camping - buying a camper

Picking Your RV or Tent

It seems that no matter how we start camping – as kids with our parents or as adults – many of us take that first camping trip in a tent. Many times its under the stars in the backyard, but it seems to ignite something that turns into a passion to hit the roads, pull into a campground and set up camp.

For many, the camping trail ends with some sort of RV – whether it’s a popup camper, travel trailer, fifth wheel or a motorhome. In fact, nearly 8 million U.S. households own at least one RV, according to RVIA (Recreation Vehicle Industry Association).

I, like many others, began my camping trips in the yard on my grandparent’s farm. My grandma would help us rig up a “tent” that we made from hammocks and blankets or other items, or we’d put out my uncle’s puptent, and camp outside. I spent most of my childhood outside, so sleeping out there seemed natural. Luckily for me, my grandma was willing to join in the fun!

But I actually began staying in campgrounds in a popup camper with my parents, sister and brother. Like many other RVers who begin their relationship with camping as a child, I returned to my roots as an adult.

My husband and I started camping with our own tent and all the necessities – a Coleman stove, lanterns, open-fire percolator coffee pot, an air mattress to relieve the hard ground and all of the other little gadgets you pick up along the way. I loved camping in the tent, but it wasn’t long after our son was born that we moved into a camper – a popup, just like the one I started camping in, except my parent’s camper was new, mine was just from the same era. After my daughter was born, we moved up to a little nicer popup – still used, but a little newer. Then, a few years later, we bought our first new popup camper. Wow! We got to break everything in ourselves!

Today, about one in 10 active RVers own a popup camper, according to “The American Camper: Profiles and Perspectives,” a survey prepared by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell of Orlando, Fla., for the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC), and also sponsored by the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA). The largest two segments of RV owners have a motorized RV (a motorhome) or a travel trailer.

My family recently joined one of those two groups – the travel trailer owners. Our little campers are now 16 and 12, so we went with a bunkhouse model – everyone can sleep without breaking down the table or folding out the couch.

We did our homework and decided what we needed, what we wanted, and what we were willing to spend. Then, we took a trip to RV haven – Elkhart, Ind. – where we could see many of the models. We found that a trip just a couple hours away really could, and did, save us money.

During our search, we also visited many of the consumer RV websites, looking for any information on brands to avoid problems later. Since there is no “Consumer Reports” for RVs, we went straight to the source – RVers. We asked those we knew with RVs what they liked or didn’t like about the model and brand they owned, and we searched the forums on RV.net to see what others had to say.

I’m glad we did the research, but it took some time. There’s almost always someone who isn’t happy with something, but we wanted to make sure we weren’t getting a brand with which several owners had many similar problems. What we found on the RV.net forum did stop us from an initial purchase, on a brand that had several negative entries.

But, we finally settled on a Jayco Jay Flight 29BHS. This camper has a small slide, which was something my husband wanted for those trips that end up cold and rainy, a front queen bedroom and bunks in the rear, with a full-size lower bunk. We also were able to find a new 2006 still on a lot that allowed us more bargaining room.

This camper fit all of our needs – sleeping arrangements, with extra sleeping accommodations for friends, room enough for the family, and light enough to tow with our Tahoe. And, it fit the budget we had set.

So, just a suggestion for those of you who are looking for tents, campers or motorhomes – make sure you know your needs. If you’re purchasing a tent, sleeping arrangements are still important, as is how you’re going to use the tent – in a campground or on the move. When it comes to RVs, sleeping needs are also important, but there are also other considerations.

If you will tow a trailer or fifth-wheeler, what will you be towing with? Many types of vehicle can haul the lightweight popup campers, but travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers are heavier, so you need to know your weight limitations. And, fifth-wheelers must be towed by pickups. For those who are interested in motorhomes, it becomes an issue of needs and amenities, and price.

So, no matter where you are in life and what your needs and desires are for camping, there are some similar questions you must ask yourself. And stick to those answers – determine your need and your price and don’t waver. Then, if you are buying a towable RV, know what your vehicle can handle.

And, once you’ve made a choice, find the perfect camping place. Campgrounds across the United States offer a variety of options – from short-term stays to seasonal camping, where you can park your RV for the camping season – usually the summer months. To find out more about campgrounds near you, or near a place you’d like to visit, GoCampingAmerica.com gives you information on private campgrounds in each state. Just a click of the mouse will let you know how to contact the campground, and if they have a website, will take you to a virtual tour of the park.

Happy Camping!