After 18 months of looking around to see if and what we want to migrate to, it appears that it will very likely be a Hybrid (so that's only PARTIALLY the Dark Side, right?) and the one floor plan that both my DW and I like and agree upon is the Jayco 23B.
Genef, formerly a member here, took us on a tour of theirs and we both liked the floor plan immediately.
Since seeing the Jayco, it appears that the Rockwood Roo 23B has the same floor plan. Now, comes the hard part, Rockwood or Jayco? Who has the best mattresses? DID Jayco really make the window over the kitchen sink smaller? Then Price? It's going to come down to these 3 questions.
I've owned a Jayco, I can't complain about Jayco as a company at all. The Qwest line was brought out as a price point line, but I've had very few problems and none that can be attributed towards Jayco and away from my own SPUT's! I've heard Rockwood (Forest River) is as reputable.
Has anyone experienced the two trailers? Any thoughts? One BIG thing that sways us towards Rockwood is that RV Wholesalers sell them and the prices and discounts look pretty good!
I believe we will be making a decision between now and the end of Winter.
Not to throw a twist into it, but for the same money you can get the 05 Fleetwood Niagara. OK, I'm partial because i just got one - but
For $12,595 you get larger bunks with a simialr floorplan. "Options" that RV Wholesalers list that I had inclded on my Niagara include:
Oven
Microwave
Molded Propane Bottle Cover
Awning
Spare Tire, Carrier, & Cover
Gas/Electric DSI Water Heater (OK, the FFT isn't Gas/Electric DSI)
Chrome Look Wheel Covers (on the FFT you get 14" aluminum wheels, not covers)
Outside Grill
Interested???
Peco Campers new Inventory (http://www.pecocamping.com/inventory_new.html)
But, I am comparing a Hybrid to a high side pop up, so you loose the gray & black water tanks.
Okay, you "caught" me! I hadn't really looked to see if there were other MFg's with the same floorplan!!! I'll check it out! Thanks!
Quote from: garym053Okay, you "caught" me! I hadn't really looked to see if there were other MFg's with the same floorplan!!! I'll check it out! Thanks!
It's not exactly the same, but very close. If you don't mind the high side pop up it may save you a few dollars.
FFT Website (note the 04 Hemlock was renamed Niagara for 05)
I'm just not really sure about traveling across country as I HOPE to do and setting up a Pop-up each night! Granted there are stops (in my dream trip) where we are camped for a few days, but there are also plenty of days where we stop, heat a can of Dinty Moore, sleep and leave the next morning! (That's probably somewhat of an exageration since I'm on South Beach and I'd be willing to bet that Dinty Moore does not have the right carbs!) And with a hybrid, especially the ones I mentioned, if it's raining, we can sleep on the dinette.
It has pretty much come down to not wanting to give up the feeling of sleeping outdoors, but tempering that with hard sided security (bear country and 2 legged others!) as well as rain!
We are in our 50's (God, those years came quickly!) and hope to keep our pop-up for our summer trips around New England, but have the hybrid to use for longer duration trips., as we near and get into retirement.
BTW, the Rockwood with the options we want comes in at around $13,000.00 at RV Wholesalers.
Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it as I am still open to suggestions!!!
Make sure to check out RVdirect.com. We just ordered a Roo 21 from them and did campare prices with RV Wholesalers. RV Direct had a better price with the same options. We are in Vermont, too and will make the short trip to Albany (where they are located) to pick it up in a week. The staff there is quite helpful.
Trail Lite Bantam B23S has the same floorplan as well. Gene and I both bought our campers this past fall/winter and got different models with the same floorplan. We have camped together twice and we like different things about each others, all in all I think his feels wider inside (it is but only by 3"). The 2004 KIWI/JayFeather is actually 9" wider than mine.
I like my hybrid much more than I did my popup. I can go in it any time I want and can camp in it in much colder weather by leaving the bunkends up. We like the use of the facilities on the road as well as being able to stop for a night without unhooking and minimal setup. Storage in a hybrid is not only greater than a popup but much easier to access. My hybrid has 1800 lbs CCC after deducting for options.
I got my 2004 Bantam for $13495 with every option they offered except for the fantastic fan and I also had a power tongue jack included. I had the fantastic fan in my popup and really thought it was too powerful, it would suck the little bugs right thru the screen.
I believe the Trail Cruiser C23B has the same/similar floor plan as the other 23b's...just FYI
And I paid $12734 for my 2004 Trail Cruiser fully optioned out from RVW, and they also have the same floor plan with a slide-out as well, though they don't show it on the RVW website that I'm aware of...can't say that any PU out there has a 23' box on it, which makes a huge difference on a rainy day.
Thanks Cliff & Chas & Vermont4!
Chas, I think Gene mentioned that you got yours from RVW, when I first met him. Did you and Gene go to Acadia?
