hunting camper

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rkr

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hi there,

I"m looking to buy my first camper which will be used as a hunting and family camper as well so it must be decent. I need to fit 4 ppl only.
The question is: what to look for in order to avoid a lemon? What is a decent price for a 19 feet or less? I'm looking for something from late '99s or early 2000.
 
Hey OP - just bought one myself and picking it up next week. Others will have more camper knowledge than me but please ignore Grock-co, he always enters a conversation by presenting some opinion that is not on target.

Mine is an older travel mate 1100 kilos dry but I recently picked up a 2014 Dodge one ton with a full length box. Three on the big bed and one kid at the dinette.
 
VanIsleCam said:
Hey OP - just bought one myself and picking it up next week. Others will have more camper knowledge than me but please ignore Grock-co, he always enters a conversation by presenting some opinion that is not on target.

Mine is an older travel mate 1100 kilos dry but I recently picked up a 2014 Dodge one ton with a full length box. Three on the big bed and one kid at the dinette.
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My vote is still for a cover utility trailer.
 
Grock-co said:
My vote is still for a cover utility trailer.
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Yup, and given the age of my camper to be, I reckon you will pull a necro thread resurrection to re-ignite a debate just for the heck of it. Pics of your rig or it didn't happen Grock-co. Gauntlet dropped.
 
OP if youre buying a camper, the biggest thing I look for is any leakage or signs of past leaks. Depending on where it is, you can repair it with cheapish supplies, but if a leak has gotten into the wood or roof mainly, the wood framing will be weak, rotted and could collapse.
Other than leaks, check hoses and external fittings, etc..
Ive had good luck with some older units and also bad luck once I stripped away walls and found out what was behind them..
Also, my recommendation would be look at a 4 season if you have the extra coin. The extra insulation is invaluable if you ever plan to hunt in cold weather.
As far as price, check dealerships, kijiji, auto trader, huys with them in their driveways with for sale signs and anywhere else you can. Campers are one of those items that people will fire sale when money gets tight. If you know the prices you can jump on one when its going for real cheap. Ive seen dealerships sell older models for huge discounts also. Ive found excellent deals on kijiji where guys just needed to get some money.
Last piece of advice... even in older units, those appliances are EXPENSIVE. So make sure fridge, stove, heaters, etc work. They aren't cheap to replace.
 
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A friend of mine just sold an older model camper. Around
2003 and 20 feet. It was in very good clean condition. I had started a small roof leak and he basically installed a new top to the tune of 2000$ .

He got 5 grand for it. And it was probably one of the best condition trailers for its year.

His new one is a 2013 24'. Pretty much unused. And he paid 12000 or 12500.

The rule of thumb around here. Is buying a nicely equipt, meaning no slide out TV's, ceramic tile, or hot tubs. Would run you...

$1000/foot new.
$500/foot used up to 7 years old

After 7 years, value disappears as you will have a hard time getting in any campground/trailer park. As they simply won't let you in .
 
janesy said:
A friend of mine just sold an older model camper. Around
2003 and 20 feet. It was in very good clean condition. I had started a small roof leak and he basically installed a new top to the tune of 2000$ .

He got 5 grand for it. And it was probably one of the best condition trailers for its year.

His new one is a 2013 24'. Pretty much unused. And he paid 12000 or 12500.

The rule of thumb around here. Is buying a nicely equipt, meaning no slide out TV's, ceramic tile, or hot tubs. Would run you...

$1000/foot new.
$500/foot used up to 7 years old

After 7 years, value disappears as you will have a hard time getting in any campground/trailer park. As they simply won't let you in .
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Off topic but why would you get turned away / refused for having an older camper?
 
Izzit said:
Off topic but why would you get turned away / refused for having an older camper?
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Because it lowers the image of the camp ground. New expensive clean campers attract a certain clientele. Older faded leaky campers attract another. Not sure why they use 7 years, very common around here.
 
Grock-co said:
He is looking for a hunting camper not family, but read into it what ever you want.
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Hmmn,

rkr said:
hi there,

I"m looking to buy my first camper which will be used as a hunting and family camper as well so it must be decent. I need to fit 4 ppl only.
The question is: what to look for in order to avoid a lemon? What is a decent price for a 19 feet or less? I'm looking for something from late '99s or early 2000.
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Perhaps just reading the thread title isn't enough eh?
 
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j_06 said:
What province is here? I've never heard of any being turned away, and I've seen some pretty hurting units. Are you taking about ma and pa rv parks or provincial parks?
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Ontario. Private parks.
The parks I service often have permanent residence, in fact I think the all do in some capacity. In fact the reason that the 2003 from above was sold was because he had to drive it up to the park earlier this season for an inspection before he could even book his holidays about a month ago.
I guess if you have people living there year round paying rent. Do you really want some road beat tag along moving in for the weekend. Who's putting food on your table for the winter... Not that guy. Makes sense to me
 
Pickup camper would be my vote. Leave it level on the jacks and drive into the boonies To convey--- Ram 2500 8' bed. How Tough? Your kids will love it for sleepovers(my grandkids) in the driveway. Beef up the roof and tie downs
to accommodate 8 moose quarters!
 
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We used an 8ft pickup camper for decades and it worked well for us as we also towed our 19ft jet boat. We were in the market for a camper trailer (gave my old 8ft pickup camper to my b-i-l) and after checking out a bunch of used ones, made a list of needs and ended up buying a new 26ft. :) Even though the new full size LW trailers w/aluminum frames are 1/2 ton towable, my 2015 Ram 2500 makes it a snap.
 
Bought a late 80s Bigfoot for hunting and spending a day / weekend at the range. That's outside of your age limit but I mention it because I'm impressed with their two piece clamshell design. No leaks and very light for size!!

If you buy an older camper you have to be careful about your truck box width, it changed in the late 80s and older campers won't fit. Makes for bargains if you have an older truck!
 
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