The most wonderful time of the year

[Dee4j]

didn't see the Kodiaks.. some nice TT and some REALLY nice 5'ers I could dream about full-timing it some day. wondered around the vendor tent bought a cookbook and bought a friend a Xmas present.

met up with Brian & Kristi & then Dave & Lori..didn't see anyone else.

apparently our RV show aired again on Friday I had 2 people recognize me :eyecrazy:   autograph anyone??? :J  :rolleyes: anyone???

[cjpoppin]

Yes, indeed that Shamrock was a dream trailer and we are really strongly thinking about it.......Good thought about the three of us buying at the same time......Hummmmmmmmmmm.......Lot's to think about....We did buy a Pit-To-Go can use it at Vail Lake and other places we camp.....Now we won't have to rent a fire pit at Vail which they always run out of...........Is it Thursday Yet?

[BootheBunch]

Brandon didn't make it to the show....good thing.  We are NOT in the market...although he keeps bringing it up.

Glad you all had fun!

See you Thursday!

Lisa

[griffsmom]

Well, I have to say that I was extremely disappointed by the rv show.  The only hybrids we saw were the Shamrocks and Jaycos-neither of which we really liked.  We never did find the Kodiaks.  The only Roo dealer for all of So Cal didn't even bring a single Roo to the show!!  I heard one of their salesmen say that they while they can order a Roo if you want to buy one, they don't keep them in stock any more because hybrids were a "fad about 5 years ago" but they're no longer popular.  :confused:
 
At one point, we were torn between the Roos and the Starcraft Travelstars.  I can't really speak to the quality of the Roos since I haven't ever been able to see one (:mad: ), but the Starcrafts seem extremely well made.  I've been hanging around hybridexplorer.com and the lion's share of the market seems to rest with Jayco, Roo and Starcraft.  For anyone considering some of the less popular brands, like shamrock kodiak, cub, coyote, etc., you may want to do some research first--some of these brands seem to have a greater amount of trouble w/leaks, poor workmanship and a lack of customer service.  
 
The Starcraft dealer is 5 minutes from our house and stocks lots of hybrids.  I've also heard that Starcraft is very good as far as when customer service is needed, so I guess that makes our decision very easy.

[Azusateach]

Lori -
Who's the dealer, and can you tell me off the top of your head (rhetorical question, I'm sure) what the Starcraft equivalent to the Shamrock 21SS is?  I'd like to look at weight & other things before I go getting my heart set on something other than that Shamrock.  

I wonder if Discount RV would have the Rockwood equivalent ...

Thanks!

Laura

[Dee4j]

Lori -
Who's the dealer, and can you tell me off the top of your head (rhetorical question, I'm sure) what the Starcraft equivalent to the Shamrock 21SS is?  I'd like to look at weight & other things before I go getting my heart set on something other than that Shamrock.  

I wonder if Discount RV would have the Rockwood equivalent ...

Thanks!

Laura

they are at Traveland uSA off the 5 fwy and Sand canyon

[oldmoose]

We checked the Starcraft web site and not only are their expandables heavier (like neither Laura or I can tow it) but the beds are smaller than the Shamrock.Moose

[TheViking]

Our favorite at the show was a fifth wheel (which we will have someday) made by Teton Homes.  It is a home away from home.  Ask Dee if you don't believe me.

[griffsmom]

Lori -
Who's the dealer, and can you tell me off the top of your head (rhetorical question, I'm sure) what the Starcraft equivalent to the Shamrock 21SS is? I'd like to look at weight & other things before I go getting my heart set on something other than that Shamrock.
 
I wonder if Discount RV would have the Rockwood equivalent ...
 
Thanks!
 
Laura

The Starcraft Dealer is Adventure RV in Traveland, on Sand Canyon off the 5 fwy. The 21ss equivalent is the 21SSO. Its GVW is 3812 and its GVWR tops out at 5000. I don't know how the Shamrock compares to that. Moose is right; the bunks are smaller at 57x76, and they are pole supported rather than cable stayed. Starcraft also makes an 18 and a 19 footprint hybrid. The 18' hybrid (the 18SB) has 2 bunks, one off the back side, which makes for a very open feeling inside. The 19ck is a popular model, but I personally am not so fond of it.
 
There is a lot of give-and-take between brands and I think it helps to make a list of your top priorities--those things you can't live without--and then buy the camper that most gives you what you want. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I have a four-page spreadsheet comparing amenities among all the hybrids we are considering.

[griffsmom]

I wonder if Discount RV would have the Rockwood equivalent ...
 
Thanks!
 
Laura

Oops!  Forgot to respond to this part: It was Discount RV who said they don't stock hybrids at all anymore.  They're really only interested in selling TTs and toyhaulers. :mad:

[oldmoose]

One of the things we liked about the Shamrock was the amount of storage it had. Now have to start scrimping and saving to get a hybrid. But I have to be able to tow it also.Moose

[Dee4j]

The Starcraft Dealer is Adventure RV in Traveland, on Sand Canyon off the 5 fwy. The 21ss equivalent is the 21SSO. Its GVW is 3812 and its GVWR tops out at 5000. I don't know how the Shamrock compares to that. Moose is right; the bunks are smaller at 57x76, and they are pole supported rather than cable stayed. Starcraft also makes an 18 and a 19 footprint hybrid. The 18' hybrid (the 18SB) has 2 bunks, one off the back side, which makes for a very open feeling inside. The 19ck is a popular model, but I personally am not so fond of it.
 
There is a lot of give-and-take between brands and I think it helps to make a list of your top priorities--those things you can't live without--and then buy the camper that most gives you what you want. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I have a four-page spreadsheet comparing amenities among all the hybrids we are considering.

the "Ideal" hybrid would be take the features from each brand that you like and put it into one

[TheViking]

Was it just me, or was that show totally dominated by Toy Haulers and Motorhomes? We really wanted to look at Hybrids. Jayco had 1, (not the 26 footer I like), I wanted to see the Antigua by Starcraft....not there, I wanted to see a Rockwood Roo....none. Kristi and I were talking about this on the drive home and determined that these vendors have a crainial rectal inversion problem. Most of the people at these shows aren't going to buy a $35,000 toy hauler, a $50,000 fifth wheel, and certainly not a $400,000 fricken motorhome. Sure, we all like to walk through them and dream, but lets get real. I think most of the people that attend these things are first time buyers and people that are looking to upgade from their first camper. And by upgrade I mean from a $9,000 pop-up to a $18,000 hybrid, or a hybrid to a travel trailer, etc. I doubt thr was anyone there looking to upgrade from a pup to a $125,000 Teton Fifth Wheel. But, maybe I'm totally off. Bottom line is, I think they should have brought out more of the lower priced campers and left some of the MH's & Toy Haulers on the lot. JMHO

[beacher]

Was it just me, or was that show totally dominated by Toy Haulers and Motorhomes? ...

That was exactly my impression of last year's show.

I had fun in the Vendor's tent looking at stuff and asking about discount campground memberships.