I THOUGHT I had it narrowed down to 2, now I find that there are more similar floorplans!! Oh well, good thing I don't have to make up my mind in a hurry!
Thanks!
Quote from: garym053Thanks Cliff & Chas & Vermont4!
Chas, I think Gene mentioned that you got yours from RVW, when I first met him. Did you and Gene go to Acadia?
I THOUGHT I had it narrowed down to 2, now I find that there are more similar floorplans!! Oh well, good thing I don't have to make up my mind in a hurry!
Thanks!
I got mine at Campers Factory Outlet in Wisconsin. They have since downsized and moved to TN.
The Bantam might be the only one that is 7', I think the others are all 8'. The slide on the couch makes a big difference in the floorspace in either of the campers. The 2003 that Gene has is classified as a 7' model although it measures 7'6".
I did go camping with Gene at Acadia several weeks ago. Tlhdoc (Tracy) went as well. At Blackwoods CG in Acadia NP there are no hookups and the dry camping experience made Gene pick up a Group 31 battery this week.
He would only get 1 1/2 days on his Group 24 battery, we attributed a lot of his problem to a lot of use of the water pump and maybe a little to the LP sensor.
Good luck in your search.
chasd60,
I have been looking myself for a Hybrid and found a rating system on the web which all pointed to the KZ Coyote. Has all the new mods on the market. These are nice if you can get one. Twelve week wait here with no discounts.
http://www.kz-rv.com/coyote/coyote_index.php[/color] (//%22http://www.kz-rv.com/coyote/coyote_index.php%22)
http://www.rv-coach.com/RV/manufacturers/survey/rate_your_rv_results.html (//%22http://www.rv-coach.com/RV/manufacturers/survey/rate_your_rv_results.html%22)
I will say you are a lot more patient than I. Good Luck on your search. How is Main this year? I hope the summer has been better there than it was here.(http://www.arveeclub.com/images/icons/icon7.gif)
Quote from: chasd60I got mine at Campers Factory Outlet in Wisconsin. They have since downsized and moved to TN.
The Bantam might be the only one that is 7', I think the others are all 8'. The slide on the couch makes a big difference in the floorspace in either of the campers. The 2003 that Gene has is classified as a 7' model although it measures 7'6".
I did go camping with Gene at Acadia several weeks ago. Tlhdoc (Tracy) went as well. At Blackwoods CG in Acadia NP there are no hookups and the dry camping experience made Gene pick up a Group 31 battery this week.
He would only get 1 1/2 days on his Group 24 battery, we attributed a lot of his problem to a lot of use of the water pump and maybe a little to the LP sensor.
Good luck in your search.
I too would lean toward the KZ Coyote just because they have cables for bunk support and the tenting is permanently attached to the bunk ends. Makes for MUCH easier setup and break-down times -- especially in the rain! They also have the same florr plan that you like. It's the one I've also been partial too in my searches for THE perfect Hybrid...
Don't forget to look at the floorplans by Thor.
Both the Tahoe 23DT GL and the Wanderer 251DTS have the same floorplan you are interested in.
One big advantage of the Hybrids by Thor is they come with a KING bed in the front. It measures 80" x 70" which is even bigger then the bed in Tim's new Niagara.
http://www.thorindustries.com/rv/
We also like the hybrids, and even though we won't be buying one until DS gets out of preschool (2 more years) we have enjoyed looking at all the floorplans. Our first choice was the Starcraft Travelstar 21SB, which has the front, back and side bunk ends. But the interior height is only 6'4" (with a/c compromising the interior height even more) and my DH is a whopping 6'5". I have been looking at the Coyote 22ct which is the same floorplan as the 21sb and says it has an interior height of 6'6".
We have the Coyote C20 and just love it, it fits our needs to a T,but you'll have to decide on what fits you.
Quote from: griffsmomWe also like the hybrids, and even though we won't be buying one until DS gets out of preschool (2 more years) we have enjoyed looking at all the floorplans. Our first choice was the Starcraft Travelstar 21SB, which has the front, back and side bunk ends. But the interior height is only 6'4" (with a/c compromising the interior height even more) and my DH is a whopping 6'5". I have been looking at the Coyote 22ct which is the same floorplan as the 21sb and says it has an interior height of 6'6".
Lori, those specs on the Starcraft are just about right. I'm 6'1" and if I stand straight up, the top of my head can graze the A/C unit. I clear the ceiling in the rest of the trailer, but it doesn't seem as tall as in our previous popup. Tradeoffs abound between hybrids and popups. Check the beds as well. While I think the newer Starcrafts and the one you are looking at have plenty of length, my bed is just barely long enough for me. My 17-footer is the same width as my popup (7 feet), but due to clearance needed for the exterior latches, it compromises the length of the beds. Since Dave is taller than me, just be sure to check this out in your comparisons.