family but is well worth it
   • What type of dealer should I buy from? Is RV sales, parts, and service their main business? Does the dealer have a good reputation? If I need a part on a Sunday afternoon before I leave for vacation can I get it?
   • Should I get an outside shower? If "beach camping" is your thing or if you have children that seem to get dirty every 5 minutes you may want to consider it. We used our outside shower for that only.
   • Baby sleeping suggestion? Does the camper have enough floor room for the porta-crib?
   • Towing Suggestions?First find out what your tow vechile can pull (tow weight). Then calculate

     total weight = camper weight + camping gear lbs + people lbs + misc lbs

     . Then

     tow weight - total weight

     and should be a positive number. Make sure you consider "extras" like a canoe, bikes, extra coolers that you might want to carry on your camper. Ask the dealer if the camper can carry those type of things.
   • My car does have a tow?Most RV dealers should have the capability to add this to your vechile easily.
   • Do I need a porta-potty?Again personal preference. Questions to ask yourself: Do you like primitive camping where bathrooms are rare? Do you want to make trips to the bathroom at the middle of night (with or without kids)? Do you want to clean it? We inherited one but we haven't used it yet. We usually stay at campgrounds that have water, bathrooms, and electricity. Maybe next year we'll put it to use my when my 1yr old starts potty training.

Used or New?

This section is for those who want to check out prices of used campers.

• RVClassified.com - RV, boats, autos, airplanes, and more. Searchable index. You pick the options you want.
• RVTraderOnline.com -More ads, dealers, camping links, more.
• Trader.ca -RV Search for those of you in Canada
• Find the value of a used RV with NADA

Towing Links

• Towing Guide
• RV Lites Tow Guide
• Towing Guide for $7.95 + shipping

Links to Recreation Vechiles (RV) Manafacturers

• Pop-Up Trailers
  The BIG 3 -In New England the number one camper owner seems to own a Jayco, Coleman in a close 2nd place followed by Starcraft. After that I have seen many different kinds!
  • Jayco -Maker of pop-ups, hybrid trailers, travel trailers, 5th wheels. Website recently updated!
  • Coleman Pop-Ups by Fleetwood
  • Starcraft Folding Campers Others
  • Viking RV -Parent company is Coachmen, Epic, Saga, and Legend Models
• Hybrid Trailers (1/2 Tent 1/2 Trailer)
  • The new Jayco Kiwi - 1/2 Tent 1/2 Trailer. Great alternative to pop-up tent!
  • Trail-Lite Bantam camper.
  • Starcraft TravelStar camper.
  • Keystone Bobcat - these are fold out beds vs. slide in so you can use the camper when the beds are not set up. 12/7/99
  • Aerolite Cub by Aero
• Travel Trailers / 5th Wheels
  • Coachmen
  • Fleetwood (Prowler, Terry, Wildnerness, and Mallard)
  • Damon RV - Recreational Vehicles - Hornet, Challenger
  • Sportsmen, New Vision - Travel Trailers and 5th wheels
• RV Miscellaneous Links:
  • Sunny Brook RV
  • Vintage and Classic Travel Trailers
  • An Index of RVing Experiences -Lots of info here including how to winterize
  • RV Advice Q&A
  • Workers on Wheels -Great advice for full-time RVers
  • Power to Travel -Another full time RV site
  • New England Classifieds - Camping Trailers11/30/99 Home | Links | Campgrounds | Our Memories | New England Fall Season | Send Us E-mail

    Tips visitor

    since 7 December 1999

    Last Updated: 29 December 1999